Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, on Wednesday urged the Arab world to abandon outdated ideologies that serve only to sow division in an evolving political and economic landscape.
Dr Gargash, speaking on the final day of the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, said there was a "national and Arab responsibility" to keep pace with a changing global picture to cement regional stability and harness the talents of its youth.
In a wide-ranging address, the senior Emirati diplomat underlined the need for countries to shift focus from military power to emerging technology and championing education.
“There is uncertainty now and we will witness major changes in different sectors like AI, economy and the international system," said Dr Gargash. "For the first time, the US is prioritising its national interests over their traditional political alignments.
“Our national and Arab responsibility requires us to engage with these transformations, especially in the technological, political and economic domains, to ensure the protection of our shared interests and to achieve stability.”
Dr Gargash said the Arab world is divided and the Arab political scene has changed, especially in Syria and Lebanon.
He said it is time to move past the ideological frameworks that have held the region back.
“The era of ideologies is over,” he said. “They have only deepened division and weakened nations. In the last two years, during the Gaza war, old ideologies collapsed, yet many still refuse to learn from this experience.”
For Lebanon and Syria, Gargash said there are forces trying to keep them stuck in the past, while others are striving to push for a fairer and more prosperous future.
Dr Gargash said the UAE decision to formalise diplomatic ties with Israel, through the signing of the Abraham Accords in September, 2020, remained a wise one.
He cautioned against those parties that are resistant to such establishment of relations, saying they are impeding progress. “In the UAE, it was a strategic choice and was the right one,” he said.
Dr Gargash emphasised the UAE's steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause and its support of the two-state solution as the means to bring about peace.
“UAE has played a major humanitarian role in helping Palestinians, delivering 42 per cent of all aid that entered Gaza since October 8, 2023,” Dr Gargash said.
He called for nations to work towards improving living standards and opening up more job opportunities to act as a catalyst for security and stability.
“There shouldn’t be a state with two armies or one controlled by militias. Priorities should centre on education, providing job opportunities for youth.”
He said Gulf countries are successful models in creating opportunities and shaping the future of the region.
“We need to stay away of the illusion of political slogans and working towards building a new reality based on genuine opportunities.”
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures:Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
Listen to Extra Time
More on animal trafficking
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
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What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
