This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the founding of the UN, a major year for global governance.
On September 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit in Tianjin, calling on all countries to build a more just and equitable global governance system and to work together towards a shared future. On September 3, a grand ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of China’s victory against Japan was held in Beijing. With a grand military parade, the event was joined by the people of the world in commemorating the victory and envisioning a bright future for humankind that encompasses lasting peace and common prosperity.
The UN was founded in 1945 following deep reflection on the bitter lessons of the two world wars. Over the past eight decades, the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter have made historic contributions towards maintaining world peace and development, as well as the progress of human civilisation.
In this special historical year that connects past and future, Mr Xi – following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative – solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative, further contributing Chinese wisdom and proposing Chinese solutions to strengthen and improve global governance. This initiative has opened up new avenues for addressing the global governance deficit. It is a timely initiative, which provides future development guidance and demonstrates China’s responsibility in world affairs.
This initiative aligns with the needs of the times and reflects the aspirations of the people.
At present, the world continues to face challenges such as frequent regional instability, stunted economic development, rising anti-globalisation sentiment, and a lack of rules and the rule of law. Many of these issues are no longer confined to one country, and they can’t be addressed by one nation either. Strengthening global governance is an inevitable trend. In particular, the rampant unilateral practices and bullying of certain countries have severely undermined the concept of global governance based on multilateralism, and undermined the effectiveness of multilateral mechanisms such as the UN.
Reforming and improving global governance have, therefore, become shared aspirations of the vast majority of countries, especially developing countries. The initiative aims to make the governance system more just and equitable, more adaptable to evolving circumstances and more responsive to the needs of all countries.
It also provides conceptual guidance and clarifies practical approaches. It proposes five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach and taking real actions. These principles are consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and clearly define the key principles, methods and approaches needed to promote the reform and improvement of global governance.
Sovereign equality is the primary prerequisite. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, should have the right to participate equally in international affairs. The unequal situation in which a few countries monopolise global governance must not continue.
International rule of law is the fundamental guarantee. International law and international rules are common standards and should be jointly written, upheld and implemented by all countries. There are, and should be, no exceptions. Multilateralism is the fundamental approach. Global governance is a matter for all, affecting the vital interests of every country. It must be achieved through co-ordination and co-operation, not unilateral bullying. A people-centred approach is a value orientation.
Ultimately, global governance is about turning the aspirations of people in all countries for a better life into reality and jointly building a world where everyone enjoys prosperity and well-being. Taking real actions is a key principle. The vitality of global governance stems from practice. Action is the key, and ultimately, results are the essence. We must focus on the present and the long-term goal, and solve practical problems that concern all countries.
The Global Governance Initiative unites the Global South and responds to calls for justice. Currently, the collective rise of developing countries and emerging markets is profoundly reshaping the global political and economic landscape. However, the Global South has long been severely underrepresented in existing international mechanisms, which is a historical injustice that urgently needs to be addressed.
In the process of building an equal, orderly, multipolar world and inclusive economic globalisation, the rich practices, diverse cultures and various development models of countries in the Global South countries, including China, continue to contribute high-quality intellectual products to the world.
Since its inception, the initiative has received high recognition and broad support from countries in the Global South, who have expressed that it embodies their shared aspirations, promotes the democratisation of international relations and further enhances their voice and influence.
China and the UAE are both countries in the Global South, and important participants in global governance. China stands ready to work with the UAE to implement the initiative, make positive efforts to improve global governance, jointly uphold multilateralism, defend international fairness and justice, and promote the development of a more just and equitable global governance system.
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Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
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What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
The specs: 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS
Price: base / as tested: From Dh632,225
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 540hp @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 540Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away
It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.
The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.
At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.
The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.
After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.
Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.
And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.
At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.
And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.
* Agence France Presse
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight (Wednesday), BeIN Sports
MATCH INFO
Bangla Tigers 108-5 (10 ovs)
Ingram 37, Rossouw 26, Pretorius 2-10
Deccan Gladiators 109-4 (9.5 ovs)
Watson 41, Devcich 27, Wiese 2-15
Gladiators win by six wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
