Dr Ebtesam Al Ketbi is the president of the Emirates Policy Centre
November 11, 2021
“Some of the commentary on recent developments in Tunisia & Sudan has tried to exaggerate the UAE’s role in what are essentially internal dynamics. There is also a tendency by some commentators to misrepresent the UAE’s intentions in a way that does not reflect the reality.” This was posted recently by Dr Anwar Gargash, the Diplomatic Advisor to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on his Twitter account.
Dr Gargash further emphasised that the UAE works with partners to promote regional stability and seeks to build bridges to de-escalate tensions. “We understand that stability depends on governments addressing popular sentiments and avoiding marginalisation of segments of society,” he said.
Dr Gargash also said that any efforts to reduce tension, build political consensus and strengthen regional partnerships must be commended. “The UAE believes that dialogue, inclusive processes and avoiding confrontation should be the main tools in managing both internal disputes and regional relationships,” he said.
Self-criticism or constant reviews of positions and policies are not common practice in the Arab political space, except in rare cases. However, a shortcoming in the Arab region’s political and media spheres is looking for mistakes and defaming to the extent of “demonising” others. The motive of the people behind these campaigns is to isolate the targeted party from its Arab context and question its objectives, policies and positions. Any party that adopts a realistic, transparent or different policy, detached from populism and emotions, become a potential target of such campaigns.
In the past few years, the UAE has shown its readiness and ability to use various tools, including military force, to combat actual or perceived threats beyond its territory. Evidently, these threats are centred around the Muslim Brotherhood, extremism and terrorism. It has also focused on Iran’s policies and proxies, and Turkey’s foreign policy strategies.
The country has welcomed 2021 with optimism, turning the page on regional discord. It has emphasised the need for diplomatic solutions to de-escalate regional tensions, and redirected priorities and resources toward expanding trade partnerships. During the post-Covid-19 recovery phase, the UAE’s focus has been on developing a competitive environment and preparing the economy for decades to come. This phase for the UAE will be governed by digitalisation, technological solutions, the shift toward clean energy and the expansion of infrastructure and regional connectivity projects.
Presidential adviser Dr Anwar Gargash has been vocal on social media in countering those who demonise UAE foreign policy. Reuters
The UAE has also warned against attempts by parties in the region to exaggerate its regional role through a campaign of “fake news”. The country believes that these campaigns and exaggerations only serve malicious purposes of its regional adversaries. They portray the country as being behind every political act or plan in the region. To explain this phenomenon, Dr Gargash said in his tweets that it is not fair to exaggerate the UAE’s role in a way that portrays it as a “difficult member” of the region. He said that a state confronting regional interference in Arab affairs does not deserve to be at the receiving end of such propaganda. “We are partners to good forces in the region that seek stability and development and reject Arab submission to regional powers. We believe the aim of these campaigns is the demonisation of the UAE. But it is in part an acknowledgment of the centrality of the UAE and its credibility,” he said.
The UAE has always adopted a defensive rather than an aggressive strategy in its regional roles. It does not seek to engage in conflicts, and its development model is grounded in the stability required to attract trade and investment. However, enormous regional pressures have also pushed the UAE to make decisive, doctrinal shifts in foreign and defence policy. For example, the country participated in the Peninsula Shield Force to safeguard Bahrain’s security and stability in 2011. That decision was taken at the request of the Bahraini government. In 2011, it joined Nato forces in Libya under UN Security Council Resolution 1973. It also intervened in Yemen in 2015 at the official request of the government of the country's internationally recognised President, Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi.
During the first and second decades of the 21st century, the UAE's regional outreach has not necessarily translated into actual and sustainable strategic gains. The trajectory of these gains has not been stable or risen constantly. We also believe that self-critical evaluation is beneficial and healthy. For all actors in the region, gains and losses have varied from time to time and from issue to issue. At times, tactical withdrawals, retreats and advances manifest conflicts and responses to regional and international axes and rivalries. Manoeuvres are meant to establish influence in the region and implement their agendas and strategies for all stakeholders.
The UAE’s objectives behind supporting stability, moderation and development in the region had never changed, even as the country sought different means and tools. Against this backdrop, it has reviewed its policy towards a number of countries over the past two years. It has decided to turn the page on disagreements with other countries in the region, advanced the prospects of regional stability, helped prevent the escalation of conflicts and supported building bridges between nations.
Such a strategy allows the economy and politics to go hand in hand, making the UAE’s international relations approach realistic. And this rationality stands in contrast to the exaggerations perpetuated regarding the UAE’s role in influencing the domestic dynamics of Tunisia, Sudan and other sovereign Arab countries.
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
Red Star Belgrade v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight (Thursday), UAE
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Race results:
1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min
2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec
3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Who are the Soroptimists?
The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
