Dr Nawal Al-Hosany is permanent representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency
February 08, 2022
We have come to think of climate action along two temporal lines: "Before Paris" and "After Paris", with the 2015 Agreement acting as the watershed moment that divides them. In the years to come, we will think of the geopolitical energy map as defined by a similar dichotomy: "Before the Transition" and "After the Transition".
Despite the inevitable disruption that will occur as we transition to a new energy system, we have an opportunity unlike any other in history to ensure that the geopolitical energy map of the post-transition years is inclusive and equitable, without exception. It is a chance for energy and prosperity go hand in hand.
In these transitional years, which could unfold over many decades, we must strive to pass policies and laws that ensure that everyone, from every corner of the planet, has a pin on the new energy map. We must ensure that climate-vulnerable communities on the frontlines of climate change have affordable access to electricity, clean water and food on the same terms as those in developed parts of the world. We must ensure that human dignity is woven into the fabric of sustainable development. Any future scenario other than this will be a great failure.
This is the feeling I am left with as the dust from the 12th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) General Assembly and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week settles. The numerous dialogues I participated in throughout both season-opening events offered both a fresh sense of optimism that climate ambition is beginning to translate into action, as well as a healthy dose of outrage that more must be done, urgently.
In the years to come, we will think of the geopolitical energy map as 'Before the Transition' and 'After the Transition'
For me, the theme that stood out among all others was the topic that will define the rest of the decade and beyond: how the race towards renewables in pursuit of tomorrow’s energy system will alter the geopolitical energy map and define the future of human dignity.
The more than 1,100 delegates from 137 countries who virtually attended the Irena Assembly had plenty to say on the topic, especially on how policies aimed at decarbonsation will reorder the world’s energy system, move us towards net zero in the name of climate action and, as a natural consequence, redefine the balance of power.
Achim Steiner, administrator of the UN Development Programme, called for an enabling investment environment to push through pandemic recovery measures which requires national policies to be reviewed. Amina J Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary General, told members that we need decisive actions to close the energy access gap worldwide. And Egypt’s Minister of Electricity, Mohamed Shaker, called for a move to an implementation phase to improve access to electricity and energy efficiency across Africa and other parts of the world.
The message is clear: though the geopolitical energy map has been complicated by the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic, it has not slowed the shifting geopolitical landscape as the energy transformation gathers momentum.
Achim Steiner, the UN Development Programme administrator, has called for an 'enabling environment' for investment in post-pandemic recovery. AP
The same is addressed in a new joint report from the UAE and Irena, which was launched during the assembly. The report, titled Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation: The Hydrogen Factor, confirms that the global energy transition will disrupt the current energy system on a grand scale, impacting the entire energy value chain along the way. It will challenge the resilience of economies and require decision makers to adapt. And international cooperation will be essential to effectively navigate the unknowns, mitigate risks and overcome geopolitical instability, the report points out.
In the same way that international collaboration helped global markets recover from the financial crisis of 2008 to 2009, today the international community must come together to overcome the climate crisis in an inclusive manner.
Ensuring that everyone has a seat at the new energy table means fostering an investment and education environment that allows countries to harness the vast, untapped and potential renewable energy sources to be found in their own backyards. And if we can do this, we will be making good on our commitments to put human dignity at the heart of sustainable development.
Indeed, when we look at the broad spectrum that the UN’s interlinked Sustainable Development Goals cover, many can be met through an equitable energy transition and a new era marked by affordable access to energy.
The raft of jobs and opportunities that will be created for young people as we pursue renewable energy pathways to a cleaner, greener future can empower the talent in developing economies with the tools and knowledge to unlock long-term prosperity.
To do this, education must be a global priority. Integrating renewable energy and sustainable development into national curriculums around the world will enable young people to one day lead their communities towards a brighter future.
And this notion is at the core of much of the work the UAE has done in recent years, alongside the international community. Because we recognise the importance of this moment. We recognise that, when it comes to a securing a fair future for all, we are all in this together. Because no one is safe until everyone is safe.
Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26) bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
Results
Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
The Undertaker beat John Cena
The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE) Where: Allianz Arena, Munich Live: BeIN Sports HD Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
