I have been the UAE’s ambassador to France for nearly a year now, and it is fair to say that President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s recent visit was the proudest moment of my tenure so far. To see our President welcomed to Paris for his first state visit, and received with the highest honours by President Emmanuel Macron and numerous French officials, was the privilege of a lifetime.
For his first state visit as President, Sheikh Mohamed chose Paris. The event marked a significant moment in time for the historical partnership that binds the UAE with France.
Indeed, this choice is no coincidence: it is not only indicative of our great friendship, but also reflects the potential our president sees in the future of this bilateral collaboration. And based on what I have learned from my time in France so far, he is absolutely right. We have maintained excellent relations ever since the foundation of the UAE, with France among the very first countries to open an embassy in Abu Dhabi, in 1972. Today, our ties run deep, and there is tremendous appetite on both sides for them to extend wider.
The visit saw as many as 12 strategic agreements signed, aiming to give us the tools to address the greatest challenges facing our world. Reflecting the global agenda, these deals demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to global energy security, health and climate change, as well as the specific areas of strategic interest which bind our two nations spanning from education and culture to space exploration.
With each of last week’s engagements, a message was made clear: in today’s global context, it is only through co-operation and exchange that nations can prosper. This is a message that the UAE delegation repeated to their French interlocutors, and a message that I am proud to stand for.
In my role in France, I am constantly reminded of the importance of dialogue to build bridges, beyond the links that exist at an official and political level. The UAE is characterised by openness, tolerance and the understanding of one’s culture, and these values are at the heart of my mission as ambassador to France. I consider it paramount to meet, discuss and exchange views on important topics such as culture, religion, education and science.
So, for me, the success of this visit lay in all the new bridges built between the UAE and France, not just in terms of the bond that unites our respective presidents, but at a variety of levels, going way beyond traditional diplomatic and political circles. To state a few examples: Minister Noura Al Kaabi visited a collaborative cultural centre in the Paris suburbs that connects artists with the local community so both sides learn from each other; our healthcare specialists visited France’s leading medical research organisation, the Institut Pasteur, to advance medical co-operation. And President Sheikh Mohamed himself spent time listening to the stories of young Emirati students in Paris, asking about their perspectives on the excellent French higher education system, inquiring about any support they may require while abroad, and stressing the importance of the role they will play back home with their newly gained experience.
The Embassy in Paris works tirelessly to ensure that channels of communication are opened and sustained with important partners across every field. Therefore, I was pleased to see senior UAE leaders so receptive to the French stakeholders we introduced them to. And this goes both ways: the feedback from our French friends has also been very positive, telling me how surprised they are to see ministers so engaged and eager to learn about their activities. It encourages me to continue diversifying our networks, as there is much we can learn from each other.
I was particularly thrilled to see investments made in culture. Something that our people share with the people of France is a love of arts and, illustrating this, our partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi was recently extended until 2047. I intend to continue expanding these partnerships, which is why I spend time speaking with, and learning from, many cultural players in Paris and across France.
We have much to build yet. This historic visit was a timely reminder of how much we can achieve through friendship and mutual understanding. I am thankful to our host: it was a delight to witness French hospitality at its best, when in the grand setting of Versailles’ Trianon, dozens of high-level guests, all leaders in their fields, paused to listen to the orchestra play a couple of tunes dedicated to the memory of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed. This touching gesture was much appreciated by us all, and is a testament to the level of mutual understanding we have reached. It fills me with optimism for the future of our relations and the years to come.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
CONCRETE COWBOY
Directed by: Ricky Staub
Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
3.5/5 stars
AWARDS
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Results
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson
5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri
5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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
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
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
