Ohood Al Roumi is UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future
December 02, 2022
On November 24, 2021, Unesco’s 41st General Conference met and unanimously decided to proclaim December 2, 2022 as the first World Futures Day. We applaud this momentous occasion and celebrate Unesco’s focus on futurism, given its critical role in global development.
We hope this day will encourage the global community to look to the future in anticipation of new technologies and innovations that offer positive opportunities for humanity and prepare us for all that is to come. Instead of waiting for change to happen and playing catch up by reacting, we are now more than ever in a position to proactively look down the road, prepare for change and lead into the future with confidence.
The underlying concept of World Futures Day is to encourage governments around the world to plan for the future and raise their future readiness. This is important because our existence depends upon the anticipation of what is to come and our preparation and policymaking responses.
The best way to predict the future is to shape it. If we continue to wait for the future, we wait for the unknown. We would be unprepared and fearful of changes on the brink of the horizon. Instead, we should enhance our capabilities to be more future-ready, make our people ready, reinforce our agility to respond to mega changes and enhance our ability to design and shape the future we want for our current and future generations, as per President Sheikh Mohamed.
The UAE is one of few countries to have a ministerial portfolio dedicated to the future. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The best way to predict the future is to shape it
Today, every minister and government leader around the world should be a futurist. Governments must actively anticipate economic, social and technological changes, and lead in innovation to safeguard our future. This means having the ability to make decisions for the future. It means identifying and preparing for the most likely future and a variety of potential futures. It means having the foresight to ensure our society is resilient, and that we have the policies and regulations in place to usher in a safe, prosperous and sustainable future. This gives us control, if not over the future itself then at least over how it may affect us.
The day Unesco chose to be World Futures Day also happens to be National Day in the UAE. On this day, we traditionally celebrate our heritage and past, our present achievements and, most importantly, our future. This year, we will have doubled the incentive to celebrate, having been one of the few governments worldwide who, from an early time, dedicated its attention and resources to understanding the future and shaping it to our advantage.
In responding to not just today's issues, but looking ahead and making strategic provisions for what may impact the world tomorrow, the UAE – by all standards – aims to remain ahead of the curve. Being forward-looking has become a key component of our national identity, and pushing the frontiers of technology to prepare our economy and government for the future is central to our daily activities. We are the region’s most competitive economy, home to the Museum of the Future, and are hosts to international forward-looking events like Expo 2020 and Cop28.
We have proven how well our future readiness has paid off many times over, most notably throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The UAE has consistently ranked at the top of Bloomberg’s “Covid Resilience Ranking”; we were ranked first three times, and have not dipped below the top three spots since September 2021.
This was achieved because when the future came, we were ready. Our digital infrastructure was ready, our agile government system was ready and our innovation ecosystem was ready. We were able to ensure minimum disruption through robust digital systems, ranging from government services to educational platforms and even health services. These systems were not built overnight; in fact, we have spent years digitising our sectors as part of our national strategy. We integrated advanced technologies into our society and reaped the benefits when they mattered most. That is what we will continue to do.
We will continue to invest in time, effort, energy and positively disruptive ideas towards a better future for our nation. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, the UAE’s Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, put it best when he said: “The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it. It isn’t something you await, but rather create.” This is the spirit of the UAE, and this is the spirit of the global World Futures Day, both to be celebrated on December 2.
The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
Do not drive outside designated lanes
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
Key findings of Jenkins report
Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Final round
25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)
23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)
21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)
20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)
19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)
Tickets
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
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
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Sectors:Internet, e-commerce
Investments:Grants/private funding
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
England-South Africa Test series
1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day - 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227 for four at the close.
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
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That's about it
RESULT
Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4
Milan: Kessie (14'), Cutrone (25', 43'), Calhanoglu (85')
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
