US President Joe Biden, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court
US President Joe Biden, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court
US President Joe Biden, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court
Mariam Al Mheiri is head of the International Affairs Office of the Presidential Court, and a member of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council
September 12, 2023
Today, it is even more apparent that our planet and weather patterns are changing before our eyes. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and ferocious, food security is becoming an issue of life-changing importance for more communities, and our ecosystems are rapidly changing, eradicating our natural flora and fauna.
In light of these mounting challenges, the spirit of inclusivity and collective responsibility must inspire us all to act. Indeed, it is only by working together in the best interests of all people that we may solve the most pressing issues facing humanity.
This is the globally unifying message affirmed by President Sheikh Mohamed and a high-level UAE delegation at the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit, which gathered world leaders, heads of global organisations and national representatives in New Delhi.
At its heart, President Sheikh Mohamed’s message at the summit is a resounding call to back inclusivity over exclusion, fairness over inequality and action today over catastrophe tomorrow – a message that defines the UAE’s own presidency of Cop28 in November.
From left, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visit Raj Ghat memorial. Reuters
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visit the Akshardham Hindu Temple in New Delhi. Getty Images
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses a press conference during the G20 Summit in New Delhi. EPA
From left, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed attend the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance at the G20 summit in New Delhi. AP
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron attend the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
From left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian President Droupadi Murmu and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed at the G20 summit in New Delhi. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. AFP
The 18th G20 Summit between 19 countries and the European Union, and now the African Union, is the first to be held in India and South Asia. AFP
Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Private Affairs Advisor in the Presidential Court, left, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, attend the first session of the G20 Summit. UAE Presidential Court
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden attend a session as part of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. AFP
France's President Emmanuel Macron greets European Council President Charles Michel before the start of the second working session. AFP
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks with his advisors before the start of the second working session. AFP
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, US President Joe Biden, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speak before the start of the second working session. AFP
US President Joe Biden greets Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. AFP
Sheikh Mohamed arrives at the IECC Convention Centre. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed is greeted by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. UAE Presidential Court
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to the G20 summit. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq. Oman News Agency
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at the G20 summit. Getty
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes US President Joe Biden to the G20 summit. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Getty
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the opening day of the G20 summit. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. AFP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa to the G20 summit, three weeks after the leaders were together at the Brics summit in Johannesburg. Reuters
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Reuters
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to host the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi. AFP
Participants backed the G20 declaration’s 83 paragraphs that outlined the need to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030
At the G20 Summit, the President discussed the need to identify a way forward in financing sustainable development to ensure climate action addresses the needs of those most affected around the world.
To make real impact, climate finance must be affordable, available and accessible to all, which Sheikh Mohamed discussed in his side meetings with various leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Argentine President Alberto Fernandez.
The meetings undertaken by Sheikh Mohamed during the G20 Summit reflect the enormous scope of the UAE’s relations spanning the globe – a bridge between East and West, a convener of North and South.
While the UAE is a young nation, our leadership has always believed that we have a duty to work hand-in-hand with others and listen to their diverse perspectives to encourage consensus. It is this sense of shared responsibility that continues to nurture our country’s multilateral partnerships at the highest levels.
Sheikh Mohamed underscored our nation’s commitment to collaboration throughout the G20 Summit, emphasising that the UAE is determined to translate aims into action to uplift communities around the world, particularly youth, women, and civil society.
That is a message we intend to carry forward through to Cop28 and beyond, and the UAE looks forward to working with G20 partners to deliver on pledges to support those whose lives and livelihoods have been significantly altered by climate change. It is encouraging that the G20 has now welcomed the African Union as a member, making the group more representative of the Global South. And our goal, as I reiterated in Kenya and Tanzania last week, is to make Cop28 the most inclusive and impactful yet.
Locals pass by the G20 logo near the Bharat Mandapam at ITPO Convention Centre in New Delhi last month. EPA
In the run-up to Cop28, the UAE continues to engage with other nations on major sustainability and energy initiatives, as the world witnessed at the G20 Summit. For example, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) will link multiple regions through trade and development co-operation, with participants agreeing to assess the potential of electricity and clean hydrogen exports to enhance supply chains and connectivity.
Another initiative is the Global Biofuels Alliance launched by India on the sidelines of the G20 Summit with the UAE and other nations as initiating members. The alliance will encourage partners to increase trade in sustainable biofuels while making the economic case for the adoption of greener alternatives.
Through our commitment to both, the UAE has reinforced the steps it is taking to elevate international co-operation towards a shared vision of a cleaner and greener tomorrow.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration, achieved after more than 200 hours of deliberations, saw participants back the declaration’s 83 paragraphs, which outlined the need to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and establish a green development pact to incentivise sustainable growth. Inspired by President Sheikh Mohamed’s engagement on the international stage, we in the UAE believe that the declaration is a promising sign of the progress to come.
Reaching consensus is no small challenge, but the concrete outcomes from the G20 demonstrate what is possible when all parties apply creativity, grit, and optimism to partnership.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Where, when and at what time Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday at 5pm (UAE time)
Arsenal line up (3-4-2-1) Petr Cech; Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal; Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck; Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Chelsea line up (3-4-2-1) Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill; Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Pedro; Michy Batshuayi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
Know before you go
Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28') Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
