A thousand drones buzzed the New York skyline anticipating the Sustainable Development Goals Summit on September 18-19. But world leaders attending the high-level segment of the 78th UN General Assembly were neither amused nor inspired as they wrangled over the political declaration that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres sought to rescue the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
It is a sign of our tormented times that the last-minute adoption of the anodyne and somewhat turgid declaration was touted an achievement. Not a great one because, unlike the universal acclamation that accompanied the 2015 adoption of the SDGs, 11 countries objected. They had tacit support from several of the 134 developing economies of the Group of 77 and China.
That is a significant proportion of 193 UN member states.
Their objection was not to the SDGs but anger at being disrespected by developed nations.
At the heart are, as the objectors said, “unilateral coercive measures” – sanctions – posing an existentialist threat to their peoples. With a third of the world under some form of sanctions, it is moot to talk of universal development goals. The usual classification of countries by income status is, instead, better expressed as “sanctioned” and “sanctioning” nations.
It would be a perverse outcome if UNGA’s political declarations on development, global health and pandemics, and climate crisis further divide the world instead of accelerating the tackling of shared problems. With 145 attending heads of state and government departing hastily after set speeches, substantive action is postponed to next year’s grandly titled Summit of the Future.
That future is bleak, according to the special report marking the midpoint of the development journey towards 2030.
The 17 SDGs were intended to transform the world without leaving anyone behind. Instead, more than half the world is slipping back, with 30 per cent of the SDGs’ 169 targets stalled or reversed, and 50 per cent making lacklustre progress.
That means 575 million mired in extreme poverty, 600 million hungry and 675 million with no electricity, of a projected 8.6 billion world in 2030. With 3.5 billion currently lacking safe drinking water and sanitation, an unlikely five-fold pick-up in pace is needed.
Gender equality will take close to 300 years as gender-based violence and restricted female rights prevail in many settings. Eighty-four million children and youth will be out of school and 300 million lack basic numeracy and literacy as education quality slips.
The more serious obstacle to failing development are interminable conflicts spreading instability across whole regions
But not all is gloom: 95 per cent of the world has mobile broadband access and two-thirds of people use the internet, with many secondary benefits.
Health targets show mixed results.
Universal health coverage is stalled with half the world population not covered by essential services. About 380 million are pushed into extreme poverty as they desperately buy whatever life-preserving care they can get. Hope comes from 146 countries meeting or coming close to their under-fives mortality target. But old scourges such as malaria and tuberculosis have returned.
Meanwhile, two billion people breathe toxic air diminishing healthy life expectancy, and the next pandemic is around the corner such is the sorry state of preparedness.
For how long can the Covid-19 pandemic be blamed for our slow progress? With two billion in precarious informal jobs without social protection, global economic growth limping at 1.5-2 per cent, and least developing countries missing their target of doubling manufacturing share of GDP to 24 per cent, what will power development?
The expectation is aid from rich countries exhorted to correct past injustices such as slavery, colonialism and carbon emissions. But such moral appeals fall on deaf ears at a time that net official development assistance has already reached a record $206 billion in 2022.
Meanwhile, fiscal expansion from the pandemic-related borrowing binge has generated high inflation and left a global debt pile of $307 trillion. Developing countries face an unprecedented debt crisis with 37 of 69 poorest nations in serious distress, and many middle-income countries at substantial risk.
Estimates suggest a $135 trillion requirement to put the SDGs on track. The UN seeks a modest $500 billion annually. This is affordable considering our global GDP of $105 trillion. But will it be found?
Part is to come from debt suspension and re-scheduling, and through improved long-term financing from reformed multilateral development banks. But rich nation shareholders will not give something for nothing, and much contention lies ahead before a muddled compromise is reached.
All calculations are imperilled by the climate crisis.
Several places temporarily exceed the 1.5°C limit agreed at the 2015 Paris climate conference, and global mean temperatures are set to get there by 2035. Six of the nine planetary boundaries that maintain the Earth’s resilience have been breached with destructive impacts on our land, water and biosystems.
Devastating disasters such as heatwaves, fires, storms and floods are commonplace affecting a billion people and undermining past development gains.
Inevitably, the record numbers of 120 million refugees and migrants fleeing bigger and more protracted crises are preoccupied with immediate survival rather than long-term development. As humanitarian relief rises to an all-time high of $52 billion, there is less for the SDGs.
Meanwhile, climate financing is mired in controversy with $6 billion required by developing countries that are increasing their renewable energy by a meagre 10 per cent annually. Perhaps that is why the leaders of the major polluting nations were uncomfortable with attending the UN’s Climate Ambition Summit.
But, at least, technological ingenuity is signposting potential solutions to global heating.
The more serious obstacle to failing development are interminable conflicts – currently about 130 – spreading instability across whole regions, such as in North Africa. It is difficult to talk of development in mis-governed spaces where civilians bear the brunt of abuse and suffering. Tellingly, UNGA avoided discussing that except for speeches on Ukraine.
Cataclysmic UN commentary accompanying the depressing SDG data may not have the intended impact of spurring corrective action. Instead, a revisionary school of thought seeks to abandon the SDGs as unachievable or to prioritise them in a new development agenda by cherry-picking limited targets with the best business case for maximum returns.
The SDGs may not be achieved by 2030, but they provide the vision for a better world that our struggling humanity needs. Throwing the SDG baby out with the turbulent bathwater that we are in would be short-sighted. Besides, prevailing geopolitics is unlikely to permit a new development consensus for at least another generation.
If global solidarity will not rescue the SDGs, it is not the end of our journey. Sustainable development is intrinsic to people and cannot be gifted or imposed from outside.
Ultimately, it is up to each nation – rich or poor, large or small – to grip its own responsibility to enable its people to develop themselves.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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.
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
Three tips from La Perle's performers
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.
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
Winner: Miqyaas, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Untold Secret, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Shanty Star, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Alkaamel, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Speedy Move, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Quartier Francois, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Brief scores:
Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf
Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)
Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17
Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)
Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE CARD
2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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