Out of every global crisis emerges the need for countries to recommit to multilateralism and recognise that few nations prosper alone when global challenges threaten the wellbeing of all. This year, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the G20 has epitomised this commitment.
As one of the world’s most prominent economic forums, the G20 is now a symbol of global resilience and cooperation. Having risen to prominence out of the 2007-08 global recession, the G20 has proved to be the most effective platform to address the significant economic difficulties brought on by the pandemic and enable the recovery ahead of us.
Already, the G20 has proved itself a symbol of hope and reassurance in this time of great uncertainty. During the Extraordinary Leaders' Summit on Covid-19, held on March 26, G20 members committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the pandemic while protecting jobs, preserving financial stability, minimising trade disruptions and enhancing global health cooperation. While the impulse of some countries was to enact protectionist measures to safeguard the public, the G20 has remained steadfast and served as a reminder to the international community that a coordinated response, built upon information sharing and common economic and financial guidance, would ultimately benefit all.
Invited to this year’s events, in its capacity as Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the UAE came to the G20 Summit with a firm commitment to support and promote multilateral engagement. A key element of the UAE’s approach was to use its voice at the forum to elevate those of others, notably small and under-represented countries. This strategy was a natural extension of the UAE’s foreign policy, which has always been to support our partners around the world, to ensure various perspectives are heard when it comes to the global challenges which affect us all.
few nations prosper alone when global challenges threaten the wellbeing of all
Even during the most dire moments of the pandemic, the UAE worked to ensure supply chains remained open, regardless of political differences or geographic proximity, from Iran to China, from Italy to Colombia, and from Kenya to beyond. Alongside these efforts, the UAE has distributed over 1,613 tonnes of medical and food assistance to 120 countries since the start of the pandemic, benefiting 1.6 million medical professionals around the world.
These links will be invaluable as we near the release of a successful Covid-19 vaccine. The UAE is prepared to play a major role in ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine once available. The “leave no one behind” principle has been the backbone of the G20’s efforts to develop a cohesive response to Covid-19. Now, more than ever, solidarity with those in need has proven essential, and unilateralism has become a relic of a bygone age.
With globalisation the dominant force in today’s international system, those that attempt to act alone may quickly find that they fall behind. As a young nation approaching 50 years since its foundation, the UAE has placed open exchange and global interaction at the heart of its developmental approach.
None of the UAE’s recent accomplishments – the upcoming World Expo to be held for the first time in the Middle East, the signing of the Abraham Accords with Israel and the US, the establishment of the region’s first peaceful nuclear power plant at Barakah, or the first Arab exploratory mission to Mars – could be realised without our international partnerships and our recognition of the rich expertise and knowledge that other countries can share with us.
We must remember that the pandemic is only one challenge ahead of us. Climate change, economic inequality, food insecurity and regional instability remain formidable global issues. For this reason, the UAE stands ready to champion the spirit of the G20 as we continue to express our strong commitment to openness and belief in the value of multilateralism.
The final Leaders’ Declaration has left us with a powerful message to guide our work ahead: “we, the G20 Leaders, stand united in our conviction that coordinated global action, solidarity, and multilateral cooperation, are more necessary today than ever to overcome the current challenges and realise the opportunities of the 21st century for all by empowering people, safeguarding the planet, and shaping new frontiers.”
Ahmed Al Sayegh is a UAE Minister of State and UAE Sherpa for the G20
Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
THE SPECS – Honda CR-V Touring AWD
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Power: 184hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 244Nm at 3,900rpm
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
0-100kmh in 9.4 seconds
Top speed: 202kmh
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
Price: From Dh122,900
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The%20specs
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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