Formed in the aftermath of the global catastrophe that was the Second World War, the UN exists to empower diplomacy over division. Our times, with Covid-19, climate change and rising geopolitical tensions with uncertain alliances, make this mission all the more pressing.
And for the Middle East, which sits in one of the most geopolitically significant and vulnerable parts of the globe, the success and integrity of the UN, particularly today, can be the difference between peace and conflict.
On Monday, UAE Minister of State Khalifa Al Marar revisited a difficult but important conversation when he called for Arab Gulf nations to play a bigger role in talks aimed at reviving a deal on Iran's nuclear programme. The previous deal, struck six years ago between Tehran and the West, had, according to Mr Al Marar, preventable “shortcomings”, a long-term consensus among many key regional allies.
“Reaching a common understanding with Iran, which addresses all regional and international concerns, remains a fundamental requirement and should start with de-escalation to achieve regional and international peace and stability,” Mr Al Marar said. The essence of what he is calling for is something that is all too often overlooked by those trying to solve the problem beyond the Middle East: input from the Arab world.
The absence of this regional perspective denies key players a chance to make important decisions concerning Iran's wider, more complex regional policy of sponsoring proxies, developing ballistic missiles and increasing use of asymmetric warfare; Tehran does not just exert destabilising pressure through its nuclear programme.
This year's UNGA has seen the region reiterate these concerns. On the same day as the UAE's statement, Yemen’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, called on the international community to help end Houthi “bloodshed”. The group is a key Iranian proxy. Last Wednesday, Saudi Arabia's King Salman expressed his country's determination to keep nuclear weapons out of the Middle East, while welcoming all diplomatic efforts. Taken together, these moments, among many others, show the region is determined to form a collective response, based on diplomacy.
But the benefit of getting the Arab world involved is about more than just understanding threats. It would capitalise on a particularly promising moment for regional diplomacy. Earlier this year, the General Assembly elected the UAE to sit on its Security Council between 2022-2023. According to Article 24 of the UN Charter, all members of the organisation confer on the Security Council "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security". The UAE, with its unique regional perspectives on Iran, is ready to accept this responsibility.
The Arab world is making a strong, diplomatic case for allies to rally around the region and push for peaceful solutions. Now, it is on the rest of the international community to respond and act.
Name: Colm McLoughlin
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A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
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Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.
The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.
The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.
The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.
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More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.
Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.
The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.
