In changing times, it pays to be prepared. While much of the world has been gripped by the high-octane drama of the US presidential election, two important gatherings in Abu Dhabi have shown how the Emirates is readying itself for the future.
The capital hosted the UAE’s Annual Government Meetings – a three-day retreat for national leaders as well as hundreds of federal and local officials. Officials spent hours reviewing the country’s various national strategies and worked on ideas for growth and development, such as a new strategy to double cumulative foreign direct investment to Dh1.3 trillion ($354 billion) by 2031.
Several other issues on the agenda are vital – artificial intelligence, national identity and the family are just three examples. Indeed, President Sheikh Mohamed, who attended on Wednesday took part a session on building Emirati families. There he described building Emirati families and fostering conditions for their growth as a shared national responsibility.
An important addition to the meetings' agenda this year is what Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, described as a “focus on empowering young national government leaders”.
When it comes to drawing up national plans and implementing them effectively, continuity is important. Therefore, developing the next generation of thought leaders is vital. On Monday, the first day of the Government Meetings, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was joined by other senior UAE leaders at the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of young Emiratis to take part in the country’s Nafis Leadership Programme. Although this was created to help prepare young Emirati talent by developing their professional skills in line with the National Employment Strategy 2031, such experience adds to the country’s knowledge pool and will inform future UAE policy in an unpredictable world.
On the other side of town, another gathering was taking place that also wrestled with important issues that will affect this generation and the next. Adipec, the world’s biggest energy event, heard from Russell Hardy, chief executive of major energy trader Vitol, who told attendees that global oil demand may peak within the next 10 years, driven by increased consumption in developing nations that will offset declines in advanced economies. The caveat here is that, as Mr Hardy made clear, similar claims were made five years ago.
The challenges facing the UAE are complex – and the answers to them must be informed and nuanced
As we have just seen in America, predictions can be a tricky business. The International Energy Agency forecasts that global oil demand could peak around 2030, with a gradual decline thereafter. Goldman Sachs estimates that oil demand may peak around 2034, followed by a plateau rather than a sharp decline. But all the above scenarios highlight the importance of a managed transition to renewable forms of energy and transport, not drastic measures that would leave developing nations short of energy.
Given the clear effects of global warming – the floods seen recently in Spain are a grim reminder of our changing climate – this transition must be one that aligns with the kind of targets outlined at Cop28 in Dubai last year and that will be enhanced when Cop29 begins in Baku next week.
The opportunities and challenges of the 21st century are complex – and the answers to them must be informed and nuanced. For Abu Dhabi to host simultaneous governance and energy policy meetings shows that the capital is a hot spot for bringing together ministers, energy experts, influential private sector figures and the next generation of local leadership talent. This knowledge bank will be essential for the changing times that lie ahead.
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
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
Dunbar
Edward St Aubyn
Hogarth
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Series information
Pakistan v Dubai
First Test, Dubai International Stadium
Sun Oct 6 to Thu Oct 11
Second Test, Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tue Oct 16 to Sat Oct 20
Play starts at 10am each day
Teams
Pakistan
1 Mohammed Hafeez, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Asad Shafiq, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Babar Azam, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed, 8 Bilal Asif, 9 Yasir Shah, 10, Mohammed Abbas, 11 Wahab Riaz or Mir Hamza
Australia
1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jon Holland
ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
UAE%20FIXTURES
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Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Fixtures:
Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final
Table:
1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10
2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8
3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6
4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4
5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
