Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan, president and chief executive of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators, on Wednesday called on the private and public sectors to merge funds so the country is better prepared for future emergencies.
During a speech at the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority conference being held in Abu Dhabi, Sheikha Shamma also urged nations around the world to work together to prepare for future crises such as pandemics and disasters fuelled by climate change.
She said combining private and government budgets should be a priority to ensure that societies around the world are better prepared for the problems of the future.
“By merging private capital with development funding, blended finance structures allow stakeholders to re-risk their investments while still investing with purpose,” she said.
“Much has changed as a result of Covid-19. Many organisations have implemented remote or hybrid working policies, a development that has affected not just the way we work, but also the way we live.
“Investment in vaccine research has revolutionised the medical field, while disaster relief efforts have expanded and viral testing techniques have evolved.”
It’s important to recognise that the responsibility of building resilience lies not with one country or nation, but with all of us
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan,
Head of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators
Global health experts have said that one of the lessons learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic was the need for global co-operation.
Sheikha Shamma went on to address climate change, particularly in the UAE, pointing to the extreme flooding that plagued the Northern Emirates last year, as well as the effect of global warming on other countries.
“We need to look no further than our neighbouring nations to see the devastating effects of cyclones in Oman and mass floods in Pakistan,” she said.
“Almost a year later, Pakistan is still recovering from one-third of the country being submerged underwater, 15,000 people suffering death or injury, and the displacement of more than eight million individuals.”
Developing countries often bear the brunt of the effects of climate change, and Sheikha Shamma said global co-operation was crucial to protecting cities and communities around the world.
“It’s important to recognise that the responsibility of building resilience lies not with one country or nation, but with all of us, as stewards of our planet,” she said.
According to the World Economic Forum, the cost of adaptation in developing countries is expected to reach $300 billion per year by 2030.
Global adaptation finance flows were $46 billion in 2020, of which only $28.6 billion went to developing countries, leaving a significant gap.
Waheguru Pal Sidhu, clinical professor at New York University, told The National that while global crises cannot be predicted, preventive measures must be taken.
“We really need to be able to detect [a global crisis] much earlier, and we need to have national and international co-operation,” he said and added that if countries work together to prevent a crisis, it will become easier to mitigate.
Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesman for Ncema, said that although the UAE is prepared to manage the next crisis, there are other challenges that need to be addressed.
He pointed to areas such as cyber security and natural disasters, saying that there were hopes a “fully fledged policy” to address such issues would come into force the next few years.
“Governments around the world need to have an approach on how to assess and manage crises and emergencies,” he said.
“We look forward to recommendations to establish fully fledged policies and strategies concerning crisis and emergency.
“The next few years will be vital for governments to be proactive. There are expected threats and governments need to work together to find solutions.”
But the onus does not lie solely on governments. Experts have said that communities need to band together during the initial hours following a crisis, such as an earthquake or flood.
Riham Bahi, professor of international relations at Cairo University, said it was important to involve communities with recurrent and complex crises, especially in today’s ever-changing world.
“The role of society is very important, particularly during the first 70 hours following a crisis because governments take time to respond,” she told The National. “The top-down approach doesn’t work and people might die as a result.”
Loretta Hieber Girardet, chief of the Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Capacity Development Branch at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in Switzerland, added that by 2030, the world will have to face an average of 1.5 significant disasters per day.
“The good news is that there is no shortage of men and women who are willing to rise to the occasion to protect their communities when confronted by these disasters,” she said.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
