Four-thousand delegates and participants are to descend on Expo 2020 Dubai’s conference centre as the city hosts the annual World Government Summit this week.
The meeting of world leaders, ministers, officials and senior executives on Tuesday and Wednesday will take place as the world’s fair draws to a close.
Those taking part include Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Seychelles; Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei; Philip Mpango, Vice President of Tanzania; Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait; and Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN, and Mathias Cormann, Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, will also attend.
Those from the Middle East and North Africa include Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League; Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the GCC; Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy; and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad, Representative of His Majesty the King of Bahrain for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs.
The World Government Summit will be the largest global gathering of its kind in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic
Mohammed Al Gergawi,
Minister of Cabinet Affairs
Speakers will seek to challenge perceptions and spark debate about the future of the global economy, post-pandemic recovery and how governments can best serve their people.
In total, there will be 4,000 participants and 500 speakers. More than 100 sessions will be held, as will 15 global forums.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, will speak in a plenary session titled Comprehensive Industrial Ecosystems: Driving National Growth. In another session, the heart surgeon Prof Sir Magdi Yacoub will talk about his scientific and humanitarian achievements, while Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation, will speak in a session titled Are we Pandemic-Proof for the Future?
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the World Government Summit, said the event would be “the largest global gathering of its kind in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“The World Government Summit, under the theme Shaping Future Governments, continues to consolidate its international position as the main global event for developing the applications and innovations of future government models, and for advancing inspiring ideas and experiences,” he said.
“Its themes and sessions have been carefully selected to keep pace with the most prominent global developments and challenges in an effort to find effective solutions that contribute to achieving a better future for humanity.”
A preview event on Monday will focus on the future of investments, the metaverse and women’s opportunities in government service.
The event’s agenda will focus on shaping a better future for humanity and will highlight eight main themes:
- Building Cities of the Future In a rapidly urbanising world, 70 per cent of the world population will live in cities by 2050. The way they are designed and operate will define the path to sustainability, based on decisions made towards smart infrastructure, transport systems, energy and production and consumption, waste management and citizens’ engagement as partners to drive change;
- Actioning Sustainability for Positive Impact The impact of climate change is increasingly visible and devastating. Young people are lobbying for change, yet progress on curbing global emissions has reached a standstill. Successful climate action is needed to build scalable partnerships and incentivise the advancement and adoption of renewable energy, new technology and, most importantly, social responsibility to win the race to net-zero for humanity;
- Exploring the Frontiers Human curiosity and ingenuity have always pushed the boundaries of knowledge, science and technology to solve some of the greatest challenges and shape a better future. Exploring the next frontier is in the very nature of humanity and the key to our survival;
- Empowering Societal Resilience The fraying of social fabric is increasingly exacerbated by inequality, the spread of fake news on digital platforms and the rise of populism, intolerance and extremism. Governments must lead the way with better regulation and foster global dialogue on human values, identity, faith, culture, arts, sports and peace;
- Enabling the Future of Education and Work The acceleration of digital transformation has enabled a “new normal” for education and work that transcends geography and allows for greater flexibility. As the world changes, so will the skills that are needed in the workforce. Lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling will become the new norm as generational and digital divides are bridged;
- Accelerating Global Economic Recovery To avoid human-made catastrophes in the future, the global economy will need to grow in harmony and adapt to the rapid technological changes that are shaping the future of trade and the global economy. Agile, inclusive and sustainable growth will offer a solid foundation from which prosperity, transparency and trust can grow;
- Policies that Drive Progress and Government Development Building back better and preparing for unprecedented times in the age of interdependence demands a new blueprint for governments, at the heart of which are policies that enable innovative use of technology and new modes of collaboration. Government will be increasingly mobile, serving as a platform that brings different ideas, resources and actors together to drive progress;
- Designing the Future of Healthcare Systems Next-generation healthcare driven by digitalisation, artificial intelligence and mobile connectivity will transform public health. Global collaboration and the responsible use of health data will accelerate leaps in medical research, healthcare provision and accessibility. To revolutionise healthcare systems, governments will need to work together to build in resilience, solidarity and preparedness across the board.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
UNpaid bills:
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019
USA – $1.055 billion
Brazil – $143 million
Argentina – $52 million
Mexico – $36 million
Iran – $27 million
Israel – $18 million
Venezuela – $17 million
Korea – $10 million
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019
USA – $2.38 billion
Brazil – $287 million
Spain – $110 million
France – $103 million
Ukraine – $100 million
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
25%20Days%20to%20Aden
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
Poacher
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Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Women%E2%80%99s%20Asia%20Cup
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESun%20Oct%202%2C%20v%20Sri%20Lanka%3Cbr%3ETue%20Oct%204%2C%20v%20India%3Cbr%3EWed%20Oct%205%2C%20v%20Malaysia%3Cbr%3EFri%20Oct%207%2C%20v%20Thailand%3Cbr%3ESun%20Oct%209%2C%20v%20Pakistan%3Cbr%3ETue%20Oct%2011%2C%20v%20Bangladesh%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EChaya%20Mughal%20(captain)%2C%20Esha%20Oza%2C%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20Priyanjali%20Jain%2C%20Suraksha%20Kotte%2C%20Natasha%20Cherriath%2C%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20Rishitha%20Rajith%2C%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh%2C%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20Mahika%20Gaur%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
INDIA%20SQUAD
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INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
World%20Cup%202023%20ticket%20sales
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
A German university was a good fit for the family budget
Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600
Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between £200-600
The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually
Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated
As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640
Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month
The%20specs
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How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
Naga
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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
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
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
