UAE minister calls for action on climate, food and conflict at UN Morocco forum

Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Youth, called for collective action to tackle climate change, food insecurity and conflict in her address to the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations Forum in Morocco.

“These crises are negatively affecting economies and societies globally, and need to be addressed urgently on a world scale with rapid and real action,” Ms Al Kaabi said of conflicts, climate change, food insecurity and water scarcity, which are compounded in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

“There must be real, serious and collective action to confront these issues. We need to find effective solutions to end the crises, and that’s what brings us here to this pivotal forum.”

Ms Al Kaabi said there was an “urgent need to forge human-centred policies focusing on humanity and improving the quality of life for everyone”.

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The forum hosted member states of UNAOC and high-ranking officials from international organisations including Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and 40 ministers and heads of states.

Ms Al Kaabi highlighted the UAE's contribution to support tolerance, co-existence and peace in the past three years.

She mentioned the visit of Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed Al Tayeb, to Abu Dhabi to sign the Document on Human Fraternity, the creation of the Abrahamic Family House, which includes a mosque, a church and a synagogue, and bringing together more than 190 countries and organisations at Expo 2020 Dubai, with the vision for “connecting minds, creating the future”.

The UNAOC Forum adopted a declaration in the city of Fez, stating the member states’ commitment to achieve comprehensive goals, so that governments, with the support of civil society, can overcome challenges and progress towards co-existence within peaceful, inclusive and sustainable societies.

This would only be possible by promoting media and information literacy and propagating tolerance, respect and mutual understanding.

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Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

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

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk

Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

MIDWAY

Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars