The generation that emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic will face the same challenges as those that survived the Second World War.
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said the world was unprepared for the pandemic, which created a series of challenges that would define the next decade.
Speaking at the World Government Summit Dialogues event on Tuesday in Dubai, Mr Al Gergawi said 2020 was a turning point in the world's history and only international co-operation would help meet those challenges head-on.
Pandemics are not new but the world was undoubtedly unprepared
“The generation that lived through this pandemic will be coming out of it similar to the one that came out of the Second World War with a set of challenges but also with new motivation," said Mr Al Gergawi.
“In the past decade we have been through a global economic crisis, a pandemic and a major shift in social interaction.
“The current generation face huge risks to their job and economic security, as well as keeping a healthy state of mind.”
The World Bank estimated that up to 150 million people across the world could be plunged into extreme poverty as a result of the pandemic.
The coronavirus has already claimed more than two million lives and wreaked havoc on economies and healthcare systems.
Mr Al Gergawi was discussing the topic of "Megatrends that will Shape the Next Decade", during a video presentation on the first day of the two-day summit, which was being held online this year owing to the pandemic.
He said 2020 proved to be a milestone year for governments across the world, with countries’ health and education sectors facing severe challenges.
“Governments that were first tested on their agility will now be tested on their ability to recover.
“Pandemics are not new but the world was undoubtedly unprepared.”
He said the pandemic was “a great equaliser” that showed people were linked to each other regardless of class or ethnicity.
It has spurred global cohesion in healthcare, education and food supplies, he said.
Mr Al Gergawi, who is also the chairman of the World Government Summit Organisation, said it was clear that millions of lives were in danger and it was essential that governments worked together to find solutions.
“Millions of lives are at risk and getting our economy back on track and getting people back into a productive job are our top priorities,” he said.
“Governments will need to take a multilevel approach to tackling multigenerational challenges in the coming decade.”
While the pandemic had been a largely bleak experience for most of the world, with borders closed and people having to adhere to strict social distancing measures, he said the last year did not come without a glimmer of hope.
“Our response to the pandemic was most effective when minds, hearts and resources were focused on overcoming those challenges for the sake of humanity,” he said.
“We developed multiple vaccines to combat this virus in less than eight months as a result of close collaboration between governments, the private sector and the scientific community.
“[This was] a bold achievement for humanity and a cause for hope and celebration.”
He said it was vital that there was a fair distribution of the vaccine to ensure a meaningful recovery.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.
The world locks down - in pictures
HAEMOGLOBIN DISORDERS EXPLAINED
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press
Stamp duty timeline
December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%
April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.
July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.
March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.
April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
The biog
Name: Gul Raziq
From: Charsadda, Pakistan
Family: Wife and six children
Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8
Golf Handicap: 6
Childhood sport: cricket
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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Tesalam Aleik
Abdullah Al Ruwaished
(Rotana)
The%20specs
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THE RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Alnawar, Connor Beasley (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Raniah, Noel Garbutt, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Saarookh, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Rated Conditions Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: RB Torch, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: MH Wari, Antonio Fresu, Elise Jeane
7.30pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m
Winner: Mailshot, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
Zayed Sustainability Prize
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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LEADERBOARD
%3Cp%3E-19%20T%20Fleetwood%20(Eng)%3B%20-18%20R%20McIlroy%20(NI)%2C%20T%20Lawrence%20(SA)%3B%20-16%20J%20Smith%3B%20-15%20F%20Molinari%20(Ita)%3B%20-14%20Z%20Lombard%20(SA)%2C%20S%20Crocker%20(US)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESelected%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E-11%20A%20Meronk%20(Pol)%3B%20-10%20E%20Ferguson%20(Sco)%3B%20-8%20R%20Fox%20(NZ)%20-7%20L%20Donald%20(Eng)%3B%20-5%20T%20McKibbin%20(NI)%2C%20N%20Hoejgaard%20(Den)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Summer special
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Everybody%20Loves%20Touda
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Bridgerton%20season%20three%20-%20part%20one
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