A Moroccan-French activist and the UN Secretary General were named the winners of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity on Wednesday.
A virtual ceremony at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi will be held on Thursday to honour Latifa Ibn Ziaten and Antonio Guterres, who won $1 million between them to further their initiatives.
The award recognises individuals committed to fostering conditions for peaceful coexistence around the world.
It was created after the Document on Human Fraternity was signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, in February 2019.
Mr Guterres was chosen by a panel of six judges for working to further world peace and security since being named Secretary-General of the UN in 2017.
Some of the key initiatives he spearheaded during his tenure include countering hate speech and violence, modernising UN peacekeeping practices, and the Global Ceasefire Appeal and Initiative during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We live in challenging times. We see the threats coming from the pandemic, from the climate, threats from war and conflict in different parts of the world
“It is with humility and deep gratitude that I feel honoured to receive the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. I see it also as recognition of the work the United Nation is doing every day, everywhere, to promote peace and human dignity," Mr Guterres said.
“We live in challenging times. We see the threats coming from the pandemic, from the climate, threats from war and conflict in different parts of the world.
"Therefore, it is fantastic to see the enormous leadership of the Pope and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, pushing humankind to come together, in unity, in dialogue, to promote peace, to promote fraternity, and to promote the unity that is necessary to address all the challenges to defeat hate and ensure that human solidarity wins the battles we are facing.”
Latifa Ibn Ziaten was also recognised on Wednesday. The activist dedicated her life to raising awareness against escalating religious extremism after her son, Imad, died in a terrorist attack in 2012.
Since then, Ms Ibn Ziaten has become a well-known civil society activist in France and beyond, working with families and communities to prevent youth radicalisation and spreading the message of peace, dialogue, and mutual respect.
“It is a great honour, and indeed humbling, to have been recognised by the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for the work I and many others do, each day, in addressing extremism though dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence," she said.
"Most importantly, I hope this award helps raise awareness among a wider audience about the need to continue these efforts."
The situation in France and Europe poses many challenges due to a sense of exclusion and marginalisation that affects so many young hearts, she said.
"That said, I feel progress is being made, and we continue to work with families and communities to prevent youth radicalisation and to understand how we can create opportunities for more open dialogue and advocacy; making co-operation and mutual understanding the norm – not the exception."
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity and co-author of the Document on Human Fraternity, said: “As head of the UN, Mr Guterres has been responsible for launching many individual and joint initiatives aimed at ending humanity’s violence against itself and violations against nature. His commitment and dedication in this role has shown that he is a true endorser of the approach and values advocated by the Document on Human Fraternity.
“In recognising Latifa Ibn Ziaten as a 2021 honoree, it is a bittersweet realisation of how circumstances born out of such grievous and personal sorrow have been turned into a fitting tribute to her son, and all other victims of terrorist violence. Ms Latifa’s great work in advocating for the values of human fraternity as a way to end violence is truly inspiring."
Michaelle Jean, former governor-general of Canada and one of the six judges of the award, said the annual award brought hope to the world and was a reminder of how "urgent it is that we take action in greater spirit of human fraternity."
Speaking to The National, she said: "In a world with so many crises, [and] the pandemic, there are so many solitary, people are distressed by the situation. It is important that every gesture, every action, every word in the spirit of fraternity, be heard be supported and be acknowledged."
The selection process included nominations from every part of the globe.
“It was quite moving to receive such an impressive number from around the world and to see how much men, women, organisations, intuitions are really gathering all possible efforts, are really committed to make a difference and to come up with solutions to address very dire challenges that confronts us around the world," Ms Jean said.
"We saw an amazing labour of love happening around the world and in a time of such uncertainty it feels good to find in what people are doing some kind of hope for the world.
"All of us members of the jury felt very encouraged and we realised the importance of this award. It is a very generous award – $1 million – to make sure the initiatives become sustainable."
The initiatives are important for the upholding of fundamental rights and freedoms, the recognition of people’s dignity, the importance of making sure that communities can live in better conditions, she said.
Nominations for next year's award will open in May. People cannot nominate themselves, but may be nominated by organisations and associations.
Thursday's awards ceremony coincides with the first International Day of Human Fraternity, which was adopted by a UN General Assembly resolution, in December. It ceremony can be watched at zayedaward.org from 5.30pm (UAE time).
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
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UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
AL%20BOOM
%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BDirector%3AAssad%20Al%20Waslati%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%0DStarring%3A%20Omar%20Al%20Mulla%2C%20Badr%20Hakami%20and%20Rehab%20Al%20Attar%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20ADtv%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE%20SWIMMERS
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Rebel%20Moon%20-%20Part%20One%3A%20A%20Child%20of%20Fire
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Duminy's Test career in numbers
Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
The biog
Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."
Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Quick%20facts
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