Members of the UN Security Council are unlikely to restore full sanctions on Iran, diplomats say. AFP
Members of the UN Security Council are unlikely to restore full sanctions on Iran, diplomats say. AFP
Members of the UN Security Council are unlikely to restore full sanctions on Iran, diplomats say. AFP
Members of the UN Security Council are unlikely to restore full sanctions on Iran, diplomats say. AFP

World

Coronavirus: UN Security Council expected to reach resolution

The council has conferred only once during the pandemic, which has caused more than 200,000 deaths worldwide

AFP

April 26, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

After more than a month of controversy, a UN Security Council buffeted between the US, China and Russia is expected this week to adopt its first resolution on the coronavirus pandemic, amid calls for intensified international co-operation.

A hopeless task? A wake-up call for multilateralist forces crushed by resurging nationalism? Or perhaps a first step towards a geopolitical reorganisation and the recasting of an international body founded in 1945 with the express mission of preventing and containing global crises?

Diplomats and experts surveyed by AFP were less than optimistic.

Gandhi once said that being late can itself be an "act of violence", one ambassador recalled, expressing impatience with the council for its silence in the face of the worst global crisis since the Second World War.

The council has conferred only once on the pandemic and that was in a videoconference held on April 9 at the initiative of Germany and Estonia.

Firefighters wearing protective clothing spray disinfectant along a street as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus in Yangon. AFP
Firefighters wearing protective clothing spray disinfectant along a street as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus in Yangon. AFP
An Egyptian doctor wearing two protective mask checks a patient's lung X-ray at the infectious diseases unit of the Imbaba hospital in the capital Cairo amid the coronavirus crisis. AFP
An Egyptian doctor wearing two protective mask checks a patient's lung X-ray at the infectious diseases unit of the Imbaba hospital in the capital Cairo amid the coronavirus crisis. AFP
A specialist wearing protective gear sprays disinfectant while sanitising a playground to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Reuters
A specialist wearing protective gear sprays disinfectant while sanitising a playground to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Reuters
A Health worker tends to a patient inside a Covid-19 coronavirus ward that hosts suspected cases in Pikine Hospital in Dakar. As coronavirus cases slowly increase in Senegal, hospitals are preparing to test suspected cases whilst safely treating other patients. AFP
A Health worker tends to a patient inside a Covid-19 coronavirus ward that hosts suspected cases in Pikine Hospital in Dakar. As coronavirus cases slowly increase in Senegal, hospitals are preparing to test suspected cases whilst safely treating other patients. AFP
The TCL Chinese Theatre is reflected in the window of the closed variety store Minsio in Hollywood, California during the coronavirus pandemic. Movie theatres and the entertainment world in general is expected to experience massive losses because the pandemic. AFP
The TCL Chinese Theatre is reflected in the window of the closed variety store Minsio in Hollywood, California during the coronavirus pandemic. Movie theatres and the entertainment world in general is expected to experience massive losses because the pandemic. AFP
Aerial view as a film is projected on a giant screen at a park, so that quarantined people in their apartments watch a movie from home amid the coronavirus pandemic, in Bogota. Colombia extended mandatory preventive measures until at least May 11. AFP
Aerial view as a film is projected on a giant screen at a park, so that quarantined people in their apartments watch a movie from home amid the coronavirus pandemic, in Bogota. Colombia extended mandatory preventive measures until at least May 11. AFP
Mexican Isaias Huerta, left, a former wrestler, and his wife Virginia, manufacture masks to contribute to the fight against Covid-19 in Puebla, Mexico. After arenas closed, a former wrestler makes face masks that resemble the typical masks worn by Mexican wrestlers. AFP
Mexican Isaias Huerta, left, a former wrestler, and his wife Virginia, manufacture masks to contribute to the fight against Covid-19 in Puebla, Mexico. After arenas closed, a former wrestler makes face masks that resemble the typical masks worn by Mexican wrestlers. AFP
People celebrate with Turkish flags on their balconies to mark the National Sovereignty and Children's Day, in Istanbul, as the country is under lockdown to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP
People celebrate with Turkish flags on their balconies to mark the National Sovereignty and Children's Day, in Istanbul, as the country is under lockdown to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP
A doctor takes a sample from man for a Covid-19 test during a government-imposed lockdown as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Amritsar. AFP
A doctor takes a sample from man for a Covid-19 test during a government-imposed lockdown as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Amritsar. AFP
Board Certified Chaplain Bill Simpson prays with a patient under investigation for coronavirus at SSM Health St Anthony Hospital amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, US. Reuters
Board Certified Chaplain Bill Simpson prays with a patient under investigation for coronavirus at SSM Health St Anthony Hospital amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, US. Reuters
A worker wearing protective clothing sprays disinfectant towards a building in Via Cortina d’Ampezzo in Rome, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues. Reuters
A worker wearing protective clothing sprays disinfectant towards a building in Via Cortina d’Ampezzo in Rome, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues. Reuters
A passenger waits for their flight schedule at an almost empty departure lounge, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia. The Indonesian government has banned commercial air travel from April 24 to June 1, in an effort to prevent people from returning to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. EPA
A passenger waits for their flight schedule at an almost empty departure lounge, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia. The Indonesian government has banned commercial air travel from April 24 to June 1, in an effort to prevent people from returning to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. EPA

The current resolution, jointly proposed by Tunisia and France, calls for "enhanced co-ordination among all countries", a "cessation of hostilities" and a "humanitarian pause" in countries in conflict.

The resolution aims to support the efforts of Secretary General Antonio Guterres and several UN agencies struggling to contain the devastating political, economic and social consequences of the virus.

The text is partly "a face-saving device that allows the Security Council to claim that it has not been entirely inactive", said Richard Gowan, UN director of the International Crisis Group, a centre for analysis.

"But it does have some substantive benefits, too."

Might the benefits of a resolution binding all UN members be seen in crisis zones in Syria, Yemen or elsewhere in the Middle East? In Afghanistan, Colombia or Africa?

"A global ceasefire is very laudable, but the challenge is how you translate that into actions in individual country context," another ambassador said.

The French-Tunisian text merges two proposals negotiated in parallel over several weeks, one under Tunis's leadership among the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council (the "E10") and the other by France among the five permanent members (the "P5").

But while the two texts share the goal of improved co-operation and support for widespread ceasefires, neither achieved complete unity in its council bloc, diplomats said.

The joint text is likely to undergo several amendments before being put to a vote.

But several diplomats described it as "decisive" and insisted it would be voted on this week.

A principal obstacle to unity remains how the text, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, will ultimately refer to the World Health Organisation.

The WHO's role in dealing with the pandemic has been vilified by US President Donald Trump, who complained the agency was been transparent about the coronavirus and suspended US funding.

China responded by offering additional funding.

Russia, in talks early this month, wanted to insert language calling for an end to protectionism and trade wars and a lifting of unilateral sanctions.

One diplomat said only a high-level video arbitration between P5 members, or possibly even consultation involving national leaders, could resolve such thorny disputes.

Yet might the permanent members take advantage of this virtual get-together to design a new post-pandemic world order – even placing the UN on a new path?

For one ambassador, such an initiative should be led by Mr Guterres, standing above the melee and able to help sketch out a "war-fighting plan".

"Never have the world's seven and a half billion humans felt more strongly such an urgent need for global policy," said Bertrand Badie, a professor at the Paris Institute of Political Studies.

"At the same time, nationalism has never been as active in the world."

What remains to be seen is how those two countervailing forces sort themselves out, he said.

While you're here
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENomad%20Homes%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHelen%20Chen%2C%20Damien%20Drap%2C%20and%20Dan%20Piehler%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20and%20Europe%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20PropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2444m%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Acrew%20Capital%2C%2001%20Advisors%2C%20HighSage%20Ventures%2C%20Abstract%20Ventures%2C%20Partech%2C%20Precursor%20Ventures%2C%20Potluck%20Ventures%2C%20Knollwood%20and%20several%20undisclosed%20hedge%20funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

All or Nothing

Amazon Prime

Four stars

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Silkhaus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aahan%20Bhojani%20and%20Ashmin%20Varma%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Property%20technology%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247.75%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nuwa%20Capital%2C%20VentureSouq%2C%20Nordstar%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20Yuj%20Ventures%20and%20Whiteboard%20Capital%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here...
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 
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Tomorrow 2021
You might also like
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
Monster

Directed by: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington 

3/5

 

While you're here
On Women's Day
On Women's Day
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20has%20been%20moored%20off%20the%20Yemeni%20coast%20of%20Ras%20Issa%20since%201988.%3Cbr%3EThe%20Houthis%20have%20been%20blockading%20UN%20efforts%20to%20inspect%20and%20maintain%20the%20vessel%20since%202015%2C%20when%20the%20war%20between%20the%20group%20and%20the%20Yemen%20government%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20Saudi-led%20coalition%20began.%3Cbr%3ESince%20then%2C%20a%20handful%20of%20people%20acting%20as%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ae%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiw2OfUuKr4AhVBuKQKHTTzB7cQFnoECB4QAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fworld%252Fmena%252Fyemen-s-floating-bomb-tanker-millions-kept-safe-by-skeleton-crew-1.1104713%26usg%3DAOvVaw0t9FPiRsx7zK7aEYgc65Ad%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Eskeleton%20crew%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20have%20performed%20rudimentary%20maintenance%20work%20to%20keep%20the%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20intact.%3Cbr%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20pipeline%20from%20the%20oil-rich%20city%20of%20Marib%2C%20and%20was%20once%20a%20hub%20for%20the%20storage%20and%20export%20of%20crude%20oil.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20and%20humanitarian%20impact%20may%20extend%20well%20beyond%20Yemen%2C%20experts%20believe%2C%20into%20the%20surrounding%20waters%20of%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20Djibouti%20and%20Eritrea%2C%20impacting%20marine-life%20and%20vital%20infrastructure%20like%20desalination%20plans%20and%20fishing%20ports.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20US%20Congress%2C%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20US%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20435%20members%20make%20up%20the%20House%2C%20and%20100%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20party%20needs%20control%20of%20218%20seats%20to%20have%20a%20majority%20in%20the%20House%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20Senate%2C%20a%20party%20needs%20to%20hold%2051%20seats%20for%20control%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20event%20of%20a%2050-50%20split%2C%20the%20vice%20president's%20party%20retains%20power%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
INFO

Everton 0

Arsenal 0

Man of the Match: Djibril Sidibe (Everton)

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FA Cup fifth round draw

Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal 

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.”

MORE ON AFRICAN SECURITY
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn

Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

ARM%20IPO%20DETAILS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShare%20price%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETarget%20raise%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%248%20billion%20to%20%2410%20billion%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProjected%20valuation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2460%20billion%20to%20%2470%20billion%20(Source%3A%20Bloomberg)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELead%20underwriters%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Barclays%2C%20Goldman%20Sachs%20Group%2C%20JPMorgan%20Chase%20and%20Mizuho%20Financial%20Group%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEmonovo%20(previously%20Marj3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECairo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2016%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeducation%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ethree%20rounds%2C%20undisclosed%20amount%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Tim Paine (captain), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner

On Women's Day
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.0%20twin-turbo%20inline%20six-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E503hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E600Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh400%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)

Lecce v SPAL (6pm)

Bologna v Genoa (9pm)

Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)

Sunday

Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)

Juventus v Brescia (6pm)

Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)

Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)

Cagliari v Napoli (9pm)

Lazio v Inter Milan (11.45pm)

Monday

AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)

 

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

Scorecard

Scotland 220

K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35

UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs

C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out

MORE ON AFGHANISTAN
While you're here
Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

While you're here

Most popular today