Questions are being raised over the viability of the United Nations' current system as member states have failed to come up with a resolution on the worst pandemic since the UN was formed.
As it gears up for its 75th anniversary later this year, UN Security Council member states are at loggerheads over whether to include lifting sanctions on Sudan and Zimbabwe in any Covid-19 resolutions.
The global pandemic has raised – yet again – a perennial issue over jurisdiction at the UN with some member states are saying that the General Assembly, not the Security Council, should handle any resolutions.
Unlike the General Assembly, five permanent members of the Security Council can veto any resolution.
Washington's insistence that Covid-19 be called the "Wuhan Virus" in any statements or documents hampered initial efforts for a resolution in March.
Several UN-based diplomats spoke about the latest obstacles hindering a unified stance from the UN on the coronavirus. France and Tunisia, who initially had separate draft statements, hare now working together on a single message.
"The Covid-19 resolution that was consolidated from the French and the Tunisian resolutions is currently under negotiations," Liisa Toots, from the Permanent Mission of Estonia to the UN, told The National.
Estonia is heading the Security Council for May.
A "few" Security Council member states "indeed have proposed to write in a paragraph on raising sanctions," Ms Toots said.
A senior diplomat based in New York, who asked not to be named, said that South Africa was leading the efforts for sanctions to be eased on Sudan and Zimbabwe following the political developments that took place in 2019 in both countries.
The long-time president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, accused of human rights violations and widespread corruption during his 37 years in power, died last September shortly after Emerson Mnangagwa succeeded him.
While the latter has also been accused of human rights violations, the UN Secretary General has pressed Mr Mnangagwa on "pursuing inclusive policies and reforms that would deepen democratic and accountable governance, respect human rights and promote reconciliation and equitable economic recovery" and offered his support in the process.
For Sudan was once a home for Osama Bin Laden and has a long association with terrorist groups that led the US to place it on a list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1993. In February, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was time for Sudan to be removed from the US list after longtime dictator Omar Al Bashir was forced from power by the military amid a national uprising and the country's military and civilian leaders have since forged a deal to transition to democracy.
The US designation makes it difficult, if not impossible, for Sudan to work with the IMF and World Bank although American officials say they are open to discussions on the matter.
In a sign of thawing ties, Sudan appointed an ambassador to Washington on Monday after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last December that the two countries would exchange ambassadors.
But, Ms Toots said that sanctions are used to promote peace, democracy and respect for the rule of law, human rights and international law. "These sanctions do not undermine the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak and they do not in any way target medical supplies or humanitarian aid."
In New York, the UN diplomats who spoke to The National said that France was working to convince the so-called Permanent Five (P-5) members on the latest draft statement while Tunisia was working its diplomatic channels to convince the P-10 (non-permanent members) of the draft.
The resolution was supposed to be ready last week, the diplomats said, but now they will wait and see if any progress will be made this week.
Adding another problem for the Security Council is e-voting on the resolution. "They [member states and the UN] believe that e-voting will pose a security threat," the senior diplomat said.
"It's been three months and the UNSC can't agree on a resolution for Covid-19. At a time when people are talking about the need to work together, the Security Council is blocked. Has the UN succeeded in its [set up] for the P-5 veto power and is it viable for post-pandemic and the 21st century," the senior diplomat asked.
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Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
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How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
Fight card
Preliminaries:
Nouredine Samir (UAE) v Sheroz Kholmirzav (UZB); Lucas Porst (SWE) v Ellis Barboza (GBR); Mouhmad Amine Alharar (MAR) v Mohammed Mardi (UAE); Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) v Spyro Besiri (GRE); Aslamjan Ortikov (UZB) v Joshua Ridgwell (GBR)
Main card:
Carlos Prates (BRA) v Dmitry Valent (BLR); Bobirjon Tagiev (UZB) v Valentin Thibaut (FRA); Arthur Meyer (FRA) v Hicham Moujtahid (BEL); Ines Es Salehy (BEL) v Myriame Djedidi (FRA); Craig Coakley (IRE) v Deniz Demirkapu (TUR); Artem Avanesov (ARM) v Badreddine Attif (MAR); Abdulvosid Buranov (RUS) v Akram Hamidi (FRA)
Title card:
Intercontinental Lightweight: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) v Angel Marquez (ESP)
Intercontinental Middleweight: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) v Francesco Iadanza (ITA)
Asian Featherweight: Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) v Phillip Delarmino (PHI)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue
Predictions
Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:
- Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
- Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
- Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
- Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
- Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai
Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore
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Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
