Iran's destabilising policies in the Middle East must be countered, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, said on Sunday.
“The softer approach has failed,” Dr Gargash said, at the opening session of Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate (ADSD), adding that Tehran has played a key role in emerging crises in the region.
The ADSD is the fifth such debate hosted by the Emirates Policy Centre. The theme this year is power, with the aim of understanding how the force interacts with international politics.
Dr Gargash rejected Tehran’s destabilising actions and hailed the United States for reimposing economic sanctions on Iran.
“Due to Iran’s destructive regional and global policy, we have voiced our support to President Donald Trump’s administration towards Tehran,” he said.
The US reimposed sanctions at start of this month, with a particular focus on oil and energy.
Dr Gargash said that Arab states must take further responsibility towards building regional security cooperation.
"The UAE, along with Arab states, is increasingly playing a role to address security challenges in the region. We are pushing alongside the US to form a strategic alliance to counter these issues," he said, in reference to the Middle East Strategic Alliance (Mesa), a so-called Arab Nato.
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Washington is pushing for deeper cooperation between the Arab states on missile defence, military training, counter-terrorism and in strengthening regional and economic and diplomatic relations.
Dr Gargash called on Arab states to adopt a collective policy against destabilising factors in the region, such as Iran and terrorism.
He also praised Saudi Arabia for contributing military and diplomatic capabilities to combat extremism and instability in the Gulf.
Additionally, Dr Gargash stressed on the need to reach peace settlements in the region including in Africa, Libya and Palestine.
“We have spared no efforts in ensuring that peace prevails in the Middle East,” he said.
The minister referred to Sheikh Zayed, founding father of the UAE, values of tolerance, commitment and compassion in shaping the country.
“This year we celebrate the centennial of Sheikh Zayed, who laid the value that shaped our country, our people and our relations with the world,” he said.
“The values of Sheikh Zayed are embodied in our openness to the world and reflect what we believe as Emiratis,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ebtesam Al Ketbi, President of the Emirates Policy Centre, said the UAE is preparing itself for the future and for what comes after oil.
“This is why we are investing in knowledge, technology and education,” Ms Al Ketbi said.
“We need to start thinking about smart power instead of soft power,” she said, adding that hard power supports the achievements of soft power.
Regional shifts have enabled the UAE to play a key role in supporting moderation and developments. The country is seen as a model for humanitarian solidarity especially when providing assistance to war-torn countries.
In Yemen, the UAE was declared the largest donor of humanitarian assistance after Saudi Arabia, according to the UN’s Financial Tracking Services.
Abu Dhabi alone has pledged nearly $4 billion in aid over three years to ease the humanitarian crisis, making it Yemen's second single largest donor.
“The accelerating shifts in the regional and international environment has pushed the UAE to intervene and take part in ensuring that stability prevails in the region,” she said.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Manchester United v Brighton, Sunday, 6pm UAE
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
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