THE HAGUE // The United States and Nato yesterday called on the international community to do more to help defeat the insurgency in Afghanistan and develop its civil, military and political institutions, even while saying the war-torn country must assume more responsibility for its own future.
At a major summit here on Afghanistan, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, asked that the 700 delegates gathered "recommit ourselves" with "a new strategy, new energy and new resources" after years of an effort that has been "undermanned, under-resourced and underfunded".
"The range of countries and institutions represented here is a universal recognition that what happens in Afghanistan matters to us all," Mrs Clinton said, adding that success will be achieved only with "the help of all nations here."
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the secretary general of Nato, likewise called for increased contributions from members of the military alliance and others, particularly in the form of financial aid to a Nato trust fund to support the Afghan national army over the next five years.
As the conference went on, some new commitments were announced and promises for co-operation made - including, significantly, by Iran, whose mere presence at the summit was hailed as a critical step in bringing more of Afghanistan's neighbours to the table.
The United States said it would contribute US$40 million (Dh147m) towards administering the August presidential elections - which Mr de Hoop Scheffer called a "credibility test" for both Afghanistan and the coalition - and the European Union pledged twice that amount for the elections and agriculture development. France, too, said it was launching a major initiative to help train Afghan police and pledged to "massively enlarge" its work in the agriculture sector. Iran, meanwhile, said it was fully prepared to participate in counternarcotics and other development and reconstruction programmes, efforts that could lead to unprecedented co-operation between Tehran and Washington.
Still, even while Mehdi Akhundzadeh, the deputy foreign minister of Iran, said his country welcomed proposals for joint co-operation on Afghanistan, he offered criticism of the military campaign there.
"The people of Afghanistan know their country better than anybody else does," he said, according to his prepared remarks.
"The presence of foreign forces has not improved things in the country and it seems that an increase in the number of foreign forces will prove ineffective, too."
The summit, called for by Mrs Clinton but held under the auspices of the UN, offered the first chance for the international community to weigh in on the new US strategy for Afghanistan announced last week by the president, Barack Obama.
Conference delegates, representing almost 90 countries and international organisations, largely agreed on broad principles for turning around the war effort there, ones that largely coincided with those of the US plan. The priorities, as outlined by conference delegates yesterday, include strengthening the Afghan security forces, providing more civilian development assistance to both Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan, promoting good governance and expanding regional co-operation.
"Afghanistan is not an island, and the challenges are interlinked with the region through ethnic, religious and political bonds," said Maxime Verhagen, the foreign affairs minister of the Netherlands.
The catch word of the day was "Afghanisation". Delegate after delegate said that although the international community can - and must - help provide security in the short term and lay the foundation for economic and political development sustainable in the long term, Afghanistan itself must take more ownership.
Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, used that term himself in his opening remarks, pledging to provide what his critics say to date he has not: an efficient and accountable government that does not tolerate corruption and allow the drug trade to flourish.
Mrs Clinton highlighted the key elements of the new US plan, which includes sending 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan this year, including 4,000 to train the Afghan national army and police. The plan also includes a significant expansion of diplomatic and development efforts - a so-called "civilian surge" - both in Afghanistan and Pakistan, parts of which serve as a sanctuary for insurgents.
While not criticising Mr Karzai directly, Mrs Clinton said the Afghan government must be "legitimate and respected" and called corruption "a cancer as dangerous to our long-term success as the Taliban or al Qa'eda".
"A government that cannot deliver for its people is a terrorist's best recruiting tool," she said.
She also told the delegates to keep in mind an ancient Afghan proverb: "Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet."
Mr de Hoop Scheffer, who has warned against the "Americanisation" of the war, had previously called for an increase in troop contributions from Nato members - something they have resisted - but he did not use his remarks yesterday to renew that call. The United States seems increasingly resigned to appealing to its allies for other, non-military help.
Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, who attended the conference, called for re-energised efforts by the international community and a new balance of military and civilian work in what he said would be a critical year for Afghanistan. "There is real potential to make concrete progress in important areas, from fighting illicit opium production to increasing productivity in traditional agricultural commodities, from combating organised criminal groups to advancing regional economic co-operation," he said. "We should bring the same sense of urgency to addressing these challenges as we are bringing to the efforts to improve the security situation."
Mrs Clinton, addressing reporters on the sidelines of the conference, said the summit showcased a "unified voice" and that she hoped it would mark a "new beginning for the people of Afghanistan".
Asked about Iran's participation, she commended it, stressing that the United States and Iran share interests in a secure and stable Afghanistan. She had no personal contact with the Iranian delegation, she said, but Richard Holbrooke, the US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who also attended the conference, had a "brief and cordial exchange" with Mr Akhundzadeh, though not on "substantive" issues.
In a closing news conference, Kai Eide, the UN's special representative in Afghanistan, called the day's dialogue "robust" and said "we must expect more from each other" going forward. He also said "we must get away from a sense of doom and gloom" because much progress has already been made. "I hope that we can move from words to serious action on regional co-operation."
eniedowski@thenational.ae
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
All Black 39-12 British & Irish Lions
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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.”
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
SERIES INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
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