After Covid-19 pushed the world’s biggest diplomatic meeting online for the first time, more than 100 world leaders are heading to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, with climate change and the pandemic squarely on the agenda.
The UN hopes to get consensus on issues from the Taliban’s lightning take-over of Afghanistan, how to meet ambitious climate change targets and global unity in rolling out vaccines and halting the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We need to re-establish confidence. The current geopolitical division in the world is an obstacle," Secretary General Antonio Guterres told AFP.
The world "is really in a very dangerous situation," he said. "We need to sound an alarm to wake up political leaders."
US President Joe Biden will address the General Assembly for the first time on Tuesday and a day later will convene a virtual summit on Covid-19 as he seeks to show US leadership on vaccines.
With the Delta variant triggering renewed infection spikes, Mr Guterres said the world was "heading in the wrong direction in all areas" on the pandemic.
"It's absolutely unacceptable that there are countries where 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated and some where two per cent are vaccinated," he said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will come to New York on Monday to seek action on climate change ahead of a UN conference in Glasgow in November as temperatures and severe weather rise to startling levels.
Other world leaders set to attend include Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett who, like Mr Biden, will be making his first appearance.
The United States discouraged heads of state from visiting and asked that delegations be kept small as a way to fight Covid-19. French President Emmanuel Macron, a frequent UN presence, will be among leaders who cited Covid-19 concerns for sending a pre-recorded video.
UNGA 2020 goes virtual - in pictures
"We are concerned about the UN event being a super-spreader event," Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters.
"Leaders have to be responsible, and they have to take responsibility for their actions."
One leader who is not minding the guidance is President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, which by tradition is the first nation to speak.
The far-right leader said he plans to come to New York even though he is not vaccinated against Covid-19, defying New York city authorities who want everyone to present proof of vaccination.
Mr Guterres defended the record of the UN, which quickly went mostly virtual last year at the start of the pandemic that has claimed more than 4.5 million lives worldwide.
"I am very proud this was never a centre of spreading Covid and I hope it will remain so," Mr Guterres said.
The UAE on Saturday announced the team it is sending to New York to “advance solutions to pressing global challenges, such as Covid-19, the digital divide, climate change, and gender inequality.”
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, will lead the UAE delegation with both hybrid in-person and virtual meetings. Of particular focus will be the UAE’s two-year term on the UN Security Council from January 2022.
"With the enormous strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE believes that this is a key moment to heed the Secretary-General’s call to 'Build Back Better'," said Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN.
"As an incoming member of the UN Security Council, the UAE will deepen its commitment to improved cooperation on global health, promoting gender equality, building resilience to climate change, and harnessing the potential of innovation for peace."
The UAE’s statement will be delivered to the general debate on September 27.
Ms Al Hashemy will be joined at the UN by a number of ministers and officials, including Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change; Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of State; and Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State.
Russia and China, veto-wielding members of the Security Council, are not even sending their foreign ministers.
Richard Gowan, who follows the United Nations at the International Crisis Group, said the two powers were also sending a message.
"The Chinese and Russians are not going to invest a huge amount in this General Assembly, perhaps to show that they are not really that bothered by Biden's arrival," he said.
Mr Biden, accelerating an effort under his predecessor Donald Trump, has identified a rising China as the paramount concern for the United States in the 21st century.
Vowing to focus on the larger challenge of proving the democratic model, Mr Biden has sought both to invest heavily at home and pulled the last US troops out of Afghanistan in August.
The Taliban's swift takeover is set to be a major topic of discussion at the UN, with western powers pressing against recognition and looking to see the Islamists' track record on issues of concern, such as the rights of women.
Afghanistan remains represented at the United Nations by the fallen government of president Ashraf Ghani, who fled on August 15.
The UN ambassadors from Myanmar and Guinea, likewise, have remained in place despite military takeovers, with Myanmar's envoy outspoken against the five-month-old junta.
Afghanistan, Myanmar and Guinea are all scheduled to speak on September 27, the last day of the General Assembly, with the possibility they may end up speaking in front of empty chairs.
SPECS
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Maestro
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The five pillars of Islam
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The years Ramadan fell in May
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
57%20Seconds
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Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Scores
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
Final results:
Open men
Australia 94 (4) beat New Zealand 48 (0)
Plate men
England 85 (3) beat India 81 (1)
Open women
Australia 121 (4) beat South Africa 52 (0)
Under 22 men
Australia 68 (2) beat New Zealand 66 (2)
Under 22 women
Australia 92 (3) beat New Zealand 54 (1)
more from Janine di Giovanni
Team Angel Wolf Beach Blast takes place every Wednesday between 4:30pm and 5:30pm
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
The years Ramadan fell in May
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
THREE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
