The 77th session of the UN General Assembly, the world’s biggest annual diplomatic event, is due to start on September 20, with an opportunity for representatives from all 193 member states to weigh in on global issues.
This year’s main overarching themes at the General Debate are the war in Ukraine and the global crisis in food security that has partly resulted from it.
"We're going to be hearing a huge amount from western leaders about what they're trying to do to tackle the global food crisis," Richard Gowan, a UN analyst with the International Crisis Group, told The National.
"In response, we will be hearing a great deal from the African group, in particular, about the need for more assistance.
"Underlying a lot of these meetings, I think, will be a huge amount of tension between western countries and representatives of the Global South.”
Years of growing discord among some of the powerful member states have undermined the UN as a platform for peaceful resolution of political disputes.
“You can't fix the pandemic, you can't fix climate, you can't fix hunger or terrorism without everybody getting around the table,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
"I think it's also important to note that even though there are deep divisions within the council, the work of the UN continues.”
Another issue that will be discussed and championed by the US during the assembly is UN Security Council reform.
The topic was first raised by the US permanent representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, while addressing the future of the UN last week in San Francisco.
"During this month's General Assembly, President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and I plan to consult broadly on our individual and collective responsibilities under the UN Charter, including critical questions around reform of the Security Council and other UN organs," Ms Thomas-Greenfield said.
"The Security Council should better reflect the current global realities and incorporate more geographically diverse perspectives."
The structure of the Security Council goes back to 1945 when the five countries that won the Second World War — China, France, the UK, US and the Soviet Union — assumed permanent memberships with powers of veto.
Mr Gowan said the US initiative was “a clever way of putting China and Russia on the spot, because we all know that the countries that are most allergic to the ideas of Security Council reform are Russia and China".
"China especially, because they worry that any council reform could lead to Japan gaining more influence in the organisation," he said.
Looming just as large as the political dramas are the deadly consequences of global warming.
The severity of climate change has been on full display in the lead-up to the General Assembly, with wildfires raging across Europe, catastrophic flooding in Pakistan and severe droughts in the horn of Africa.
Overall, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's pleas have had limited impact.
“Because of the conflict in Ukraine and other crises, climate has kind of been pushed aside, when in fact, this is an opportunity to take the courageous steps," Mr Dujarric said.
"This is an opportunity to show real solidarity with those who need it.
"There were promises made in Glasgow. They were promises made in Paris for money, for adaptation, for energy transition that has just not come forward."
Ukraine war latest — in pictures
The years Ramadan fell in May
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
BLACK%20ADAM
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AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
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HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20QUALIFIER%2C%20ZIMBABWE%20
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EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
English Premiership semi-finals
Saracens 57
Wasps 33
Exeter Chiefs 36
Newcastle Falcons 5
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
