US President Joe Biden, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court
US President Joe Biden, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court
US President Joe Biden, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court
Mariam Al Mheiri is head of the International Affairs Office of the Presidential Court, and a member of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council
September 12, 2023
Today, it is even more apparent that our planet and weather patterns are changing before our eyes. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and ferocious, food security is becoming an issue of life-changing importance for more communities, and our ecosystems are rapidly changing, eradicating our natural flora and fauna.
In light of these mounting challenges, the spirit of inclusivity and collective responsibility must inspire us all to act. Indeed, it is only by working together in the best interests of all people that we may solve the most pressing issues facing humanity.
This is the globally unifying message affirmed by President Sheikh Mohamed and a high-level UAE delegation at the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit, which gathered world leaders, heads of global organisations and national representatives in New Delhi.
At its heart, President Sheikh Mohamed’s message at the summit is a resounding call to back inclusivity over exclusion, fairness over inequality and action today over catastrophe tomorrow – a message that defines the UAE’s own presidency of Cop28 in November.
From left, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visit Raj Ghat memorial. Reuters
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visit the Akshardham Hindu Temple in New Delhi. Getty Images
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses a press conference during the G20 Summit in New Delhi. EPA
From left, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed attend the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance at the G20 summit in New Delhi. AP
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron attend the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
From left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian President Droupadi Murmu and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed at the G20 summit in New Delhi. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. AFP
The 18th G20 Summit between 19 countries and the European Union, and now the African Union, is the first to be held in India and South Asia. AFP
Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Private Affairs Advisor in the Presidential Court, left, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, attend the first session of the G20 Summit. UAE Presidential Court
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden attend a session as part of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. AFP
France's President Emmanuel Macron greets European Council President Charles Michel before the start of the second working session. AFP
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks with his advisors before the start of the second working session. AFP
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, US President Joe Biden, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speak before the start of the second working session. AFP
US President Joe Biden greets Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. AFP
Sheikh Mohamed arrives at the IECC Convention Centre. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed is greeted by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. UAE Presidential Court
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to the G20 summit. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq. Oman News Agency
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at the G20 summit. Getty
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes US President Joe Biden to the G20 summit. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Getty
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the opening day of the G20 summit. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. AFP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa to the G20 summit, three weeks after the leaders were together at the Brics summit in Johannesburg. Reuters
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Reuters
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to host the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi. AFP
Participants backed the G20 declaration’s 83 paragraphs that outlined the need to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030
At the G20 Summit, the President discussed the need to identify a way forward in financing sustainable development to ensure climate action addresses the needs of those most affected around the world.
To make real impact, climate finance must be affordable, available and accessible to all, which Sheikh Mohamed discussed in his side meetings with various leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Argentine President Alberto Fernandez.
The meetings undertaken by Sheikh Mohamed during the G20 Summit reflect the enormous scope of the UAE’s relations spanning the globe – a bridge between East and West, a convener of North and South.
While the UAE is a young nation, our leadership has always believed that we have a duty to work hand-in-hand with others and listen to their diverse perspectives to encourage consensus. It is this sense of shared responsibility that continues to nurture our country’s multilateral partnerships at the highest levels.
Sheikh Mohamed underscored our nation’s commitment to collaboration throughout the G20 Summit, emphasising that the UAE is determined to translate aims into action to uplift communities around the world, particularly youth, women, and civil society.
That is a message we intend to carry forward through to Cop28 and beyond, and the UAE looks forward to working with G20 partners to deliver on pledges to support those whose lives and livelihoods have been significantly altered by climate change. It is encouraging that the G20 has now welcomed the African Union as a member, making the group more representative of the Global South. And our goal, as I reiterated in Kenya and Tanzania last week, is to make Cop28 the most inclusive and impactful yet.
Locals pass by the G20 logo near the Bharat Mandapam at ITPO Convention Centre in New Delhi last month. EPA
In the run-up to Cop28, the UAE continues to engage with other nations on major sustainability and energy initiatives, as the world witnessed at the G20 Summit. For example, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) will link multiple regions through trade and development co-operation, with participants agreeing to assess the potential of electricity and clean hydrogen exports to enhance supply chains and connectivity.
Another initiative is the Global Biofuels Alliance launched by India on the sidelines of the G20 Summit with the UAE and other nations as initiating members. The alliance will encourage partners to increase trade in sustainable biofuels while making the economic case for the adoption of greener alternatives.
Through our commitment to both, the UAE has reinforced the steps it is taking to elevate international co-operation towards a shared vision of a cleaner and greener tomorrow.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration, achieved after more than 200 hours of deliberations, saw participants back the declaration’s 83 paragraphs, which outlined the need to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and establish a green development pact to incentivise sustainable growth. Inspired by President Sheikh Mohamed’s engagement on the international stage, we in the UAE believe that the declaration is a promising sign of the progress to come.
Reaching consensus is no small challenge, but the concrete outcomes from the G20 demonstrate what is possible when all parties apply creativity, grit, and optimism to partnership.
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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.”
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood. Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues. Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity. Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Key findings of Jenkins report
Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
WHAT ARE NFTs?
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are tokens that represent ownership of unique items. They allow the tokenisation of things such as art, collectibles and even real estate.
An NFT can have only one official owner at one time. And since they're minted and secured on the Ethereum blockchain, no one can modify the record of ownership, not even copy-paste it into a new one.
This means NFTs are not interchangeable and cannot be exchanged with other items. In contrast, fungible items, such as fiat currencies, can be exchanged because their value defines them rather than their unique properties.
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister. "We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know. “All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.” It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins. Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement. The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC October 9: v Sabah FA
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
MATCH INFO
Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 0-1 West Ham
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth
Southampton v Watford (late)
