Last year, amid mounting concern over accelerating climate disasters, history was made at Cop28 with the adoption of the UAE Consensus: a roadmap to a climate safe future and a powerful testament to the fact that multilateralism can deliver real results.
Entering Cop28, it was clear that the world was well off track in meeting its collective goals under the Paris Agreement. In a high-stakes, down-to-the-wire negotiation, we achieved what many deemed impossible: uniting 198 Parties around a bold roadmap to keep the 1.5°C target within reach and giving the world a critical course correction on climate.
At the heart of the UAE Consensus is the first Global Stocktake (GST) – an ambitious, unified, and science-aligned response pathway to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, whilst simultaneously driving sustainable socio-economic growth. The GST includes landmark commitments for a just, orderly and equitable energy transition, incorporating tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, and calls for an end to deforestation in the same timeframe.
Cop28 achieved an unprecedented success on day one, demonstrating the power of inclusive leadership and elevated ambition by reaching an agreement on capitalising and operationalising a Fund for responding to Loss and Damage – an achievement after three decades of trying. With $853 million already pledged to the fund, the selection of the Philippines as host, and the World Bank acting as interim secretariat and trustee, the fund is expected to be fully ready to support developing countries by Cop29.
Beyond the negotiated outcomes, the Presidential Action Agenda catalysed real-world progress. In total, Cop28 mobilised more than $85 billion in climate finance commitments, including $30 billion for Alterra, the world’s largest private climate investment fund, and the replenishment of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) reaching a record total of $12.8 billion from 31 countries.
The Action Agenda also brought diverse stakeholders to the table. Key initiatives like the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter, which now covers 43 per cent of global oil production, and the Industrial Transition Accelerator – focused on decarbonising the heavy-emitting sectors – bring industry into the climate agenda like never before.
Another key achievement at Cop28 was the launch of the Global Climate Finance Framework, targeting the development of a new climate finance architecture that unlocks the investment opportunity of climate action. Since Cop28, momentum has continued, with 64 additional endorsements for the 11 declarations made at the summit.
The remarkable accomplishment of Cop28 has cemented the credentials of the UAE as a forward-thinking and inclusive leader at the global level. The recognition and strong support expressed for the UAE Consensus by the G7 and G20, as well as the endorsement of the “Pact for the Future” adopted by the UN General Assembly in September this year, reflect the universal appreciation of the international community.
As the UAE prepares to officially pass the Cop Presidency to Azerbaijan, we reflect on our collective achievements in Dubai as the beginning of a new era of climate action. At Cop29 in Baku, it’s imperative that Parties build on this foundation with renewed resolve and trust.
We have an extraordinary opportunity in Baku to turn ambition into action
Looking ahead to Cop29 – hailed as the “finance Cop” – Parties must come together to deliver a robust New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. The NCQG must be of the quantum needed to drive the implementation of the UAE Consensus, while helping make climate finance more affordable, accessible to all, and available at scale.
Global targets under the GST must also be translated into national actions. The next generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), guiding each nation’s climate plans through 2035, will be a decisive measure of climate ambition. The work of the Cop Presidencies Troika, comprising the Cop28, Cop29 and the Cop30 Presidencies, has been instrumental in rallying momentum for the next NDC cycle, with submissions due by February 2025.
And there can be no delay. Recent extreme weather events, from devastating floods in Valencia to deadly storms across the Caribbean and the US, serve as urgent reminders of the climate crisis. Record-breaking heatwaves across the Middle East further underscore our region’s particular vulnerability to climate impacts.
While there is no doubt that the journey ahead will demand hard work and collaboration, the path to a new climate finance goal is within reach. United by a shared commitment and a vision for a 1.5°C-aligned world, we have an extraordinary opportunity in Baku to turn ambition into action. Cop29 can mark the moment we unlock the resources needed for a climate safe future. With the stakes higher than ever, let us seize this moment to build a legacy of lasting impact for generations to come.
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Sawt Assalam, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Foah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: RB Dixie Honor, Antonio Fresu, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Boerhan, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
SCORES IN BRIEF
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26)
bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company%20profile
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When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
