As the world becomes more aware of the challenges posed by climate change and subsequent losses in global biodiversity, it is ever more important for an alignment to emerge between the objectives of global conservation and those of the ever-expanding financial industry.
By now it is widely accepted that the UAE excels in a variety of ways. As we look forward to the country’s 50th anniversary at the end of this year and further ahead, there will be a deeper emphasis on nation building. But of all the areas on which the UAE focuses, I am particularly interested in conservation and finance.
Through our own local bodies, such as the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority EPAA, we have an impressive record. Internationally, through organisations such as the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, as well as through various EAD-supported programmes, the country participates in several global conservation initiatives.
Conservation was once looked at as separate from economic development and the alleviation of poverty
Conservation was once looked at as entirely separate from economic development and the alleviation of poverty. While that distinction might have been acceptable in highly-developed countries, it does not apply to areas where development is lacking and where poverty is a big concern.
Some of the most endangered animals in the world are to be found in areas of economic underdevelopment. If local human populations continue to exploit them, as they may have done for generations, it is no good telling perpetrators that they should stop. They need to be offered concrete, realistic alternatives. That is where my second area of interest comes in: the UAE’s role as a centre of financial expertise and excellence.
Our two international finance centres, Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Finance Centre, are the homes for a number of rapidly-growing companies that provide financial services. An important aspect of the work of such firms is in the sphere of ‘sustainable finance’, which can be defined as “any form of financial service integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into the business or investment decisions for the lasting benefit of both clients and society at large.”
The leviathans of the global corporate world, like the major oil and gas companies, are already turning their attention to ESG issues. For firms operating through ADGM and DIFC, issues related to ESG are likely to become more important, in terms of raising money and in how that money is invested.
Some projects with an ESG and sustainable finance perspective may be focused in areas where environmental criteria are relevant. Others may not directly have an effect on areas with key conservation issues, but may seek opportunities for mitigating activities that take place elsewhere.
There may, therefore, be emerging opportunities where the UAE's excellence and concern about global conservation issues can interrelate with the burgeoning finance industry. If the latter can contribute to the former, a direct benefit in terms of ESG may follow.
As Carolyn Labey, Minister for International Development in my other home of the British Channel Island of Jersey, puts it: “Doing well financially and doing good are not mutually exclusive.”
Jersey, I am pleased to say, has already launched an interesting initiative, called the Jersey Fund for a Wilder World, a joint project between the local financial services industry, government, Jersey Finance, Jersey Overseas Aid and the world-renowned Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Under that initiative, local finance industry firms can contribute, on a voluntary basis, to help bring about positive change in terms of conservation, while providing opportunities for investors who want to make a difference with their money.
There may be no direct parallels here, in terms of an appropriate structure. How nice it would be, however, if something similar could be created to link our finance industry and conservation bodies like the MBZ Fund and the Houbara Fund, to pool our efforts for global development. From that, we would all benefit.
Peter Hellyer is a UAE cultural historian and columnist for The National
Kandahar%20
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
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Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
