President Sheikh Mohamed called on the international community to seize the opportunity to build a better future on the eve of the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
Sheikh Mohamed said the annual global gathering serves as a key platform for promoting dialogue and harnessing new ideas in order to tackle pressing issues facing the planet.
More than 25 world leaders, 140 governments and 85 international organisations will be among 4,000 attendees at the three-day event, which has the theme "Shaping Future Governments" and gets under way in Madinat Jumeirah on Monday.
Some pre-summit sessions – including a wide-ranging address by Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, were held on Sunday ahead of the official opening.
“The World Governments Summit is the UAE’s responsible invitation to the whole world, to join the dialogue, share knowledge and invest in new ideas and creative energies that are capable of creating innovative solutions to development challenges, and meet peoples’ expectations of a good life and a better future,” Sheikh Mohamed said on Sunday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, spoke of the crucial responsibility of governments to effect change.
“The UAE believes that real governments are capable of translating people’s ambitions into a sustainable reality," Sheikh Mohammed said.
"When government work is afflicted with stalling and procrastination, when it is dependent on happenstance, these are signs of the end of development, and the end of human civilisation itself.
"When governments fail to deliver their mission of leading and enacting change, they waive their entitlement to the present and the future; they retire from life."
High-level talks
The summit will host 110 sessions featuring more than 200 prominent speakers, from presidents to Nobel laureates.
A number of ministerial meetings will be held throughout the event, putting finance, energy and sustainable development on top of the agenda.
The event will include 15 conferences aimed at defining the future of AI, government services, urbanisation, education and smart mobility.
There will be six additional conferences to cover health, sustainable development, future economies and advanced technology.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will lead high-level delegations from their countries, which have been named guests of honour at the 11th annual summit.
Other heads of state attending the event include Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, and Kenyan President William Ruto.
Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar, Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun and Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan will also be present.
Key players in the evolution of the technology sector such as OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman and Jensen Huang, chief executive, co-founder and president of the Nvidia Corporation, will also help to shape the debate.
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
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
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Read more about the coronavirus
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
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The years Ramadan fell in May
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
