• Ukraine's pavilion at Cop27. It is the first time the country has a pavilion at a Cop. Photo: John Dennehy / The National
    Ukraine's pavilion at Cop27. It is the first time the country has a pavilion at a Cop. Photo: John Dennehy / The National
  • The pavilion has an installation designed to reflect a shell that has cratered the ground. Photo: Ukraine at Cop27
    The pavilion has an installation designed to reflect a shell that has cratered the ground. Photo: Ukraine at Cop27
  • Samples of Ukraine's soil at the pavilion. Photo: Ukraine at Cop27
    Samples of Ukraine's soil at the pavilion. Photo: Ukraine at Cop27
  • A piece of an oak tree damaged by shrapnel taken from Irpin. It is now on display at the pavilion. Photo: Ukraine at Cop27.
    A piece of an oak tree damaged by shrapnel taken from Irpin. It is now on display at the pavilion. Photo: Ukraine at Cop27.
  • Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, addresses Cop27. Sean Gallup / Getty Images
    Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, addresses Cop27. Sean Gallup / Getty Images

Ukraine's sombre pavilion at Cop27 reflects the pain and hope of its people


John Dennehy
  • English
  • Arabic

There are two things weighing on Oleksii Riabchyn’s mind in Egypt: the first is climate change, and the second, the fact his wife and children are back in Ukraine in a bomb shelter.

Mr Riabchyn, 39, is representing Ukraine at Cop27, where the country has its first ever pavilion at a UN climate conference.

Painted a sombre grey to reflect the war back home, Ukraine wants it to be a statement of defiance and hope to show Russia’s invasion will not prevent Kyiv thinking of tomorrow.

“It is really hard to think about the climate when in Kyiv my wife and kids are without heating and electricity and taking refuge in a bomb shelter,” said Mr Riabchyn.

“But we understand that we are not only fighting for the future of Ukrainians but the future of the climate. And the future of Ukraine should also be green.”

Despite its austere appearance, Ukraine's pavilion has been popular among delegates, with a steady stream of visitors taking photos and watching videos that outline how the country has suffered since Russia invaded in February.

  • Smoke rises on the outskirts of the city during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
    Smoke rises on the outskirts of the city during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
  • Workers surround the Monument to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred with sandbags against damage from shelling in Mykolaiv. EPA
    Workers surround the Monument to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred with sandbags against damage from shelling in Mykolaiv. EPA
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev for talks before a meeting between the Russian president and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Russia. AFP
    Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev for talks before a meeting between the Russian president and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Russia. AFP
  • People take water from a water pump in Kyiv. EPA
    People take water from a water pump in Kyiv. EPA
  • A woman walks past a damaged building in the town of Nova Kakhovka. Reuters
    A woman walks past a damaged building in the town of Nova Kakhovka. Reuters
  • A woman outside her home, which was destroyed during battles at the start of the conflict, in Yahidne, Chernihiv. Getty Images
    A woman outside her home, which was destroyed during battles at the start of the conflict, in Yahidne, Chernihiv. Getty Images
  • People shelter inside a subway station during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
    People shelter inside a subway station during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
  • Firefighters at the site of a drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
    Firefighters at the site of a drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
  • A woman walks past the site of a Russian missile strike in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. Reuters
    A woman walks past the site of a Russian missile strike in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. Reuters
  • Rescuer workers at a building destroyed in an attack in Mykolaiv. Reuters
    Rescuer workers at a building destroyed in an attack in Mykolaiv. Reuters
  • Parts of a drone lie on a street in Kyiv. Reuters
    Parts of a drone lie on a street in Kyiv. Reuters
  • A drone flies over the Ukrainian capital during an attack. AFP
    A drone flies over the Ukrainian capital during an attack. AFP
  • Ukrainian servicemen tow a captured Russian armoured vehicle in Rudneve village, Kharkiv. EPA
    Ukrainian servicemen tow a captured Russian armoured vehicle in Rudneve village, Kharkiv. EPA
  • A partially destroyed residential building in Saltivka, in Kharkiv. AP
    A partially destroyed residential building in Saltivka, in Kharkiv. AP
  • Ukrainian servicemen fire a captured Russian howitzer on a front line near Kupyansk city, Kharkiv. EPA
    Ukrainian servicemen fire a captured Russian howitzer on a front line near Kupyansk city, Kharkiv. EPA
  • Ukrainian servicemen near the recently retaken town of Lyman in Donetsk region. AFP
    Ukrainian servicemen near the recently retaken town of Lyman in Donetsk region. AFP
  • An officer from a Ukrainian national police emergency demining team prepares to detonate collected anti-tank mines and explosives near Lyman, in the Donetsk region. AFP
    An officer from a Ukrainian national police emergency demining team prepares to detonate collected anti-tank mines and explosives near Lyman, in the Donetsk region. AFP
  • A boy playing on a destroyed Russian tank on display in Kyiv. AFP
    A boy playing on a destroyed Russian tank on display in Kyiv. AFP
  • A young couple hiding underground during an air alert in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
    A young couple hiding underground during an air alert in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
  • Ukrainian firefighters looking for survivors after a strike in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
    Ukrainian firefighters looking for survivors after a strike in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
  • Workers fix a banner reading 'Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson - Russia!' to the State Historical Museum near Red Square in Moscow. AFP
    Workers fix a banner reading 'Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson - Russia!' to the State Historical Museum near Red Square in Moscow. AFP
  • Residents try to cross a destroyed bridge in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. AFP
    Residents try to cross a destroyed bridge in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. AFP
  • Alyona Kishinskaya helps to clean up a shop as it prepares to reopen in Balakiya, Ukraine, after a six-month Russian occupation. Getty Images
    Alyona Kishinskaya helps to clean up a shop as it prepares to reopen in Balakiya, Ukraine, after a six-month Russian occupation. Getty Images
  • Alla, 12, has a swinging time in Balakiya, Ukraine, as life goes on despite the war. Getty Images
    Alla, 12, has a swinging time in Balakiya, Ukraine, as life goes on despite the war. Getty Images
  • Ukrainian flags in the town square in Balakiya. Getty Images
    Ukrainian flags in the town square in Balakiya. Getty Images
  • A destroyed Russian command centre in Izium, Ukraine. Getty Images
    A destroyed Russian command centre in Izium, Ukraine. Getty Images
  • In what may be a final farewell, young Russian recruits - escorted by their wives - walk to a train station in Volgograd before being sent to war in Ukraine. AP
    In what may be a final farewell, young Russian recruits - escorted by their wives - walk to a train station in Volgograd before being sent to war in Ukraine. AP
  • Russian recruits board the train to Ukraine in Volgograd. AP
    Russian recruits board the train to Ukraine in Volgograd. AP
  • Ukrainian soliders drive a tank at the recently retaken eastern side of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. AFP
    Ukrainian soliders drive a tank at the recently retaken eastern side of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. AFP
  • Volunteers pass boxes of food aid on a destroyed bridge over the Oskil River. AFP
    Volunteers pass boxes of food aid on a destroyed bridge over the Oskil River. AFP
  • Ukrainian soliders rest on an armoured personnel carrier. AFP
    Ukrainian soliders rest on an armoured personnel carrier. AFP
  • A sign warns of landmines in Izyum, eastern Ukraine. AFP
    A sign warns of landmines in Izyum, eastern Ukraine. AFP
  • This crater was left after a missile strike in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. AFP
    This crater was left after a missile strike in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. AFP

At the entrance is an installation designed to reflect a shell funnel sticking out of a crater that now pockmark the country’s fields. Inside are 16 types of soil to underline the country's agricultural heritage. Visitors can also touch a piece of Ukrainian oak taken from a tree in war-battered Irpin that has pieces of shrapnel embedded in it. Virtual reality headsets allow people to experience the ruins of Ukraine’s cities.

“It has been absolutely heartbreaking for my whole family and my grandparents,” said Viktoriya Ball, 22, a member of Ukraine’s youth delegation at Cop27.

“They are doubly displaced during their lifetime because the first time was during the [1986] Chernobyl disaster. There is no end to the negligence to human life from the Russian regime.”

Ms Ball said there was a positive response from people visiting the pavilion over the past few days to Ukraine’s situation. The virtual reality glasses in particular have brought home the utter devastation wrought on the country’s cities.

Ms Ball, from Cherkasy in central Ukraine, said the war had a huge impact on her personally but she had tried to deal with it better since the first days of the invasion.

“But when I hear some of the personal stories and see the constant destruction on Ukrainian news it is very difficult,” she said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Cop27 summit on Tuesday there could be no effective climate policy without peace.

The pavilion is staging events throughout the conference to highlight the impact of Russia's war, with tens of thousands killed, cities destroyed and energy systems denuded.

Ukraine’s environment minister in October estimated environmental damage done by Russia was about $35.3 billion.

The pavilion is also highlighting plans to modernise Ukraine into a greener and more energy-efficient place when the conflict ends.

“Russian weapons are destroying wind turbines. They are using energy and gas to blackmail Europe. They are shelling our infrastructure thinking we will surrender but we will not surrender,” said Mr Riabchyn.

“We will rebuild our country and it will be the greenest country in Europe. We will win.”

Cop27 takes place in Egypt — in pictures

  • A man wears a face mask that reads "no climate justice without human rights" during a protest at the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. AP
    A man wears a face mask that reads "no climate justice without human rights" during a protest at the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. AP
  • A presentation at the American University in Cairo Pavilion. Reuters
    A presentation at the American University in Cairo Pavilion. Reuters
  • Egyptian artist Bahia Sheha stands inside her installation "Heaven & Hell in the Anthropocene." AFP
    Egyptian artist Bahia Sheha stands inside her installation "Heaven & Hell in the Anthropocene." AFP
  • Akihiro Nishimura, minister of the environment of Japan, reviews notes with others at the COP27. AP
    Akihiro Nishimura, minister of the environment of Japan, reviews notes with others at the COP27. AP
  • US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, right, and Xie Zhenhua, China's special envoy for climate greet each other at the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. AP
    US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, right, and Xie Zhenhua, China's special envoy for climate greet each other at the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. AP
  • Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva poses for a group photograph with representatives of his country's indigenous people. AFP
    Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva poses for a group photograph with representatives of his country's indigenous people. AFP
  • People attend the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. EPA
    People attend the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. EPA
  • Activists dancing during a discussion on leaflets at the Cop27 climate conference, taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. AFP
    Activists dancing during a discussion on leaflets at the Cop27 climate conference, taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. AFP
  • An activist wears a polar bear outfit as part of campaigning. AFP
    An activist wears a polar bear outfit as part of campaigning. AFP
  • From left, Rakia Amandou of Niger, Ba Aminata of Burkina Faso, Kenyan Rosemary Nenini, Fatima Mustafa Ahmed from Sudan and Djeneb Dicko from Burkina Faso at the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion. AP
    From left, Rakia Amandou of Niger, Ba Aminata of Burkina Faso, Kenyan Rosemary Nenini, Fatima Mustafa Ahmed from Sudan and Djeneb Dicko from Burkina Faso at the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion. AP
  • Abdulla Nasser Musallam Al Rahbi, Oman's Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, speaks at the COP27 climate conference in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. AFP
    Abdulla Nasser Musallam Al Rahbi, Oman's Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, speaks at the COP27 climate conference in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. AFP
  • Climate activists demonstrate in the designated protest zone. AP
    Climate activists demonstrate in the designated protest zone. AP
  • Sheikh Abdullah, Director General of Environment at the Public Authority of Kuwait, speaks at Cop27. AFP
    Sheikh Abdullah, Director General of Environment at the Public Authority of Kuwait, speaks at Cop27. AFP
  • Visitors at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre. AFP
    Visitors at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre. AFP
  • A display outside the convention centre. AFP
    A display outside the convention centre. AFP
  • A fountain in the green zone at the International Convention Centre at sunset. AFP
    A fountain in the green zone at the International Convention Centre at sunset. AFP
  • Mohamed bin Daina, right, Bahrain's Special Envoy for Climate Affairs and Chief Executive at the Supreme Council for Environment, at the conference. AFP
    Mohamed bin Daina, right, Bahrain's Special Envoy for Climate Affairs and Chief Executive at the Supreme Council for Environment, at the conference. AFP
  • Members of Extinction Rebellion stage a protest at the Glencairn tidal pool outside Cape Town, South Africa to mark Cop27's 'Water Day'. AP
    Members of Extinction Rebellion stage a protest at the Glencairn tidal pool outside Cape Town, South Africa to mark Cop27's 'Water Day'. AP
  • From left, Fahad Al Maskari of the Khalifa University, Frank Hartmann, Ghaleb Al Breiki of the UAE University, and Mouna Maroun of the University of Haifa, sign an agreement at Cop27. AFP
    From left, Fahad Al Maskari of the Khalifa University, Frank Hartmann, Ghaleb Al Breiki of the UAE University, and Mouna Maroun of the University of Haifa, sign an agreement at Cop27. AFP
  • John Kerry, US special presidential envoy for climate, at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. AP Photo
    John Kerry, US special presidential envoy for climate, at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. AP Photo
  • Australian climate activists offer bananas to climate summit participants. AFP
    Australian climate activists offer bananas to climate summit participants. AFP
  • Climate activist Sabrina Elba. AP Photo
    Climate activist Sabrina Elba. AP Photo
  • Egyptian security forces stand guard during the protest. AFP
    Egyptian security forces stand guard during the protest. AFP
  • US President Joe Biden. AFP
    US President Joe Biden. AFP
  • Mr Biden with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. AP
    Mr Biden with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. AP
  • A Cop27 sign in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, provides the backdrop for this woman's selfie. Reuters
    A Cop27 sign in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, provides the backdrop for this woman's selfie. Reuters
  • Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi speaks to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the climate summit. AFP
    Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi speaks to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the climate summit. AFP
  • A water wonderland greets this child at an acquarium in the Cop27 Green Zone. Reuters
    A water wonderland greets this child at an acquarium in the Cop27 Green Zone. Reuters
  • Mr El Sisi, second left, takes part in a cycling marathon on the sidelines of Cop27. EPA
    Mr El Sisi, second left, takes part in a cycling marathon on the sidelines of Cop27. EPA
  • Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, speaks in Sharm El Sheikh about 'complicated' talks to set up a protection zone around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. AFP
    Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, speaks in Sharm El Sheikh about 'complicated' talks to set up a protection zone around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. AFP
  • Frankie the dinosaur. Reuters
    Frankie the dinosaur. Reuters
  • US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Reuters
    US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Reuters
  • Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan, CEO of the Alliances for Global Sustainability; Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Minister of State for Food Security; and Hatem Dowidar, group CEO at e&. AFP
    Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan, CEO of the Alliances for Global Sustainability; Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Minister of State for Food Security; and Hatem Dowidar, group CEO at e&. AFP
  • Sameh Shoukry, Cop27 president, centre left, poses for photos in the youth pavilion. AP
    Sameh Shoukry, Cop27 president, centre left, poses for photos in the youth pavilion. AP
  • A visitor looks at the 'Zero Point' series of collage portraits by Turkish artist Deniz Sagdic, each of which is made from a particular kind of upcycled waste material. Getty
    A visitor looks at the 'Zero Point' series of collage portraits by Turkish artist Deniz Sagdic, each of which is made from a particular kind of upcycled waste material. Getty
  • Participants visit the Ukrainian pavillon. AFP
    Participants visit the Ukrainian pavillon. AFP
  • Mr Kerry speaks during a session on accelerating the clean energy transition in developing countries. AP
    Mr Kerry speaks during a session on accelerating the clean energy transition in developing countries. AP
  • Youth climate activists. Pictured, from the left, Eric Njuguna of Kenya, Nicole Becker of Argentina, Vanessa Nakate of Uganda, Sophia Kianni from Iran, and Mitzi Jonelle Tan of the Philippines. AP
    Youth climate activists. Pictured, from the left, Eric Njuguna of Kenya, Nicole Becker of Argentina, Vanessa Nakate of Uganda, Sophia Kianni from Iran, and Mitzi Jonelle Tan of the Philippines. AP
  • Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, right, chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, poses for a photo with Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, the UAE's Minister of State for Financial Affairs. AFP
    Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, right, chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, poses for a photo with Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, the UAE's Minister of State for Financial Affairs. AFP
  • Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Bloomberg
    Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Bloomberg
  • A police officer stands at the entrance of the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre during Cop27. Reuters
    A police officer stands at the entrance of the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre during Cop27. Reuters
  • United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. AP Photo
    United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. AP Photo
  • Former US vice president Al Gore speaks during a session at Cop27. AP Photo
    Former US vice president Al Gore speaks during a session at Cop27. AP Photo
  • Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest. AFP
    Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest. AFP
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

KLOPP%20AT%20LIVERPOOL
%3Cp%3EYears%3A%20October%202015%20-%20June%202024%3Cbr%3ETotal%20games%3A%20491%3Cbr%3EWin%20percentage%3A%2060.9%25%3Cbr%3EMajor%20trophies%3A%206%20(Premier%20League%20x%201%2C%20Champions%20League%20x%201%2C%20FA%20Cup%20x%201%2C%20League%20Cup%20x%202%2C%20Fifa%20Club%20World%20Cup%20x1)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

If you go

Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

BIG SPENDERS

Premier League clubs spent £230 million (Dh1.15 billion) on January transfers, the second-highest total for the mid-season window, the Sports Business Group at Deloitte said in a report.

Match info

Arsenal 0

Manchester City 2
Sterling (14'), Bernardo Silva (64')

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”

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.”

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)

SPECS

Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now

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What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
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)

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

French business

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.

Updated: November 10, 2022, 7:12 PM