As climate negotiators at Egypt’s Cop27 try to thrash out a deal on divisive subjects such as loss and damage, there is a markedly different atmosphere in the conference's Blue Zone.
There are 141 pavilions in five large buildings that make up the UN-managed area, a maze of countries, non-governmental organisations and coalitions.
Each pavilion has its own schedule of events. The sounds of chatter and back-to-back panel discussions fill the air.
The UN climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh is due to finish on Friday. But the Blue Zone shows no signs of slowing down.
In some ways, it is like a mini-Dubai Expo, but with less fanfare, no queues to get into the Germany pavilion and certainly no sushi in Japan or rose ice cream in Saudi Arabia. Given the limited food and drink options at the conference, delegates take notice when Italy offers coffee or South Africa serves mocktails.
Many of the country pavilions reflect their cultures. The Nordic building is sleek and Senegal's offers a colourful showcase. In Kuwait's pavilion the writing is mostly in Arabic and Venezuela's uses Spanish.
The large Qatar pavilion includes a section highlighting the country’s hosting of the World Cup, which kicks off on Sunday, and the eight stadiums built.
But overall, the Blue Zone is serious business with countries and organisations often demonstrating their climate commitments and achievements.
Groups such as the World Bank, International Labour Organisation and International Atomic Energy Agency highlight some of the key issues and solutions.
Others, such as Moana Blue Pacific, Climate Justice and Indigenous Peoples, sound the alarm bell about climate change emergencies.
At Moana Blue Pacific, a 250-square-metre area managed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, a sign says: “Keep global temperature rise below 1.5C, and we can survive.”
The tiny Climate Justice pavilion is covered in messages, such as “We demand climate reparations” and “No false solutions”.
While the Pakistan pavilion makes no reference to the summer floods that displaced 33 million people, it displays a simple message: “What goes on in Pakistan won’t stay in Pakistan.”
The military and political crisis in Ukraine is evident in the fact that there is no Russian pavilion and the Ukrainian display is a sombre affair.
While there is much to learn and take away from all of the pavilions, here are four that stand out from the crowd:
Egypt's artistic talent celebrates heritage
As the Cop27 host, Egypt’s pavilion is front and centre for guests entering the Blue Zone. Designed and curated by award-winning green architect Sarah El Battouty, it is meant to represent Egypt’s heritage and landscape.
The main hall includes the Tree of the Virgin Mary from Sinai. It is protected by a curved wall inscribed with the national anthem of the Egyptian armed forces, based on a poem from Farouk Gweida: “Oh Nile run wild and free to tell the stories of the great patriotic acts.”
Eight sculptures by artist Bahaa Amer, created from fallen twigs, are nestled around the tree.
The Hall of Knowledge and Science, which emphasises the need for climate action to be based on science, includes the Dynastic Bird sculpture by the late Adam Henein.
Other artworks highlight the responsibility of humans to protect nature. They include a piece called Misr El A’taa by Farghali Abdel Hafez, which shows a woman stretching out her hands to give back all of the blessings she received from the sea and sand.
The stone architecture reflects the “very solid history, very solid heritage” of Egypt, Ms El Battouty said in an interview with Cairo Scene. The mashrabeya displays an innovation for cooling and privacy that was created in Egypt.
Ms El Battouty is the founder of ECOnsult, a UN Climate Change global ambassador and a senior adviser to the Egyptian President.
UAE shows off its climate credentials
After Cop27, Egypt will pass the baton to Cop28 host the UAE. The journey has already begun, with the UAE pavilion promoting the “The Emirates Climate Conference”.
The large exhibition space at this year’s event includes a timeline of the country’s climate actions. The pavilion highlights its decarbonisation efforts, for example through sustainable mobility and green hydrogen.
It also showcases Etihad’s “sustainable flight”, which in October 2021 reduced carbon emissions by 72 per cent compared to the equivalent flight operated in 2019. The sustainable flight avoided regions of the atmosphere that were super-saturated with ice, and where harmful trails from jet engines were likely to form. This prevented the production of about 64 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Celebrating storytelling
The children and youth pavilion has come to life, with a large mural being painted by Indian artist Shilo Shiv Suleman in the second week of the summit.
Ms Suleman founded Fearless Collective in 2012 following the protests that shook the country in response to the Delhi gang rape and murder, known as the Nirbhaya case. The movement aims to transform “fear to love through the co-creation of beauty in public space”.
Fearless has created more than 40 public monuments in 16 countries, working with marginalised communities, such as Muslim and Dalit women in India, indigenous peoples in Brazil and North America, and Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
“Similarly now with the climate crisis, what we’re seeing is there is a lot of fear,” Ms Suleman told The National. “The fear is very valid and the danger is real. But at the same time, we believe for actions to be sustainable, we need to create a space of love.”
The mural she is creating at Cop27 is meant to “bring back a sense of reverence and wonder for nature as the source of creation and life”.
She has painted three women: Puyr Tembe, a campaigner from the Amazon for indigenous tribes; Ugandan climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate; and Pakistani environmentalist Ayisha Siddiqa, the co-founder of Fossil Free University and Polluters Out.
“When you come to a space like this and you see a lot of bureaucrats, technocrats, businessman, in all honesty it sometimes feels like a bit of a trade show. And we believe that storytelling — the stories that we tell and the cultures that we create — is ultimately what shifts public opinion,” Ms Suleman said.
Waste finds a new creative life
Turkey’s pavilion includes 14 pieces of striking art made from waste in the exhibition project OZero point.
Visual artist Deniz Sagdic upcycles waste objects and materials, such as plastic bags and packaging, to turn them into works of art.
“Waste can be used as art and, if used in the right way, the lifetime will be increased by two centuries,” Ms Sagdic told The National.
While she does not consider herself an activist per se, she said: “Everyone in their own specialty can do something and people should ask what they can do.”
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury
Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')
Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)
Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
On racial profiling at airports
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
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.
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
WITHIN%20SAND
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Company%20profile
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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
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
Who's who in Yemen conflict
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