Newly-elected World Meteorological Organisation secretary general, Celeste Saulo, with new president, Abdulla Al Mandous. Photo: AFP
Newly-elected World Meteorological Organisation secretary general, Celeste Saulo, with new president, Abdulla Al Mandous. Photo: AFP
Newly-elected World Meteorological Organisation secretary general, Celeste Saulo, with new president, Abdulla Al Mandous. Photo: AFP
Newly-elected World Meteorological Organisation secretary general, Celeste Saulo, with new president, Abdulla Al Mandous. Photo: AFP

UAE weather chief wins presidency of World Meteorological Organisation


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The UAE's weather bureau chief has vowed to help guide global efforts to combat pressing climate challenges after securing the presidency of the World Meteorological Organisation.

Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, director general of the National Centre of Meteorology, will lead the UN agency for a four-year term until 2027, and is the first Gulf meteorologist chosen for the position.

He was elected by representatives of WMO's 193 member states and territories which has convened in Geneva for the body's 19th annual congress.

“It is my great honour to be elected as the President of WMO and serve the global weather and climate community in this role,” said Dr Al Mandous.

“I extend my gratitude to the Member States for their trust and confidence in my capabilities to guide and co-ordinate WMO’s activities in this era of changing climate.

“With the continued support of all members, I look forward to building upon the remarkable work of my predecessors and strengthening WMO's role in accelerating the development of comprehensive early warning systems, advancing scientific research, and ensuring the effective dissemination of weather-related information to communities around the world.”

Dr Al Mandous said that his focus will on “enhancing the resilience of nations to weather and climate-related hazards” as well as “promoting knowledge-sharing and increasing the recognition and understanding of WMO’s specialised work”.

He said: “With the collective efforts of Member states, I am confident that WMO will continue to play a vital role in shaping the global meteorological agenda, promoting sustainable development, and fostering international co-operation in the face of increasing weather-related challenges.”

A leading weather expert

Dr Al Mandous has enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career in meteorology and climate science.

During his time at the NCM he has overseen a major modernisation of the country’s meteorological and seismological networks.

He led the NCM’s efforts to establish the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, presided over the centre's pioneering cloud seeding initiative and contributed to the development of the Arabian Peninsula integrated radar observing system.

Dr Al Mandous has served UAE’s permanent representative to the WMO and president of its regional association, covering Asia.

The WMO acts as the global authority on weather, climate and environmental issues.

He will begin his presidency by chairing the body's Executive Council session in Geneva next week.

Driving green agenda on road to Cop28

  • Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Cop28 President-designate, speaking at the Road to Cop28 launch event at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Cop28 President-designate, speaking at the Road to Cop28 launch event at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam Al Mheiri in conversation on stage at the event
    Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam Al Mheiri in conversation on stage at the event
  • Ms Al Mheiri with Minister of Community Development and and Cop28 Youth Climate Champion Shamma Al Mazrui, Youngo spokeswoman and lead on nationally determined contributions working group Shreya KC and UN climate change high-level champion Razan Al Mubarak, in discussion on stage
    Ms Al Mheiri with Minister of Community Development and and Cop28 Youth Climate Champion Shamma Al Mazrui, Youngo spokeswoman and lead on nationally determined contributions working group Shreya KC and UN climate change high-level champion Razan Al Mubarak, in discussion on stage
  • Shreya KC, a Nepali climate justice activist, addresses the event at Al Wasl Plaza
    Shreya KC, a Nepali climate justice activist, addresses the event at Al Wasl Plaza
  • Filipino award-winning poet, rapper and climate artist Meta Sarmiento on stage at the event
    Filipino award-winning poet, rapper and climate artist Meta Sarmiento on stage at the event
  • Visitors at the Road to Cop28 launch event
    Visitors at the Road to Cop28 launch event
  • An artist at work on an Emirati scene at the Road to Cop28 launch
    An artist at work on an Emirati scene at the Road to Cop28 launch
  • A model of an onyx – a UAE conservation success story – at the launch event
    A model of an onyx – a UAE conservation success story – at the launch event
  • A performer wearing a dress made from recycled material at the Road to Cop28 launch event at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai
    A performer wearing a dress made from recycled material at the Road to Cop28 launch event at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai

Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al-Jarman, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, said the appointment highlighted the nation's commitment to protecting the planet ahead of crucial environment talks at Cop28 in Dubai later this year.

“His [Dr Al Mandous] election to this prestigious position in a year when the UAE is hosting Cop28 and marking the Year of Sustainability is a great opportunity for the country to demonstrate to the world its unwavering commitment to leading collective global action to tackle the pressing challenges facing our planet.

“Given his long-standing expertise and visionary approach to delivering WMO’s mission, we are confident that Dr Al Mandous will utilise his dynamic leadership style to help the Organization achieve its strategic objectives.”

Dr Al Mandous will seek to accelerate efforts to achieve UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's aim that “every person on the earth is protected by early warning systems in the next five years”. He will also aim to bolster the world’s resilience to extreme weather and climate events.

Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club:

1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10

2nd ODI, Friday, April 12

3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14

4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

Stree

Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
HOW TO WATCH

Facebook: TheNationalNews 

Twitter: @thenationalnews 

Instagram: @thenationalnews.com 

TikTok: @thenationalnews   

Results

1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)

2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m

Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly

4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m

Results

6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m; Winner: Ghaiyyath, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer).

7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Cliffs Of Capri, Tadhg O’Shea, Jamie Osborne.

7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Zakouski, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.

8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.

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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.

Essentials

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.

The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.

 

Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Wonder
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20EPD%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'My Son'

Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

Rating: 2/5

Company profile

Company: Rent Your Wardrobe 

Date started: May 2021 

Founder: Mamta Arora 

Based: Dubai 

Sector: Clothes rental subscription 

Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded 

Arsenal's pre-season fixtures

Thursday Beat Sydney 2-0 in Sydney

Saturday v Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney

Wednesday v Bayern Munich in Shanghai

July 22 v Chelsea in Beijing

July 29 v Benfica in London

July 30 v Sevilla in London

LOVE%20AGAIN
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

ELECTION%20RESULTS
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PSL FINAL

Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi
8pm, Thursday
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

SPECS

Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Updated: August 11, 2023, 9:35 AM