President Sheikh Mohamed has welcomed world leaders to Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has welcomed world leaders to Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has welcomed world leaders to Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has welcomed world leaders to Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

President Sheikh Mohamed welcomes global leaders ahead of World Governments Summit


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President Sheikh Mohamed said the World Governments Summit is taking place in Dubai at a time when humanity is facing major challenges. The President welcomed the world's governments and leaders to the summit, reported state news agency Wam.

"We welcome world leaders and governments as guests of the UAE, which is once again bringing the world together through the World Governments Summit to engage in dialogue and share visions and ideas at a time when humanity is in urgent need of concerted and integrated efforts to address major challenges that can only be tackled through joint global action," said Sheikh Mohamed.

“In an interconnected world, no one is immune from the impact of the historical transformations taking place. This necessitates the co-ordination of shared visions and efforts to harness these transformations in achieving sustainable and equitable development for all."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the aim of the World Governments Summit is to improve people's lives through strengthening global co-operation, building expertise and developing relationships. Sheikh Mohammed made his comments on the social media platform X ahead of the gathering, which begins in Dubai on Tuesday with a star-studded line-up expected over the course of the event.

“We welcome the guests of the World Governments Summit, which begins tomorrow with a record international participation,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “More than 30 heads of state and 140 government delegations, including 400 ministers, will engage with global business leaders and international organisations across more than 200 sessions covering all future sectors.

“The goal is clear: to strengthen global co-operation, build expertise, develop relationships, and draw inspiration from experiences to improve the lives of communities. Welcome to the governments of the world in Dubai and the UAE.”

Elon Musk, former UK prime ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, the chief executive of Google, Sundar Pichai, and the presidents of Indonesia, Poland and Sri Lanka are some of the names confirmed for this week's event, which runs until Thursday, February 13. The theme of this year's event is Shaping Future Governments.

The summit is hosting prominent thought leaders and global experts, with more than 6,000 people expected to attend. An important part of the event will be major global transformation, with a focus on resulting opportunities and challenges.

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, who owns X and is leading efforts by US President Donald Trump to reduce the size of federal government via the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), is taking part in a plenary session on Thursday, called Boring Cities, AI and Doge.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will be in conversation with Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, on Reimagining Technology for Government On Wednesday. Boris Johnson, another former UK prime minister, will take part in a plenary session called A Conversation with Churchill, also on Wednesday. Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, the first lady of the Philippines, will give an address the following day on climate adaptability and energy.

BELGIUM%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Thibaut%20Courtois%2C%20Simon%20Mignolet%2C%20Koen%20Casteels%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Jan%20Vertonghen%2C%20Toby%20Alderweireld%2C%20Leander%20Dendoncker%2C%20Zeno%20Debast%2C%20Arthur%20Theate%2C%20Wout%20Faes%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Hans%20Vanaken%2C%20Axel%20Witsel%2C%20Youri%20Tielemans%2C%20Amadou%20Onana%2C%20Kevin%20De%20Bruyne%2C%20Yannick%20Carrasco%2C%20Thorgan%20Hazard%2C%20Timothy%20Castagne%2C%20Thomas%20Meunier%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Romelu%20Lukaku%2C%20Michy%20Batshuayi%2C%20Lo%C3%AFs%20Openda%2C%20Charles%20De%20Ketelaere%2C%20Eden%20Hazard%2C%20Jeremy%20Doku%2C%20Dries%20Mertens%2C%20Leandro%20Trossard%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

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.
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Healthy tips to remember

Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:

Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast

Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits

Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day

Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet

City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

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Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?

West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles

UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up  Jebel Ali Dragons

Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Conference: Winners  Dubai Tigers; Runners-up  Al Ain Amblers

England ODI squad

Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: Dh99,000

On sale: now

if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope 
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold 
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph 
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck

Updated: February 11, 2025, 3:18 AM`