US climate envoy John Kerry attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. This is Mr Kerry's first visit to the Middle East, and Asia, since being appointed to the role. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change
US climate envoy John Kerry attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. This is Mr Kerry's first visit to the Middle East, and Asia, since being appointed to the role. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change
Alok Sharma, President of Cop26, attends the Regional Climate Dialogue in Abu Dhabi.
The pledge issued at the end of the Regional Climate Dialogue vowed to help the most vulnerable.
Delegates at the talks in Abu Dhabi.
Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment and John Kerry, US climate envoy at the dialogue.
Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at the Regional Climate Dialogue.
The dialogue comes during a critical year in the global fight to halt rising temperatures. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change
The UAE's Special Envoy for Climate Change, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, at the Regional Climate Dialogue. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change
US climate envoy John Kerry is given a helicopter tour of Noor solar park, outside Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Courtesy: Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change
John Kerry speaks with Dr Sultan Al Jaber at Abu Dhabi's Shams 1 solar park on Saturday. The National
This is John Kerry's first visit to the Middle East since being appointed US climate envoy. The National
Mr Kerry has vowed to make up for the 'lost years' of the Donald Trump presidency and put the US at the forefront of efforts to protect the environment. The National
John Kerry meets Francesco La Camera, director general of International Renewable Energy Agency, which has its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The National
US climate envoy John Kerry visits Jubail Mangrove Park. Courtesy Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change
An aerial image of Abu Dhabi's Noor solar park. Its 3.2 million panels make it the largest single-site solar park in the world. Courtesy: Noor Abu Dhabi
Arrayed panels at Abu Dhabi's Noor solar park. Pawan Singh / The National
As John Kerry stepped onto UAE soil this Easter weekend, I was reminded of the words of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, who emphasised the importance of unity in order to provide a better life for our people, to realise their hopes and aspirations, and to ensure stability.
Mr Kerry’s visit to the UAE in his role as US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate during our Golden Jubilee year is an example of Sheikh Zayed’s vision playing out on the highest of international levels. From here, our two nations will only continue to leverage a long-standing partnership to rouse the international community into creating a unified action plan for a stable and sustainable future.
This notion was clear for all to see as Dr Abdullah Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the UAE’s Special Envoy on Climate, hosted Alok Sharma, President of the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (Cop26), as well as Mr Kerry and leaders from countries of the GCC and Mena region in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to inaugurate the UAE Regional Climate Dialogue.
Chaired by Dr Al Jaber, the event marked the first multilateral ministerial dialogue aimed at driving new climate mitigation efforts and growth opportunities in the Mena region and beyond.
Indeed, in the joint statement issued after the meeting, participants urged the international community to take steps to keep a Paris-aligned temperature limit within reach through “enhanced nationally determined contributions". The statement also outlined the importance of energy adaptation and the co-benefits of building resilience to climate change. The participating nations will aim to achieve these goals, they said, through “investments in renewable energy, ecosystem-based approaches, nature-based solutions, climate-smart agriculture, carbon-capture technologies, and other low-carbon solutions [that] will support sustainable economic growth and job creation".
Also on show during the Dialogue was a value the US and the UAE hold close: collectivism. The event brought together a multitude of perspectives to solve our biggest challenges and leave a lasting impact. Similarly, since taking office in January, the Biden-Harris administration has wasted no time in putting this into practice to confront the greatest challenge of our times: the climate emergency.
Mere days after being sworn in, President Joe Biden signed a set of sweeping environmental executive orders and announced a virtual summit of 40 world leaders on Earth Day this month as part of a resolute focus to build traction around global climate action. The UAE, which will be one of only two Arab nations in attendance at the Leaders Summit on Climate on April 22, has already begun aligning with the US on strategies to address the global climate agenda.
To date, several collaborations on renewable energy and sustainability-focused projects in the UAE have seen us working together to tackle global climate change challenges. Among them are the peaceful nuclear co-operation that resulted in the establishment of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant that generates clean electricity for the UAE, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s role in establishing and developing Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and subsequently Khalifa University and partnerships on carbon capture and renewables-powered desalination.
And in the other direction, the UAE has invested in a raft of forward-looking projects that are currently taking shape in Nebraska, Texas, California and New Mexico, covering solar photovoltaics, wind energy and lithium-ion batteries.
Marking the next step in this relationship, Dr Al Jaber opened a dialogue with Mr Kerry in February with a view to teaming up to combat the climate crisis while unlocking opportunities for economic growth and diversification and job creation that help build a carbon-free future.
The two special envoys agreed to set up bilateral working groups to advance our nations’ shared global climate agenda, and contribute to regional and global sustainable development. With time running out to limit global warming, and mere months to go before Cop26 in Glasgow, Scotland, close collaboration remains vital – not just between the UAE and the US, but also with our respective allies.
As the permanent home to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the UAE has contributed significantly to shaping the global dialogue around renewable energy. But our own energy leadership extends to concerted policy action and business incentives. For over 15 years, the nation has developed a considerable green economy with value additions in a wide range of areas, from eco-friendly transport and sustainable industry to carbon capture and storage, and clean energy.
The next 10 years, the US, the UAE and the wider international community firmly agree, must be a decade of action
To take just one sector as an example, the UAE has sizeable renewable energy investments in 70 countries around the world, including three of the biggest and lowest-cost solar plants right here within our own borders. These assets, whether in the UAE, the US or elsewhere, have improved economic opportunities, strengthened industrial diversification and enhanced financial output while creating knowledge, skills and jobs on the road to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The next 10 years, the US, the UAE and the wider international community firmly agree, must be a decade of action. As we move towards Cop26 for what must mark an inflection point in our approach to the climate emergency, the UAE stands ready to share its experience and expertise from the frontlines of the clean energy movement.
As Sheikh Zayed said, our forefathers recognised the need to conserve the environment, to take from it only what they needed to live and to preserve it for succeeding generations. Sustainability is in our DNA, and strengthening our partnership with the US will allow us to leverage the power of the green economy for the global good.
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany is a permanent representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment Directed: Roland Emmerich Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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”.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Marital status: Single
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer) 7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, Andrea Atzeni, Charles Hills 7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: New Trails, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash 8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Mnasek, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson 8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: D’bai, William Buick, Charlie Appleby 9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Summer Romance, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby 10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000
2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000
3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000
4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000
5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000
6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000
7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000
8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
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.
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017 Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand Sector: FinTech, wealth management Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021 Current staff: more than 160 employees Stage: series D Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
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
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
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
