The United Nations is no stranger to political challenges or attempts at reform. And this week, at the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, there will be a dose of both. The international organisation is facing continued difficulties in imposing international law, with repeated violations of its Security Council resolutions from countries like North Korea and Israel. Accountability is in short supply. Weeks after a UN body officially announced Syria's government used chemical weapons against its own people, the Al Assad regime will be able to attend the international meeting and claim "victory" over extremists. Challenges, financial and political, from the new US administration, in addition to unresolved crises in Yemen, Libya, Myanmar and beyond continue.
And yet, the UN recognises these failings, especially with Antonio Guterres, its new secretary general, making reform one of his primary goals. Unlike previous years, reform is not a side note. Rather, it is centre stage.
The Monday before the kick off of the general debate has always been a key moment to focus world leaders on the most pressing issue perceived by the UN. This year that moment is dedicated to a high level meeting on UN reform. Issues such as strengthening the UN secretariat, revitalising the General Assembly and expanding the Security Council will be looked at, in addition to reminding members that the UN is ultimately the result of what its membership allows it to be.
This year’s General Assembly is titled "focusing on people – striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet". The sustainable development goals, agreed two years ago as a target for a better life for all, are meant to be the vehicle to deliver on this promise. However, without a mechanism to hold those who fail their people or foster conflict it is impossible to envision success.
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The United Nations was born at the end of the Second World War, as the United States emerged as the leading global power. As such, it is only natural that Washington DC has much influence on the UN. In addition to being the largest sole contributor to the UN’s budget.
This year's meeting will be one of many firsts. The first for Mr Guterres but also a first for Donald Trump, the US president. The Trump administration has made it clear that it wants to limit the role of the UN in various areas. It has adopted an official policy to reduce American funding to the UN across the board, from peacekeeping missions to the United Nations Population Fund, in addition to a number of policies to signal disengagement, including reducing the level of participation in the General Assembly.
Mr Trump has highlighted three pillars of his policy towards the UN. In previewing Mr Trump's participation in the General Assembly, H R McMaster, US national security adviser, explained that the American administration believes in the role of the United Nations to promote peace and stability around the world, but that role would require UN reform and protecting the rights of individual states. He explained that "the president's consistent message across all of his engagements throughout the week will emphasise three goals common to all nations who will be gathered there: first, to promote peace. Second, to promote prosperity. And third, to uphold sovereignty and accountability". In what concerns peace and prosperity, this is the stated goal of the UN and its member states. However, issues of sovereignty and accountability are often what lead to controversy. And while Mr Trump has been very critical of the UN, the White House has confirmed that the meeting on reform will be a chance to improve its state.
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Read more on the UN General Assembly
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Global hunger on the rise for first time in decade, UN says
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The tension between sovereignty and accountability is not new. While nation states in our modern era rest on sovereign rights, the whole principle of accountability and adhering to international law requires strengthening the United Nations and diversifying its ability to impose law. It is under the guise of sovereignty that Myanmar’s leaders can encourage the burning entire villages to the ground and displacement of hundreds of thousands. In a statement last week, Mr Guterres said "the government of Myanmar until now has been completely deaf to our requests". And so the challenge to the UN, and its member states, is how to have the right mechanism to act quickly when the stakes are so high as to displace hundreds of thousands of civilians over a matter of a few days?
Over the last three years, ISIL was deemed the ultimate challenge to sovereignty and international accountability. Rejecting internationally recognised borders, publicly killing civilians and threatening the international order, ISIL was the epitome of what happens with failed governance.
An international coalition has been able to push ISIL back in Syria and Iraq. And yet at this year's General Assembly, there won't be celebrations of stability or peace after ISIL. The UN meetings are set to begin just days after the latest round of Astana talks that are determining the fate of Syria without Syrian presence. Sovereignty at its very weakest. And as UN week unfolds, Iraq faces the unknown outcome of a unilateral decision by the Kurdistan Regional Government to hold a referendum that calls for the dismemberment of one of the founding members of the United Nations. How the UN deals with these challenges will be the ultimate test of whether high level meetings on reform hold any value.
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The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
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ENGLAND TEAM
England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph
The five pillars of Islam
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
The finalists
Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho
Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson
Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)
Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid
Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com