Women should be at the centre of climate action as they remain the most vulnerable to it, an expert panel heard in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The Arab region faces the heightened impact of climate change, made worse by a gender parity gap, making it important for women to play a pivotal role in climate negotiations and decision making, the panel heard.
Dena Assaf, the UN's resident co-ordinator in the UAE, said the twin problem painted a bleak picture.
“When we talk about impact of climate change in the Arab region, it is much greater than we probably have realised. Now, on top of that, the Arab region is not doing so well on the whole gender equality index,” said Ms Assaf.
The average temperature rise in the Arab region has been forecast at 4ºC, against the global average of 2ºC, she said.
The risks are even higher considering that 73 per cent of arable land in the Arab region faces the threat of desertification, with an economic impact of Dh33 billion ($9 billion), she said.
Extreme conditions
According to studies, the Arab region is more susceptible to higher temperature increases due to its large expanses of desert and lower groundwater levels.
Dangerous weather such as the deadly flash floods in Fujairah and Oman, as well as flooding in Qatar are examples of how climate change is affecting the Gulf region, a study by The Cyprus Institute’s Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre said.
Ms Assaf said the economic viability of women was in danger, especially as the agriculture sector is the second-largest employer of women in the Arab region, where female-run households are increasing daily due to protracted conflicts.
Climate change can also have a devastating effect on the region’s water supplies and food production systems, which experts believe could have a direct link to terrorism and extremism.
Against this backdrop, Ms Assaf said the existing gap in gender parity exacerbated the problem.
Although the UAE ranks first in the Arab world and 68th globally among the 146 countries in the 2022 Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, Ms Assaf said its neighbours were still struggling.
“Three Arab countries are at the bottom of the index. So, we're not doing that great, [the] UAE being the best of the countries in the region and leading the way. We have a lot to improve upon.”
However, she said there was hope that the region had the potential and opportunity to move forward.
“We have already shown progress in many areas,” Ms Assaf said.
Hafsa Halawa, an independent consultant and Middle East analyst, said the Mena region, as a whole, was responding “poorly” to gender considerations within climate policies.
“Part of the problem stems from the very genuine governance challenges and socioeconomic challenges that a number of middle-income countries in the region face.”
Cop28 'an opportunity'
The panel, consisting of diplomats, academics, analysts and private sector representatives, discussed how Cop28 was an opportunity to push for women’s full and meaningful participation and address the most pressing issue of climate change.
Titled “The role of women leadership in advancing the climate agenda”, the panel was held at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.
It was organised by the EU Delegation to the UAE, the Swedish embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Swedish Dialogue Institute for the Middle East and North Africa, and the academy.
Women remain underrepresented in climate forums and even fewer participate in negotiations on key climate issues such as climate funding, carbon emissions and measures to limit the use of fossil fuels, said ambassador Andrea Fontana from the EU mission in the UAE.
However, Cop28 has shown a commitment to advance their leadership, with the EU impressed by the appointment of Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of Community Development, and Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, as Youth Climate Champion and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, respectively, he said.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this [commitment] is followed up after the Cop by concrete actions so that women voices are represented in decision-making at the Cop and also in the UAE, EU and globally,” Mr Fontana said.
Emphasising the importance of promoting female leadership in efforts to address the climate crisis, Malak Abdullah, a UAE Cop28 youth delegate, highlighted the results of a survey conducted by a youth programme on climate change.
The survey found that women tend to be more engaged in climate activism than men, with 58 per cent of climate activists being female and the statistics showing “the significant role women play in driving action”.
Laila Abdullatif from Emirates Nature-WWF, said since eight in 10 people who are either displaced or affected by climate change are women, they had a unique perspective to offer.
“And hence, they should be involved in the co-creation of solutions,” she said.
Road to Cop28 launch event at Dubai Expo City: In pictures
More on Quran memorisation:
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
How Beautiful this world is!
Fight card
Preliminaries:
Nouredine Samir (UAE) v Sheroz Kholmirzav (UZB); Lucas Porst (SWE) v Ellis Barboza (GBR); Mouhmad Amine Alharar (MAR) v Mohammed Mardi (UAE); Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) v Spyro Besiri (GRE); Aslamjan Ortikov (UZB) v Joshua Ridgwell (GBR)
Main card:
Carlos Prates (BRA) v Dmitry Valent (BLR); Bobirjon Tagiev (UZB) v Valentin Thibaut (FRA); Arthur Meyer (FRA) v Hicham Moujtahid (BEL); Ines Es Salehy (BEL) v Myriame Djedidi (FRA); Craig Coakley (IRE) v Deniz Demirkapu (TUR); Artem Avanesov (ARM) v Badreddine Attif (MAR); Abdulvosid Buranov (RUS) v Akram Hamidi (FRA)
Title card:
Intercontinental Lightweight: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) v Angel Marquez (ESP)
Intercontinental Middleweight: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) v Francesco Iadanza (ITA)
Asian Featherweight: Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) v Phillip Delarmino (PHI)
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.
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
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
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
