Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the UAE will be a driving force behind efforts to protect the planet. Photo: Wam
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the UAE will be a driving force behind efforts to protect the planet. Photo: Wam
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the UAE will be a driving force behind efforts to protect the planet. Photo: Wam
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the UAE will be a driving force behind efforts to protect the planet. Photo: Wam

UAE agrees to join Leaders' Pledge for Nature to boost global green agenda


Chris Maxwell
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE on Friday took a significant step forward in its quest to preserve nature and protect the environment for years to come.

The UAE Cabinet agreed the country would join the Leaders' Pledge for Nature, an international effort to boost the green agenda.

The Emirates had endorsed the crucial initiative at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in November, and Cabinet ministers reaffirmed the UAE's support for the pledge at their first meeting of 2022, held at the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

But what is the Leaders' Pledge? And how will nations work together to safeguard the planet?

A vision for a better future

  • Orchids from Singapore and date palms from the desert are among the foliage that will display exotic flowers named after famous people.
    Orchids from Singapore and date palms from the desert are among the foliage that will display exotic flowers named after famous people.
  • The Netherlands pavilion will harvest water, energy and food in a cone-shaped vertical farm.
    The Netherlands pavilion will harvest water, energy and food in a cone-shaped vertical farm.
  • Spain’s eco-friendly pavilion is designed to showcase how the country approaches the issue of sustainability.
    Spain’s eco-friendly pavilion is designed to showcase how the country approaches the issue of sustainability.
  • Belgium’s pavilion is another zero waste building featuring various eco design technologies.
    Belgium’s pavilion is another zero waste building featuring various eco design technologies.
  • Malaysia’s tropical rainforest and the need to save the ancient trees will be a theme of the country’s pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai.
    Malaysia’s tropical rainforest and the need to save the ancient trees will be a theme of the country’s pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Political leaders from 93 countries initially signed the pledge at the UN Summit on Biodiversity in September 2020, with signatories committing to reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 as part of the UN's Decade of Action.

The collective effort aimed to put policies in place to address harm being caused to the planet and embrace sustainable strategies.

The pledge highlights increasing the protection of the planet’s land and oceans through effectively managed protected areas as well as moving land use and agricultural policies away from harmful practices, all while reducing air, land and marine pollution — particularly by eliminating plastic leakage into the ocean by 2050.

It also calls for a transition to sustainable production and consumption, and for leaders to be guided by nature and the environment when setting out future policies.

UAE backs eco plan

  • People plant mangroves during an event organised by Companies for Good on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan
    People plant mangroves during an event organised by Companies for Good on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan
  • To fight climate change, the UAE is carrying out projects such as reducing emissions and planting mangroves.
    To fight climate change, the UAE is carrying out projects such as reducing emissions and planting mangroves.
  • Mangroves, trees that survive in salty water, play an important part in the ecosystem.
    Mangroves, trees that survive in salty water, play an important part in the ecosystem.
  • By 2030, the UAE intends to plant 100 million mangroves.
    By 2030, the UAE intends to plant 100 million mangroves.
  • Visitors at Jubail Mangrove Park. Schools and businesses are planting saplings as part of the UAE's campaign.
    Visitors at Jubail Mangrove Park. Schools and businesses are planting saplings as part of the UAE's campaign.
  • Volunteers during a mangrove clean-up organised by the World Wildlife Fund and Seahawk Abu Dhabi.
    Volunteers during a mangrove clean-up organised by the World Wildlife Fund and Seahawk Abu Dhabi.
  • Young mangroves can be damaged by plastic and other waste dumped into the sea.
    Young mangroves can be damaged by plastic and other waste dumped into the sea.
  • Volunteers sort rubbish gathered during a clean-up of mangroves in Abu Dhabi.
    Volunteers sort rubbish gathered during a clean-up of mangroves in Abu Dhabi.
  • After collecting debris from the mangroves, volunteers use an app to track their progress.
    After collecting debris from the mangroves, volunteers use an app to track their progress.
  • The grey mangrove is the species that grows extensively in UAE.
    The grey mangrove is the species that grows extensively in UAE.
  • Visitors enjoy an evening paddle by the mangroves and a sunset view of Abu Dhabi.
    Visitors enjoy an evening paddle by the mangroves and a sunset view of Abu Dhabi.

Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said at Cop26 that the UAE's support of the pledge was in line with the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father.

“The UAE is proud to endorse the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, committing to working with other nations to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and sending a powerful message that there is no conflict between nature conservation and the economy,” she said.

“The move aligns with our unwavering dedication to protecting our environment and preserving it for future generations, instilled in our nation by the Founding Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

“The alarming magnitude of biodiversity loss can sometimes come across as an afterthought in the climate process, and it is critical that we as governments and stakeholders rally around dual-purpose deliverables.

“Aligning our agendas for tackling biodiversity loss and climate change is the only way we can resolve them and take decisive collective action to preserve our planet and the life on it for future generations.”

She said the UAE is home to 49 protected areas which account for more than 15 per cent of its territory.

What is the UAE doing to help the environment?

  • President Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at the time, at the launch of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative at Expo 2020 Dubai. With him are Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, right, Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, left, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, chairman of Masdar and chief executive of Adnoc, second left. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    President Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at the time, at the launch of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative at Expo 2020 Dubai. With him are Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, right, Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, left, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, chairman of Masdar and chief executive of Adnoc, second left. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • A display about the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative in the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    A display about the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative in the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • President Sheikh Mohamed, centre, in the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. With him are Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, right, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, second right, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, fourth right, and Abdullah Al Marri, Minister of Economy, left.
    President Sheikh Mohamed, centre, in the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. With him are Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, right, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, second right, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, fourth right, and Abdullah Al Marri, Minister of Economy, left.
  • President Sheikh Mohamed, right, with Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Abdullah Al Marri, left.
    President Sheikh Mohamed, right, with Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Abdullah Al Marri, left.
  • President Sheikh Mohamed, centre, at Expo 2020 Dubai with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, right, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
    President Sheikh Mohamed, centre, at Expo 2020 Dubai with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, right, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
  • President Sheikh Mohamed, front row, third right, with: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, second right; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, fourth right; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, right; Mohamed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, fifth right; and Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, left. Back row, from right to left: Abdullah Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; and Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai.
    President Sheikh Mohamed, front row, third right, with: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, second right; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, fourth right; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, right; Mohamed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, fifth right; and Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, left. Back row, from right to left: Abdullah Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; and Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • President Sheikh Mohamed with Mariam Al Mheiri and Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei.
    President Sheikh Mohamed with Mariam Al Mheiri and Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei.

In October, the UAE announced an ambitious initiative to reduce carbon emissions by 2050.

The plan will invest Dh600 billion in clean and renewable energy sources over the next three decades.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the country would “play its global role in combating climate change".

At Cop26, the UAE joined more than 100 countries in agreeing to reverse deforestation, and the government will follow up on that plan by using $19 billion in public and private finance to restore degraded land, tackle bushfires, protect indigenous people and focus on key areas such as the Congo Basin.

Meanwhile, single-use plastic bags could be banned in Abu Dhabi by the end of the year, a senior figure from the emirate’s environment agency said.

The move had been expected to come into effect in 2020 but was put on hold by Covid-19.

Monir Bou Ghanem, senior adviser to the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, said this week there were 15 to 16 items that would be affected by the new scheme, including plastic straws and disposable plates and cutlery — all commonly used in takeaway meals.

He said an incentive-based bottle return scheme would also be introduced in the capital when the new rules come into effect, which he expected to happen before the end of 2022.

The UAE will host the 28th UN global climate talks in 2023.

Sheikh Mohammed tweeted after the announcement that the UAE would put everything towards making Cop28 a success.

“We congratulate the Emirates for winning the bid to host the most important conference for climate Cop28, for 2023 … a deserved win for our country … we will put all our capabilities for the conference to succeed … the UAE will remain committed to global climate action to protect our planet Earth,” he said.

Opening Rugby Championship fixtures:Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)

No_One Ever Really Dies

N*E*R*D

(I Am Other/Columbia)

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%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

As You Were

Liam Gallagher

(Warner Bros)

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.

The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

The specs

Common to all models unless otherwise stated

Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi

0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)

Power: 276hp

Torque: 392Nm

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD

Price: TBC

Citizenship-by-investment programmes

United Kingdom

The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).

All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.

The Caribbean

Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport. 

Portugal

The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.

“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.

Greece

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.

Spain

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

Cyprus

Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.

Malta

The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.

The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.

Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.

Egypt 

A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.

Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties

Results
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Zakat definitions

Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.

Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.

Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.

Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.

 

 

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History's medical milestones

1799 - First small pox vaccine administered

1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery

1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases

1895 - Discovery of x-rays

1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time

1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin

1953 - Structure of DNA discovered

1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place 

1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill

1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.

1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out

Updated: January 14, 2022, 4:51 PM