Ban Ki-Moon, former United Nations Secretary-General, says more investment is needed in the fight against climate change. Pawan Singh / The National
Ban Ki-Moon, former United Nations Secretary-General, says more investment is needed in the fight against climate change. Pawan Singh / The National
Ban Ki-Moon, former United Nations Secretary-General, says more investment is needed in the fight against climate change. Pawan Singh / The National
Ban Ki-Moon, former United Nations Secretary-General, says more investment is needed in the fight against climate change. Pawan Singh / The National

Industrialised countries must help solve climate change, says Ban Ki-moon


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Industrialised countries have a moral responsibility to finance solutions that will address climate change, said former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The South Korean diplomat, 75, was speaking on the sidelines of a model United Nations event in Dubai on Thursday.

“It is unfair, politically wrong, morally wrong when countries that have not contributed much to the climate phenomena should bear the cost and consequences,” said Mr Ban. “If industrialised countries who have contributed seriously negatively to this climate phenomena are not taking their own responsibility than who can?”

Mr Ban was the UN Secretary General from 2007 to 2016 and identified climate change as key issue early in his administration.

If industrialised countries who have contributed seriously negatively to this climate phenomena are not taking their own responsibility than who can?

“Climate change is most important and serious issue which we have to address most urgently before it is too late,” he said. “People should understand that climate change is now happening much faster, on a much larger scale and it doesn’t care where you’re living.”

The Paris Agreement to limit global warming levels under 2°C was signed by 195 countries during Mr Ban's tenure at the UN.

In 2016, countries pledged to mobilise $100 billion per year by 2020 for long-term climate change mitigation and adaptation. But financing remains scarce.

“We have reached 2020 but because of the lack of political will we have not yet been able to mobilise that which is absolutely, urgently necessary for developing countries to mitigate and adapt,” Mr Ban said.

The Green Climate Fund, established by the UN to mobilise climate funding for developing countries, has “very little”, he said.

“They don’t have much money. It has become almost an empty shell. Of course they have mobilised some tens of billions of dollars but it’s far, far less than the promised amount.”

Wealthy countries will not be immune to suffering, he said, noting the forest fires sweeping Australia and that have hit the US. “We have to mobilise all political will and particularly financial support so that all people around the world can take necessary action.”

Crews monitor fires in Australia. Darrian Traynor / Getty
Crews monitor fires in Australia. Darrian Traynor / Getty

The time has come for investment in climate resilient infrastructure, dry land agriculture and coastline protection, he said.

The withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement has created “a serious political and psychological impact on the people’s commitment to meet climate targets”.

“I hope that political leaders, particularly of the developed world, should feel much more a sense of moral and political duty," he said.

Businesses, too, must commit.

“At this time, we cannot just expect [everything] from government resources. The business communities should also be ready to provide financial support.”

Unilateralism and protectionism are legacies of the past decade that will shape the twenties, he said.

“At this time, I am deeply concerned about the trend where major, powerful countries, leading countries are not respecting the values and the ideas of the United Nations multilateralism,” he said. “Some countries are speaking now about protectionism, unilaterialsm and they are not providing support for people who are in need.”

Mr Ban is in Dubai as official ambassador for the Gems World Academy Model United Nations. At the event, pupils participate as delegates in a simulation of the international organisation to learn about diplomacy.

He opened the event by speaking of his childhood during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Schools were destroyed but the UN provided textbooks, tables and classrooms. “We were very poor and we were very thirsty but we were also very thirsty for good education.”

He reminded pupils to place global issues above personal or national interest. “Just be global citizens,” he said.

“I’m asking you students, equipped with global citizenship, just forget where you’re coming from. You may come from the UK, France of China but this is almost meaningless at this time when we live in the 21st century.”

Passion must be followed by compassion, he told pupils. “Together we can make the world much better.”

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

QUARTER-FINAL

Wales 20-19 France

Wales: T: Wainwright, Moriarty. Cons: Biggar (2) Pens: Biggar 2

France: T: Vahaamahina, Ollivon, Vakatawa Cons: Ntamack (2)

If you go

The flights

Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.

The hotels

Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes. 

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

FIXTURES

All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Brackets denote aggregate score

Tuesday:
Roma (1) v Shakhtar Donetsk (2), 11.45pm
Manchester United (0) v Sevilla (0), 11.45pm

Wednesday:
Besiktas (0) v Bayern Munich (5), 9pm
Barcelona (1) v Chelsea (1), 11.45pm

Inside%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKelsey%20Mann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Amy%20Poehler%2C%20Maya%20Hawke%2C%20Ayo%20Edebiri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
PRO BASH

Thursday’s fixtures

6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors

10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters

Teams

Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.

Squad rules

All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.

Tournament rules

The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.

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Friday's schedule in Madrid

Men's quarter-finals

Novak Djokivic (1) v Marin Cilic (9) from 2pm UAE time

Roger Federer (4) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 7pm

Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm

Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm

Women's semi-finals

Belinda Bencic v Simona Halep (3) from 4.30pm

Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 10pm

Kibsons%20Cares
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERecycling%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EAny%20time%20you%20receive%20a%20Kibsons%20order%2C%20you%20can%20return%20your%20cardboard%20box%20to%20the%20drivers.%20They%E2%80%99ll%20be%20happy%20to%20take%20it%20off%20your%20hands%20and%20ensure%20it%20gets%20reused%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKind%20to%20health%20and%20planet%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESolar%20%E2%80%93%2025-50%25%20of%20electricity%20saved%3Cbr%3EWater%20%E2%80%93%2075%25%20of%20water%20reused%3Cbr%3EBiofuel%20%E2%80%93%20Kibsons%20fleet%20to%20get%2020%25%20more%20mileage%20per%20litre%20with%20biofuel%20additives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESustainable%20grocery%20shopping%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENo%20antibiotics%3Cbr%3ENo%20added%20hormones%3Cbr%3ENo%20GMO%3Cbr%3ENo%20preservatives%3Cbr%3EMSG%20free%3Cbr%3E100%25%20natural%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.