The UAE has won a seat for the fourth time on the executive board of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, where it will serve until 2023.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, led the UAE delegation to the 40th session of Unesco’s General Conference last week, where she met officials and heads of member state delegations.
“The UAE’s appointment to the Unesco’s executive board reflects the wide acknowledgement of the country’s prominent efforts in advancing initiatives in the fields of culture, science and education," Ms Al Kaabi said.
“This significant milestone is a recognition of our firm belief in the power of Unesco to bring about peace and prosperity to nations worldwide.”
She said the UAE was celebrating the achievement but “more hard work awaits” at the UN body.
“The UAE reiterates its commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to working with all member states to ensure its realisation through programmes and initiatives," Ms Al Kaabi said.
"We remain open for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration with all member states to find the best solutions that meet the needs of the people we serve.”
The executive board of Unesco comprises 58 member states elected by the Unesco General Conference. It meets twice a year to discuss the goals and objectives of the UN body, setting guidelines for its policies and strategy.
The board prepares the agenda for the conference and discusses the organisation's programme and budget estimates, which are submitted by the director general to the conference along with recommendations.
Every four years, the executive board recommends candidates to the general conference to fill the role of director general.
The UAE was founded on December 2, 1971, and four months later it became a member of Unesco.
Over the years, the country has been involved many of Unesco’s programmes, donated funds and developed initiatives to benefit people around the world.
In 2018, the UAE was ranked as the sixth top voluntary donor to Unesco and is a member on six committees.
The country has one site on Unesco’s World Heritage List, eight national and multinational Intangible Heritage listings, and two cities designated as Creative Cities by the agency.
It has established more than 120 Unesco-associated schools, and hosts the regional centre for education planning under the agency's auspices, among many other initiatives.
One recent initiative includes a UAE investment of $50 million (Dh183.6m) to restore three religious heritage sites that were destroyed by ISIS in the Iraqi city of Mosul.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia also won a seat on the executive board for the next four years.
The kingdom's Unesco mission tweeted that it "promises to further preserve heritage, foster innovation and creativity through culture, art and technology, empowering youth to meet the challenges of the future".
Race card
4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m
5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections:
4pm Zabardast
4.35pm Ibn Malik
5.10pm Space Blues
5.45pm Kimbear
6.20pm Barney Roy
6.55pm Matterhorn
7.30pm Defoe
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Ajax v Real Madrid, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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.”
Rankings
ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
