Category: Politics

The United Arab Emirates has said that it will permit environmentalists to freely assemble and “make their voices heard” at this year’s UN climate conference.

In an agreement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that was released on Tuesday, the announcement was made.
According to the statement, “there will be space accessible to climate activists to come together peacefully and make their voices heard in accordance with UNFCCC guidelines and respect to international standards and principles.”

In the oil-rich Gulf nation, which will host COP28 in the commercial center of Dubai from November to December, official approval is needed for rallies, although the government virtually forbids protests they deem disruptive.

The bilateral agreement that establishes the framework for planning and hosting the climate talks was signed by UNFCCC Executive Director Simon Stiell and COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber after the issuance of the joint statement.

We are steadfastly dedicated to making sure that UN values are preserved at COPs in order to advance climate action and ambition, Stiell said.
The views of youth, women, local communities, people of Indigenous descent, and those who are most affected by climate change will be acknowledged and reflected in this COP process, we are also making all possible efforts to ensure.

A contentious decision
The UAE ranks among the top emitters of CO2 per person in the world and is a significant producer of oil.

Environmental organizations have criticized the decision to have it host COP28 because they believe that having an oil exporter participate could impede the progress being made in the fight over global warming.

Activists expressed outrage over the appointment of Al-Jaber, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., to lead the negotiations and raised the concern of a conflict of interest.Al-Jaber has also come under fire for ignoring the need to phase out the usage of fossil fuels in favor of concentrating on initiatives to lower emissions.
Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the UN, issued a warning in June urging nations to begin phase-outs of coal, oil, and gas.

“Fossil fuel emissions are only one aspect of the issue. It’s fossil fuels, plain and simple,” Guterres told the media.

Human Rights Watch and other non-governmental organizations have also issued warnings that the Gulf state’s limits on free speech could prevent climate campaigners from actively participating.

The decision to hold the conference in the UAE was questioned in May by a number of human and environmental rights organizations, who expressed concern that “severe limitations enforced by the authorities in the UAE in recent years will impede the full meaningful involvement of journalists, activists, human rights opponents, civil society, youth groups, and indigenous peoples’ representatives at COP28.”

Most previous COPs have seen sizable protests, and during the most recent UN climate negotiations in Egypt, where governments frequently crack down on protesters and arrest activists, only small marches were permitted.

In Egypt, authorized protests could only take place in a designated area that was heavily guarded and only during particular hours.

50 trips each week will be made by boat, and tickets start at Dh15.
After being forced to stop during the Covid-19 outbreak, the boat service connecting Dubai and Sharjah is now operating once more.

Seven days a week, the service is run from Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai and Aquarium Marine Station in Sharjah by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.

The distance between the two stations can be traveled in around 35 minutes.

Single-trip tickets in the Silver Class and Gold Class are priced at Dh15 and Dh25, respectively; however, passengers with disabilities and kids below the age of five go for free.

Travelers have hailed the return of the service, which gives customers the opportunity to bypass gridlock on congested Dubai-Sharjah routes.

On Saturday, Nikhil SP, 36, an Indian sales and marketing employee at the Sharjah Occidental Hotel, boarded the ship for the first time.

His coworkers who had previously utilized the service suggested it to him.

He told The National, “Normally I take the car, but since they restarted the operation I thought why not take it instead.”

This is my first time, but I believe it’s a choice I might make more frequently going forward because it’s simpler, more enjoyable, and prevents delays and traffic jams.

Before the boat service was discontinued, George Mathew, a 37-year-old Indian, was a frequent user.

Although he lives in Sharjah and has the majority of his pals there, he frequently takes the ferry to see them.

Every weekend, I used to take it to go meet up with my pals, Mr. George recalled.

“When my wife visited Dubai before the pandemic, we used to take it every time we wanted to go sightseeing there.”

He claimed that Sharjah people will find the service to be highly useful.

It brings travelers right to the center of Dubai, where they can use any other form of public transportation.

Operating hours There will be 50 journeys on the Dubai-Sharjah ferry each week, with eight excursions per day from Monday through Thursday and six trips per day from Friday through Sunday.

There will be two morning departures from Sharjah at 7am and 8.30am, as well as one morning departure from Dubai at 7.45am, from Monday through Thursday.

There will be three trips from Dubai at 4 pm, 5.30 pm, and 7 pm in the evening, along with two trips from Sharjah at 4.45 pm and 6.15 pm.

There will be three trips each way starting at noon on Friday through Sunday. There will be extra departure times from Sharjah at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm, and from Dubai at 3pm, 5pm, and 8pm.

To aid Chad’s efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen border security, the UAE has donated a convoy of military vehicles and security gear.

Delivering the supplies to Lt Gen Daoud Yahya Brahim, Chad’s Minister of Defense, along with the commanders of the army and reserve forces and other senior military figures, was Rashid Al Shamsi, the UAE ambassador to Chad.

Mr. Brahim commended the UAE for its ongoing assistance, saying that it will help the region achieve peace and stability again. According to him, military cooperation is crucial to increasing security and attempts to overcome obstacles.

The initiative fits within the context of the close ties that exist between the UAE and Chad on many levels, which have led to the signing of a number of bilateral agreements, which includes a military cooperation agreement in June during Mahamat Idriss Deby, the chairman of the Transitional Military Council of Chad,’s official visit to Abu Dhabi.
The UAE has given food and humanitarian aid to Sudanese refugees in Chad who have fled their war-torn country. Additionally, Amdjarass received a field hospital.

Since April 15, when violence among the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces broken out in Khartoum, the UN estimates that more than 300,000 people have fled from Darfur to Chad.

Since the beginning of the crisis, the UAE has run an air and sea bridge to the area, delivering approximately 2,000 tonnes of food, medicine, and aid to Port Sudan and Chad.

Donations are to thank hundreds of workers for contribution to clean-up operation.

The UAE has donated food and clothing to more than 500 Syrians who lent a vital helping hand to the major clean-up operation following February’s devastating earthquake.

The Emirates Red Crescent, the charitable arm of the UAE government, distributed the supplies in Latakia governorate, in north-western Syria, state news agency Wam reported on Friday.

This was part of an initiative called We Did Not Forget You, set up to thank those who helped clear rubble after the deadly natural disaster which damaged and destroyed large numbers of buildings.

The death toll from the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks in Syria and Turkey approached 60,000, with millions more affected.

The UAE has delivered crucial assistance to residents in both Syria and Turkey since the earthquake struck on February 6.

It established the Operation Gallant Knight 2 mission, a humanitarian operation to support those affected.

An Emirati ship containing more than 2,000 tonnes of aid — including food supplies, medical equipment and clothing — was sent to the port of Latakia in April.

The UAE built 1,000 prefabricated homes in Latakia at a cost of Dh65 million ($17.7) to shelter families displaced by the earthquake, it was announced last month.

The Emirates Red Crescent oversaw the project to house up to 6,000 people, on the directive of President Sheikh Mohamed.

The solar-powered homes have two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom.

The ERC formed a committee with representatives of the local development authority, the Latakia Governorate Council, the Syrian Red Crescent and other authorities to select eligible families to receive the housing units.

The UAE continues to provide hosting and care services to the evacuees.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed sets out cornerstones of progress for emirate at Abu Dhabi Executive Council meeting.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has underlined the emirate’s plans to boost the quality of life of its citizens through a focus on housing, healthcare and education.

Sheikh Khaled set out a vision for the future while chairing the first meeting of the restructured Abu Dhabi Executive Council on Thursday.

The council approved an updated housing benefits policy for citizens, which will include providing ready-built homes for those on low-incomes, increasing the value of housing loans to help those in need and reducing waiting times for claimants.

“His Highness [Sheikh Khaled] highlighted that the Executive Council will ensure the continuity of the Abu Dhabi government’s commitment to achieving the priorities and vision of PresidentSheikh Mohamed by further enhancing the quality of life for citizens and continuing to strengthen their security and stability through the key pillars of housing, education and healthcare,” said state news agency Wam in its report of the meeting, which was held at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court.

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince directed the development of a future-proof housing services framework, supported by the private sector, to drive up efficiency and improve access to services, said Wam.

He stressed the importance of structures being put in place to deliver suitable homes for citizen as soon as possible.

Sheikh Khaled has already taken significant steps to boost housing policies for Emiratis.

In April, he approved a Dh2.74 billion ($746 million) housing support scheme for Emiratis living in the capital.

Assistance for 1,800 citizens will be delivered under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed.

Low-income retirees and families of deceased mortgage holders will not to be required to make housing loan repayments under the strategy. Housing loans will also be provided to eligible citizens.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Khaled approved a Dh85.4bn community master plan to build 76,000 homes and residential plots for citizens in the capital over the next five years.

The long-term investment will support efforts to develop integrated community housing and neighbourhoods across the emirate.

The major project will encompass community and recreational amenities, including the construction of a number of mosques, schools, public parks and green spaces.

Improving liveability

Sheikh Khaled was told of progress being made in the first phase of a Dh12 billion liveability strategy, which encompasses the development of community facilities in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. These include pedestrian and bicycle paths, sports facilities, health clinics, mosques, public parks and green spaces.

He gave instructions for the next stage of the strategy, in line with wider efforts to establish sustainable neighbourhoods that promote healthy lifestyles and are in keeping with Emirati culture and traditions.

He also called for government services to be upgraded in order to provide better experiences for customers.

Sheikh Khaled emphasised the importance of empowering citizens and youth and ensuring they are given the platform to succeed.

He gave directives for the launch of more programmes aimed at allowing young people to unlock their potential in both the public and private sector and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s economic growth.

Council restructure

President Sheikh Mohamed, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, in March issued an Emiri decree to restructure the Abu Dhabi Executive Council with Sheikh Khaled as chairman.

Members include Dr Ahmed Al Mazrouei, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office and the Strategic Affairs Council, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Strategic Affairs Council.

Also named as members were Jassem Al Zaabi, chairman of the Department of Finance and the Strategic Affairs Council, Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, chairman of the Department of Community Development, and Awaidha Al Marar, chairman of the Department of Energy.

Security Council votes unanimously to condemn a ban on Afghan women working for the UN, the latest move to restrict the lives of women and girls.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously condemned a ban by the Taliban on Afghan women working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, calling on Taliban leaders to “swiftly reverse” a crackdown on the rights of women and girls.

The resolution – drafted by the United Arab Emirates and Japan – describes the ban as “unprecedented in the history of the United Nations” and says it “undermines human rights and humanitarian principles”. The resolution also asserts “the indispensable role of women in Afghan society”.

UAE’s ambassador to the UN, Lana Nusseibeh, said more than 90 countries co-sponsored the resolution – “from Afghanistan’s immediate neighbourhood, from the Muslim world and from all corners of the earth”.

“This … support makes our fundamental message today even more significant – the world will not sit by silently as women in Afghanistan are erased from society,” she told the UNSC.

The UNSC vote came days before a planned international meeting, regarding Afghanistan, in Doha on May 1-2. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene behind closed doors special envoys on Afghanistan from various countries to work on a unified approach to dealing with the Taliban.

“We will not stand for the Taliban’s repression of women and girls,” The United States deputy ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, told the UNSC. “These decisions are indefensible. They are not seen anywhere else in the world.”

“The Taliban edicts are causing irreparable damage to Afghanistan.”

Earlier this month, the Taliban began enforcing the ban on Afghan women working for the UN after stopping most women working for humanitarian aid groups in December. Since toppling the Western-backed government in 2021, the group has also tightened controls on women’s access to public life, including barring women from university and closing girls’ high schools.

The Taliban says it respects women’s rights in accordance with its strict interpretation of Islamic law and that decisions on female aid workers were an “internal issue.”

The Security Council resolution also recognises the need to address substantial challenges facing Afghanistan’s economy, including through using assets belonging to Afghanistan’s Central Bank for the benefit of the Afghan people.

Washington froze billions of the bank’s reserves held in the US and later transferred half of the money to a trust fund in Switzerland overseen by US, Swiss and Afghan trustees.

“As of today, what we have seen is only that assets have been transferred from one account to another, but not a single penny returned to the Afghan people,” China’s deputy UN ambassador, Geng Shuang, told the UNSC.

Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, also called for the return of the Afghan Central Bank assets.

Foreign Ministry stresses importance of protecting diplomatic buildings.

The two countries plan to launch talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Organisations have to meet the conditions specified in Article 9 of the corporate tax law.

Public benefit organisations that contribute to the welfare of society will be eligible for exemptions under the UAE’s corporate tax law, the Ministry of Finance said on Sunday.

Organisations that qualify for the exemption, which was decided by the UAE Cabinet, will include entities that focus on activities such as philanthropy, community services and corporate social responsibility, the ministry said.

“This implementing decision is designed to reflect these entities’ important role in the UAE, which often includes religious, charitable, scientific, educational, or cultural value”, the Ministry of Finance said.

To qualify for the exemption, entities must meet the conditions specified in Article 9 of the corporate tax law and must maintain compliance with all relevant federal and local laws, the ministry said.

They must also inform the ministry of any changes that may affect their status as a qualifying public benefit entity.

Last year, the UAE introduced the federal corporate tax with a standard statutory rate of 9 per cent, which will come into effect for businesses whose financial year starts on or after June 1 this year.

In December, the country issued the federal corporate tax law, bringing the income of companies exceeding Dh375,000 ($102,000) into the corporate tax bracket.

The UAE corporate tax law currently exempts certain entities, including those involved in natural resource extraction activities in the country. However, they are still subject to existing local emirate-level tax.

Other exemptions are available to organisations such as government entities and pension or investment funds.

Existing free-zone entities are also exempt from corporate tax because they are among the drivers of the UAE’s economic growth, the ministry said in December.

Public benefit entities should register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and obtain a registration number for corporate tax purposes, the Ministry of Finance said.

“The Cabinet may amend the schedule of qualifying public benefit entities at the suggestion of the minister by modifying, adding, or removing entities,” it said.

Qualifying public benefit entities have reporting obligations to ensure they meet the approval criteria.

The Cabinet decision also allows donations to qualifying public benefit entities to be a deductible expenditure under Article 33 of the corporate tax law.

The UAE’s corporate tax regime is based on a self-assessment principle, which means businesses are required to ensure that the documents submitted to the FTA are correct and comply with the law.