Latest news with #ForeignMinisters'Meeting
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Timor-Leste set to join Asean nuclear weapon-free zone under new addendum
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) has considered and adopted the draft addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). The addendum provides the legal basis to enable Asean Member States and Timor-Leste to undertake the necessary domestic procedures for accession. Its adoption marks a significant step forward in Timor-Leste's integration into Asean's political and security frameworks. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who chaired the meeting, has also handed over the addendum draft in a ceremony to the depository state, Thailand. "We believe that Timor-Leste's inclusion in the SEANWFZ security framework is a crucial step towards its integration into Asean and the broader regional security architecture. "It is my sincere hope that member states can begin undertaking the necessary domestic processes with a view to concluding Timor-Leste's accession process with the SEANWFZ Treaty by the 47th Asean Summit and related summits," he said briefly after handing over the draft. The draft was finalised by the SEANWFZ executive committee during its meeting on April 29. The meeting has also adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to Asean Legal Instruments and Agreements, marking continued progress towards Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean. During the AMM meeting, Asean foreign ministers and Timor-Leste also reaffirmed their collective commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the face of intensifying geopolitical and economic challenges. The discussions centred on strengthening Asean's strategic autonomy, advancing the Asean Community Vision 2045, and enhancing the region's capacity to play a proactive and constructive role in regional and global affairs. On the situation in Myanmar, Mohamad also proposed the extension and expansion of ceasefires beyond the currently affected zones as a constructive step towards a broader cessation of violence and the effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC). He highlighted the importance of ensuring a safe and enabling environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the rebuilding of affected communities.
See - Sada Elbalad
02-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Brazil releases statement on outcome of BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting
SEENEWS The two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting concluded in Rio de Janeiro with the participation of the BRICS member states and in an expanded format with representatives of the BRICS partner countries, according to BRICS TV. The text of the final statement has been published on the official website of the Brazil's BRICS Presidency. The 12-page document includes 62 points. In it, the Ministers outlined the priorities that will form the basis of a future declaration following the BRICS summit (6-7 July in Rio de Janeiro). Key themes of the joint statement BRICS – the voice of the Global South The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in three areas: politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges. They emphasised the key role of BRICS as the voice of the Global South. The idea of reforming the United Nations, including increasing the representation of developing countries in the UN Security Council, was also supported. Economy and finance Ministers favoured greater use of national currencies in mutual settlements, as well as the development of their own payment platforms. The important role of the New Development Bank (NDB) was recognised as a key financing instrument for emerging economies. Its further expansion and the re-election of Dilma Rousseff as President of the NDB were supported. Fight against terrorism Ministers strongly condemned all forms of terrorism and, in particular, the attack in India on 22 April that killed at least 26 people. It is noted that the countries of the association intend to deepen cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The Foreign Ministers welcomed the activities of the BRICS specialised working group and called for the finalisation and adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Technology and digital security The Foreign Ministers spoke in favour of peaceful use of space, reliable and secure ICT environment and free access to reliable information. The importance of digital literacy and agreed rules in cyberspace was also emphasised. Sustainable development and climate The initiatives to establish the BRICS Partnership for Land Restoration and the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty were supported. Ministers called for strengthening ties in agriculture to ensure global food security and took note of the proposal to establish a BRICS Laboratory on Trade, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development. AI and data economy The Leaders noted the role of Artificial Intelligence in inclusive development and expressed their intention to assist developing countries in this area. They also welcomed the work on an agreement to manage the data economy. In addition, Ministers spoke out against cybercrime, reaffirmed the need for reform of the global financial architecture and the importance of the role of the G20. Given the recent enlargement, they emphasised the importance of institutional strengthening of BRICS, including through the creation of a common database to facilitate access to relevant documents and background information. In conclusion, the Heads of Ministries supported Brazil's BRICS chairmanship. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a press conference on the results of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He said that the parties agreed to continue working with partner countries in various formats. In addition, the Ministers emphasised the importance of strengthening the role of the world majority in solving the key problems. Text copied from read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Zawya
02-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Courtesy Call on Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ms. Eri Arfiya by Ms. Annelize Schroeder, Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Japan
On April 2, commencing at 10:10 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Ms. ERI Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from Ms. Annelize Schroeder, Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Japan. The overview is as follows: At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Eri welcomed the successful working visit to Japan in March by the Honourable Mr. Paul Mashatile, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, as well as the fact that on this occasion, the two countries confirmed their broad cooperative relations in a wide range of areas including economy and shared the views to continue to work together toward the solution of international challenges via platforms such as the G20 and TICAD. In response, Ms. Schroeder reiterate the success of the visit of Deputy President Mashatire to Japan, and expressed her appreciation for the hospitality extended by Japanese side to the Deputy President and his delegation and stated that she would like to take this opportunity to further develop bilateral relations. Both sides concurred that the visit of Deputy President Mashatire, following the Japan-South Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting in February, will further increase the momentum for deepening bilateral relations and they will further strengthen bilateral cooperation and collaboration in the international arena toward the success of TICAD 9 in August and the G20 Summit in November this year. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
New York Times
06-03-2025
- General
- New York Times
A Plea for Justice for Japan's So-Called Comfort Women
When Gil Won-ok, a Korean woman, died recently at the age of 96, the international community lost an outspoken warrior in the effort to make Japan accountable for its practice of sexual slavery during the early part of the 20th century. Ms. Gil was one of about 240 so-called comfort women from South Korea who had publicly spoken out about their abuse at the hands of the Japanese military from the 1930s through World War II, and her death left just a handful of survivors to continue the cause. But Mina Watanabe, a Japanese woman who was born years after the war ended, and who had no direct relationship to the practice or its victims, has continued to press for fuller acknowledgment and reparations from Japan. As director of the Women's Active Museum on War and Peace (WAM) in Tokyo, she and the museum focus on sexual violence against women in war and conflict situations — with extra attention focused on her homeland's history. Ms. Watanabe said she had been interested in women's rights since her school days in Tokyo. When some of the survivors of Japan's military sexual slavery system finally came forward in the 1990s, her encounters with them 'changed my life,' she said in an interview in Tokyo. She co-founded the museum in 2005 with donations from people in Japan and abroad, and has been campaigning internationally for the rights of survivors since. Activists for comfort women are often subjected to criticism or left isolated by their fellow Japanese. The interview was edited and condensed. Who are the women referred to as 'comfort women'? That refers to the victims who were put into the sexual slavery system for Japanese troops from the 1930s up to 1945 in the Asia-Pacific region. While 'sex slaves' is a more accurate term to express the essential nature of many different forms of sexual exploitation they were subjected to, we retain the term 'comfort women' because it has a historical significance, as it was the euphemism used by the Japanese military at the time. The Japanese government admits that girls and women suffered, but denies evidence that they were taken against their will during wartime. They have said that with the agreement reached at the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting in December 2015, the issue was 'resolved finally and irreversibly.' What are you still seeking? The issue is not how they were taken, but that they were held against their will and raped for months or years under military control. Without clear explanation, the government still denies that it was sexual slavery. What the survivors wanted was for the Japanese government to fully acknowledge what had happened to them and to pass their stories on to the next generation to prevent recurrence. It's not just about a bilateral agreement with South Korea. Although many survivors have passed away, we continue to work to make the government acknowledge the crimes its own military forces committed. I feel it is my responsibility as a woman in Japan. Has any progress been made? As for reparations, nothing has progressed. The government claims it has apologized, but what damage it has apologized for has never been clear. It is our regret and shame that the Japanese government does not accept the survivors' testimonies as evidence even now. The general perceptions of 'comfort women,' however, have changed dramatically in the world community. International law now explicitly recognizes wartime rape and sexual slavery as crimes against humanity. People have listened to the survivors' stories with compassion and respect them as human rights defenders. You have said that the legacy of Japan's treatment of comfort women influences the treatment of women in today's society in Japan. Could you give us some examples? It is still common that victims face difficulties in bringing perpetrators of sexual crimes to justice anywhere in the world. However, in Japan, I find a kind of 'tolerance' exists for sexual violence committed by military forces. There have been many rapes by U.S. troops in Okinawa, where U.S. bases in Japan are concentrated, but they often go unprosecuted. One well-known Japanese politician even suggested U.S. military officers utilize the sex industry. The idea that sexual violence by soldiers is inevitable must be deeply ingrained in Japan. (Asked to respond, the Pentagon said in a statement: The standard of behavior for U.S. Forces Japan is unwavering professionalism and zero tolerance for criminal behavior. U.S. personnel who commit criminal acts are held accountable under both Japanese and U.S. law, per the Status of Forces Agreement. Acts of sexual assault undermine the values of respect and dignity that are fundamental to service. These incidents overshadow the friendship and professionalism we exhibit daily. They do not reflect the positive actions of the overwhelming majority of U.S. service members who serve honorably in this country.) How did you become involved with the Women's Active Museum on War and Peace (WAM)? I got involved in the women's movement in the mid-1990's and met the late Yayori Matsui, a prominent journalist and leading activist in Japan. She proposed the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery be held in 2000 in Tokyo, a people's tribunal to bring those responsible to justice based on evidence and the law. I was involved from the preparation period. After the judgment was delivered in 2001, however, Yayori passed away in 2002. Her last will was to establish a museum in Japan to pass on the testimonies and documents accumulated for the Women's Tribunal. To show the full picture of the 'comfort women' system in our limited exhibition space, we have held a dozen special exhibitions in these 20 years focusing on different countries and areas of the Asia-Pacific. What work have you been doing to improve the treatment of women in Japanese society? As one of our concerted efforts, WAM, together with activists and scholars from eight other countries, has submitted the application related to 'comfort women' to the UNESCO Memories of the World Register as a unique and rare documentary heritage to be preserved. The Japanese government has tried to prevent this and withheld its contribution to UNESCO once, but the pending procedure is to start again this year. There are people in Japan, too, who support our efforts to answer the call of these courageous survivors for justice and nonrepetition. That gives me hope.
