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Euronews
5 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Talking dialogue, trade and climate action at the Astana Forum
Global policymakers, international experts and business representatives came together at the Astana International Forum to discuss the way forward in a world full of uncertainties and conflicts. Titled 'Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future,' the Astana International Forum (AIF) gathered over 160 international speakers and around 7,000 participants. The event kicked off with a plenary session, where heads of state and high-ranking officials expressed worry over the state the world is in today. President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, highlighted growing polarisation and increased confrontation between states. According to him, conflicts are brewing in 52 states, while their economic toll amounts to $19 trillion (€16 trillion), or 13.5% of global GDP. Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, underlined that global challenges are interconnected and require integrated solutions. Vulnerabilities only get worse when external alignment occurs without internal stability. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of North Macedonia, spoke about the need for reforms in the United Nations. The organisation's bylaws were written 80 years ago and did not envisage the technology and complexity of the world in 2025. Ban Ki-moon, serving as the President and Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute, noted that climate change and deterioration of the environment can only be solved collectively, while Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Qu Dongyu highlighted that food is a basic human right and peace is a prerequisite for food security. The plenary session was followed by around 40 panels, side events and one-on-one sessions covering trade, transportation, green energy, carbon neutrality, climate action, economy, finance, development of AI and more. First and foremost, the Astana International Forum is a platform for connections and networking, including for business. As part of the forum, companies from France and Italy met with Kazakh businessmen and signed several agreements. France signed 15 agreements with Kazakhstan, key among them being a €90 million (€78 million) project for the construction of a hydrogen production plant, which will help decrease carbon emissions. Italy and Kazakhstan signed 10 memorandums for a total of €180 million (€157 million). The projects cover logistics, mechanical engineering, agricultural processing, industrial digitalisation and green energy. Negative effects of trade were also discussed at one the of the panels, where speakers considered how trade is weaponised today to serve egotistic goals. If in the 2010s global powers were promoting free trade, the wind has changed in the last decade. Experts share that trade is an effective weapon, especially in short term, but what matters is the goal behind it. Central Asia's role as a transit hub between China and Europe is undeniable today. The role of the Middle Corridor in this regard and its future development were also discussed during AIF. 'The turnover grew by 62 percent in 2024 and reached 4.5 million tonnes of cargo. The aim is to reach 10 million tonnes in 2027. About $15 billion (€13 billion) have already been invested in the development of infrastructure and transportation time sharply reduced to almost 14-18 days,' noted Director of Kazakhstan's Institute for Strategic Studies, Yerkin Tukumov. 'The Middle Corridor will not solve all the problems because it is and will remain very expensive for certain goods to go over land. But it can be a medium-term solution, one of the alternatives,' countered Jurgen Rigterink, First Vice President of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Kazakhstan also announced a new transport initiative called Kazakhstan at the Crossroads of the Continents. Considering that almost 80% of goods from Asia to Europe travel through Kazakhstan, the country is trying to ease the process by consolidating all transportation related services and companies in one platform. While the temperatures in the rest of the world are projected to grow by 3.7°C by the 2090s, temperatures in Central Asia will rise by 5.8°C, almost twice as much. This will jeopardise a variety of sectors, including water security, food security, economic stability, employment rates and migration. 'Climate change is not a standalone problem. It rather multiplies the threats and the problems in many different sectors,' highlighted Zulfiya Suleimenova, Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan. 'Climate change is a huge problem in Central Asia and we cannot really be speaking about sustainable economic development in our region without addressing climate related challenges.' For the region to effectively combat the problem it requires robust funding, but so far has only attracted less than 1% of global climate financing. One of the sessions at the forum directed attention to general accessibility and affordability of climate financing. The session was also able to bring together Central Asian ministries of economy and ecology to discuss acceleration of climate action. In the context of growing climate concerns, the importance of transition to green energy and diminishing of carbon emissions is underscored. Kazakhstan has set itself an ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. So far, emissions reduced by only 6%. To help the matter, the UAE-based company Masdar has pledged $1 billion (€880 million) for the development of renewable energy in Kazakhstan. At one of the panels, speakers highlighted Kazakhstan's potential in renewable energy, especially wind energy. The vast steppes can potentially generate 1 billion kW hours per year, which is eight times the need of the country, leaving the rest for export. Experts also noted that development of renewable energy infrastructure has driven the demand for rare earth elements, which have become the 'new gold.' In that sense, Central Asia has an advantage of rare earths reserves. Kazakhstan alone has 19 out of 34 rare earth metals. No discussion on Friday happened without mentioning the benefits and threats of artificial intelligence. The forum participants deliberated on AI regulation in terms of ethical and safe use. 'Soon AI will know more about you than you know yourself. Are you ready for such information to be shared without your permission? Even with government agencies, let alone publicly. I think we need to prepare for a new era of AI, look at it positively, but prepare legislatively, organisationally, and personnel-wise,' noted Yerkin Tukumov, Director of Kazakhstan's Institute for Strategic Studies. At the same time, Kazakh Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev noted that Kazakhstan is already preparing a law that will regulate AI use to prevent its abuse. 'The idea is not to overregulate, but to consider some of the ethical standards,' Madiyev said, noting that the law is under consideration by the parliament at the moment. Over two days, the Astana International Forum pulsed with dialogue, exchange, and collaboration. From parallel sessions to high-level networking, participants sought common ground and fresh solutions, leaving with a shared commitment to shaping a more stable, sustainable future. The Pentagon's watchdog is looking into whether any of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's aides were asked to delete Signal messages that may have contained sensitive military information that was shared with a reporter, according to two people familiar with the probe and documents reviewed by The Associated Press (AP). The Inspector General of the Defence Department's request focuses on how information about the 15 March US air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen came to be shared on the messaging app. Besides finding out whether anyone was asked to delete Signal messages, the inspector general is also asking some past and current staffers who were with Hegseth on the day of the strikes who posted the information and who had access to his phone. Democratic lawmakers and a small number of Republicans have said that the information Hegseth posted to the Signal chats before the military jets had reached their targets could have put the pilots' lives at risk and that for any lower-ranking members of the military it would have led to their firing. Hegseth has said none of the information shared was classified. But current and former military officials have said there is no way details with that specificity, especially before a strike took place, would have been cleared to share on an unsecured device. "I said repeatedly, nobody is texting war plans," Hegseth told Fox News in April after reporting emerged about the chat that included his family members. "I look at war plans every day. What was shared over Signal then and now, however you characterise it, was informal, unclassified coordinations, for media coordinations and other things. That's what I've said from the beginning." News of the imminent probe comes as Hegseth is scheduled to testify before Congress next week for the first time since his confirmation hearing. He is likely to face questions under oath not only about his handling of sensitive information but also the wider turmoil at the Pentagon following the departures of several senior aides and an internal investigation over information leaks. Hegseth has already has faced questions over the installation of an unsecured internet line in his office that bypassed Pentagon security protocols and revelations that he shared details about US military strikes in multiple Signal chats. One of the chats included his wife and brother, while the other included President Donald Trump's top national security officials and, inadvertently, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson made no comment on Friday, citing the pending investigation. The inspector general's office didn't immediately respond to a request from the AP for comment. US President Donald Trump has made clear that Hegseth continues to have his support, saying during a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia that the defence secretary "went through a lot" but "he's doing really well." Hegseth has limited his public engagements with the press since the Signal controversy. He has yet to hold a Pentagon press briefing and his spokesperson has briefed reporters there only once. The inspector general is investigating Hegseth at the request of the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi and the committee's top Democrat, Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island. Signal is a publicly available app that provides encrypted communications, but it can be hacked and is not approved for carrying classified information. On 14 March, one day before the US strikes in Yemen, the Defence Department cautioned personnel about the app's vulnerability. Trump has said his administration targeted the Houthis over their "unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence and terrorism." He noted the disruption Houthi attacks caused through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, key waterways for energy and cargo shipments between Asia and Europe through Egypt's Suez Canal. The Houthis attacked more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors, between November 2023 until January this year. Their leadership described the attacks as aimed at ending the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza.
NDTV
7 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
There's A Country India Must Take More Seriously: Kazakhstan
The Astana International Forum opened with a flourish in Astana, the Kazakhstan capital, on May 29. One may wonder why write about a Kazakh event when we are still debating whether Operation Sindoor is over or on pause. But it was exactly this that makes it so pertinent to write about Kazakhstan, Central Asia's largest country and roughly just a three-hour flight away from Delhi. Over two days, there was brainstorming and information-sharing at the highest level, encompassing a range of issues, as the forum aims to tackle global challenges by amplifying diverse voices. The plenary session was inaugurated by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Guest of honour was Paul Kagane, the President of Rwanda, whose country has seen horrific violence and genocide. Other speakers were President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (now President and Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute), and Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization. But this was just the plenary session. Other sessions had speakers as diverse as Georgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, and Haji Noorudfin Azizi, the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan. In his opening address, President Tokayev noted that the forum was taking place at a time of great uncertainty in the world. According to last year's data, 52 countries were involved in armed conflicts. The economic losses from violence reached $19 trillion, approximately 13.5% of the world's gross domestic product. 'Kazakhstan views the modern turbulent world through the prism of constructive cooperation,' said the President. 'In our foreign policy, we prioritise dialogue over division and rely on respect for sovereign rights. Disregarding national pride and the historical and cultural traditions of peoples is unacceptable. At the same time, it is essential to respect the rights of all national minorities to speak their languages and to develop their cultures. That is why we firmly uphold the 'Unity in Diversity' principle in Kazakhstan'. This is what makes it imperative for India to partner with Kazakhstan. It is the ninth largest country in the world, equivalent in size to Western Europe, and the largest country in Central Asia. It is resource-rich with gas, oil, minerals, and rare earth metals. Militarily, it is also one of the strongest countries in the region. Yet, Kazakhstan voluntarily gave up its nuclear weapons. It has had border problems with a number of its neighbours, including giant China, but has been able to solve them. Solving territorial disputes goes a long way in enabling the development of a nation and society. Though India is a giant with a billion population and Kazakhstan is a nascent republic, only 34 years old with a population of about 20 million, there are many convergences in their foreign policies and positions on global issues. Like India, Kazakhstan has an autonomous multi-vector foreign policy. It has adroitly managed its relations with competing and rival powers. It shares the longest land border with Russia and continues its cooperation and relations with it, notwithstanding Western sanctions against it. The US is the largest investor in the country, followed by China, while ties with the European Union are strengthening by the day, as witnessed in the recent Central Asia-EU summit, and by the presence of Meloni. Drawing on its geographical location in Central Asia, which connects East and West, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a bridge between different powers and stakeholders, which is what the AIF is all about. The country seeks to act as a consensus-builder and trusted partner, connecting regions, cultures, and ideas to shape a more cooperative international future. This can be seen in the two main initiatives adopted by the country - the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Understanding their relevance, India is a member of both platforms. Further reflecting the country's aim of being a bridge and a peacebuilder is Kazakhstan's contribution of trained military personnel to the UN's peacekeeping forces. Brave Kazakh women and men have participated in UN missions from Iraq to Côte d'Ivoire. In Lebanon, Kazakh peacekeeping forces together with Indian military personnel have served together under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This is what makes the India-Kazakhstan military cooperation significant. Both countries have been holding annual joint military exercises since 2016. The 2024 Kazind Exercise was the eighth edition, which took place at the Surya Foreign Training Node in Auli, Uttarakhand. The primary objective of these exercises is to enhance the joint military capabilities of both countries, specifically focusing on counter-terrorism operations in sub-conventional scenarios under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. However, this is not all. Kazakhstan is also aware of the increasing fragility of the UN system and the current global order, and that in order to uphold multilateralism and strengthen the UN, reforms are a must. The call from Astana International Forum was loud and clear. 'Kazakhstan supports the expansion of the UN Security Council, including broader regional representation," said President Tokayev in his address. "Its structural reform is essential to ensure that the UN remains relevant and truly reflects the world as it is, not as it was,' he added. This is exactly what India wants too and has been urging, as discussed by the countries of the Global South. President Tokayev voiced this. Without reforms, the UN system was becoming obsolete. The message from Astana has been clear.
Zawya
17-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
‘Climate anxiety placing immense burden on youth', hears University of Birmingham Dubai panel
Dubai-UAE: Mental health experts and youth representatives are calling for more to be done to address the growing – yet largely overlooked – issue of climate anxiety facing the region's youth. According to the World Economic Forum, 66 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 in the Middle East and North Africa are deeply concerned about the long-term implications of climate change. A high-level panel hosted by the University of Birmingham Dubai and joined by school students heard that the uncertainty around climate change is being compounded in the digital age, where news runs 24/7 and doomscrolling is rife enough to have an official name. Moderating the panel, Dr Rasha Bayoumi, Head of Research, University of Birmingham Dubai, said: 'Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is already transforming our environments, economies, and our mental health. As a civic university and part of the UAE Universities Climate Network, we are aiming to connect youth with mental health advocates and policymakers to drive conversations, inform new research, and equip young people with the tools they need. This isn't just about making young voices heard, it's about helping youth to understand that the power to shape their future is in their hands.' The panel included Maricor Muzones, UAE Climate Adaptation Lead, Global Green Growth Institute; Ahmed Al Ghardaqa, President, Arab Youth Council for Climate Change; Farah Dahabi, Director of Crisis and Trauma Service, The Lighthouse Arabia; and Tejal Gupta, Student, University of Birmingham Dubai. 'Climate anxiety begins when we relinquish control — when we no longer see ourselves as actors or contributors to meaningful action. But we refuse to be sidelined. We are reclaiming the narrative, recognizing that climate change doesn't affect everyone equally, and that vulnerability must be central to any policy response. Education becomes our greatest tool — not just to inform, but to empower, to operationalize solutions, and to build synergy across levels of action. We are not at a dead end. We are consolidating efforts, reasserting agency, and stepping into our role as architects of a just, inclusive climate future,' said Maricor Muzones, UAE Climate Adaptation Lead, Global Green Growth Institute. Ahmed Al Ghardaqa, President, Arab Youth Council for Climate Change said: 'Climate anxiety is not just a psychological experience – it is an emotional reaction to systemic failures. We are living through disasters in real-time – unfiltered pain and loss. Across the region, youth are stepping into diplomacy, shaping climate negotiations, and building movements grounded in justice and urgency. Social media plays a dual role; it can heighten anxiety, but is also a powerful tool for advocacy: it amplifies our voices, connects us across borders, and drives collective action.' On her part, Farah Dahabi, Director of Crisis and Trauma Service, The Lighthouse Arabia said: "There is no perfect climate advocate – only a present one. Climate anxiety is not something we fix or escape, but something we learn to move with. It's a natural emotional response to an overwhelming crisis, and acknowledging that – without shame – is the first step to building resilience. When we give ourselves permission to rest and reset, we create space not just for healing, but for more authentic, sustainable engagement.' Representing the University of Birmingham Dubai on the panel, Tejal Gupta, said: 'It's a paradox. You feel terrible, forget, get reminded, and feel helpless again. It's traumatic to be told the world is burning—and you can't do anything about it. As students, we are constantly reminded of the future we are inheriting, primarily shaped by climate uncertainty. But through platforms like this, we are also reminded of the power we hold to influence change. It was empowering to engage with experts and policymakers who are genuinely listening to and valuing youth perspectives. That kind of recognition turns anxiety into agency.' As well as the high-level panel discussion, the event featured a Youth Policy Lab exploring the link between climate change, social media, and mental health, while identifying pathways for youth empowerment. The Lab brought together students from Greenwood International School and Dubai English Speaking School for a dynamic exchange of ideas and solutions. The event concluded with a unified call to action, highlighting the critical need to integrate mental health considerations into climate policy frameworks. For more information or interviews, please contact Disha Dadlani on ddadlani@ University of Birmingham The University of Birmingham is ranked among the world's top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham and Dubai, including researchers and teachers and more than 8,000 international students from more than 150 countries.
Korea Herald
20-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Kenyan embassy welcomes Kenya's accession to GGGI
The Kenyan Embassy in Seoul on Thursday welcomed Kenya's accession to the Global Green Growth Institute, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable economic growth. In a statement shared with The Korea Herald, the embassy highlighted Kenya's commitment to climate action and green growth as key pillars of its national development strategy. "The Government of Kenya has continued to prioritize climate change and green growth to transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy in line with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," the statement read. The Paris Agreement (2015) aims to limit the "increase in global average temperature" to below 2 degrees Celsius, striving for 1.5 C. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement allows countries to cooperate on emission reduction targets by transferring carbon credits. This helps establish frameworks for trading greenhouse gas reductions as well as promote finance, technology transfer and capacity building. Kenya's accession to GGGI follows initial discussions between Kenya's ambassador to Korea, professor Emmy Jerono Kipsoi, and GGGI officials on green growth initiatives. "By adding our voices, we amplify our commitment to climate mitigation," said the ambassador at the accession ceremony. Following its accession, Kenya will officially become the 50th Member State of the Global Green Growth Institute on April 18, 2025. It will also be the 10th African nation to join the organization, alongside Angola, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, Uganda and Zambia. "GGGI presents an opportunity for Kenya to tap into the benefits of green financing, job creation, competitive manufacturing, environmental conservation and climate resilience," said the statement. Kenya has collaborated with GGGI on several projects, including the National Green Growth Index, an E-Mobility Project and a Green Hydrogen Program. The embassy also confirmed Kenya's commitment to finalizing a host country agreement with GGGI to establish a regional office in Nairobi, which is expected to attract investments, facilitate climate financing and create jobs. Kenya's natural resource-dependent economy is highly vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures and erratic rainfall increasing extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. Kenya developed the National Climate Change Framework Policy and has shown commitment to climate protection by supporting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in 2005 and engaging in regional initiatives. The country's Constitution mandates ecologically sustainable development, aligning with its Kenya Vision 2030 goals. "Kenya's accession to GGGI marks a historic milestone, allowing the country to fully participate in GGGI's programs and further its green development goals," the statement read. sanjaykumar@
Korea Herald
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Ban Ki-moon calls for action on climate
Kim Sang-hyup to lead GGGI as director general Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on the dangers of climate change, calling on diplomats and country representatives to take global action to tackle the crisis. "The climate crisis does not take a break or call a timeout," Ban said, urging nonstop commitment to environmental sustainability. He said that armed conflicts, natural disasters and pandemics do not halt the effects of climate change. "Crop failures due to droughts and floods, or rising sea levels threatening small island nations, will persist regardless of other global crises," said Ban who chairs the Global Green Growth Institute. Ban was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the institute's new director-general, Kim Sang-hyup, on Monday. Kim Sang-hyup, 61, is a KAIST Graduate School of Green Growth professor and former co-chair of Korea's Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth. He previously served as senior presidential secretary for green growth under former President Lee Myung-bak and as president of the Jeju Research Institute. Kim commenced his four-year term with GGGI on Jan. 1, 2025, and will oversee the institute's secretariat, managing over 270 projects across 50 countries. Ban expressed his eagerness to collaborate on global green growth and aid efforts, highlighting the GGGI as one of South Korea's two international organizations alongside the International Vaccine Institute. He also praised Kim's commitment to green policies and affirmed his leadership in advancing GGGI's mission. "I strongly believe Director-General Kim will provide GGGI with the right direction and innovative solutions to climate change issues," said korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok in a prerecorded speech on video. Choi also reaffirmed the Korean government's commitment to global green initiatives. South Korea aims to cut emissions by 40 percent from 2018 levels by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, in his speech at the event, also highlighted urgent climate action needs, pointing to extreme weather, rising seas and environmental degradation as increasingly evident. 'With only five years left until 2030 and only 17 percent of the SDGs' targets currently on track, we must urgently intensify our collective efforts," Cho said. The SDGs refer to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, global targets adopted by the UN in 2015, including ending poverty, taking climate action, achieving gender equality and promoting peace, justice and strong institutions, by 2030. "We must respond with innovation and economic transformation," Cho said. "As the host of both GGGI and the Green Climate Fund, we have committed over $600 million to these organizations, along with significant contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund and the Global Adaptation Fund," he said. He also mentioned Korea's recent ASEAN-Korea partnership initiative with the GGGI to achieve tangible climate mitigation results. Meanwhile, Norway's ambassador to Korea, Anne Kari Hansen Ovind, reaffirmed her country's strong partnership with the GGGI, particularly in advancing carbon markets and climate cooperation. "As Vice-President of the Assembly and Vice-Chair of the Council, Norway stands ready to provide the necessary support to ensure GGGI's success," she stated. The new director-general vowed to embrace innovation, build unconventional partnerships, and strengthen global collaboration with its 49 member states and 29 partner countries for sustainability. "My aspiration is not for GGGI to be the largest but to be the most trusted international organization for our member states and partners," Kim said, underlining the GGGI's commitment to leveraging AI-driven services and hydrogen ecosystem development. The event was attended by over 140 dignitaries, including representatives from the GGGI's member states, partner nations, diplomatic corps, intergovernmental organizations, private sector and the media. sanjaykumar@
