Showing 1 - 10 of 13
COP29: Justice for Global South?
Oped, Published on 12/11/2024
» The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which is scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov 11 to 22, is a pivotal opportunity to accelerate climate action. With record-high global temperatures affecting the developing countries of the Global South and extreme weather events impacting communities worldwide, COP29 will bring together leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society to advance concrete solutions to the defining crisis of our time.
Asean needs ESG on climate change
Oped, Published on 05/06/2024
» The urgency of climate action hangs heavy over our planet. Asia, in general, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), in particular, the world's most densely populated region, are both highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and critical players in mitigating them alongside China and India.
Can COP28 boost Global South?
Oped, Published on 08/12/2023
» The 28th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP) is underway in Dubai. COPs result in a torrent of self-congratulatory words but often fail to unleash concrete actions that accelerate climate investments in the Global South, which is home to over 80% of the world's population, including those most vulnerable to climate change. What can we expect from Dubai's COP28?
What to expect with India helming G20
Oped, Published on 05/01/2023
» India inherited the Group of Twenty (G20) presidency from Indonesia on Dec 1 2022 and will convene the 18th G20 summit on Sept 9-10, 2023 in New Delhi. Coincidentally, India assumes the presidency of the UN Security Council and will chair the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the world's largest regional forum, until September 2023. In May 2022, the Economist ran a cover story about India where it concluded that the country is now an outstanding economic reformer. In November 2022, multinational investment management and financial services company Morgan Stanley predicted that India's economy would account for one-fifth of global growth over the next decade. Suddenly, it feels like India's moment has come to bring its statesmanship and craft a global agenda for economic transformation.
3 narratives for smart liveable cities, post-Covid
Oped, Published on 11/02/2021
» Cities are home to most of the world's population and where problems and solutions meet. They are centres of economic growth and innovation. However, the high concentration of people and economic activities in cities make them most vulnerable to various disasters, epidemics and pandemics. In several countries, the Covid-19 pandemic emerged from the cities and spread to rural areas via peri-urban and transport corridors. In Southeast and South Asia, around 70% of all reported infections are in urban areas. Furthermore, cities consume much of the national electricity and account for more than 60% of global carbon emissions. National efforts to successfully limit global warming hinge on cities. As a result, the decisions made by city mayors can have direct and immediate impacts on the health of people and the planet -- perhaps more than national or international policies.
Creating the virtuous circle
Business, Published on 15/10/2018
» While a growing population and robust economic growth rate are desired by many, the consequences of such drastic developments can take a toll on society and the environment, as seen through rising pollution, rampant poverty and resource scarcity.
Saving the planet, making profit: a 'nexus' approach
News, Published on 11/06/2018
» Asean has put together an ambitious sustainable development agenda with its 2025 community vision. It has also played an important role in shaping the United Nations 2020 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda. If the 17 SDGs, especially SDG2 on food security, SDG 6 on water security, SF7 on energy security, SDG 12 responsible consumption and production and SDG 13 on combating climate change, are achieved, this will combine with the impact of global trends such as climate change to intensify the competition for resources -- energy, water, raw materials and land. There is a need for large scale investment and significant improvement in services in order to address supply shortages, increase general welfare and make profit. After all, there are 65 million people across the region with no access to modern energy sources, 48 million people Asean-wide with no access to clean drinking water, and another 78 million without adequate sanitation facilities.
Time for Asean grouping to choose its future path
News, Published on 08/08/2017
» The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which observes the golden jubilee of its foundation today, has come a long way in making a significant contribution to peace, security and prosperity. Now, when its future prospects and centrality approach look uncertain, it has four narrative stories to tell and two contrasting models to choose.
Moving to the goal of a circular economy
News, Published on 14/07/2017
» Asian nations can lead the global transition towards a circular economy, a regenerative system of production and consumption. There are promising developments in the region -- many governments and companies have already demonstrated their political consensus, economic dynamism, and industrial innovation as they move towards this goal.
G20 should embrace global welfare guardian's role
News, Published on 10/07/2017
» The G20's response to global economic governance challenge was effective, the expansion of its scope to include socio-economic issues affecting developing countries is logical, but the group needs to take three decisive actions to become the guardian of global welfare.