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June
G7 leaders commit to increasing climate finance contributions
Written by nuke
Leaders of the G7 pose for a group photo on overlooking the beach at the Carbis Bay Hotel in Carbis Bay, St. Ives, Cornwall, England, Jun 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool) -
G7 leaders will commit on Sunday (Jun 13) to increase their climate finance contributions to meet an overdue spending pledge of US$100 billion a year to help poorer countries cut carbon emissions and cope with global warming.
As part of plans billed as helping speed the finance of infrastructure projects in developing countries and a shift to renewable and sustainable technology, the world's seven most advanced economies will again pledge to meet the target.
"Protecting our planet is the most important thing we as leaders can do for our people," Johnson said in a statement.
"As democratic nations we have a responsibility to help developing countries reap the benefits of clean growth through a fair and transparent system. The G7 has an unprecedented opportunity to drive a global Green Industrial Revolution, with the potential to transform the way we live."
It gave no details of or numbers for the new commitments.
Developed countries agreed at the United Nations in 2009 to together contribute US$100 billion each year by 2020 in climate finance to poorer countries, many of whom are grappling with rising seas, storms and droughts made worse by climate change.
That target was not met, derailed in part by the coronavirus pandemic which forced the British government to postpone the United Nations' Climate Change Conference (COP26) until this year.
"The natural world today is greatly diminished. That is undeniable. Our climate is warming fast. That is beyond doubt. Our societies and nations are unequal and that is sadly is plain to see," said British naturalist David Attenborough, the people's advocate for COP26.
Attenborough will address leaders via video message on Sunday.
He said the question for 2021 was whether the world was on the verge of destabilising the planet. "If that is so, then the decisions we make this decade - in particular the decisions made by the most economically advanced nations - are the most important in human history."
Greenpeace UK's executive director, John Sauven, described the track record of rich nations in honouring their commitments as "dismal" and Johnson of failing to take "real action to tackle the climate and nature emergency".
"While commitments to provide more support to developing nations are absolutely vital, until they cough up the cash, we're taking nothing for granted," he said in a statement//CNA
June
Israel's Knesset to vote on new government, end Netanyahu's record reign
Written by nuke
Protesters take part in a weekly demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on potentially the last day of his premiership, near his official residence in Jerusalem Jun12, 2021. REUTERS/Ammar Awad -
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year hold on power was set to end on Sunday (Jun 13) when parliament votes on a new government, ushering in an administration that has pledged to heal a nation bitterly divided over the departure of the country's longest serving leader.
Netanyahu, 71, the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation, had failed to form a government after Israel's March 23 election, its fourth in two years. The new cabinet, which will be sworn in after a Knesset confidence vote it is expected to win, was cobbled together by the centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid and ultra-nationalist Naftali Bennett.
With little to no prospect of progress toward resolving the decades-long conflict with Israel, many Palestinians will be unmoved by the change of administration, saying Bennett will likely pursue the same right-wing agenda as Netanyahu.
On top of that, their patchwork coalition of parties commands only a razor-thin majority in parliament, 61 of the Knesset's 120 seats, and will still have to contend with Netanyahu - who is sure to be a combative head of the opposition.
And no one is ruling out a Netanyahu comeback//CNA
June
Saudi Arabia says Haj to be limited to 60,000 in kingdom
Written by nuke
Pilgrims perform the haj in Saudi Arabia amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo: AP) -
Saudi Arabia says this year's Haj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The kingdom made the announcement on Saturday (Jun 12) on its state-run Saudi Press Agency.
In last year's Haj, as few as 1,000 people already residing in Saudi Arabia were selected to take part in the Haj.
Two-thirds were foreign residents from among the 160 different nationalities that would have normally been represented at the Haj.
One-third were Saudi security and medical staff members. The Haj begins mid-July//CNA
June
Malaysia could spend nearly US$2 billion on fuel subsidies this year: Finance ministry
Written by nuke
File photo of the Malaysia Ringgit (Photo: Jeremy Long) -
Malaysia is expected to spend 8 billion ringgit (US$1.95 billion) on fuel and cooking oil subsidies this year, more than double the 3.78 billion ringgit originally allocated, the finance ministry said on Saturday (Jun 12).
The announcement comes as Malaysia looks to boost public assistance measures amid fresh coronavirus lockdowns imposed this month.
"The government is prepared to bear the higher subsidy expenditure to preserve the people's welfare and business viability, especially for small traders," Tengku Zafrul said.
The government spent 6.32 billion ringgit and 2.16 billion ringgit in subsidies in 2019 and 2020 respectively, he said.
Last month, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced an additional US$9.7 billion stimulus package, ahead of the latest round of lockdowns.
Daily infections and deaths in the Southeast Asian country rose to record levels in May, although cases have dipped in recent days.
On Saturday, Malaysia reported 5,793 new cases, bringing total infections to 652,204. Deaths totalled 3,768 as of Friday//CNA
June
UK PM Johnson likely to delay England's final stage of COVID-19 reopening: Report
Written by nuke
UK PM Johnson likely to delay England's final stage of COVID-19 reopening -
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to delay lifting the remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England as data shows a further rise in cases of the rapidly spreading Delta variant, British media reported.
Johnson is due to announce on Monday (Jun 14) whether the planned lifting of restrictions, which would see an end to limits on social contact, can go ahead on Jun 21.
A four-week delay would push back the easing of restrictions to Jul 19.
The government has always said decisions at each stage of unlocking depend on the data, and earlier this week the prime minister warned about the recent rise in cases.
Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make most public health decisions in their jurisdictions.
The prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Britain on Friday reported 8,125 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily total since February, adding that the reproduction "R" number and daily growth rates were also higher in the latest estimates, suggesting the pandemic was growing exponentially.
Johnson has said that an increase in cases was always expected after the most recent stage of lockdown easing in May, but the key to whether all coronavirus restrictions can be scrapped will be the extent to which Britain's vaccine rollout has broken the link between cases and deaths.
Britain's total COVID-19 death toll is over 127,000 but the number of daily deaths have fallen following a third national lockdown and a rapid vaccine rollout. More than three-quarters of adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine//CNA
June
G7 to counter China's belt and road with infrastructure project: Senior US official
Written by nuke
G7 leaders sit around a table during their summit at the Carbis Bay Hotel in Carbis Bay, St. Ives, Cornwall, England, Friday, June 11, 2021. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool via AP) -
The Group of Seven rich nations will announce on Saturday (Jun 12) a new global infrastructure plan as a response to China's belt and road initiative, a senior official in US President Joe Biden's administration said.
The G7 is trying to find a coherent response to the growing assertiveness of President Xi Jinping after China's spectacular economic and military rise over the past 40 years.
"This is not just about confronting or taking on China," the official said. "But until now we haven't offered a positive alternative that reflects our values, our standards and our way of doing business."
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure scheme launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping involving development and investment initiatives that would stretch from Asia to Europe and beyond.
More than 100 countries have signed agreements with China to cooperate in BRI projects like railways, ports, highways and other infrastructure.
Critics say Xi's plan to create a modern version of the ancient Silk Road trade route to link China with Asia, Europe and beyond is a vehicle for the expansion of Communist China. Beijing says such doubts betray the "imperial hangover" of many Western powers that humiliated China for centuries.
Leaders of the G7 - the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, Italy, France and Japan - want to use their gathering in the seaside resort of Carbis Bay to show the world that the richest democracies can offer an alternative to China's growing clout.
There were no specifics on how the global infrastructure scheme would be funded. The plan would involve raising hundreds of billions in public and private money to help close a US$40 trillion infrastructure gap in needy countries by 2035, the official said
The aim was to work with Congress to supplement existing development financing "with the hope that together with G7 partners, the private sector and other stakeholders will soon be collectively catalysing hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure investment for low- and middle-income countries that need it"//CNA
June
UK will donate 100 million surplus coronavirus vaccine doses to the world within the next year -
The UK will donate 100 million surplus coronavirus vaccine doses to the world within the next year, the UK Prime Minister has announced today (Friday).
The pledge comes ahead of the G7 Summit, which begins in Cornwall today. Last week the UK Prime Minister asked fellow G7 leaders to help vaccinate the entire world by the end of next year.
At the Summit world leaders are expected to announce they will provide at least 1 billion coronavirus vaccine doses to the world through dose sharing and financing and set out a plan to expand vaccine manufacturing in order to achieve that goal.
The UK will donate 5 million doses by the end of September, beginning in the coming weeks, primarily for use in the world’s poorest countries.
The Prime Minister has also committed to donating a further 95 million doses within the next year, including 25 million more by the end of 2021. 80% of the 100m doses will go to COVAX and the remainder will be shared bilaterally with countries in need.
By sharing 5 million doses in the coming weeks the UK will meet an immediate demand for vaccines for the countries worst affected by coronavirus without delaying completion of our initial domestic vaccination programme.
By vaccinating more people around the world not only will we help bring an end to the global coronavirus pandemic, we will reduce the risk to people in the UK. This includes significantly reducing the threat posed by vaccine-resistant variants emerging in areas with large-scale outbreaks.
The UK helped to establish COVAX last year and is its fourth biggest donor, pledging £548m to the scheme. COVAX has so far provided 81 million doses to 129 of the world’s poorest countries. 96% of these were the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the development of which was funded by the UK.
With the support of the UK Government, Oxford-AstraZeneca are distributing their vaccines on a not for profit basis the world. Thanks to this commitment, half a billion people have received a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca so far.
Uk Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Since the start of this pandemic the UK has led the way in efforts to protect humanity against this deadly disease. Over a year ago we funded the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on the basis it would be distributed at cost to the world.
This unprecedented model, which puts people squarely above profit, means over half a billion doses have been administered in 160 countries so far.
“As a result of the success of the UK’s vaccine programme we are now in a position to share some of our surplus doses with those who need them. In doing so we will take a massive step towards beating this pandemic for good.
“At the G7 Summit I hope my fellow leaders will make similar pledges so that, together, we can vaccinate the world by the end of next year and build back better from coronavirus.”
At the G7 leaders will also discuss how to expand the supply of vaccines internationally, with the UK Prime Minister asking the group to encourage pharmaceutical companies to adopt the Oxford-AstraZeneca model of providing vaccines of cost for the duration of the pandemic. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have already pledged to share 1.3 billion doses on a non-profit basis with developing countries.
Leaders are expected to discuss additional ways to support countries experiencing acute coronavirus emergencies and put in place mechanisms to prevent future pandemics. This follows on from commitments made at the virtual meeting of G7 leaders earlier this year.
The cost of donating the UK’s surpluses will be classified as ODA. This will be in addition to the £10bn already committed in aid this year.
The doses the UK has announced it will donate today will be drawn from the UK’s expected excess supply. The 100 million figure has been calculated based on the total needed to vaccinate the UK population, factoring in the possibility of future vaccine-resistant strains being detected and potential disruptions to our supply.
Later this year the UK will also host the UN climate change conference, COP26. Today the UK is also announcing that in order to enable more representatives to attend safely they will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise. They are exploring with the UN and partners how they can work together to deliver this offer.
This will mean that those countries most affected by climate change are better able to participate fully in discussions about creating a greener future for the planet//Release - VOI
June
G7 Agrees to champion the global ‘30x30’ target to conserve or protect 30% of Oceans & Land by 2030
Written by nuke
G7 Agrees to champion the global ‘30x30’ target to conserve or protect 30% of Oceans & Land by 2030 -
Oceans cover over 70% of our planet and produce at least 50% of our planets oxygen. Unfortunately, climate change, overfishing, plastic pollution and more is challenging this incredible natural resource. Globally – 50% of coral reefs have already been destroyed, 90% of big fish populations depleted.
The global ‘30x30’ target is to conserve or protect at least 30% of the world’s land and at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. In a successful meeting of the G7 Climate and Environment ministers at the end of last week, all members agreed to champion the ‘30by30’ target, and committed to delivering ‘30x30’ domestically.
On World Ocean Day yesterday (8th June 2021), countries from all four corners of the world - from India to Guyana, South Korea to Austria have pledged to support the ‘30by30’ commitment which is being championed by the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, co-chaired by the UK, Costa Rica and France.
UK Environment Secretary, George Eustice, said that
“The UK is a global leader in marine protection, and we are leading the way internationally to deliver healthy and sustainable seas. We must strike a balance in supporting sustainable industries while increasing protections for our seas to ensure a healthy, resilient and diverse marine ecosystem and we will work with others as we develop future protections.”
The UK has also launched plans to increase protections for England’s waters through a pilot scheme to designate marine sites in England as “Highly Protected Marine Areas”.
The selected sites would see a ban on all activities that could have a damaging effect on wildlife or marine habitats. A scientific review found that Highly Protected Marine Areas play an important role in helping the wider marine ecosystem recover.
Blue Planet and the ‘Attenborough effect’, ‘Seaspiracy’ and more have had a powerful effect on how people worldwide feel about oceans. The results of the largest ever survey in England and Wales on public attitudes to our oceans found that 85% of people consider marine protection personally important to them.
Of those who had visited our coastlines last year, 80% said it was good for their physical health and 84% said it was good for their mental health.
The findings also show that when asked about the greatest threats to the marine environment, participants were most concerned about pollution, with overfishing, climate change and loss of marine habitats also ranking highly.
The UK has also further advanced its role as a global leader in ocean protection by moving to full membership of the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA).
The Alliance brings together the financial sector, governments, non-profit organisations to pioneer innovative ways of driving investment into critical ecosystems like reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, wetlands and beaches that provide the nature-based-solutions to build resilience against climate change.
Meanwhile, Owen Jenkins, British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste said that
Indonesia has incredible marine and ocean life, and the highest coral reef fish diversity of the world. About 54% of Indonesia's animal protein supply comes from fish and seafood. And Indonesia supplies about 10% of global marine commodities. Millions of Indonesians rely on the ocean for food, livelihoods and pleasure.
Indonesia has demonstrated leadership on marine issues, for example by hosting the Our Oceans conference in 2018, and by creating the Archipelagic and Island States Forum, of which the UK is proud to be a member. That work has shown the difference Indonesia makes when it brings that leadership, knowledge, expertise and experience to the table in these global discussions. I would love them to do the same and consider signing up to the ‘30by30’ global pledge. Looking after our vital ocean resources will mean they are made safe for future generations to enjoy//Release - VOI
June
New Zealand confirms plan to host hybrid APEC CEO Summit
Written by Nur Yasmin
New Zealand is planning to host the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) CEO Summit 2021 in November, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed at a business event held in Auckland on Thursday.
Held annually, the summit is among the region’s premier business forums and attracts CEOs from some of the largest companies in the world.
Speaking at a business event on Thursday, Prime Minister Ardern touched on the importance of the APEC CEO Summit and described it as an exciting chance for business executives and thought leaders to engage with each other and with APEC leaders on the most pressing issues of the day, according to a press release from the APEC Secretariat received here on Friday.
Ardern said hosting the summit would be an opportunity to showcase New Zealand as a safe, inclusive, digitally creative, and easy place to do business.
The APEC CEO Summit will be hosted as a hybrid event, for the first time ever, in November, 2021, she informed. Attendees in Auckland will join virtual participants from around the world in a rolling format over several days just prior to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
Speaking at the APEC 2021 LIVE with Business event on Thursday, CEO Summit 2021 chair Barbara Chapman confirmed that this year’s summit will be held from November 11th to 12th when New Zealand hosts the APEC Leaders week in November.
"The APEC CEO Summit only comes to New Zealand once every 21 years so this is New Zealand’s opportunity to engage with world leaders, to engage with others around the APEC region, and to engage with top tier CEOs on matters that are important to the world, to the Asia-Pacific region, and to New Zealand," Chapman said.
"Attending the events in person will mean that business leaders can have an experience communicating with live speakers on stage, but also interact with other speakers around the world on screen through the virtual platform," she stated.
"The event will run across two days, but the platform will be live for a much longer period. Attendees will not only be able to access the plenary sessions but a full suite of on-demand video presentations. There will also be a connection zone where delegates can share thoughts and arrange meetings with other delegates," she added.
Chapman also confirmed that the APEC CEO Summit 2021 will be preceded by a five-part APEC 2021 LIVE with Business series of panel events, hosted live from New Zealand and available to global audiences online.
Starting in August, APEC 2021 LIVE with Business will look at the future of business and the way that businesses can work with the government, she said. Discussions will focus on recovering sustainably, food safety, renewable energy transfer, inclusive business, and digital future of work, she added.
"As we stare down one of the biggest economic challenges of our generation, business has an opportunity to reset and do things differently. APEC 2021 LIVE with Business will bring together leading business figures and thought leaders as we navigate a recovery from COVID-19, and ask ... where to from here?" Chapman said.
"This series will help set the business agenda for the big conversations at this year’s CEO Summit," she added.
The APEC CEO Summit provides an opportunity for governments, chief executives, and world business leaders to engage with each other and with the leaders of the APEC economies.
Each year, the summit draws the region’s top business leaders, intellectuals, and media personalities for interactive discussions with APEC leaders on key trade and economic issues facing the Asia-Pacific region. (Antaranews)
June
Myanmar authorities open new corruption cases against Suu Kyi
Written by Nur Yasmin
Myanmar authorities have opened new corruption cases against deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi accusing her of abusing her authority and accepting bribes, state media reported on Thursday, allegations her chief lawyer said were “absurd”.
The cases are the latest of a series brought against elected leader Suu Kyi, 75, whose overthrow in a Feb. 1 coup has plunged Myanmar into chaos, with daily protests and strikes and unrest in far-flung regions that anti-junta militias said had claimed the lives of 37 soldiers on Thursday.
Junta-controlled media quoted the Anti-Corruption Commission as saying the new cases against Suu Kyi were related to misuse of land for the charitable Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, which she chaired and illegally accepting $600,000 and 11.4 kgs of gold.
"She was found guilty of committing corruption using her rank. So she was charged under Anti-Corruption Law section 55," said the junta's mouthpiece, the Global New Light of Myanmar.
Violations of that law are punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The lead lawyer for Suu Kyi said that as far as he was aware the corruption investigations were continuing and were not before any court.
He described the accusations as "absurd".
"She might have defects but personal greed and corruption are not her traits. Those who accuse her of greed and corruption are spitting towards the sky," Khin Maung Zaw said in a message to Reuters.
The Daw Khin Kyi Foundation was set up in the name of Suu Kyi's late mother to help develop education, health and welfare in Myanmar, one of Asia's poorest countries.
Cases Suu Kyi already faced ranged from violating coronavirus protocols while campaigning and illegally possessing walkie-talkie radios to breaking the Official Secrets Act. Her supporters say the cases are politically motivated.
The army says it took power by force because Suu Kyi's party cheated in November elections, an accusation rejected by the previous election commission and international monitors.
GUERRILLA ATTACKS
The diplomatic effort to find a way out of Myanmar's crisis has yet to bear fruit, with Japan Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu the latest to urge implementation of a five-point consensus reached by Southeast Asian leaders in April, centred on multi-party dialogue and ending violence
The United Nations, Western countries and China all back the Southeast Asian effort to mediate in the crisis, but the junta has paid little heed to that and instead touted the progress of its own five-step plan towards a new election.
But the army has failed to establish control, with peaceful and violent resistance paralysing the economy and guerrilla attacks on security forces in borderlands met by artillery and airstrikes, including in civilian areas.
Fighting has raged between the military and newly formed People's Defence Forces, one of which on Thursday said it had killed 17 government soldiers in a battle in Chin State, bordering India.
Another, the Chinland Defence Force, on its Facebook page said its fighters had also killed 10 troops near Hakha and issued a demand to the junta to release all people detained in Chin State, or face a stronger backlash.
In the Sagaing region, militias ambushed five military vehicles, killing 10 soldiers, the Irrawaddy news site reported, citing residents.
Reuters is unable to independently verify the claims and a military spokesman did not respond to calls seeking comment. State-run MRTV made no mention of the incidents in its nightly newscast.
Fighting in northeast and northwest of Myanmar has forced more than 100,000 people to flee, according to the United Nations, some to the Indian states of Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland, where authorities fear pro-democracy fighters may have joined refugees.
Separately on Thursday, a military plane crashed near Myanmar’s second-biggest city of Mandalay, killing 12 people, the city’s fire service said. There was no immediate indication that the crash was related to the crisis. (Reuters)