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November
World should not be complacent after COVID-19 vaccine news: WHO
Written by Nur YasminThe World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed Moderna reporting on Monday that its experimental vaccine showed 94.5% efficacy but said that “many questions” remained and it was no time for complacency.
Only very limited amounts of any vaccine will be available in the first half of 2021 for people other than priority health workers, WHO officials said.
“While we continue to receive encouraging news about COVID-19 vaccines and remain cautiously optimistic about the potential for new tools to start to arrive in coming months, right now we are extremely concerned by the surge in cases we are seeing in some countries, particularly in Europe and the Americas,” WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing.
It marked his return to the Geneva agency from quarantine after being exposed to coronavirus some 17 days ago. Tedros said he had no symptoms and had seen no need for a test.
Moderna Inc’s experimental vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on interim data from a late-stage trial, the company said on Monday, becoming the second U.S. drugmaker to report results that far exceed expectations.
Together with Pfizer Inc’s vaccine, which is also more than 90% effective, and pending more safety data and regulatory review, the United States could have two vaccines authorized for emergency use in December with as many as 60 million doses of vaccine available this year.
Soumya Swaminathan, WHO’s chief scientist, said that the Moderna results were “quite encouraging”. Its final efficacy and safety profile would still be needed, as well as follow-up on trial participants for two months for any side effects.
Pfizer and Moderna candidate vaccines both use mRNA technology and appear to achieve high efficacy, she added.
“But there are many, many questions still remaining about the duration of protection, the impact on severe disease, the impact on different sub-populations especially the elderly, as well as the adverse events beyond a certain period of time,” Swaminathan said.
Clinical trials must continue to collect more data, she said, adding that more results were expected in the coming weeks from the other vaccine trials.
“We are looking at at least the first half of the year as being a period with very very limited doses. Supplies are going to be limited, there are bilateral deals that many of the companies have done, so many of the doses have already been booked by some countries,” Swaminathan said.
Moderna is a two-dose vaccine and its delivery means, as well as storage, were also important considerations, said Kate O’Brien, director of WHO’s immunization department.
“We will be looking really carefully at the ease at which different vaccines can be delivered and certainly about the number of doses that are required,” she said. (Reuters)
November
APEC ministers focus on regional economic recovery to rebuild better
Written by Nur YasminMinisters from APEC’s 21 member economies convened to reiterate their commitment to pursue free and open trade and investment as well as revivify endeavors towards regional economic recovery and growth.
The 31st APEC Ministerial Meeting, held virtually on Monday (Nov 16), was chaired by Malaysia’s Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry Mohamed Azmin Ali, according to a written statement issued by the APEC Secretariat and received here on Tuesday.
The APEC ministers are working in unison to advance regional trade and investment amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic that has extensively disrupted supply chains and wreaked havoc on the global economic landscape.
"This year, we have pivoted, prioritized, and progressed work on several APEC initiatives despite the challenging circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic," Chair of this year’s APEC Ministerial Meeting, Mohamed Azmin Ali, remarked.
"Continue to resist the forces of protectionism and strengthen support to a well-functioning, rules-based multilateral trading system while remaining steadfast to advancing the development agenda of the World Trade Organization," Ali stated at the virtual meeting while urging member economies.
The APEC region recorded its first ever economic growth contraction in three decades, with gross domestic product plunging by 3.7 percent in the first six months of 2020.
This grim scenario followed a surge in unemployment rates among APEC economies, with over 74 million currently in search of work.
Ali commended member economies’ relentless efforts in slowly reopening economic activities, ensuring that workers return to work, and allowing cross-border movement of people through the introduction of travel bubbles.
"All while managing the collective concerns on the health, safety, and well-being of our people," he noted.
"The travel bubbles that are emerging within the region are a crucial development, as these could possibly redefine the future of travel and tourism," he stated.
"These bubbles are also central to revitalizing the essential movement of people within APEC," he remarked.
At the meeting themed “Optimizing Human Potential towards a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity: Pivot, Prioritise, Progress,” Ali underscored the importance of improving the narrative of trade and investment, one of the key priorities for Malaysia as the host this year.
"It is imperative to translate the benefits of trade and investment into a more inclusive economic growth that brings palpable benefits and greater well-being to all our people," he expounded.
"In this regard, we have placed particular emphasis on shared prosperity to enable more effective and meaningful economic participation by all segments of our societies," he stated.
Ministers have also completed their work in formulating APEC’s new post-2020 vision, which will chart the long-term strategic direction for the region for the next two decades. The recommendations from this meeting will be presented to APEC leaders at the upcoming virtual meeting on Friday (November 20). (Antaranews)
November
Syria's veteran foreign minister Walid Moalem dies
Written by Nur YasminSyria's top diplomat and long-time foreign minister Walid al-Moalem, a staunch defender of Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s bloody crackdown on peaceful protesters that sparked a decade-old conflict, died on Monday, the government said.
There were no details on the cause of death, but the 79-year old had for years been in poor health with heart problems. A source close to the Syrian government said it was widely expected his deputy, veteran diplomat Faisal Mekdad, would replace his as foreign minister.
Moalem, who was first appointed foreign minister in 2006 and was also a deputy prime minister, held a succession of top diplomatic posts, including envoy to the United States, and was involved in unsuccessful negotiations with Israel in the 1990s on a peace settlement.
“He was known for his honorable patriotic positions,” the government said in a statement, adding he died at dawn and would be buried later on Monday in Damascus.
The veteran diplomat saw his country’s tilt further towards Iran and Russia, which have helped shore up Assad’s rule and allowed the authoritarian leader to regain most of the territory he once lost to insurgents.
Moalem, from a Sunni family from Damascus, publicly defended Moscow and Shi’ite Iran’s growing military role, backed by its proxies in Syria, which many Syrian opponents of Assad labeled as an occupation and blamed for fuelling sectarian tension in a Sunni-majority country.
“I am ready to be one of Hassan Nasrallahʹs soldiers,” Moalem said in August 2006, referring to the leader of the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which has in recent years sent thousands of its members to fight alongside Assad’s forces.
Syria erupted into civil war nearly a decade ago after Assad in 2011 began a crackdown on protesters calling for an end to his family’s rule.
Moalem accused the United States and others in the West of fuelling his country’s unrest and labeled insurgents “terrorists” in a conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands and led to the exodus of millions of refugees.
The veteran diplomat’s last statements attacked the Caesar Act - the toughest U.S. sanctions yet against Damascus which came into force last June, saying they were meant to starve Syrians. He vowed that his country would get economic help from Iran and Russia to soften its blow.
Washington says the goal of the new sanctions is to hold Damascus to account for war crimes and deter it from further pursuing the war. The sanctions exempt humanitarian aid. (Reuters)
November
Australia supports ASEAN's COVID-19 response efforts
Written by Nur YasminAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday (Nov 14) outlined new initiatives to support ASEAN’s economic recovery efforts post-COVID-19, as noted in a release published by ASEAN Viet Nam 2020 official website, Sunday.
The new initiatives include 70 million Australian dollars for resilience and recovery in Southeast Asia and a 232 million Australian dollars package for the Mekong region, focusing on the environment, infrastructure, cyber, and critical technologies and scholarships.
Addressing the second ASEAN-Australia Biennial Summit, held online on Saturday, PM Morrison commended Viet Nam and ASEAN for their strong response to COVID-19 in the spirit of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN.
The leader said Australia is ASEAN’s partner in the great recovery that is occurring, noting ASEAN’s centrality is the core of Australia’s vision for Indo-Pacific.
Australia remains committed to working with the region and helping the region recover from COVID-19.
Morisson mentioned that Australia recently committed some 500 million Australian dollars over three years to support access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
"Safe effective access to affordable COVID-19 vaccines will be the central factor in our collective recovery, Morrison said," he stressed.
In a media statement released on November 13, the Australian prime minister said ASEAN remains at the heart of Australia’s vision for a peaceful, stable, inclusive, sovereign, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific. ASEAN has a central role to play in the region’s recovery and the post-COVID-19 regional order.
Australia is proud to be a strategic partner of ASEAN and its oldest dialogue partner, he said.
The Australian leader also congratulated Vietnam for its stewardship as ASEAN Chair during a very challenging year.
At the summit, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Australia was one of the most long-standing partners of ASEAN with a relationship established in 1974. Over the past four decades, the bilateral relationship has been increasingly strengthened in different spheres.
ASEAN welcomes Australia’s consistent policy on accompanying the region for the long term and supporting the bloc’s centrality, he noted.
The two sides agreed to hold the summit annually instead of biennially as a foundation to further deepen and substantially promote the important relationship. (Antaranews)
November
Suu Kyi's party wins enough seats to form Myanmar's next government
Written by Nur YasminThe latest batch of results from Sunday’s vote confirmed Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) had secured the 322 seats in the bicameral legislature needed to form a government.
The NLD has taken 346 seats of the 412 seats that have been declared, with results from 64 more yet to be announced.
The comfortable win will be a welcome boost for Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace laureate who has had a turbulent first term and struggled to meet high public expectations.
She is tasked with developing a country that suffered nearly 50 years of isolation and decay under strict military rule, years of which she was held under house arrest.
Even now, her government is required to govern with military involvement, in particular in the areas of security and defence, under a constitution drafted during the generals’ rule.
The NLD won by a similar margin in the last election in 2015, the first free vote since the end of military rule.
This time, the ballot was seen as a referendum on Suu Kyi’s government, which is hugely popular at home. But its reputation abroad has collapsed due to accusations of genocide against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority, which it denies.
The main opposition party, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), had won 24 seats, according to the partial official results.
The USDP raised objections on Wednesday and demanded a new vote as soon as possible “in order to have an election that is free, fair, unbiased and free from unfair campaigning”.
A USDP spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.
International and domestic observers said the vote went smoothly and without major irregularities.
The election commission on Wednesday said any allegations of irregularities were from a minority of participants.
The NLD has also demanded proof of wrongdoing, while the military, in an earlier statement, said the election had been carried out successfully. ruling party of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has won enough parliamentary seats to form the next government, according to official general election results released on Friday. (Reuters)
November
The ISIS group on Thursday (12/11) claimed responsibility for a non-Muslim funeral attack in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah, which wounded scores of people, although there was no evidence to substantiate this claim.
In a statement on its official channel on Telegram, ISIS revealed that "its soldiers" hid a homemade bomb at the cemetery on Wednesday, which then exploded after several hours "consuls of crusading countries" gathered there.
The explosion which took place during a World War I memorial service involving foreign embassies was the second security incident to have occurred in Jeddah in recent weeks and the first attack of homemade bombs in years in an attempted attack on foreigners in the conservative kingdom.
In a subsequent statement, ISIS claims to be targeting the French consul general, who attended the ceremony, for what he thinks is a warning against France for publishing cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
The French government defended its right to publish the cartoon, which Muslims saw as an insult. On October 18 ISIS spokesmen asked their supporters to target Westerners, oil pipelines, and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
November
Regional policy research institution awarded ASEAN Prize 2020
Written by Nur YasminToday, ASEAN conferred the ASEAN Prize, its annual regional premier award, to the Singapore-based ASEAN Studies Centre (ASC) of ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute for promoting greater understanding and awareness of ASEAN, and contributing towards regional cooperation and integration.
The ASEAN Prize 2020 recipient was officially announced today at the 37th ASEAN Summit Opening Ceremony. In his keynote speech, Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc congratulated the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute for being awarded this year’s Prize.
Now in its third year, the ASEAN Prize honours the outstanding achievements of individuals or organisations who foster the ASEAN identity, promote the ASEAN spirit, champion the ASEAN way and have significantly contributed towards ASEAN community building efforts.
In his congratulatory remarks, Secretary-General Dato Lim highlighted that “ASC’s insights and analyses on developments and trends in the region through research, publications, media engagement and outreach activities, have helped policymakers, scholars and business leaders in their efforts in building and advancing the ASEAN Community”.
The Director of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Choi Shing Kwok, who is also Head of ASC, expressed his appreciation in receiving the award. “The accolade is a recognition of the collective efforts of the entire ASC team, past and present. I am sure this will further inspire ASC to continue building on our efforts and mission of promoting research and understanding of ASEAN from a regional perspective,” he said.
The ASEAN Prize, administered by the ASEAN Secretariat, is sponsored by Temasek Foundation of Singapore and Yayasan Hasanah of Malaysia. The Prize recipient will receive a trophy and a cash prize of US$20,000. This year’s award ceremony will be convened separately, following COVID-19 safety protocols.
Benedict Cheong, Chief Executive of Temasek Foundation Connects, noted that “Temasek Foundation is honoured for the opportunity to support the ASEAN Prize since its beginning in 2018. We are heartened to see the ASEAN Prize take root as a premier regional platform, celebrating outstanding work that shapes our shared ASEAN landscape. We would like to congratulate ASC as well as all past recipients whose community building efforts continue to resonate with and impact many in ASEAN!”
Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah, remarked “At Hasanah, we meet and work with inspiring individuals and organisations every day, and every little feat towards building a better ASEAN is a step forward to building a better world. By supporting the ASEAN Prize, we recognise and celebrate the importance and meaningful work done by individuals and organisations like ASC, towards building the ASEAN Community. Congratulations to ASC for being awarded the ASEAN Prize 2020.”
Established in 2008, ASC conducts policy research and analysis on ASEAN’s development as an institution in support of ASEAN integration and community-building. Under this objective, ASC studies the political-security, economic and socio-cultural trends in ASEAN through a range of research programmes, publications, events as well as institutional engagement. ASC also provides a regular platform for policy-makers, scholars, public intellectuals and business leaders to discuss constructive ideas that will help shape the development of the region and foster a better understanding of ASEAN.
ASC is the first ASEAN-based organisation to receive the Prize. In 2018, Erlinda Uy Koe, a dedicated community leader and advocate of families with autism from the Philippines, received the inaugural ASEAN Prize for her contribution to foster an inclusive ASEAN community. In 2019, Malaysian humanitarian leader Dr. Jemilah Mahmood was selected as the ASEAN Prize recipient for her dedication in providing emergency needs and humanitarian response to affected population in the region.
November
37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits begin today
Written by Nur YasminAgainst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 37th ASEAN Summit will take place today through video-conference. Viet Nam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will preside over the opening ceremony. He will be joined online by Leaders from the other ASEAN Member States.
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi said, “Viet Nam’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year has been exemplary. In spite of having to deal with its domestic COVID-19 challenges and natural disasters, Viet Nam has provided able leadership in keeping the region cohesive and responsive to these challenges, placing ASEAN Centrality and the peoples’ interest at the core.”
High on the 37th ASEAN Summit agenda is the Leaders’ discussion and approval of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and its Implementation Plan, which will serve as the whole-of-community exit strategy to recover and build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there will be further discussions on the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement, which would facilitate the safe resumption of essential business travel in the region.
As ASEAN Chair, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is also expected to announce the recipient of the ASEAN Prize 2020. Launched in 2018, the ASEAN Prize aims to recognize inspiring achievements and contributions of an individual or organisation that fosters the ASEAN identity, promotes the ASEAN spirit, and champions the ASEAN way.
The ASEAN Leaders will also meet with their counterparts from ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners in a series of ASEAN Plus One summits.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the ASEAN Leaders, under Viet Nam’s Chairmanship, has earlier met over three cyber Summits in 2020, namely the Special ASEAN Summit and Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on 14 April, and the 36th ASEAN Summit on 26 June.
The Opening Ceremony will be live streamed on the ASEAN Chair’s website (https://www.asean2020.vn/).
Brunei Darussalam will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2021.
ASEAN was founded in Bangkok, Thailand on 8 August 1967 when the five founding members – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – signed the ASEAN Declaration. Since then, ASEAN has expanded and enlarged its membership with the inclusion of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam.
November
'Countdown to catastrophe' in Yemen as U.N. warns of famine - again
Written by Nur YasminMillions of men, women, and children in war-torn Yemen are facing famine - again, top United Nations officials warned on Wednesday as they appealed for more money to prevent it - again.
“We are on a countdown right now to a catastrophe,” U.N. food chief David Beasley told the U.N. Security Council. “We have been here before ... We did almost the same dog-and-pony show. We sounded the alarm then.”
The United Nations describes Yemen as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 80% of the people in need of help.
“If we choose to look away, there’s no doubt in my mind Yemen will be plunged into a devastating famine within a few short months,” Beasley told the 15-member council.
A Saudi Arabia-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015, backing government forces fighting the Iran-allied Houthi group. U.N. officials are trying to revive peace talks to end the war as the country’s suffering is also worsened by an economic and currency collapse and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In late 2017, U.N. aid chief Mark Lowcock warned that Yemen was then facing “the largest famine the world has seen for many decades with millions of victims”.
“We prevented famine two years ago,” Lowcock told the Security Council on Wednesday. “More money for the aid operation is the quickest and most efficient way to support famine prevention efforts right now.”
He said the world body had received less than half of what it needed - about $1.5 billion - this year for its humanitarian operations in Yemen. Last year it received $3 billion.
“When I think about what famine would mean, I am really at a loss to understand why more is not being done to prevent it,” Lowcock said. “It is a terrible, agonizing and humiliating death ... Yemenis are not ‘going hungry’. They are being starved.” (Reuters)
November
President of South Africa: Visitors From All Countries Can Visit Us
Written by Nur YasminSouth Africa will allow entry of visitors from all countries in a bid to boost its tourism and hospitality sector, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.
South Africa, the continent's most developed economy, has seen an increase in infections since loosening lockdown restrictions in September to their lowest level.
With more than 740,000 cases of COVID-19 and at least 20,000 deaths, South Africa currently has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa.
Ramaphosa, in a televised national address, said normal trading hours for alcohol would be restored as well. Alcohol sales were previously capped at the weekend in a bid to ease pressure on hospitals for alcohol-related accidents.
"We also open international travel from all countries by complying with the necessary health protocols and submitting negative COVID-19 certificates," he said.
"By using rapid testing and close monitoring, we aim to limit the spread of infection from imported cases," he added.
"We hope that these steps will be of great help to businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector."
However, Ramaphosa warned of a potential resurgence in infections, saying the number of new cases in the Eastern Cape province was 50 percent higher than in the previous week, with higher infection rates also seen in the Northern Cape and Western Cape regions.
"We have also seen in other countries how the re-emergence of COVID-19 can crush hopes for a speedy economic recovery," he said.
The president did not provide further details or a specific date for reopening. A presidential spokesman could not be reached for comment.
South Africa opened its borders to some international tourists in early October after imposing a six-month ban. At the time, however, restrictions were placed on visitors from high-risk countries, with the latest list including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Brazil, and India.
South Africa is heavily dependent on tourism, which before the pandemic accounted for nearly nine percent of gross domestic product and employed more than four percent of the workforce.
The economy was already in recession before the pandemic hit, and one of the world's toughest lockdowns has exacerbated woes. Millions of its citizens have lost their jobs or are increasingly pushed into poverty. (Antaranews)
