Category: Politics

The G7 nations have promised to end unabated coal use by 2035, with some flexibility for special circumstances. This solution, unveiled following meetings in Turin, Italy, aims to phase out coal power generation by the early 2030s.

However, governments may continue to use coal if carbon emissions are caught. Countries can set deadlines aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5°C. While some G7 members have reduced their use of coal, others, such as Japan and Germany, continue to rely significantly on it.

The United States recently issued laws requiring coal-fired plants to absorb pollutants or close by 2039. Despite disputes regarding its robustness, the deal represents progress. Climate experts see it as critical leadership in tackling climate change. However, sceptics say that the 2035 deadline is insufficient to keep warming to 1.5°C.

Climate Analytics estimates that coal should be phased out completely by 2030, with natural gas phased out by 2035. The agreement’s lack of a gasoline phase-out is troubling, considering its contribution to emissions. It is proposed to accelerate the shift to renewable energy. While coal’s downfall has been contested, the global agreement at COP28 did not include a precise end date for coal.

Singaporeans’ interest in Indonesia’s new capital remains strong, with a focus on the green economy. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasised the importance of collaboration during the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat. Discussions with President Joko Widodo discussed Singapore’s assistance in supplying sustainable energy to Nusantara, the projected capital. Notably, Sembcorp, a Singaporean state-owned corporation, is involved in this project, which supports President Jokowi’s goal.

Both presidents discussed coordinated projects in the green economy, such as collaboration on electricity exports. Potential cooperation includes Singapore installing cables to ease the trade of green electricity.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding on community empowerment initiatives in mangrove habitats has been signed. This agreement creates a framework for promoting sustainable mangrove use among local communities, beginning with a pilot project on Setokok Island in Batam.

Furthermore, a new scheme called Tech:X was announced to allow young tech workers from both countries to collaborate interchangeably. This programme seeks to strengthen relations between Singapore’s and Indonesia’s IT ecosystems, giving chances for international work experience and supporting growth in the digital economy.

These agreements represent a substantial relationship between Singapore and Indonesia, which benefits both countries economically and environmentally.

An Indian-Russian joint venture has secured the management rights for Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, once known as the “world’s emptiest airport.”

The $209 million facility, previously struggling with minimal flights, will now be overseen by Shaurya Aeronautics (Pvt) Ltd. of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia under a 30-year contract approved by the Sri Lankan Cabinet.

Under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration, the airport received initial funding from Chinese loans; however, since then, it has incurred significant financial losses, prompting the government to look for business partners to operate it as of 2016.

The airport faces environmental challenges due to its proximity to a wildlife sanctuary, which causes disruptions from wildlife interference such as bird strikes. The Sri Lankan government has experienced financial strain as a result of the airport, which has made the country’s debt problem worse because it relied on Chinese loans for infrastructure projects. Sri Lanka’s dependency on Chinese financing led to its default on foreign debt in 2023.

Concerns about Chinese influence were also raised after Sri Lanka handed over the management of the adjacent Hambantota Port to China Merchants Port Holdings in 2017 owing to repayment troubles, raising arguments about China’s “debt trap” diplomacy and regional influence.

India is poised to strengthen its Middle East connections with a new trade pact with Oman after the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Despite the modest annual trade volume of under $13 billion, the tie-up is vital as Oman serves as a significant gateway to the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global oil shipments situated between Oman and Iran.

Despite the rising Red Sea tensions that are threatening important maritime lanes, India hopes to strengthen its ties with the Middle East by concluding a trade agreement with Oman in the next two months.

The upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in India, with results expected on June 4, will either approve or reject the planned trade agreement. India is currently focusing on bilateral deals with GCC members like Oman and the UAE, having made little headway on agreements with the GCC.

Additionally, the prospective deal with Oman also holds strategic significance amidst the GCC’s negotiations with Pakistan and China. Oman has agreed to waive taxes on $3 billion worth of annual Indian exports, which include goods from the automobile, medical device, engineering, textile, gem, and agricultural industries. In exchange, India has consented to impose import limits on certain items and to lower tariffs on a limited range of petrochemicals, aluminium, and copper that come from Oman.

On Tuesday, Thai cabinet approved a plan to restructure the Senate and remove its ability to select the prime minister. The appointed Senate, which was first imposed by the military following the coup in 2014, has essentially served as a veto for the military when it comes to selecting the nation’s leader.

The selection of the next 200 senators will now take place through a complex procedure involving numerous professional fields. However, they will not be involved in the formation of the government.

After the current Senate prevented the anti-establishment Move Forward party from forming a government in 2023, criticism of the body grew. After a standoff, the military-backed proxy parties and the Pheu Thai party, which came in second, established an extraordinary alliance to create the government. Now in opposition, Move Forward faces dissolution for opposing laws upholding the monarchy.

Twenty professional groups are involved in the selection process for the new senators, shortlisting candidates who will face off provincially. However, unlike in parliamentary elections, regular voters have no direct voice.

The upper chamber will still have the right to appoint members of independent bodies and to conduct legislative oversight when its reforms take effect in July. The lower chamber, which is elected, will nevertheless have the last say in legislation.

On Tuesday, South Korea and Romania committed to strengthening defence sector cooperation to secure Seoul’s standing as the fourth-largest arms exporter globally.

During their summit, President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Romanian colleague Klaus Iohannis talked about cooperative military production. Furthermore, Polish Deputy Defence Minister Pawel Bejda and South Korea’s Shin Won-sik met, intending to conclude a major contract with Hanwha Aerospace for more weaponry.

South Korea has landed significant defence contracts in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Remarkably, Romania is apparently in the process of signing its first defence contract with South Korea, worth one trillion won, with Hanwha Aerospace for the supply of K9 howitzers.

Poland has previously committed to a $22 billion arms agreement with South Korea, which includes the purchase of 70 Chunmoo rocket artillery units costing $1.6 billion, to strengthen its defence capabilities. The parliament of South Korea voted to loosen export financing regulations, marking the beginning of efforts to increase the funding options available for such transactions.

These changes highlight the defence industry’s expanding worldwide reach and the strategic alliances that South Korea has formed within the framework of the international weapons trade.

Emirati and Omani companies recently sealed deals totaling 129 billion dirhams ($35.12 billion) during Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s visit to the United Arab Emirates this week. These agreements cover several industries, including transport and energy, with a primary emphasis on an industrial and energy megaproject valued at 117 billion dirhams.

The involvement of such significant players as TAQA, Masdar, EGA, ESA, OQ Alternative Energy, and Oman Electrical Transmission Co. indicates a concentrated effort towards sustainable energy and industrial development.

The Oman Investment Authority and ADQ, the sovereign wealth fund of Abu Dhabi, also agreed to establish a 660 million dirham technology-focused fund. Another big agreement, valued at 11 billion dirhams, is to build rail infrastructure to link Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, the minister of investments, highlighted the significance of these agreements in encouraging reciprocal advancement and fortifying bilateral relations. He regarded them as a crucial step in achieving a common goal of progress and prosperity.

The recent joint ventures between Omani and Emirati organisations highlight a strategic alliance meant to promote sustainability, innovation, and economic expansion throughout the region.

The G7 summit in Capri saw major powers pledging to boost Ukraine’s air defences against Russian attacks and calling on China to cease support for Moscow’s military. The Middle East and Ukrainian crises were the main topics of discussion at the summit, which was attended by foreign ministers from the US, Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK.

The ministers emphasised the importance of further support for Ukraine, which is up against more powerful Russian forces, while simultaneously advocating for de-escalation in the Middle East to avert a more extensive regional confrontation, acknowledging the interdependence of the two crises.

Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, emphasised the connection between the wars and asked the G7 allies for more assistance.

In return, the G7 promised to strengthen Kyiv’s air defence capabilities to save vital infrastructure and prevent fatalities. They warned that China’s support of Russia’s defence sector goes against its stated goal of improving relations with the West and criticised Beijing for it.

A G7 summit in June is scheduled to make decisions on utilising Russian asset gains to support Ukraine, despite ammunition shortages among European allies and stalled U.S. funding in Congress.

The Philippines’ foreign ministry described the country’s recent decision to strengthen its relations with Japan and the United States—which was brought up at a summit presided over by the U.S.

President Joe Biden—as a “sovereign choice” made in response to China’s complaints. The purpose of the trilateral meeting between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines was to discuss common worries over China’s actions in the South China Sea.

The foreign ministry of the Philippines emphasised that this cooperation should not be seen as a threat but rather as a means of promoting economic development and peace in the Indo-Pacific region. On the other hand, it blamed regional tension for China’s moves in the South China Sea.

China responded by saying it was against the creation of exclusive alliances and charging that the United States was still thinking like it was the Cold War. Manila disputed these assertions, claiming that trilateral collaboration serves a peaceful purpose.

Due to maritime conflicts resulting from China’s expanded territorial claims clashing with those of neighbouring countries, relations between the Philippines and China have deteriorated. China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 decision, which declared China’s claims to be invalid.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, in a recent meeting, highlighted the importance of deepening defence cooperation between their nations. Their discussions highlighted serious concerns over the situation in the South China Sea, where tensions between the Philippines and China have been notable.

China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea have been a source of contention, as it asserts almost total control over the region, which serves as a crucial maritime route for global commerce, amounting to over $3 trillion annually. However, other countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei also lay claim to various parts of the area, leading to maritime disputes and geopolitical tensions.

In addition to their focus on the South China Sea, Marcos, and Luxon emphasised the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a crucial maritime passage in the region.

Moreover, the leaders announced plans to elevate bilateral relations to a “comprehensive partnership” by 2026. As part of this initiative, the Philippines and New Zealand are set to finalise a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, facilitating joint military exercises and humanitarian missions, thereby enhancing their defence capabilities and fostering closer ties between the two nations.