In October 2019, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo was sworn in for a second and final term amid tight security. As thousands celebrated with song and dance, helicopters flew overhead and troops kept a vigil in the capital Jakarta. More than 30,000 security personnel were deployed in the capital. The city police even locked down some parts of the city over security concerns. With a sacrosanct Quran over his head, the 58-year-old Widodo along with Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, recited the oath of office before lawmakers and regional senators, which make up the People’s Consultative Assembl
Dubai, UAE hosted the 7th Annual World Government Summit 2019. The three-day summit was attended by 4000 decision makers across 150 countries that include the head of the state, ministers and business leaders. It’s a global platform meant for shaping the future of governments worldwide. The World Government Summit sets the agenda each year for the next generation of governments, focusing on how they can effectively use innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity. It’s a neutral non-profit organization that operates as a knowledge exchange platform for leaders i
On February 23, 2019, Saudi Arabia appointed its first female ambassador, Princess Reema Bint Bandar, to the United States. A former Vice-President of Women’s Affairs at General Sports Authority and a known philanthropist who lived in the US for more than two decades, her appointment came as a replacement of Price Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, which was a result of fallout over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder tests relations between the allies. The princess, who has been a pioneer women’s rights advocate in the kingdom, is also a rising political star in the country. Her appointment is
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egypt’s President, has been elected chairman of the African Union by the continental body at a summit in Ethiopia. He has been appointed the chair of the 55-member pan-African body after former Rwandan President Paul Kagame stepped down. The Egyptian leader said he would target his fight against the armed groups on the continent and focus his efforts on rebuilding the countries recovering from conflict during his one year term as a chairman of African Union. According to Sisi, the African Union will use mediation and ‘preventive diplomacy’ as mechanisms for promoti
In November 2019, German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited India and met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and co-chaired the 5th Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). Both countries acceded to sign seventeen agreements in the fields of agriculture, ayurveda, maritime technology, migration, occupational diseases and yoga. Five Joint Declarations of Intent were also exchanged on strategic projects, partnership for green urban mobility, research and development on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cooperation in the field of prevention of marine litter. Following are some significant India-G
The 16th ASEAN-India Summit 2019 was held in Thailand in November 2019. The summit was chaired by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, Prime Minister of Kingdom of Thailand. Along with 16th ASEAN-India Summit 2019, there are other summits that took place such as 35th ASEAN Summit, 14th East Asia Summit and 3rd meeting of RCEP. The honorable Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended and co-chaired the summit along with the heads of member countries – Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos. The summit brought up and discussed topics r
The interim and incumbent President of Kazakhstan, Kassym Jomart Tokayev won the country’s presidential elections by receiving 70.96 percent votes. With more than 50% votes in his favor, he was recognized as the elected President by the Member of Central Election Commission (ECE), Lyazzat Suleiman. The new President took oath at the Palace of Independence in the country’s capital, Noor Sultan. Tokayev was the Interim President after former First President, veteran ruler, and former leader Nursultan Nazarbayev gave his resignation. He had sworn an oath after receiving a presidential certif
In a historic referendum, Britain opted out of the 72-year-old treaty with the European Union on June 23, 2016. 72% of the British population came out to vote for the crucial decision and 51.9% opted to leave the European Union. While England and Wales came out in strong support of the Leave side with 53.4% to 46.6% and 52.5% to 47.5% respectively, Scotland and Northern Ireland favored to stay in the Union. Scotland backed Remain by 62% to 38%, while 55.8% in Northern Ireland voted Remain and 44.2% Leave. Britain’s decision to exit European Union – called Brexit – wasn’t taken easily
Turkish Defense Ministry has fired or suspended over 4,200 military personnel since the failed coup attempt this summer. Many teachers, doctors, nurses, and others suspected of having ties to Muhammed Fethullah Gülen, the alleged man behind the coup attempt, have also been dismissed. The attempted seizure of the government by military took place on the evening of July 15 with the rebels attacking government institutions and clashing with police and civilians in the streets. Severe violence erupted in Istanbul and the capital city Ankara. The ill-fated Friday saw the killing of more than 260
The 17th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit was held at the Venezuelan resort island of Margarita from September 13 to 18, 2016. The theme of the Summit was “Peace, Sovereignty and Solidarity for Development.” The key issues conversed at the Summit were climate change, sustainable economic development, human rights, unilateral sanctions, peacekeeping missions, religious tolerance, and U.N. Security Council reforms. Also discussed were international solidarity, South-South cooperation, the role of youth, gender equality, the need for a new world communications and information order, and ind