Exercising effective leadership is hard to do | Cronin and Loevyslot vip 88 。

Bangladesh has called on Myanmar to address the ongoing crisis in the Rakhine state and its borders, stressing that it cannot engage in negotiations with non-state actors, such as the Arakan Army. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed this message to Myanmar during an informal consultation held on Thursday in Thailand. During the meeting, Hossain also emphasised that peace and stability in the region would remain elusive without a resolution to the Rohingya crisis. Senior representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, China, Laos, and other nations attended the consultation focused on Myanmar. "I informed Myanmar that the border is no longer under your control. Non-state actors like the Arakan Army are controlling it. As a state, we cannot engage with them. Myanmar must find a way to resolve the issues related to the border and Rakhine," Hossain yesterday told reporters in the capital, sharing details of his discussions at the consultation. In reply, Myanmar said they are trying to regain control of the border. Hossain said that the meeting focused on a few key issues regarding Myanmar, including the border, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and its political future. On Myanmar's political future, Hossain noted that all participants expressed support for its efforts to resolve internal issues and move forward. "Everyone said they would support Myanmar, and if they choose a federal structure, we will not intervene. But we want a resolution," Hossain said. The meeting on Thursday was chaired by Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsar. The attendees included Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe, Laos's Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and China's Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Meanwhile, speaking as the chief guest at an international seminar in Dhaka yesterday, the foreign adviser said peace in Myanmar is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the Bay of Bengal and its surrounding countries and that peace cannot be achieved without solving the Rohingya crisis. "Peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the safe and secure return of Rohingyas to their homes," he said at the seminar titled "Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Region: Exploring the Convergence of Interest," at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital. Noting that a civil war situation is currently prevailing in Myanmar, he said at least 1.2 million Rohingyas, who have fled the Rakhine state facing extreme atrocities, have fled to Bangladesh in the last seven years. "There has been no progress in their repatriation and the situation is further complicated by a non-state actor, the Arakan Army, taking control of the entire border with Bangladesh," he said. "It is incumbent on Myanmar and the regional powers to create a congenial atmosphere for their return," said the foreign adviser. Supported by the Embassy of Japan, the BIISS, in collaboration with the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), hosted the international seminar. He said that the Bay of Bengal has emerged as a focal point of geopolitical and economic activity with its vast natural resources, crucial shipping routes, and potential for economic integration. Touhid said the countries surrounding the Bay and other stakeholders should align their diverse interests, "ensuring that the Bay of Bengal becomes a region of collaboration rather than conflict; a hub of connectivity rather than contention". He said the Bay has been historically a commercial and cultural hub. However, its strategic importance has grown immensely as it links South and Southeast Asia, two growing economic zones, to the global economy. "By fostering strategic partnerships, embracing a unified vision, and adopting innovative approaches, we can unlock the vast potential of this region, benefiting all stakeholders and creating a legacy of prosperity for future generations," he observed. He said Bangladesh is uniquely poised to become a regional transit hub and a key player in the global value chain with its strategic location and growing industrial base. "In order to unlock these possibilities, Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities," the adviser said. He acknowledged that initiatives like the "Bay of Bengal Industrial Value Chain," championed by Japan, provide a blueprint for achieving this transformation by leveraging investment, technology, and labour. The adviser also lauded Japan's overall contribution to Bangladesh's development. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori, BIISS Chairman Gousal Azam Sarkar and Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis, among others, spoke at the event. Responding to a question about a potential new influx of Rohingyas, Hossain said, though the government is concerned, he does not believe such an event is on the cards. Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh's policy of not allowing any further Rohingya refugees to enter the country. However, he acknowledged that, under certain circumstances, Bangladesh had to accept 60,000 Rohingyas through various unofficial routes. "They are coming through multiple routes, making it very difficult to stop [the infiltrations]," Hossain said, adding that widespread corruption is making the task more difficult. Bangladesh has called on Myanmar to address the ongoing crisis in the Rakhine state and its borders, stressing that it cannot engage in negotiations with non-state actors, such as the Arakan Army. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed this message to Myanmar during an informal consultation held on Thursday in Thailand. During the meeting, Hossain also emphasised that peace and stability in the region would remain elusive without a resolution to the Rohingya crisis. Senior representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, China, Laos, and other nations attended the consultation focused on Myanmar. "I informed Myanmar that the border is no longer under your control. Non-state actors like the Arakan Army are controlling it. As a state, we cannot engage with them. Myanmar must find a way to resolve the issues related to the border and Rakhine," Hossain yesterday told reporters in the capital, sharing details of his discussions at the consultation. In reply, Myanmar said they are trying to regain control of the border. Hossain said that the meeting focused on a few key issues regarding Myanmar, including the border, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and its political future. On Myanmar's political future, Hossain noted that all participants expressed support for its efforts to resolve internal issues and move forward. "Everyone said they would support Myanmar, and if they choose a federal structure, we will not intervene. But we want a resolution," Hossain said. The meeting on Thursday was chaired by Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsar. The attendees included Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe, Laos's Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and China's Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Meanwhile, speaking as the chief guest at an international seminar in Dhaka yesterday, the foreign adviser said peace in Myanmar is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the Bay of Bengal and its surrounding countries and that peace cannot be achieved without solving the Rohingya crisis. "Peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the safe and secure return of Rohingyas to their homes," he said at the seminar titled "Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Region: Exploring the Convergence of Interest," at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital. Noting that a civil war situation is currently prevailing in Myanmar, he said at least 1.2 million Rohingyas, who have fled the Rakhine state facing extreme atrocities, have fled to Bangladesh in the last seven years. "There has been no progress in their repatriation and the situation is further complicated by a non-state actor, the Arakan Army, taking control of the entire border with Bangladesh," he said. "It is incumbent on Myanmar and the regional powers to create a congenial atmosphere for their return," said the foreign adviser. Supported by the Embassy of Japan, the BIISS, in collaboration with the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), hosted the international seminar. He said that the Bay of Bengal has emerged as a focal point of geopolitical and economic activity with its vast natural resources, crucial shipping routes, and potential for economic integration. Touhid said the countries surrounding the Bay and other stakeholders should align their diverse interests, "ensuring that the Bay of Bengal becomes a region of collaboration rather than conflict; a hub of connectivity rather than contention". He said the Bay has been historically a commercial and cultural hub. However, its strategic importance has grown immensely as it links South and Southeast Asia, two growing economic zones, to the global economy. "By fostering strategic partnerships, embracing a unified vision, and adopting innovative approaches, we can unlock the vast potential of this region, benefiting all stakeholders and creating a legacy of prosperity for future generations," he observed. He said Bangladesh is uniquely poised to become a regional transit hub and a key player in the global value chain with its strategic location and growing industrial base. "In order to unlock these possibilities, Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities," the adviser said. He acknowledged that initiatives like the "Bay of Bengal Industrial Value Chain," championed by Japan, provide a blueprint for achieving this transformation by leveraging investment, technology, and labour. The adviser also lauded Japan's overall contribution to Bangladesh's development. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori, BIISS Chairman Gousal Azam Sarkar and Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis, among others, spoke at the event. Responding to a question about a potential new influx of Rohingyas, Hossain said, though the government is concerned, he does not believe such an event is on the cards. Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh's policy of not allowing any further Rohingya refugees to enter the country. However, he acknowledged that, under certain circumstances, Bangladesh had to accept 60,000 Rohingyas through various unofficial routes. "They are coming through multiple routes, making it very difficult to stop [the infiltrations]," Hossain said, adding that widespread corruption is making the task more difficult.Exploring the traditional wall architectureFrance's second woman premier makes surprise frontline return

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Here’s how an investor could start buying shares with £100 in JanuaryNo compromise on nuclear programme: PM Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, says FO ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, terming the imposition of US sanctions on the National Defence Complex (NDC) and other entities as unjustified, on Tuesday maintained that there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s nuclear programme. Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister maintained that there was no justification for imposition of sanctions on the NDC and other entities as Pakistan has no aggressive designs against any country. He said that Pakistan has no intentions for aggressive use of the nuclear programme rather it is deterrence, and meant for defence of the country and nothing else. “This is only for defence of the country if God forbids there is any aggression against Pakistan,” he said. He also made it clear that not only he himself and the federal cabinet owns the nuclear programme but it also belongs to 240 million people of the country which is dearer to them and close to their heart. “The whole nation is focused and united on country’s nuclear programme,” the prime minister reiterated. Meanwhile, Foreign Office stated in very clear terms that it is fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations and explained that the recent military court verdicts have been made under a law enacted by the Parliament of Pakistan and in line with the judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Foreign Office was reacting to comments from the European Union, United Kingdom and the United States who in their reactions had criticised the military courts trials and verdicts, as ones which lacked transparency and were inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). “Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It has remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guarantees promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” explained the Foreign Office. Last Saturday the DG ISPR had announced the sentencing of 25 civilians by military courts to periods of two to 10 years of “rigorous imprisonment” in connection with attacks on military facilities on May 9, 2023. It had called the verdicts a milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation. The reaction of the Foreign Office was mainly directed at the European Union which under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), offers “special trade incentives and grants Pakistan zero-rated or preferential tariffs on nearly 665 of tariffs lines, enhancing the country’s ability to export to EU markets”. Reaching out to the EU, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. “We remain fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus Scheme and core international human rights conventions,” it added. The EU in reaction to the military trials and verdicts of civilians had reminded Pakistan that said “in line with Article 14 of ICCPR every person is entitled to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and has the right to adequate and effective legal representation”. It reminded Pakistan that the EU’s GSP+ beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, have voluntarily agreed to implement effectively 27 international core conventions - including the ICCPR - in order to continue benefiting from GSP+ status. The Foreign Office also stated that it was reaching out to its other international partners including the EU and assured to uphold the international human rights law, without any discrimination and double standards.

S Korean Opp defers decision to impeach acting president SEOUL: South Korea ́s opposition said Tuesday it would hold back a decision to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo until later in the week. The opposition Democratic Party earlier said it would introduce an impeachment motion against Han on Tuesday to protest against the interim leader ́s refusal to sign into law special bills to investigate his impeached predecessor. “We have decided to exercise patience, taking into account the sentiments of the people, and wait until the 26th (Thursday) to determine whether our demands are met,” floor leader Park Chan-dae said. The party originally set Christmas Eve as the deadline for Han to promulgate two special bills investigating suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol ́s short-lived imposition of martial law, as well as graft allegations surrounding his wife, Kim Keon Hee. The conservative leader was stripped of his duties by parliament on December 14 following his brief declaration of martial law 11 days earlier, which plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades. Yoon is now waiting for a decision by the Consitutional Court, which requires six votes in favour from its nine-member bench in order for the impeachment motion to be passed. Currently three seats are empty, and can be appointed. But Han, who stepped in to replace Yoon, rejected the opposition ́s demand at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, insisting on bipartisan agreements for the two bills. Han ́s stance “left us no other option but to interpret it as his intention to continue the insurrection by delaying proceedings”, Park told a press briefing earlier. Yoon is currently under investigation by a joint team comprising police, the defence ministry, and anti-corruption investigators. On Tuesday, Yoon Jong-kun, the Democratic Party spokesperson told reporters that the impeachment motion against Han had been “unanimously adopted” as the party ́s official stance. The reasons for impeachment include not only rejecting the two bills but also “actively participating in and supporting the insurrection” and “attempting to exercise another form of power while the President ́s authority had not yet formally ended after the insurrection”.

Bruising year

( MENAFN - Jordan Times) LONDON - Last month, I wrote about the central role of inflation trends in the outlook for the world Economy in 2024 and beyond. Of course, there are many additional risks, which is why the forecasting community is hedging its projections with sensible caveats about various“known unknowns”. Chief among these are the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, the uncertainty about China, and looming elections in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. With respect to inflation, I offered a cautiously optimistic outlook based on recent reports showing that many underlying indicators appeared to be moving in a promising direction. Since then, however, the latest monthly inflation data (for December) in the eurozone, the United Kingdom, and the US have surprised on the upside. That has given pause to many policymakers, investors, and analysts after weeks of markets pricing in large interest-rate cuts this year. Finally, I concluded by mentioning that it would be a pleasant surprise if wage gains in many countries persisted, despite the improving inflation outlook, without contributing to a fresh, more sustained rise in prices. Of course, most economists and central bankers would put little store in this scenario unless there was clear evidence of a much-needed uptick in productivity across the Western world (and beyond). Without additional productivity, they would warn, real (inflation- adjusted) wage gains cannot be sustained without becoming inflationary. Nonetheless, I find myself holding on to the same hope I had last month. After all, productivity data arrive with a lag, so it would be quite risky for central bankers to react too strongly to continued wage gains, such as by declaring that they will maintain a more restrictive monetary policy than they otherwise would have done. Specifically, there are three good reasons to adopt a wait-and-see posture. First, although forecasters failed to anticipate the persistent weakness in productivity over the past two decades, it is only recently that they seem to have given up signalling an expectation that it will start to recover. Second, there are obvious reasons for thinking that productivity will eventually improve, even if most have given up hope. Just look at the big developments in artificial intelligence, the shift to alternative energies, the change in working patterns since the start of the pandemic, and policymakers' renewed focus on initiatives explicitly designed to boost productivity. True, the data have yet to show that these developments are bearing fruit; but, again, the gains from new technologies often take time to work their way through the economy - and into official statistics. The third reason to hold off on monetary tightening concerns the social and human aspects of the wages and productivity issue. As we know from debates about the sources of growing anxiety and economic insecurity across many democracies, median real wages have performed poorly in recent decades. This trend has clearly played a big role in the public's growing disillusionment with“capitalism” and“globalisation”, and in the rising support for more radical and populist political parties and movements. It follows that an increase in real wages would help to moderate political attitudes. Repressing wages simply because of a belief that they are unjustified would be dangerous. Will the improvement in inflation be sustained? Though the December inflation figures came in higher than expected, the preceding months had shown sharper-than-expected declines. If one examines the smoother underlying measures of trend inflation, as well as surveys of inflation expectations, the outlook remains quite promising. As for the other cyclical factors, three things stand out to me as we approach the end of January. First, Chinese economic data and financial-market performance remain generally disappointing despite stronger efforts by the authorities to support a robust recovery. Second, in the US, most (though not all) economic indicators continue to come in stronger than expected. That is a relief, even if it isn't alleviating the uncertainty among many commentators who worry that the recent positive trends may not be sustainable. Markets, too, have had a jittery start to the year. According to the so-called five-day rule (whereby a net gain for the S&P 500 in the first five trading days of January bodes well for the next 12 months), there is only a 50 per cent chance that this will be a positive year for stocks. Yes, this is far from a scientific truth. But, as I have noted previously, a positive start has predicted a positive year more than 85 per cent of the time, going back decades. Lastly, despite the worrying issues in the Middle East and Ukraine, commodity-price volatility has remained remarkably subdued. Perhaps there are some odd technical supply-demand factors that account for this. But whatever the case, the relative stability is discernible across many markets. Most key commodities, as well as the recognised major commodity indices, are down compared to a year ago. That, too, is slightly reassuring. Jim O'Neill, a former chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management and a former UK treasury minister, is a member of the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2024. MENAFN30112024000028011005ID1108942277 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.NEW YORK: China is determined to continue growing its influence on the world stage. And the United States, under incoming president Donald Trump, presents it with the opportunity to do just that – in climate action. A long-time sceptic of climate change , Trump had already left a void to fill in his first term. In 2017, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, stating that he served the people "of Pittsburgh, not Paris". In response, China affirmed its commitment to the landmark climate agreement and called for continued global cooperation. China has also embraced a notably progressive rhetorical stance. In 2017, China started to describe itself as a "participant, contributor and leader" in international environmental governance – the first time it described itself as a leader. While the US may regress in its international climate action over the next four years, China cannot rest on its laurels if it truly aspires to become a global leader. AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY IN NEW MARKETS China has far outpaced its competitors in producing low-carbon technologies, which positions it as a key player in helping developing countries speed up their clean energy transitions. China controls a majority share of the global market for green technologies. Currently, it supplies more than 80 per cent of the world's solar manufacturing capacity and leads in wind turbines, batteries and electric vehicles . Its rise in this field is supported by domestic economic policies that actively promote the "new three” industries – solar, electric vehicles and batteries – as drivers of economic development at a time when traditional economic drivers like real estate have become more unstable. Though Europe and the US continue to place tariffs and restrictions on Chinese imports and worry about overcapacity, China and its affordable green technology will still look attractive to markets in developing countries. Though these new markets offer opportunities, China must still court them as partners. It’s imperative to build up strong relationships to avoid criticisms of dumping renewable technologies, such as by demonstrating interest in investing in production hubs as it has in Southeast Asia. At the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in September, China committed to establishing 30 renewable energy projects, demonstrative of the reach China is trying to achieve. MONEY TALKS China can also play a bigger role in climate finance – the overarching theme at the COP29 climate conference in November. In Baku, China played a key role in negotiations by encouraging parties to resolve disputes around the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), a new climate finance goal that aims to bridge gaps in accessibility and prioritise developing countries' needs. China reinforced the importance of multilateral frameworks and argued that developed countries should still take the lead in climate finance contributions on account of the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. COP29 parties were able to agree on a new goal consisting of two parts: Increasing “core” financing from the original US$100 billion to at least US$300 billion annually by 2035 , and an “additional layer” of up to US$1.3 trillion primarily encompassing private financing. While this was criticised by some developing countries for its lack of ambition, the NCQG outcome nevertheless reflected progress. Importantly, the COP29 deal was achieved with China willing to count its south-south and multilateral development bank finance in towards the new finance goal. This represents a significant step forward. China has also, for the first time, publicly announced its climate finance contributions. At COP29, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said that China has provided and mobilised 177 billion yuan (more than US$24 billion) in support of climate action in the Global South since 2016. According to a report by the World Resources Institute, China voluntarily provided and mobilised US$45 billion from 2013 to 2022 to support efforts to curb emissions or adapt to climate impacts in developing countries, amounting to roughly 6 per cent of the total climate finance from developed countries during the same 10-year period. As a developing country itself, China does not have a responsibility to provide climate finance but its voluntary contributions to other developing countries help it garner a reputation for being vested in advancing collective action. One challenge involves being viewed as pursuing more “debt trap diplomacy”, the accusation of using unsustainable loans for strategic control that has dogged the Belt and Road Initiative. China must provide its climate finance contributions with intentionality and carefully offer finance that takes into account the vulnerability of developing nations. DOES CHINA WALK THE WALK? But can China credibly be seen as a global climate action leader if it is also the world’s largest carbon emitter? China will have to show that it walks the walk. World coal use is set to hit a record high in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency on Dec 18. China accounts for more than half of global coal demand – due to increasing demand for electricity despite 44 per cent coming from renewable sources – and about half of global coal production. China’s official target is to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2060, though some experts believe the peak could come as early as 2025 or 2026. The next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), or domestic climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, are due in February 2025. Key to building on the momentum of China’s clean technology dominance and climate finance contribution will be a robust and ambitious NDC. Stepping up with greater domestic commitments to curb emissions and accelerate progression towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement can help bolster its credibility. The world will soon see how ready China is to be the global climate leader. Taylah Bland is Senior Program Officer, China Climate Hub and Fellow on Climate, Energy, and the Environment with the Asia Society Policy Institute Center for China Analysis.