A flood-affected woman prepares food in Jamshoro district in Pakistan's Sindh province on Sept. 8, 2022. (Str/Xinhua/IANS)
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the number of people experiencing food insecurity is projected to increase to 8.5 million between September and December….reports Asian Lite News
A new report from the World Bank has revealed that an alarming six million people in Pakistan are currently experiencing acute food insecurity as a result of the devastating floods that hit the country last year.
The floods, which took place between June and August 2022, resulted in the death of more than 11 million livestock and the destruction of over 9.4 million acres of cropland in the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh, which are already among the most food-insecure regions in the country, Samaa TV reported.
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the number of people experiencing food insecurity is projected to increase to 8.5 million between September and December.
A flood-affected man with children eats food at a makeshift tent in Jamshoro district in Pakistan’s Sindh province on Sept. 8, 2022.(Str/Xinhua/IANS)
The World Bank’s food security update, issued in January 2023, also highlighted a significant increase in food inflation in Pakistan.
The food inflation rose from 8.3 per cent in October 2021 and 15.3 per cent in March 2022 to 31.7 per cent in September 2022, and then to 35 per cent in December 2022.
The report attributed the high food inflation to the high incidence of climatological shocks, the depletion of foreign currency reserves, and the depreciation of local currencies, which have made healthy food less affordable in South Asia.
The update also noted that food production in the region has been widely disrupted by the floods caused by higher-than-normal monsoon rains in some parts of South Asia and less-than-normal rainfall in other parts.
In December 2022, year-on-year consumer price inflation for food prices was 7.9 per cent in Bangladesh, 7.4 per cent in Nepal, 35.5 per cent in Pakistan, and 64.4 per cent in Sri Lanka.
The World Bank has urged the government and international community to take urgent action to address the growing food insecurity crisis in Pakistan, Samaa TV reported.
The President said as G20 represents about two-thirds of the world population and around 85 per cent of global GDP, it is an ideal forum to discuss and find solutions for global challenges…reports Asian Lite News
Noting that the world has started to look at India with new sense of respect, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that India’s G20 presidency is an opportunity to promote democracy and multilateralism and the premier forum for international economic cooperation will be able to enhance its efforts to build a more equitable world order.
In her address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Republic Day, the President said the respect that India has earned on the world stage has resulted in new opportunities as well as responsibilities. “As a result of a series of initiatives in recent years to transform all aspects of governance and unleash creative energies of people, the world has started to look at India with a new sense of respect. Our interventions in various world forums have started making a positive difference. The respect that India has earned on the world stage has resulted in new opportunities as well as responsibilities. This year, as you know, India holds the presidency of the Group of 20 nations,” she said.
President Murmu said that with its motto of universal brotherhood, India stands for peace and prosperity of all. This was her first address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day.
“G20 presidency is an opportunity to promote democracy and multilateralism and the right forum for shaping a better world and a better future. Under India’s leadership, I am sure, G20 will be able to further enhance its efforts to build a more equitable and sustainable world order,” she said.
The President said as G20 represents about two-thirds of the world population and around 85 per cent of global GDP, it is an ideal forum to discuss and find solutions for global challenges.
“To my mind, global warming and climate change are the most pressing among them. Global temperatures are rising and incidents of extreme weather are increasing. We are faced with the dilemma: To lift more and more people out of poverty, we need economic growth, but that growth also comes from fossil fuel. Unfortunately, the poor bear the brunt of global warming more than others,” she said.
“Developing and popularizing alternative sources of energy is one of the solutions. India has taken a commendable lead in this direction by giving a policy push to solar energy and electric vehicles. At the global level, however, emerging economies need a helping hand from advanced nations in the form of technology transfer and financial support,” she added.
India formally assumed G20 Presidency in December last year. (ANI)
Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), speaks during the third Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Moment, a high-level event that serves to place an annual spotlight on the SDGs, at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying/IANS)
The visit’s primary goal is to forge links between the General Assembly and science, particularly on the water issue, in advance of the UN-Water Conference in March..reports Asian Lite News
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi is all set to make an official visit to India from January 29 to 31 and will hold key meetings on priorities of the General Assembly.
During his visit, the UNGA President will meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, while continuing on topics raised during their last meeting in December like India’s engagement with the UN body, the official statement of the UNGA read. These priorities are also expected to be on the agenda when Korosi visits India’s G20 Secretariat, and meets with a delegation led by Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa.
His trip will also include conversations with government officials, leading national scientists and academics, and include field visits related to sustainable water use, according to the UNGA statement.
President Korosi’s official visit, at the invitation of the Indian government, coincides with the assassination anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Martyrs’ Day, which the President will commemorate by laying a wreath at Rajghat.
Among his other public appearances in New Delhi, Korosi will give a public address at the Indian Council of World Affairs under the theme of his priorities for the current General Assembly session, which is “Solutions through Solidarity, Sustainability and Science,” the official statement said.
The visit’s primary goal is to forge links between the General Assembly and science, particularly on the water issue, in advance of the UN-Water Conference in March.
The President will discuss India’s water conservation projects with senior officials and experts at the National Institute for Transforming India, otherwise known as NITI Aayog, a commission whose primary responsibility is to implement and coordinate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) efforts in India.
The President is scheduled to participate in field visits in Bengaluru, where he will visit a water project site. While in the city, the President will also interact with national scientists and academics at the Indian Institute of Science.
The President will also meet with the UN Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp.
During the visit, Korosi will be joined by his Chef de Cabinet, Laszlo Szoke, the Chief Scientific Advisor, Johannes Cullmann, and two senior office colleagues.
Notably, the costs of the visit are covered by the Government and the OPGA Trust Fund. All efforts are made to keep the President’s trips as cost, time and environmentally efficient as possible.
Meanwhile, after wrapping up his India visit, Korosi will head to China, where he will visit the International Research Centre of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, which facilitates the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In China, the UNGA President will also meet with senior government officials in the country.
Later Korosi is slated to visit Japan in the middle of February where the UNGA President will participate in a conference on water resilience, among other objectives, the official statement read. (ANI)
As the world’s largest democracy celebrates her 74th Republic Day, leaders of the world congratulated the people of India wished them the very best…reports Asian Lite News
Indian constitution an inspiration
Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid extended greetings to the Indian government and the people.
Taking to his Twitter handle, Maldivian Foreign Minister called the success of the Indian constitution “an inspiration for nations.” “The success of the Indian Constitution is an inspiration for nations. And the Indian democracy has not only survived, but is thriving. Our warmest felicitations to the Gov & people of #India on the 74th Republic Day. Wishing India peace, progress & prosperity,” he tweeted.
Maldives High Commission in India also extended greetings on the occasion of 74th Republic Day.
Maldives High Commission in India tweeted, “Warmest greetings and heartiest felicitations to the Government and the friendly people of India on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day of India. May the special friendship between the two countries continue to prosper. #RepublicDay2023@AmbShaheeb @MoFAmv.”
Musical tribute by US Embassy in India
The US Embassy in India commemorated the India’s 74th Republic Day on Thursday by releasing a beautiful rendition of the country’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’.
Taking to their official Instagram handle, they shared the melodious song, crooned by singer and composer Pavithra Chari, who was featured on a 2023 Grammy-nominated album. The song was accompanied by an aesthetic music video and featured US diplomats on the instruments. In it, US Officers Raghavan was seen playing the flute while Stephanie was on the guitar.
“Happy 74th Republic Day India ! We are celebrating India’s #RepublicDay with a rendition of India’s national song Vande Mataram!” wrote the Indian US Embassy in the Insta post’s caption.
They added, “U.S. Officers Raghavan (flute) and Stephanie (acoustic guitar) team up with @pavithra.chari, singer and composer featured on a @recordingacademy nominated album this year. She is also a U.S. State Department’s @1beatmusic exchange program alum!”
Greetings from Sultan of Brunei
Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on Thursday extended Republic Day gretings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he looked forward to further deepen the bilateral ties with India.
“I am very pleased to send my warmest congratulations to Your Excellency and to the Government and people of the Republic of India on your Republic Day,” read a press release addressed to Prime Minister Modi from Brunei’s Sultanh. Brunei is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
The Sultan talked about the longstanding friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of India.
“I look forward to exploring more opportunities to further deepen our bilateral ties,” said the release issued on the official website of Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“India is a long-standing partner of ASEAN, and I am pleased that we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of our Dialogue Relations last year. Throughout the years, our partnership has seen immense growth. Therefore, I look forward to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership toward achieving our shared goals for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” Brunei’s Sultan said in the release.
“With my kindest regards and very best wishes for your continued good health and happiness, as well as peace, progress and prosperity for the people of the Republic of India,” the release further read.
Israeli diplomats extend wishes in several languages
Israel’s Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, on Thursday extended his Republic day wishes to Indians. He said that India and Israel share a great strategic partnership and that love and respect between the two goes beyond diplomacy.
“Based on the history of our two ancient civilizations, India and Israel share a great strategic partnership. The love and respect between our people go beyond diplomacy. Israel wishes all Indians a very happy Republic Day,” Gilon said in a video released by the Embassy of Israel in India on its official Twitter handle @IsraelinIndia. Ohad Nakash Kaynar, Israel’s Deputy Chief of Mission, wished a happy Republic day to all Indian citizens in the Punjabi language.
Hagar Spiro-Tal, Israeli political advisor, extended her wishes to Indians in Rajasthani. Muhamed Heib, Israeli spokesperson extended his Republic day wishes in Bengali.
On Wednesday Israel shared a video address in Hindi featuring Ambassador David Saranga, Head of Digital Diplomacy Bureau in the Foreign Ministry of Israel, speaking on Artificial Innovation in Hindi. Through the video, the country highlighted how artificial intelligence (AI) has eased communication in various languages.
Deep friendship message from Australia
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has extended greetings on the occasion of India’s Republic Day.
“Australia and India share a deep friendship – dosti. Today on Republic Day, I extend my best wishes to my good friend @DrSJaishankar and to the people of India and all who celebrate around the world today,” Penny Wong said in a tweet. Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended greetings on the Republic Day.
In a message, he called it a “moment” to honour the “rich culture and impressive achievements of modern India.” Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell shared Anthony Albanese’s message on Twitter.
In the message, Albanese said, “It’s a chance for all those of Indian heritage, including Australia’s diverse and vibrant diaspora communities, to unite around their shared love of India and their shared faith in its future.”
He further stated, “It’s also a reminder of everything our shared future holds, all that we have to look forward to as we continue to strengthen and deepen our ties.”
At the release of the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report are, from left, Shantanu Mukherjee, Director of the Economic Analysis and Policy Division, r., UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, and Hamid Rashid, Chief of the Global Economic Monitoring Branch. (Photo Source: UN)
Rashid attributed the Indian economy’s growth to three factors: falling unemployment that signals strong domestic demand; easing of inflation, and lower import bills…reports Arul Louis
As the fastest-growing major economy at a clip of 5.8 per cent this year, India is a “bright spot” when the world economy is expected to grow by only 1.9 per cent, according to the UN’s chief official monitoring the global economy.
For next year, the UN is projecting a growth rate of 6.7 per cent, a “very high growth relative to other G20 member countries”, the group of the large developed and emerging economies headed by India, said Hamid Rashid, the Chief of the Global Economic Monitoring Branch, on Wednesday.
Meanwhile in New Delhi, India’s President Droupudi Murmu credited India’s economic performance to its leadership.
“India has been among the fastest-growing major economies because of the timely and proactive interventions of the government. The ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, in particular, has evoked great response among the people at large,” Murmu said in her Republic Day speech.
Briefing reporters at the release of the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report, Rashid said that India’s growth trajectory will be “good” for attaining the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for poverty reduction and development.
China, which came in second, is projected to grow by 4.8 per cent this year and 4.5 next year, according to the WESP, the UN’s flagship economic report.
The US economy is projected to grow by 0.4 per cent this year and 1.7 per cent the next, while for developed economies as a whole, the report cut the growth rate projected in May by 0.2 per cent to 0.4 per cent this year and 1.6 per cent next year, a reduction of 1.7 per cent.
Rashid attributed the Indian economy’s growth to three factors: falling unemployment that signals strong domestic demand; easing of inflation, and lower import bills.
He said that the “unemployment rate has come down significantly in the last four years” to 6.4 per cent and “that means the domestic demand has been pretty strong”.
The WESP said that this occurred because “the economy added jobs both in urban and rural areas in 2022”.
“The inflation pressure also has eased quite significantly,” Rashid said with the year-on-year inflation rate to be 5.5 per cent this year and 5 per cent next year.
“That means that the central bank would not have to be aggressive over monetary tightening,” he said.
India has also benefitted to from lower imports, especially energy import cost that has been lower than in previous years, he added.
“I think this is a sustainable growth rate for India, given India also has a significant number of people living in poverty. So this would be a great boost if India can sustain this growth rate in the near term,” Rashid said.
He also pointed to two risk factors for India’s economy mainly emanating from the global situation.
One is from higher interest rates that would raise the debt servicing cost which has exceeded 20 per cent of the budget, he said.
“That is a significantly high debt servicing cost and that would probably have some drag on the growth prospect,” he said.
The second risk is from global external demands falling.
If Europe and the US go into a very slow growth mode resulting in lower global exports, the world economy may suffer, Rashid said.
“But on the balance, we believe that Indian economy is on a strong footing given the strong domestic demand in the near term,” he said.
For South Asia as a whole, the report said the region’s “economic outlook has significantly deteriorated due to high food and energy prices, monetary tightening and fiscal vulnerabilities” and it forecast a 4.8 per cent growth year and 5.9 per cent next year.
This was buoyed by India as the report said, “The prospects are more challenging for other economies in the region. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka sought financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2022.”
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have gone to the International Monetary Fund for help.
Rashid said, “We call for greater international support in this difficult time for countries, especially countries that are facing significant challenges with debt burden and again we call for more meaningful restructuring of debt.”
“It might be more prudent and may make more economic sense to re-profile the debt, reschedule the debt, (the) external debt burden,” he said.
But he said that the assistance should not go into consumption, but into investment in “productive capacity (that) can be very important driver of both short-term recovery and long-term resilience”.
Ukrainian and Finnish Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Sauli Niinisto.(photo:Instagram)
The President informed his Finnish counterpart about the current situation at the frontline of Russia’s ongoing invasion…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his visiting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto discussed security issues during their meeting in Kiev.
Zelensky and Niinisto talked about regional security, the issues that directly affect the security of Ukraine and Finland, and bilateral defence cooperation.
Zelensky thanked Finland for providing 12 defence assistance packages for Ukraine and helping in restoring Ukraine’s energy sector after the Russian strikes.
Vierailu Ukrainaan on päättynyt. Paljon samansuuntaista ajattelua presidentti Zelenskyin kanssa, sekä sodasta että rauhasta. pic.twitter.com/XAEASp9z64
The President informed his Finnish counterpart about the current situation at the frontline of Russia’s ongoing invasion.
“We also discussed Finland’s participation in the coalition of countries aimed to provide Ukraine with modern Western tanks,” Zelensky said.
For his part, Niinisto informed that Finland has provided assistance worth almost 600 million euros ($653 million) for the war-torn nation and has sheltered about 50,000 Ukrainian citizens.
Tapasin tänään Ukrainan presidentti Zelenskyin Kiovassa. Keskustelimme Venäjän hyökkäyssodan ajankohtaisesta tilanteesta ja Ukrainan tarvitsemasta tuesta.
During their talks, the parties also touched upon the issues of Kiev’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration and exchanged their views on the Ukrainian Peace Formula proposed by Zelensky in November 2022.
Niinisto arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for his first visit since the war began on February 24, 2022.
Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand prime minister on Wednesday, with his predecessor Jacinda Ardern officially tendering her resignation…reports Asian Lite News
As the inflation grips New Zealand, newly sworn-in Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Wednesday that tackling the “inflation pandemic” will be his top priority.
The ‘bread-and-butter’ issues that New Zealanders are most concerned about are needed to be addressed, Hipkins told a press conference after his first cabinet meeting as Prime Minister.
Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand prime minister on Wednesday, with his predecessor Jacinda Ardern officially tendering her resignation.
The swearing-in ceremony held at the Government House saw Hipkins officially taking up the top job and Carmel Sepuloni becoming the deputy prime minister.
The unchanged inflation figure of 7.2 percent in the 12 months to December 2022, released on Wednesday, confirmed this is “the right immediate focus” for the government he led, Hipkins said.
The level of inflation was clearly not sustainable, he said, adding the cost-of-living pressures have been caused by the global economic situation.
Hipkins also compared the 7.2 per cent inflation in New Zealand with 7.8 per cent in Australia, 10.5 per cent in Britain, 10.3 per cent as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average, 11.1 per cent in the European Union.
As Prime Minister, he will talk with businesses in Auckland on Thursday, with global worker shortage expected to be one of main topics.
Hipkins will reshuffle the cabinet next week.
Besides the top leadership role, he himself will be the minister of national security and intelligence.
Announcing her resignation last week, Ardern said after five and a half years of the top leadership role, she could not keep going for another year or term after careful consideration.
Hipkins said on Tuesday he and Ardern have reflected on the last few years, adding “it’s a bittersweet moment”.
New Zealand’s 2023 General Election will be held on October 14.
The two leaders also praised “the long-standing friendship and partnership” between Israel and Jordan..reports Asian Lite News
King Abdullah II of Jordan stressed the need to maintain calm and cease all acts of violence to pave the way for the Middle East peace process.
At a meeting in Amman with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, the king stressed the importance of respecting the historical and legal status quo in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to maintain peace.
The king stressed Jordan’s steadfast position in supporting the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 border, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace.
In a statement issued by Netanyahu’s office, the two leaders discussed regional issues and “especially strategic, security and economic cooperation between Israel and Jordan, which contributes to regional stability”.
The two leaders also praised “the long-standing friendship and partnership” between Israel and Jordan, the office said.
Jordan was the second Arab nation to normalise relations with Israel, but tensions have increased between the two countries since the inauguration of the Israeli right-wing coalition government in December 2022.
Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Jan. 3, angering the Palestinians and drawing a slew of global condemnations.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for preserving the status quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites and the two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel issue.
“I had the occasion to reaffirm that we must preserve the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem and that it is essential to preserve the two-state solution to avoid any initiative that might put at risk the two-state solution,” Guterres said after meeting with the Permanent Representatives of the Extended Troika of the Arab Group at the UN headquarters in New York.
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, known to the Jewish people as the Temple Mount, is sacred to both Muslims and Jews.
Guterres added that the UN “recognise the right of Israel to exist and to live in security”.
At the same time, “the construction of settlements, the evictions, destruction of homes are creating an enormous anger and frustration not only of the Palestinian people but further afield”.
Maha ATS busts Bangladeshi human trafficking racket
In addition to reducing opportunities for human traffickers to operate, the pandemic may have weakened law enforcement capacities to detect victims…reports Asian Lite News
For the first time in 20 years, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a decline in the number of detected human trafficking victims as there were fewer opportunities for traffickers to operate and some trafficking forms were less likely to be detected, a UN report has revealed.
The number of trafficking victims identified globally dropped by 11 per cent in 2020 from the previous year, driven by “fewer detections in low and medium-income countries”, according to the report published by the Vienna-based UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In addition to reducing opportunities for human traffickers to operate, the pandemic may have weakened law enforcement capacities to detect victims, it said.
Hot off the press 📰
The @UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022 is out!
Did you know that it’s based on the largest database available worldwide?
The report, based on data from 141 countries, also showed a drop in the number of cases of trafficking for sexual exploitation during the health crisis.
The pandemic-induced restrictions may have pushed such crimes into “more concealed and less safe locations”, it said.
The number of persons convicted of human trafficking globally also fell by 27 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019, with sharper decreases registered in South Asia, Central America, the Caribbean and South America.
UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said in a statement that the pandemic had “increased vulnerabilities to trafficking in persons, further undercutting capacities to rescue victims and bring criminals to justice”.
She called on the UN and the donor community to support national authorities, particularly those in developing countries, to respond to trafficking threats and to identify and protect victims.
The WHO also called on regulators and governments to ensure that all medical products on the market in their countries are approved for sale by competent authorities…reports Asian Lite News
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent call for countries to crack down on substandard medical products, after more than 300 children died in multiple countries due to contaminated cough syrups.
Over the past four months, the WHO said, several incidents have been reported of over-the-counter cough syrups for children contaminated with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG), Xinhua news agency reported.
“These are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents, which can be fatal ingested even in small amounts, and should never be found in medicines.”
The cases were found in at least seven countries, and the fatalities took place in the Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan. Most cases were young children under the age of five.
WHO is releasing an urgent call to action to countries to prevent, detect and respond to incidents of substandard and falsified medical products.
The WHO has already issued three global medical product alerts regarding these incidents since October 2022, and has identified six drug companies in India and Indonesia that produced the syrups.
“These are not isolated incidents,” the WHO said, calling on key stakeholders in the medical supply chain to take immediate and coordinated action.
Countries should detect and remove contaminated medicines from circulation, the WHO said, and increase surveillance and diligence within the supply chains.
They should also immediately notify WHO if substandard products are discovered, and inform the public of the dangers and toxic effects of the medicines concerned.
The WHO also called on regulators and governments to ensure that all medical products on the market in their countries are approved for sale by competent authorities, and obtainable from authorized suppliers.
Meanwhile, manufacturers of medicines should only purchase pharmaceutical grade excipients from qualified and bona fide suppliers, the WHO said. Comprehensive testing should be conducted when supplies are received, and before use in the manufacture of finished products.
Suppliers and distributors of medical products should always check for signs of falsification, and verify the physical condition of medicines and other health products. Only medicines authorized by competent authorities should be distributed or sold, the WHO said.
