Recent data reveals a concerning discrepancy in transplant outcomes between individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds and those of Caucasian descent…reports Asian Lite News
In a bid to bolster the registry of lifesaving stem cell donors, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging young Black African, Black Caribbean, and Asian men to step forward and register as potential donors. This appeal is prompted by the critical shortage of these donors, especially among young men, whose stem cells are known to enhance transplant success rates significantly.
Blood stem cell transplants play a pivotal role in the treatment of various blood cancers, offering a lifeline to patients facing conditions that compromise their bone marrow’s ability to generate healthy blood cells. Diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, and multiple myeloma can be effectively treated through stem cell transplants.
Recent data reveals a concerning discrepancy in transplant outcomes between individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds and those of Caucasian descent. Only 37% of transplant recipients from minority backgrounds manage to secure the optimal stem cell donor match from unrelated donors, while nearly 72% of Caucasian individuals achieve the same.
The critical need for more young male donors arises from clinical evidence suggesting that transplants from young men yield higher success rates due to the provision of larger quantities of healthy stem cells. Currently, an overwhelming 75% of successful stem cell donors are males under the age of 30, yet a mere 12% of individuals on the UK’s combined stem cell registry fall into this category.
The scarcity of suitable matches within families further underscores the urgency of expanding the donor pool. Although approximately 30% of patients find matches within their own families, when familial matches are unavailable, the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR) becomes the last resort.
Khaled El-Ghariani, Consultant in Haematology and Transfusion Medicine at NHS Blood and Transplant, emphasized the critical role young Black and Asian men can play, stating, “Your generosity and good health could save a stranger’s life.”
Young male donors are prioritized by transplant centers due to their ability to provide higher stem cell yields, attributed to their typically larger physiques. Younger individuals are also less likely to have medical conditions that could disqualify them from donating. Furthermore, patients in need of stem cell transplants are more likely to find a match among donors of similar ethnicities.
Abrar Ali, a 27-year-old from Wandsworth, London, shared his experience as a blood stem cell donor, highlighting how a simple choice to help others can lead to a life-changing act of generosity. “Donating stem cells was such a straightforward process and extremely rewarding,” he emphasized.
NHS Blood and Transplant is now actively seeking male stem cell donors under 40, particularly from Black, Asian, and Mixed Ethnicity backgrounds. To register with the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR), individuals can simply inform the staff during their next blood donation session.
For those who do not meet the criteria, alternative registries such as Anthony Nolan and DKMS are available. More information on the stem cell donation process can be found on the NHS Blood and Transplant website, offering an opportunity to make a profound and anonymous difference in the lives of those battling life-threatening diseases.
Michelle Obama said that the decision to strike down race-based affirmative action in college admissions “breaks her heart” thinking about the future of students, reports Asian Lite News
The US Supreme Court on Thursday struck down race-based admission programs at the University of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, The Washington Post reported.
This comes amid reports of the university’s policies discriminating against White and Asian applicants by giving preference to Black, Hispanic and Native American ones. In a 6-3 judgement, the apex court gutted affirmative action in college admissions, that use race as a factor.
The majority voting judges included Chief Justice John G Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
“The student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual–not on the basis of race,” Chief Justice John G Roberts said in the ruling while writing for the majority.
“Many universities have for too long done just the opposite. And in doing so, they have concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individual’s identity is not challenged bested, skills built, or lessons learned but the colour of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice,” the order stated.
Roberts said the admissions programs at Harvard and UNC “lack sufficiently focused and measurable objectives warranting the use of race, unavoidably employ race in a negative manner, involve racial stereotyping, and lack meaningful endpoints.”
“University programs must comply with strict scrutiny, they may never use race as a stereotype or negative, and — at some point — they must end,” he wrote.
In a dissenting stand, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said in defence that “equal educational opportunity” is a “prerequisite” to achieving racial equality in our nation.
“Today, this Court stands in the way and rolls back decades of precedent and momentous progress. It holds that race can no longer be used in a limited way in college admissions to achieve such critical benefits. In so holding, the Court cements a superficial rule of colourblindness as a constitutional principle in an endemically segregated society where race has always mattered and continues to matter,” she said in the ruling.
Along with Sotomayor, Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson also dissented against the ruling. However, Jackson recused herself from the Harvard case because she served on a board at the university, The Post reported.
In the North Carolina case, Students for Fair Admissions alleged that the flagship university’s policies discriminated against White and Asian applicants by giving preference to Black, Hispanic and Native American ones, The Post reported.
On the other hand, the case against Harvard accused the university of discriminating against Asian American students by employing subjective standards to limit the numbers accepted.
Notably, the issue of affirmative action has long been a matter of debate in the US.
As recently as 2016, the court upheld an affirmative action program at the University of Texas, concluding for the third time that educational diversity justifies the consideration of race as one factor in admission decisions.
The ruling has also drawn reactions from the political circles, and contrary from both sides.
Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama expressed disappointment at the apex court’s ruling to gut affirmative action from college admissions.
“Like any policy, affirmative action wasn’t perfect. But it allowed generations of students like Michelle and me to prove we belonged. Now it’s up to all of us to give young people the opportunities they deserve — and help students everywhere benefit from new perspectives,” Obama said in a succinct statement, also providing links to various organizations focused on equality in education.
Affirmative action was never a complete answer in the drive towards a more just society. But for generations of students who had been systematically excluded from most of America’s key institutions—it gave us the chance to show we more than deserved a seat at the table.
Expressing disappointment, former first lady Michelle Obama in a lengthier statement recalled being one of the few black students in her college.
In a lengthier statement, the former first lady took a more personal tone.
“Back in college, I was one of the few Black students on my campus, and I was proud of getting into such a respected school. I knew I’d worked hard for it. But still, I sometimes wondered if people thought I got there because of affirmative action. It was a shadow that students like me couldn’t shake, whether those doubts came from the outside or inside our own minds,” she said.
“But the fact is this: I belonged. And semester after semester, decade after decade, for more than half a century, countless students like me showed they belonged, too. It wasn’t just the kids of colour who benefitted, either. Every student who heard a perspective they might not have encountered, who had an assumption challenged, and who had their minds and their hearts opened gained a lot as well. It wasn’t perfect, but there’s no doubt that it helped offer new ladders of opportunity for those who, throughout our history, have too often been denied a chance to show how fast they can climb,” she further said.
Michelle Obama said that those students who get accepted into universities due to legacy, athletics and resources are not questioned in the same way.
“So often, we just accept that money, power, and privilege are perfectly justifiable forms of affirmative action, while kids growing up like I did are expected to compete when the ground is anything but level,” she said.
She further added that the decision “breaks her heart” thinking about the future of students.
“So today, my heart breaks for any young person out there who’s wondering what their future holds — and what kinds of chances will be open to them. And while I know the strength and grit that lies inside kids who have always had to sweat a little more to climb the same ladders, I hope and I pray that the rest of us are willing to sweat a little, too. Today is a reminder that we’ve got to do the work not just to enact policies that reflect our values of equity and fairness, but to truly make those values real in all of our schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, former President and 2024 contender Donald Trump hailed the SC ruling, calling it a “great day” for the nation, adding that it will “keep us competitive with the rest of the world”.
“This is a great day for America. People with extraordinary ability and everything else necessary for success, including future greatness for our country, are finally being rewarded. This is the ruling everyone was waiting and hoping for and the result was amazing. It will also keep us competitive with the rest of the world. Our greatest minds must be cherished and that’s what this wonderful day has brought. We’re going back to all merit-based–and that’s the way it should be!” CNN quoted the former President.
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also hailed the court’s ruling, saying that the justices “just ruled that no American should be denied educational opportunities because of race.”
Taking to Twitter, McCarthy said, “The Supreme Court just ruled that no American should be denied educational opportunities because of race. Now students will be able to compete based on equal standards and individual merit. This will make the college admissions process fairer and uphold equality under the law”.
The Supreme Court just ruled that no American should be denied educational opportunities because of race.
Now students will be able to compete based on equal standards and individual merit. This will make the college admissions process fairer and uphold equality under the law.
The Biden administration – from the White House to the Department of Education – is also reviewing the affirmative action decision from the Supreme Court, CNN reported citing an administration official.
President Joe Biden last spoke about the pending case in November, when he said he urged his Justice Department to “defend the present policy before the Supreme Court”. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Cambodian Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.
India is revitalising relations with Cambodia by restoring the Angkor Wat temple complex – a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since the year 1992. India is restoring and renovating the temples in Angkor Wat as did in Sri Lanka and other countries. These are contributions which India is making outside because the civilisation of India has gone beyond its territorial boundaries. A special report by Dr Rajendra Sharma
Development need not remain limited to infrastructural linkages and roadways construction alone. It can take many different forms depending on the intent of the ruling dispensation. Some focus primarily on technological advancements while others lay emphasis on the need to better protect and revamp the nation’s cultural heritage sites. It is with the latter focus area in mind that India has reiterated its commitment to assisting the Government of Cambodia in preserving its long-standing and highly-valued heritage of ancient temples in and around the Angkor Wat complex – a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since the year 1992. Work on a similar front has been ongoing in the ancient civilisation city of Varanasi in India.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at
Angkor-Wat
Developmental aspects must also include a focus on spirituality, culture, traditions and religion as well. This is the thought process with which both the Governments of India and Cambodia have moved along, given their historic political, social, cultural, business and trade relations. The Angkor Wat temple complex in particular needs restoration not because of its significance to India but its importance and link across several countries, even beyond the South East and South Asian region. Angkor Wat, which literally means ‘City of Temples’ lay in ruins until it was rediscovered by a French explorer in the year 1860.
Recently, during the recent ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and the 17th East Asia Summit in Cambodia that took place last month, India underlined its commitment towards the ongoing upkeep work of the complex. From the Indian side, the Archaeological Survey of India is involved in the restoration work at these temples. As per the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), restoration work on some parts of the temple like the Eastern side, the South Wing, the Causeway and the Third Enclosure Gallery have been completed. At the same time, there is continuing repair work on other parts of the temple. Apart from Cambodia, ASI is involved with restoration projects in ASIAN countries like Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar as well.
The traditional identity of the temple complex has been protected with the utmost care by the locals. Located in the Siem Reap province, the Angkor Wat complex is the top tourist attraction in the Southeast Asian country. Attracting a large number of foreign and domestic visitors every year, Cambodia’s tourist circuit stands tall as one of the most important pillars of its economy as well. In the first nine months of this year, the Angkor Archaeological Park attracted 1.3 lacs foreign tourists (an increase of over 2075% over the same period last year. Earning about $5.3 million in revenue from ticket sales, it saw an increase of about 2012% over the same period of the previous year as per the official figures from the Government of Cambodia. Comparing these dismal figures with the pre[1]pandemic ones, Angkor Wat saw a footfall of 2.2 million foreign tourists and the generation of about $99 million in revenue from ticket sales.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.(photo:Hun Sen/Facebook)
There is massive potential for this heritage site to be a key attraction for foreign tourists as well as creating jobs and generating a regular source of income for locals in the tourism sector. Aiding in the same, the Government of India emphasised upon the strong association with the magnificent architectural monument in Cambodia and the need to preserve the same immediately.
In addition, the Ta Prohm temple and the Lord Shiva temple at Preah Vihear are also being restored to their former glory. Most importantly, unlike many cultural monuments, those whose redevelopment is being undertaken by the ASI are being done in the most inclusive manner as well with all kinds of special arrangements in place for those with disabilities.
All this comes in the backdrop of the commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia as well as the 30th anniversary of India-ASEAN relations. Three memoranda of understanding and one financing arrangement were signed towards cooperation in the areas of culture, biodiversity and health. An additional sum of $5 million was announced towards the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Fund, aimed at boosting engagement and relations in the fields of public health, renewable energy and smart agriculture as well. It is quite fascinating that India has been undertaking a unique kind of diplomacy with its emphasis on the Hindu and Buddhist temples found on the east coast of China, South Korea’s connection with Ayodhya as well as the powerful Khmer ruler Suryavarman II of Cambodia.
Emphasis on the same tends to connect people of different communities as temples are also institutions of propagating culture and establishing a sense of community. India is restoring and renovating the temples in Angkor Wat as in Sri Lanka and other countries. These are contributions that India is making outside because the civilisation of India has gone beyond its territorial boundaries. “So, today when we are restoring, rebuilding, and re-energising Indian civilisation, our task is not only in India. Our task is all over the world. But, it is not only where our civilisation went, it is also where our travellers went, our traders went, our people of faith went,” External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar reiterated India’s emphasis on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam “The World Is One Family” which is also the central aim of ongoing India’s G-20 presidency. Indian diaspora takes Indic culture out, take indigenous values, philosophy, and the way of life and share it with the rest of the world through activities outside. India has renewed it thrust on building and restoring temples to cement its ancient civilizational and cultural linkages with these countries, which is bound to yield positive results in foreseeable future.
Indian-origin newscaster wants blacks, Asians to head UK TV channels.(PHOTO CREDIT: Krishnan Guru-Murthy/Twitter)
Guru-Miurthy’s comments came even as Indians have become the largest non-white ethnic group in the UK…reports Asian Lite News
Pitching for diversity among senior-most executives in media houses, Indian-origin newscaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy has said that it is about time a black or Asian person runs a British television channel.
The Channel 4 news presenter said although Jewish people have been well-represented at the top levels, there are “still no black or Asian people running our biggest broadcasters”, the Guardian reported.
At the Channel 4 Inclusion Fest on Wednesday, the journalist rued that there was a monoculture among the power-makers behind-the-scenes.
“We have, I have argued before, already seen what happens when you get a lack of diversity in broadcasting management. It gets judgments wrong, or doesn’t appear to know how to react,” Guru-Murthy was reported as saying by the Guardian.
The longest-serving Channel 4 presenter, who faced racism while growing up in Lancashire in the 1980s, said that one inevitably ends up making wrong decisions due to the absence of diversity of thought at the top level.
“Like any kid who grew up as a minority, even in a relatively well off, middle class life, I’d been called racist names, pushed around and picked on by a racist bully, had NF for National Front written on my blazer and school books,” Guru-Murthy said at the fest that highlighted the issues of ethnicity, disability and transgender people in the media.
Guru-Miurthy’s comments came even as Indians have become the largest non-white ethnic group in the UK.
According to the 2021 census which was released on Tuesday, the number of Persons of Indian Origin in the UK increased to 3.1 per cent of the total population from 2.5 per cent (14.12 lakh) recorded in the 2011 census.
However, Guru-Murthy, who fronts Channel 4 News’ podcast ‘Ways to Change the World’, added that his Asian background helped him early in his career.
Last month, Guru-Murthy was taken off air for a week by Channel 4 for swearing at Conservative MP Steve Baker.
During an off-air moment, he was caught on camera calling the Northern Ireland minister a “c***” outside 10 Downing Street.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson chairs press conference in No9 Downing Street with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and the Health Secretary Sajid Javid on the day the new health and social care reforms announced. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
As I write it seems Dishy Rishy is the front runner among the Tory MPs. He could very easily top the poll as one of the two candidates who is presented to the Conservative party members to decide who takes over, as Boris Johnson put it, the greatest job in the world. But unlike Johnson, who not only topped the poll among MPs but then romped home among the activists, Rishi Sunak may find that the majority of the activists do not see him as Dishy Rishi who can move that easily from No 11 to No 10 … writes Mihir Bose
Who could have thought that? That the Conservative party, the historic right-wing party of Britain, could by this autumn have an Asian Prime Minister. If that does happen the Conservatives will be able to claim, and with some good reason, that contrary to all the claims of the Labour party to be the progressive party; it is the Conservatives that are the real radicals. It was the first one to have a woman Prime Minister, it has since had another, and should Priti Patel get elected then the Conservatives will not only have the third woman prime minister but an Asian woman. This is something that would be beyond Labour at present.
Yet such a reading of the situation would be simplistic. As I write it seems Dishy Rishy is the front runner among the Tory MPs. He could very easily top the poll as one of the two candidates who is presented to the Conservative party members to decide who takes over, as Boris Johnson put it, the greatest job in the world. But unlike Johnson, who not only topped the poll among MPs but then romped home among the activists, Rishi Sunak may find that the majority of the activists do not see him as Dishy Rishi who can move that easily from No 11 to No 10.
The scenario might unfold as follows. Liz Truss could be the candidate, who along with Sunak , goes forward from the MPs to the party membership. Among MPs Sunak may well top the poll and easily beat Truss. But this is where the divide between the MPs and the party at large could become evident. The veteran political commentator Nigel Dudley points out, “The Tory MPs cover a wider spectrum of views than the membership which tends to be the right and more insular.”
To put it more bluntly rather too bigoted and supporting an Asian Hindu to become Prime Minister may be a bridge too far for them. This is despite the fact that he is the richest member of parliament and the fact that this child of immigrants has prospered is testimony to the opportunities this country provides immigrants. All this may not be enough to overcome the deeply ingrained anti-immigrant views of the party when it comes to people of colour. For many of them it would be one thing for Sunak to be in No 11, another for him to be in No 10.
Of course if in a contest between Sunak and Truss, the party membership should opt for Truss it would mean that the party activists who have always been very anti-Europe and drove the vote for Brexit would have opted for a Remainer in Truss as against a Brexiteer in Sunak. And a Brexiteer who did not come to that view reluctantly and as a matter of convenience but has always held that view. Should against this background Truss beat Sunak it will show that for all the claims made on behalf of the Conservative party race still matters and white will always trump brown. However, even if that happens the fact that the Tory leadership race is having so many Asians and black candidates needs to be celebrated and shows that in this regard Britain is far ahead of other European countries and also, of course, America.
The greatest democracy in the world is yet to have a female President and while Kamala Harris of Asian origin is vice President her election does not suggest she is part of any new wave changing the historic nature of American politics. That is not a surprise.
Contrary to what many people believe race in Britain has always been different to that in America. Slavery was the original sin of America in the way that it never was in this country despite this country’s involvement with slavery and the rich profits it derived from it.
And while race was a driving force of British imperialism, the British did not completely shut the gate on people who were not white. This was in stark contrast to both America and south Africa. Cricket provides the best example of this. Ranji is a classic story of brown immigrant success story at the height of the empire. He came to this country towards the end of the 19th century, a commoner who was not sure his cricketing talents would be recognised. He left this country to return to India having become one of the greats of cricket and used his success as a cricketer to became a prince and gain the state of Nawanagar as his princely domain.
In contrast Americans did not allow the “Negroes” , as blacks were then called, to play major league baseball. They had to form their own “Negro League”. It was only in 1947, the year India became independent, that Jackie Robinson became the first black player to play Major League baseball. America’s continuing struggles with race shows how the country which boasts of how it takes in immigrants from round the world is still to come to terms with the descendants of the non-white immigrants.
Hidden Harms Summit . Home Secretary Priti Patel takes part in the Hidden Harms Summit via Zoom from the White Room of No10 Downing Street during Covid-19.Picture by Pippa Fowles / No 10 Downing Street
As Lord Meghnad Desai has often told me he could not achieve in America what he has done in this country. He taught at Harvard but in America he could not have been elected to the Senate. But in this country he is a member of the House of Lord’s. Racism exists in this country and many suffer from it but not to be aware that despite race doors can open is both wrong and does not help the anti-racism struggle.
The fact that the doors may not open widely enough for Rishi Sunak, or any of the other Asians standing to become the Prime Minister, does not obscure the progress we have made on race. And this progress can best be seen by the fact that Disraeli the only Jew to become Prime Minister only did so having already converted to Christianity. Should Rishi become Prime Minister he will certainly not have to give up Hinduism. He talks of his Hinduism with pride.
For the Labour party it raises important question as to why this great party of progress is so far behind the stupid party as many on the left have often called the Tories.
Cambodia to promote ASEAN's spirit as 'united family'
The Cambodian top diplomat expressed Cambodia’s readiness to assume the ASEAN chairmanship and highlighted the kingdom’s priorities across the three ASEAN community pillars…reports Asian Lite News
Cambodia, the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2022, will promote the bloc’s spirit as a “united family” in order to maintain peace and prosperity in the region and beyond, the country’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said.
Sokhonn, who is also a Deputy Prime Minister, made the remarks during a meeting in Phnom Penh with visiting Counsellor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet, Xinhua news agency quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.
The Cambodian top diplomat expressed Cambodia’s readiness to assume the ASEAN chairmanship and highlighted the kingdom’s priorities across the three ASEAN community pillars, the statement said.
“He also emphasized that the theme ‘ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together’ endeavours to promote ASEAN’s spirit as a united family with a high sense of ‘togetherness’ in upholding peace and prosperity in the region and beyond,” it said.
Meanwhile, Chollet said that American President Joe Biden is looking forward to hosting the ASEAN-US Summit in Washington D.C. in the very near future during which both sides will discuss a wide range of issues and agenda, including bilateral relations, Covid-19 response and post-pandemic recovery.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is leading the UAE delegation to COP26, said the country is grateful and honoured with the endorsement…reports Asian Lite News
The Asia Pacific Group of nations on Tuesday endorsed the UAE’s bid to host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in 2023, at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, which brings nation states together to accelerate action on the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, leading the UAE delegation to COP26, said, “We are grateful and honoured with the endorsement to host COP28 in the UAE in 2023, and look forward to the confirmation of the UNFCCC. As a young, inclusive country that celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year, we believe partnership is the key to progress and to solving global challenges. Our vision is to work with all countries to realise net economic benefits from accelerated climate change action.”
Asia Pacific Group backs UAE’s bid to host COP28
Sheikh Abdullah said, “Guided by this trust and our 30-year legacy of positive climate action, culminating in the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative announced before this year’s UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, we are even more determined as a nation to forge ever stronger partnerships, and to innovate new technologies and solutions, to bring about a more sustainable future, both for present and future generations of UAE citizens, and the citizens of countries around the world.”
30 years of climate action
For more than three decades, the UAE has acted with foresight in tackling climate change. The nation has shown unwavering commitment towards investment projects aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate challenges, and more importantly, creating a positive economic impact for its people.
A critical player in the region, the UAE is now calling for bolder action. This October, it launched the Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, an ambitious national drive to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In addition, the UAE is determined to support the international community and find practical ways to implement and drive change. It is also calling for closer analysis of future climate-related risks and “anticipatory action” – a humanitarian model that releases resources in advance of reliably predicted climate disasters.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, said, “COP 28 will be especially significant as the first stocktake of national commitments after the Paris Agreement. Our goal will be to make COP 28 as inclusive and action-oriented as possible; a solutions COP that brings together developed and developing countries and unites all sectors – public, private, academic and civil society – around a focus on tangible solutions.”
The use of renewable energy has been integral to the UAE’s multifaceted strategy to reduce emissions and ward off the worst effects of global warming. These initiatives include solar power, carbon capture and hydrocarbon energy. In recent years, the UAE has invested an estimated US$17 billion in renewable energy projects in 70 countries with a focus on developing countries.
In 2021, the UAE organised the regional climate dialogue and participated in the Leaders Summit on Climate, where it extended its commitment to sustainable agriculture and farming. Recognising that food systems account for one-third of all global carbon emissions, the UAE partnered with the US to launch the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate that has garnered the support of 30 countries to date.
The UAE is home to three of the world’s largest and lowest-cost solar plants. Whether achieving the world’s lowest-cost solar power, introducing biodiversity conservation targets, deploying commercial-scale carbon capture technology, running a zero-carbon nuclear power plant or pursuing hydrogen energy, the UAE has been a pioneer of significant climate initiatives in the region.
Further supporting the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has announced that it will decarbonise its power grid at scale through nuclear and solar clean energy sources starting January 2022, marking a global first by a major oil and gas company.
A holistic approach to climate action
Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said, “The UAE’s steadfast commitment to building bridges with the international community in the face of global challenges has significantly contributed to winning international support for its COP28 bid.”
“Building on its three-decade experience in fighting climate change, the country intends to mobilise the international community into robust climate action, and highlight the importance of adopting sustainable economic development models that turn challenges into opportunities at COP28. We will make sure to bring everyone on board and give climate change the urgency and priority it deserves to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement,” she added.
Since the UAE ratified the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1989, it has joined the UNFCCC (1995), signed the Paris Agreement (2015) and ratified the Kyoto Protocol (2005), as well as organised the Abu Dhabi Climate meeting two years ago.
Moreover, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officially inaugurated its permanent headquarters at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, a low-carbon urban development featuring innovative solutions in energy and water efficiency, mobility and waste reduction.
Brunei reported 381 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, a record daily rise, bringing the national tally to 8,980…reports Asian Lite News
While the source of infection of 126 new cases is still under investigation, five new clusters have been detected and one cluster has been closed following no new detected cases in the cluster for 28 days, which brings the total number of active clusters to 160.
Brunei reports 381 new Covid-19 cases
Before the detection of seven local cases on August 7, Brunei had kept a record of 457 days without community infections since May 6, 2020.
The two leaders likely to discuss climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, issues related to China and North Korea and cooperation toward a free and open Indo-Pacific region on April 16…reports Asian Lite News
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will hold face-to-face talks with US President Joe Biden in Washington on April 16, the Tokyo government said on Friday.
Suga will become the first foreign leader to meet Biden in person after he took office on January 20, dpa news agency quoted Japanese government spokesman Katsunobu Kato as saying at a briefing here.
It shows “the strong ties of the Japan-US alliance and America’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region”, Kato said.
The two leaders are expected to discuss climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, issues related to China and North Korea and cooperation toward a free and open Indo-Pacific region, he said.
The two leaders’ summit meeting will take place amid heightened tensions as China’s activities in East China and South China seas.
Chinese coastguard vessels frequently approach a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, a source of diplomatic tension between Beijing and Tokyo.
The Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan, where they are called Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai respectively.
The meeting was originally planned in the first half of this month and it has been pushed back to April 16, Kato said.
People attend a "Stop Asian Hate" candlelight vigil in a city park of Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, March 20, 2021. (Xinhua/IANS)
Participants chanted “stop Asian hate”, “love our culture, love our people” and “We belong to Aotearoa (New Zealand)”, reports Asian Lite News
Hundreds of people gathered for a protest in New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland on Saturday to demonstrate against anti-Asian racism and hate.
The protest started at the Aotea Square in Auckland CBD where protesters spoke out against racism towards Asians in the US and New Zealand, before marching along the Queen Street, reports Xinhua news agency.
The aim of the event was not only to stand in solidarity with Asian-Americans who have experienced extreme abuse and lived in daily fear, but to also create awareness of the pain that Asians in New Zealand face, said the organiser on the event’s social media page.
People take part in a rally against anti-Asian hate crimes in San Mateo, California, the United States, on Feb. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
“What does the American shooting towards Asian people has to do with us Kiwi Asians? We share common skin colour. We look at them, and we wonder, that could be us. It is our people. When people are attacked based on their skin color, we see ourselves there, we share that pain,” said Steph Tan, one of the organisers.
New Zealand MP Naisi Chen delivered a speech and led the march.
Being a Chinese and Asian New Zealander, she talked about the painful feeling when she heard the news about racism against Asians in the country.
People take part in a rally against anti-Asian hate crimes in San Mateo, California, the United States, on Feb. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
“New Zealand is our home too,” said Chen.
MP Melissa Lee and Auckland Councillor Paul Young also attended the event to show support.
Participants chanted “stop Asian hate”, “love our culture, love our people” and “We belong to Aotearoa (New Zealand)”.
People attend a “Stop Asian Hate” candlelight vigil in a city park of Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, March 20, 2021. (Xinhua/IANS)
A research released by the New Zealand Human Rights Commission on February revealed that the Maori people along with the Chinese communities had reported the highest rates of discrimination since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the research, four in 10 respondents reported having experienced discrimination since the start of the outbreak, with higher rates for Maori people (55 per cent), Chinese (54 per cent), Pacific Islanders (50 per cent), and other Asian (49 per cent) respondents.
