Author: HeraldStar

Baku, Azerbaijan, [November 15, 2024]– Qaiser Nawab, President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), participated as a distinguished panellist at a sideline event titled “Role of Cultural Awareness in Environmental Conservation”. The event was hosted at the ICESCO Pavilion in the Blue Zone of COP-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was organized collaboratively by the Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development – GSISD, THE’ Society International , and Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development – BRISD, in partnership with ICESCO. The panel brought together leading climate advocates from Tanzania, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan to explore the…

Baku, Azerbaijan – November 16, 2024 Qaiser Nawab, President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD) and Founder of the Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development (GSISD), participated as a distinguished panelist at the event titled “Advancing Climate Action through South-South Cooperation: The Role of NGOs”. Organized by the Azerbaijan NGO Forum, the session was a key highlight of the official COP29 proceedings under Azerbaijan’s presidency. The panel featured an impressive lineup of esteemed speakers, including H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President, Aygun Aliyeva, Member of the COP29 Organizing Committee and Executive Director of the Agency of State…

Baku, Azerbaijan, November 15, 2024 – The United Nations COP29 featured a high-profile press conference on “AI Empowerment and Digital Innovation in Renewable Energy”. Held at the COP29 Blue Zone, the event brought together global leaders to discuss the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing renewable energy solutions. Prominent speakers included Zhengyu Chu, CEO of Circue Energy; Yubo Zhai, General Manager of Sustainability at NaaS Technology; Dr. Wang Xue, Co-founder of Botree Recycling Technologies; Selina Wang of Alibaba Cloud International; Sarah Alharthey, Executive Business Development Manager at ACWA Power; and Qaiser Nawab, President of the Belt and Road…

By Hadia Safeer Choudhry As climate change increasingly affects economies worldwide, the urgency for a united, green economic transition has never been greater. However, experts – at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) Hongqiao International Economic Forum sub-forum “Sustainable Trade amid Climate Change” held on November 6 – warned that political agendas and trade tensions may be hindering this effort, creating obstacles that undermine a globally coordinated response. Erik Solheim, Co-Chair of the Europe-Asia Centre, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, has been vocal about the critical role of China and…

By Hadia Safeer Choudhry The European Union’s recent imposition of tariffs on China’s EVs presents itself as a measure against China’s alleged state-backed advantages. However, a closer examination suggests that this move not only unfairly targets Chinese manufacturers but also contradicts the EU’s own heavy subsidy practices. While Europe claims to be defending free markets, its own funding strategies for the green transition point toward an uneven playing field that ultimately threatens the spirit of fair trade and cooperation in global sustainability efforts. Under its Green Deal and related initiatives, the EU has provided extensive support to domestic industries, particularly…

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev used his keynote speech at the COP29 climate summit to criticize Western nations for their stance on fossil fuels, accusing them of running a “well-orchestrated campaign of slander and blackmail” against Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry. As nearly 200 nations gathered to discuss how to reduce fossil fuel emissions, Aliyev defended his country’s oil and gas resources, calling them a “gift from God,” while urging countries to be realistic about their energy needs. He pointed out the hypocrisy of Western nations, particularly the U.S. and the European Union, which, despite setting ambitious carbon-cutting targets, continue to…

China has ramped up its pressure on the Philippines, demanding the country concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, according to Manila’s Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. This escalation comes as the Philippines continues to face China’s assertive actions in the disputed waters, particularly in areas claimed by both nations as well as other Southeast Asian countries. The growing tensions were highlighted following a meeting between Teodoro and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, in Canberra. The two nations are strengthening their defense ties, with Australia becoming a key partner in countering Chinese activities in the region. Teodoro described the…

President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to take swift and decisive actions on his first day in office, marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. According to sources familiar with the transition, Trump will sign a series of executive orders aimed at ramping up immigration enforcement, rolling back key programs initiated under President Joe Biden, and accelerating the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. One of Trump’s key actions will grant federal immigration officers broader authority to arrest individuals without criminal records, giving them the green light to pursue non-criminal undocumented immigrants for deportation. This order will reverse Biden’s focus…

On Tuesday, the Israeli military launched one of its heaviest daytime attacks on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs, signaling a significant intensification in the ongoing conflict. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, ruled out any ceasefire until key Israeli objectives are met, including Hezbollah’s disarmament and withdrawal beyond the Litani River. Plumes of smoke rose over Beirut as a series of at least 10 airstrikes hit the city, targeting 12 sites identified as Hezbollah facilities. The advance warning from the Israeli army urged residents to avoid these areas. Video footage circulating on social media captured the moment two missiles struck…

The Israeli military has ramped up efforts to provide humanitarian aid to northern Gaza as the crisis there reaches critical levels, with mounting international pressure for immediate relief for civilians caught in the crossfire. On Tuesday, Israel reported the delivery of hundreds of food packets and thousands of liters of water to areas heavily impacted by the ongoing military operation. These actions come as Israel faces a looming deadline from the United States, which has stipulated that more aid must reach the Palestinian enclave or risk cuts to American military assistance. Despite these steps, Gaza remains gripped by an escalating…