As it happened: WION Global Summit 2021
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Welcome to the live blog of WION Global Summit 2021, being held today in Dubai. The theme of the fourth edition of the summit is Power Play in a Post-Pandemic World. Through the Global Summit platform, we understand and identify the steps towards long-term solutions, define the problems and analyse the potential towards quality decision making, the urgency of good governance and leadership in today's time. This year we highlight the Wuhan virus pandemic and the economic, geopolitical and digital changes and challenges it has ushered in.
We engage with highly interactive panelists in the field of international and strategic affairs with the objective of ideating and deliberation on effective solutions and address the most challenging issues facing the world and explore smart diplomatic solutions.
Stay tuned for live updates
“As machines get better at doing their jobs, humans can getter better at being human. It’s not necessary to work 60 hours a day. The government has also learned many lessons, on how to use technology for their citizens,” Jehudi Castro, Former Deputy Minister, Digital Economy, Colombia.
"People create their own experiences through assets so that people can enjoy being online together. Regulatory infrastructure needs to be in place so people have the choice to make connections online," Audrey Tang, digital minister, Taiwan.
"Problem with digital is that it exacerbates some inequalities," said Simon Lacey, Former Vice President, Huawei Technologies.
"Big Tech can always find a work around amid regulatory environments. Small enterprises can't. We need to make sure internet remains open. We can do this through international cooperation," Simon Lacey, Former Vice President, Huawei Technologies.
#WIONGlobalSummit | "With this pandemic what we can say is that digitisation was already present in our societies and economies...but countries and societies really need to make effort to move forward with digitisation," says @mariagalindo82 pic.twitter.com/bIxbUj5pAs
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
"New technologies have potential to level the playing field and achieve some level of economic empowerment," Simon Lacey, Former Vice President, Huawei Technologies.
'Digital revolution is not about technology, it's about people and their behaviours' says Estonia's Former Minister of foreign trade Kaimar Karu.
'2020 may be perceived as the year of the digital revolution' said Gilles Babinet, Digital Champion at the European Commission for France.
'We are a small nation of 1.3 million people, but we are on top when it comes to education' says Estonia's Former Minister of foreign trade Kaimar Karu.
“We have embraced technology because we didn't have another option... After independence we had to look at what to do. Now we even have digital elections, the government is not disconnected from its citizens... there's a lot of trust and a lot of transparency,” said Kaimar Karu, Former Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology, Republic of Estonia.
Watch live:
#WIONGlobalSummit | #LIVE from Dubai
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
Session 3 - World economy: The price of the pandemic
Session 4 - Digital revolution: The world goes online https://t.co/WDInaQHy3m
"We still have a huge level of uncertainty around this epidemic. First of all at the medical level, so we don't know what's the correct policy is," Jacek Rostowski, Former Deputy PM Poland.
#ComingUp next on #WIONGlobalSummit
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Session 4: 'Digital Revolution: The world goes online' at #WIONGlobalSummit in Dubai@AslanTV @mariagalindo82 @audreyt @JCastroS @kaimarkaru @babgi @simonlacey
LIVE TV: https://t.co/iSR65rv97J pic.twitter.com/BP0ZLEXOHx
"Poland had a very sharp and extensive lockdown... and a very low level of infection... but things got loosened up mostly for political reasons as the ruling party wanted to hold elections over the summer," says @janrostowski, Former Deputy Prime Minister, Poland pic.twitter.com/MDvD4fAlNK
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
“I think has pandemic has shown we need international organisations like WHO. President Biden's return to WHO and Paris Climate Accord has been good,” said Ian Goldin Former Vice President of the World Bank.
#WIONGlobalSummit | "COVID is not indigenous to Australia...there have been a very few cases of COVID in Australia, and extremely few deaths," says @AlexanderDowner, Former Foreign Minister, Australia pic.twitter.com/t3XpLSVgtx
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
“Many more people will die from starvation than Covid 19 around the world. While the rich countries have found 15 trillion dollars for themselves, less than half of 1 per cent (of it) has gone to developing countries. This inequality is one of the very different things to previous recessions where we have seen more even global impact, “said Ian Goldin, Former Vice President, World Bank.
"We are mainly a tourism-dependent country. We had to close our borders and had no visitors. Our only source of income was curtailed, so we became a no-income country overnight," says @aghafoormohamed, Foreign Secretary, Maldives
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
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“India has been our largest tourism market. Russia and Middle East has also been seeing increase. We have had 500,000 tourists arriving till date this year, which is encouraging,” said Foreign Secretary of Maldives Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed.
“We will be very careful in managing our economy. We are one of the worst affected. We are a tourism-dependant country. Last year when the pandemic has hit us, we had to close our borders. For three months, our borders were closed,” said Foreign Secretary of Maldives Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed.
“Small and medium enterprise industries and daily wage workers are the most affected. The government gave them support, and our neighbour helped us support the economy. We had a shortage of 800 m dollars in our budget and our debts increased tremendously,” said Foreign Secretary of Maldives Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed.
“For three months our border was closed. We became a no-income country. It has affected our country especially in areas where large population resides,” said Foreign Secretary of Maldives Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed.
"We are mainly a tourism-dependent country. We had to close our borders and had no visitors. Our only source of income was curtailed, so we became a no-income country overnight," says @aghafoormohamed, Foreign Secretary, Maldives
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
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Watch live:
#WIONGlobalSummit | #LIVE from Dubai
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
Session 3 - World economy: The price of the pandemic
Session 4 - Digital revolution: The world goes online https://t.co/WDInaQHy3m
Also read: 'Respect human rights and dignities' — Taiwan's Former Defence Minister to China
Speaking at the WION Global summit in Dubai on Wednesday, Michale Tsai said Taiwan believes "China has immense responsibility for not reporting this virus to WHO in time".
Highlights of the speech of Michael Tsai, Former Defence Minister, Taiwan
We can help, contribute, and donate medical support to many in need. To talk about China, I think China has to take the responsibility for not informing about the pandemic in time. I would suggest that the WHO has to do a little bit more.
I appeal that China has to respect human rights and dignities. Everyone in the world has to have concern for human rights in HK, Tibet and Xinjiang.
We would also appeal to China the Communist Leadership in Beijing, to stop their aggression towards Taiwan, Japan, etc in the South China Sea.
Why China has to do that? Setting up missile against those countries?
China sends their fighter jets almost every day and their submarines in the South China Sea causing the disturbance in the Asia Pacific and therefore we appeal to China to stop their missile threatening to the countries in the region.
Highlights of the speech of Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee GBS JP, Member of Hong Kong Legislative Council
Hong Kong did pretty well initially during the pandemic. There is a lot of people coming and going, who brought the virus to us.
We are flattening the curve, and the situation is improving. The pandemic showed lack of leadership, and unwillingness to provide help to countries. Particularly the US and Europe, the so-called leaders of the free world. Trump initially refused to acknowledge we had a pandemic.
All companies are struggling to get vaccine production to speed. The leadership of the free world have not been sharing information with developing countries. China and Russia are sharing information.
The global economy will continue to be depressed for a long time. But Hong Kong is relatively lucky. We have entered into contracts to buy vaccines.
Even if we have COVID under control, we will have to keep our borders closed. This means the global economy will continue to be depressed for a long time.
We don't have the resources to develop the vaccine, but we have the resources to buy them. We have help from mainland China.
We brought back many residents stranded abroad. We do our part to keep this pandemic under control.
WHO continues to give advice, but it was not heeded by President Trump. I'm glad President Biden is more responsive.
We all have lockdown fatigue, the pandemic will go on for a long time due to lack of leadership from developed countries.
"We have not yet reached a stage for medical solution to the pandemic. We are still at the pandemic stage. What happened so far will only give us an indication of the future," says Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP), Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka at #WIONGlobalSummit @palkisu pic.twitter.com/eRCFDQrSJ9
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
Highlights of former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe's speech
- China and India took a leadership role during the pandemic. India's companies are becoming vaccine suppliers of the world.
- India's two firms are sending vaccines across the world.
- There has been a rise of Asia. India, China, Japan, ASEAN raised their profile. What will emerge may be a multipolar world.
- We have not yet reached a stage for a medical solution for the pandemic. We are still at the pandemic stage. What happened so far will only give us an indication of the future.
- It's not a question of destroying economic capacity or the financial system - the basis of all economic activity. We now have to see what the outcome is, we see a new situation.
- This pandemic cuts across the technological revolution, social revolutions and the rise of Asia.
The forces that have driven the factors that drove change in 5 decades will be affected by COVID.
- Is a conventional system of stabilisation even possible in this situation? How will China's 5-year plan work out?
- These will determine the financial outcomes of the US-China competition. Covid brought out the failure of global leadership.
"A free and open Indo-Pacific is key to peace and stability of world order", says Yasuhide Nakayama (@iloveyatchan), State Minister of Defence, Japan, at #WIONGlobalSummit, while cautioning the world about the threat posed by China in the region
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
LIVE TV: https://t.co/kn28Em8QEG pic.twitter.com/jpQj493xFn
Highlights of Japanese State Minister of Defence Nakayama Yasuhide's speech
“Using military power to change power is not healthy. Free and open Indo-Pacific is very important...geopolitically,” he said.
“How to hedge the risk of World War III is the thme for the next generation,” he said, adding that the way to that is “to unite, make friends.”
After COVID-19, democratic nations are partnering with each other. “I hope the world tries to understand the situation, what's going on now,” the minister said.
Chinese military budget is four times bigger than Japan, while the defence budget of Japan remained relatively unchanged over decades.
Japanese State Minister of Defence Nakayama Yasuhide
"I think, not just US, but every country in this region should be at the negotiating table with Iran. I think the Europeans are far less relevant," says @GreenblattJD, Former White House Middle East Envoy at #WIONGlobalSummit @palkisu pic.twitter.com/kyEwrkAPE0
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
Saudi-Yemen peace offer, Abraham Accords are positive things. Each issue in West Asia should be treated seperately.
Ibrahim Shukralla, Emirati Editor from Abu Dhabi
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#WIONGlobalSummit
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
1 - Peace deals and the shifting sands of West Asia
2 - The post-pandemic world order
3 - World economy: The price of the pandemic
4 - Digital revolution: The world goes online https://t.co/dGyA9r66DG
"I think, not just US, but every country in this region should be at the negotiating table with Iran. I think the Europeans are far less relevant," says @GreenblattJD, Former White House Middle East Envoy at #WIONGlobalSummit @palkisu pic.twitter.com/kyEwrkAPE0
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
"I have always said that the Iranians have not shown their willingness to be a peaceful government...We see them in Yemen, in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon. It's all over the place, says Mustapha Noman, Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Yemen, at #WIONGlobalSummit pic.twitter.com/3KY7GF5CAP
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
"I don't see why Biden Administration would not continue to support Abraham Accords. It has created momentum. We are at a stage where people are building peace," said Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor, Jerusalem.
We are not going to allow Palestinian rejectionism affect the process of peace in West Asia. People are going to gain most from tourism in Jerusalem. It’s a gain-gain for all the populations in the region.What are the point in rejectionism while the entire Middle East is supporting the accords. That's the bottom-line, peace is always good. The accords now have its own momentum.
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor, Jerusalem
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor, Jerusalem
"We have to recognise that unless the grievances of the people of Palestine are solved justly, any agreement that will happen in future will not be reflected on the ground," says Mustapha Noman, Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Yemen, at #WIONGlobalSummit @palkisu pic.twitter.com/5dvUxUDPFo
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
#WIONGlobalSummit | "While some in this audience may not appreciate Donald Trump's tweets or his manner of speaking, they understand that speaking directly is key to solving issues," says @GreenblattJD on the #AbrahamAccords
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
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Watch live:
#WIONGlobalSummit
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
1 - Peace deals and the shifting sands of West Asia
2 - The post-pandemic world order
3 - World economy: The price of the pandemic
4 - Digital revolution: The world goes online https://t.co/dGyA9r66DG
"China is a consumer of energy,
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it sees the middle east as a source... this is a worrying aspect for countries in South East Asia, " says Former US National Security Adviser @AmbJohnBolton at #WIONGlobalSummit
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In his address, Former US National Security Advisor John Boldon briefly surveyed the ongoing power plays in the region.
“Other outside powers will be playing, or certainly aspire to play, a large role in the region. The US, despite the continuing talk about the pivot to Asia, has to play as a power. We are interested everywhere. We're interested in East Asia, |South Asia, West Asia, that's not going to go away,” he said.
But other countries have begun to play an important role, and they could significantly “roil the waters in the Middle East,” he warned.
“Russia is already doing it. Over the past years, it has enhanced its position in Syria, it's a surrogate player in the surrogate civil war in Libya.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, continues to aspire to “recreate Russian influence equivalent to that of the former Soviet Union” in West Asia.
“Their perception of that threat triggered not just the formal diplomatic exchange, but an intensification of political, military and intelligence cooperation, all designed to protect not just against Iran nuclear threat, but its ballistic missile programme, support for terrorism in the region and beyond, and its deployment of conventional military forces through Iraq, Syria and elsewhere.”
Former US National Security Advisor John Boldon
The rationale of that change is the appreciation between the Gulf Arab states and Israel that “the main threat to regional peace and security is not Israel, it's Iran,” John Bolton said.
"The choice for a nation to just focus on its own recovery is an easy one. However, the choice for a nation to build its own capabilities, including for the benefit of others, is a difficult one...India has decided to take the latter path," says @AmbKapoor pic.twitter.com/qCOV1MzdZ5
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
Watch live:
#WIONGlobalSummit
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
1 - Peace deals and the shifting sands of West Asia
2 - The post-pandemic world order
3 - World economy: The price of the pandemic
4 - Digital revolution: The world goes online https://t.co/dGyA9r66DG
We've been witnessing the most catastrophic events since World War II . Countries now perceive global trade very differently. The metrics of measuring power are now very different - trade, connectivity, data, technology.
Pavan Kapoor, Indian Ambassador to U.A.E.
Also read: Post-pandemic world will be a different place than just wearing masks, says Indian external affairs minister Jaishankar
Alluding to the theme of WION'S Global Summit, "Power Play in a Post-Pandemic World", external affairs minister S Jaishankar said power plays have always existed and will continue, but in a changed playing field.
#WIONGlobalSummit | Our domestic priorities were harmonised with our global outlook in the Vaccine Maitri [vaccine friendship] that now extends to almost 80 nations, says @DrSJaishankar
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
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#WIONGlobalSummit | India's visible leadership, rapid capability response, effective supplies to the needy and strong social discipline have all stood out during the COVID-19 pandemic, says @DrSJaishankar
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/YrCq0S02ze pic.twitter.com/zmBcEBPlva
“Significant changes in American strategic posture are equally important, and not unconnected. The collective character of the West, including its alliance manifestations, is no longer the same. Historical players like Russia or Turkey or Iran are far more active in their near vicinity, in the case of Russia, well beyond.”
Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
When it comes to powerplays, it has many concrete expressions across different parts. The collective character of the West in terms of its alliance manifestation is not the same. Russia and Iran are far more active in their vicinity. The influence of middle powers has grown.
Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
I’m truly glad to address the fourth edition of the WION global summit. I compliment WION and am confident we will all continue to benefit from its exceptional converges. Powerplays existed well before pandemics.
Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
Sudhir Chaudhary, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, WION
In terms of reach, WION is now among top five channels in the world. We promise to be a platform for different ideologies.
"India has shown the world how we can face unprecedented crisis. We hope lessons of pandemic will guide our actions," said Sudhir Chaudhary, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, WION
Last year, the only thing that kept us going was the faith. Media was working not just in India, but throughout the world during pandemic. I lost so many people. But we kept working 24/7.This year, what brought us here is our faith. For the first time, we are hosting a hybrid summit, where speakers from 15 countries will be joining us. We are expanding in MENA region. Thanks to your constant support and blessing, India's first and only international channel is going places.
Sudhir Chaudhary, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, WION
#WIONGlobalSummit
— WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021
1 - Peace deals and the shifting sands of West Asia
2 - The post-pandemic world order
3 - World economy: The price of the pandemic
4 - Digital revolution: The world goes online https://t.co/dGyA9r66DG
Also read: At WION Global Summit, leaders to deliberate on post-pandemic world order
Panelists will focus their attention on issues at the intersections of global politics, economy, diplomacy and our daily lives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Session 1: Peace Deals & the Shifting Sands of West Asia
WION Global Summit 2021:
A platform for global thinkers to engage in dialogue on common global agenda affecting the world.