Helen Clark's Diary, July
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE
An open letter to leaders and decision makers
White House plans to appoint Major General Paul Friedrichs to lead its new pandemic office
In a nutshell: “We haven’t had the change to the international system that will be necessary to prepare for and respond to the next pandemic. We have health systems that are incredibly weakened. We have exhausted public health services. We have not resolved some of the key issues… around pathogen sharing, [viral] sequence sharing and … sharing of vaccines diagnostics and therapeutics.” says Dr Alexandra Phelan, international lawyer and professor at the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Negotiations in UN processes in New York and Geneva convey little sense of urgent need for change. The Washington Post has more.
GENDER EQUALITY
Women Deliver Global Conference in Rwanda
I visited Kigali/Rwanda for Women Deliver Global Conference (17-20 July). 6,000 participants gathered here including from New Zealand and the Pacific. A wide range of women’s rights issues was on the agenda. Sexual and reproductive health and rights and pushback on gender equality, women leadership in health, and youth leadership were prominent themes.
I also spoke to Devex about the importance of Women Deliver Conference in bringing advocates for girls’ and women's rights, and gender equality together to build movements for change. Very impressed by the energy and enthusiasm at the conference and by wonderful youth participation.
Global Health Report 50/50
2023 Global Health Report 50/50 looks at how sexual and reproductive health and rights are addressed in workplace policies. The short answer is that many aspects of it aren’t being addressed. This builds in inequality in the workplace and impacts women’s chances of reaching leadership positions. Check out The Guardian article for more.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
Sigrid Kaag quits politics
Shocked to see another senior woman leader driven out of politics by hateful elements in society. Sigrid Kaag brought huge experience to her roles as Netherlands Deputy Prime Minister and D66 party leader. Women politicians globally are targeted disproportionately. El País has more details.
INEQUALITY
A letter to António Guterres and Ajay Banga
Pleased to be cosignatory to a letter to UN SG and World Bank President calling on both to mobilise action on inequality. “High inequality undermines social and environmental goals, corrodes politics, destroys trust, hamstrings our collective economic prosperity.” The letter further says, “We are living through a time of extraordinarily high economic inequality. Extreme poverty and extreme wealth have risen sharply and simultaneously for the first time in 25 years. Between 2019 and 2020, global inequality grew more rapidly than at any time since WW2.” The Guardian has more.
DRUG POLICY
Positive outcomes of GCDP meeting
Global Commission on Drug Policy has met in Edinburgh/Scotland. I am heartened by recent moves towards decriminalisation around the world and advocating for policies based on human rights and health which put people first. Criminalisation of use and possession harms people and should end.
Statement from Global Commission on Drug Policy
Today, 7 July, US is launching a "Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats". Global Commission on Drug Policy calls on it not to replicate harmful and ineffective prohibitionist approaches to drugs. Focus should be on saving lives and reducing harm. Read the GCDP statement.
Executions on drug-related charges
Shocked by executions of two Singaporeans this week following convictions on drug-related charges. To execute a woman in possession of 1.06 oz of heroin and a man with 1 kg of cannabis is harsh, disproportionate penalty violating international human rights law. BBC has more.
Global Commission on Drug Policy has called on Singapore to halt all executions, commit to full abolition of the death penalty, reform its domestic legislation to reflect abolition, and opt for more effective and humane drug policy reform in line with international law. Read the full statement.
NIGER
Coup d’état in Niger
Very disturbing news from Niger where military have detained democratically elected President Bazoum and declared a coup d’état. Niger has known military coups in the past: all have set the country back. Peace is needed for sustainable development. BBC has more details.
As EITI Board Chair, I join international and regional leaders and organisations in condemning the military coup in Niger and call for immediate restoration of constitutional government. Niger's progress on extractive sector governance is in jeopardy. Read my full statement.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Africa’s first electric taxi motorcycle fleet
Ampersand, Kiwi-led entrepreneurship in Rwanda is producing electric motorcycles to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Cleaner air is a co-benefit. Motorcycles are key form of transport in Kigali, including as taxis. Congratulations to Josh Whale.
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland shooting
Devastated to hear of the killing of two people by a gunman in Auckland today (Thursday, 20 July.) Deepest sympathy to the families of those who died and to all traumatised by this horrific event. Please, refer to Stuff for details.
New Zealand’s Gangs
New Zealand’s Chief Science Advisor has a new report on the challenge of gangs in New Zealand. Peter Davis notes that in the report’s conclusion "while short-term suppression might provide immediate outcomes, only medium- to long-term strategies can work over long haul." An inconvenient truth? NZ Herald has more. Also available as a PDF.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins gives a speech at the Everest 70 event
Watch New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins celebrating iconic mountain climb at Everest 70 event in Auckland.
THE LATEST FROM THE HELEN CLARK FOUNDATION
Record rainfalls in New Zealand
“With Niwa Weather recording more than a year's worth of rain in parts of the country the topic of Sponge Cities is more relevant than ever. Our next report with WSP New Zealand will cover this very issue. Sign-up to our newsletter and be the first to hear of its release.”
How a push for carbon reductions could affect NZ dairy farmers
“A nuanced and insightful piece from Craig Hickman on how the big companies that purchase much of New Zealand's dairy production are pushing for real carbon reductions in their supply chains.” NZ Stuff has more.
The case for congestion charging in Auckland
“Great article on congestion charging in Auckland by Geoff Cooper at Te Waihanga. Cites the Helen Clark Foundation's own report on the importance of equity in any charging scheme. Both are recommended reading.”
Last but not least
CULTURE
Patriots at Noël Coward Theatre
Highly recommend if you are in London: ‘Patriots’ at Noël Coward Theatre: a brilliant play by Peter Morgan (‘The Crown’, ‘Frost/Nixon’, ‘The Queen’) on President Putin and oligarchs with whom he has interacted. Tom Hollander is outstanding as Boris Berezovsky and Will Keen as Putin. Theatre at its best.