Helen Clark's Diary, October
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Upcoming webinar
WEBINAR. Key global economic and geopolitical trends
Please join us on Thursday, 2 November at 8PM NZ/5PM ACT/7AM UK.
This webinar will explore key issues and trends such as: is China's economy slowing and what would that mean for its relationships with our region and the world at large? What does renewed violence in Israel-Gaza mean for regional stability? What are the prospects for India in the 2020s? How is the US economy faring, and what are the potential global impacts of its presidential elections next year? Has inflation peaked globally? What does Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine mean for the global economy and global food security? And what does it all mean for New Zealand, a small economy exposed to global forces?
Israel Gaza conflict
Statement from The Elders: “The Elders condemn the horrendous terror attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the killing of innocent civilians, the holding of hostages and the continued indiscriminate missile attacks on Israel. These are mass atrocities for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice, preferably in a court of law.
We also condemn the Israeli government’s unacceptable collective punishment of the population of Gaza through siege, the scale of the military assault and its death toll, and the forcible transfer of civilians within the territory, as well as the continuing land and home incursions and demolitions in the West Bank and settler violence against Palestinian communities. These are not legitimate acts of self-defence: they are clear violations of international humanitarian law, and some amount to atrocities for which there needs to be criminal accountability.” See full statement below.
New Zealand votes for a ceasefire at UNGA
27 October
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a “Resolution Calling for Immediate, Sustained Humanitarian Truce Leading to Cessation of Hostilities between Israel, Hamas.” New Zealand voted for this resolution. The toll of human life, the injuries, and the infrastructure damage is horrendous. The cycle of violence must end. The two-state solution must come back into the frame. Meanwhile, hostages must be released and aid must flow.
Violence from both sides must end
21 October
A catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza while the world watches. Women, children, the elderly, disabled and sick are dying and being injured. Violence from both sides must end, hostages must be released, aid must flow, and genuine efforts for durable peace must begin. Reuters has more.
“Western support for Israel endangers diplomatic efforts in the Global South”: comment in Financial Times.
21 October
“Western support for Israel's assault on Gaza has poisoned efforts to build consensus with significant developing countries on condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine, officials and diplomats have warned.” A sobering Financial Times comment. USA vetoed Brazil's UNSC resolution. US used its veto at UN Security Council to block a (Brazil) resolution calling for Israel to allow humanitarian corridors into the Gaza Strip, a pause in fighting and lifting of an order for civilians to leave the north of the besieged territory.” More in The Guardian.
Jewish and Arab women are calling for peace
15 October
An important X thread from the movement of Jewish and Arab women calling for peace.
“It took us a week to formulate this statement. We are a movement of Jewish and Arab women with diverse opinions. We found ourselves in a threatening, horrifying reality. Words can't convey our past week's experience. We're searching for the right words to share.”
Nobel Peace Prize
Iranian freedom activist receives 2023 Nobel Peace Prize
Incredible courage of Narges Mohammadi recognised by the Nobel Peace Prize. Narges campaigns for human rights and against the death penalty in Iran; sentenced to 31 years in jail and 154 lashes. Her book “White Torture” documents torture of women prisoners. An interesting round up from CNN.
RIP Martti Ahtisaari
RIP Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland, awarded Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to conflict resolution and peace. Sincere condolences to family, colleagues and people of Finland.
RUSSIA
Russian history book for children….
What Russian children read about their country’s history. Please, follow BBC’s Steve Rosenberg thread on X for insightful commentary.
CHINA
RIP Li Keqiang
RIP former Premier of China Li Keqiang whom I had the privilege of meeting in my role as UNDP Administrator in 2015. Li was supportive of UNDP’s work in China over decades and was known as a reformer. As a former New Zealand Ambassador to China, Carl Worker has noted, Li’s relations with NZ were good.
In my meeting with the late Li Keqiang in 2015, he “reaffirmed China’s commitment to multilateralism, environmental protection, and economic progress built on the foundation of poverty reduction and sustainable development.”
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand GENERAL Election
“A change election, absolutely. A hope election? Not so much”
Fewer women were elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 14 October General Election. Stuff reports that membership now is 43% women and 58% men. Still high by world standards, but a drop from the parity pre-election. “A hope election not so much, but a change election, yes.” Toby Manhire analyses what led to 2023 New Zealand election outcome: “Labour tide and National hope: reflections on election 2023” in The Spinoff.
Labour Government’s legacy
“There were serious policy achievements managed by NZ Labour Government, led by Ardern, Hipkins, which was brutally swept from power. The problem for that legacy is that much of it is on the chopping block of incoming National-led government.” Check out this The Guardian article.
Where now for New Zealand’s water infrastructure?
Whatever route is taken on the future for New Zealand's water, stormwater and sewage infrastructure will be costly. There are no magic low cost solutions unless one wants low quality infrastructure. Useful commentary in NZ Herald.
THE LATEST FROM THE HELEN CLARK FOUNDATION
2023 is Auckland’s wettest year on record
“2023 is now officially Auckland’s wettest year ever - a concerning window into what future years may look like as we enter into a warmer, wetter climate. It’s also a reminder of the need to design our cities to deal with ever increasing rainfall, including via sponge cities.”
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LAST BUT NOT LEAST
THE ANTARCTIC HERITAGE TRUST TRIP
“Helen is patron of The Antarctic Heritage Trust (AHT) so when we heard about their plans we put our names forward. This trip was meant to take place last year, which was the centenary of the death of the Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer and adventurer Ernest Shackleton, but COVID put that off. There were 89 passengers on the Magellan Explorer, of whom 22 were “young explorers” who had been picked by AHT to be just that, with various projects.
We flew from Auckland to Santiago, Chile, and then Punta Arenas from where we went to the Falkland Islands. That onward flight was delayed a couple of days because of winds, but even though that shortened the time in South Georgia, it actually did not detract from the experience. Travelling to and from South Georgia was three days each way with huge swells and winds. We had to take medication to stop getting seasick!
Once there, we took zodiac motorised rubber dinghies to shore and saw - at an appropriate distance - penguin rookeries, seal colonies, and the remains of whaling stations. There were lectures on board (Helen gave one on the pandemic, but most were related to the natural heritage of the area and its history - particular the Shackleton connection). It worked very well with everybody on the boat there because of the focus and almost all had some connection with the AHT, the outdoors, etc.” Peter Davis
South Georgia is living up to expectations as a wildlife sanctuary. On this AHT expedition, we have been very privileged to see king penguins, elephant seals, and bird life in abundance.
A wonderful coastal walk to San Isidro Lighthouse on Chile’s south west coast. The landscape is not unlike that of New Zealand’s Hump Ridge Track in Fiordland with long bays, beech forest, and snow capped hills in the distance. We saw dolphins, and experienced four seasons in a day, including a snowfall!