#Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
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RNZ Pacific 1112 10 Jun 2024
9700Khz 1059 10 JUN 2024 - RNZ PACIFIC (NEW ZEALAND) in ENGLISH from RANGITAIKI. SINPO = 5333. English, pips and news @1100z anchored by Lydia Lewis. The founding members of the FijiFirst party, including former prime minister Frank Bainimarama and ex-attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, have resigned. Last week, FijiFirst confirmed that it had sacked 17 MPs after they voted for a pay rise - going against a party directive. French Polynesia is abuzz this Friday as it hosts the Paris 2024 Olympic Games flame relay on its main island of Tahiti, where the Games' surfing event will also be held late July on the iconic beach of Teahupoo. Mounting challenges remain for the authorities and humanitarian groups supporting survivors, including women and children disproportionately, affected by the Papua New Guinea deadly landslide. Two weeks on from the Yambali village landslide in Enga Province, humanitarian assistance is still being hampered by lack of road access, tension between tribes and new evacuation orders. French President Emmanuel Macron's surprise dissolution of the National Assembly and call for snap general elections on 30 June and 7 July has implications for New Caledonia. Grave civil unrest and rioting broke out on 13 May in reaction to a controversial Constitutional amendment, directly affecting the voting system at local elections. Vanuatu referendum voting results are expected this week. US secretary of State claims the United States has accomplished more on climate change under the Biden administration than during any other presidential administration. The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture has officially begun in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event began with a grand parade of nations over the weekend. A University of Canterbury master's student is transforming her academic research into practical solutions to enhance drinking water quality in Tonga. Tamara Stratton did not plan to pursue a master's degree, initially, however, her commitment to the Tongan community was ignited in 2022, when she joined a team to install water filtration systems in local schools. In the Northern Marianas, a former bar association director has pleaded guilty to charges related to diverting thousands of dollars in funds to her personal account. The Marianas Variety reported that last week, Peonie Cabrera pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud and two of wire fraud. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit New Zealand this week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. It is the first visit by a premier of China since former Premier Li Keqiang in 2017. Li's visit includes bilateral talks, an official dinner and engagements in both Auckland and Wellington focused on innovative business, agri-tech, education, and people-to-people connections, Luxon said. Sports. @1109z "Pacific Waves" anchored by female announcer. 250ft unterminated BoG antenna pointed E/W w/MFJ-1020C active antenna (used as a preamplifier/preselector), Etón e1XM. 100kW, beamAz 325°, bearing 240°. Received at Plymouth, MN, United States, 12912KM from transmitter at Rangitaiki. Local time: 0559.
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Development of Sakoca settlement to begin soon
Development of Sakoca settlement to begin soon
Minister for Housing and Community Development Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has urged residents of Sakoca settlement in Tacirua to accept change once development commences. He stressed this today while officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony for Sakoca settlement. Sayed-Khaiyum says the struggle with informal settlement developments is that there’s no proper subdivision and developers often struggle…
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Behaviour Analysis: Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
Someone contacted me recently, curious about my thoughts on Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s behaviour. I hadn’t heard of him, but I did some research and discovered he’s the Fijian Attorney General, sometimes referred to as A to Z, because of his wide range of government portfolios.
Sayed-Khaiyum is said to be one of Fiji’s most powerful and influential men. However, interestingly, in 2020 he was interviewed by police over allegations he was involved in two bombing attacks on political rivals in 1987. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the police interview or his public response to it, but I found several unrelated points of interest across a couple of videos.
I was interested in how Sayed-Khaiyum presented, given his level of political power. I wondered whether the amount of power had gone to his head and wanted to see whether hubristic traits were present in his behaviour. Hubris Syndrome is a disorder that can develop in people as they gain power. To learn more about it, click here for a scientific overview. Since I haven’t posted a behavioural analysis on my blog for a while, I thought I’d share some of my findings in a short video.
Enjoy my video.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum: Video of behaviour analysis
vimeo
In my video, I refer to two videos of Sayed-Khaiyum. I’ve added clips of the behaviours mentioned; however, if you want to see the source of the videos, click here for video 1 and here for video 2.
Our work is based on scientific theories relating to nonverbal behaviour and statement analysis, and remains the opinion of the author.
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Fiji Government assures Corpus Christi College of ongoing support
Fiji’s Attorney-General and Minister for Education, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, has assured the Corpus Christi College management of Government’s continued financial support. This year, the college received a grant of close to $200,000. Sayed-Khaiyum was speaking at the graduation ceremony for 31 students on Saturday. In his address, Sayed-Khaiyum also expressed his appreciation for the education the…
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Sustainable harvesting is vital: AG – FBC News
Sustainable harvesting is vital: AG – FBC News
[File Photo] Fiji is steadily introducing sustainable harvesting regimes to manage the health of vulnerable marine species in Fiji. Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the five-year ban on Beche-de-mer is in favor of a set harvesting window. He adds that the sustainable harvesting of other species is strengthening the science behind culturing these and other high-value species to…
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Telecom ICT Park expected to boost Fijis information and technology industry
Fiji’s information and technology industry and the growing BPO sector are expected to be revolutionised as the concept plans for the development of the new state-of-the-art Telecom ICT Park have been revealed. Telecom Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Charles Goundar, says they are really excited about this project as it will enable a wide range of capabilities and offer opportunities to the youth who may be seeking a career in the fields of engineering and ICT. Goundar says they are thankful to the Government for the support and cooperation towards this ambitious project. The park will host a research and development centre, where emerging ICT technologies can be simulated and tested by students and enterprises, as well as an incubation centre geared for computing science graduates and budding business owners willing to undertake specific projects and explore options in setting up their businesses. The data centre will host a range of major content platforms already hosted in the Telecom network such as Google, Netflix, Facebook, and Tik-Tok, and enable Fiji to attract other major content providers to also consider hosting their platforms in Fiji. The Telecom ICT park was announced in the 2021 National Budget by the Minister for Communications, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. https://ift.tt/MDesi8F https://ift.tt/caGBA7b
#Saas#softwaresystems#productdevelopment#software#practice#optimization#accuracy#efficiency#productivity#softwareprojects#cracksthecode
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Fiji Development Bank launches sustainability package for SMEs
Fiji Development Bank launches sustainability package for SMEs
FDB 24 Feb 2022 – The Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General, Hon Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum launched the Fiji Development Bank’s (FDB) Small and Medium Enterprise Sustainability Package yesterday. The facility is specifically designed to expand, refurbish and maintain existing SMEs. While officiating the launch, the Acting PM commended the development bank for creating financial solutions for SMEs…
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RNZ Pacific 1307 31 Jan 2023
7390Khz 1259 31 JAN 2023 - RNZ PACIFIC (NEW ZEALAND) in ENGLISH from RANGITAIKI. SINPO = 45334. English, s/on w/bellbird int. until pips and news @1300z anchored by Susana Lei'ataua. Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali says for the first time in three decades, they have recorded the lowest number of calls to the FWCC helplines over the Christmas and New Year week. She attributed the decline to the People’s Alliance-National Federation Party-Social Democratic Liberal Party victory at the polls and the happiness and joy expressed by the Fijian people with the installation of the coalition Government. “I call on the FijiFirst general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to accept that FijiFirst is in Opposition and that there is a new Government in place,” the human rights activist said. The Samoan government began a review into the country’s participation in the schemes last year, before temporarily suspending departures in December. They have now announced a complete ban on the schemes. Northern Marianas authorities have seized methamphetamine worth more than $US300,000 from a man picking up a package at the US Postal Service. Northern Marianas Customs officers arrested the man, who claimed that he was actually expecting a package of sausages in the mail. Many Pasifika families affected by the flash floods and torrential rainfall that have lashed New Zealand's North Island over the past few days are bracing for more bad weather overnight. With four people dead and hundreds forced out of their homes over the weekend a state of emergency remains in force for Auckland and one has also now been issued for Northland. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' reshuffle brings in two new Cabinet ministers (Ginny Andersen and Barbara Edmonds), four ministers outside Cabinet (Duncan Webb, Willow-Jean Prime, Rino Tirikatene and Deborah Russell) and a parliamentary under-secretary (Jo Luxton). The global economy is showing small signs of improvement. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has updated its forecasts for inflation peaking amid low growth, and the recession should be milder than previously forecast. American Samoa's Chief Statistician has suggested a feasability study on 'price controls' for goods, especially food. This follows a Senate committee hearing called after public complaints to senators over the high cost of living in the territory. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for Israel and the Palestinians to take "urgent steps" to restore calm amid escalating violence. Speaking in Jerusalem, Mr Blinken reiterated US support for a two-state solution as "the best way" to bring security to the two sides. Sports. @1308z "Pacific Waves" anchored by Koroi Hawkins. Backyard fence antenna, Etón e1XM. 100kW, beamAz 35°, bearing 240°. Received at Plymouth, United States, 12912KM from transmitter at Rangitaiki. Local time: 0659.
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Work to develop affordable homes begin
Work to develop affordable homes begin
[File Photo] Developers have been invited to register interest in a landmark housing project in the country, which will provide affordable, climate-resilient homes for 3,000 low and middle-income families. The government has begun engagement with potential developers of this public-private partnership project. This comes at a time when there is a huge need for more affordable,…
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Mời tỷ phú tới thiên đường tránh Covid-19
New Post has been published on https://khachsanthanhdong.com/moi-ty-phu-toi-thien-duong-tranh-covid-19.html
Mời tỷ phú tới thiên đường tránh Covid-19
FijiChỉ cần có nhiều tiền, khách du lịch sẽ được đưa tới thiên đường để tránh Covid-19.
Quốc gia nằm ở phía nam thăng bình Dương này phụ thuộc nhiều vào du khách, khi ngành du lịch đóng góp tới 40% GDP. vì thế, khi nhiều nước mở màn mở cửa để đón du khách lại một lần nữa, Fiji cũng nhanh chóng vào cuộc đua.
Fiji có khoảng 300 đảo, nằm trên đại dương thăng bình Dương và được coi là một trong những thiên đường nghỉ dưỡng trên toàn cầu. Ảnh: Hikers bay.
Phát biểu trước quốc hội hồi cuối tháng 6 về hướng đi cho đảo quốc sau đại dịch, thủ tướng Josaia “Frank” Voreqe Bainimarama cũng nhắc tới vấn đề dần dần phục hồi lại ngành du lịch. Trên Twitter cá nhân, ông cũng gửi lời mời tới tỷ phú ở khắp nơi trên toàn cầu, những người muốn tới thăm nơi đây trong Covid-19.
Theo đó, chỉ cần khách du lịch là một tỉ phú đang tìm kiếm những chiếc tàu bay tư nhân phục vụ riêng mình, thuê một hòn đảo riêng và sẵn sàng bỏ nhiều triệu USD ở Fiji, khách du lịch sẽ có một ngôi nhà mới ở thiên đường để tránh dịch.
Trong buổi tư vấn ngân sách quốc gia hôm 25/6, tổng chưởng lý Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum xác nhận, có một nhóm du khách sang giàu đang tới quốc gia này. “Đó là khoảng 30 người, từ một tổ chức rất nổi tiếng, tới bằng tàu bay tư nhân, sau đó họ đi thủy phi cơ tới điểm sau cuối. Đây là nơi họ sẽ ở lại trong ba tháng”, ông n��i. Ông Khaiyum cho biết thêm, việc hướng tới du khách tỉ phú là chiến lược tạo ra sự thăng bằng giữa việc cai quản rủi ro về tài năng lây truyền nCoV và phục hồi kinh tế.
Đảo quốc này cũng mở màn triển khai một sáng kiến mới với dự án “làn đường màu xanh”, nhằm chào đón du khách bằng du thuyền. Khách du lịch sẽ phải cách ly 14 ngày trên tàu trước khi cập cảng, và sau đó có thể tự do dạo chơi khắp tổ quốc sau khi có kết quả âm tính với nCoV. Fiji cũng chào đón các đoàn quay phim tới đây lấy bối cảnh, miễn sao họ tuân theo các giải pháp kiểm dịch.
Fiji có 18 ca nhiễm nCoV, theo WHO và không có ca tử vong. Kể từ giữa tháng 4, nơi đây không phát hiện thêm ca nhiễm mới.
Nhà giàu toàn cầu du lịch bằng cách nào?
Anh Minh (Theo CNN)
Info: https://khachsanthanhdong.com/
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Mời tỷ phú tới thiên đường tránh Covid-19
New Post has been published on https://cdn.halosaigon.com.vn/2020/07/17/moi-ty-phu-toi-thien-duong-tranh-covid-19/
Mời tỷ phú tới thiên đường tránh Covid-19
FijiChỉ cần có nhiều tiền, khách du lịch sẽ được đưa tới thiên đường để tránh Covid-19.
Quốc gia nằm ở phía nam thăng bình Dương này phụ thuộc nhiều vào du khách, khi ngành du lịch đóng góp tới 40% GDP. do vậy, khi nhiều nước khởi đầu mở cửa để đón du khách lại một lần nữa, Fiji cũng nhanh chóng vào cuộc đua.
Fiji có khoảng 300 đảo, nằm trên đại dương thăng bình Dương và được coi là một trong những thiên đường nghỉ dưỡng trên toàn cầu. Ảnh: Hikers bay.
Phát biểu trước quốc hội hồi cuối tháng 6 về hướng đi cho đảo quốc sau đại dịch, thủ tướng Josaia “Frank” Voreqe Bainimarama cũng nhắc tới vấn đề dần dần phục hồi lại ngành du lịch. Trên Twitter cá nhân, ông cũng gửi lời mời tới tỷ phú ở khắp nơi trên toàn cầu, những người muốn tới thăm nơi đây trong Covid-19.
Theo đó, chỉ cần khách du lịch là một tỉ phú đang tìm kiếm những chiếc tàu bay tư nhân phục vụ riêng mình, thuê một hòn đảo riêng và sẵn sàng bỏ nhiều triệu USD ở Fiji, khách du lịch sẽ có một ngôi nhà mới ở thiên đường để tránh dịch.
Trong buổi tư vấn ngân sách quốc gia hôm 25/6, tổng chưởng lý Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum xác nhận, có một nhóm du khách phú quý đang tới quốc gia này. “Đó là khoảng 30 người, từ một doanh nghiệp rất nổi tiếng, tới bằng tàu bay tư nhân, sau đó họ đi thủy phi cơ tới điểm sau cuối. Đây là nơi họ sẽ ở lại trong ba tháng”, ông nói. Ông Khaiyum cho biết thêm, việc hướng tới du khách tỉ phú là chiến lược tạo ra sự thăng bằng giữa việc cai quản rủi ro về tài năng truyền nhiễm nCoV và phục hồi kinh tế.
Đảo quốc này cũng khởi đầu triển khai một sáng kiến mới với dự án “làn đường màu xanh”, nhằm chào đón du khách bằng du thuyền. Khách du lịch sẽ phải cách ly 14 ngày trên tàu trước khi cập cảng, và sau đó có thể tự do dạo chơi khắp nước nhà sau khi có kết quả âm tính với nCoV. Fiji cũng chào đón các đoàn quay phim tới đây lấy bối cảnh, miễn sao họ tuân theo các giải pháp kiểm dịch.
Fiji có 18 ca nhiễm nCoV, theo WHO và không có ca tử vong. Kể từ giữa tháng 4, nơi đây không phát hiện thêm ca nhiễm mới.
Nhà giàu toàn cầu du lịch bằng cách nào?
Anh Minh (Theo CNN)
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RNZ Pacific 1309 23 Jan 2013
7390Khz 1259 23 JAN 2023 - RNZ PACIFIC (NEW ZEALAND) in ENGLISH from RANGITAIKI. SINPO = 55333. English, s/on w/bellbird int. until pips and news @1300z anchored by Susana Lei'ataua. FijiFirst general-secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has raised a number of concerns on alleged breaches of the 2013 Constitution by the coalition Government. He said it was important for the Fijian public to be aware of what specifically in the Constitution as it set out the rationale, values and principles of the Constitution. Fiji's Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, is confident he's repaired relations with Kiribati after his recent state visit there. On Friday, Rabuka led a high-level delegation to Tarawa - and key on the agenda was Kiribati's membership of the Pacific Islands Forum. Kiribati's withdrawal from the Forum last July fractured regional unity and solidarity. Marianas Business Authority says visits are still down 77% from pre-covid levels. Another tropical depression is forming with 88km/hr winds so far. 14 new Covid cases in Samoa even with high vaccination rate. Incoming NZ prime minister Chris Hipkins criticised the “abhorrent” treatment endured by Jacinda Ardern and vowed on Sunday to shield his own family, three days after her shock resignation. Hours after being unanimously endorsed by Labour Party MPs as the party’s leader and the nation’s next prime minister, Hipkins attacked the personal abuse suffered by Ardern during her more than five years in the top job. The cost of back-to-school necessities like stationery and uniforms can be overwhelming for some parents, with massive disparities between what different schools require. This is especially true near the holidays. With signs declaring “Abortion Is Health Care” and chants about fighting back, activists in dozens of US cities rallied in support of abortion rights on Sunday, the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that was overturned by the Supreme Court, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. Sports. @1308z "Pacific Waves" anchored by Koroi Hawkins. "Happy New Year". Backyard fence antenna, Etón e1XM. 100kW, beamAz 35°, bearing 240°. Received at Plymouth, United States, 12912KM from transmitter at Rangitaiki. Local time: 0659.
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Businesses urged to tap in the stock exchange market
Businesses urged to tap in the stock exchange market
[File Photo] Changes in the 2022-2023 National Budget provide opportunities for developing the South Pacific Stock Exchange. Actively engaging in the stock exchange market is an economic venture that not a lot of local businesses tap into. Rabi Yazbek the ANZ Country Head says certain changes in the 2022-2023 National Budget will affect the Equity Market and this means that a lot of corporates…
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#bayshorefiji#BayshoreFiji@BayshoreSuvaBayshoreNadiBayshoreLautokaBayshorerentalBuyandSellINfIJIBayshoreProperty#bayshorerealestate#bayshorerealestate bayshorefiji bayshoresuva bayshorenadi bayshorelautoka#bayshorerealestate bayshorefiji bayshoresuva bayshorenadi bayshorelautoka fijirealestateagent#bayshorerealestatebayshorefijibayshoresuvabayshorenadibayshorelautoka#bayshorerealestateWeSellPropertyInSuvaSuvaRentalSuvaForYouHotel&Resort Bayshore Fiji#fijihousinginvestmentfijirealestatenews fijirentalsfijirealestatefijirealestateagent fijidevelopmentfijirealestatenewshouseforrentfi#fijirealestatefijirealtorfijirealestateforsalefijilandsfijihomeslautokarealestateagentnadirealestateagentsuvarealestateagentbayfiji#fijirealestatedevelopment fijirealestatefijirealtorfijirealestateforsalefijilandsfijihomeslautokarealestateagentnadirealestateagent#fijirentals fijirealestate fijirealestateagent fijidevelopment fijirealestatenews houseforrentfiji fijitenants fijilandlords Fiji#fijirentalsfijirealestatefijirealestateagentfijidevelopmentfijirealestatenewshouseforrentfiji fijitenantsfijilandlordsFijistampduty#PropertyForSaleHouseForSaleBuyandSellinSuvaBuy&SellinNadi3Buy&SellinLautokaBuy&SellinNakasiFijIMarket#RealestateNewsBayshoresuvaBayshoreNadiBayshoreLautokaJuly13News#Bayshore Fiji#Bayshore Realestate#bayshorenadi#Fiji Land Sales Act#Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum#Bainimarama#Peter Thomson#Freehold Land#Fiji Investment#Koro Island#Real Estate#International Real Estate#Piracy#South Pacific#Fiji
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A malfunctioning spy camera causes a scandal in Fiji
Pen and stink A malfunctioning spy camera causes a scandal in Fiji
The state broadcaster recruited an undercover operative to snoop on the opposition
“WE DON’T REALLY go in for that any more,” says a British spook witheringly of gadgets disguised as pens in “Skyfall”, a James Bond film. In Fiji, though, such devices have become a national fascination. A man called Ferrel Farizal Khan told the head of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, that he was an undercover agent of sorts, running “Fiji Exposed”, an anonymous blog which features stories about the extramarital affairs of prominent politicians and businessmen. Mr Khan also claimed that he was being paid by the two main opposition parties to publish anti-government stories and to hack into the national elections database to seek evidence of government ballot-rigging. So Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, who is the brother of the omnipresent attorney-general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, equipped him with a camera disguised as a pen to record opposition figures misbehaving.
Mr Khan returned empty-handed, saying that the spy-pen had failed to work. By then, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was becoming suspicious of the supposed double-agent, whom he reported to the police. They are duly investigating Mr Khan. But they also took his allegations seriously enough to raid the offices of the National Federation Party, one of the two opposition outfits, hunting for evidence of links to “Fiji Exposed”—to no avail.
Mr Khan, meanwhile, claims to have recorded his conversations with Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, not on a spy-pen but on a mobile phone. “You prepare well,” he advised his denouncer, “as I now have nothing to lose.” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, for his part, has held a press conference to “set the record straight”. He says he was never convinced by Mr Khan and threatened to sue the opposition parties for mocking him. He clearly does not have the political acumen of his brother, who is sometimes known as A2Z because he is thought to oversee everything the government does. Whether that includes his brother’s work is unclear.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline "Pen and stink"
https://ift.tt/2NuaM0G
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UN chief warns against ‘survival of the richest’ on climate - world news
Failure to tackle global warming could result in economic disaster, the United Nations Secretary-General warned Thursday in Madrid, as negotiators at the U.N. climate talks remained deadlocked over key issues.António Guterres said unrestrained climate change would allow only the “survival of the richest,” while former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the “absence of leadership” from Washington was a big obstacle in the talks.“It’s very difficult to get this done if the United States of America isn’t there,” the veteran diplomat told The Associated Press during an interview in the Spanish capital, adding that he felt negotiators were holding their breath until the next U.S. presidential election at the end of 2020.President Donald Trump’s administration has begun the process of abandoning an ambitious 2015 global deal forged by his predecessor Barack Obama that aimed to contain rising temperatures on the planet. Officially the U.S. leaves the Paris accord on Nov. 4, 2020, the day after the U.S. election.“I think Glasgow is already more of a target in many people’s minds here, and that handicaps the process slightly,” Kerry said, referring to the venue of next year’s U.N. climate summit.In Madrid, “there will be accomplishments, there’ll be some forward progress, but really, everyone knows that the crunch is going to come next year with the raising ambition issue,” he added.Scientists say countries need to stop burning fossil fuels by 2050 at the latest to ensure global temperatures don’t rise more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) this century.Not giving up on that goal, U.N. chief Guterres urged officials from almost 200 countries to embrace the economic opportunities that come with cutting greenhouse gases rather than focus on the risks to existing industries dependent on fossil fuels.“For too long, vested interests have peddled the false story that economic growth and tackling climate change are incompatible,” the U.N. chief said. “This is nonsense.”“In fact, failing to tackle global heating is a sure-fire recipe for economic disaster,” Guterres added.He cited a study showing that shifting to a low-carbon economy could create 65 million new jobs worldwide by 2030 and boost growth by $26 trillion dollars.“This transition needs to be done to benefit everybody,” Guterres said. “And not doing this transition will only allow, as I said, the survival of the richest.”At the talks, vulnerable countries expressed outrage over Australia’s bid to hold onto piles of emissions vouchers left over from a now-discredited system that could allow it to meet its climate commitments without reducing pollution.Asked about Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s recent assertion that his country was part of the “Pacific family,” the economy minister of Fiji responded that “when you have family members you also have some black sheep members too in the family.”“At the moment, it would seem that they appear to be far from eating at the same table,” Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum told reporters in Madrid, adding that he hoped Australia would “let go of their current position.”Small, low-lying islands like Fiji are particularly vulnerable to tropical storms and sea-level rise worsened by climate change.Simon Stiell, environment minister of the Caribbean island of Grenada, warned that some countries at the U.N. meeting “are losing sight of the bigger picture as if there is no climate emergency.”“This inaction is costing the lives of our people and impacting the lives and the livelihoods of millions around the world,” Stiell said. “We need to stop talking. We know what must be done.”Talks to agree rules for global carbon markets and aid for poor countries already affected by climate change have made little progress in recent days.Bas Eickhout, an influential Green Party lawmaker in the European Parliament, said maintaining the “integrity” of the 2015 Paris climate accord was a priority for the 28-nation bloc. Some negotiators have expressed concern that loopholes in a deal about international carbon markets could allow some countries to claim emissions reductions on paper that haven’t actually been made.“In that sense, from a European perspective, we are absolutely clear that: better no deal than a bad deal,” said Eickhout.The summit’s president, Chile’s Environment Minister Carolina Schmidt, urged delegates to find “no excuses for not reaching agreements” and added that the world’s “youth and women” were demanding action, “one that is equal to the historical challenge that we are facing.”“I call on you to work together to be able to give a positive response tomorrow,” she said.Separately, two former top U.S. officials signaled that in the absence of leadership from the U.S., Beijing had an opportunity to champion global leadership in fighting climate change if the world’s second largest economy reconsiders its current promotion of coal.“It would be down to China’s everlasting credit if this policy of financing the construction of so many new coal plants in other countries could respectfully be reviewed and reconsidered,” Al Gore, the former U.S. vice president, told China’s top climate official in Madrid, Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment Zhao Yinming.Kerry, who as the U.S. top diplomat paved the way for the Paris accord by brokering a U.S.-China climate agreement in 2014, told the AP that Beijing’s reliance on coal “will undo a lot of the good that’s been done,” but added that Chinese involvement in fighting climate change “is critical.”He also said the Trump administration’s trade war with China is dragging possible solutions to the fight against climate change.“The absence of the United States to work with China as an effective partner is a huge loss to the acceleration process we need,” he said. “It really is sad to see our country absent in many ways in terms of leadership.” Read the full article
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#COP23 Update! @FijiAG Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Public Enterprises, Civil Service & Communications, Fiji) speaks at the Sustainable Innovation Forum. Darcy Belanger, our Director of Strategic Initiatives, was there and gave him info about MAPS after his speech. Go Darcy! The world is waking up to MAPS. ⠀
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