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Photo: UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the IMF Development Committee meeting in Bali, Indonesia. Credit: Grant Ellis/World Bank

Trust Deficit Disorder Jeopardising Sustainable Development

By António Guterres

The following are extensive extracts from UN Secretary-General António Guterres' remarks to finance ministers and central bank governors at the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) in Bali, Indonesia, on October 13, 2018. Stressing that the meeting was taking place "at a time of enormous uncertainty", he cautioned that high debts in many countries are limiting fiscal space and taking away much needed resources vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). – The Editor

BALI (IDN-INPS) – As Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, you are accustomed to dealing with deficits every day.

: UN Bureau; OPINION; 15 October 2018

Image: The flag of Saudi Arabia (centre) flying at United Nations headquarters in New York. UN Photo/Loey Felipe

UN Urges Saudi Arabia to Release All Incarcerated Women Human Rights Defenders

By Jamshed Baruah

GENEVA (IDN) – For the second time since July 31, UN human rights experts are calling on Saudi Arabia to "immediately and unconditionally" release all women human rights defenders, including six imprisoned on charges relating to their peaceful defence of human rights.

The detained have been charged for being involved in pro-democracy demonstrations, and previously campaigning for the right of women to vote and drive. In late June 2018, a long-standing ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia, was lifted by royal decree, UN News reports.

: Jamshed Baruah; THE WORLD; Middle East; 14 October 2018

Photo: Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Credit: Katsuhiro Asagiri | IDN-INPS Multimedia Director

World Religious Leaders' Astana Congress Pledges 'Unity in Diversity'

By Ramesh Jaura

ASTANA (IDN) – At a critical point in time when religious tolerance is being consigned to oblivion, an international conference has appealed "to all people of faith and goodwill" to unite, and called for "ensuring peace and harmony on our planet".

The appeal emerged from the two-day Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, the Kazakh city founded on the principle of "unity in diversity". The Congress concluded with a 'peace concert' in which 500 choir singers from five continents of the world took part.

: Ramesh Jaura; THE WORLD; Central Asia; 14 October 2018

Photo: Ali Baba founder Jack Ma addressing the conference via skype. Credit: Kalinga Seneviratne | IDN-INPS.

U.S. Foolish To Start Another Cold War, Says Jack Ma

By Kalinga Seneviratne

KUALA LUMPUR (IDN) – U.S. will suffer more from the current trade war with China, warned Alibaba founder Jack Ma addressing over 1000 business leaders, government officials and economic experts from Malaysia and across the region attending the China Conference here on October 10-11. He added that America has been growing and unemployment has been on the decline, even with the deficit in the trade balance with China.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly cited the huge trade deficit with China as the reason for putting up tariff walls against Chinese goods. Ma warned that such trade wars could cause problems for anyone who trades with China or the U.S.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; THE WORLD; Asia-Pacific; 13 October 2018

Photo: A glimpse of the China Conference. Credit: Kalinga Seneviratne | IDN-INPS.

More Transparency Could Ricochet 'Debt Trap' Accusations against China

By Kalinga Seneviratne

KUALA LUMPUR (IDN) – One of the major discussions at the 'China Conference' organized by the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post (SCMP) on October 10-11, was China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the perception created in the region, by the western media in particular, that it is a 'debt trap'. Many speakers from Asia, especially those from Malaysia, argued that more transparency in negotiating such projects could refute such allegations.

After coming to power five months ago, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad caused anxiety in Beijing when he cancelled $23 billion of China funded infrastructure projects citing inflated costs. Many speakers from Malaysia argued that this should be seen in terms of corrupt practices of the previous regime and not as a signal that Malaysia sees Chinese investments as debt traps.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; THE WORLD; Asia-Pacific; 12 October 2018

Photo: Kalpana Saroj. Crdit: kamanitubes.com

An Indian Woman Rises from the Downtrodden to a Socially Aware Multimillionaire

By Sudha Ramachandran

BANGALORE (IDN) – In 2013, Kalpana Saroj, Chairperson of the Mumbai-based Kamani Tubes Ltd. (KTL), was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest honour for civilians, for her achievements in the fields of Trade and Industry.

Saroj was successful in turning around the fortunes of KTL, a manufacturing company producing quality copper and copper alloy pipes and tubes. She succeeded where others, including well-networked, male corporate honchos, failed.

What makes her accomplishments all the more impressive is the fact that she is a Dalit (formerly 'Untouchables', the lowest caste in India's millennia-old caste hierarchy) and a woman too. "Her rise to the top is, without a doubt, a function of her personal fortitude and grit," Christina Thomas Dhanaraj, consultant for #dalitwomenfight, told IDN.

: Asia Editor; THE WORLD; Asia-Pacific; 12 October 2018

Photo: Samir Somaiya. Credit: Katsuhiro Asagiri | IDN-INPS

Creating A World Where We All Feel Secure

Viewpoint by Samir Somaiya

The author is President of the Institute on the study of Indology and inter-religious dialogue 'Somaiya Vidyavihar'. The following is the text of his remarks at the two-day Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on October 10, 2018 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, with the key topic 'Religious Leaders for a Secure World'.

ASTANA (IDN-INPS) – The word secure, is derived from Latin, and means ‘se’ - without, and ‘cura’, care. Meaning ‘without care’. Without worry. Without fear. How do we help create a world where we all feel secure, free from fear and threats, and one in which we feel free to dream, hope and pursue our dreams.

: Ramesh Jaura; OPINION; 12 October 2018

Photo: Hirotsugu Terasaki, Vice President, Director General of International Bureau, Peace and Global Issues, United Nations Liaison Offices, Soka Gakkai, addressing the opening session of the two-day Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on October 10, 2018 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Credit: Katsuhiro Asagiri, IDN-INPS Multimedia director.

Faith Communities Play A Vital Role in Ensuring Human Security

Viewpoint by Hirotsugu Terasaki

The author is Vice President, Director General of International Bureau, Peace and Global Issues, United Nations Liaison Offices, Soka Gakkai. The following is the text of his remarks at the opening session of the two-day Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on October 10, 2018 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

ASTANA (IDN-INPS) – First of all, I would like to thank the Republic of Kazakhstan for giving me this opportunity to speak on behalf of the members of Soka Gakkai, as well as for organizing this truly meaningful meeting dedicated to interfaith dialogue.

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: UN Bureau; OPINION; 11 October 2018

Photo: Kazakh President Nazarbayev urges religious leaders to appeal to world community to support peace and security. Credit: KazInform

Kazakh President Urges Religious Leaders to Help Resolve 'Civilizational' Problems

Viewpoint by Nursultan Nazarbayev

The author is the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Following are extensive excerpts from his opening address to the two-day Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on October 10, 2018 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. He shared with religious leaders "a vision of the areas that we can focus on together" in the interest of global peace and security. – The Editor

ASTANA (IDN-INPS) – Fifteen years have passed since the first historic Congress was held here. Today we are gathering for the sixth time.

: Ramesh Jaura; OPINION; 10 October 2018

U.S. Gets Green Light To Boot Thousands of Ghanaian Refugees

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – A simmering dispute between the U.S. and Ghana appears to be resolved. Some 7,000 Ghanaians can now be deported from the U.S. and a key demand – that their Ghanaian citizenship be proven before deportation – has been dropped.

The dispute was settled at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September 2018.

Speaking with the press, Ambassador Baffour Adjei-Bawuah said there was no longer any dispute over the nationality of the affected persons which had been a bone of contention earlier.