Weekly Roundup

1 December 2023

Welcome to the weekend!

Here, The Diplomatic Insight “Weekly Roundup” brings you its compelling publications and extensive coverage from across the globe, published within a week. 

Europe

The European Union and New Zealand embrace a free trade agreement to boost trade and investment on both sides. The agreement would help bilateral trade to increase by 30% and increase European investment in New Zealand by 80%.

Spain and the European Commission published Ten Points for Dubai. “10 Points for Dubai” are key recommendations by EU Civil society, including European Climate Pact Ambassadors. 

European Commission Orange The World to spotlight and combat violence against women and girls, reflecting a hopeful vision for their future. The European Commission issues a statement ahead of International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women.

France and China inaugurated the Franco-Chinese carbon neutrality center in a bilateral engagement in Beijing. Foreign Ministers of France and China discuss the positive trajectory of relations between both countries.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development significantly increased its financial backing for Ukraine in light of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. EBRD announced 200 million euros for Naftogaz, the state energy company of Ukraine.

The 17th round of the bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and Sweden concludes in Stockholm. Both countries reviewed their entire range of bilateral relations across diverse sectors, from politics to trade and education.

The European Union condemns the launch of a military satellite by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The European Union marked it as a threat to international peace and a violation of the United Nations Security Council.

Top-level Diplomat from France meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss bilateral and global developments. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the positive trend of Sino-French relations were the topics of discussion.

Norway provides financial support to Palestine as the humanitarian need increases and is expected to increase further as winter arrives. The provision of 44 million dollars will help in providing essentials to the affected people in Gaza.

South Asia

The China Pakistan Study Center at ISSI, with the Philippine Embassy, hosted a seminar on Pakistan-Philippines relations in a shifting global context, aiming to uncover prospects for increased collaboration across various domains.

The Indonesian Embassy, with Pakistani archives and libraries, opens an exhibit in Pakistan showcasing "Soekarno’s Legacy" to highlight the deep Indonesia-Pakistan ties.

Pakistan and UAE will witness a new era of economic cooperation as multi-billion dollar MOUs signed between both countries. Prime Minister Kakar’s visit to UAE to unlock multi-billion dollar investment opportunities for Pakistan across diverse sectors envisioned under SIFC. 

Foreign Minister Jalil Jilani to participate in the International Conference on a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling. Foreign Minister’s visit to Europe to pave the way for strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union. 

The International Monetary Fund discusses crucial tax reforms with Pakistani authorities. The IMF team met with the Federal Board of Revenue to consider pivotal areas concerning the expansion of the tax base and income augmentation.

The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Pakistan, collaborating with the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, celebrated the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi, the greatest poet of Turkmenistan.

Pakistan was elected as Vice-Chair Executive Board of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. Pakistan outnumbered India to be elected as Vice-Chair UNESCO Executive Board from Asia Pacific Group.

During the weekly press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Baloch said that the truce in Gaza will provide a humanitarian corridor facilitating aid to the besieged people of Gaza.

Commerce Minister Pakistan discusses the prospects of Pakistan's economic vision with the Chinese Envoy. The beginning of the second phase of CPEC and investment opportunities in Pakistan in terms of the Special Economic Zone were also discussed.

East Asia 

Uzbekistan and China discuss economic engagements during round table discussions. The panel consisted of more than 70 firms and was briefed on growing trends and investment opportunities in Uzbekistan.

China and Uruguay talk on enhanced exchanges between the legislative bodies of both countries. The President of Uruguay meets with Chinese legislators to discuss the bilateral relationship between both countries.

China will work with Russia to enhance bilateral relations, especially strategic coordination and mutual benefit. President Xi highlights the common interest shared by both countries as neighbors and Permanent members of the Security Council.

The Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs China, Mao Ning, said that China acknowledges the Israel-Hamas truce agreement. 

The Chinese President met with the President of Uruguay and agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The engagement of both leaders witnessed the signing of the Belt and Road Cooperation plan.

The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, urged for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war as soon as possible during the extraordinary virtual Summit of BRICS. Xi warned the international community to prevent the widespread conflict and to deliver aid to the affected people in Gaza.

Middle East

World leaders, government reps, and delegates convene for COP28, the UN climate change summit in Dubai (UAE), from November 30 to December 12. The summit marks nearly eight years since the signing of the Paris Agreement.

Secretary General United Nations termed the extension in the truce between Hamas and Israel a glimpse of hope amid darkness. The Secretary-General urged for a complete humanitarian truce as the catastrophe in Gaza is worsening every day.

Prime Minister Pakistan to visit the state of Kuwait. Hope for the Pakistani economy as the visit of the Prime Minister aims at signing MOUs across diverse economic sectors.

The Foreign Minister of Jordan in Barcelona expressed for a permanent truce in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The peace treaty in the Middle East can bridge the gap between Arabs and Europeans as the war is producing nothing but chaos and destruction.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates urged the Security Council to take immediate action to end the conflict in the Middle East. The Security Council should oversee the reconstruction and provision of basic rights in a sustainable manner.

Eurasia and Central Asia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a diplomat from the Afghanistan Embassy urging Afghanistan to hand Hafiz Gul Bahadur to Pakistan as recent terrorist attacks were affiliated with his involvement. 

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Turkiye interacted with Secretary Blinken on the sidelines of a NATO foreign minister meeting, discussing bilateral ties and the latest developments in the Middle East.

Kazakhstan reiterated its commitment to fulfilling the terms of the Treaty on prohibition of nuclear weapons; the development came during the second conference of states parties to the treaty, Kazakhstan to take on a two-year Presidency. 

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan inaugurated a 152 km long railway line connecting it with Uzbekistan. The project aims at increasing the transport capacity between the two countries with the Prime Minister terming it as an important event.

The United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia meets to enhance regional cooperation. The forum is a platform for engaging in policy dialogue among all stakeholders to strengthen regional collaboration. 

Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye to streamline mutual trade dealings in a virtual meeting. The meeting aimed to form a joint Advisory Working Group on customs operations and to decide the future of the said collaboration.

Africa

With 19 million Sudanese children out of school, the violence is terrible. This represents one in three Sudanese youngsters, and the figure will rise. Due to regional violence and instability, 6.5 million of these 19 million youngsters have stopped attending school.

The World Food Program (WFP) is struggling to provide life-saving food aid for 1.4 million Chadians, including Sudanese refugees. The financing shortage is caused by the global economic crisis, the Ukraine war, and the Sudan war.

Darfur has been hit hard by Sudan's humanitarian catastrophe, with at least 5 million children enduring terrible deprivation of their rights and safety. After the conflict began in April 2023, child rights abuses were registered, mostly in Darfur. 

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune met on Tuesday this week to discuss bilateral relations. The Turkish Presidency said that Turkey and Algeria co-chaired the second Türkiye-Algeria High-Level Cooperation Council meeting in Algiers.

Americas

Secretary Blinken thanked Qatar's PM for freeing hostages in the Hamas-Israel deal and discussed Confidence Building Measures for a humanitarian truce, emphasizing US-Qatar ties for regional stability.

Secretary Blinken discusses the successful initiation of the hostage deal between Hamas and Israel and to further expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The Middle Eastern crisis enters a new phase as the humanitarian truce marks the power of diplomacy.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with Middle Eastern foreign ministers from Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia to negotiate a peaceful Gaza hostage settlement. To restore peace between Israel and Hamas, the US first used CBMS.

President Biden approved a 100 million dollar military aid package for Ukraine for their ongoing war against Russia. The United States supported Ukraine and asserted to be standing with the country throughout the war.

Multilateral Institutions and INGOs

UNGA President Dennis Francis stressed the urgency for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East post-Hamas attack and Israel's response, urging Member States to collaborate and seek collective solutions to end the conflict in his annual Palestine debate.

Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan led an inter-ministerial meeting of provincial health ministers and their delegates. This collaborative meeting developed a 10-point plan to overhaul Pakistan's health industry.

WFP confirmed it supplied humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Around 760,000 individuals have received emergency food and coupons from WFP. Many of Gaza's 2.3 million displaced residents live in congested shelters, temporary tents, and open areas without food, water, or sanitation. 

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, concluded her tour to Israel, the OPT, and Jordan. 

The 78th General Assembly general discussion concluded President Dennis Francis said that the recent Gaza humanitarian truce decision reflected the UN's most representative body's global conscience. 

National and International Days

Pakistan joined the globe in honoring International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. A fair and equitable society gives women the right to live a violence-free life with dignity and equality.

On November 20, the world celebrated World Children's Day. The theme this year was “For Every Child, Every Right.” Children's rights, safety, education, and health are promoted worldwide by this program. 

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