Green League
The Green League is one of the many political parties found in Finland. The first word ‘Green’ in the name was given as it is a Green Party, one which focuses more on principles such as environmentalism, reliance on grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and support for social justice causes. The second word, ‘League’ surfaced as the party originates from a popular movement. It was the first European Green party to be part of a state-level Cabinet in 1995.
Beside the principles above, this party especially stresses on openness and democratic decision-making. In addition, about half of Green were against joining the European Union in 1994 because they were critical about the market economy.
History
February 28, 1987- Formation of Green League.
1995 election- Received a total of 9/200 seats. Join coalition-cabinet led by Social Democrats. Pekka Haavisto became the minister of Environment and Development Aid, and thus the first green minister in Europe.
1999 election- Received 7.3% of the votes. Won two more seats.
May 26, 2002- Resigned from coalition-cabinet in protest of cabinet’s decision to allow construction of a new nuclear plant.
2003 election- Gained 8% of the vote, giving a total of 14 seats.
April 2007- Become one of the 4 parties which form the Finnish government
2007 election- 8.5% of votes. Seats in parliament increased to 15, which mean greater say.
2009 election- 2 of the thirteen Finnish representatives are Green
Popularity
They are generally more well-received in large cities such as Helsinki but not in rural areas, particularly municipalities experiencing strong outward migration.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Finland Politics
Before proceeding on to the task I’m allocated to i.e. political parties, I will like to make a comparison between Singapore politics and Finland politics, which I have chosen as my case study.
Similarity
Follow the framework of Parliamentary System, a system of government where in the ministers of the executive branch are drawn from the legislature, and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined.
Judiciary independent of executive and legislature
Legislative power is vested in Parliament
Difference
1) President
Finland- Current President of the Republic of Finland is Tarja Halonen, a female. He/She wields greater powers such as leading in foreign policy and being Commander-in-Chief of Finland Defence Forces
Singapore- Singapore does not have a history of having a female being elected as President. Role is reckoned as ceremonial, but still have some veto power in key decisions such as use of national reserves
2) Role of government
Finland- Has limited rights to amend or extend legislation
Singapore- Share equal rights with Parliament to amend of extend legislation
3) Political parties
Finland- Proportional representation system encourages a multitude of political parties. No single party has a chance to gain power alone. Parties have to work together to form coalition cabinets.
Singapore- People’s Action Party (PAP) as the only dominant political party since 1965.
Political paries found in Finland
They are Centre Party(23.1), National Coalition Party(22.3), Social Democratic Party of Finland(21.4), Left Alliance(8.8), Green League(8.5), Christian Democrats(4.9), Swedish People's Party(4.5), True Finns(4.1), Communist Party of Finland(0.7), Seniors' Party of Finland(0.6),Bourgeois Alliance(0.3).
Numbers in brackets denotes the percentage of seats occupied in Parliament
Next, I will be detailing the information of 3 parties found in this Table which I find them significant in Finland. They are Centre Party, Green League and Swedish People’s Party.
Before proceeding on to the task I’m allocated to i.e. political parties, I will like to make a comparison between Singapore politics and Finland politics, which I have chosen as my case study.
Similarity
Follow the framework of Parliamentary System, a system of government where in the ministers of the executive branch are drawn from the legislature, and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined.
Judiciary independent of executive and legislature
Legislative power is vested in Parliament
Difference
1) President
Finland- Current President of the Republic of Finland is Tarja Halonen, a female. He/She wields greater powers such as leading in foreign policy and being Commander-in-Chief of Finland Defence Forces
Singapore- Singapore does not have a history of having a female being elected as President. Role is reckoned as ceremonial, but still have some veto power in key decisions such as use of national reserves
2) Role of government
Finland- Has limited rights to amend or extend legislation
Singapore- Share equal rights with Parliament to amend of extend legislation
3) Political parties
Finland- Proportional representation system encourages a multitude of political parties. No single party has a chance to gain power alone. Parties have to work together to form coalition cabinets.
Singapore- People’s Action Party (PAP) as the only dominant political party since 1965.
Political paries found in Finland
They are Centre Party(23.1), National Coalition Party(22.3), Social Democratic Party of Finland(21.4), Left Alliance(8.8), Green League(8.5), Christian Democrats(4.9), Swedish People's Party(4.5), True Finns(4.1), Communist Party of Finland(0.7), Seniors' Party of Finland(0.6),Bourgeois Alliance(0.3).
Numbers in brackets denotes the percentage of seats occupied in Parliament
Next, I will be detailing the information of 3 parties found in this Table which I find them significant in Finland. They are Centre Party, Green League and Swedish People’s Party.
European countries in World Bank Group
The World Bank Group (WBG) is a family of five international organizations that makes leveraged loans, generally to poor countries. The World Bank's activities are focused on developing countries, in fields such as human development (e.g. education, health), agriculture and rural development (e.g. irrigation, rural services), environmental protection (e.g. pollution reduction, establishing and enforcing regulations), infrastructure (e.g. roads, urban regeneration, electricity), and governance (e.g. anti-corruption, legal institutions development).
Loans are provided at preferential rates to member countries, as well as grants to the poorest countries. Loans or grants for specific projects are often linked to wider policy changes in the sector or the economy. For example, a loan to improve coastal environmental management may be linked to development of new environmental institutions at national and local levels and the implementation of new regulations to limit pollution.
185 countries are involved in this organization. For example, France’s contribution to the World Bank’s fiduciary fund for the Palestinian Territories in 2005. With this new contribution, France’s total contribution to this fund stands at 5.5 million euros. Next, Spain and the World Bank work together with other member governments to finance projects, design policies and deliver programs to combat poverty in the developing world.
In Europe, there are also countries which are receiving aid from this World Bank Group and making progress as a result of it. They are also a member of this organization. For example in Poland, the World Bank is lending US$3.75 billion to finance structural reforms in public finance, the labor market and social sectors, and private sector development.
Additionally, there are also countries which have graduated from this organization, but still maintain a collaborative relationship with each other. For example, The Czech Republic graduated from the Bank's financial assistance in Spring 2006 but maintains an active partnership with the Bank on technical assistance and analytical work. The Bank's engagement in the Czech Republic (and other new EU Member States) will be set out in a Regional Framework, due to be published in Fall 2009. The collaborative relationship between the Czech Republic and the World Bank has provided opportunities to learn lessons and develop analytical instruments which also benefit other countries in the Region which started their transitions later.
Loans are provided at preferential rates to member countries, as well as grants to the poorest countries. Loans or grants for specific projects are often linked to wider policy changes in the sector or the economy. For example, a loan to improve coastal environmental management may be linked to development of new environmental institutions at national and local levels and the implementation of new regulations to limit pollution.
185 countries are involved in this organization. For example, France’s contribution to the World Bank’s fiduciary fund for the Palestinian Territories in 2005. With this new contribution, France’s total contribution to this fund stands at 5.5 million euros. Next, Spain and the World Bank work together with other member governments to finance projects, design policies and deliver programs to combat poverty in the developing world.
In Europe, there are also countries which are receiving aid from this World Bank Group and making progress as a result of it. They are also a member of this organization. For example in Poland, the World Bank is lending US$3.75 billion to finance structural reforms in public finance, the labor market and social sectors, and private sector development.
Additionally, there are also countries which have graduated from this organization, but still maintain a collaborative relationship with each other. For example, The Czech Republic graduated from the Bank's financial assistance in Spring 2006 but maintains an active partnership with the Bank on technical assistance and analytical work. The Bank's engagement in the Czech Republic (and other new EU Member States) will be set out in a Regional Framework, due to be published in Fall 2009. The collaborative relationship between the Czech Republic and the World Bank has provided opportunities to learn lessons and develop analytical instruments which also benefit other countries in the Region which started their transitions later.
European countries in International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers worldwide which started to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for the human being, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without any discrimination based on nationality, race, sex, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.
In this organization, it collaborates with other committees, like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which originated in Switzerland. ICRC was involved in providing humanitarian aid for the needy. For example during World War I, between 1916 and 1918, the ICRC published a number of postcards with scenes from the POW camps. The pictures showed the prisoners in day-to-day activities such as the distribution of letters from home. The intention of the ICRC was to provide the families of the prisoners with some hope and solace and to alleviate their uncertainties about the fate of their loved ones. After the end of the war, the ICRC organized the return of about 420,000 prisoners to their home countries.
For this movement, many countries are involved in it, like France and Italy. The first relief assistance mission organized by the League was an aid mission for the victims of a famine and subsequent typhus epidemic in Poland. Only five years after its foundation, the League had already issued 47 donation appeals for missions in 34 countries, an impressive indication of the need for this type of Red Cross work. The total sum raised by these appeals reached 685 million Swiss Francs, which were used to bring emergency supplies to the victims of famines in Russia, Germany, and Albania, etc.
During the Abyssinian war between Ethiopia and Italy from 1935 to 1936, the League contributed aid supplies worth about 1.7 million Swiss Francs. During the Civil War in Spain from 1936 to 1939 the League once again joined forces with the ICRC with the support of 41 national societies. In 1939 on the brink of the Second World War, the League relocated its headquarters from Paris to Geneva to take advantage of Swiss neutrality.
Till date, the movement continued to provide humanitarian aid for the needy. Altogether, there are about 97 million people worldwide who serve with the ICRC, the International Federation, and the National Societies. And there are about 12,000 total full time staff members.
Note: Singapore’s Red Cross Society is also originated from this movement.
In this organization, it collaborates with other committees, like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which originated in Switzerland. ICRC was involved in providing humanitarian aid for the needy. For example during World War I, between 1916 and 1918, the ICRC published a number of postcards with scenes from the POW camps. The pictures showed the prisoners in day-to-day activities such as the distribution of letters from home. The intention of the ICRC was to provide the families of the prisoners with some hope and solace and to alleviate their uncertainties about the fate of their loved ones. After the end of the war, the ICRC organized the return of about 420,000 prisoners to their home countries.
For this movement, many countries are involved in it, like France and Italy. The first relief assistance mission organized by the League was an aid mission for the victims of a famine and subsequent typhus epidemic in Poland. Only five years after its foundation, the League had already issued 47 donation appeals for missions in 34 countries, an impressive indication of the need for this type of Red Cross work. The total sum raised by these appeals reached 685 million Swiss Francs, which were used to bring emergency supplies to the victims of famines in Russia, Germany, and Albania, etc.
During the Abyssinian war between Ethiopia and Italy from 1935 to 1936, the League contributed aid supplies worth about 1.7 million Swiss Francs. During the Civil War in Spain from 1936 to 1939 the League once again joined forces with the ICRC with the support of 41 national societies. In 1939 on the brink of the Second World War, the League relocated its headquarters from Paris to Geneva to take advantage of Swiss neutrality.
Till date, the movement continued to provide humanitarian aid for the needy. Altogether, there are about 97 million people worldwide who serve with the ICRC, the International Federation, and the National Societies. And there are about 12,000 total full time staff members.
Note: Singapore’s Red Cross Society is also originated from this movement.
Specialized agencies in United Nation
United Nation (UN) is an international organization, which countries all around the world come together to discuss global pressing issues, ranging from international security, to economic development, to human rights. It has many specialized agencies, like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Countries in Europe have played a major role in UN. Most of the headquarters of the agencies are set up in Europe. Agencies related to food and agriculture, like the
International Fund for Agricultural Development, World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization, has their headquarters set up in Italy. As such, Italy is in charge of food security, forestry, aiding those in need of food in the developing countries, etc.
Next, many agency’s headquarters are also set up in Switzerland. This includes the World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization and World Meteorological Organization.
The list goes on.
Albeit these European countries may not be the head of the agencies, but they do contribute a lot by providing the necessary resources for the programmes to take place. For example, not only do they provide the land to set up the headquarters, but officers from these countries are also involved in the organizations. They meet up with one another regularly to discuss issues related to their agency.
Countries in Europe have played a major role in UN. Most of the headquarters of the agencies are set up in Europe. Agencies related to food and agriculture, like the
International Fund for Agricultural Development, World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization, has their headquarters set up in Italy. As such, Italy is in charge of food security, forestry, aiding those in need of food in the developing countries, etc.
Next, many agency’s headquarters are also set up in Switzerland. This includes the World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization and World Meteorological Organization.
The list goes on.
Albeit these European countries may not be the head of the agencies, but they do contribute a lot by providing the necessary resources for the programmes to take place. For example, not only do they provide the land to set up the headquarters, but officers from these countries are also involved in the organizations. They meet up with one another regularly to discuss issues related to their agency.
Contribution of France in United Nation
To begin,
Also,
Lastly,
Italy - Political parties
Italy has a complex system of political alignments in which the parties, their congresses, and their leaders often appear to wield more power than parliament or the other constitutional branches of government.
Basic party policy is decided at the party congresses—generally held every second year—which are attended by locally elected party leaders. At the same time, the national party leadership is selected.
The most important political party traditionally has been the Christian Democratic Party (Partito Democrazia Cristiana—DC), which stands about midway in the political spectrum. In the 1983 national elections, the DC commanded 32.9% of the vote and won 225 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, down from 38.3% and 262 seats in 1979; in 1987, however, its electoral strength increased again, to 34.3% and 234 seats. From 1948 until 1981, the prime minister of Italy was consistently drawn from the ranks of the DC, whose religious and anti-class base constitutes both its strength and its weakness. Its relationship with the Church gives it added strength but also opens it to criticism by lay parties. Since it attracts its membership from all classes, the DC is also the most prone to internal dissension. As a result of scandals and corruption charges, the DC has lost considerable support, especially to regional movements in the north. The DC contested the 1994 election under the Pact for Italy Coalition.
To the right and the left of the DC stand a wide range of parties. The most important of these is the Italian Communist Party (Partito Comunista Italiano—PCI), the largest Communist party in Western Europe. The PCI had been second in power and influence only to the DC, but in the 1980s, its electoral base declined, despite the fact that it effectively severed its ties with both the former USSR and Marxism-Leninism. In 1987, the PCI won only 24.6% and 177 seats, down from 29.9% and 198 seats in 1983 and 34.4% and 228 seats in 1976. It is now two parties: Communist Refounding and the Democratic Party, or the left.
Two center-left parties, the Italian Socialist Party (Partito Socialista Italiano—PSI) and the Italian Social Democratic Party (Partito Socialista Democratico Italiano—PSDI) combined in 1966 to form the United Socialist Party, but following a split in 1969, both reemerged as separate parties. In 1987, the PSI won 94 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, a gain of 21 over 1983, and the PSDI took 17 seats, a decline of 6 from 1983.
The Italian Republican Party (Partito Repubblicano Italiano— PRI), which was liberal on civil and human rights but conservative on economic issues, scored impressive gains in 1983, raising its number of deputies from 16 to 29, but in 1987, it gained only 21 seats; during 1981–82, Giovanni Spadolini, PRI party secretary, served as prime minister, Italy's first non-DC head of government since 1948. The Italian Liberal Party (Partito Liberale Italiano— PLI) also advanced in 1983 by winning 16 seats, for a gain of 7, but gained only 11 seats in 1987. The Radical Party (Partito Radicale) was active on social issues in Italy, having sponsored the 1974 referendum on divorce; in 1983, it won 11 seats in the Chamber, and in 1987, 13 seats. Other parties have included, on the extreme right, the Italian Social Movement (Movimento Sociale Italiano—MSI), which elected 42 deputies in 1983 and 35 in 1987, and, on the far left, the Proletarian Democracy (Democrazia Proletaria—DP), which elected seven deputies in 1983 and eight in 1987. The Greens, an environmentalist group that entered the elections for the first time in 1987, won 13 seats.
Between 1946 and 1962, the PSI acted in unity with the PCI, forming an opposition bloc of about 40% in the Chamber. In early 1962, a new type of government—a center-left coalition— was formed, uniting the DC with all the leftist parties except the PCI. The crux of this government was a working alliance between the DC and the PSI, which previously had been closely bound to the PCI. The objectives of the alliance were to isolate the PCI by drawing the PSI closer to the center parties and to undercut the Communists' popularity by legislating needed social and economic reforms. Center-left coalitions continued to form the governments after 1962, but these alliances were notoriously unstable. Furthermore, the alliance of the moderate left parties with the weakened DC actually strengthened the Communists as an opposition party in the 1970s.
In the late 1970s, a "historic compromise" was reached between the DC and the Communists, who were allowed to participate in the policy-making (1977–79) but had no direct role in the government. The strong gains made by the smaller political parties in 1983 led to the formation of a five-party coalition government (DC, PSI, PRI, PSDI, and PLI) under PSI leader Bettino Craxi on 4 August 1983. This marked the first time that a Socialist held the premiership. His government, which lasted until June 1986, was the longest postwar government. In July 1987, Giovanni Goria was confirmed by the Chamber of Deputies as the new DC prime minister; in November, however, his government collapsed when the PLI withdrew from the governing coalition. Goria formed a new government, but it collapsed in February 1988.
The April 1996 election saw a resurgence of the left as the Olive Tree coalition, anchored by former communists calling themselves the Party of the Democratic Left (PDS), gained 284 seats in the 630-seat Chamber of Deputies and 157 seats in the 315-seat Senate. The Refounded Communists won 35 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, the separatist Northern League 59, the center-right Freedom Alliance 246, and others 6. The elections of April 1992 failed to resolve Italy's political and economic problems. The election of March 1994 under new voting rules resulted in the following distribution of seats in the Chamber (lower house): Alliance for Freedom, 42.9% (Forza Italia, Northern League, National Alliance—366 seats); Progressive Alliance, 32.2% (Democratic Party, or the left, Communist Refounding, Democratic Alliance, Greens, Reformers—213 seats); and Pact for Italy, 15.7% (Popular Party, others— 46 seats).
In the May 2001 election, Berlusconi's right-leaning coalition, the House of Liberties, was comprised of his Forza Italia (Go Italy) party; the National Alliance, Northern League, Christian-Democratic Center Party; United Christian Democrats; and the New Italian Socialist Party. This coalition won 368 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, and 177 in the Senate. The Olive Tree coalition—composed of the Democrats of the Left, the Daisy Alliance (including the Italian Popular Party, Italian Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, and the Democrats) the Sunflower Alliance (including the Greens and the Italian Democratic Socialists), and the Italian Communist Party—came in second with 242 seats in the lower house (128 in the Senate). The Communist Refounding took 11 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, and the Olive-Southern Tyrols People's Party of German speakers secured 5 seats in the lower house.
Contributions of France in UN
France is one of the leading contributors to the UN. It is the 5th largest contributor, after the United States, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom, providing a 6.3% share of the regular UN budget in 2008. As a permanent member of the Security Council, France’s contribution to the Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) budget amounts to 7.51%.
Role of France in UN - Peace and Security
In the area of peace and security, France plays a key role in terms of disarmament. It has worked on the development of numerous treaties, most recently for the Convention on the Prohibition of Cluster Munitions adopted in 2008. It is very involved in actions to enforce the non-proliferation regime and played a key role in adopting the various resolutions on Iran and North Korea. France and the United Kingdom were the first two States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1998 and France is striving for its entry into force. France was also the first State to decide and then take steps to dismantle its installations devoted to the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. It supports the resumption of efforts relating to the negotiation of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. More generally, it tries to consistently endorse an ambitious and effective role for the United Nations based on international law and consensus. During the Iraqi crisis in 2003, it opposed the unilateral use of force and advocated a central role for the United Nations. Its military and police forces are strongly represented beyond its borders: in 2009 it took part in 10 of the 15 United Nations PKOs, with more than 2000 UN blue helmets deployed on the ground, essentially in Lebanon (UNIFIL). In addition to this direct contribution, it makes a major commitment in terms of UN authorized forces that are not blue helmets, with more than 7800 French soldiers involved in these operations. France has been present in Côte d’Ivoire since 2002 (Operation Licorne) in this capacity. It also contributes to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and to the European Union forces in Bosnia (EUFOR- Althea) and in Kosovo (EULEX).
Role of France in UN's reform
France is very involved in United Nations reform. The recent crises confirmed the central role that the UN plays, but they also emphasized the need to make the organization more efficient, and more representative of current global indicators. This is why France is an advocate for Security Council reform. Just as it supported the transformation of the G8 in the G20, it supports the expansion of the Security Council within the framework of the negotiations relating to this issue that were initiated at the General Assembly at the beginning of 2009. It thus supports the accession by Germany, Brazil, India and Japan to a permanent seat as well as the increased presence of African countries in the Security Council, particularly among the permanent members. There is also the question of the presence of an Arab State as part of the permanent members of the Security Council. France is also promoting a review of Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs), with the aim of making them more efficient and more able to achieve their objectives. France, together with the United Kingdom, put forward some proposals to its partners in the Council.
MM Lee honoured at IATA AGM
Singapore - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) honoured Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew with its Global Aviation Leadership Award (GALA) for his role in helping to shape air transport.
Established in 2002, the IATA GALA commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight and is given to outstanding individuals for exceptional contributions that have helped shape air transport.
"Minister Mentor Lee's unique vision and leadership founded one of our industry's strongest carriers and most efficient airports. This became a shining example of how aviation-with effective government policies-has played an important role in building the foundations of a country respected for its efficiency and economic achievements," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.
"His unwavering commitment to liberalisation and free market principles was ahead of its time in 1972. These are principles that are critical to the industry's development even today. We need more leaders with Minister Mentor's vision and deep understanding of aviation and the economic benefits that it catalyses," said Bisignani.
Bisignani added that MM Lee's drive to make sure the airline was competitive and self-supporting or be shut down helped shaped SIA into a commercial success without government assistance.
MM Lee is only the third GALA recipient. The first was awarded in 2003 to Dr Assad Kotaite for his service as the International Civil Aviation Organisation council president for over 30 years. The second was awarded in 2005 to Minister Yang Yuanyuan of the Civil Aviation Administration of China for his vision and leadership on progressive liberalisation in aviation.
Established in 2002, the IATA GALA commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight and is given to outstanding individuals for exceptional contributions that have helped shape air transport.
"Minister Mentor Lee's unique vision and leadership founded one of our industry's strongest carriers and most efficient airports. This became a shining example of how aviation-with effective government policies-has played an important role in building the foundations of a country respected for its efficiency and economic achievements," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.
"His unwavering commitment to liberalisation and free market principles was ahead of its time in 1972. These are principles that are critical to the industry's development even today. We need more leaders with Minister Mentor's vision and deep understanding of aviation and the economic benefits that it catalyses," said Bisignani.
Bisignani added that MM Lee's drive to make sure the airline was competitive and self-supporting or be shut down helped shaped SIA into a commercial success without government assistance.
MM Lee is only the third GALA recipient. The first was awarded in 2003 to Dr Assad Kotaite for his service as the International Civil Aviation Organisation council president for over 30 years. The second was awarded in 2005 to Minister Yang Yuanyuan of the Civil Aviation Administration of China for his vision and leadership on progressive liberalisation in aviation.
Importance of the bilateral tie between Singapore and China
On November 12, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore, exchanging in-depth views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern.
Echoing Hu's proposals on developing bilateral ties, Lee said the relations between the two countries are full of vitality with cooperation at multiple levels and in all areas going smoothly. Achievements have been made in bilateral cooperation on high-tech, Chinese enterprises going global, Singapore-China cooperation at local levels and human resource training. The Suzhou Industrial Park has scored noticeable outcome over the past 15 years and the Tianjin Eco-City project has also been proceeding smoothly. He said bilateral cooperation was not only beneficial to both countries, but also conducive to the international community. Lee suggested that the two countries should step up cooperation in such new fields as city planning, water resources treatment, environment protection and social harmony to advance the future cooperation between both sides. Singapore and China should learn from each other to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcome. As Singapore will host the Youth Olympic Games next year, the country hopes to learn from China's experience in holding the Olympics and other big events.
Lee said the two countries, with different national realities, should learn from each other, increase exchanges, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the era of globalization. Lee said the forthcoming 17th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting would be very important, and he thanked China's support to Singapore for hosting the meeting. President Hu Jintao's attendance will play an important role in pushing forward the development of APEC, the Singaporean prime minister said. "Singapore welcomes China enhancing cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and welcomes China's active participation in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation," Lee said, adding that his country is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the Group of 20 and other international organizations.
Lee said China has played an important role in tackling the international financial crisis and will continue to play an important role in the post-crisis era. The stability, vitality and prosperity of China's economy are conducive to economic recovery in Asia and the world, he said.
After their meeting, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of relevant cooperation agreements between the two countries.
Echoing Hu's proposals on developing bilateral ties, Lee said the relations between the two countries are full of vitality with cooperation at multiple levels and in all areas going smoothly. Achievements have been made in bilateral cooperation on high-tech, Chinese enterprises going global, Singapore-China cooperation at local levels and human resource training. The Suzhou Industrial Park has scored noticeable outcome over the past 15 years and the Tianjin Eco-City project has also been proceeding smoothly. He said bilateral cooperation was not only beneficial to both countries, but also conducive to the international community. Lee suggested that the two countries should step up cooperation in such new fields as city planning, water resources treatment, environment protection and social harmony to advance the future cooperation between both sides. Singapore and China should learn from each other to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcome. As Singapore will host the Youth Olympic Games next year, the country hopes to learn from China's experience in holding the Olympics and other big events.
Lee said the two countries, with different national realities, should learn from each other, increase exchanges, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the era of globalization. Lee said the forthcoming 17th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting would be very important, and he thanked China's support to Singapore for hosting the meeting. President Hu Jintao's attendance will play an important role in pushing forward the development of APEC, the Singaporean prime minister said. "Singapore welcomes China enhancing cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and welcomes China's active participation in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation," Lee said, adding that his country is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the Group of 20 and other international organizations.
Lee said China has played an important role in tackling the international financial crisis and will continue to play an important role in the post-crisis era. The stability, vitality and prosperity of China's economy are conducive to economic recovery in Asia and the world, he said.
After their meeting, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of relevant cooperation agreements between the two countries.
Addressing climatic change
As a densely populated city-state, Singapore subscribes to the principle of sustainable development and actively takes part in international initiatives on the environment. Singapore played an active role in ensuring the successful conclusion of the 1992 Rio Summit through Ambassador Tommy Koh's chairmanship of the Summit's Preparatory and Main Committees. We are committed to doing our part to realise global and sustainable development objectives, including the World Summit on Sustainable Development's Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Singapore is also a committed participant in global and regional environmental sustainability fora, such as the Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GMEF), the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development (MCED) and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment.
Singapore recognises that a strong and effective international effort is needed to address climate change and every country must play its part. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) arose from the 1992 Rio Summit. The UNFCCC sets the framework for governments to cooperate on the issue of global warming, and it adopted the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. Singapore ratified the UNFCCC in 1997 and acceded to the Kyoto Protocol in 2006. Singapore continues to support and actively participate in the international climate change negotiations. A Workshop for officials from the Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS), was held in Singapore from 3-6 November 2008. AOSIS members are small, low-lying island developing countries, that are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The workshop allowed AOSIS countries to coordinate and agree on common positions for the key issues to be discussed at the 14th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC in Poznan in December 2008. The Workshop was well-attended with approximately 100 senior officials and climate change experts from 41 AOSIS countries, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNFCCC Secretariat.
Under the aegis of the Singapore Cooperation Programme, Singapore has also hosted several training programmes on urban environmental management, including the Singapore Technical Assistance Programme for Sustainable Development and the Small Island Developing States Technical Co-operation Programme.
Singapore has ratified or acceded to the following key multilateral treaties on the environment:
• ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution
• UN Convention on Biological Diversity
• UN Convention to Combat Desertification
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its Amendments
• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Singapore recognises that a strong and effective international effort is needed to address climate change and every country must play its part. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) arose from the 1992 Rio Summit. The UNFCCC sets the framework for governments to cooperate on the issue of global warming, and it adopted the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. Singapore ratified the UNFCCC in 1997 and acceded to the Kyoto Protocol in 2006. Singapore continues to support and actively participate in the international climate change negotiations. A Workshop for officials from the Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS), was held in Singapore from 3-6 November 2008. AOSIS members are small, low-lying island developing countries, that are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The workshop allowed AOSIS countries to coordinate and agree on common positions for the key issues to be discussed at the 14th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC in Poznan in December 2008. The Workshop was well-attended with approximately 100 senior officials and climate change experts from 41 AOSIS countries, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNFCCC Secretariat.
Under the aegis of the Singapore Cooperation Programme, Singapore has also hosted several training programmes on urban environmental management, including the Singapore Technical Assistance Programme for Sustainable Development and the Small Island Developing States Technical Co-operation Programme.
Singapore has ratified or acceded to the following key multilateral treaties on the environment:
• ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution
• UN Convention on Biological Diversity
• UN Convention to Combat Desertification
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its Amendments
• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
The US Will Lose Its Innovation Leader Role
For years now, political analysts have been talking about the fact that America is currently in its final years as a world superpower, and that it will soon fall back to the benefit of other countries, while its place will be taken by another nation. And although many have contradicted their opinions with potent arguments, it would appear that more than half of the general population believes that, indeed, the country will lose its status soon, in favor of another one.
The recent poll, conducted on 808 participants and released by the Duke University on Tuesday, shows that some 50 percent of all Americans believe that another country will take over the reins as the world's scientific and technological leader in the 21st century. Of those, approximately 20 percent consider that China will be the one to do it, while 10 percent bet on Europe. Other 4 percent say that India has the potential required to take on the US technologically, while an additional 10 percent share that Europe, as a Union, has the potential to foster massive innovations.
“Americans understand that innovation is critical to their future, but also recognize that our country's continued leadership isn't assured just because we invented everything from the airplane to the personal computer. The survey shows that when Americans focus on how central engineers are to solving our biggest problems, they come to view the discipline as essential and want to attract more talented young people to it,” the Dean of the Pratt School, Thomas Katsouleas, explains.
The latest survey, which has taken place between January 22-25, is just the latest in a larger series ran by the Duke University. Investigators from the institution have it that the trend among the general population is a very strange one, as people seem to want scientists to focus more on issues such as finding better drugs for the world's most dangerous diseases, as well as on coming up with a way to ensure that all citizens of the globe have fresh water available. Developing alternative and clean power sources is also ranked high on the list, as opposed to developing urban infrastructure and ensuring cyberspace security, which is ranked low.
Nearly 58 percent of respondents hold that the main problem in America is now the fact that less and less young individuals turn their attention to fields such as engineering, where new “recruits” are badly needed. Without new work force, the other scientists cannot foster progress for much time, at a level where it would exceed that of other countries or regions (such as Hong Kong or Japan), where exact sciences are highly praised.
MILF leaders want US role in peace talks
ZAMBOANGA—Leaders of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) called on Sunday for Washington’s involvement in helping broker a peace deal with the Philippine government in Mindanao after they met with several US diplomats.
The meeting between MILF chief Murad Ebrahim and US Charge d’Affaires Leslie Bassett took place on Friday at Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao, the rebel group’s main training camp in Mindanao, an MILF statement said.
The MILF said the meeting was also attended by its vice chair Ghazali Jaafar, chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and five other senior cadres, while the US side included Manila-based political officer Michael Pignagtello, Elzaida Washington, country director of the US Agency for International Development, and Anthony Senci, embassy defense minister.
Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of military forces in Mindanao, told AFP he instructed an army division in the area to provide security to the American diplomats, who had requested a military escort ahead of their Philippine visit.
But he added: “We were not informed about the meeting.”
Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesperson for the Philippine Army’s Sixth Infantry Division, told AFP: “We provided security, but we all know that they (soldiers) could not enter the MILF camp and join them (US diplomats).”
Murad thanks Obama
In a statement, Murad thanked the United States and President Barack Obama for “the unfaltering commitment to support the peace process and peaceful conflict resolution between the government and MILF.”
Jaafar told the US delegation that their government should help address the root cause of the decades-old Mindanao conflict.
“The US government knows very well the background of the conflict both historically and legally, and we believe that the US can greatly help toward the peaceful resolution of the conflict,” Jaafar said.
Washington is a key aid donor to impoverished Muslim areas in Mindanao.
In her message posted on the rebels’ website, Bassett said the US was committed to support the peace process by providing more assistance and more specific roles.
Last year, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney secretly met with Murad in Darapanan where she assured the rebel group of her country’s support for the peace talks.
Committed to peace
The MILF statement said Murad stressed the movement’s commitment to reaching a peace deal with the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “through a negotiated political settlement.”
The peace talks were halted last year after the MILF attacked Christian communities across Mindanao, killing more than 300 people and displacing around 750,000.
In July, the MILF and the government signed a new ceasefire agreement.
Despite the ceasefire, evacuees fearing renewed fighting are still reluctant to return to their homes and remain in cramped evacuation centers.
EU, Spanish visitors
On Tuesday, two foreign dignitaries from the European Union and Spain are scheduled to visit various evacuation sites in North Cotabato and Maguindanao to look into the situation of the evacuees.
Security has been tightened all over North Cotabato ahead of the scheduled visit.
North Cotabato Gov. Jesus Sacdalan said he has ordered all police units to strengthen intelligence networking to thwart any threats against the two foreign visitors.
Sacdalan said the ambassadors with their respective delegations will meet with him in the provincial capitol on Oct. 20 before conducting ocular visits of various evacuation sites in North Cotabato and Maguindanao. Agence France-Presse with reports from Jeoffrey Maitem and Williamor A. Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao
Singapore highlights its role in UN peacekeeping operations
PM Lee said that he supports the partnership of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO) and INTERPOL to bring the role of police peacekeepers to the forefront of the international security agenda.
Meeting the Challenge of Transnational Crime
Today, we all live in a globalised world. Our economies and societies are linked in so many ways. Trade and travel have seen exponential growth. Goods move freely all over the world. Our peoples visit one another’s countries with increasing frequency. Bits and bytes travel even more freely than physical goods and people. Our computers are linked by the worldwide web, and we can communicate by Skype, email, SMS, MSN, Twitter, and so on. Billions of dollars in digital currency can be transferred between jurisdictions in the blink of an eye, whether legally or illegally.
Globalisation has brought untold benefits to countries and to millions of people worldwide. But it has also created some difficult challenges. Crime too has become global. Criminals can move around more easily and run transnational operations and they often direct crime from offshore bases. Using modern communi¬cations tools, criminals can freely exchange information, coordinate their operations and even share “best crime practices”. Jihadist terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime are all global in scale and transnational in nature. The same modern day technologies and techniques that improve our lives are easily applied to more sinister ends.
Enhancing International Police Cooperation
To deal with new crimes and more sophisticated criminals, it is necessary, but not sufficient, for Police authorities also to become smarter and better equipped. Police officers must learn the latest technologies, understand how they might be abused by felons, as well as how they could be deployed to enhance policing work. Police services must raise the capabilities of their officers, help them to master the new tools and always to stay one step ahead of criminals. But in addition to this, countries have to cooperate more closely with one another, by sharing intelligence, watching for international fugitives and conducting joint enforcement actions. Only by working together can we effectively tackle transnational crime and terrorism.
INTERPOL plays a vital role as the largest police organisation dedicated to international cooperation. It brings together 187 member countries and facilitates international police cooperation even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular countries. It does this by respecting the limits of existing laws in the different countries. Its constitution forbids any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character. This encourages member countries to contribute information on fugitives, terrorists, stolen goods, and stolen or lost travel documents. These are then collated into databases which can be accessed securely. Such cooperation has enabled countries to extend the long arm of the law beyond traditional borders to take collective action against a common enemy. I am happy to note that the INTERPOL network is growing, and that by the end of this Assembly, Samoa will join, making it 188 member countries.
INTERPOL has led or coordinated many successful operations to cripple international syndicates. It has also helped to build global capacity in police agencies, through training and establishing intelligence-sharing protocols for member states. These efforts have enabled police authorities all over the world to prevent, detect and suppress crime.
Singapore benefits greatly from international police cooperation. We are an open, cosmopolitan city, highly connected to the world. Working with other police services multiplies our effectiveness. Through INTERPOL, wanted criminals and terrorists have been returned to Singa¬pore to face justice. We use the Mobile INTERPOL Network Database system to screen travel documents at checkpoints for stolen or lost passports. We have also participated in joint operations. For example, the Singapore Police Force was part of a regional task-force together with China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in two INTERPOL-coordinated operations, codenamed SOGA 1 and 2, which were held in 2007 and 2008 respectively. These two highly successful operations targeted illegal soccer gambling controlled by organised crime gangs. Operation SOGA 2 alone resulted in the arrest of over 1,300 persons across the various countries, and disrupted betting records of almost US$1.5 billion.
Meeting the Challenge of Transnational Crime
Today, we all live in a globalised world. Our economies and societies are linked in so many ways. Trade and travel have seen exponential growth. Goods move freely all over the world. Our peoples visit one another’s countries with increasing frequency. Bits and bytes travel even more freely than physical goods and people. Our computers are linked by the worldwide web, and we can communicate by Skype, email, SMS, MSN, Twitter, and so on. Billions of dollars in digital currency can be transferred between jurisdictions in the blink of an eye, whether legally or illegally.
Globalisation has brought untold benefits to countries and to millions of people worldwide. But it has also created some difficult challenges. Crime too has become global. Criminals can move around more easily and run transnational operations and they often direct crime from offshore bases. Using modern communi¬cations tools, criminals can freely exchange information, coordinate their operations and even share “best crime practices”. Jihadist terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime are all global in scale and transnational in nature. The same modern day technologies and techniques that improve our lives are easily applied to more sinister ends.
Enhancing International Police Cooperation
To deal with new crimes and more sophisticated criminals, it is necessary, but not sufficient, for Police authorities also to become smarter and better equipped. Police officers must learn the latest technologies, understand how they might be abused by felons, as well as how they could be deployed to enhance policing work. Police services must raise the capabilities of their officers, help them to master the new tools and always to stay one step ahead of criminals. But in addition to this, countries have to cooperate more closely with one another, by sharing intelligence, watching for international fugitives and conducting joint enforcement actions. Only by working together can we effectively tackle transnational crime and terrorism.
INTERPOL plays a vital role as the largest police organisation dedicated to international cooperation. It brings together 187 member countries and facilitates international police cooperation even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular countries. It does this by respecting the limits of existing laws in the different countries. Its constitution forbids any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character. This encourages member countries to contribute information on fugitives, terrorists, stolen goods, and stolen or lost travel documents. These are then collated into databases which can be accessed securely. Such cooperation has enabled countries to extend the long arm of the law beyond traditional borders to take collective action against a common enemy. I am happy to note that the INTERPOL network is growing, and that by the end of this Assembly, Samoa will join, making it 188 member countries.
INTERPOL has led or coordinated many successful operations to cripple international syndicates. It has also helped to build global capacity in police agencies, through training and establishing intelligence-sharing protocols for member states. These efforts have enabled police authorities all over the world to prevent, detect and suppress crime.
Singapore benefits greatly from international police cooperation. We are an open, cosmopolitan city, highly connected to the world. Working with other police services multiplies our effectiveness. Through INTERPOL, wanted criminals and terrorists have been returned to Singa¬pore to face justice. We use the Mobile INTERPOL Network Database system to screen travel documents at checkpoints for stolen or lost passports. We have also participated in joint operations. For example, the Singapore Police Force was part of a regional task-force together with China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in two INTERPOL-coordinated operations, codenamed SOGA 1 and 2, which were held in 2007 and 2008 respectively. These two highly successful operations targeted illegal soccer gambling controlled by organised crime gangs. Operation SOGA 2 alone resulted in the arrest of over 1,300 persons across the various countries, and disrupted betting records of almost US$1.5 billion.
The United States’ Role in the World
Majorities in all 15 of the publics polled about the United States’ role in the world reject the idea that “as the sole remaining superpower, the US should continue to be the preeminent world leader in solving international problems.” However majorities in only two publics (Argentina and the Palestinian territories) say that the United States “should withdraw from most efforts to solve international problems.” The preferred view in all of the other cases is that the United States “should do its share in efforts to solve international problems together with other countries.”
In Asia, large majorities embrace the idea that the United States should play a cooperative role in South Korea (79%) and China (68%). A majority of Filipinos (55%) and a plurality of Indians (42%) also take this view, but they are among the few publics with substantial numbers saying the United States should play the role of the preeminent world leader: 20 percent in the Philippines and 34 percent in India. Thais are also relatively reluctant to support a cooperative role (47%), but very few endorse a preeminent role (8%) or disengagement (18%), while 27 percent declined to answer.
In Europe, the French are those most emphatic in their support for a cooperative role (75%), followed by Armenia (58%). A majority of Ukrainians (52%) also support this position, but an unusually high number (34%) supports US disengagement. In Russia, a plurality (42%) favors a cooperative role, but this is barely more than the percentage (38%) that favors disengagement.
In Latin America, about six in ten Peruvians (61%) and Mexicans (59%) believe the United States should cooperate with other countries to solve international problems. However, as mentioned above, Argentines are one of only two publics favoring US withdrawal from international efforts with 55 percent taking this position and 34 percent in favor of cooperation.
In the Middle East, Israelis and Palestinians differ sharply. A majority of Palestinians favor US disengagement (55%) while more than a third (36%) prefers cooperation. Israelis are more in line with most other publics in that 62 percent favor US cooperation, but they also show the second highest level of support (after India) for the US taking the role of preeminent leader (24%).
Americans match the French in their support for the United States doing its share together with other nations (75%), with small numbers favoring a preeminent role (10%) or isolationism (12%).
South East Asia Capacity Development Initiative for Youth Involvement in Eco-Villages
This initiative aims to pilot at the sub-regional level a self-sustaining capacity development mechanism for the continuous and direct involvement of local and national youth organizations in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of community-level (village level) sustainable development efforts (eco-village initiatives) in 10 pilot communities in each of the following target countries in the South East Asia Sub region: Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
The initiative will link both information and community organizing technologies to facilitate through capacity development interventions, the transformation of existing local community groups supported by national youth networks to self sustaining and politically strong youth cooperatives or enterprises engage in sustainable livelihood in such eco-preneurial (conservation-based) enterprises as: a) community-based coastal resource management, b) community-based forest management, c) community-based sustainable agriculture, d) community based ecological solid waste management and e) community-based eco-tourism.
The information generated and manage through an electronic information system once transformed into non-electronic forms of information sharing tools useful and usable at the community level can then be used both for accessing relevant information and opportunities and as a marketing & promotions mechanism for the products and services that will eventually be developed out of the expected community youth-led eco-enterprises to sustain the respective operations of the target community youth groups.
The initiative will link both information and community organizing technologies to facilitate through capacity development interventions, the transformation of existing local community groups supported by national youth networks to self sustaining and politically strong youth cooperatives or enterprises engage in sustainable livelihood in such eco-preneurial (conservation-based) enterprises as: a) community-based coastal resource management, b) community-based forest management, c) community-based sustainable agriculture, d) community based ecological solid waste management and e) community-based eco-tourism.
The information generated and manage through an electronic information system once transformed into non-electronic forms of information sharing tools useful and usable at the community level can then be used both for accessing relevant information and opportunities and as a marketing & promotions mechanism for the products and services that will eventually be developed out of the expected community youth-led eco-enterprises to sustain the respective operations of the target community youth groups.
Marine Electronic Highway in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore
Development of a Regional Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore - Demonstration Phase: In partnership with the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners and the International Hydrographic Organization
The ultimate goal of this initiative is the use of innovative maritime and environment management technological tools to create network and maintain a marine information infrastructure for enhancing maritime services, improving the safety of navigation and integrated management of the coastal and marine areas of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
The Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) is an innovative marine information and infrastructure system that integrates environmental management and protection systems and maritime safety technologies for enhanced maritime services, higher navigational safety standards, integrated marine environment protection and sustainable development of coastal and marine resources. The backbone of the MEH is precision navigation and will utilize a network of electronic navigational charts (ENCs) in conjunction with Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and other maritime technologies.
This initiative is part of a two-stage MEH Project for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This initiative, which is a demonstration project, will cover parts of the Straits, mainly the area of the Traffic Separation Scheme. The second stage or full-scale project, which will follow after this initiative, will cover the whole Straits including the coastal waters of the littoral States.
The general objectives of this initiative are to delineate options for the implementation of the MEH system in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and assess the technical, financial, economic, social, institutional, political and legal aspects of the identified options, assess the integration of marine environment protection system with precision navigation, and develop sustainable financial mechanisms and a managing tool to operate, manage and administer the MEH system. The implementation will also cover the evaluation on the benefits of the system and financing requirements to implement the identified activities leading to the establishment of the MEH system in the Straits. Overall, the development objectives of this initiative are the following:
* Establish the MEH and demonstrate its technical functionalities on maritime safety and marine environment protection for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore;
* Facilitate the integration of marine environment systems and data flow and information exchange through the MEH system;
* Develop the operational and administrative mechanisms for the sustainable management of the MEH system;
* Evaluate the financial, social and economic benefits and legal aspects of the MEH system;
* Promote awareness and participation of relevant stakeholders to support the MEH system;
and
* Strengthen national and regional capacity in maritime safety and marine environment protection for the sustainable management of the MEH system.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is the use of innovative maritime and environment management technological tools to create network and maintain a marine information infrastructure for enhancing maritime services, improving the safety of navigation and integrated management of the coastal and marine areas of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
The Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) is an innovative marine information and infrastructure system that integrates environmental management and protection systems and maritime safety technologies for enhanced maritime services, higher navigational safety standards, integrated marine environment protection and sustainable development of coastal and marine resources. The backbone of the MEH is precision navigation and will utilize a network of electronic navigational charts (ENCs) in conjunction with Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and other maritime technologies.
This initiative is part of a two-stage MEH Project for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This initiative, which is a demonstration project, will cover parts of the Straits, mainly the area of the Traffic Separation Scheme. The second stage or full-scale project, which will follow after this initiative, will cover the whole Straits including the coastal waters of the littoral States.
The general objectives of this initiative are to delineate options for the implementation of the MEH system in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and assess the technical, financial, economic, social, institutional, political and legal aspects of the identified options, assess the integration of marine environment protection system with precision navigation, and develop sustainable financial mechanisms and a managing tool to operate, manage and administer the MEH system. The implementation will also cover the evaluation on the benefits of the system and financing requirements to implement the identified activities leading to the establishment of the MEH system in the Straits. Overall, the development objectives of this initiative are the following:
* Establish the MEH and demonstrate its technical functionalities on maritime safety and marine environment protection for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore;
* Facilitate the integration of marine environment systems and data flow and information exchange through the MEH system;
* Develop the operational and administrative mechanisms for the sustainable management of the MEH system;
* Evaluate the financial, social and economic benefits and legal aspects of the MEH system;
* Promote awareness and participation of relevant stakeholders to support the MEH system;
and
* Strengthen national and regional capacity in maritime safety and marine environment protection for the sustainable management of the MEH system.
PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE
Security Council Expansion
In the run-up to the 60th Anniversary Summit, expansion of the Security Council has dominated discussions on UN reform.
This is to be expected as the Security Council lies at the heart of the UN system. Because the stakes are huge, the positions taken by various countries have become sharply polarised. Whether a vote is taken on any particular resolution or not, the issue has become very divisive.
Singapore continues to believe that there should be an expansion of the Security Council to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
However, we are of the view that new permanent members should not have the veto because this will make it even more difficult for the Security Council to be an instrument of world peace.
In the run-up to the 60th Anniversary Summit, expansion of the Security Council has dominated discussions on UN reform.
This is to be expected as the Security Council lies at the heart of the UN system. Because the stakes are huge, the positions taken by various countries have become sharply polarised. Whether a vote is taken on any particular resolution or not, the issue has become very divisive.
Singapore continues to believe that there should be an expansion of the Security Council to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
However, we are of the view that new permanent members should not have the veto because this will make it even more difficult for the Security Council to be an instrument of world peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)