South Korea eyes a rich BRICS road to the Global South – Asia Times

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In 2024, the BRICS nations continue to consolidate their influence in the global arena, collectively accounting for over 40% of the world’s population and approximately 30% of global GDP in purchasing power parity terms.

According to recent IMF projections, BRICS countries are set to contribute over 50% of global GDP growth in the coming years, underscoring their increasing weight in the international economic landscape.

China and India, in particular, remain the principal economic engines of the group, each maintaining robust trajectories fueled by China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and India’s ascendancy as a prominent manufacturing hub.

Complementing these giants, Russia leverages its vast energy resources, Brazil capitalizes on its agricultural and natural wealth and South Africa anchors the coalition’s outreach on the African continent. This strategic diversity enables BRICS to wield considerable influence in shaping global economic and political agendas.

Today, the BRICS is positioning itself as a counterweight to traditional Western-led financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank, aiming to restore balance and justice in the emerging global economic order.

Central to this effort is the New Development Bank (NDB), which began with an initial capital of US$100 billion to fund infrastructure and sustainable projects, extending beyond the BRICS members to other emerging economies.

This initiative, combined with efforts to promote trade in local currencies, reflects a strategy to reduce reliance on dollar-based systems and challenge Western dominance in global financial governance.

Moreover, BRICS has increasingly positioned itself as a representative of the Global South, advocating for principles of non-interference and mutual development.

The 2024 BRICS summit in Russia reinforced this by welcoming Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, highlighting its ambition to form a more inclusive grouping with greater global influence.

Today, BRICS is not merely an economic grouping; it represents the desire of the Global South for a shift toward a multipolar global order, with the grouping increasingly diverging from Western narratives on critical geopolitical issues.

This rising influence is reflected in efforts to reshape the international financial architecture, promote new development models, and challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions in international politics.

The group’s coherence in advancing the interests of the Global South and its proactive pursuit of economic sovereignty and technological self-reliance is pivotal to its vision of a new world order.

Strategic Seoul positioning

South Korea’s rise as a major economic and technological player has positioned it as an influential actor in global geopolitics. As a significant member of the G20 and an active participant in multilateral forums, South Korea has consistently advocated for greater representation of emerging economies in global governance institutions.

Despite its non-membership in BRICS, South Korea shares many of the coalition’s aspirations, particularly in diversifying economic partnerships and reducing dependence on a Western-centric international order.

South Korea’s strategic policies, such as the New Southern Policy (NSP), emphasize greater engagement with emerging economies in South and Southeast Asia, regions where BRICS nations, particularly India, hold considerable sway.

Furthermore, South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy aligns with BRICS interests, particularly in fostering connectivity and infrastructure development, providing fertile ground for deeper engagement on both bilateral and multilateral platforms.

For South Korea, closer cooperation with BRICS offers numerous benefits. By actively engaging with BRICS-led initiatives such as the NDB, South Korea can gain a foothold in emerging financial frameworks, reducing its reliance on traditional Western financial systems and broadening its influence in global economic governance.

This involvement also positions South Korea as a neutral partner that bridges traditional Western alliances with emerging powers in BRICS, enhancing its diplomatic leverage and strategic flexibility in an increasingly multipolar world.

The diversification of its export markets, supply chains, and diplomatic engagements through partnerships with BRICS nations will be essential for maintaining competitiveness and securing long-term interests.

Collaborating with BRICS institutions also provides South Korea the opportunity to access emerging markets and participate in the growing regional integration efforts among BRICS members and their allies.

India-South Korea in BRICS embrace

India and South Korea are already strong strategic and economic partners. However, as BRICS expands its influence in the global arena with India as a key player, it presents a unique opportunity for South Korea to enhance its global status by strengthening its bilateral ties and collaborating more closely on global security and strategic issues.

Both nations possess complementary strengths and shared interests, making cooperation increasingly beneficial amid shifting global dynamics. India and South Korea have established a robust economic partnership, but there is still significant potential to deepen trade and investment ties.

In the wake of BRICS’ rise, the two countries could focus on expanding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to include areas such as digital trade, intellectual property rights, and services. This would not only provide preferential market access and boost bilateral trade volumes but also help South Korea strengthen its ties with the Global South.

Additionally, South Korea can leverage India as an alternative manufacturing hub amid shifting global supply chains, particularly in electronics, semiconductors and automotive manufacturing.

Participation in India’s ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and the Smart Cities Mission, presents further opportunities for Korean firms to expand their influence and capitalize on India’s rapid growth trajectory, reinforcing South Korea’s engagement with BRICS countries.

The evolving geopolitical landscape demands stronger strategic ties between South Korea and the Global South. Closer cooperation with India in maintaining a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, enhancing naval coordination, and strengthening joint efforts in counter-piracy and counterterrorism operations will bolster regional security and stability, enhancing South Korea’s role as a net security provider.

Moreover, the defense industries of both countries offer scope for collaboration in areas such as co-production of defense systems and joint development of critical technologies like missile defense, drones, and cybersecurity, reducing the Global South’s dependence on Western defense industries for national defense capabilities.

Both India and South Korea are leaders in innovation and technology, and collaboration in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, quantum computing, and green technologies can yield substantial benefits not only for their national economies but also for the wider region and the Global South.

South Korea’s leadership in semiconductors can further support India’s ambitions to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem through joint investments and technology transfers, thereby boosting India’s position within the Global South.

Strengthening cultural ties and enhancing people-to-people exchanges are essential for sustaining deeper collaboration. By deepening academic exchanges, providing scholarships, establishing joint research centers, and promoting cultural collaborations in areas such as film, music, and cuisine, South Korea can enhance mutual understanding and support broader partnerships with India.

This cultural engagement can serve as a gateway for South Korea to connect with BRICS nations and the Global South, which has been a challenge due to its close ties with the United States and Western-dominated institutions. Developing deeper cultural relations with India can correct this diplomatic anomaly and allow South Korea to extend its engagement beyond the US and the West.

India and South Korea share common values of democracy, development and international cooperation. With the rise of BRICS, India can act as a bridge, bringing South Korean perspectives into multilateral dialogues. Joint efforts in platforms like the G20, UN, and ASEAN can enhance diplomatic influence and promote shared interests, including global governance reforms, climate action and cybersecurity.

Sustainability remains a key concern for South Korea. Collaborative projects with India and BRICS member countries in renewable energy infrastructure, smart grids, electric mobility, and autonomous transportation systems can contribute to mutual energy security and support a sustainable future while integrating South Korea’s economy more deeply with the rising Global South. By focusing on green technologies, India and South Korea can play a pivotal role in the global energy transition.

South Korea’s engagement with BRICS, especially through its strengthened partnership with India, offers a strategic pathway for enhancing its global influence and securing its long-term interests in an evolving multipolar world.

A robust partnership for a new era

As a member of the US-led security order in Northeast Asia and heavily dependent on the United States for its security and economic prosperity, it may not be easy for South Korea to become a member of BRICS in the near future.

However, as the global order evolves with the rise of BRICS, South Korea is uniquely positioned to enhance its cooperation and engage in BRICS initiatives. The rise of BRICS signifies a shift towards a multipolar global order, wherein traditional power dynamics are being redefined, and emerging economies are asserting their influence on the world stage.

By proactively engaging with BRICS, South Korea can secure strategic advantages, reduce dependency on traditional Western institutions, and expand its economic and geopolitical reach.

South Korea’s strategic positioning as an intermediary between Western alliances and BRICS nations presents an opportunity to shape regional and global dialogues, ensuring that its voice remains influential amidst shifting power structures.

By focusing on strategic, economic, and technological collaboration with India and engaging with the broader BRICS coalition, South Korea can protect its interests, seize new opportunities and bolster its status in an increasingly multipolar world.

The foundation of South Korea’s partnership with India rests on shared values, mutual trust, and complementary strengths, making their cooperation pivotal for navigating the uncertainties of a changing global landscape.

Actively engaging with BRICS allows South Korea to align itself with a coalition that is reshaping the global order, securing its position as a key player in the evolving multipolar landscape, and expanding its influence on the global stage.

This proactive engagement not only enhances South Korea’s diplomatic and economic leverage but also solidifies its role as a dynamic actor in a redefined global order, positioning itself as a bridge between emerging powers and established global players.

It is time for South Korea to adjust its diplomatic strategy to claim its due place in the emerging new order in the region.

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Shooting the climate change messenger in Vietnam – Asia Times

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The challenges of climate change loom large as Vietnam struggles to cope with the effects of Typhoon Yagi, including prolonged energy interruptions, serious damage to roads and bridges, and the forced evacuation of over 100, 000 people.

Rising sea levels threaten to bury sections of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s grain dish. Farmland are already being destroyed by saltwater intrusion, and more intense storms and floods are wreaking havoc on areas.

Vietnam is not the only country to have experienced catastrophic and record-breaking floods in the lower Mekong basin over the past month. The need for strong climate actions and resilience planning in the region is underscored by these growing climate impacts.

Yet at this critical moment, one of Vietnam’s most important climate defenders, Dang Dinh Bach, is two weeks into a hunger strike – not from the frontlines of the climate challenge, but from behind prison bars.

The Asian government’s continued crackdown on civil society, climate activists, and other environmental activists is undermining both global climate goals and fundamental human rights, according to Bach’s protest. &nbsp,

Bach and his family have lodged almost 30 formal complaints about abuse and cruel conditions in jail, only to have the prison officials ignore during his three years behind bars.

Bach feels compelled to take this drastic step, which is in great danger for his health, to raise awareness of the plight of elderly and infirm captives who are living alongside him in terrible detention conditions.

Bach’s demands are simple and fair: prohibit solitary confinement, enable prisoners time outdoors for exercise and social contact, ensure electric safety, allow the exchange of books and enough lighting for reading, and ensure contact and communication with family are not unilaterally restricted.

Most immediately, Bach calls for proper medical care for prisoners with hidden disease, a critical public health measure in the high-risk prison setting. These fundamental changes may help Vietnam’s prisons more closely adhere to the UN’s Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and Convention Against Torture.

The Universal Periodic Review for Vietnam, a friend review of Vietnam’s human rights report that occurs every 4.5 years, came to an end last week at the 57th treatment of the UN Human Rights Council.

During the engaging speech, the International Federation for Human Rights&nbsp, made a statement&nbsp, highlighting Bach’s event and the cruel treatment he is enduring in jail. The statement emphasized the continuous and comprehensive harassment and harassment of human rights activists in Vietnam, as well as the oppression of civil society, including those promoting environmental and climate change.

The Taiwanese authorities accepted suggestions for improving the famous prison system, including ensuring problems in accordance with the UN Standard Minimum Rules, as part of its response to the evaluation process. The necessity of putting these pledges into exercise is highlighted by Bach’s hunger strike. &nbsp,

Contrary to its stated commitments to both human right and weather justice, the state rejected all suggestions that would call for an end to the abuse and targeting of human rights supporters and the oppression of civil society.

Bach has worked since joining the Law and Policy of Sustainable Development Research Centre and has dedicated his legal advocacy occupation to empowering areas.

He played a significant role in rewriting Vietnam’s environmental protection laws, enforcing regulations for cheap waste, and pushing for a shift from coal power. Composers trained over 100 young professionals, building a new generation of climate soldiers in Vietnam.

Bach became a target for this powerful job in particular. In the weeks before his imprisonment, Bach led a 17-day strategy to decrease Vietnam’s rely on fuel.

Soon after, he was detained on trumped-up charges of tax evasion – claims that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention&nbsp, has deemed&nbsp,” a violation of international law on the grounds of prejudice based on political or other view, related to his economic work”.

Bach’s case is not isolated. Since 2021, six of Vietnam’s most prominent climate leaders have been imprisoned on similar dubious charges. The silencing of influential voices like Bach’s fundamentally reduces the ability for Vietnam and other nations to make crucial transitions to clean energy.

Without active civil society involvement, there is a real chance that global climate agreements wo n’t produce meaningful change or even worsen existing disparities or harms to the environment. &nbsp,

Bach’s hunger strike is a stark and appropriate reminder of both the human and climate costs of state oppression. The 29th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change ( COP29 ) will convene next month in Azerbaijan, where the international community will gather.

Azerbaijan is also incarcerating prominent climate activists and environmentalists in parallel with Vietnam, accelerating a crackdown on independent civil society. &nbsp,

Allowing these injustices to remain unreported eliminates crucial opportunities to challenge the status quo, undermining international efforts to address climate change and the credibility of multilateral forums. This is true in Vietnam, Azerbaijan, and throughout the world.

The international community must make every diplomatic and economic tool available to secure Bach’s immediate and unconditional release, as well as the release of climate activists and environmental advocates from other countries, and ensure that all commitments are based on respect for human rights. &nbsp,

As Bach wrote shortly before his arrest,” Only when]we ] enter an era of genuine national development, built on rule of law and respect for human rights, can we hope to address the climate crisis”.

Andrea Giorgetta is the International Federation for Human Rights ( FIDH)’s Asia desk director, and Maureen Harris is the Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition’s coordinator and senior advisor at International Rivers.

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ASEAN states have to ‘work very closely’ to tackle region’s climate change risks, says bloc’s sec-gen

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Crisis RISK REDUCTION FINANCING

Southeast Asia, which is sensitive to rising sea levels, storms, heatwaves and floods, faces difficulties when it comes to financing weather action, said watchers at the SIEW conference. &nbsp,

” If you look at reactive financing, clearly there is significant financing that’s going on, after ( a disaster ) has taken place”, said Dr Ramesh Subramaniam, director general and group chief of the sectors group at the Asian Development Bank ( ADB). &nbsp,

” But the problem that we face is that, in terms of allocating from your macroeconomic resources, a certain percentage of the funds to be ready to face catastrophe, that has been quite, quite slow”, he told CNA.

” And if you look at healthcare industry, I would say it’s about non-existent”.

Next month, the lender approved a new purpose to give climate finance 50 % of its monthly loans by 2030.

Dr. Subramaniam touched on the creation of a loss and damage account during the meeting and mentioned the COP28 climate summit in Dubai last year, stating that it is” a very important first action” in helping less-developed nations.

” We are very positive that there’ll get momentum”, he said, calling for more aid beyond what has been pledged by developed countries. &nbsp,

” Evidently, in terms of funding, the problem that we face is that given the scale of tragedies, no amount of funding is going to be enough”.

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Agritech startup, Qarbotech secures US.5mil in a seed extension round

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  • 500 Global, Better Bite Ventures, people, participated in this round
  • Money will be used to level activities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand &amp, Vietnam

Left to Right: Chor Chee Hoe, CEO of Qarbotech, Prof Dr Suraya, founder and chief scientist of Qarbotech and Amirul Merican, COO of Qarbotech

Qarbotech Sdn Bhd, which claims to be a technology pioneer in photosynthesis enhancement through advanced carbon quantum dots, has announced its expansion across Southeast Asia, driven by US$ 1.5 million ( RM6.2 million ) in a seed round&nbsp, from investors, including 500 Global, Better Bite Ventures, ID Capital, EQT Foundation, and Epic Angels Limited.

Launched in 2018, the&nbsp, investment&nbsp, solidifies&nbsp, Qarbotech ‘s&nbsp, commitment to introducing its pioneering technology to new markets. It had earlier announced in Feb that it raised US$ 700, 000 in a plant square. The most recent statement is characterized as its grain expansion round. Data from Crunchbase&nbsp, shows Temasek Foundation among its owners, while Khazanah Nasional gave it a give and Petronas Future Tech gave aid with non-equity help.

The funding&nbsp, may allow it to range functions in areas such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, where demand for innovative agricultural solutions is rising.

” We’re thrilled to embark on this new section of growth”, said Chor Chee Hoe, CEO of Qarbotech. ” Our solution, QarboGrow, is a milestone in plant science, using natural, biodegradable carbon quantum dots to dramatically improve light intake and increase crop yields by up to 60 %. This addresses issues with food safety and optimizes the use of fertilizers, thereby reducing the need for a lot of software that can cause dirt pollution and degradation.

As part of its development, Qarbotech is opening its second manufacturing center in Puchong, Malaysia, capable of producing 100, 000 gallons of QarboGrow regular. This facility represents a major step forward in meeting the country’s growing need for cutting-edge agricultural technology.

Amirul Merican, COO of Qarbotech, stated,” This purchase will help us to increase production and bring our branded alternatives to more farmers in the region, enabling them to make more with less economic impact.

The entrepreneur behind Qarbotech’s breakthrough technologies is Prof Dr Suraya Abdul Rashid, a leading nano scientist ranked among the nation’s top 2 % experts in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Her research supports the foundational knowledge of QarboGrow more, in line with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the finding of quantum dots.

” With over two decades of experience in nano, I am thrilled to discover classical lines finally achieving useful, large-scale influence in agriculture”, said Prof Dr Suraya, chairman and chief professor of Qarbotech and director of the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University Putra Malaysia. ” Our patented technology addresses the inconsistencies of photosynthesis using a scalable and sustainable approach, bypassing the need for genetic modifications, allowing us to directly address challenges in crop yield and climate resilience.”

Qarbotech’s innovations are already making an impact. A pilot project with PT Iceh Agro Indonesia in Indonesia that involved 400 hectares of rice fields increased yields by up to one tonne per hectare and significantly increased farmer incomes.

” Imagine the same farmer with the same land, labour, and workflow being able to produce up to 60 % more food. Qarbotech’s photosynthesis multiplier makes that possible. We are proud to provide additional financing to Qarbotech and believe their technology will be mission-critical for regions vulnerable to climate change”, said Khailee Ng, managing partner, 500 Global.

Michal Klar, founding partner at Better Bite Ventures, added,” Qarbotech embodies our commitment to supporting a more sustainable, climate-friendly food system through transformative technology, improving economic outcomes while lowering emissions. This innovative team and their effort to transform the world food system are a success, in our opinion.

The potential to increase crop yields across a range of climates and agricultural practices presents a significant market opportunity with over 500 million smallholder farmers worldwide.

” During our entrepreneurship competition in Southeast Asia, Qarbotech surprised us with their breakthrough in photosynthesis enhancement. Their innovation demonstrates that it is possible to increase farmers ‘ yields and economic outcomes while lowering carbon emissions. With EQT’s global expertise in agricultural investments, we aim to help Qarbotech overcome barriers to achieving scale”, said Cilia Holmes Indahl, CEO of EQT Foundation.

Beyond boosting productivity, QarboGrow’s unique carbon quantum dot technology promotes carbon sequestration by enabling plants to store more carbon dioxide, which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. With each litre of product increasing carbon dioxide capture, QarboGrow’s global scaling could have a significant impact on efforts to combat climate change. This opens up the doors to carbon credits and offsets, which are becoming increasingly important in a world where emissions reduction is a top priority.

With far-reaching economic and environmental effects, Qarbotech’s technology is a breakthrough in agritech with increased yields and climate action.

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Commentary: Singapore’s climate action has been graded ‘highly insufficient’, but is that too harsh?

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With the support of the government and our industry-leading developers, Singapore may take the lead in the effort to increase the production of less polluting materials like cement and material in the area. If environmental protection laws are more enacted, this type of investment is important because it will require more extensive use of eco-friendly building materials.

It is easy to overlook how crucial plaster and steel are to Singapore’s future natural development because the majority of these crucial inputs are produced elsewhere. However, if green building components are made in a cooperative manner here in the area, it is significantly lower carbon footprints across various local supply chains and significantly increase Asia’s gross domestic product.

ECONOMIC WINS ARE Weather WINS.

The margins are very great. If we do n’t take collective action, ASEAN’s GDP could drop by as much as 30 % by 2050, according to Swiss Re, more than any other region in the world.

This underscores the value of a shared role in our fight against climate change. It’s not just Singapore’s issue, it’s a shared challenge of making painful choices up.

If Singapore cuts emissions to significantly or too quickly, it will always strike a delicate balance, causing harm to the economy and possibly causing business disequities. Singapore is prone to the physical and economic effects of climate change, but if other nations drag their feet.

However, being at the forefront allows it to determine the course and establish business standards for others to adopt. There is potential to create more jobs, encourage innovation in clear systems, and develop Singapore’s world competitiveness and climate status.

Today, Singapore’s climate targets and policies only merit a “highly insufficient” rating. Will the next report card reflect our gizmo?

Matthew Dearth is the co-director of the Centre for Sustainable Finance Innovation and an associate professor of finance ( practice ) at Nanyang Technological University and Nanyang Business School.

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Global economic activities increasingly viewed through security lens: PM Wong

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Against this backdrop, Singapore will have to get its own way forth, he said. Through local and international forums, this means remaining opened and pushing for complimentary flows of industry and investments. &nbsp,

We want Singapore to get their choice partner, “importantly, as countries and companies outside seem to diversify their risks and broaden their range of partners. We want to act as a trustworthy and trustworthy base from which they can operate, said Mr. Wong.

Using a fund comparison where professionals are always looking for “alpha” or the extra advantage that drives higher returns, Mr Wong said Singapore’s “greatest supply of alpha” lies in its reputation for respect, dignity and reliability.

” These features are a special source of competitive advantage… and it’s very difficult for others to recreate. I believe what’s real for Singapore applies to Temasek”, he said.

Yet as Temasek embarks on its second phase of transformation, these values&nbsp, – ranging from an adherence to excellent standards and values, an ability to think long-term, grow with proper discipline and to add to the Singapore brand of quality, reliability, discipline and integrity -&nbsp,” cannot and must never change”, said Mr Wong.

These qualities make Temasek a well-known brand, and these qualities will help him maintain his value and reputation as a long-term partner.

Mr. Wong also touched on Temasek’s belief that “doing well, doing right, and doing good” in his speech.

Balancing and achieving all of these multiple goals is challenging, he said. Temasek and its portfolio companies ‘ ability to accomplish their goals depends a lot on their leadership and workforce.

He then expressed his gratitude to all the board members who have and continue to serve on Temasek’s behalf.

At the anniversary dinner, former chairmen Mr. Y Pillay and Mr. S. Dhanabalan were among those who were present. &nbsp,” They gave their hearts and minds, and their sweat and tears to build what we have today … We owe them all a great debt of gratitude”, said Mr Wong.

The prime minister&nbsp, noted that the government “has been careful not to have any role or influence in Temasek’s investment’s decisions”. Instead, its approach “has been to hold the board accountable for Temasek’s performance” .&nbsp,

” But this approach has been made possible only because we have board members who are committed and capable, and who can be trusted to work with the management to protect what we have inherited from Temasek, build on it, and pass it on to new generations in better shape than we started,” he said.

In closing, he said:” Tonight, I would like to put on record my appreciation to everyone in Temasek and the portfolio companies. Over the past five decades, we appreciate your numerous contributions.

I want to say a big” thank you” to everyone who has contributed to Temasek and the wider Temasek family, both past and present.

Temasek, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has marked 2024 with initiatives such as the set-up of a S$ 150 million fund for skills training and talent development in Singapore.

It announced at the anniversary dinner that it would set aside$ 100 million as a concessional capital for climate change to help raise money for less-than-bankable projects.

It also launched a commemorative book- titled” By Generations, For Generations: Fifty Years of Temasek As Told By The People Who Shaped It’ ‘ – that chronicles key events and milestones of the firm over the past 50 years.

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Temasek to provide S0m in concessional capital to support climate action

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” We were a strong and extraordinary test. In a statement delivered to more than 600 friends gathered at the resort, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, he said there was no map to observe and scarcely a compass to aid us chart our own program.

Mr. Lim outlined three key designs that are crucial to Temasek’s development as a global investment firm with a portfolio worth S$ 389 billion.

The first is endurance, which he described as the ability to recuperate and react quickly to change. &nbsp,

This can be seen, for instance, from how the state investment has built” a adaptable and forward-looking collection to resist turbulent business cycles”.

Goal is another topic, according to Mr. Lim, noting that Temasek is not a business that focuses solely on its economic numbers.

Since 2003, it has been setting aside a portion of its net positive results above its risk-adjusted cost of capital for group products that meet the targets of connecting people, uplifting areas, protecting earth, and advancing features.

” I am happy to say that to meeting, Temasek’s presents to Temasek Trust have had an impact on about 3.7 million lives across Singapore and beyond”, said Mr Lim.

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Pacific Island security cooperation still crucial for Australia – Asia Times

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This article first appeared on Pacific Forum, and it has since been republished with your type agreement. Read the original below.

Australia launched its National Defense Strategy ( NDS ) in April 2024 by&nbsp, stating&nbsp, that the country will remain the “partner of choice” for the Pacific Island countries ( PICs ) when it comes to security cooperation. But why does this standing subject to Australia?

Australia, as a&nbsp, end energy, is a vital regional head in the Pacific. Since the end of World War II, Australia has been in the Pacific place for safety assistance. Australia continues to be one of PIC’s biggest dealing partners and sponsors. Since 2008 Australia has &nbsp, invested&nbsp, nearly A$ 14 billion of its official development assistance in the Pictures.

Being “partner of option” remains a key component of Australia’s NDS for the PICs, for many reasons, and now that competition with China for influence in the Pacific is a continuous reality, this means using Australia’s foreign influence and relationships to advocate for the Pacific’s needs.

First, climate change remains one of Australia’s best foreign policy interests. As a pro-Paris Climate Accord position, Australia has &nbsp, played&nbsp, a major responsibility since 2015 in addressing the climate change matter in the Pacific and worldwide. In reality, Australia’s major &nbsp, global growth initiatives&nbsp, have been driven mainly by its climate policy agenda.

Climate change remains the&nbsp, second largest safety threat&nbsp, in the region and since Anthony Albanese’s Labor authorities took office in June 2022, a more transformative&nbsp, approach&nbsp, has been taken to address the issue. Through its assorted&nbsp, climate investment work, Australia aims to&nbsp, reduce&nbsp, carbon emissions by 43 % in 2030 and reach net zero in 2050.

Australia’s increased engagement in the Pacific in its climate action efforts has led the country to&nbsp, <a href="https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2351128-pacific-islands-back-australia-joint-bid-to-host-cop-29″>receive the full support&nbsp, of the Pacific Islands Forum ( PIF ) members of Australia’s bidding to co-host the 31st&nbsp, Conference of the Parties ( COP31 ) in 2026 with PIF.

Second-largest challenge for Australia to be a companion of choice for the Pictures in security cooperation is geostrategic competitors. The geostrategic competitors between the US and China has &nbsp, intensified&nbsp, in the region.

As a key ally of the US Canberra has been involved in a variety of initiatives to counteract the rise of China in the Pacific even though the great power rivalry continues to be a  concern  for the PIF members ( including Australia ).

China has emerged as a global powerhouse and is advancing regionally in the Indo-Pacific. China’s wedding in the Pacific has thus far largely been about economic growth.

Through its Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI), for instance, China has provided infrastructure projects in countries like Papua New Guinea ( PNG ), &nbsp, Solomon Islands&nbsp, and&nbsp, Vanuatu.

However, China’s energy to&nbsp, establish&nbsp, a bilateral security deal with Solomon Islands in 2022 has changed the entire narrative of energy relationships in the Pacific given that Australia and the US have been the PICs ‘” standard safety partners”.

The term “partner of option” in security cooperation falls under the umbrella of a standard protection partner, in which Australia tightly adheres to its foreign policy through dialogue with its Pacific neighbors and ensures that the US maintains its status as the Pacific power.

While Australia, within the course of a season, &nbsp, signed three diplomatic security agreements&nbsp, with Vanuatu, Tuvalu, and Papua New Guinea to maintain its influence in the region in security assistance, China’s growing influence in the Pacific issues and concerns the concept of “partner of selection”.

In her recent interview, Sen. Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign affairs minister&nbsp, stated&nbsp, that:” ]w ] e are now in a position where Australia is a partner of choice, but the opportunity to be the only partner of choice has been lost and we’re in a state of permanent contest in the Pacific]with China ] —that’s the reality”.

Australia, apart from its security engagement with the PICs, also supports a free and open Indo-Pacific through engagement with key partners.

This include AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership&nbsp, established&nbsp, in 2021 with the US and UK in which both countries would build Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine capabilities ( conventionally armed ), including through&nbsp, acquisition&nbsp, of five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US over the next three decades for$ 368 billion.

The AUKUS partnership also entails technology and information sharing among the three countries as well as&nbsp, deployment&nbsp, of US and UK submarines as early as 2027 to have rotational presence in Western Australia at HMAS Sterling through Submarine Rotational Force-West, a strategic move not just to help Australia build its nuclear-powered submarine fleet but also&nbsp, counter&nbsp, China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

As one of the members of the&nbsp, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue&nbsp, (” Quad” ) with the US, Japan and India, Australia’s status as a founding member of PIF ensures that humanitarian assistance, the key reason why the Quad was &nbsp, established&nbsp, in 2004, is delivered to PICs, who remain vulnerable to non-traditional security threats like climate change.

Australia, along with New Zealand, Japan and South Korea also maintains the presence of NATO through&nbsp, Partners in the Indo-Pacific&nbsp, ( IP4 ).

Although NATO was &nbsp, established&nbsp, to counter Soviet threats during the Cold War in Europe after World War II, its partnership with IP4 exists to&nbsp, maintain&nbsp, the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

There is this&nbsp, notion&nbsp, that” countries in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific count on the US to guarantee their security —a guarantee]that ] they have not had…to question for three-quarters of a century”.

However, China in the Indo-Pacific is already battling that security guarantee from the US. The US and its NATO partners see China’s emerging superpower status and its&nbsp, provocative actions&nbsp, in the South China Sea, particularly with the Philippines, as a threat to the liberal order.

Second, Australia sees the Pacific as a crucially important region for both its national security interests and the security interests of its allies as a US ally and as a NATO partner.

This implies that Australia seeks to prevent China from imposing coercion or attempts to establish bilateral security arrangements with PICs and to ensure that PICs remain under its control in security cooperation.

For instance, the former prime minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare was &nbsp, described&nbsp, as the polarizing, pro-China figure in the Pacific when he&nbsp, signed&nbsp, the security deal with China and PNG was &nbsp, urged&nbsp, early this year by Washington and Canberra to reject China’s bilateral security offer.

When responding to China’s bilateral security offer to PNG, Australia’s Prime Minister Albanese&nbsp, stated:” ]W] e are a security partner of choice for]PNG], as we are for most of the countries in the Pacific”.

PNG did not take up China’s bilateral security offer, intended to help improve PNG’s internal policing, as PNG already has a similar&nbsp, bilateral security arrangement&nbsp, with Australia.

Geoeconomic competition is the most important factor in Australia’s choice for partner of choice in security cooperation for PICs. Both the US and China are &nbsp, key trading partners&nbsp, of Australia, and the Pacific region is critical to their economic development as it houses the&nbsp, trans-Pacific route, the world’s largest shipping lanes linking Asia and North America.

In 2023 alone, approximately 30 million 20-foot equivalent units ( TEU) of cargoes were transported across the trans-Pacific route.

Secondly, while China has done significant investment in infrastructure development through the&nbsp, BRI in the Pacific, Australia through its Pacific Step-up&nbsp, introduced&nbsp, the$ 2 billion Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific to increase its engagement in the region, as the BRI was &nbsp, accused&nbsp, of a “debt-trap” diplomacy.

Australia’s membership in the Partners in the Blue Pacific helps&nbsp, support Pacific priorities&nbsp, envisaged in the&nbsp, 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, as PICs are not included in the US-led&nbsp, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework&nbsp, for Prosperity except Fiji.

PICs are aware of Australia’s traditionally dominant position as a key regional influencer in security cooperation. While China’s interests, apart from economic development, are also to&nbsp, constrain&nbsp, Taiwan’s diplomatic presence in the Pacific, PICs perceive all parties involved, including big powers as its key development partners without any geopolitical interest in security and economic cooperation.

Australia will need to work more closely with the PICs as a traditional leader to maintain its position as the partner of choice in security cooperation while maintaining the sovereignties of each individual PIC.

For instance, the Pacific Policing Initiative ( PPI), just&nbsp, endorsed&nbsp, by PIF leaders in their 53rd&nbsp, meeting in Tonga late last month would be a good start for Australia’s investment in its effort for regional leadership in security cooperation as the PPI will be entirely funded by Australia in the next five years.

Moses Sakai ( sakaimoses@outlook .com ) is a Research Fellow at the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute and a Young Leader of the Pacific Forum. He taught at the University of Papua New Guinea from 2018 to 2023.

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India-US: Modi meets top US tech leaders amid semicounder push

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Major technology companies in the US have been urged by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into India as a place to work and innovate.

A moment after attending the annual conference of Quad states, which also includes the US, Australia, and Japan, he met Directors of software companies in New York.

India has been positioning itself as a viable option to China to draw in foreign companies looking to expand their supply stores.

The nation has put a particular emphasis on semiconductor manufacturing in the last few years, but it still leaves big players like China and Taiwan far behind.

Modi’s meet with the technical officials on Monday was attended by 15 leading Executives, including Google’s Sundar Pichai, Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen, IBM’s Arvind Krishna and NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang.

Addressing the meeting, Modi said,” they may co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the earth”.

India’s international department said in a statement that the roundtable meeting touched upon humankind’s use in inventions,” which have the ability to revolutionise the global market and people development”.

Modi also addressed a rally of Indian-Americans whom he called “brand ambassadors” of the country and told the crowd of 15,000 in New York that India was key to “global development, global peace, global climate action, global innovations, global supply chains”.

On the outside of the Quad conference on Saturday, Modi and US President Joe Biden met and signed numerous partnerships.

The India-US semiconductor pact – which they have described as a “watershed arrangement” – aims to establish a fabrication plant which will produce chips for national security, next-generation telecommunications and green energy applications, said a joint release.

This is India’s first such project with the US in which the country will provide chips to the US armed forces, allied militaries and Indian military.

Previous attempts at building homegrown semiconductor manufacturing industry in India have not seen desired results. But as the US aims to build resilience against China’s semiconductor industry – vital for modern technology – the deal gives a renewed fillip to India.

The Indian Express newspaper reported that the plant will focus on “three essential pillars for modern war fighting: advanced sensing, advanced communications and high voltage power electronics”.

This was Modi’s first US visit since he won his third term in June, and it came just weeks before the Democrats are contesting re-election from the Republican party.

Trump had previously stated that he would meet Modi and that he was” a fantastic man.” However, this meeting has n’t taken place because Indian diplomats have n’t been in touch with them.

The Quad leaders released a joint statement on Saturday that was primarily focused on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We strongly oppose any destabilising or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion…We seek a region where no country dominates and no country is dominated – one where all countries are free from coercion, and can exercise their agency to determine their futures,” the statement read.

According to analysts, the statement did n’t mention China, but it did say that a large portion of the message was directed at the nation. Additionally, they noticed a much stronger language-feeling.

The language in the joint statement on provocations in the South China Sea is stronger than it has ever been, despite not directly referring to China. And that’s because all four Quad states are becoming more concerned about the rising Chinese activity there, according to Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center think-tank in Washington.

The Quad partners also announced the expansion of maritime surveillance, a pilot logistics network for natural disasters and a project to combat cervical cancer.

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