Latest news with #WorldSummit
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Fahmi: Big tech not bigger than the law
GENEVA (Switzerland): Big technology companies (big tech) are not bigger than the law of any country, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said every sovereign nation had laws that served many purposes and needed to be adhered to, even by big tech. "There are regulations that have been put in place for safety, security and big tech must listen to our laws," he said during a panel session at the World Summit on the Information Society+20 High-Level Event (WSIS+20) here on Wednesday. Fahmi said, bearing this in mind, Malaysia had taken the lead in developing the Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for Asean. "These guidelines will help to serve, perhaps, as a beacon in the dark for Asean nations in order to travel safely to where we need to go, respecting our respective sovereignties, but also the principle of Asean centrality. In that way, we hope that we will have a bigger voice, a stronger voice," he said. Malaysia is currently taking a leading role in the development of the guidelines envisioned as a non-binding regional reference that provides common principles, best practices and practical recommendations for governments, platforms and users to address online safety and promote cyber wellness across member states.
Morocco World
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Calls for Unity to Address Global Social Development Challenges
Rabat — Morocco's permanent Ambassador to the UN Omar Hilale has urged countries to work together on a unified vision to tackle the world's growing social development challenges during a high-level Arab regional meeting in Tunis this week. Hilale, who co-facilitates negotiations for the Second World Summit on Social Development, said this unified approach will help guarantee peace, prosperity, and social stability across the globe, including in Arab nations. Speaking via video during yesterday's closing session of the two-day meeting, Hilale pointed out that addressing these challenges requires fresh approaches and new policies that respect cultural, religious, and ethnic differences. He said that diversity should become a driver of excellence while protecting each nation's and region's priorities. The meeting took place in preparation for the Second World Summit on Social Development, which will be held in Doha this November. Negotiations show promise Current negotiations take place in an atmosphere of openness, inclusion, and transparency, Hilale argued, noting they aim to pave the way for a concise political declaration that focuses on coordinated action. He stressed the importance of strengthening the emerging international consensus around a new vision for social development that serves multilateral social action goals. The World Summit's conclusions will support Arab participation in negotiations and improve chances of reaching consensus on the upcoming summit's declaration, Hilale confidently argued. The UN General Assembly President appointed Hilale in March 2024, alongside Belgium's ambassador, to co-facilitate UN negotiations on the World Summit's political declaration. Meeting focuses on key challenges The Arab regional meeting organized thematic sessions around three main topics. These include multi-dimensional poverty in the Arab region, social and economic inclusion of vulnerable groups, and social development amid armed conflicts and natural disasters. Participants called for developing an Arab vision that reflects commitments from the Copenhagen Summit. This includes promoting social participation, achieving inclusion, pooling efforts, and modernizing social policies to eliminate poverty and exclusion while creating decent job opportunities for everyone. Morocco shares its experience For his part, Rachid Kadida, director of social development at Morocco's Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, spoke of the country's experience in fighting poverty. The official outlined the country's investments in social protection and inclusion, efforts to strengthen social cohesion, programs to empower vulnerable groups, and improvements to care services. The meeting concluded with the presentation of a draft document outlining Arab priorities for the Second World Summit on Social Development. However, participants postponed approval to review proposed amendments. The document will guide Arab nations' positions at the global summit, where world leaders will discuss strategies to address social development challenges facing communities worldwide. Tags: Arab meetingMoroccoSocial developmentUN
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Responsibility To Protect More Than A Principle — It Is A Moral Imperative
The meeting room inside United Nations headquarters, as seen in September 2015 in New York, United ... More States. (Photo credit: Chris Melzer/picture alliance via Getty Images) 'The responsibility to protect is more than a principle — it is a moral imperative, rooted in our shared humanity and the U.N. Charter' - with these words, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of the political commitment made by the world's leaders some 20 years ago. Twenty years ago, at the 2005 World Summit, world leaders affirmed the responsibility of individual States to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, including through the prevention of these crimes and their incitement. They further agreed to encourage and help other States, as appropriate, to exercise that responsibility, and do so by using appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, among others. This political commitment of the Responsibility To Protect (R2P) was born from the horrors of the atrocities in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, and was to ensure that 'never again would the international community stand silent as innocent lives were destroyed by the gravest crimes.' Nonetheless, two decades later, the commitment appears to be greatly unfulfilled. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking before the U.N. General Assembly on June 25, 2025, stressed that the world is witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since the end of the Second World War: 'Conflicts are becoming more protracted, complex and interconnected, while emerging threats such as the weaponization of new technologies and the proliferation of advanced weaponry require a constant adaptation to prevent the commission of atrocity crimes and to protect populations.' He added that 'too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by States and non-State actors is met with denial, indifference, or repression. Responses are often too little, too late, inconsistent or undermined by double standards; civilians are paying the highest price.' Shortly before the meeting, the U.N. Secretary-General published a report looking into the two decades of the R2P. The report highlights efforts achieved through national prevention mechanisms or under regional leadership, demonstrating that early diplomacy, early warning and institutional innovation can be effective in preventing and responding to atrocity crimes. The report emphasizes the need to mainstream atrocity prevention across the United Nations system — from humanitarian action to peacekeeping to human rights. The report also calls for integrating early warning, supporting national prevention mechanisms and embedding atrocity prevention in the broader agendas of sustaining peace, human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report emphasizes three priority areas for future action: (1) developing permanent prevention mechanisms at the national level, (2) enhancing regional dialogue to share lessons and strengthen cooperation, including through regional consultations, and (3) developing strategic and technical guidance on implementing the R2P at the domestic, regional and multilateral levels. During the meeting at the U.N. General Assembly, several States raised their concerns in relation to the progress made (or not made) over the last two decades. Among others, several countries stressed the importance of the prevention of atrocity crimes, as the only way to prevent deaths and suffering. The representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer, stressed that all Member States must support both the Code of Conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes, as well as the French-Mexican initiative on refraining from the use of veto (by the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council) in the case of mass atrocities. Australia's delegate, speaking also on behalf of Canada and New Zealand, referring to the reported violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Myanmar, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen, stressed the importance of combating impunity and called for full accountability for atrocity crimes through appropriate national and international investigative and justice mechanisms, such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. As atrocity crimes are raging on globally, States must ensure that they implement their political commitments, such as the R2P, but also their legal obligations, such as the duty to prevent genocide (enshrined in the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide) and other international treaties. Protecting civilians and preventing atrocity crimes cannot be left to chance.
Scoop
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Responsibility To Protect: An Unfulfilled Promise, A Ray Of Hope
25 June 2025 Addressing the General Assembly, António Guterres said that the world is witnessing more armed conflicts than at any time since the end of the Second World War. ' Too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by States and non-State actors are met with denial, indifference, or repression, ' he told Member States on Wednesday. 'Responses are often too little, too late, inconsistent, or undermined by double standards. Civilians are paying the highest price.' The pledge The Secretary-General's address marked two decades since the 2005 World Summit, where global leaders made an unprecedented commitment to protect populations from the atrocity crimes of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. Known as the Responsibility to Protect, or R2P, the pledge affirmed that sovereignty carries not just rights, but responsibilities – foremost among them, the duty of every State to safeguard its own people. When national authorities manifestly fail to do so, the international community has a duty to act – collectively, timely and decisively – in accordance with the UN Charter. An unfulfilled promise 'Two decades on, the Responsibility to Protect remains both an urgent necessity, a moral imperative and an unfulfilled promise, ' he said. He cited worsening identity-based violence, deepening impunity, and the weaponization of new technologies as compounding threats to populations around the world. 'No society is immune from the risk of atrocity crimes,' Mr. Guterres continued. A ray of hope The Secretary-General also presented his latest report on the Responsibility to Protect, reflecting on two decades of progress and persistent challenges. It draws on a global survey showing that the principle still enjoys broad support – not only among Member States, but also among communities affected by violence. ' Communities see it [R2P] as a ray of hope, ' he said, ' but they also call for effective implementation at all levels. ' Mr. Guterres emphasised that prevention must begin at home: with inclusive leadership, the protection of human rights and the rule of law. And it must be supported worldwide through multilateral cooperation and principled diplomacy. ' No society is immune from the risk of atrocity crimes, ' he said. '[Prevention] must be supported globally – through multilateral cooperation, principled diplomacy, and early and decisive action to effectively protect populations.' Flashback: 2005 World Summit and the birth of R2P The Responsibility to Protect was adopted by consensus at the 2005 World Summit – at the time, the largest-ever gathering of heads of state and government. The Summit also established the Peacebuilding Commission to support post-conflict recovery and the Human Rights Council to uphold human rights. The R2P principle is built on three pillars: the State's responsibility to protect its population; the international community's role in assisting States in this effort; and the duty to take collective action when States manifestly fail to protect their people. Since its adoption, R2P has helped shape international responses to atrocity crimes, guided UN operations, and informed preventive efforts through national, regional, and multilateral mechanisms. Keep the promise Yet the gap between principle and practice remains a central concern – one the Secretary-General is urging the international community to close. ' Let us keep the promise, ' Mr. Guterres said. ' Let us move forward with resolve, unity, and the courage to act. '
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ARKO successfully co-hosts the 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture
Cultural and Creative Sectors exploring the way forward in the age of AI and climate crisis and ascertaining its role in society SEOUL, South Korea, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arts Council Korea (ARKO) successfully concluded the 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture, welcoming 406 delegates from around the world to Seoul on 27-30 May. The Summit was co-hosted by ARKO and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) who have custodianship of the World Summits. As humanity undergoes transformative changes driven by artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and the fragmentation of communities, what questions should cultural policy makers and the cultural and creative sectors (CCS) be asking and what answers can they offer? Following the previous Summit in Stockholm, Sweden (2023), Seoul was unanimously selected as the next host city by the Board of IFACCA. The event brought together 406 delegates from 94 countries, including 104 speakers from 62 countries under the theme Charting the future of arts and culture and marked a pivotal moment in global cultural policy dialogue. Arts and Culture at the Intersections of Technology, Climate and Society At the heart of this year's Summit was the issue of AI. Beyond its technical dimensions, AI was addressed as a topic raising fundamental questions about cultural diversity, knowledge sovereignty, and the future of artistic creation. Participants engaged in deep conversations on how AI influences the arts, and how artists can preserve human narratives and their creative autonomy amid growing uncertainties. The Summit provided a platform for diverse voices, including Michael Running Wolf, an AI ethicist and Lead Architect at First Languages AI Reality (FLAIR), who drew from his Indigenous heritage, to share with delegates: "AI is a risk to cultural heritage not because it's intelligent but because it's stupid." He highlighted concerns about data exploitation and language standardization. Highlighting the polysynthetic nature of Indigenous languages, he argued that standardized English-based AI models are incapable of accommodating such linguistic diversity. He further emphasized that the mechanisms of AI replicate colonial patterns of exploitation and threaten cultural expression and intellectual property. Ayoung Kim, media artist from Ayoung Kim Studio, stated, "I make questions, I make suggestions in speculative forms, but it doesn't change the world." In contrast, Michael Running Wolf shared that his AI-based Indigenous language revitalization project is already producing real-world impact. Dr Alexandra Xanthaki, UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights addressed delegates in the first plenary session, titled The future of culture in times of exponential shifts and delved into questions about the essence of culture in times of crisis. Dr Xanthaki, emphasized that culture should not be confined to individual interests, but should serve to restore humanity and identity. Furthermore, she emphasized that culture should be discussed in the context of human rights and call for future policies that address threats to diversity. The discussion on the relationship between AI and the arts continued during a parallel session titled Elastic futurity in Korean arts and culture: a critical examination. This session raised concerns that, since the dawn of the 21st century, from the Korean perspective, our capacity to imagine the future has diminished. As AI's predictive capabilities grow, fears were voiced that such technology might replace human imagination. In response, science fiction creators introduced narratives that move beyond technological optimism or dystopia, imagining more equitable and alternative futures. This discourse was interconnected to the multi-layered, cultural sensibility of Korea, and emphasized the arts as a space for experimentation to preserve the innate emotion and power of humanity's imagination. Other sessions addressed how the arts respond to global challenges such as the climate crisis, regional imbalances, polarization and the role of participatory systems for culture, solidarity and the resilience of communities and they showcased innovative cultural approaches to the urgent issues of our time. The "Wind" That Lasts Long in Memory: Artistic and Experiential Cultural Program of the Summit, curated by ARKO Breaking away from the conventional format of lecture and discussion-centered international summits, this event was designed as a fluid integration of policy, arts, and cultural experience. Guided by the symbolic theme of "wind," the Summit cultural and gastronomy programme incorporated: Traditional hospitality expressed through bojagi (wrapping cloth) lunchbox A museum tour connecting tradition and contemporary Korean art The Gala Opening inspired by K-pop light stick culture and a celebratory performance themed with Dano Day The street and culinary culture in Daehak-ro area. These elements were carefully curated to leave a lasting wind of inspiration in the minds of delegates after they return to their respective countries. Innovative and participatory session formats Another highlight was the World Café session, where participants from diverse countries and backgrounds engaged in open dialogue on equal footing. Together, they envisioned the world in 2050, discussed key challenges in the arts and culture, and proposed actionable roadmaps in the context of different regions. As stated at an interview by ARKO, Rafael Ivorra Zaragoza, IFACCA board member and deputy director general for international relations and the European Union at the Ministry of Culture, Spain, mentioned that such dialogue was highly effective in helping us understand policy cases from different countries. Other participatory formats included Long Tables and Workshops Phloeun Prim, member of International Programme Advisory Committee (IPAC) for the 10th World Summit and Executive Director of Cambodian Living Arts (CLA), also praised the Summit's approach, stating that conversations in smaller groups enabled deeper reflection. ARKO's policy models gain international recognition as an emerging global policy partner Throughout the Summit, ARKO had the opportunity to showcase their various arts and cultural plans and policies both national and international. These included the Munhwanuri Card (Cultural Voucher), the Youth Culture & Art Pass and APE CAMP, underscore a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability in the cultural ecosystem. Cultural policymakers from various countries complimented ARKO's execution capacity and collaborative spirit, voicing optimism about future joint initiatives. Toward a UN Sustainable Agenda for Culture: a starting point for solidarity and collective action The 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture served as key milestone in the international dialogue on the governance of culture fostering shared understanding and solidarity around cultural policy issues across nations and institutions. Participants built consensus that the inherent value of arts and culture should not be framed merely from the industry perspective. Culture leaders from around the world reaffirmed their commitment to take action through continued international engagement. Kristin Danielsen, Chair of IFACCA and CEO of Arts and Culture Norway, affirmed "Going beyond making statements, the Summit has served to spur new global discussions—including the upcoming UNESCO ministerial-level conference MONDIACULT 2025 in Barcelona this September." She described the Summit as "an inclusive platform for shared thinking, knowledge exchange, and connection." She concluded that "our very presence in Korea itself reflects our strong commitment to arts and culture." In his closing address, ARKO Chair, Byoung Gug Choung declared, "Now is the time to move from query to action and solidarity." He underscored the social responsibility of the arts in addressing cultural inequalities driven by technological development and the climate crisis. His call to "act and connect from wherever we are" highlighted that this Summit went beyond a platform of mere declarations but served as a turning point toward implementation and global cooperation. The Summit provided a dynamic forum in which to formulate strategies for actionable cultural collaboration beyond symbolic declarations. Building on this success, ARKO and Korea are poised to strengthen its position as a hub for implementing sustainable international collaborations in CCS. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Arts Council Korea Sign in to access your portfolio
