Senior Fellows Testimonials

History is unfolding before our eyes. These are days that could define the future of our world. The United Nations is calling for a “Summit for the Future,” promising “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.” This vision will take shape on September 23-24, 2024, in New York City. António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UN since January 2017, has championed this summit as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate global action, recommit to fundamental principle ...

This opinion was originally published in japanupclose.web-japan.orgIntense diplomatic ballet in Africa The past two years have been marked by two important visits: that of Prime Minister Kishida visit to four countries in 2023, and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko visit Yoko to three countries in 2024. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Visit: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was on an African tour from April 29 to May 5, 2023, visiting four African countries, including Egypt, G ...

A Global Deluge is Needed The phrase “rural Africa” evokes vivid images of remote communities battling droughts and floods, where wandering elephant herds plunder scarce farmland, and aging lions encroach on villages, preying on dogs, chickens, and occasionally even humans. These once-majestic predators, having lost their teeth, can no longer hunt their natural prey. In these rural villages, survival often means living without running water, enduring what is termed “water stress”. ...

Some of the designs are etched into the desert sand like intricate spiderwebs. Others wind through African jungles like giant serpents, transforming pristine landscapes into conduits of profit, constructed from metal, plastic, and cement. Pipes, endless pipes, stretching for thousands of kilometers, even reaching beneath the sea. Europe’s thirst for oil and gas has intensified, especially since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war—whether that conflict drags on for months or years ...

The global success of Gnaoua music is both a cause for celebration and a food for thought. It highlights the immense potential of music and other creative and cultural activities to generate income and meaningful employment, particularly for youth, while also showcasing the soft power of embedded cultural values. This soft power is evident in the worldwide influence of Black diaspora music. Despite Morocco’s wealth of creative and cultural industries (CCI), their potential for socio ...

The UN-led Summit for the Future represents both a significant opportunity and a formidable challenge for global development. While its ambitious agenda has the potential to drive meaningful progress, it also faces substantial obstacles that could impede its success. By learning from past experiences, fostering genuine multilateral cooperation, and ensuring clear and accountable commitments, the Summit can enhance the prospects for development. Ultimately, the Summit’s success will ...

Negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Sudan began in Geneva this week, marking a critical step toward ending the 16-month-long conflict that has ravaged the nation. Co-organized by the United States and Switzerland, the talks focus on addressing the severe humanitarian crisis and establishing a cessation of hostilities. However, significant challenges persist, particularly concerning the uncertain participation of the key warring parties. Understanding the Conflict Sudan h ...