No climate crisis agreement at G20 environment moot

on 24/10/2023

Environment ministers from G20 nations failed to agree on peaking global emissions by 2025 and other crucial issues to address the global climate crisis at their meeting in India on Friday.
No breakthrough was possible on several key points ahead of this year’s COP28 climate talks, with negotiations also failing to reach a consensus on tripling renewable energy use.
“I am very disappointed,” France’s ecological transition minister Christophe Bechu told AFP after the meeting.
“We are not able to reach an agreement of increasing drastically renewable energies, we are not able to reach an agreement on phasing out or down fossil fuels, especially coal,” he said.
“Records of temperatures, catastrophes, giant fires, and we are not able to reach an agreement on the peaking (of) emissions by 2025.”
The discussions with China, Saudi Arabia, and on climate issues with Russia had been “complicated”, he added.
India’s climate change minister Bhupender Yadav, who chaired the meeting, admitted there had been “some issues about energy, and some target-oriented issues”.
The Chennai meeting comes days after energy ministers from the bloc — which represents more than 80 percent of global GDP and CO2 emissions — failed to agree in Goa on a roadmap to cut fossil fuels from the global energy mix.
That was seen as a blow to mitigation efforts even as climate experts blame record global temperatures for triggering floods, storms and heatwaves.
Major oil producers fear the impact of drastic mitigation on their economies, and Russia and Saudi Arabia were blamed for the lack of progress in Goa.
Campaigners were dismayed by the repeated failure to reach a deal Friday.
“Europe and North Africa are burning, Asia is ravaged with floods yet G20 climate ministers have failed to agree on a shared direction to halt the climate crisis which is escalating day by day,” said Alex Scott of climate change think-tank E3G.
Reports of Saudi and Chinese resistance, he added, “fly in the face of their claims of defending the interests of developing countries”. All present at Friday’s conference understood “the severity of the crisis” facing the world, Adnan Amin, chief executive of this year’s COP28 climate talks, told AFP.
“But I think there’s a kind of political understanding that still needs to be achieved,” he said.
“It’s very clear that every country in the world will start by looking at its immediate self-interest,” he added. Most delegations were led by their environment and climate change ministers, while the US delegation was headed by Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. Also at the talks was Emirati oil boss Sultan Al Jaber, who will lead the upcoming COP28 talks in the United Arab Emirates starting in late November.
He has been heavily criticised for his apparent conflict of interest as head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company because burning fossil fuels is the main driver of global warming.
With raging wildfires in Greece and a heatwave in Italy, European Union environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius said ahead of the gathering that there was “growing evidence on the ground of devastating climate impact” and “the livelihoods of people are being destroyed”.
But progress in global negotiations has been slow, with the G20 polarised by Russia’s war in Ukraine and sharp divisions on key issues.
Questions on financing the transition and ameliorating its short-term impacts have long been a point of contention between developing and wealthy nations.
Major developing countries such as India argue that legacy emitters need to spend more to underwrite global mitigation efforts in poorer nations.
“Whatever was pledged by the developed countries must be fulfilled,” Yadav said after the meeting, which he added had reached consensus on other issues including land degradation and sustainable use of ocean resources.

Westinghouse organizes a grand seminar Discovering New Shores – A journey of expansion in Pakistan

on 24/10/2023

Westinghouse, a historic American brand, globally renowned for its innovative technologies and products, conducted a grand seminar in Karachi on July 20.
The event brought together leading consultants, panel manufacturers, and industry professionals from across the country.
The seminar was about Westinghouse’s formal launch and expansion in Pakistan.
Westinghouse has been operating in Pakistan through its partners for the past few years and formally started its operations with its liaison office in Karachi almost a year ago. The company received remarkable success in terms of expansion in this region.
Pakistan is a country full of talented human resources. Westinghouse wishes to empower the local industry of Pakistan through its technology and forge strong relationships that mutually benefit the local community as well as Westinghouse, said Mr. Muhammad Shoaib Khan, Managing Director, Westinghouse LV MV Product in his keynote speech.
The event covered insightful presentations on the Westinghouse’s background, its remarkable journey throughout history, its global presence, exciting plans, and its vision for expansion in Pakistan. The event also covered a short product presentation of Westinghouse’s Medium Voltage and Low Voltage products including Dry Type Transformers, Vacuum Circuit breakers, LV switchgear components, and type test switchgear assemblies.
“Westinghouse’s journey into this new market has been characterized by meticulous planning, extensive research, and a genuine commitment to understanding the unique needs and aspirations of our customers. As my team and I come together, this is a moment of excitement, anticipation, and deep pride as we are gathered to further our journey of knowledge, collaboration, and growth. And while we are expanding our horizons to navigate the ever-evolving business landscape successfully, we express our deepest appreciation for the trust of our esteemed clients, customers, and business partners. It is your belief in our products and services that keep us encouraged to further expand our operations into this new territory” said Mr. Ahmed Rehan Lutfi, Country Manager, Pakistan while his welcome address.
Westinghouse, in just a very short span, has established a very reasonable footprint in Pakistan, especially in the textile, commercial and health, and medical sectors.

Indigenous manufacturing is the only recipe to prosper, says Samir Hoodbhoy Taking loans is an addiction; we have no way but to correct ourselves

on 24/10/2023

Following the current economic crunch, many people are caught by anxiety about whether Pakistan will be able to survive economically. As everyone knows if God forbids, if it did not, what will happen? Yet, many are hopeful as they believe hope is everything, if lost nothing is left behind. Samir Hoodbhoy, CEO of Data Communication and Control, a known engineering and IT company in Pakistan is among one of them and says I am very much hopeful as Pakistan has a huge number of young people
Samir Hoodbhoy: Self-reliance is a prerequisite without which our economic stability cannot be achieved. Why don’t we rely on our own natural resources rather than importing fossil fuels worth $24 billion? Solar, wind, and hydro kinetic resources are in abundance in Pakistan and we should properly look into our energy policy to tap these resources. We have coal deposits, deserts in Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan with high solar radiance and wind corridors. As per World Bank data, we have a potential of 40 to 80 GWTs on Hydrokinetic through our irrigation canals. Also, we have a 700 mile long coastline of Sindh and Balochistan that must be tapped.
ER: This data and the resources are no secret but what is the hindrance that we are unable to tap into these resources?
SH: I returned to Pakistan in 1984 after completing my education at Harvard University and then serving several companies abroad. By then Pakistan had already commissioned Steel Mills and after 4 years in 1988, they suddenly woke up that they did not have any drawings at all. Thus, it was a crisis situation, the Ministry of Production issued an advertisement for the work for which no local firm could make a bid, and only foreign firms were declared qualified. I fought against the law which kept Pakistani companies out of the bidding and won the case. I made a company with some friends and succeeded to win the contract. The quotation was worth $23 million but we accomplished the job in just $2.3 million. It was the first high-tech job from any Pakistani company. We picked up the best engineers from NED University and completed the job of building the Central Design Bureau.
ER: Then where did that spirit go? And now again there is widespread talk that only indigenous manufacturing can develop Pakistan. Will this rhetoric sway or vanish like it happens in Pakistan?
SH: Taking loans is an addiction but when we shall experience a leash that is falling on us, we have no way but to correct ourselves. We ought to change our attitude and we shall do it. We have admitted it at all levels now.
When Pakistan became nuclear and faced sanctions, we saw development as we were not getting aid money and even now we have an opportunity. Of all industries including textile, the high-tech industry, the software industry, and alternate energy, the best option is electrical vehicles such as electric rickshaws and buses. We must divert our focus to mass transit. We need 4500 buses that we should make in Pakistan. They should be EVs as they are not complex like combustion engines. The most important part is the battery. We must do it. We shall need ten times more for the whole country.
ER: Where to start?
SH: Start from the areas which are infrastructure-related like water, transportation, energy, urban development, and education. You just need to do minimal things. You don’t have to tax raw materials so that the industry competes with the outside world. For instance, items like computer chips should be exempted from duties.
The landscape in Pakistan has changed, we have hundreds of educational institutions and thousands of IT graduates. We have to channel them; they need projects related to infrastructure, as I said. We have enough talent to do it now.
ER: Is your company ready to take some part in what you suggested to be started?
SH: I would love to do it and we are fully capable of doing it provided we have support and finances as we are competing against massive imports. Our government in Sindh is importing buses from China instead of the local industry and should be given the chance.

‘10 years of CPEC is a historical milestone’ Pakistan is sure CPEC will pick up momentum

on 24/10/2023

Islamabad is sure that Pakistan will have speedy progress in the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Because the federal government expects that the CPEC will generate momentum after the visit of China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng and off course the government in Pakistan is also in different hands.
Federal Minister for Planning Development Ahsan Iqbal also says Pakistan expects speedy progress in the second phase (2030) of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) following visit of China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng.
He told media that Lifeng role is very important in making CPEC successful as he has been instrumental after becoming Chairman National Development Reform Commission (NDRC). Also, he has been appointed as vice premier to take care of Chinese economic area.
Chinese Vice Premier travelled to to Pakistan on his 3day visit for are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with Pakistan.
The event was also associated with appreciating Chinese companies working on the CPEC projects and meetings with Pakistani leadership besides the president.
Ahsan Iqbal said Lifeng;s visit is of great significance that would help enhance economic and financial cooperation between the two countries. ‘He has played a prominent role in China’s international economic relations and implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, of which CPEC is a flagship project.’
Ahsan Iqbal reportedly said that the present government is trying to increase business-to-business cooperation in the next phase of CPEC besides taking forward the industrialization in Pakistan with investment in the sector, as well as, to increase agriculture productivity through use of Chinese technology.
On the next day, Prime Minister welcomed the Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and members of his delegation as they arrived here on Sunday for a three-day visit, reported government news agency.
‘At the invitation of the Government of Pakistan, the Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping, the Vice Premier of China and Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, is visiting here to attend the 10th-anniversary celebrations of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).’
“It is my pleasure to warmly welcome the Chinese Vice-Premier H.E. He Lifeng and members of his delegation to Pakistan. They are visiting Pakistan to join us in celebrating the 10th anniversary of CPEC and witnessing first-hand the transformations brought about by this game-changing initiative,” the prime minister wrote on a microblogging site.
“During his visit, He Lifeng will call on President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif,” according to the Foreign Office spokesperson.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project had started a new journey of prosperity in the region and provided employment opportunities to millions of people.
“The completion of 10 years of CPEC is a historical milestone. Through this, Pakistan got China’s cooperation in the political sector as well as in the economic sector,” he said addressing the ceremony held to mark the 10-year celebrations of CPEC.
The minister said the visit of Chinese Vice Prime Minister He Lifeng as a representative of President Xi Jinping was very important on the completion of 10 years of CPEC.
He said, “The Government of Pakistan expresses its gratitude to the Chinese leadership and people for their friendship with Pakistan under difficult circumstances.”
When no one was ready to invest even one dollar in Pakistan, investment of billions of dollars was made available
by China to Pakistan under CPEC, he added.
Ahsan Iqbal said the investment of 25 billion dollars in the first phase of CPEC was a record foreign investment, which created employment for millions of people and new demand for the Pakistani industry, besides exposing local engineers and workers to new technology.
He said a new development era had started in the region with CPEC as China invested billions of rupees in Pakistan under it. CPEC helped Pakistan overcome the challenges. It had increased prosperity and harmony in both the countries.
He said CPEC was a beautiful bouquet between the two countries. Multan-Sukkur Motorway and Hazara Expressway were built while a road network was laid in the country. Similarly, the Gwadar Port and East Bay Expressway was built, while schools, hospitals and vocational centers of technical education were also set up in Gwadar.
The leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, he said, gave a new spirit to CPEC. It helped a lot in dealing with the energy crisis under CPEC.
In the second phase of CPEC, long-term projects would be started, he added

CPEC back on track? ML-I, SEZs put on fast track

on 23/10/2023

Railways’ Main Line – I (ML-I) is being put on a fast track besides Special Economic Zones in Pakistan, reports pouring in from a moot held in China suggest.
This as reports suggest is one of the outputs of Ahsan Iqbal’s meeting with Zheng Shanjie, Chairman National Development and Reform Commission. Pakistan’s federal minister for Federal Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives was on a four-day official visit to China over the 10-year celebrations of CPEC.
Iqbal and Shanjie aided by their respective teams held the 12th meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The official website of CPE says: The meeting of the 12th (Special) Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was held in Beijing last Tuesday.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal & Vice Chairman, National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC), China Mr. Cong Liang co-chaired the meeting. Senior officials and representatives of various Ministries and departments dealing with CPEC matters from both sides were also present at the occasion.
In his remarks, the Minister noted that CPEC is a remarkable endeavor that symbolizes the deep-rooted ties between China and Pakistan. He recalled that this monumental project, initiated under the visionary leadership of President Xi and then Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Nawaz Sharif, had been instrumental in transforming the economic landscape of the region. It has fostered connectivity, enhanced trade, and opened up new avenues for shared prosperity.
It is noted that since the government came into power in April 2022 the CPEC projects have been revived which remained halted.
Out of the total of 12 JCC moots, Ahsan Iqbal has chaired 9 so far. The Chinese authorities have already declared the Minister of Planning as ‘Mr. CPEC’. The Minister emphasized that CPEC is the topmost national priority of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and these avenues provided an opportunity to consolidate successes and further enhance potential future cooperation.
He also noted that while numerous milestones had already been achieved, there was massive potential for expanding and developing in the agriculture, industry, technology, and mining sectors. He also conveyed the deep appreciation of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the hard work of the JCC and reiterated the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to providing consistent policies and a conducive environment for Chinese companies and citizens working in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the conveners of the Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on Energy, Transport Infrastructure, and Gwadar Port made presentations highlighting the progress in their specific areas and informed them about the future plans of action. The JCC also highlighted the significance of the key projects for energy and infrastructure development; which are now operational and providing a myriad of opportunities for socio-economic development in Pakistan.
On the proposal of the planning minister, Chairman Zheng offered to share Chinese expertise and knowledge to enhance Pakistan’s export earnings and accelerate Special Economic Zones (SEZs) development, says another report.
Both sides decided to hold regular meetings of the Joint Working Groups (JWGs) to review ongoing cooperation under the CPEC framework and work closely for the next phase which is much wider in scope and focuses more on industrialization, agriculture, science and technology, and socio-economic development.
Ahsan Iqbal said since 2013, the relevant institutions from the two sides worked as one team and successfully implemented key energy and physical infrastructure projects, laying a strong foundation for the next phase of CPEC.
Chairman NDRC remarked that China and Pakistan are good friends and partners. Despite the vicissitudes of global politics, the two countries have always stood together and extended complete support to each other. He also appreciated the key role played by Ahsan Iqbal in the development of CPEC.