Diplomat Times (Qatar) – FIFA World Cup 2022 countdown start : There are 2 days left for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and people all over the world have started talking about it.
This time, Qatar has been hosted FIFA World Cup, a small country in the Middle East, Qatar may be small in terms of area and then in terms of population, but the people of Qatar have a very big heart, Qatar is also known for its skyscrapers.
Qatar is a country where the infrastructure changes at a very fast pace.
There are many such stadiums in Qatar which have been completed this year, one of which (Lusail Stadium) was inaugurated on 9 September 2022. The Lusail Stadium, owned by the Qatar Football Association, is the largest stadium in Qatar. There is a seating arrangement for 80000 spectators.
Let’s talk about the opening match of the World Cup:
The first match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will begin on Sunday, 20 November.
Host nation Qatar will play with Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
The match will take place at 7pm local time (11am ET/4pm GMT) following a change in the FIFA World Cup schedule.
Where is Al Khor?
Al Khor is 35 kilometers north of Doha, the capital of Qatar.
How many teams are participating in FIFA World Cup this time ?
Let us tell all of you that this time32 teamsare participating in this world cup of football. List is given below :
India delivers National Statement at COP 27, Sharm El-Sheikh, Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav delivered India’s Statement.
Diplomat Times (Sharm El-Sheikh) – India delivers National Statement at COP 27, Sharm El-Sheikh, Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav delivered India’s Statement.
“Excellencies,
Let me first express our gratitude to our hosts and the Presidency of COP27, the Arab Republic of Egypt for their tremendous efforts and gracious hospitality.
A year ago, at Glasgow, we responded to the call of science and came forward with important pledges and commitments.
This year at Sharm-el-Sheikh is our moment of action, and the Presidency of Egypt has rightfully designated this as the COP of implementation.
Excellencies
Our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, announced India’s aim of achieving net zero emissions by 2070 at Glasgow. Within one year, India has submitted its Long-Term Low Emissions Growth Strategy indicating low carbon transition pathways in key economic sectors.
Responding to the call for increased ambition in our 2030 climate targets, India updated its Nationally Determined Contributions in August 2022. We have embarked on far-reaching new initiatives in renewable energy, e-mobility, ethanol blended fuels, and green hydrogen as an alternate energy source.
We also seek to foster strong international cooperation through action and solutions-oriented coalitions like International Solar Alliance and Coalition of Disaster Resilience Infrastructure, both of which were launched and nurtured by India.
This is a testimony to our ethos of collective action for global good.
India, home to 1.3 billion people, is undertaking this arduous effort, despite the reality that our contribution to the world’s cumulative emissions so far is less than 4 per cent and our annual per capita emissions are about one-third of the global average.
At the heart of India’s vision of a safe planet is a one-word Mantra – Lifestyle for Environment, that Prime Minister Modi set forth in our National Statement at COP26. Mission LiFE was launched by Prime Minister Modi in the presence of the UN Secretary General His Excellency Antonio Guterres, on 20th October 2022.
The world urgently needs a paradigm shift from mindless and destructive consumption to mindful and deliberate utilization. We are trustees of this planet earth. We must nurture it through sustainable lifestyles that optimize resource use and minimize waste.
As the world’s most populous democracy and a vibrant emerging economy, India seeks to lead by example, and invites the global community to be a part of Mission LiFE for individual, family and community-based actions.
Excellencies
India is assuming the Presidency of the G20 in 2023 with the motto of ‘One earth, One family, One future’. Our journey towards a planet safe for humanity, is one that no nation can undertake alone. This is a collective journey to be undertaken with equity and climate justice as our guiding principles.
We hope that the fight against climate change will unite the world as one family.”
Bilateral Discussions between the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and the President of the French Republic during the visit to Thailand.
Diplomat Times (Bangkok) – H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic visited Thailand during 16 – 18 November 2022 to attend the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) as Guest of the Chair. On 17 November 2022, during 11.30 – 13.20 hrs., President Macron held bilateral discussions with H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, at Ivory room followed by a luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister in honour of President Macron and his delegation at Purple Room, the Government House.
Both Leaders reiterated their close partnership in the region and highlighted France’s role as ASEAN Development Partner and Thailand’ chairmanship of APEC 2022 under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.” particularly Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model. Thailand recognized French constructive role in the European Union, G7 and G20, which contributed to an atmosphere of stability and security in the Indo – Pacific region.
Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations by taking immediate steps on priorities under the Roadmap for Thai – French Relations 2022 – 2024, with a view to establishing the Strategic Partnership between Thailand and France by 2024 in order to achieve sustainable economy, low-carbon society and transition technology.
The Prime Minister of Thailand encouraged France, which is 3rd trading partner and 9th investment partner of Thailand in the EU, to increase more trade volume and enhance more investment in target industries especially in Electric Vehicles (EVs), smart electronics, digital and BCG in the EEC. Thailand proposed France to support the import of Thailand’s eco-friendly goods in EU and France and to invest more in green industries, particularly EVs where Thailand sets the target to 30% of EV productions in Thailand by 2030. Thailand asked the French side to support the resumption of the Thai – EU FTA negotiations in the earliest stage which will help over 280 French companies in Thailand and Thai companies in France.
On political and security pillar, both sides expressed readiness to concretise 2 + 2 dialogue (Ministry of Foreign Affairs + Ministry of Defence), to support cooperation in the defence industry cooperation and to the signing of the visa exemption agreement for holders of official passports between Thailand and France at the earliest stage to facilitate the exchanges of high-level visits.
On people-to-people relations, both sides reiterated the importance of safe travel in support of Thailand as the centre of the transport in the region as well as professional training and education for Thai personnel in accordance with the French business expansion in Thailand. Both sides looked forward to next year marking Thai – French Year of Innovation (YoI) 2023.
both sides discussing on the Bilateral Discussions . Photo MFA Thailand
Both sides deliberated on urgent global issues i.e. climate change, biodiversity, pandemic management, as well as stressed readiness to be partners with the international community to find peaceful solutions in situations of conflict, such as in Ukraine and Myanmar, through dialogue in order to reduce the impacts on food and energy security and to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2030.
Following the meeting, both sides issued the Joint Press Statement on the Bilateral Discussions. The Prime Minister took this opportunity to hand over to the French President the Declaration of Intent (DoI) in support of the PREZODE (PREventing Zoonotic Disease Emergence) which was France’s Initiative, in order to create a network of researchers and professionals in zoonotic disease.
During the President’s visit to Thailand as Guest of the Chair, President Macron is scheduled to attend a number of APEC programmes and activities. In the evening of 17 November 2022, he will attend the Gala Dinner at the Royal Thai Navy Hall and on 18 November 2022, President Macron will deliver a keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit on “Navigating a Turbulent World” at the Athenee Hotel as well as participate in the APEC Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests and Royal Audience at Chakri Throne Hall.
Japan-Papua New Guinea Foreign Ministers Meeting in Thailand
Diplomat Times (Bangkok) -Japan-Papua New Guinea Foreign Ministers Meeting in Thailand, At APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Bangkok, Thailand to attend the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Ministerial Meeting, held a meeting with Hon. Justin W. TKATCHENKO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
Minister Hayashi stated that he condemned the fierce attacks by Russia on the cities in Ukraine including Kiev.
In this context, Minister Hayashi stated that he was very concerned about the information he received on the explosion in Poland, and he was paying close attention to the ongoing investigation. Minister Hayashi also stated that the situation in Ukraine concerns the foundation of the international order, and so he would like to closely cooperate with Minister Tkatchenko. Minister Tkatchenko stated that he shared exactly the same perception as Minister Hayashi.
Minister Hayashi stated that Papua New Guinea is a center pillar of stability and prosperity of the Pacific Islands region, and also an important partner to Japan tied with a strong bond through trade of natural resources and so forth. Minister Hayashi also stated that he looked forward to working with Minister Tkatchenko for further development of the amicable bilateral relations and realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Minister Hayashi explained Japan’s efforts relevant to Papua New Guinea based on the needs of the Pacific Island countries under the Pacific Bond Policy after last year’s PALM9 (The 9th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting ), and Minister Tkatchenko expressed appreciation for Japan’s efforts. The two ministers also discussed the situation in the Pacific Island countries, and concurred the importance of maintaining the unity of the Pacific Island countries.
The two ministers affirmed that they would continue to coordinate in dealing with North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abduction issue.
Both ministers shared the view that the international community must oppose in unity against unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas and economic coercion.
Discussing between both countries diplomats. Photo: Japan MFA Facebook
Both leaders concurred that it is essential to strengthen the functions of the United Nations including the Security Council reform in order to restore the UN’s credibility, and that they would work together on this front.
Pune – Bharti Airtel announced the deployment of its 5G services at Pune Lohegaon Airport, making it the first airport in the Maharashtra to have ultrafast 5G services.
Airtel recently announced the launch of 5G services at the new airport Terminal at Bengaluru.
Airtel 5G Plus service is now live in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur, Varanasi, Panipat and Gurugram, the company said in a statement.
“Customers in these cities have started enjoying Airtel 5G Plus services in a phased manner as the company continues to construct its network and complete the roll out,” the company said.
Commenting on the launch, George Mathen, CEO, Maharashtra and Goa, Bharti Airtel said, “I am thrilled to announce the beginning of a new chapter in Maharashtra as Pune International Airport, becomes the first airport in the state to have the Airtel 5G Plus services”.
“While at the terminal, customers can now access superfast access to High Definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more. I thank the authorities for all the support extended to make this project live,” Mathen added.
The RBI and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan signed agreement of 200 USD
New Delhi – The Reserve Bank of India and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMA) signed an agreement to enable the RMA to avail of an additional currency swap amount of up to USD 200 million equivalent in INR from the RBI.
1. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMA) today signed an Agreement to extend the validity period of the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed on January 31, 2020 and to provide additional swap support to Bhutan. This agreement will enable the RMA to avail of an additional swap amount of up to USO 200 million equivalent in INR (approximately INR 1657 crore or BTN 16.57 billion) from the RBI. This support of USO 200 million INR equivalent is in addition to the extant currency swap support of USD 200 million INR equivalent extended by the RBI. This agreement was facilitated by the Government of India at the request of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
2. The agreement will be valid till June 30, 2023. In the past, the RBI and the RMA have signed bilateral currency swap agreements in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2020. Under the SAARC Currency Swap Arrangement, the RBI offers an aggregate amount of USO 2 billion both in foreign currency (USO and Euro) and in INR to the requesting countries.
3. The swap agreement between the RBI and the RMA is intended to provide a backstop line of funding for RMA for short-term foreign exchange liquidity requirements or to meet any balance of payments and liquidity crises. The INR swap arrangements have benefited Bhutan in managing the INR liquidity. This facility has also helped to promote trade and investment between the two countries.
4. Additionally, India is currently providing two Standby Credit Facilities (SCF) to Bhutan, of INR 300 crore (BTN 3 billion) and INR 400 crore (BTN 4 billion), whose settlement period was recently extended by another 60 months with a reduced interest rate of 2.5°/o with effect from 01 July 2022. The SCFs also serve to promote bilateral trade by facilitating payments within India and meeting INR requirements in Bhutan.
5. India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and close cooperation based on trust and mutual understanding across all sectors, including financial cooperation as brought out above.
India takes charge of G20 2023: Bali Summit Ends, Indonesian President Joko Widodo symbolically handed over the G20 Presidency to PM Narendra Modi.
PTI (Bali) – Indonesia on Wednesday handed over the G20 presidency to India for the coming year as the Bali summit of the grouping ended here with the member states finalizing the joint declaration.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo handed over the G20 presidency to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said taking over the Presidency of the grouping is a matter of pride for every citizen in India.
‘Together with every countries’ efforts, we can make the G20 summit a catalyst for global welfare,” Modi said.
The handing over ceremony comes at the conclusion of the two-day G20 summit which ended with the member states finalizing the joint declaration.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that India has contributed ‘constructively’ to drafting of G20 ‘outcome document’.
The G20 comprises 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the USA and the European Union (EU).
Together, they account for over 80 per cent of the global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade and two-thirds of the world population.
(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without any modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)
PM Modi was joined by other world leaders, including U.S. President Biden and French President Macron, EU President Ursula von der Leyen.
Diplomat Times (Bali) -Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi along with other G-20 Leaders visited and planted Mangroves at the ‘Taman Hutan Raya Ngurah Rai’ Mangrove forests.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi along with other G-20 Leaders visited and planted Mangroves at the ‘Taman Hutan Raya Ngurah Rai’ Mangrove forests on the sidelines of G-20 Summit in Bali today.
Mangroves play an important role in global conservation efforts. India has joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), a joint initiative of Indonesia and UAE under the Indonesian G-20 Presidency.
More than 50 mangrove species can be found spread over 5000 sq km in India. India is placing emphasis on the protection and restoration of mangroves, which are rich sites of biodiversity and serve as effective carbon sinks.
What is Mangrove ?
Indonesia harbors the largest area and diversity of mangrove ecosystems in the world. Mangroves support coastal livelihoods through fisheries (fish, crab, and other seafood), protect the country’s coasts from disasters, and store 3.14 billion tons of CO2, playing a significant role in mitigating global climate change. Recent World Bank research found Indonesia’s mangroves are worth approximately US$15,000 per hectare on average, with some locations – particularly those near developed coastal areas — worth about $50,000, due to their role in flood protection.
A recent study suggested that in this past ten years, mangrove conversion contributed to almost 200 million tons of CO2 going into the atmosphere, equivalent to the electricity use in over 35 million homes for one year.
Where and how to reach :
The mangrove forest is located 6 kms away from Sanur in Kuta direction. You can reach there by taxi or car from Ngurah Rai Airport.
“PM @narendramodi and other G20 leaders visited a mangrove forest in Bali, giving a strong message of coming together to tackle climate change and boost sustainable development. India has also joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.
Reuters (Dubai) – Six candidates including one woman won seats in a first phase of Bahrain’s parliamentary election, while others will compete for the remaining 34 seats in the main event next week, authorities announced on Sunday.
Bahraini voters cast their ballots in polling stations across the small Gulf kingdom on Saturday, but in the absence of two major opposition groups that were dissolved years ago.
Justice Minister Nawaf bin Mohammed Al-Maawda told reporters late Saturday that turnout was 73 percent in the poll, contested by a record number of candidates.
This was “the highest participation rate since 2002,” he said, and “no violations were recorded.”
More than 330 candidates, including a record 73 women, are competing to join the 40-seat council of representatives — the lower house of parliament that advises King Hamad, who has ruled since his father died in March 1999.
This is up from the 293 people — including 41 women — who ran for parliament in the last election in 2018.
On Sunday, the results showed that six candidates, five men and one woman, won seats, while the remaining seats will be contested in a run-off next Saturday.
The two main opposition groups, the Shiite Al-Wefaq and the secular Waad, were prevented from presenting candidates. These parties were dissolved in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
This is the third election since demonstrations in 2011 driven by demands for a constitutional monarchy and other political reforms.
Amnesty International said ahead of the poll that the elections were taking place in an “environment of political repression”.
A government spokesperson pushed back against that criticism on Saturday.
“Requirements include not having a criminal record or not belonging to a society dissolved due to their court-proven involvement in acts of violence in contravention of legitimate political activity”, he said.
The number of registered voters in the Gulf kingdom is about 350,000 people out of a population of about 1.4 million people.
Global Media Congress kicks off in Abu Dhabi with wide-scale international participation, Under the patronage of Mansour bin Zayed
Abu Dhabi – Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, the first edition of the Global Media Congress 2022 kicked off in Abu Dhabi, under the theme “Shaping the Future of the Media Industry”.
The event welcomed the participation of more than 1,200 media sector leaders and pioneers, specialists, influencers, experts, and intellectual icons from six continents.
The opening ceremony of the Global Media Congress was attended by His
Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced
Technology; His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for
Foreign Trade; Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of
State for Youth Affairs; His Excellency Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister
of Information Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain; His Excellency Ahmed Afif, Vice
President of the Republic of Seychelles; His Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri,
President of the Dubai Press Club; and Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director General
of Emirates News Agency (WAM). In addition to 12 ministers from different countries
and more than 35 ambassadors to the UAE.
The event was also attended by His Excellency Osman Abukar Dubbe, Minister of
Information, Culture and Tourism of Somalia; His Excellency Walid Ammar Al Lafi,
Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs of Libya; His Excellency
Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Services of
Zimbabwe; His Excellency Guy Ahmed, Minister of Justice of the Comoros; His
Excellency Mohamed Idris, Minister of Information of Ethiopia; His Excellency
Babacar Diagne, President of the Audio Visual Regulation Council of Senegal.
The opening ceremony, which was organized by ADNEC Group in partnership with Emirates News Agency (WAM), began with the national anthem of the United Arab
Emirates. Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for
Youth Affairs also delivered a speech, which was followed by the first metaverse
media interview and an interactive art performance about the future.
In a speech delivered on his behalf Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director General of
WAM, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “The UAE, under
the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of
the UAE, is a futurist state that focuses on the continuous launch of world-class
strategic initiatives and projects in various fields and sectors. The UAE has been
successful in reaching the world through its influential national media system that
applies creativity, innovation, and advanced technology to create reliable and high-
quality media content.”
“Our national media is witnessing sustainable development that aligns with the vision
of our wise leadership and supports the UAE’s direction for the next fifty years. Over
the past decades, the UAE has been able to develop a media system that has
become at the forefront of the regional and global scenes and has become a catalyst
for achieving development and spreading the values of tolerance, coexistence, and
peace,” His Highness added.
Photo : GMC
“The Global Media Congress, which brings together media leaders, experts, and
professionals in the sector, is the culmination of the UAE’s efforts to build an
exceptional environment characterized by flexibility and competitiveness and based
on an advanced digital infrastructure. This in turn consolidates its position as a global
hub and destination that embraces talent, creators, and influencers in the field of
media and social communication, particularly in light of the rapid changes and digital
transformation.” His Highness added.
The Global Media Congress includes a conference and exhibition, which provides an
inspiring platform to learn about the media industry and realize a forward-looking
vision for the future of the sector, which has become a major catalyst for sustainable
development.
Photo : GMC
The global event attracts more than 200 CEO’s and includes more than 30 dialogue
sessions and more than 40 workshops, in which more than 162 prominent
international speakers will participate. In addition, more than 193 prominent media
institutions and companies from 42 countries will participate in the exhibition, where they will highlight the latest global technologies specialized in this vital sector.
The Congress will feature six major initiatives, including the Live Shows Platform, the
Global Program for Empowering Young Media Professionals, the Future Media Lab,
the Innovation Platform, the Global Buyers Program, and a special session on the
role of media in building a culture of tolerance in human societies.
This year’s Congress focuses on a number of themes, topics, and key issues,
including digital communication, the impact of artificial intelligence on contemporary
media, and the integration of advanced technologies and innovation in the media
sector.
The Event will consist of a series of dialogues, the launch of innovations, interactive
workshops, and discussion sessions. This is in addition to allocating a number of
areas for meetings with various participants on the sidelines of the event, which will
also include a set of specialized sessions in the fields of press, radio, television, the Internet, social media, and global influencers. The Congress will also feature 30
dialogue sessions, highlighting digital technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced
technologies, and innovation.
