Macron postpones French pension overhaul to January

President Macron says the retirement age needs to be extended to 64 or 65 

Paris (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that he was pushing back his presentation of a major pensions overhaul denounced by labour unions, citing recent leadership changes at two opposition parties.

Both the Greens and the right-wing Republicans have elected new chiefs, and Macron said he would consult with them before unveiling details of the major reform on January 10, instead of Thursday as planned.

"This will give a few more weeks for those... who have taken over to discuss some of the key elements of the reform with the government," Macron said during the latest gathering of his so-called "national refoundation council."

Macron says the retirement age needs to be extended to 64 or 65, from 62 currently -- one of the lowest ages in the EU -- in order to finance the pay-as-you-go system as more people live longer and enter the workforce later.

The system is likely to have a surplus of 3.2 billion euros this year, according to a September report from the government's pensions advisory board (COR), but is forecast to fall into structural deficits in coming decades unless new financing sources are found.

Macron has also promised to streamline the country's 42 separate pension regimes, which offer early retirement and other benefits mainly to public-sector workers.

There has been bitter opposition to the planned reform, which has been one of Macron's long-standing targets in power.

Unions staged huge protests and strikes when the reform was first attempted two years ago, before the government abandoned it as the Covid-19 crisis engulfed the world in early 2020.

Macron's overhaul would be the most extensive in a series of pension reforms enacted by successive governments on both the left and right in recent decades aiming to end budget shortfalls.

© 2022 AFP

Reducing the prevalence of gender-based violence in Europe and Central Asia requires changing the norms that support it

ANNA BJERDE|

DECEMBER 12, 2022

A young female office worker smiling in her workplace.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic intensified risk factors for Gender-based Violence (GBV), Central Asian countries reported some of the highest GBV rates in the world, with over 20% of women reporting that they had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), the most common form of GBV, at least once in their lifetime. This is double the average rate in OECD countries and more than in Eastern Europe (17%) and the South Caucasus (11%).

Women from ethnic minorities, such as Roma, are more likely to experience GBV and marry early, as illustrated by a survey in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, published in a 2019 UN Women report, that revealed the staggering extent of the abuse: in Serbia, over 92% of Roma women have experienced some type of physical or sexual violence since the age of 18. In Montenegro and Serbia, 18% and 17% of Roma girls, respectively, are married before the age of 15 and over 55% are married before 18. Similarly, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5 out of 10 Roma women marry before turning 18.
Regressive Gender Norms Underpin Discrimination Against Women and Girls

IPV is prevalent across the region in part because many men and women think that domestic violence is acceptable under certain circumstances, for instance when a wife burns a meal; when she goes out without her husband’s permission; and/or when she neglects the children. In many ECA countries, women are as likely as men—and sometimes even more likely—to believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife (see figure below).


Source: Gender Data Portal based on Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and other surveys.

GBV not only affects women’s physical and mental wellbeing, it also prevents them from reaching their full life potential. Multiple studies have demonstrated that experiencing GBV leads to severe mental health problems such as depression, suicide ideation and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as reproductive and other related problems affecting maternal and neo-natal health, physical injuries and other chronic health conditions. These impacts often last for years and affect survivors’ families as well.

Moreover, GBV carries a heavy economic cost for society, resulting for example in women and girls’ underachievement in education, work and productivity. According to some studies, this cost can range from 1% to 3% of a country’s GDP—on par with the average amount allocated to primary education.

Despite this heavy toll, less than 40% of women globally who experience GBV seek help or report a crime, while less than 10% go to the police, who sometimes lack the capacity or willingness to help. This fuels impunity for the perpetrators; moreover, the survivors do not receive the help they need, such as clinical management of rape and psycho-social and mental health support.

A review of the police response to GBV in Kosovo between 2009 and 2017 found that reported sexual assault cases were not only low, but also declined during this period. Similarly, in Armenia, the 2021 Survey on Domestic Violence against Women in Armenia revealed that only 5% of those who experienced violence sought help from the police, while 53.5% stated that they did not expect any help.
Supporting Survivors and Exposing the Norm

Coordination is key for identifying GBV survivors, enabling successful referrals to service providers, and implementing interventions to prevent GBV. The World Bank Group and its partners in civil society and elsewhere are helping governments and other stakeholders in ECA tackle GBV in a meaningful way through multisectoral efforts involving actors in health, social services, the law, security, and local communities to support GBV survivors and challenge harmful, regressive gender norms.

Providing and raising awareness of services to survivors is key. To do this, we have focused on building institutional capacities of our clients to both improve access to and delivery of GBV services. For example, in Armenia, the Fourth Public Sector Modernization Project supports a dedicated phone line to report GBV and improved access to services for GBV survivors. In Kosovo, the Emergency COVID-19 Project trains healthcare workers to identify and handle GBV cases, promotes the employment of mental health workers, and raises awareness of GBV service availability. In Albania, the Emergency COVID-19 Response Project supports special social care services to prevent and respond to GBV and violence against children. And in Tajikistan, the World Bank is working with the government to improve service provision for GBV survivors, while a project on socioeconomic resilience aims to address GBV indirectly by promoting healthy lifestyles and principles of equality in the division of household and care responsibilities.

Further, establishing strong judicial awareness and policies is essential to improving prevention of GBV. To achieve this, we have focused our support on policies that build judicial capacities and prevent exploitation and abuse.

For example, in Azerbaijan, the Judicial Services & Smart Infrastructure Project supports the implementation of the Justice Sector Gender Strategy, which seeks to prevent sexual harassment among public servants. In Kazakhstan, the South-West Roads project has taken concrete steps to prevent exploitation and abuse. In Romania, the Justice Service Improvement Project provides training to justice system service providers to improve the judicial response to GBV. And in Uzbekistan, we are supporting the government’s program to establish referral pathways for survivors of GBV.

Together with our partners, the World Bank stands ready to support countries in the ECA region to address GBV. It is the right thing to do and makes economic sense.


Author

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-bjerde/ twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=@bjerde_anna

Anna Bjerde
Vice President, Europe and Central Asia, World Bank

Sexual and gender based violence in Rwanda's mining sector

Women in mining sector in Rwanda -

 
Copyright © africanewscleared
By Rédaction Africanews
and Diana Iriza Last updated: 12/12 - 13:05

It has been proven that SGBV does not just threaten the lives and the future of the victims, it also hinders the development of the country as a whole.

In the mining sector of Rwanda, a male-dominated sector, there have been numerous cases of discrimination and sexual harassment subjected women especially widows and single mothers.

Undergraduates in desperate need of jobs have been put in positions where they have had to give sexual favours to mining managers with hopes of getting jobs in return.

In the past, I have experienced sexual harassment in the mines but I was afraid to report it to anyone, I wanted to keep my job, it is difficult to get another job, I know many other women going through the same struggle, Winnie Kayitesi, an employee in the Mines said.

Globally, mines have created a hyper-masculinity sub-culture which has made the mining work environment unfavourable for women. SGVB are often carried out by fellow employees but are effectively allowed to continue unchecked due to inadequate workplace protections or outright refusal to recognise SGBV as a workplace issue. Aline Providence a SGBV activist says more channels for reporting sgbv cases should be put in place.

Before getting jobs, women have to give something, not only sex but sometimes they have to pay a given percentage of money to be part of the group because it is said that women are weak and they cannot contribute as much as men, Aline Providence, SGBV Activist said.

For every company, there has to be a suggestion box that women can use to report, having the suggestion boxes will help them to report what is happening underground in the mines.

Over 1035 people work in these mining fields, and 185 of them are women. The government of Rwanda has set up policies of zero tolerance for gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation.

VIDEO  https://www.africanews.com/embed/2147234

 

Housing booms are over as prices fall

BY FM

 

12TH DECEMBER 2022

 

863 VIEWS

 

2 MINS READ

Housing booms across many advanced economies are coming to a halt due to rising mortgage rates and weak economic growth prospects, according to Moody’s analysis.

“Slowing home sales and a moderation of house price appreciation, if not outright corrections, are now likely in most markets where house prices appreciated rapidly in 2021 and earlier this year.

“Although we do not envision disorderly downturns similar to those during the global financial crisis, housing activity will slow, with prices normalising toward levels more consistent with economic fundamentals,” Moody’s said.

It argues the speed and degree of adjustments will depend on macroeconomic and housing-specific factors such as mortgage market structures, housing supply conditions and demand drivers such as demographics.

“The cooling of housing markets will improve affordability, which has worsened significantly over the last two years. It will also reduce financial stability risks.”

And housing markets across countries have differing sensitivities to rising mortgage rates.

“House price corrections may be significant in some markets, while other markets may experience sustained zero-to-low nominal price growth that erodes real house values over time.

“Next year, we expect house prices to fall by larger amounts in the UK, the US and Germany, with more minimal declines or gains in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, and France.

Moody’s said housing markets with more variable-rate or short-term fixed-rate borrowing are at higher risk of a correction.

“In markets such as the UK, where there is a preponderance of mortgages that reset as interest rates rise, current homeowners will face particular challenges from rising housing costs over the next one to three years.

“In some markets, rising mortgage rates will not only curtail demand, but they will also increase supply as some current homeowners will look to sell properties they can no longer afford.”

While home affordability will improve, it will remain stretched for the next two to three years, according to analysis.

“In a number of countries, housing affordability is worse than just before the global financial crisis.

“Even in markets with declining house prices, higher borrowing costs and tighter financial conditions will limit affordability.”

Fuego Volcano Erupts Sending Lava and Ash Soaring Into Sky Above Antigua

BY JESS THOMSON ON 12/12/22

The Fuego volcano in Guatemala began erupting on December 11, marking another addition to the list of volcanoes currently erupting across the globe.

Volcan de Fuego's eruptions have consisted of weak explosions, resulting in a tall cloud of ash above the mountain, as well as lava being flung over 1,600 feet above the crater.

"The Fuego volcano showed an increase in its activity, which in the last minutes has entered an eruption phase[...] The eruption is mostly effusive accompanied by incandescent pulses from the lava source," the Guatemalan Institute of Volcanology (Insivumeh) said in a statement.

Fuego volcano, as seen from Alotenango, a municipality in Sacatepequez department southwest of Guatemala City, erupts on December 11, 2022.

JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Fuego, also known as Chi Q'aq', overlooks the city of Antigua from around 10 miles away. The mountain stands at around 12,000 feet tall. It is one of the region's most active volcanoes, having erupted multiple times in 2018, in September 2021, and several times this year.

The volcano usually burps out small plumes of gas and ash every 15 to 20 minutes when it's not actively erupting.

No evacuations have been put into place, Rodolfo García, spokesperson for the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred), the entity in charge of civil protection, said in a statement.

Fuego erupting previously with towns visible in the background

ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Garcia said that they would continue "monitoring" the activity of the volcano and the risks of ash landslides and lava flows down the slope of the mountain towards population centers.

The Fuego eruption comes just two weeks after the eruption of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, the largest active volcano in the world, on November 27. Lava flows were filmed pouring down the sides of the mountain at speeds of up to 18 miles per hour, but the locals of nearby towns weren't at a high risk of being in the lava's path. Two more unrelated volcanoes then erupted a week later on December 4: Mount Semeru, 400 miles southeast of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, and Stromboli, off the north coast of Sicily.

Even in the absence of lava flows, volcanoes can be immensely destructive and deadly to locals.

Artificial sweetener in some 5,000 diet goods, beverages linked to anxiety

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aspartame as a sweetener in 1981. Today, nearly 5,000 metric tons are produced each year.

• Melvin Samuel
• 12 December, 2022

By: Melvin Samuel

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener included in approximately 5,000 diet goods and beverages, has been linked by Florida State University College of Medicine researchers to anxiety-like behaviour in mice.

Along with producing anxiety in the mice who consumed aspartame, the effects extended up to two generations from the males exposed to the sweetener. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“What this study is showing is we need to look back at the environmental factors, because what we see today is not only what’s happening today, but what happened two generations ago and maybe even longer,” said co-author Pradeep Bhide, the Jim and Betty Ann Rodgers Eminent Scholar Chair of Developmental Neuroscience in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

The study came about, in part, because of previous research from the Bhide Lab on the transgenerational effects of nicotine on mice. The research showed temporary, or epigenetic, changes in mice sperm cells. Unlike genetic changes (mutations), epigenetic changes are reversible and don’t change the DNA sequence; however, they can change how the body reads a DNA sequence.

“We were working on the effects of nicotine on the same type of model,” Bhide said. “The father smokes. What happened to the children?”

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aspartame as a sweetener in 1981. Today, nearly 5,000 metric tons are produced each year. When consumed, aspartame becomes aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol, all of which can have potent effects on the central nervous system.

Led by doctoral candidate Sara Jones, the study involved providing mice with drinking water containing aspartame at approximately 15% of the FDA-approved maximum daily human intake. The dosage, equivalent to six to eight 8-ounce cans of diet soda a day for humans, continued for 12 weeks in a study spanning four years.

Pronounced anxiety-like behaviour was observed in the mice through various maze tests across multiple generations descending from the aspartame-exposed m

“It was such a robust anxiety-like trait that I don’t think any of us were anticipating we would see,” Jones said. “It was completely unexpected. Usually, you see subtle changes.”

When given diazepam, a drug used to treat anxiety disorder in humans, mice in all generations ceased to show anxiety-like behaviour.

Researchers are planning an additional publication from this study focused on how aspartame affected memory. Future research will identify the molecular mechanisms that influence the transmission of aspartame’s effect across generations.

(ANI)

A 13,000-year hangover! Beer boffins discover prehistoric pints in Israel

Scientists have found the ancestor of the yeast species necessary for the production of beer in Israel, dating back 13,000 years.

By JEWISH NEWS REPORTERDecember 12, 2022, 

• 
  

Glass of light beer on a dark pub.

Scientists have discovered the ancestor of the yeast species necessary for the production of lager beer, uncovering evidence of fermented beverages from Israel from up to 13,000 years ago.

Modern brewing developed in Europe, where, until the Middle Ages, most beer brewing was associated with a yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Today this species of yeast is still used to make ale-style beer, wine and bread.

However, most beer made nowadays is lager, not ale, and there is a lot of interest in understanding the historical shift from one to the other.

Lagers are fermented using a bottom fermenting yeast at cool temperatures, while ales are fermented with a top fermenting yeast at much warmer temperature.

Lager brewing, which first appeared in the 13th century in Bavaria, uses a different species of yeast, Saccharomyces pastorianus.

This is a hybrid of two parents, only one of which is S. cerevisiae.

Until 2011, the identity of the second parent was a mystery, when Saccharomyces eubayanus was discovered in the Patagonian Andes in South America.

Like S. pastorianus, S. eubayanus is cold-tolerant. While records show the first use of S. pastorianus was in breweries in southern Germany, the S. eubayanus parent was never found in Europe.

Instead, researchers have discovered the yeast in South America, North America, China, Tibet, and New Zealand.

This caused some researchers to wonder whether S. eubayanus had, in fact, ever been in Europe, and, if not, where the lager yeast S. pastorianus had come from.

But now researchers at University College Dublin discovered and isolated S. eubayanus in a wooded area of their campus.

The researchers isolated two different S. eubayanus strains from soil samples collected on the Belfield campus of University College Dublin, as part of undergraduate research projects to identify wild yeasts and sequence their genomes.

The samples come from soil on two sites on the university campus, about 17 metres apart, collected in September 2021.

According to the study, the genome sequences of these two isolates showed that they are related to the ancestral S. eubayanus strain that initially mated with S. cerevisiae to form S. pastorianus.

Researchers say the discovery of S. eubayanus in Ireland shows that this yeast is native to Europe and it seems likely that it has lived in other parts of the continent.

This new study supports the view that there were natural populations of the yeast in southern Germany in the Middle Ages and these provided the parents of the first lager yeast.

The paper’s lead author, Geraldine Butler, University College Dublin, said: “This discovery is a fantastic example of research-led teaching.

“Our undergraduates have found more than a hundred yeast species in Irish soil samples over the past five years, and we’re delighted to stumble across S. eubayanus on our own doorstep.

“We’re hoping to find a commercial partner to brew with it so we can find out what it tastes like.”

The research is published in FEMS Yeast Research.

AFTER COP27, WHAT NEXT FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY IN AFRICA?
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BY MARK AKROFI
DECEMBER 12, 2022

COP27 built momentum on climate action, especially the agreement to establish a loss and damage fund. But we are behind in climate finance for Africa, which not only must reduce emissions but has the raw materials needed to support the clean energy transition, writes Mark Akrofi.

.
As the UN Climate Change Conference (COP) returned to Africa this year, the stakes were higher than ever for the continent, which has been suffering disproportionately in a time of unprecedented global crises including COVID-19, droughts, wildfires, floods, and other climate-induced disasters, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Africa tends to bear the brunt of these crises and the harsh realities of climate change, even though it contributes little to their causes. The continent is faced with a trilemma of needs: to strengthen its capacity to adapt to climate change, to expand energy access for the more than 600 million people still without electricity, and to accelerate economic growth while pursuing carbon neutrality. To this end, concerted action on climate change adaptation and clean energy investments in Africa has often been a focus at previous COPs. The issue of climate finance dominated, with developed countries called on to fulfill their 2015 pledges to provide $100 billion in climate finance per year to developing countries by 2020.

COP27 was about building momentum and accelerating action towards delivering the commitments made at COP26 last year in Glasgow. Beyond fixing broken promises on climate finance, African leaders have emphasized the need for developed countries to mobilize more climate finance for developing nations. They have called for developed nations to pay for climate loss and damage as well as swapping debts for climate interventions. Even though Africa contributes less than 4% of global carbon emissions, it has a critical role to play if the world is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. However, a carbon-neutral approach to economic growth and social development remains a daunting task for the continent, especially since this involves foregoing the polluting path that advanced countries have already taken. Green transitions will provide significant opportunities for the continent. However, particular attention needs to be paid to two key issues.

First, dealing with the fossil fuel dilemma. It is well known that the level of development attained by advanced countries was heavily propelled by fossil fuels in the last century and this is largely to blame for the current climate crisis. Africa has huge deposits of crude oil and natural gas, but these resources have been more of a burden than a benefit. Their exploitation by large corporations from developed nations has resulted in many conflicts and environmental disasters on the continent. Today, as many advanced nations oppose the notion of Africa leveraging its oil resources for growth, African countries still depend heavily on imported refined petroleum at high costs. Consequently there are increasing calls for boosting domestic oil refineries on the continent. It is thus of no surprise that COP27 witnessed a 25% rise in participation by fossil fuel lobbyists, including a considerable number from African countries. Indeed, while the continuous exploration of oil is undesirable, if African countries refrain from the fossil fuel path to development while allowing the exploitation of these resources by large corporations from the global North, this will only accelerate domestic fossil fuel investment. Advanced countries must not only fulfill their funding commitments to help Africa leapfrog to renewable energy, but also guard against the exploitation of fossil fuel resources by large corporations on the continent.

Second, a potential white elephant must be avoided. As COP27 provided momentum in the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy, Africa needs to be cautious of the demand for critical minerals for renewable energy technologies. The continent possesses some 42 out of 66 critical minerals that are needed for renewable energy and digital technologies. The extraction of these minerals is energy-intensive and poses significant environmental threats. As demand increases, Africa must learn from its experience with the oil curse and prevent a similar problem. As a first step, comprehensive stocktaking of these critical minerals is needed. High-quality data on their quantities and distribution can help governments to develop effective strategies for sustainable exploration and avoid illegal extraction. A localized approach whereby the minerals are processed and used for domestic production of renewable energy and digital technologies on the continent would be ideal. This approach could extend the value chain beyond extraction and export to create more jobs through local mineral processing and manufacturing industries.

In these areas and beyond, it is clear that prioritizing investments in renewable energy remains critical to sustainable growth in Africa. Access to a reliable and affordable energy supply is essential for every aspect of the economy, from agriculture to healthcare, education, and employment. To facilitate renewable energy growth, developed countries must not only fulfill their climate finance pledges but also facilitate technology and knowledge transfer to developing countries. This must be accompanied by stringent transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure that they meet their intended purpose. In addition, African nations need to bolster their domestic financial mobilization for investments in renewable energy.

COP27 was an important step forward, especially the agreement to establish a loss and damage fund. But translating these commitments into action remains the fundamental challenge that needs to be met for realizing the transformation that is needed in developing regions such as Africa.

About Mark Akrofi
Mark Akrofi is a PhD Student at UN University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS).

UAE launches Arab world's first mission to the Moon

The Rashid Rover was built by Emiraiti scientists and will tour regions of the moon unexplored by humans

December 11, 2022

The UAE in collaboration with Japanese startup iSpace and Elon Musk's SpaceX have successfully launched the Arab world's first mission to the Moon using the first ever Arab-built lunar spacecraft, the Rashid Rover earlier today from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The launch, the first of its kind carried out by a private company was carried out by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and delivered by the HAKUTO-R lander. The Rashid Rover, named after the former ruler of Dubai, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al-Maktoum was built by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRC) and the Tokyo-based firm.

"Our first mission will lay the groundwork for unleashing the moon's potential and transforming it into a robust and vibrant economic system," iSpace's CEO, Takeshi Hakamada, said in a statement.

If the mission is successful, the UAE will join Russia, the US and China in being the only countries so far to have achieved so-called "soft landings" on the moon. The US remains the only country to have put astronauts on the lunar surface.

According to the Space website, after deploying from Hakuto-R, "Rashid will take photos with a variety of cameras and characterize the moon's curious, electrically charged surface environment. Its mission is expected to last one lunar day, which is about 14 Earth days."

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Abdulla Al Shehhi, the rover mechanical engineering lead said: "This is the first mission to the moon. The launch today is one of the critical stages. We will get the first signal from the lander and after that we will get the first signal from the rover."

"That will depend on the lander orbital orientation. Currently we are very excited. The team here is ready to receive any signals. We have checked all the systems, we are very excited. It will be the first time the UAE lands on the moon so it is definitely a very big step for us."

The mission launch was postponed for a second time earlier this month due to additional pre-flight checks of the launch vehicle. Last year the UAE made history by becoming the first Arab country to launch a mission to Mars.

READ: UAE to become first Arab country to send astronaut on six-month space mission

SAUDI ARABIA
The Riyadh Handshake and the Race for Progress

Ghassan Charbel is the editor-in-chief of Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper
Monday, 12 December, 2022 -

Over the past six years, my profession has allowed me to bear witness to significant handshakes in Saudi Arabia.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s handshake with US President Donald Trump that was followed by the American-Gulf and American-Arab summits. Mohammed bin Salman’s handshake with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The fist bump between the Crown Prince and US President Joe Biden that was followed by the American-Saudi summit and the American-Gulf summit with the participation of  Jordan and Egypt.

My profession also allowed me to witness Mohammed bin Salman’s handshakes during his trips abroad that were distinguished by their calculated diplomacy.

The foreign visits have bolstered relations with Moscow, Washington, Beijing, New Delhi and Tokyo. They were visits aimed at exploring opportunities for greater cooperation and building partnerships based on mutual interests and respect and non-interference in internal affairs.

In spite of these handshakes, I sensed that the recent handshake between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh was extraordinary for Saudi, Chinese and international reasons.

As a journalist, I sensed that I was witnessing a handshake that will go down in history. It was a strong handshake that was heavy with meaning and symbolism. The leader of Mao Zedong’s party was shaking the hand of the heir of the founder, King Abdulaziz, and the school of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Two men from different cultures, heritages and generations, each representing a turning point in the history of their countries. The first is spearheading the “Chinese dream” and the other the “Saudi dream”. The handshake took place between two renaissances and their guardians.

Going by the numbers, one can say that the situation in China today is much better than the way it was when Xi came to power. Again, going by the numbers, one can also say that the situation in Saudi Arabia is better today than when Mohammed bin Salman lit the spark of the vast transformation that is based on the economy and that goes beyond it.

The handshake set a date on the path towards progress and the future. The date is the starting point where the Belt and Road and Vision 2030 converge.

It is a partnership in a dream that seeks to raise the living conditions of the citizens and achieve prosperity and stability. It is a partnership in reaping the fruits of technology, innovation, competition and investing in health and education, combating pandemics and the climate crisis. It is a partnership in trade and cultural exchange and bridging the gap between two approaches to regional and international affairs.

It is a deep handshake that includes the exchange of expertise and that paves the way for Saudi investments and exports to the “world’s factory” and paves the way for Chinese companies to take part in the massive transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia.

Given Saudi Arabia’s geographic location and ongoing transformation, it can serve as a bridge and gateway for China to the Arab world and Middle East.

The handshake gave off the sense of international responsibility and emphasis on the dialogue between civilizations, peaceful resolution of conflicts, respect for the right to be different, avoiding confrontation, and underscoring countries’ right to sovereignty and respecting their heritage, and their political and development choices. It paves the way for hope that secures the stability of the global economy and supply chains.

The Chinese-Saudi handshake was the product of a deep reading of the changes taking place in the world, most notably in wake of the war in Ukraine and the impending changes in the world’s club of major powers where political weight cannot be separated from economic power.

This reading demanded an expansion of relations and partnerships in a way that ensures that deep relationships can be forged with different parties. In such a world of interconnected interests, boycotts are not a wise approach. Relations between nations, similar to relations between peoples, need constant maintenance that are provided by the fine art of listening to the concerns and taking into consideration the interests of the other.

Mohammed bin Salman is aware of how interconnected peoples from around the world have become due to globalization in what was once called the “global village.” He realizes the connection between lasting prosperity and lasting stability in the region and world. That is why he wanted the Chinese-Saudi handshake to be coupled with Chinese-Gulf and Chinese-Arab handshakes and that is what happened.

The Chinese-Arab summit was indeed unique. The partners found themselves confronted with two different experiences in progress. The first, Chinese, the second, Saudi. The partners started to realize that stalling and delays will only deepen and complicate problems. They started to realize the need to take difficult decisions because the only path that leads to the future is the one of reform.

Reform means building institutions and combating corruption that devours countries. Reform means modernizing laws and education and joining the path of rapid technological progress. Reform means building international relations that are based on supporting development, exchanging expertise and joining a changing world and its achievements and conditions.

The participants sensed that the state can control its fate if it listened well to its people, especially the young generations. Devastated Arab countries can no longer send their youths in droves in “death boats”. It is no longer acceptable to flounder in militia and proxy wars on behalf of parties near and far.

The participants started to realize how easy it was to achieve rapprochement with China. It does not interfere in their internal affairs, nor does it try to impose its own model. It speaks a language of mutual interests and does not offer itself as a charity. Moreover, Xi Jinping broke with his usual terse style, and spoke at length to underscore his country’s support to the two-state solution and the right of Arab countries to security and stability, away from foreign meddling.

Several Arabs leaders positively recalled the Silk Road and praised the Belt and Road initiative. Embarking on these roads starts with reform and overcoming the fear of change. They are not demanded to copy any successful experience because experiences have their own conditions and specific characteristics. But good management can make up for the lack of natural resources, and this has been shown in many successful experiences from around the world.

The Chinese experience urges the need to take the path of reform. So does the Saudi experience. Arab backwardness is not an inescapable fate. The shaping of the future begins by abandoning modest or hesitant steps and racing against time to make up for the time that was lost and joining those who have turned slumber into opportunity.

The “Chinese dream” was not easy, neither was the “Saudi dream”. The Arab dream is possible if the will is there.

Mohammed bin Salman notably concluded the summit by declaring: “We stress to the world that the Arabs will compete for progress and renaissance once again and we will prove it every day.”