Politics and Governance

Philippines’ President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr Will Visit China on 3 January 2023

The office of the press secretary in the Philippines announced the confirmation of the much anticipated Marcos’ state visit to China that will take place from January 3 to 5 or 6, 2023. The visit will be of significance since Marcos will be expected to raise the issue of territorial dispute in the South China Sea. More important developments that will take place during the visit include possible energy cooperation talks and a mutually agreed deal to avoid miscalculations in the South China Sea. Marcos, during his presidency, has regarded China as the Philippines’ “strongest partner”; hence the visit will be conducive in many ways.

North American Leaders’ Summit (NALS) Will Take Place on 10 January 2023

Mexico will host the 10^th North American Leaders’ Summit, also known as The Amigos Summit, on 10 January 2023. The Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, confirmed that the summit would be attended by both Justin Trudeau and Joe Biden. The purpose of the NALS will be to address the challenges of North America and find North American solutions for them.  The focus of this year’s summit will be on economic growth and cooperation in various sectors, including minerals, manufacturing vehicles, labour mobility and the electric vehicle supply chain. Before and After the summit, bilateral meetings will also be held between the North American leaders.

Defence and Security

Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) will Conduct Bilateral Air Exercise, Veer Guardian 23, from 16 January to 26 January 2023

A maiden joint bilateral air exercise called Veer Guardian 23 will be conducted by Japan and India from January 16 to January 26, 2023, in order to strengthen defence cooperation between both countries. The exercises will be held at the Hyakuri air base and Iruma air base in Japan. Maritime Domain Awareness has been one of the key focus areas in the military cooperation domain between both countries. Hence the exercises will be a milestone in operationalising the logistics coordination between the two. The Indian Air Force will be using Su-30MKI fighters from No. 220 squadron under Western Air Command, and one IL-78 mid-air refueller and the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) will be fielding four F-15s and four F-2 fighter jets for the exercise.

The Research Panel on “Cyberspace governance at the United Nations” will be Conducted on 18 January 2023

In order to establish how can UN member states achieve lasting, adaptable, and meaningful success in cyberspace governance, a research event and panel, will be conducted by the Chatham House on 18 January 2023. The online panel will debate on the significance of multiple stakeholders in responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. Most importantly, this event will explore the possibilities of convergence in capacity building and international law for a safer and more secure cyberspace for all. The most notable speaker on the panel will be Netherland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs official Maartje Peters, who is also the Head of the International Cyber Policies Task Force.

Trade and Economics

The 1471^st International Conference on Social Science and Economics (ICSSE) will be Held from 3 January to 4 January 2023

Norway will host the 1471st International Conference on Social Science and Economics (ICSSE) in Oslo on January 3 and January 4, 2023. The conference will be held under the auspices of the International Institute of Engineers and Researchers (IIER). The aim of the conference will be to foster communication among researchers and practitioners working in a wide variety of scientific areas in the fields of Social Science and Economics related techniques. Moreover, the conference will be attended by leading researchers, social scientists and economists from around the world. Moreover, the conference will also stand as one of the leading platforms for the presentation of technological advances across the world.

The Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will be Commenced from 16 January to 20 January 2023

The leaders of the World Economic Forum will meet for the annual meeting centred around the theme of “Cooperation in a Fragmented World” on 20 January 2023. World Economic Forum was established in 1971, and ever since, the forum has aimed at engaging political, economic, cultural and business leaders to shape global and regional agendas. The annual meeting will also be attended by various civil society members and business leaders. The meeting will be held in Davos, Graubunden, Switzerland. The leaders will engage in constructive dialogues to navigate through the state of the world and matters to prioritise in the year ahead, including the avenues for public-private cooperation.

Social Issues

International Day of Education will be Observed on 24 January 2023

24 January 2023 will mark the fifth International Day of Education. The day will be observed under the theme of “to invest in people, prioritise education”. This day will be observed to emphasise on political mobilisation required for global initiatives related to education. The day will maintain that education shall be prioritised for the success and progress towards the other Sustainable Development Goals as well, including the global recession, growing inequalities and the climate crisis.  Global inequality is also translated in the education sector as well. Hence this day will act as an advocate for the campaign towards access to better education.

International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust will be Observed on 27 January 2023

On 27 January 2023, a tribute will be paid to tribute the victims of the Holocaust. The day will be observed to reaffirm unwavering commitment to counter antisemitism and other forms of racism that result in group-targeted violence. This observance day will be marked with the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on 27 January 1945. Officially proclaimed in 2005, International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust will be observed with various ceremonies and activities at the UN Headquarters in New York and around the world as well.

Energy and Environment

The 20th International Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future” will be Held from 23 January to 24 January 2023

Berlin will host the International Conference on Renewable Mobility, “Fuels of the Future”, which will be centred around the theme of “Fuels of the Future 2023 – Navigator for sustainable Mobility!”. Consisting of experts from Germany, Europe and the international biofuel industry, the conference will aim to provide an updated analysis of renewable mobility and associated legislative initiatives and market developments. Many other thematic areas will also be on the agenda of the  conference, including economic and political conditions for renewable fuels at various governmental levels, the convergence of climate protection, security and sustainable mobility. The conference will provide a platform to bring forth innovative concepts for the biofuel industry.

United Nations Environment Programme will Host the Third of a Series of Webinars to Introduce the New Science-Policy panel on Chemicals, Waste and Prevention of Pollution on 24 January 2023

Upon agreeing that a science-policy panel should be established to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and prevent pollution, the UNEP will host the third series of webinars on 24 January 2023, that will aim to provide information on waste and pollution to horizon scanning, assessments and communications. The webinar will be followed by dialogues and panel discussions on issues of urgency related to the environment. The previous webinar was conducted on 5 October 2022 that provided the conducive grounds for informing the design and operation of the new science-policy panel, which will be followed in the third webinar.