Politics and Governance

Australia’s High-Level Diplomatic Tour across Asian Nations Scheduled for 6 to 10 September 2023  

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will visit Indonesia, the Philippines and India from 6 to 10 September 2023. The purpose of the visit will be to address global challenges and advance Australia’s economic, security and climate priorities. Albanese will attend the 3rd Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and the 18^th East Asia Summit in Jakarta from 6 to 7 September, reinforcing partnerships with ASEAN members. His visit to the Philippines on 8 September is anticipated to enhance defence and trade relations. From 9 to 10 September, Albanese will participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit held in New Delhi, focusing on guiding the global economy towards robust, sustainable growth, as per the Australian government.

G20 Leader’s Summit will be held on 9 and 10 September 2023

The G20 Leader’s Summit scheduled on 9-10 September 2023 will be hosted in New Delhi, India. Under the Indian Presidency, the G20 in 2023 will focus on the theme, “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. The concept emphasises the significance of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms, highlighting their interrelatedness on Earth and within the broader cosmos. The Working Groups will centre their efforts on various areas, including agriculture, culture, digital economy, environment, health, anti-corruption, disaster risk reduction, and energy transitions, among others. The G20 is made up of 19 countries and the European Union. India holds the presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.

Defence and Security

NATO Communicator Conference-2023 scheduled from 11 to 14 September 2023

The 2023 NATO Communicator Conference is scheduled from 11 to 14 September in Paris, France. This conference will emphasise communication aspects within NATO’s military framework, covering strategic communications, public affairs, information operations, and psychological operations. Additionally, the event will address corporate initiatives led by NATO Headquarters. The primary goal of the NATO Communicators Conference is to facilitate discussions and collaboration on diverse communication disciplines across NATO’s military framework and corporate initiatives led by NATO Headquarters. The conference fosters dialogue through working groups and plenary sessions, aiming to address common objectives and interests.

ASEAN’s first-ever military exercise will be held from 18 to 25 September 2023

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN’s) first-ever military exercise will take place in the South Natuna Sea. Indonesia has decided to change the location of ASEAN’s first-ever joint military exercise to a spot away from the South China Sea, where multiple countries, including China, have overlapping territorial claims. The drill scheduled for 18-25 September is moved out of strategic waterways altogether to the South Natuna Sea within Indonesian water, promoting regional stability. It shows unity between the 10-member ASEAN. This military exercise showcases their collective solidarity and commitment to regional stability. This move comes amid ASEAN’s pursuit of a maritime code of conduct with China and tensions caused by competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. Indonesian military claims the decision to relocate to be independent, unaffected by external influences.

Trade and Economics

World Trade Organisation Public Forum scheduled for 12 to 15 September 2023

The World Trade Organisation(WTO) public forum 2023 is scheduled for 12 to 15  September in Geneva, focusing on trade’s potential for an eco-conscious and sustainable future. By exploring how trade facilitates access to environmental goods, services, and technologies, the forum supports fulfilling Nationally Determined Contributions in the Paris Agreement and aims to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Centigrade above pre-industrial levels. The event highlights three core subthemes: the services sector’s role in sustainable trade, formulating inclusive policies for eco-friendly trade progression, and leveraging digitalisation as a strategic tool for environmentally responsible practices in supply chains.

3rd annual Global Trade and Supply Chain Summit will be held on 18 and 19 September 2023

The 3^rd annual Global Trade and Supply Chain Summit is scheduled in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 18 and 19 September 2023.  The aim of the summit is to assess global trade’s geopolitical impacts and adapt supply chains accordingly. It highlights digital trade’s benefits for developing nations and the role of technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and robotics in enhancing supply chain resilience and sustainability. This event gathers trade, supply chain, and government leaders to foster connections and insights. By disrupting traditional norms, the summit fosters discussions on open supply chains, trade expansion in emerging nations, and themes like supply chain diversification, sustainability, and digital trade. With 100 speakers and 500 participants across sectors, it will encourage collaboration and engagement.

Social Issues

Commemoration of the 130th anniversary of women’s suffrage scheduled on 19 September 2023.

New Zealand will commemorate the 130th anniversary of women’s suffrage on 19 September 2023. In September 1893, New Zealand achieved a historic milestone by granting women the right to vote. This significant date is inseparable from the remarkable efforts of Kate Sheppard, a renowned suffragist, and the collective struggle of advocates for women’s suffrage globally. With a feminist political leadership and ranking fourth in global women’s rights, New Zealand maintains its legacy of activism. Suffrage Day on September 19th honours this milestone, acknowledging suffragists’ dedication to societal progress. Through festive observances, the nation pays tribute to enduring empowerment and recognises the ongoing pursuit of equality.

UN General Assembly High-Level Meetings on Health will be held from 20 to 22 September 2023

The United Nation General Assembly’s(UNGA) 78^th session will host three vital High Level Meetings on health in New York, United States (US). Global leaders can use this opportunity to reassert their commitment to pressing health concerns, including eradicating tuberculosis, achieving universal health coverage, and bolstering pandemic preparedness. These meetings are crucial for placing health back on the high-level political agenda, as current health targets have suffered due to limited access to interventions worsened by COVID-19. Amidst ongoing global challenges, these discussions are pivotal for ensuring health as a fundamental human right, establishing fair health systems, and effectively tackling epidemics and emergencies. All the high-level meetings will pass an action-oriented political declaration each, agreed in advance through intergovernmental discussions.

Energy and Environment

UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit will be held on 18 and 19 September 2023

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) summit, set for 18 and 19 September 2023, will convene at the UN Headquarters in New York, US. At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, global leaders will evaluate progress on the 17 SDGs. Addressing interconnected crises, they will chart a course for urgent and transformative actions to achieve the 2030 objectives. This marks the start of an intensified phase toward SDGs attainment, guided by heightened political engagement. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the summit’s role in uniting for renewed momentum and accelerated action toward the SDGs, fostering unity and rapid progress.

Climate Ambition Summit 2023 will be held on 20 September 2023

The Climate Ambition Summit 2023 will be hosted by United National Secretary General on 20 September 2023. The host announced a Climate Ambition Summit to urge global leaders across governments, businesses, cities, regions, civil society, and finance to present tangible climate actions. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted its role as a platform for “Pioneers and Implementers” responding to the call for accelerated climate action. The Summit features three tracks: Ambition for governments and major emitters; Credibility for business, city, region, and financial leaders; and Implementation focusing on partnerships advancing decarbonisation and climate justice. Concurrent with the second SDG Summit, the event accelerate progress toward climate and sustainable development goals.

67th International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference will be held from 25 to 29 September 2023

The 67^th Regular Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference is scheduled at the Vienna International Centre in Austria for 25 to 29 September 2023. During this event, distinguished leaders and delegates from IAEA Member States will examine a spectrum of topics. On 14 June 2023, the Director General received a request, submitted by the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on behalf of Arab States within the IAEA, to include an item titled “Israeli nuclear capabilities” in the 67^th session. The IAEA General Conference has consistently advocated for Israel’s adherence to placing its nuclear facilities under safeguards in efforts towards regional nuclear disarmament.