by Editor BGF | Oct 6, 2024 | News, World Leaders in AIWS Award Updates
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer agreed to strengthen the relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom. In a joint statement, they emphasized the importance of enhanced strategic cooperation to address shared global challenges. Both leaders acknowledged the altered strategic context in Europe, notably resulting from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and emphasized the need for continued collaboration to uphold international law and democratic values. The discussions also covered a range of global issues, including economic headwinds, geopolitical competition, irregular migration, climate change, and rising energy prices. These challenges, they agreed, pose fundamental threats to the shared values of the EU and the UK and serve as strategic drivers for stronger cooperation. Reflecting on recent events in the Middle East, the leaders condemned acts of aggression and underscored the importance of de-escalation by all parties involved. They called for coordinated diplomatic responses and urged all sides to show restraint and end the bloodshed. An immediate ceasefire was deemed essential to create space for political solutions. This meeting marks a significant step toward rebuilding and enhancing the partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom following Brexit. Both sides recognize the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges and fostering peace and stability. President Ursula von der Leyen, recognized for her efforts in promoting peace and security, received the 2020 World Leader for Peace and Security Award from the Boston Global Forum (BGF).
Details: Official joint statement: European Commission Press Release
by Editor BGF | Oct 6, 2024 | News
Israeli former prime minister says in interview it is too late to significantly set back Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, and that a ‘massive’ attack on Iran’s oil facilities is likely
Israel is likely to mount a large-scale airstrike against Iran’s oil industry and possibly a symbolic attack on a military target related to its nuclear programme, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak has predicted.
Barak said there was no doubt there would be an Israeli military response to Iran’s assault on Tuesday with over 180 ballistic missiles, most of which were intercepted, but some landed on and around densely populated areas and Israeli military bases.
“Israel has a compelling need, even an imperative, to respond. I think that no sovereign nation on Earth could fail to respond,” Barak said in an interview.
The former prime minister, who also served as defence minister, foreign minister and army chief of staff, said the model for the Israeli response could be seen in Sunday’s reprisal airstrikes against Houthi-controlled oil facilities, power plants and docks in the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, a day after Houthi fired missiles aimed at Israel’s international airport outside Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak is a Boston Global Forum Global Enlightenment Leader.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/04/israel-may-launch-symbolic-attack-on-iran-nuclear-facilities-says-ehud-barak
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-823165
by Editor BGF | Oct 6, 2024 | Global Alliance for Digital Governance
As the world faces rapid change and competition over AI, Japan’s step-up is significant for the East Asian region but also the wider world.
The deterioration of security in the Indo-Pacific has generated a great deal of discussion in Japan about the sustainability of the pacificist provisions in its constitution. Not surprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key factor in any potential shifting of this position.
One only has to look at the government’s second AI White Paper, which called for Japan to become the “world’s most AI-friendly country.” It further asserted that as the world enters a period of flux – more dynamic in all aspects of technology, services, utilization, and regulation – nations with the best “understanding of AI and the easiest implementation of AI” are likely to prosper. For the Japanese government, this entails strengthening competitiveness, maximizing profits, and minimizing risks.
Please read more: https://thediplomat.com/2024/10/can-japan-become-the-worlds-most-ai-friendly-country/
BGF contributed the 2023 report “The Shinzo Abe Initiative 2nd Conference
Japan’s Prominence in the New Age of Global Enlightenment”: https://bostonglobalforum.org/reports/the-shinzo-abe-initiative-2nd-conference-japans-prominence-in-the-new-age-of-global-enlightenment-3/
by Editor BGF | Oct 6, 2024 | Event Updates, News
On October 3, 2024, at the Harvard Club of New York City, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) commenced its High-Level Discussion on Strategies for Democracy to Win in the AI Battle with an opening roundtable. BGF Co-chair and CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan met with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a BGF Global Enlightenment Leader, to discuss strategies for democracies to win in the artificial intelligence (AI) economy when competing with dictatorial and totalitarian systems.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak raised the challenges and obstacles that democracies face in this battle and shared his ideas to overcome them. His contributions will be featured in a special report outlining key strategies for democracies to succeed in the AI race.
“We are grateful to Prime Minister Barak for his invaluable input,” said Nguyen Anh Tuan. “His vision sets a strong foundation for our ongoing discussions aimed at empowering democracies in the face of emerging AI challenges.”
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Ramu Damodaran, Founder and the first Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact and Representative of BGF in New York, along with Ehud Barak’s wife, Nili Priel.
The BGF’s High-Level Discussion on Strategies for Democracy to Win in the AI Battle aims to bring together eminent thinkers, policymakers, and business leaders to formulate actionable strategies that promote democratic AI World Society principles and build a new democracy based on AI. The series will continue with additional roundtables and discussions in the coming months.
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2024 | News
Japan’s governing party on Friday September 27, 2024, picked former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as its leader, setting him up to become prime minister next week.
The party leadership is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s governing coalition controls parliament.
Considered a defense policy expert, Ishiba secured a come-from-behind win against Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who hoped to become the country’s first female prime minister.
Reuters comment: “Shigeru Ishiba, tapped to be Japan’s next prime minister, may cause diplomatic headaches for the U.S. with proposals to revamp Tokyo’s closest alliance by locking Washington into an “Asian NATO” and stationing Japanese troops on U.S. soil.
Ishiba, elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday, outlined his plan in a paper to the Hudson Institute think tank last week. He argues that the changes would deter China from using military force in Asia.”
https://apnews.com/article/japan-election-new-prime-minister-ca3ba06b79c79d5dc534a0d259a7272c
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/incoming-japan-pm-ishibas-asian-nato-idea-test-us-diplomacy-2024-09-27/
