Saud bin Ahsen

Would Shanghai Cooperation Council (SCO) provide a platform for discussion and the drawing of an eventual framework of cooperation on glacial issues? It seems that Russia is the only country in the North, which could theoretically provide resources for such projects, programmes and platforms. The rest of the member countries of SCO belong to the […]

Humans have coexisted with rivers for centuries; living on embankments and benefitting from their ebbs and flows to earn their living. Urbanization has created a wedge between the two. Integrated Watershed Management is all about learning to live with the rivers again. Relevant literature suggests that globally, nations are returning to integrated management of natural […]

Hindu-Kush Himalaya (HKH) communities have historically faced natural and climate-induced disasters, and have developed a level of cultural resilience based on traditional knowledge and practices. However, in order to address the increasing trend of GLOFs, the UNDP launched the GLOF Project with a $36.9M fund from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with the Ministry of […]

The Hindu-Kush Himalaya (HKH) region contains glaciers, like the polar region, and is sometimes euphemistically called the “Third Pole.” Spanning from Afghanistan in the west and Myanmar and China in the east, the region of around 3,500 kilometres, containing reservoirs of frozen fresh water, is also known as “the water tower of Asia.” The region […]

Early Warning System (EWS) is the provision of timely and effective information; allowing vulnerable communities to avoid or reduce risk. It is an integration of four main elements–risk knowledge, monitoring and predicting, disseminating information, and response. EWS is recognised as an effective tool to improve preparedness and response to natural hazards. Social benefits include mitigating […]

October 13 is celebrated as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction by the United Nations, countries all across the globe are urged to focus on the prevention and minimisation of the risks posed by natural disasters. Disasters have a monumental impact on the economies, lives and basic infrastructure of those affected. In 2022, the […]

During a cabinet meeting in September 2012, Netanyahu urged his ministers to multiply their visits to China while cutting their international travels to all other places due to budgetary constraints. Israel and China signed a 10-year multiple entry visa agreement in 2016. Under the new programme, Chinese businesspeople and tourists can enter Israel multiple times […]

China’s main interests in Israel are advanced technologies and Israel’s strategic location. As a developing nation, China has a lot of domestic challenges—pollution, desertification, an aging population, etc. Israel is a global powerhouse in technologies and innovation and can help China solve these problems. China is particularly interested in Israel’s expertise in biotech, water tech, […]

In very introduction of his book, China-Pakistan Axis, author Andrew Small mentioned that when a US delegate once confronted a Chinese delegate about Beijing’s uncompromising support for Pakistan, the Chinese General Xiong Guangkai reportedly responded with a heavily-loaded sarcastic remark: “Pakistan is our Israel”. Andrew S characterises this remark as part explanation, part sarcastic jibe, […]

Efficient energy market needs to be created having multiple buyers to move away from ‘take or pay’ to ‘take and pay’ and competitive pricing. In this regard, ways and means are to be explored within framework of agreements through multilateral and bilateral negotiations. Reportedly some progress has been achieved in negotiations with IPPs and Government […]