Helen Clark's Diary - October
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THE ELDERS
The Elders board meeting
In late October I was in London for the board meeting of The Elders. We issued a statement from the meeting expressing our alarm at the escalating crises facing the world: a proliferation of conflicts, abuse of human rights, and insufficient progress on protecting the planet. We also called on the new United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon David Lammy, to discuss high priority issues on our agenda, including the need to end the war in Gaza, release hostages and prisoners, and give momentum to a peace process.
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS
Are we prepared for the next pandemic?
I took part in a panel with other members of The Elders at Chatham House on “Is the world ready for the next pandemic?” The short answer is no. we need an equitable countermeasures system, more solidarity financing for PPR in LMICs, TRIPS waivers, and leadership. Make #COVID19 the #lastpandemic.
PEACE SYMPOSIUM
Peace Symposium "Challenges to Peace in Turbulent Times"
On 4 October, Professor Kevin P. Clements and I discussed strategies for fostering a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.
The Peace Symposium was organised on by SGI-NZ, Toda Peace Institute, New Zealand Institute of International Affairs Wellington Branch, New Zealand Centre for Global Studies, United Nations Association of New Zealand, Wellington Interfaith Council and hosted by Ingrid Leary, MP for Taieri. The hall was at capacity full of students, current and former members of parliament, and members of the various institute partners and delegations from overseas.
You can view recordings of the event below:
Part I: Helen Clark and Kevin Clements Discuss Conflicts in the Middle East
Part 2: Helen Clark and Kevin Clements Discuss UN's role in the Face of New Global Security Threats
Part 3: Helen Clark and Kevin Clements Discuss China-US Relations and New Zealand’s Foreign Policy
Part 4: Helen Clark and Kevin Clements Answer Questions from Youth on Empowerment
HEALTH
The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change
Check out the findings of the latest Lancet Countdown Report on Health and Climate Change: it provides evidence for urgent climate action to preserve and promote the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. Happy to have been part of the launch with Gina McCarthy, White House National Climate Advisor.
Alliance for Health Policy & Systems Research
I had a good catch up with the Alliance for HPSR in Geneva: its “aiming for impact” strategy supports #UHC through primary health care; health service delivery in crisis contexts; climate action and action on non-communicable diseases; and digital health transformation.
World Health Summit in Berlin
I was pleased to attend this important Summit again, and to take part in a range of sessions from health in war and conflict to pandemic preparedness, women’s leadership, and the launch of a new Lancet Commission Report on investing in health. I also attended the Unite parliamentary network’s Global Summit in Berlin, speaking in my capacity as Chair of the Global Commission on Drug Policy.
Here is the full recording of the Health in War and Conflict session. International humanitarian law is supposed to protect health facilities, personnel, and patients during conflicts. Sadly this is more honoured in the breach than the observance. I made these points as one of the speakers at this session.
Germany decriminalises cannabis with legal supply via cannabis clubs
At a press conference in Berlin with Germany’s Federal Government Drug and Addiction Commissioner, Burkhard Blienert. Germany has decriminalised cannabis with legal supply available through cannabis clubs. Also progressive on harm reduction across drugs.
AMERICA’S CUP
New Zealand wins the America's Cup for a third consecutive time
Amazing performance by Emirates Team NZ on the water in Barcelona to win America’s Cup 7:2 in race 9. A tribute to the whole team who worked together to win the Cup 3 consecutive times. Thousands of proud Kiwis watched the event; I was pleased to be one of the fans celebrating the win in Barcelona. Proud Patron of ETNZ!
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand Government considers partial sale of Kiwibank, raising ownership concerns
Will Kiwibank be partially privatised by the current New Zealand Government? In my government, its establishment was championed by DPM Jim Anderton to ensure an NZ-owned bank could serve communities ignored by Australian-owned banks. Kiwibank has also in recent years retreated somewhat from communities, but it remains the choice of many New Zealanders who want to bank with an entirely NZ-owned bank. It seems likely that partial sale would dilute its NZ ownership. Newsroom.
New Zealand's fast-tracked seabed mining project leads to cancellation of offshore wind projects
Plans for offshore wind energy projects are cancelled by investors after the New Zealand Government puts controversial seabed mining project in fasttrack law; concern is that it “could shrink or completely eliminate area available for offshore wind in Sth Taranaki”. Big loss. Newsroom
New Zealand's foreign policy shift labelled "Biggest Pivot Since the 1980s" by The Economist
While the New Zealand Government denies that it has a hard reset of the country’s foreign policy underway, The Economist calls it what it is: the “biggest pivot since the 1980s”, exposing both the compromised independent foreign policy and the risks.
THE LATEST FROM THE HELEN CLARK FOUNDATION
Shining a light on transparency
We were blown away by our latest webinar on Transparency. It was a fantastic discussion, and we were truly impressed by the strong public interest and the thoughtful questions submitted to our panel.
If you missed it or would like to watch it again, you can check out the recording on The Helen Clark Foundation’s Youtube Channel. Feel free to share the link with anyone you think might be interested – we’d love to keep the conversation going!
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