REFLECTIONS on OUR CHANGING WORLD: Explorations on Themes from the Global Baku Forum Of 2022

This book is a set of reflections on our changing world. It was prompted by discussions held by many eminent persons at the Global Baku Forum of 2022.My reflections start by the overarching characteristics of our time, from Population Dynamics, to trade and interconnectedness, to the ubiquitous Internet, Social Media, and how News is being handled in the 21st Century.The world order is shifting and requires rethinking the international rules-based multilateral order with a rising China...
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This book is a set of reflections on our changing world. It was prompted by discussions held by many eminent persons at the Global Baku Forum of 2022.My reflections start by the overarching characteristics of our time, from Population Dynamics, to trade and interconnectedness, to the ubiquitous Internet, Social Media, and how News is being handled in the 21st Century.The world order is shifting and requires rethinking the international rules-based multilateral order with a rising China and a resurgent Russia along with an ever-evolving global landscape of Sovereign and Competitive States. The War in Ukraine raises all the questions of War, Resistance, Refugees and Reconstruction, and forces a new energy calculus for energy and security. Food security is also affected by the spike in food and fertilizer prices.The book also addresses what the global south sees as "Western Double Standards" and how that could be handled. It suggests a rethinking the global security architecture and recognizes a role for a changing Europe and its ties to the security of the western Balkans and the southern Caucasus. And the war in the Ukraine also highlights the importance of reviewing and strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other arms control instruments. All this is without forgetting the problems in the middle East and the Muslim world, and the issues of Africa and how it can overcome them. All this against a backdrop of Emerging scenarios for both East Asia and the Western Hemisphere.But the overarching issues of climate change and our relationships with the environment also get pride of place in this set of reflections. Where development issues are discussed at length, including climate change, where we need action now on Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience. Biodiversity loss, inequalities, the pandemic and the need for reinforced policies for health and education for all. All this also takes us from human rights to human security. Finally issues of ethics and democracy round out this thoughtful overview.