Diplomatic a Triannual Publication of the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia Voice Issn 2289-1277
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Volume 3 2019 DIPLOMATIC A TRIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA VOICE ISSN 2289-1277 Diploma in Diplomacy 2019’s Graduation Ceremony In line with the aspiration to train inculcate the right attitude, mindset competitive representatives of the and produce high quality diplomats, as well as values in the participants country in international fora and no IDFR once again hosted the Diploma to better equip themselves on matter where they are posted to. At in Diplomacy 2019’s Graduation matters pertaining to the roles, the end of his remarks, Dato’ Mohd Ceremony on 11 October 2019 at Le responsibilities, and dynamics of Zamruni stressed the importance of a Meridien Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Twenty- Foreign Service in the new era. lifelong learning process, as diplomacy one junior officers from the Ministry of is a knowledge-intensive profession Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister’s The ceremony commenced with and further stated that the pursuit of Office celebrated the end of their six- welcoming remarks by the newly- knowledge, however, should also be month journey at the completion of the appointed Director General of IDFR, complemented with the right values and Diploma in Diplomacy programme. The Dato’ Mohd Zamruni Khalid. In his character. DiD programme, held from 11 February Remarks, Dato’ Mohd Zamruni to 23 August 2019, aims to develop congratulated the DiD participants The guest of honour at the ceremony holistic diplomats by enhancing the upon completion of the six-month was The Honourable Dato’ Marzuki participants’ skills and knowledge in programme and expressed his hope Hj. Yahya, Deputy Minister of Foreign the field of diplomacy and international that the graduates, through the Affairs, Malaysia. In his Address, Dato’ relations. In addition, the programme trainings and exposures in IDFR, will Marzuki congratulated the graduates also creates a learning platform to become high quality diplomats and for completing the programme and Continued on page 17 CONTENTS Follow us on 1 DiD 2019’s Graduation Ceremony Facebook and Twitter 2-8 Forum @IDFRMalaysia 9-17 News 18-20 In and Around IDFR FORUM We Are All in This Together: An ASEAN Approach to Climate Change Norraihan Zakaria Imran Hakim Mohamedsha Introduction the best strategy to tackle this credible GHG emissions in 2014 at 80% of threat. On one hand, climate mitigation total emissions. Therefore, this act of The consequences of climate change is arguably a more optimistic approach institutionalising climate-related policies continue to impact our daily lives. as it assumes that changes in current essentially places the issue of climate Extreme irregularities in climate practices can prevent, or at least, slow change central of policy- and decision- patterns have negative multiplier down, rising temperatures. In contrast, making processes throughout national effects on socioeconomic well-being, the rather practical perspective would policies. Moreover, climate mitigation public health, and economic growth. arguably prefer climate adaptation given can also have positive socioeconomic For instance, prolonged and extreme that climate change is already here, as spillovers as efforts to reduce GHG heatwaves in Europe – with a record- illustrated by extreme changes in global emissions would often rely on breaking 45.9 C in Southern France this climate patterns. But, judging from the investments in alternative technologies summer – have posed substantial health instantaneous and gradual effects of and economic approaches. While risks to the public, especially among climate change, a multiple-pronged mitigation might be perceived as at elderly and children. From Florida to Fiji, strategy that combines both climate odds with private transportation, the more frequent and severe flooding due mitigation and adaptation is essentially prospects of a low or zero emission to the rising sea levels have interrupted required. car can hypothetically expand the economic activities and displaced production capacity and innovation of a coastal communities. Disruption Climate Mitigation car manufacturing nation. in rainfall trends has threatened the agricultural yield in major food Climate mitigation has been at the Climate Adaptation producers, leading to potential global heart of most climate change policies. food shortages. While climate change As the undisputed science behind However, the alarming rate of climate does not discriminate among countries, climate change can be traced back to change has turned a threat deemed its effects are inherently disproportionate unnatural and rapid increases in GHG for the distant tomorrow to the given the stark differences in climate emissions, climate mitigation involves inevitable reality of today. Consequently, resilience. That is, the high financial either reductions in manmade emissions individuals, communities, and nations costs of both combating and recovering or increases in carbon absorption are forced to enhance their adaptive from climate change would amplify its efficiencies. For instance, its scale can capacity – in concurrence with climate effects on poorer countries. Therefore, be observed with the worldwide trends mitigation policies – to offset the lagging considering how climate-induced in phasing out fossil fuels in energy consequences of climate change. That political and economic instabilities generation (e.g., announced closures is, even if the international community (e.g. environmental refugees) can of coal-fired power plants in Germany) managed to reduce GHG emissions spillover beyond national boundaries, and transportation (e.g., future bans as stipulated in the Paris Agreement, a multilateral approach towards climate of vehicles with internal combustion the extent of climate vulnerability will change is indeed necessary. engines), and major reforestations plausibly persist as the Earth gradually efforts in India and Pakistan. In the reconfigures its biological systems to the On April 22, 2016, the world came Malaysian context, recent government pre-heating period. Hence, with extreme together in New York City to sign a policies involving the environment also temperatures, rising sea levels, and landmark agreement within the United incorporate climate mitigation to directly irregular rainfall patterns, governments Nations Framework Convention on and indirectly reduce GHG emissions. all over the world are scrambling to Climate Change (UNFCCC) to combat More specifically, the 2010 National mitigate the extent of climate-induced the looming threat of climate change. Renewable Energy Policy and Action damages to both individuals and vital This agreement, also known as the Paris Plan, 2011 Renewable Energy Act, 2011 infrastructure. For instance, Netherlands Agreement, intends to limit the increase New Energy Policy, and 2015 National has constructed a kilometre-long in global average temperature within Energy Efficiency Action Plan reflected dike underneath a new waterfront this century to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the Government’s aspirations to boulevard in The Hague to enhance mainly through reducing the amount of develop and enhance renewable energy its flood defences due to the greater man-made greenhouse gases (GHG) initiatives. This approach is somewhat occurrences of rising sea level and emissions. However, there have been unsurprising, given that the energy violent storms1 while Bangladeshi rice ideological and practical differences on sector was the largest contributor of farmers have altered their crop options 2 | [email protected] FORUM in the light of salt water spillover into their to bolster the regional effort to combat instance, the European Commission irrigation canals2. In fact, according to climate change. For instance, the (EC) has outlined its strategic vision the World Bank, cities have transformed inaugural ASEAN Climate Change for a prosperous yet climate-neutral their approach in new urban planning to Partnership Conference organised economy in the EU by 2050. This integrate disaster risk reduction (DDR) by the ASEAN Working Group on unanimously binding initiative, launched efforts in enhancing climate adaptation Climate Change (AWGCC) in June in November 2018, is a long-term towards man-made, climate-induced 2018 illustrated a regional initiative strategy and guiding framework that disasters3. But this approach does to enhance cross-sectoral and multi- streamlines almost all EU climate not imply that climate mitigation does partner coordination in combating policies in supporting the objectives not work or is too slow to combat the climate change4. With a common agreed upon in the Paris Agreement. issues of today – instead, this response platform, Malaysia and other member More specifically, it revolves around allows countries to provide immediate states not only could explore potential investments in realistic technological and short-term reliefs as society adjusts avenues for mutual partnership, but also advancements and renavigations in to the rather bleak future of an ever- raise awareness of the country-specific economic policies whilst ensuring a just changing climate. Yet, the focus on climate issues and best practices – in and fair socioeconomic transition5. For improving infrastructure and individual which the extent of information-sharing example, the EC has proposed EUR30.6 adaptive capacities unsurprisingly is arguably more limited in a bilateral billion in the 2021-2027 EU Budget to comes at a high cost: the 2016 United platform.