Africa-Russia: A tricky relationship
BRICS countries are set to meet August 22-24 in Johannesburg, as the bloc aims to widen its influence. But the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin is already causing a stir.
According to organizers, the upcoming BRICS summit — held in South Africa from August 22 to 24 — aims to spearhead a fairer global governance system and push back against the economic dominance of Western nations.
But some observers have said the absence of Russian leader Vladimir Putin from the talks may dent his growing influence in Africa.
Russia is one of five BRICS member states — also including Brazil, India, China and South Africa — which count themselves as fast-growing economies.
The Russian president is currently the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has been widely met with international condemnation.
His potential visit had posed a diplomatic and legal dilemma for South Africa, until it was later confirmed that his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, would lead Russia's delegation.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.