Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri
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Xi meets Cambodian prime minister
During their meeting, Xi noted that in the face of a changing international situation, China and Cambodia, as iron-clad friends, should unite closely for mutual success, improve the well-being of both peoples, and contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
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Xi says China always a trustworthy partner of UN
China is willing to deepen cooperation with the UN, support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs, and jointly shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding world peace and promoting development and prosperity, Xi told Guterres, who is here to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025.
Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th founding anniversary of the UN, Xi said history has revealed that multilateralism, solidarity and cooperation are the right answer to global challenges.
Xi called for restoring the UN’s authority and vitality under new circumstances, so that it can serve as the main platform for all countries to coordinate actions and jointly address challenges.
In a world of profound changes unseen in a century, China has provided stability and certainty and will continue to bring new opportunities to the world with its new development, Xi said.
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How Xi pushes for building common home of peace for SCO
In his speech delivered at the group’s first-ever “SCO Plus” Meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for building a more beautiful home of the SCO, with building “a common home of peace and tranquility” among the five priorities.
The SCO was born more than two decades ago when the acute security challenges of terrorism, separatism and extremism — the “three evil forces” — were posing menacing threats in Central Asia and neighboring areas. Since its founding in 2001, the group has maintained safeguarding regional security as a mainstay of collaboration.
“Security is a prerequisite for national development, and safety is the lifeline to happiness of the people,” Xi said in Astana.
For years, the Chinese leader has championed strengthening security cooperation to provide lines of defense for SCO members. At the SCO Dushanbe Summit in 2014, Xi proposed to negotiate and sign the SCO Convention on Countering Extremism. The convention was signed by member states in Astana in 2017
The Chinese leader has also been a strong advocate of the SCO’s fight against drug trafficking, organized crime and cyber-terrorism, resulting in notable successes.
Take drug trafficking. The group organizes anti-drug operations regularly, and has renewed its Anti-Drug Strategy for five years. In its most recent development, SCO members carried out an anti-drug operation dubbed “Web” earlier this month, with China chairing the coordination headquarters. The operation seized nearly 10 tons of narcotic drugs and identified 1,151 crimes related to illicit narco trafficking.
Apart from the SCO, the Chinese leader also seeks to advance common security in the region through other channels of cooperation, stating that a “vision of harmony and peaceful co-existence underpins China’s neighborhood diplomacy.”
At the 2014 Shanghai Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, Xi proposed a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. At the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in 2022, he presented the Global Security Initiative, which Beijing views as a public good that advances global security governance.
“In enhancing security in Central Asia within the framework of the SCO, China undoubtedly plays an important and leading role,” said Azamat Seitov, a scholar of Uzbekistan’s University of World Economy and Diplomacy.
“Chinese initiatives … contribute to strengthening stability, economic development and reducing security threats in the region,” said Seitov.
In today’s interconnected world, peace remains fragile amid regional tensions and an uncertain security environment. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, or World War II. In May, Xi visited Moscow, where he attended a Red Square parade.
Xi once pointed out that the painful lesson of war should never be forgotten. In 2015, the year that marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the World Anti-Fascist War, Xi noted that “all SCO member states endured the test of blood and fire of World War II and contributed to the final victory with enormous sacrifice” when addressing the SCO Ufa Summit in Russia. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, Xi and other convening leaders made a resolute call for peaceful development and progress of all nations.
“Only with a peaceful environment at our front door can we develop ourselves with ease and comfort,” Xi once commented.
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Afghanistan earthquake leaves over 800 dead as rescuers struggle to reach survivors
Entire villages built with mudbrick homes collapsed, leaving many residents buried under the rubble. Rescue teams have struggled to reach survivors because roads were destroyed by landslides, aftershocks continue to shake the region, and heavy rain has made conditions worse.
Helicopters and ground units have been deployed to evacuate the injured and deliver emergency supplies.
One survivor, Ziaul Haq Mohammadi, a student studying in Jalalabad, described the panic: “We spent the whole night in fear and anxiety because at any moment another earthquake could happen.”
According to Reuters, the country’s health system is overwhelmed. Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s health ministry, appealed for urgent support.
“We need it because here lots of people lost their lives and houses,” he said.
With limited hospitals and medical supplies, doctors and nurses are struggling to treat the growing number of casualties.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) also raised concerns about the challenges facing rescue teams.
“The area of the earthquake was affected by heavy rain in the last 24–48 hours … many of the roads are impassable,” Kate Carey, a UNOCHA officer explained.
She added that aid workers are racing to clear debris and even remove animal carcasses to prevent water contamination, highlighting the multiple risks facing survivors.
The Taliban administration has formally appealed for international aid, stressing that Afghanistan cannot handle this crisis alone.
Humanitarian funding for the country has already dropped sharply in recent years, making the situation even more dire. Several countries have pledged support, with India sending tents and food supplies and China promising to provide additional assistance.
This earthquake is one of the deadliest to strike Afghanistan in recent years. With thousands displaced and entire villages destroyed, survivors now face a second crisis of hunger and disease.
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Pakistan steps up diplomacy with Bangladesh
The initiative was highlighted by a landmark visit from Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to Dhaka, the first such visit in over ten years. The visit signaled a willingness on both sides to reopen dialogue and find new ways to work together.
According to Al Jazeera, Pakistan’s approach reflects a changing regional environment, with both countries searching for stronger positions in a time of shifting alliances.
Speaking during the visit, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said, “We are here to turn a new page. Our people share deep ties, and we believe cooperation with Bangladesh is essential for regional peace and prosperity.”
Bangladesh’s interim leadership has also shown cautious openness. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, responded by noting the potential benefits for both nations. “Bangladesh seeks partnerships that will bring growth and stability to our people,” he said. “If cooperation with Pakistan serves those goals, we are ready to explore it.”
Still, the history between the two countries remains difficult. The memory of the 1971 Liberation War, which led to Bangladesh’s independence, continues to cast a shadow. Dhaka has long called for greater accountability from Islamabad, but both sides are now focusing more on practical issues such as economic development and regional security.
Experts point out that the timing of this diplomatic outreach is significant. With India still the dominant power in South Asia, Pakistan and Bangladesh both see value in broadening their options and strengthening their positions. For Pakistan, improved ties with Dhaka could provide much-needed diplomatic and economic gains. For Bangladesh, engagement with Islamabad could serve as a way to diversify alliances and secure new opportunities.
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Mauritanian economist assumes presidency of African Development Bank
The ceremony was attended by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, and members of the AfDB Group’s Board of Governors.
Ould Tah delivered the oath of office with solemnity. After taking the oath, he signed the written version, which was officially certified by Ludovic Ngatse, minister of economy, planning, and regional integration of the Republic of the Congo, also chair of the Board of Governors of the AfDB.
Ould Tah was elected the ninth president of the bank on May 29, securing more than 76 percent of the vote, the highest first-term margin in the bank’s history.
Elected for a five-year term, the new AfDB president outlined four strategic pillars — to unlock Africa’s financial resources, to reform and strengthen the continent’s fiscal sovereignty, to turn demography into a dividend, and to build resilient infrastructure.
Ould Tah, 60, is introduced on the AfDB website as a seasoned economist and development banker with more than 40 years of experience in banking, as well as economist and ministerial roles in Africa and the Global South.
Founded in 1964, the AfDB has 81 member countries, comprising 54 African countries and 27 non-African countries.
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Liquid Intelligent Technologies donates Frw 130 million to support preservation of genocide memorials
The contribution is part of a long-term partnership between Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Imbuto Foundation, aimed at protecting the memory of the genocide through education and the use of digital technology.
Activities include teaching young people about Rwanda’s history through initiatives such as Igihango cy’Urungano and applying modern technology to conserve evidence and artifacts stored at memorial sites.
The partnership, now in its fourth year, is based on a 10-year commitment in which Liquid pledged to contribute up to USD 1 million toward these efforts.
Sam Nkusi, Chairman of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, emphasized the importance of digital preservation in ensuring younger generations understand and remember the country’s past.
“The purpose is to make sure we always remember, especially the youth. We are all growing older. Tomorrow, if this history is not strengthened, documented, and preserved in accessible places, how will Rwanda’s future generations, or even foreigners, know it? The goal is to make sure the truth endures forever,” he said.
Nkusi also noted that the partnership has already borne fruit, as four Rwandan genocide memorials have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. He called on other private sector actors to join efforts in safeguarding Rwanda’s history.
Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, reiterated the significance of protecting national memory.
“This collaboration with Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Imbuto Foundation is important because it is our responsibility, as Rwandans, to protect and preserve our history. In this digital era, where social media gives space to those who distort and deny facts, repeated lies can have lasting effects. That is why we must ensure the truth is preserved and widely shared,” he said.
Dr. Bizimana stressed that it is the duty of today’s generation to leave behind a strong legacy for the youth.
“We must hand down to young people and future generations a truthful record of our past. That is why part of our strategy is to continue developing genocide memorials into complete repositories of history. It is not easy, but it is possible, making sure evidence is preserved and accessible to anyone who visits,” he noted.
Shami Elodie, Director General of Imbuto Foundation, welcomed the continued collaboration, praising its impact in educating youth and supporting memorial conservation.
As part of the ongoing program, the Ntarama Genocide Memorial in Bugesera District has already been upgraded.
The next project will focus on the Nyange Genocide Memorial in Ngororero District, which holds significant historical records of atrocities in that area.
The works, estimated at Frw 100 million, are expected to be completed by June 2026.
