By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: International Forum on New Inclusive Asia 2020 was held here this Thursday. The Forum was co-organized by Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, Pakistan, Center for New Inclusive Asia, Malaysia and Verite Research Strategic Analysis, Sri Lanka in partnership with Institute of the Belt and Road initiative, Tsinghua University.
The theme of the Forum was “BRI- Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic changing reality and the way forward†. It was supported by BRSN, the official international network of more than 100 BRI think tanks worldwide. A panel of 16 distinguished experts/scholars from 8 countries participated at IFNIA 2020 including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Maldives, China, Japan, Thailand and Bangladesh.
Lt Col Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd), Executive Director, Center for Global and Strategic Studies (Pakistan), in his welcoming remarks elaborated the unique aspects of BRI as a mega project to connect the region. He also stated that in human history, Coronavirus is one of the devastating pandemics. He highlighted the vulnerabilities of the pandemic on BRI project due to Covid-19 as the pace of many projects were halted. He stated that BRI has also proven resilient despite the shock from the pandemic. This envisaged, in post pandemic era that the sustainability of BRI will open new door of opportunities and connectivity.
Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar Vice Chancellor, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan in his topic presented speech on “Giving New Impetus to BRI in the Post Pandemic Era†. He highlighted the daunting impact of pandemic on the educational system. He stated that pandemic has made the education system to shift towards online education system which has caused several hurdles. However, due to significant efforts of University of the Punjab, Lahore, students are having special training and educational programs. The feasible mechanism has paved the way for teachers and students to connect though technology. Technology has major role to play in the post pandemic era for promotion of higher education.
Mr. Hassan Daud Butt, Chief Executive Officer, KP-Board of Investment & Trade (KP-BOIT), gave comprehensive analysis of the impact on the infrastructure building under BRI. He said that BRI is bringing all sectors closer but due to pandemic, vulnerability has been faced mainly in transport and infrastructure building mechanism. He also suggested that a proper integrated mechanism and agenda is needed in BRI forum which deals with the problems associated with the infrastructure and transport development.
Prof. Dr Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director of Area Study Centre (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar, Pakistan presented speech on the topic “Transforming the Landscape of BRI: New Approaches and Goals in the Post COVID-19 World†. He highlighted the potential of China in the era of pandemic. He elaborated that the areas of cooperation in this times of pandemic has gone beyond its boundaries. China has supported BRI countries in medical sector as well as to combat the pandemic. He also appreciated the role of China in strengthening the two important factors: digitalization with health sector.
He envisaged that in post pandemic era, China will be the emerging power to sustain its economy and help BRI countries.
His Excellency Mohamed Saeed Parliament Member, People’s Majilis, Republic of Maldives and Member of National Security & Foreign Relations Committee in his speech on “Impact of the Pandemic on Economic Development in Maldives: Challenges and the Way Forward†highlighted the issues connected with the tourism sector. He elaborated the fact that the bread and butter of Maldives is associated mainly with tourism sector.
Due to pandemic, it has affected massively in lowering the ratio of tourism. Also he stated that all over the world the tourism is impacted and there is a need of more political and economic collaboration to solve the common issues.
The other panelists of the Forum stated that the environmental factor is one of the serious concern. Because of the climate change and now pandemic, the economies have suffered badly. So under BRI a proper mechanism should be developed to address the common issues of climate change, pandemic and medical assistance. The panelists were of the view that with sharing information, building trust and reduce political differences, BRI would be strengthened more in connecting the regions. Moreover, the main focus remained on the aspect of infrastructure development and integrated connectivity system, financing and funding of BRI projects and information orientation policies. All these will further pave the way for building trust and resilience and increase economic development.
The panelists of the IFNIA Forum 2020 included: Mr. Koh King Kee President, Centre for New Inclusive Asia, Malaysia; Dr Peter Chang Deputy Director, Institute of China Studies, University of Malaysia; Mr. Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat Chairman, Centre for New Inclusive Asia, Malaysia; Prof. Dr Shi Zhiqin Director, Institute of the Belt and Road Initiative, Tsinghua University; Dr Nishan de Mel Executive Director, Verité Research, Sri Lanka; Mr Tang Rui The Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia; Mr Jiang Tieying BRSN Representative, Research Fellow at National Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency; Prof. Huang Renwei Executive Vice Director, Fudan Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance Former Vice President of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences; Prof. Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak Chairman, Nation Building Institute of Thailand; Prof. Dr Rong Ying Vice President and Senior Research Fellow of China Institute of International Studies (CIIS); Dr Masrur Reaz Chairman and Founder, Policy Exchange of Bangladesh; Dr Guanie Lim Incoming Assistant Professor at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan; Dr Dinusha Panditaratne Advisor, Verité Research, Sri Lanka Former Executive Director, Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI); Dr Mao Weizhun Associate Professor in International Politics at the School of Government, Nanjing University; Mr Sourabh Gupta Senior Asia-Pacific International Relations Policy Specialist, Institute for China-America Studies, Washington DC
Mr Xu Qinduo Host of Dialogue Weekend, CGTN Senior Fellow at Pangoal Institution Member of International Board of Experts of Center for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS), Pakistan and Dr Lu Yang Research Fellow, Institute of the Belt and Road Initiative, Tsinghua University Resident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Centre for Global Policy.
