Huge call for debt relief at COP28

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News Date: December 1, 2023

Update: Along with the World Bank, the UK, France, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), European Investment Bank (EIB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and African Development Bank (AfDB) are expanding debt clauses (CRDCs) in their lending to enable debt service to be paused when countries are hit by disasters.
Update: World Bank President Ajay Banga announced on Friday (Dec 1) that the development lender will prolong debt repayment pauses in the wake of climate disasters.
Over 550 economists and experts, alongside nearly 300 global organizations, called for debt cancellation at COP28.
African leaders are advocating for debt relief amidst crises, with Ethiopia securing a $1.5 billion debt relief agreement recently.
The COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai, UAE, on December 1-2, 2023, gathers global leaders, experts, and stakeholders to address pressing climate challenges.

BRICS currency officially announced

The Kremlin has announced the development of a blockchain-based payment system within the BRICS alliance.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov emphasized the importance of creating an independent BRICS payment system using modern tools like digital technologies and blockchain, aiming for convenience, cost-effectiveness, and non-political influence.
The focus for the year is to enhance BRICS's role in the international monetary system, with an emphasis on increasing settlements in national currencies and strengthening correspondent banking networks.
Work will continue on the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, particularly focusing on currencies other than the US dollar, as outlined in the 2023 Johannesburg Declaration.

HSBC Trials Quantum-Secure Tech for Tokenized Gold

HSBC has announced a successful trial of quantum-secure technology for buying and selling tokenized physical gold, a significant step in safeguarding financial applications from future quantum computing threats.
HSBC was the first global bank to offer tokenized gold to institutional investors using distributed ledger technology (DLT) and later expanded this offering to retail investors in Hong Kong through the HSBC Gold Token.
The trial also demonstrated interoperability between gold tokens using post-quantum cryptography (PQC), enabling safe movement of digital assets across ledgers and the conversion of HSBC's tokens into ERC-20 fungible tokens for enhanced distribution.

Debts forgiveness and peace at the Russia-Africa summit

Vladimir Putin hosted the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg from July 27 to 28.
Putin: The total amount of debt of the African countries written off by Russia amounts to $23 billion dollars with another $90 million to be allocated for the same purposes.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, also stated on Friday that Moscow is closely analyzing suggestions made by several African leaders to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

EO on the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee

Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Establishing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee at White House, August 30, 2019.
Quantum Information Science (QIS) is an emerging field with the potential to cause revolutionary advances in fields of science and engineering involving computation, communication, precision measurement, and fundamental quantum science.
Sources:www.whitehouse.gov, en.wikipedia.org

Turkey, warehouse and bridge for metals trade to Russia

Turkey offers a warehouse and bridge for metals trade to Russia.
Turkish metals sector to serve as 'warehouse and bridge,' the head of an industry group said, citing increased interest from Russian companies and also from EU companies seeking to sell to Russia via Turkey.
This comes after 5 of Turkey's banks adopted Russia's payment system and the country said it would look to ditch the dollar for Russian energy.
Sources: reuters.com