The Trumpian approach to critical minerals – evident from the United States' interactions with Ukraine – may force Southeast Asia to choose sides. The region needs to look at diversifying its technical partners in the energy sector.
The UN has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation as climate change speeds up ice loss not only in the Arctic and Antarctica, but in Asia's Hindu Kush Himalayas, which is warming three times the global average rate.
Small island developing states may have no choice but to lead on climate action but they can no longer stand alone: everyone must join the fight to safeguard the planet for generations to come.
Public development banks must spearhead a systemic overhaul of global finance to ensure climate funding reaches the most vulnerable and accelerates the green transition.