Today's Edition
DINA MAHMOUD (LONDON)
As we bid farewell to the “Year of Exceptional Transformations”, as we call it at Aletihad, in recognition of its consecutive events and rapid changes, humanity is welcoming a year dominated by the word “decisive”, as many events will unfold that will determine destinies and paths across the world.
In 2024, the world will transform into a stage stretching from east to west, marked by an unprecedented number of parliamentary and presidential elections.
Some of these crucial elections will take place in major decision-making capitals, potentially reshaping the international scene politically, economically, and in terms of security. Additionally, humanity will take significant strides in space exploration in 2024, opening a new chapter in extending its horizons.
The year begins with a pivotal step taken near the end of 2023.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia joined Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and Argentina in formally becoming part of the BRICS group, comprising some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Established in 2010 by Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, this economic alliance symbolises a long-term partnership.
The inclusion of these countries heralds massive economic, trade, and investment opportunities, signifying a groundbreaking shift in the global economic landscape.
First Malaria Vaccines to be Distributed in Africa in Early 2024
In early 2024, the first doses of a malaria vaccine will be distributed in 12 African countries, targeting regions hardest hit by this disease. This vital initiative seeks to combat malaria, which annually claims nearly half a million lives, predominantly among children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately 18 million doses will be administered in a pilot programme, addressing concerns about the disease’s growing resistance to pharmaceutical drugs and its status as a leading cause of death on the continent.
NATO Military Exercises in February and March 2024
Under the name “The Steadfast Defender”, NATO countries will conduct military exercises in February and March 2024. With over 40,000 soldiers participating, these exercises will be hosted by Germany, Poland, and the Baltic States.
Coinciding with the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, they are expected to be the largest since the Cold War’s conclusion. Moscow has expressed concern, especially given reports that the manoeuvres will include dozens of warships and hundreds of fighter jets. Sweden, aspiring to join NATO, will also participate.
Former US President Donald Trump’s Trial Begins on March 4, 2024
The trial of former US President Donald Trump is set to begin on March 2, 2024. Held in a federal court in Washington, the trial will address alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. The charges include conspiracy against the United States and obstructing an official proceeding, stemming from the January 6, 2021, storming of the Congress headquarters to disrupt Biden’s victory certification. This trial will coincide with primaries for the upcoming presidential election, held by most US states during that time.
Total Solar Eclipse in North America on April 8, 2024North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will witness a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. This celestial event will extend to parts of the Pacific Ocean and North Atlantic. Additionally, on October 2, some South American regions will observe an “annular eclipse,” where the Moon’s apparent diameter is smaller than the Sun’s, creating a “Ring of Fire” illusion.
China’s ‘Chang’e-6’ to Explore the Dark Side of Moon in May 2024
China is set to launch the lunar probe “Chang’e-6” in May 2024, aiming to collect samples from the Moon’s far side, the hemisphere not visible from Earth. This mission, featuring contributions from France, Italy, Sweden, and the European Space Agency, demonstrates a significant international collaboration in space exploration. Complementing this mission, the China National Space Administration plans to launch “ Queqiao-2”, or “Magpie Bridge 2”, a satellite designed to facilitate communication between Earth and the Moon’s far side, as a part of communications support for the launch of “Chang’e-6”.
UN’s ‘The Summit of the Future’ to Commence on September 22, 2024
The “Future Summit” at the United Nations headquarters in New York will be held on September 22-23, 2024. This high-level international conference aims to bolster global cooperation in tackling contemporary challenges and bridging gaps in global governance. A key goal of the summit is to reaffirm commitments to sustainable development goals. The United Nations expects that the summit will result in the adoption of the “Pact for the Future,” establishing a multiparty system to address present and future challenges.
BRICS+ Summit in Kazan,
Russia, in October 2024
October 2024 will witness the inaugural summit of the BRICS+ group in Kazan, Russia. This expanded group includes the recent additions of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and four other countries, including Egypt. Initially formed as BRIC by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009 and evolving into BRICS with South Africa’s inclusion, the group’s expansion to BRICS Plus reflects its growing global influence.
NASA’s ‘Artemis II’ Human Lunar Mission in November 2024
In a historic development, NASA’s Artemis II mission, scheduled for November 2024, will mark the first manned lunar mission in over five decades.
The mission, aboard the Orion spacecraft, will feature a diverse crew, including the first African-American astronaut, the first woman, and the first non-American astronaut, signalling a break from the previous all-white American crews. Artemis II, lasting ten days and covering a distance of 2.3 million kilometres, aims to orbit the Moon and return without landing, testing Orion’s life support and other deep-space functionalities.
Additionally, weeks before NASA’s moon mission, India is set to launch “Shukrayaan”, a probe destined for Venus.
This mission, the first of its kind since Japan’s “Akatsuki” in 2010, will investigate Venus’ atmospheric chemistry and search for phosphine, a compound potentially indicative of life.
This exploration offers new insights into Venus, dubbed Earth’s “evil twin” due to their similar sizes but contrasting living conditions.
Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Worldwide Throughout 2024
The year 2024 is set to be a landmark year for elections globally. Almost every month, voting processes will occur, shaping legislative councils, presidential races, and parliamentary representations in various regions. These elections are particularly significant, with two major events determining leadership in influential countries like the United States and Russia. Elections in other countries also promise to impact their respective regional dynamics significantly.
The election calendar of 2024 will begin quietly, involving roughly half of the world’s population across an estimated 50 countries. The year kicks off with parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on January 7, followed by Finland’s presidential race on January 28. Mali and El Salvador will hold their presidential elections on February 4. Pakistan is set for legislative elections on February 8, where the “People’s Party” and the “Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz” are expected to compete vigorously after 54 days of campaigning.
Indonesia’s elections for a new president, vice president, and members of the People’s Consultative Assembly, as well as local councils, will occur on February 14. Current President Joko Widodo will not be allowed to participate in the elections.
Senegal’s presidential election, slated for February 25, will see the nation choosing its fifth president for the twelfth time, in a history marked by political stability despite regional turmoil.
Following legislative elections in Portugal on March 10, Russia will conduct its presidential elections, with indications suggesting President Vladimir Putin as the likely winner. This election, the first since the 2020 referendum on constitutional reforms allowing Putin to potentially remain in power until 2036, carries significant implications.
In a dramatic turn, Ukraine, amid escalating tensions with Russia since late February 2022, is also scheduled for presidential elections on March 31. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba have expressed concerns over the electoral process’s feasibility, a sentiment not shared by the Western allies of the Kyiv government, who advocate for the election’s timely conduct.
In April or May 2024, India will open its polling stations for the Lok Sabha or “The House of the People” elections. This event marks a crucial moment in the nation’s democratic process, as voters engage in selecting representatives for the lower house of parliament. Following the parliamentary elections, the party or coalition securing the majority will appoint the Prime Minister. Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister, is poised for a possible third term, leading a diverse nation of 1.4 billion people and over 100 languages.
In Mexico, a historic presidential election is set for June 2nd, featuring two female candidates - one from the opposition and the other a former Mexico City mayor representing the ruling party.
From June 6 to 9, the European Parliament elections will also draw attention, the first since the UK’s departure from the EU. This event, with over 400 million eligible voters, is the world’s second-largest democratic event after India. The 27 EU member states will elect 720 members for a 2024-2029 term. Observers are keenly watching the voter turnout, which reached around 51% in 2019, and whether populist parties will gain more seats.
In the UK, parliamentary elections are anticipated in 2024, as the current House of Commons term concludes on December 17.
However, this election may be eclipsed by the intense US presidential race on November 5. The United States is gearing up for a high-stakes election, potentially a rematch between Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump, despite the latter’s legal challenges. Forecasted to be the most expensive in American history, the campaign spending might exceed $10 billion. The November 5 elections will also determine the composition of all 435 House of Representatives seats, one-third of the Senate, and the governorship in 13 states, making it a crucial day for American politics.
