There were many desired and undesired happenings across the world in 2024, bringing both positive and negative impacts. According to multiple sources including the BBC and CNN, there were reduced economic impacts of the Ukraine war in 2024 — compared to that of 2023 — and diverse notable happenings including the Paris Olympics and a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. But the Gaza war, the Ukraine war and other conflicts (including the civil war in Myanmar) continued and there were economic, political and other problems in many countries, leading to concerns and protests. Among others, millions of people remained in the food crisis driven by conflicts and several other reasons in different countries including DR Congo, Sudan and Gaza.
It is notable that peace initiatives, developmental and other steps of the government, international organizations and others helped address different concerns and challenges, bringing positive outcomes. Peace initiatives and humanitarian assistance continued in response to the Gaza war and the Sudan civil war and were taken anew to mitigate conflicts. Along with a two-month ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, peace mediation led to diverse positive outcomes. Policy-based, talks-oriented and other steps were made to provide economic opportunities and address political problems in many countries and new promises were made by the leaders at the COP29 Summit held in Azerbaijan for dealing with rising global climate change threats. Among others, the initiatives of various government, non-government and other organizations helped provide food support to those in need in many areas, increasing the access to food to millions of people globally.
But there are diverse flaws and challenges, leading to concerns. Peace initiatives were less in mitigating the Ukraine war, the Sudan civil war and the Myanmar civil war. Additionally, the root causes of many problems including international and civil wars (such as territorial disputes, causes of power struggles and geopolitical issues), political problems (such as unfree and unfair elections) and environmental concerns were less addressed, leading to the continuation of wars, regime changes (in several countries including Syria) and political turmoil (in several countries including Kenya and Georgia). Among others, various economic and other concerns were not addressed as desired by the government, leading to economic woes for many in different countries.
It is desired that steps be taken to address the flaws of the year 2024 and upcoming challenges to bring more desirable outcomes in 2025 across the globe. But, to mitigate the conflicts, peace initiatives need to be emphasized to address the challenges and reach peace between conflicting parties in different regions and countries — successfully. Political dialogues among the parties involved including the government and opposition parties will help address various political problems resulting from various reasons including unfree and unfair elections in many countries including, but not limited to, Venezuela and Georgia. Putting the deserving emphasis on addressing climate change, its causes and impacts is also vital.
Providing the rights of peaceful protests and refraining from arbitrary arrests and torture is also vital in many countries. Improving civil rights conditions including freedom of speech is also vital in many countries in Asia and Africa. Further steps are crucial to address economic woes and other challenges of deprived and disadvantaged people in war-torn and other areas. Among others, more development initiatives need to be taken to provide economic opportunities and address their concerns.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
