The global landscape is marked by increasing instability, with Asia at the center of growing concerns about potential conflict. Nobel laureate Mohan Munasinghe has issued a warning about the escalating threat of nuclear war. He has called upon Asian leaders to prioritize efforts to promote peace and stability.
Munasinghe pointed to the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, as an example of positive collaboration, emphasizing the friendly discussions among leaders from India, China, and Russia. He views these talks as a symbol of potential global peace.
At a recent peace initiative event held in Dubai, Munasinghe highlighted the leadership role of the Global South, with a focus on Asia. The Global South comprises countries often categorized as developing or less developed, mainly located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Discussing the significance of the SCO summit, Munasinghe stated, “If you saw the images from the recent SCO summit, you would have seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin together. This is very symbolic, as they are the largest and most powerful countries in Asia.”
He views this as a true representation of peace for the world, stating, “If leaders can achieve this, I think everyone can unite.” Munasinghe, a Sri Lankan academic and economist, received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his role as vice-chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Addressing his previous statements on the possibility of nuclear war, Munasinghe stated, “Now is the time, not just for India and Sri Lanka, but for the whole of Asia to show the path of stability and peace that the former powers, especially Western leadership, have failed to demonstrate. But we will show them.”
Munasinghe underscored that the threat of nuclear war is more immediate than ever and must be averted at all costs. He emphasized, “Global peace relies on all of us more than on governments or leaders. To protect the earth and ourselves, we must unite, let’s collaborate for peace.”
Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala, the Executive Director of the Indian pharmaceutical company Wockhardt and the CEO of the Wockhardt Foundation, launched the I Am Peacekeeper initiative in Dubai. This initiative is designed to bring together individuals and organizations committed to fostering dialogue and understanding to achieve global harmony.