Amidst growing global tensions, the potential for a third world war looms, with Asia experiencing heightened anxieties. Nobel laureate Mohan Munasinghe has voiced his concerns about the escalating risk of nuclear conflict. He has urged Asian leaders to take proactive steps to foster peace and stability throughout the region.
Munasinghe highlighted the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, as a positive sign, drawing attention to the collaborative discussions between leaders from India, China, and Russia. He believes these interactions symbolize hope for global peace.
During an event promoting a peace initiative in Dubai, Munasinghe highlighted the leadership role of the Global South, with Asia at the forefront. The Global South includes nations often classified as developing or less developed, largely encompassing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Sharing his perspective on the SCO summit, Munasinghe stated, “The presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin together at the recent SCO summit is a very important thing to see. They represent the largest and most powerful countries in Asia.”
Describing this as a true example of peace for the world, Munasinghe stated, “If the leaders can do this, I think everyone can come together.” Munasinghe, a Sri Lankan academic and economist, was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work as vice-chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Regarding his earlier statements on the possibility of nuclear war, Munasinghe responded, “It is time for India, Sri Lanka, and the whole of Asia to show the world the path of stability and peace that the former powers, especially the Western leadership, have not been able to show. But we will show them.”
Munasinghe emphasized that nuclear war is closer than ever and must be prevented at all costs. He said, “World peace depends on all of us more than on governments or leaders. To save the earth and ourselves, we must unite, let’s work together for peace.”
Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala, Executive Director of Wockhardt, an Indian pharmaceutical company, and CEO of the Wockhardt Foundation, introduced the I Am Peacekeeper initiative in Dubai. This initiative aims to unite individuals and institutions committed to promoting dialogue and understanding to achieve global harmony.
