The week begins with COP29 in Baku where countries will negotiate financing arrangements to combat climate change. Environmental issues, gender inequality and technology are likely to dominate South Africa’s domestic agenda.
Monday 11 Nov
The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) opens in Baku, Azerbaijan. Billed as the “Finance COP”, country representatives are expected to set a new global climate finance goal.
The World Meteorological Organization will release its State of the Climate 2024 Update on the sidelines of COP29. This follows last week’s announcement by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service that 2024 is “virtually certain” to be the warmest year on record.
Technology and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) will be another hot topic this week. Europe’s largest tech conference, the Web Summit, kicks off in Lisbon, Portugal, while closer to home, Cape Town hosts the Africa Tech Festival and AI Summit, featuring speeches from Communications Minister Solly Malatsi and Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube will host a Partnerships for Education Business Breakfast, gathering 100 business leaders to discuss strategies for improving educational outcomes.
Meanwhile, in uMngeni, KwaZulu-Natal, Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure Dean Macpherson will conduct a listening tour to discuss reforms to the Expanded Public Works Programme.
Farther afield, Saudi Arabia will convene a Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh to discuss Israeli military operations in Palestinian and Lebanese territories.
In Japan, the National Diet will hold an extraordinary session to vote on its next Prime Minister following the Liberal Democratic Party’s recent loss of its outright majority amid a campaign finance scandal.
Tuesday 12 Nov
World leaders will begin delivering national statements at COP29.
A Dutch court is set to rule on Shell’s appeal of a landmark 2021 ruling ordering it to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030.
Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina will make a statement in Parliament on water security amid drought and poor infrastructure (nearly half of South Africa’s piped water is lost through leaks, theft or nonpayment).
Parliament will also hold a debate on the 16 Days of Activism campaign against violence towards women and children. A recent Afrobarometer survey revealed that nearly half of respondents see violence against women and girls as commonplace in their communities.
The 2024 Booker Prize winner will be announced at a ceremony in London. For the first time in the Prize’s 55-year history, the shortlist includes five women and just one man.
Wednesday 13 Nov
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police will discuss technology to combat crime, including modernising the Central Firearm Registry and the use of drones.
The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy will receive updates on the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme (REIPPP) and the Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme (RMIPPP), alongside presentations from various renewable energy industry associations.
The Portfolio Committees on Basic and Higher Education will address period poverty, hearing from groups advocating for free menstrual hygiene essentials. Approximately 7.7 million women and girls in South Africa struggle to afford sanitary products.
The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure will receive updates on restoring the parliamentary building after the 2022 fire.
In Somaliland, presidential elections are anticipated to be a tight race between the ruling Kulmiye party and the opposition Waddani party.
Thursday 14 Nov
It is World Diabetes Day. One in nine South African adults suffer from diabetes, the leading cause of death among women in the country.
The 11th TEHA CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa begins in Johannesburg, featuring former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson will address Parliament on infrastructure project delays.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to hold its parliamentary elections following the assembly’s dissolution by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will publish its International Migration Outlook 2024. Last year’s report revealed a record 6.1 million new immigrants to high income countries.
Friday 15 Nov
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit kicks off in Lima, Peru, focusing on trade, energy, critical minerals, future work trends and sustainability. U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to attend.
Fifty-eight-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson will return to the ring after nearly 20 years to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Texas. The event, Netflix’s first live boxing match, will stream exclusively on the platform.
Saturday 16 Nov
Mexico hosts the 73rd Miss Universe final.
Sunday 17 Nov
Senegal is scheduled for snap legislative elections after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved the National Assembly in September.
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