International News

FIFA Faces Controversy Amidst Committee Report and Bid from Saudi Arabia (Nishika)

Earlier this month, a human rights report commissioned by FIFA regarding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was published. The report confirmed that migrant workers in Qatar were victims of wage theft, exploitation, and unsafe conditions. It stated that FIFA was responsible for compensating the workers for what they endured. In response, FIFA has pledged to create a 50 million dollar fund to improve conditions for workers. However, FIFA stated that it would not provide direct compensation to the workers, which goes against the report’s recommendation. 

Many people, including the Head of Labor Rights at Amnesty International, believe that FIFA must directly compensate the workers and undergo reform. The first step towards reform would have been rejecting Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 tournament. Despite concAmnesty International's many other human rights organizations' concerns, FIFA accepted the bid. To host the World Cup, Saudi Arabia would have to build several stadiums and facilities, and would likely use migrant laborers to do so. Saudi Arabia has a history of exploiting and mistreating workers, as well as other serious abuses like conducting mass executions and restricting women’s rights. Activists around the world have pointed out FIFA’s hypocrisy, as the organization claims to be committed to human rights, but has chosen to host their biggest event in a country that routinely commits horrific violations of human rights. 

West Bank Annexations (Alexia)

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is pushing ahead with annexation of settlements in the West Bank. Smotrich, who oversees settlement affairs, stated that his team is laying the groundwork to bring these areas under full Israeli control. He described 2025 as "the year of sovereignty" and claimed that this effort is intended to preempt the creation of a Palestinian state. Smotrich is hopeful that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will endorse the plan, given that Trump has previously demonstrated support for Israel.

The announcement has received significant backlash. The Palestinian Authority called it "colonial and racist," and organizations such as Hamas claimed that it proves Israel’s efforts to capture more Palestinian land. The plan has been condemned by the Arab League and others who argue that it proceeds on the basis that it is incompatible with peace and a two-state option.

This development occurs amid escalating violence. Health authorities in Gaza have reported that as a result of Israel's war more than 43,500 individuals have died, mostly women and children. In the West Bank, more than 700 Palestinians have been killed since October as a result of a rising number of alleged attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

Although Smotrich insists that the government supports the plan to a great extent, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is yet to provide his formal assent. Many are worried that this step will trigger conflict and will lead to international disapproval.

UN Climate Talks (Alexia)

This past November the United Nations held their 29th climate conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, where wealthy nations committed to providing $300 billion annually to support climate action in developing countries. While the pledge was notable, vulnerable nations noted how they had been advocating for over $1 trillion in annual assistance to address the rising costs of climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster recovery. 

The funding is supposed to increase over time, eventually reaching $1.3 trillion by 2035. Still, leaders from smaller and more vulnerable nations were disappointed. They said the deal doesn’t go far enough or address the urgent needs of countries already facing the harsh effects of climate change. Many called the promise too little, too late. A representative from a coalition of island states described the outcome as “insulting,” arguing that the promised amount does not match the magnitude of the climate crisis they face daily.

Discussions during the two-week summit also saw some countries updating their climate goals. The United Arab Emirates pledged to cut emissions by 47% by 2035, although critics questioned its continued expansion of fossil fuel investments. The United Kingdom's commitment to reducing emissions by 81% below 1990 levels by 2035 was seen as a bold move by climate advocates, highlighting the country’s dedication to ambitious climate goals. However, despite these efforts from individual nations, the absence of major leaders like U.S. President Joe Biden, along with heads of state from China, India, and Brazil, cast a shadow over the talks. These missing leaders, who play crucial roles in global climate action, left the summit without the full weight of global cooperation, complicating the discussions and leaving room for criticism​. Their absence shifted focus to smaller nations, whose leaders urged for more decisive and equitable action.

Many delegates emphasized the importance of addressing loss and damage, a pressing concern for nations already bearing the brunt of climate-induced disasters. However, tangible progress on establishing a comprehensive global framework for loss and damage financing remains limited.

As the world moves toward the next round of negotiations in 2025, the results of COP29 underscore the ongoing divide between wealthy and developing nations. While the financial commitments provide a foundation for future action, they fall short of what is needed to bridge the gap between ambition and the realities of the climate crisis.