Return to Transcripts main page
One World with Zain Asher
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy In Canada Trying To Shore Up Support For Battle With Russia; Ukraine Claims Responsibility For A Major Attack In Sevastopol At The Russian Black Sea Naval Fleet Headquarters; UAW Head Says He Is Ordering Workers To Work, Walk Off The Job At All The Parts And Distribution Facilities Owned By Gm And Stellantis; U.S. Southern Border Crisis Escalates As Migrant Crossings Soar To Nearly 9000 In 24 Hours; Spanish Football Players Fight Systematic Discrimination And Want Change; Pope Francis In Marseilles To Highlight The Plight Of Europe's Migrants. Aired 12-1p ET
Aired September 22, 2023 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[12:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAIN ASHER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Zain Asher from New York and this is ONE WORLD. Ukraine's latest attack puts the heart of Russia's Navy squarely
in its crosshairs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
The military launched a missile attack on Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters. Take a look at this video. You can actually hear sirens as
the smoke billows from this building. This is from a social media video. But here's why this attack is key. It is in Sevastopol, which is the
largest city in Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia back in 2014. Ukraine has made no secret that it wants Crimea back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Just last week, a Ukrainian attack on a shipyard in Sevastopol damaged two Russian ships undergoing repairs. It's symbolic, as well. The Black Sea
Fleet is considered the flagship of the Russian Navy. Now, to keep up with the fight, Ukraine needs money. It needs resources.
That is why Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Canada right now trying to shore up support for the battle with Russia. He's been meeting
with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and thanked Canada for its support so far.
His visit, of course, comes on the heels of his trip to Washington. Mrs. Zelenskyy left the U.S. with a promise of more than $300 million in new aid
for the war effort. U.S. President Joe Biden has proposed a much larger aid package, but that's proving to be a hard sell to some Republican lawmakers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSH HAWLEY, U.S. SENATE REPUBLICAN: What the meeting revealed to me is, is that in the words of President Zelenskyy, the conflict is a total
stalemate. That's what he said. Totally frozen. All right, we'll have more on the Black Sea Fleet attack in just a moment.
But first, let's go to Paula Newton, who is in Ottawa covering Mrs. Zelensky's visit. So, Paula, this is President Zelenskyy's first in-person
visit to Ottawa since the war actually began. Obviously, he's addressed Parliament via video link. This is his first time there in person.
Just walk us through what the two men are discussing. Obviously, it is a much more friendly audience, given that many Republicans in the United
States are skeptical about sending more military aid to Ukraine.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Zain, a near unanimous warm welcome here for President Zelenskyy. And yes, even opposition parties here will
continue to back Ukraine militarily. In terms of material support, though, what Canada can offer and what they're willing to offer, obviously in
absolute terms, much smaller than not just the United States, but the E.U. allies, as well.
Still, significant support, as you say, especially coming off the heels of that very bold attack on the Black Sea fleet headquarters in Crimea. The
issue we just heard about how certain legislators in the United States are continuing to make this seem as if it's a stalemate, right? A long and
grinding war.
President Zelenskyy is here. He believes on the front foot, on an aggressive posture to say we can win. We are winning. Give us some more
time and crucially give us some more military aid. I want you to listen now to President Zelenskyy being welcomed by Prime Minister Trudeau, the two at
this hour sitting down again to hammer out more military aid. Listen to President Zelenskyy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: I have a lot of words, warm words and thanks for what you say from Ukraine to you, your beautiful
country. I know it's beautiful, I have no time to see, but I know that it's beautiful. I think after the victory, it will be common victory, of course
we will come.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Key words there, Zain, after the victory. He is really trying to send that message loud and clear, not just to Canada, to be able to elicit
more military aid, to say, look, we are close to winning. This is not frozen.
This will grind on, but we will continue to make up ground, but also so that Canada can shore up its NATO allies to continue to be the voice of
President Zelenskyy on the international stage, to say we, as a collective, as NATO allies can do this. We can help usher the victory in Ukraine and
that's why the military aid needs to continue.
It is a tough sell in many quarters and even here in Canada where there are lots of issues about domestic military spending already, the fact that it's
a laggard when it comes to NATO spending. So, there isn't exactly a lot in the till here in terms of military spending. Still, Zain, in the next
couple of hours we do expect a new announcement from Canada on that military aid to Ukraine.
[12:05:00]
ASHER: All right, we'll be paying attention. We'll be watching closely. Paula Newton live for us there. Thank you so much. All right, back to our
top story. We want to turn back now to Ukraine's attack on Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea. This is not the first time that Ukraine
has targeted Russia's military infrastructure in Crimea and the Black Sea. Our Katie Polglase has more on what we know about this attack and also
other recent ones, as well.
KATIE POLGLASE, CNN INVESTIGATIVE PRODUCER: Well, Ukraine has claimed responsibility for a major attack in Sevastopol at the Russian Black Sea
Naval Fleet headquarters. This is a major milestone for the Ukrainians in several weeks of attacks on Crimean areas, specifically on areas that are
key war infrastructure for Russia.
Just yesterday, there was the attack on the Saki Air Base, where 12 military aircraft were being held, as well as an area key for training
drone operators. Last week as well, there were attacks on the Sevastopol ship repair facility where several ships were being held that are key for
Russia's war in Ukraine.
Today's attack is perhaps the most significant yet. Huge plumes of smoke arising from these buildings, residents being told to stay indoors and be
careful of the hundreds of meters of debris all around. And the Sevastopol governor, the Russian-appointed governor, warning that this is maybe going
to be a second attack. Well, that ended up not to be the case, but clearly a level of chaos and fear, not knowing how many attacks there were going to
be.
This is a major milestone for Ukraine in a war that is struggling into the winter months now with the counteroffensive very much underway, but still
making some challenging progress with some marginal gains. And while Zelenskyy is in the U.S., trying to persuade U.S. lawmakers to ensure that
U.S. funding for Ukraine and its counteroffensive continues, this kind of success in terms of targeting key pieces of Russian infrastructure is
surely going to help his case. Katie Polglase, CNN, London.
ASHER: All right, just moments ago, a deadline passed for the big three automakers to show progress in negotiations with striking auto workers. And
for two of the big three, that deadline has brought new shutdowns. The head of the UAW says that he is ordering workers to work, walk off the job at
all the parts and distribution facilities owned by GM and Stellantis.
But he said he is making headway in negotiations with Ford, so he's not expanding the strike there. The move will not only impact new cars but will
quickly make it difficult to find replacement parts for existing GM and Stellantis vehicles.
Our Vanessa Yurkevich is tracking this story. She's been following this story from the very beginning since the strike first started. But just walk
us through, just let's start with the good news, right Vanessa? Let's walk us through, you know, the progress that is being made right now with Ford
and that how that contrasts what's happening with GM and Stellantis.
VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, okay. Let's start with the good news for a start. UAW President Shawn Fain is
saying that progress is being made with Ford, and that is why you do not see workers from any more Ford plants heading to the picket lines right
now.
He says that in -- he was able to, in the recent proposal that Ford presented to him, he was able to see that they made really big strides on
key things like cost of living, reinstating that, that was something that workers lost in 2009, job security, that if folks were laid off of their
jobs, they would receive two years of income and benefits.
Also, an increase in profit-sharing from these companies and the elimination of tiers that is basically bringing lower wage workers,
temporary workers up to the wages that people have been receiving at the company for many years in a shorter period of time, a 90-day transition
from temporary to full-time workers.
But of course, GM and Stellantis not proposing that same robust deal that President Fain seems to be liking right now. So, now you have, just moments
ago, workers from 38 facilities, GM and Stellantis, heading to the picket lines across the country, across 20 states, that is about 5600 workers now
joining the nearly 13,000 workers that have been on strike for the past eight days or so.
We do want to note, though, from Ford and the union, they are still far apart on key economic issues. In the proposal that Shawn Fain presented
from Ford, notably missing was wages. We have heard so much about how the union wants a 40 percent wage increase over four years. The latest public
offers from the three companies have been 20 percent.
Both Ford and the union saying that there's still a long way to go on that, and obviously still a long way to go for GM and Stellantis, as they are now
facing workers from 38 of their facilities heading to the picket lines just moments ago, Zain.
ASHER: All right. Vanessa Yurkevich, thank you so much.
[12:10:00]
Thank you so much for keeping a close eye on this story. Hopefully it gets resolved soon. We appreciate it. All right. The crisis at the U.S. southern
border is escalating as migrant crossings soar to near record levels, nearly 9000 in just 24 hours. Eagle Pass, Texas has now declared a state of
emergency and the White House is sending additional troops -- hundreds of additional troops, in fact, to help.
The Department of Homeland Security says that 800 active-duty personnel are now being deployed to the border where 2500 National Guard members are
already serving. They'll be encountering desperate scenes like this.
Families pulling small children under razor wire in an attempt to risk it all in search for a better life in the United States. CNN's Ed Lavandera is
in Eagle Pass and spoke with some of the migrants trying to get into the U.S. He filed this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Dozens of migrants stand in the Rio Grande, moments after forming a human chain to cross the river and through
layers of razor wire, trying to reach Eagle Pass, Texas.
UNKNOWN: Venezuela!
LAVANDERA (voice-over): They tell me they're from Venezuela, among them a woman and her toddler. The danger for them is real. Two people, including a
three-year-old boy, have drowned this week after being swept away in the river current. But after a nearly 3000-mile journey, they accept the risk.
How long are you going to wait here? They said they're going to wait here until they let them in. The migrants tell us they've been robbed and
attacked on the Mexican side of the river. After hours of waiting, the migrants figure out a way to crawl under the razor wire. In a surreal
scene, one man instantly apologized.
They wanted to apologize for crossing illegally into the U.S. and that they're begging and asking for mercy, but to understand that they're coming
from a country where they're persecuted and they feel like if they were to be returned home, they would be killed.
The mass influx of migrants causing tension between federal and state authorities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted this video accusing border
agents of cutting razor wire at an undisclosed location in Eagle Pass, allowing trapped migrants to turn themselves in. DHS officials refused to
comment on the governor's allegation.
On Wednesday, about 3000 migrants crossed in Eagle Pass alone. It's something very strange. Never thought I was going to see something like
that in Eagle Pass, Texas. The local sheriff tells us smugglers are preying on the hopes of these migrants, offering to move them to other cities if
they can get into the U.S.
TOM SCHMERBER, SHERIFF, MAVERICK COUNTY, TEXAS: I know this because we have smugglers coming from Houston, Florida, Austin, everywhere to pick up
those immigrants. There's a connection there.
LAVANDERA: Reasons for this surge vary, but migrants we spoke to say they've grown frustrated with the CBP-1 app that processes formal
applications, many waiting months on the Mexican sign for an appointment. These two men from Venezuela say they crossed illegally because they're
desperate and have been waiting three months for the appointment to request asylum. It's a risk we had to take, he tells me. We know there's a chance
we get deported, but it's in God's hands.
Right now, the question that local officials all along the U.S. southern border have is whether or not this latest surge of migrants is an anomaly,
a temporary problem, or is it a sign of a more sustained problem that they will be dealing with for weeks, if not months ahead. Right now, no one
really seems to have a clear answer. Ed Lavandera, CNN, Eagle Pass, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ASHER: All right, coming up, that deal to free five Americans held in Tehran actually almost fell apart in the last minutes. We'll have new
details on the intense maneuvering to keep that deal intact ahead. Also ahead, it is a major source of microplastics found everywhere, from the
oceans, the top of Mount Everest.
We'll tell you what's adding to the climate crisis when we come back. And later, the uproar over Spain's Women's National Team just keeps growing
louder as the players prepare for their first match since winning the World Cup.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:15:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: All right, it's responsible for more carbon emissions than international flights and maritime shipping combined. It's one of the most
used items on the planet, and 85 percent of it ends up in landfills or is burned.
So, what exactly am I talking about? Plastic, paper? No, I'm talking about clothing, and much of it has to do with the world of fastfashionearth.org.,
says that it's had a direct effect on the fashion industry as a whole, and that clothing sales have doubled from 100 to 200 billion units a year. So,
how and why are these fast fashion brands doing so well?
Well, one thing, obviously, they're literally fast. Many times, customers are able to get their items the next or even the same day. Prices are also
incredibly competitive and among the lowest in the industry. They're also so reasonable that many consumers don't bat an eyelid when they throw items
away after wearearth.org estimates that $500 billion are lost every year in waste.
I want to bring in Roberta Annan, who says that clothing overproduction is a major cause of climate change. She's the founder of the African Fashion
Foundation and is a Goodwill Ambassador at the U.N.'s environmental program. She joins us live now from Accra, one of my favorite cities, by
the way.
Roberta, thank you so much for being with us. I mean, this is such an important discussion. I've always felt that if every generation has a blind
spot, ours would be materialism and consumerism. We just consume so much.
We're taught that you know, you can't wear -- especially women, we're taught that you can't wear certain items of clothing more than once. You
know, you have to keep up with the latest style and trends, and of course that leads to so much waste. How do we unlearn that? How do we change our
thinking?
ROBERTA ANNAN, FOUNDER, AFRICA FASHION FOUNDATION: Thank you so much for having me on the show, Zain. Let me just touch on one important point
before I address your question. So, you know the thing about fashion waste, we don't understand the pollution waste emissions of over consumption of
clothing, fueling the triple planetary crisis.
Let me mention what they are. Human induced climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution related health impacts. These are three major things
that we really need to pay attention to. And I think that we can start changing the way in which consumers react to things if they start holding
producers more accountable.
So, we have to understand the process in which this apparel is made, you know, from the source all the way to the retail and really make sure that
at every level of the supply chain, things are sustainable. And I think once we start holding these producers more accountable, we start
understanding, you know, the challenges that, you know, are really affecting not just environment, but even human rights. So, we need to
really --
ASHER: Yeah, let's talk about what's happening in Ghana, right? Because obviously that is your home, and that is where you can obviously affect the
most change.
[12:20:00]
As I understand it, Ghana imports something crazy, like 20 million items of clothing every single week. Even though the population is quite small, it's
30 or so million people. And so, what happens when you dealing with that kind of surplus, obviously there's waste. There's an insane amount of
waste. And is there really the infrastructure to deal with that waste?
ANNAN: You know, I call -- it's actually a pandemic. In 2021 alone, Ghana imported $214 million worth of secondhand clothes. So, this is about, your
figure is quite right, 20 million on a weekly basis. And if you look at a population of about 32 million, it doesn't even make sense.
Now, the major challenge is that 40 percent of these clothes actually end up in the landfills because of the defects. So, it's not just the fact that
people are importing second-hand clothes, it's the fact that we are importing junk that will end up in the landfill. So, that is something that
needs to be addressed, you know. It's either we're looking at quality control measures to ensure that the right -- because people actually live
off of importing second-hand clothes, so you cannot completely ban it --
ASHER: Right.
ANNAN: -- but how do we ensure that the right products are actually coming in? And then for someone like myself who's an advocate for fashion -- the
local fashion industry, in fact, my foundation -- the African Fashion Foundation, set up 12 years ago, has supported and nurtured talents in the
African fashion industry with grants and support for manufacturing and you know even placing designers into scholarship programs and fellowship
programs overseas.
So, if you're promoting this, how do we compete, you know, with an industry that is so cheap? You know the clothes are coming in they are very cheap,
it's affordable and you talk about in comparisons to something that is made by a designer who is sourcing raw materials from Asia by the way and
looking at a production, which is very, very costly. I mean, it doesn't even make sense in terms of comparison. People --
ASHER: Roberta, I'm a big fan. I'm a big fan of just focusing on the solution. Yes, it's important to lay out the problem, but let's focus on
the solution. So, if you were going to, if somebody's watching this program right now and thinking, oh my gosh, I consume so much when it comes to
fashion and clothing.
I had no idea the sort of impact it had on the environment and really on climate change and pollution. I need to change my behavior when it comes to
how I consume. What are three things -- give us three things that we should all be doing better when it comes to how we consume fashion.
ANNAN: Number one is, again, going back to the accountability thing. You need to understand the source. So, let's be more transparent, or let's make
sure that producers are more transparent about the whole process. Number two is, don't always buy because it's cheap, right?
Try to consume where there's an impact story, a social impact, as, you know, helping to uplift certain lives, you know, supporting certain
industries. Like, for instance, you know, making sure that you're supporting African fashion. We need to address that.
ASHER: Yeah, and some items of clothing -- some items of clothing will say, you know, 10 percent of the profits made will go towards battling
hunger in a particular country. Right, OK.
ANNAN: Exactly. And the third is also waste, right? So, like you're saying, we're getting used to just disposing of clothes after we use it,
like just one time. We need to find a way to keep the clothes that we buy a bit longer, you know, pass it on to generations, like the next generation,
we need to be able to develop that culture of not just dumping it, you know, after wearing it, you know, for an important occasion.
So, these three things, I think, would help us, you know, in our individual capacity to address the challenge. And I also would also -- I would love to
sensitize people to follow the United Nations Environment Program and what we're doing. Just recently we launched a report -- is the sustainability
and secularity in the textile value chain, a global roadmap.
This really talks about how people should think more about a circular model rather than linear, which is the problem. You know, by purchase, where and
then just dump instead of like a circular system that people need to start looking into.
ASHER: Roberta, that was -- that was fantastic. Thank you. Thank you so much.
ANNAN: Thank you for having me.
ASHER: I already knew a lot just in terms of, you know, how bad, you know, consumerism is when it comes to the environment but I've really taken your
words on board. So, thank you so much. All right.
ANNAN: Thank you for having me.
ASHER: The theme at this year's U.N. General Assembly is peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability. But was there enough focus on
Sudan where a major conflict is underway right now? I'll talk to a U.N. official about that when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:25:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: Hello and welcome back to ONE WORLD. Let's catch up on the headlines. King Charles and Queen Camilla are wrapping up their three-day
trip to France. They got a royal welcome in Bordeaux where they met well- wishers and toured the region's famous vineyards. King Charles vowed to strengthen relations between the U.K. and France, saying, quote, "Together
our potential is limitless."
Four of the major Hollywood studios are meeting with the Writers Guild of America. They hope to iron out a deal to end the strike that's cost the
industry nearly $6 billion. They held marathon talks on Thursday, then issued a joint statement that talks are going to continue, which is a sign
of possible progress.
Iran is negotiating or rather investigating a fire that broke out at a Defense Ministry warehouse. Iranian state media posted these images showing
columns of black smoke rising from a building, this is near Tehran, and said the warehouse was used to make batteries.
According to new satellite images obtained by CNN, three of the world's biggest nuclear powers have recently constructed new facilities and dug new
tunnels at their test sites. Senior International Correspondent Ivan Watson has more on what this might mean.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
IVAN WATSON, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The world's three most powerful militaries, the U.S., Russia and China, have all been expanding
their nuclear testing sites in recent years. The evidence revealed in these commercial satellite images obtained exclusively by CNN.
[12:30:00]
These are the Russian, Chinese and American nuclear testing sites. Novaya Zemiya, a Russian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Lop Nur, a dried up salt
lake in China's Xinjiang region. And the Nevada National Security Site in a desert northwest of Las Vegas. Images from each location show new tunnels,
roads and storage facilities constructed within the last five years. Nuclear non-proliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis first collected and analyzed
these images.
JEFFREY LEWIS, JAMES MARTIN CENTER FOR NON-PROLIFERATION STUDIES: One big factor for both the United States, but also Russia and China, is a desire
to make sure the nuclear weapons that they designed and tested in the 1980s and 1990s still work.
CEDRIC LEIGHTON, RETIRED U.S. AIR FORCE COLONEL: All three countries -- Russia, China, and the United States, have invested a great deal of time,
effort, and money in not only modernizing their nuclear arsenals, but also in preparing the types of activities that would be required for a test.
WATSON: While there's no evidence of an imminent test, Russia's Novaya Zemiya site did see a burst of new construction over the last two years. On
the one-year anniversary of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Russia's readiness to conduct nuclear
tests.
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (voice-over): Some figures in Washington, we know this for a fact, are already thinking about the
possibility of a natural test on their nuclear weapons. If the U.S. conducts tests, we will do so, too.
UNKNOWN: Welcome to U1A.
WATSON: This time lapse reveals five years of above ground expansion of the U1A complex, an underground facility at the testing site in Nevada. A
spokesperson from the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration confirmed to CNN that it is quote, "Recapitalizing infrastructure and
scientific capabilities at the U1A complex," adding, "The United States has not conducted a nuclear explosive test since 1992 and has no plans to do
so."
Since the end of above ground testing, governments have used deep tunnels for their nuclear tests. Satellite images reveal a new fifth tunnel carved
out at China's Lop Nur testing site, along with a growing pile of excavated debris. Washington accuses China of dramatically expanding its nuclear
arsenal.
MICHAEL CHASE, U.S. DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR CHINA: We project out to 2035 when we expect that they'll want to have about 1500
nuclear weapons.
WATSON: In a statement to CNN, China's foreign ministry also denied plans to test, saying, quote, "This kind of report only speaks on hearsay
evidence and hypes up China's nuclear threat for no reason." The specter of a new nuclear test would shatter restraint exhibited by the U.S., China and
Russia ever since the 1990s.
LEWIS: If you are a farmer in Ohio or a shopkeeper in Shanghai, the threat of nuclear testing isn't the test themselves. It's the fact that you are
essentially agreeing to pay vast sums of money in an arms race that no one can win, but we can all lose. Ivan Watson, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ASHER: All right, still to come, we will take you inside that deal to free five Americans held in Iran. U.S. officials now telling CNN it was actually
in jeopardy. It almost didn't happen until the very end. We'll have a live report for you from Washington ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:35:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: After four days of speeches, top-level meetings and sidelined diplomacy, the 78th annual U.N. General Assembly is now winding down.
Russia's war on Ukraine ranked high on the agenda, and so did the importance of military aid to Kyiv. But that is not the only conflict that
Moscow is involved in. The U.S. has accused Russian mercenaries of supplying Sudan's Rapid Support Forces with missiles and it wasn't
something that was mentioned outright, but only really alluded to at the U.N.
The civil war in Sudan has all but faded from their headlines, but the situation there remains dire. Fighting between the Sudanese army and the
RSF is now in its sixth month, and all attempts at mediation have failed. The leaders of the country's rival military factions gave competing
addresses to the U.N. on Thursday, one at the podium, the other by video from an undisclosed location. But for the most part, though, it does seem
that the needs of the Global South haven't really been highlighted or as much prioritized in New York this week.
Time now for The Exchange and my conversation with the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations. Amina Mohammed joins us live now from New
York. Ms. Mohammed, thank you so much for being with us. As I pointed out, since April, Sudan has been embroiled in pretty much a civil war, a bloody
civil war that has left thousands of people dead. How much of a priority is this war still for the global agenda? And are you concerned that this war
could spill out in terms of affecting neighboring countries as General Albahan pointed out this week?
AMINA MOHAMMED, DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS: I think it's of great concern to everyone. I mean this war, the suffering, the toll
of it is on women and children, I saw that first-hand on the Sudanese Chadian border. The war has to stop. The international community, the
African leadership has to try to find ways to put a stop to it.
We are working hard on the humanitarian corridors. But there is always the risk of this spilling over borders. We don't see that now. What we see
right now is the untold suffering of women who are coming across borders into countries, by the way, who have very little support to take on that,
but still do welcome the refugees as they come across in their state for health, for education, for just basic survival.
So, you know, it hasn't fallen off the agenda. The discussions in the United Nations are happening in bilaterals. They're happening. They are in
the conversation when developing countries meet with their counterparts in the developed world. I
ASHER: I mean, we've talked about, you touch on certain countries that have welcomed refugees in from Chad. I mean, we've had conversations with
officials in Chad, for example, and places like that who have welcomed in refugees and who are overwhelmed, quite frankly.
I do want to touch on this idea of potential peace at some point in Sudan, because both military leaders are saying that they're open to peace talks.
But there's a big gap between being open to peace talks and having peace talks and actually having a ceasefire that you stick to. How does the
international community help with bridging that gap?
MOHAMMED: I think we still have to continue to have the discussions and move towards some of the strategies that could help that come together. But
frankly, I think that, you know, today we should see more women at the table of mediation and finding, as women do, the pathways to peace.
Right now, ending this war needs a ceasefire. And that -- and from there, begin to talk back to a transition to democratic rule. We don't see that.
There are not enough people at the table who will speak and act on peace.
[12:40:00]
Right now, you have warring rivals who want to win a war and what we need are pathways to peace. So, I think that we need to see more women's
leadership. It's certainly there in Sudan. It's there in Africa, on the continent. We have many women who could support this as we do in the
international community.
ASHER: We talk a lot on this program about the priorities and the needs of the global south and just making sure that they remain high on the agenda
in the international community. When you think about Africa's needs right now, just in terms of what should be on the agenda and what should be
talked about, obviously climate change is one.
Democracy is another, given the string of coups that we've seen, and of course the civil war in Sudan. I know that a big focus for you right now is
an initiative that is designed to really shore up economic support and investment for businesses on the continent. Just walk us through what the
greatest needs are on that front.
MOHAMMED: Well, for us, trying to convene to get the actions that are needed from commitments made to the 2030 agenda, the sustainable
development goals that was gaveled here almost eight years ago has been important and a priority. And this initiative that we step up to do is to
bring the private sector in to know that the partnerships to do this is a narrative for Africa that speaks to investments.
Now, we have the international community that for years have supported with overseas development assistance. It's insufficient to go from billions to
trillions with that alone. And so, what we need is a different financial system that opens up access to credit, that brings and showcases how
business is happening in Africa with young people, with entrepreneurs, and is encouraging the international community to make that and take that to
scale on energy transitions, on food systems.
These are hundreds and thousands of jobs that can be created for young people and for women to look at the digital connectivity that's needed
because today that's almost taken for granted in the developed countries. But in developing countries, of course, need the investments in
infrastructure and therefore to make that connectivity happen.
But these are climate -- is energy transitions. If we see energy transitions and they're going green, that will see that Africa that's had
leased, for instance, to -- to do with it will benefit from leapfrogging in the transitions.
ASHER: And actually, the green energy transition is a huge priority for me as somebody who is of African descent myself from West Africa. I'm Nigerian
like you. I just realized, yes, I'm Nigerian like you. And obviously, when you think about just the havoc that climate change has wreaked on the
continent, it is -- it is devastating.
In terms of the solution, obviously. There is a lot that the international community can do in terms of investing in infrastructure, but there is a
lot that Africa itself can do, especially given that so much of the natural resources that are needed for that transition are sort of -- their home is
in Africa. Just walk us through how much Africa can be the sort of solution to its own problems when it comes to climate change.
MOHAMMED: Well, they can be the solutions for their own problems because, of course, we've got the natural resources. Let's talk about critical
minerals. The critical minerals that are in Africa can help to supply that transitions that we would have to batteries, to electric cars, to solar
power. So, these are some of the things that we can offer.
But for that to become a reality, they require investments. And those investments do not have a financial environment which is conducive to that.
The constituency does not lean towards giving credit risk profiles to Africa to invest in those critical minerals that would bring about a green
transition.
The Climate Action Summit in Kenya occurred very recently and very clearly there are many solutions put on the table discussed further here at the
Climate Action Summit in how we get to COP28 in the UAE with tackling first mitigation, we have got to reduce the emissions.
Otherwise, as the Secretary General has obviously said, is that we're not only warming, we're boiling right now. But we've got to do the transitions
and the transitions need to come with resources.
We're not short of solutions. We are not short of the capacity to deliver on those solutions, but there are not the resources at the scale that we
need to have in Africa today. That needs to change. That's the discussion that has come out of New York this week. It is a discussion that will go on
to Marrakesh and the World Bank IMF annual meetings and hopefully land in a much better place at COP28 in Dubai.
ASHER: I mean accountability is key. So many countries have promised assistance, financial assistance to Africa as it deals with climate change,
but there is a big gap between promising the aid and the aid actually getting there and being dispersed.
[12:45:00]
Amina Mohammed, we have to leave it there. Thank you so much. All right, coming up, Spain's women's return to action for the first time since
winning the World Cup. But the players are anything but excited about getting back on the pitch.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: A new dress code bill passed by Iran's parliament outlines harsh punishments for people who violate it. Under the new legislation, women who
don't wear the hijab properly or who wear revealing clothing would face fines. And in certain cases, up to 10 years in prison. The bill has a
three-year trial period and still needs to be approved by Iran's Guardian Council, which oversees legislative matters. Iranians had mixed reactions
to the new restrictions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNKNOWN (through translator): There was no survey of people in the society to pass this law, and this law, which they say is according to the
community of people and according to the customs of the society. Let's hold an election and see if they agree or not. Then it will be clear.
UNKNOWN (through translator): I think there should be a law. If the freedom of the hijab is to exist, it must be in accordance with the society
we live in.
UNKNOWN (through translator): I think the government will not step back because it's part of the ideology of the Islamic Republic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: "We did not want to come here. We were forced." Those were the words, the damning words rather, from two of Spain's top women's football
players on the eve of their first match since winning the World Cup. Spain is taking on Sweden in the UEFA Nations League tournament. The match just
kicked off a few moments ago.
Spanish players are saying that they are fighting systematic discrimination, that they want change. The players would have faced fines
for refusing to play for the team. Let's bring in CNN's Patrick Snell now with more on all of this. Patrick, this team -- this team has just been
through so much. Enough. Patrick, walk us through it.
PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yeah, it really has been the case, Zain. They should have been allowed to bask in the glory of lifting their first
ever World Cup trophy, but they were denied that due to all the fallout over the Luis Rubiales situation.
They were supposed to have a moment of celebration. And congratulations, but for La Roja, it's been far from that. That matchy reference, this is a
significant day, I will tell you, in the history of the Spanish Football Federation.
[12:50:00]
They're playing Sweden right now in Gothenburg. They're underway just a few minutes into that game, taking on the top-ranked side in the world. Alexia
Putellas, she's out there playing at the moment. She did stress saying that the players hadn't wanted to join the squad initially but were obligated
to. And Irene Paredes following up saying, as you just mentioned, "we are tired".
They arrived in Sweden on Thursday for their first Nations League game but in the month that's followed that historic World Cup win over England when
former Football Federation President Rubiales, who I just mentioned, gave that unwanted kiss to Jenny Hermoso. The Spanish Federation has been
absolutely engulfed by a crisis that just hasn't gone away.
The women's team right at the center of it and calling for change. There were talks through the night on Wednesday, in fact, involving the Spanish
Sports Council, the Football Federation players. The players actually refusing to play for their country without fundamental changes to the
systems and structures and improved player safety and welfare.
We still want to wait and try and find out more as to what that exactly means, Zayn, because there's a whole lot of questions that still need to be
answered. But Putellas describing what she and her teammates have been through as decades of systematic discrimination and parade is admitting
they still haven't seen the light at the end of the tunnel with this particular fight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IRENE PAREDES, SPAIN DEFENDER (through translator): The only thing we want is to play soccer in dignified conditions where we're respected. And right
now or until now, it hasn't been totally possible. And after what happened in the final, totally impossible. So, that is why we're trying and
demanding that things change.
ALEXIA PUTELLA, 2-TIME BALLON D'OR FEMININ WINNER (through translator): We have been demanding to be listened to for a long time because we were
detecting or already knew that over many decades, too many, there was systemic discrimination against the women's team. We have never asked for
any coach to be fired, hired or taken off. Never. All we have done when we have been captains is transmit concerns or concepts where the team was not
feeling completely comfortable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNELL: Zain the star, Alexia Putellas there, went on to say that this moment could be the catalyst for change, a before and after moment if you
like. It's tough for anyone to really focus on the task in hand, which is a really high-profile fixture again. It's a rematch of the World Cup semis,
which Spain dramatically won with a flurry of late goals in that semi- final, if you remember, during the recent Women's World Cup.
This, by the way, the first day ever of the first ever UEFA Women's Nations League, a tournament that really is a testament to the growth of women's
football. Sweden hosting Spain, at the top Group A, they're in Gothenburg, our fight! There's a banner. There was a banner ahead of kickoff there. Our
fight is the global fight. There you go. And then the hashtag, Se Acobo, which is Spanish for it's all over. It's finished. Every Spanish player
wearing a wristband on it with the word Se Acobo on it, as well. Another pivotal and highly significant day when it comes to the Spanish national
women's team, Zain.
ASHER: Yeah, it's over or the Spanish version of Time's Up, which was the hashtag in this country for a long time. Pat, we've seen that the players
may have faced fines or sanctions for missing games and in fact two of the 23 players did not report as I understand it for the match. What has
happened to them?
SNELL: Yeah, there were two -- we have the original Las 15 which was the build up to the recent Women's World Cup but there were two veteran players
you're quite right, Zain. Mapi Leon and Patri -- they have said that their own situation is different. And basically, essentially for them, the
situation is still not right for them to return.
The Spanish Secretary of State for Sport Victor Francos has now backed off on any fines and bans, though this is the good news for them, calling the
pair's decision to leave the squad, quote, "absolutely respectable". So, as well as all hope, Zain, this is the start of a new world for Spain and
perhaps women's football, as well.
I just want to just flesh out a bit more on the stance from Leon and Patri, basically saying that, for them, their situation is, quote, "different than
for the rest of our colleagues", as well. So again, that's something we're watching very closely, indeed. Every player has a personal story here,
Zain, and I'm quite sure as the month evolves, all being well, we're going to hear more from the players themselves.
ASHER: All right, Pat, live for us. Thank you so much. I want to take you to France now where Pope Francis is in Marseilles to highlight the plight
of Europe's migrants in an overnight trip to Marseilles. France says it will not admit any more migrants from Lampedusa, that's the Italian island,
where there's been a surge of arrivals from North Africa. The Pope plans to preside over a meeting of Mediterranean bishops and celebrate mass before
he leaves on Saturday.
And a big legal win for Brazil's indigenous people in a Supreme Court decision in a land dispute against a powerful farm lobby group.
[12:55:00]
ASHER: Dispute against a powerful farm lobby group.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: The High Court overwhelmingly ruled against using a cutoff date that would have limited indigenous people from claiming ancestral lands
unless they lived on the land in 1988 when Brazil passed its constitution. Indigenous advocates say it was an attempt to legalize the theft of
millions of hectares of indigenous land. The group representing farmers says it will now push Congress to pass a bill to limit new claims by native
communities.
And thank you so much for watching ONE WORLD today. I'm Zain Asher. Before I leave you, I have some very exciting news to share with you. Starting
next week, ONE WORLD is going to enter a brand-new chapter. My dear friend and colleague, Bianna Golodryga will also join the show as a co-anchor. We
are very, very excited about it. See you next week. "AMANPOUR" is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
