Return to Transcripts main page
Connect the World
Space Week at Expo 2020; U.K. Health Authorities Fear COVID-19 Winter Peak; Bolsonaro Accused of Crimes against Humanity; U.N. Shows Fossil Fuel Demand Increasing; Sweden Takes on Climate Challenge; Scotland Announces Ambitious Space Strategy; UAE and Israel Agree to Enhance Space Cooperation. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired October 20, 2021 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): The British government under pressure to reinstate COVID restrictions.
Will mask mandates be back this winter?
400 Mawozo is Creole for "out in the country," outside the city. And that's where this group comes from. An aerial view of the Haitian neighborhood
where the gang that kidnapped a group of missionaries rules by fear.
And can the race for space lead countries here on Earth to find new ways to cooperate?
We'll have the inside view from the UAE and Israel.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON: Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD, two hours of news that counts wherever you are watching. I'm Becky Anderson live from the Dubai
Expo this evening.
In the Northern Hemisphere, winter is coming. That is an ominous-sounding phrase, especially in this time of COVID-19. And even though many people
are vaccinated at this moment, especially, for example, in the United Kingdom, British health leaders there have a warning for the government --
take action now or risk what they call a winter crisis.
Downing Street is facing increasing calls to activate a plan B. More on that in a moment.
It comes in response to surging infections and waning vaccine immunity. The U.K. health secretary is holding a news conference in a couple of hours and
we will, of course, bring that to you live.
Just a short time ago, Vladimir Putin announced new action to try to curb surging infections in Russia. The Russian president approving a nationwide
nonworking week in just 10 days. The announcement comes as a winter of COVID discontent looms for many people in Moscow.
The mayor of the Russian cabinet is ordering all unvaccinated residents over the age of 60 to stay home for four months. CNN's Sam Kiley is
standing by for us in Moscow. Fred Pleitgen is reporting from London.
Let's start with you in London, Fred. Officials, health officials in the U.K. becoming increasingly concerned.
Why?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's the numbers, Becky, that have been going up and staying up for a considerable
amount of time.
In the past seven days in a row, the daily case count of new coronavirus infections in this country has been above 40,000. You look, for instance,
at this Monday, and it was above 49,000. The numbers for yesterday was about 43,000. That still is extremely high for a daily new case count.
Of course on top of that, the big problem, this is one of the reasons why the heads of the NHS are sounding alarm bells, speaking of a possible
crisis winter, is the fact that hospitalizations are going up as well.
If we look at the death toll, for instance, for Tuesday, keep in mind, Tuesday, the death toll is higher in the United Kingdom because of the way
the numbers are collated. It was 223 in a single day and that's a lot.
That leads the NHS Confederation, the National Health Service, they believe that plan B you were talking about, further restrictions, is something that
needs to be ordered for the health system in this country to be able to hold up this winter. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATTHEW TAYLOR, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NHS CONFEDERATION: We know that things are going to get worse.
The question is, do we accept some inconveniences, inconveniences of plan B and do we recognize as a nation we need to get behind our health care
system in the next months or do we cross our fingers and hope the almost inevitable doesn't happen and stumble into a crisis?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN: Do we stumble into a crisis?
A dire warning we heard from the head of the Confederation of the National Health Service. The government has come up -- and you were right, in about
three hours, there will be a press conference by the health secretary of this country.
However, the business secretary, he's already come out and said, look, there is not going to be another lockdown. And also he said some of the
discussions he's hearing about possible travel restrictions, lockdowns, he believes that absolutely unhelpful at this point in time.
The government believes they still have this under control. However, at the same time, obviously we're hearing about this press conference; the health
secretary now, certainly this is being taken very seriously as the numbers continue to rise, Becky.
[10:05:00]
ANDERSON: In Russia, just provide some context, if you will, Sam, for the decisions that are being made, not just in the city where you are but
nationwide at present.
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred talking there about a country with a population of some 60-plus million; here over
140 million. The death toll, though, very considerably higher than in the United Kingdom, with over a thousand a day, 1,004 I think is the last
figure I saw.
That breakthrough figure was announced a few days ago, with daily infections being recorded, again, going up 34,000. Of course those are the
official figures with the assumption being very much more people are getting infected, particularly if you look at that death toll.
The difference is that the mayor explained, the high death toll here is that many, many people here, less than a third, rather, have been
vaccinated. In other words, many people, more than two-thirds of the country, have so far not been vaccinated.
That's through no lack of effort. Vladimir Putin's regularly pointing out the need to get vaccinated. He reiterated that today and threw his weight
behind government proposals to have an extra holiday. The Russians have done this once before, from November the 30th -- from October 30th to
November the 7th and, in some areas, sooner than that.
Workers would get seven days fully paid in order to try to reduce the amount of infections without going into an absolute lockdown. The very deep
concerns here in Russia, though, that the whole nation is proving to be alarmingly resistant to the idea of getting vaccinated, Becky.
And this is really driving up the levels of infections and death. There is a deep concern in the administration here that they may have to head into a
lockdown as winter closes in, Becky.
ANDERSON: Why the vaccine hesitancy?
Is it clear?
KILEY: Deep distrust of anything coming from a central government. This is an increasingly authoritarian government. They might force people into
vaccinations but, interestingly, for example, here in the Moscow oblast, only from January will 80 percent of the people in the service industry be
required to be vaccinated.
They're taking a very hands-off approach there. There's also a great deal of superstition, frankly, very high level of cynicism toward particularly
the Sputnik vaccine, which was developed here in Russia more quickly than any other vaccine around the world.
There's some suspicion maybe it was rushed out, though all of the indicators are, certainly from the Russian perspective, it's an entirely
safe and effective vaccination, Vladimir Putin insisting and repeating again that he has had it, had the jabs and exhorting his countrymen to get
them, Becky.
ANDERSON: Briefly, Fred, how will mask mandates, social distancing, if reintroduced, how will that go down with the British public?
PLEITGEN: It wouldn't necessarily go down very well and could be quite difficult. You had the freedom day in Britain in July. And since then
people have simply gotten used to not wearing masks in a lot of places.
Quite frankly, I was in Germany until very recently, coming here to London. It is quite remarkable how few people wear masks; for instance, in public
transport but also indoors, when you come from continental Europe.
This is one of the things that, for instance, that head of the Confederation of the NHS says wearing masks indoors could be something that
could stop transmission on a large scale or at least curb the transmission. So that is something that, if plan B goes into effect, would certainly be
one of the first things that you could see.
However, will that go down very well with the British public?
I don't think that would necessarily be the case. It could be something very difficult to make people wear masks in a lot of these places where it
does appear to be necessary, like, for instance, in public transport but other places indoors as well.
ANDERSON: Fred Pleitgen is in London, Sam is in Moscow. Thank you both very much.
Government officials in Brazil still facing public fury over their handling of the pandemic. Senators behind the investigation into president Bolsonaro
are withdrawing their recommendation of charges of mass homicide.
Instead, they want the president charged with crimes against humanity. The accusations first appeared in a leaked draft report claiming the president
and other government officials for the deaths of more than 300,000 Brazilians, half of the number who have died from the virus.
[10:10:00]
ANDERSON: Shasta Darlington is in Sao Paulo in Brazil.
Shasta, this senate panel, what are they accusing the president of doing or not doing when it comes to COVID-19?
Let's be absolutely clear.
SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, as you mentioned, we're expecting this final document any minute, where we'll have
more detail, although it is expected to be over a thousand pages long.
What we know is that the author of the -- the lead author of the report already appeared on TV this morning, saying, as you mentioned, that they
did decide to remove the accusations of genocide and homicide and that they will be charging or recommending that Bolsonaro be charged with crimes
against humanity, alleging he intentionally let coronavirus spread through Brazil, killing hundreds of thousands with the aim of reaching herd
immunity and reopening the economy.
They say that this would have a stronger legal base than the accusations of genocide and homicide. Now this comes after some six months of testimonies
and debates. The senate pandemic parliamentary inquiry is going to be publishing this massive document.
But they won't be actually voting on whether to approve it until next week. They are expected to approve it. And the text prepared by the commission,
as you mentioned, blames Bolsonaro for the deaths of 300,000 Brazilians, half of the nation's total.
It also -- we are expecting it to recommend criminal charges for another 68 people, including three of Bolsonaro's sons, several government officials
and two private companies.
Now it's not clear whether or not the recommendations from this 11-person panel will actually lead to any criminal charges. And that's because, even
if is approved, the text will have to be sent to the attorney general. And he's considered an ally of Bolsonaro.
So it isn't very likely that he would take a strong stand into investigating Bolsonaro for things like crimes against humanity. It's also
because this inquiry took place in such a polarized environment, with Bolsonaro accusing the opposition senators of being politically motivated.
So this does wrap up this very heated parliamentary inquiry that has hit Bolsonaro's approval rating hard. But it's not clear it will go further
than this, Becky.
ANDERSON: Normally, it's a charge prosecuted in an international court and perhaps this is more symbolic than anything else. Shasta, thank you.
It's now been four days since 16 Americans and one Canadian were kidnapped in Haiti. The U.S. secretary of state says the White House is, quote,
"relentlessly focused" on their release.
Haitians took to the streets to demand their freedom. Gang violence is pervasive in the country. People are protesting the general lack of
security there. CNN's Joe Johns is in Port-au-Prince.
And you have had an opportunity to fly over an area of Haiti, which, quite frankly, is run, as I understand it, by this gang and is, to all intents
and purposes, a no-go area. Do explain, if you will.
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: It is a no-go area, Becky, and it has been so for quite a while now. It is controlled by this group
known as 400 Mawozo. And they are the people who, we are told, are responsible for the kidnapping of these missionaries.
They are the people who have demanded the $17 million in ransom. And it's a simple fact that, if foreigners go into that area, they are in danger of
being kidnapped or robbed or even worse.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHNS (voice-over): As the State Department and the FBI work behind the scenes to free the American missionaries and five children, who were
snatched in Haiti, a new warning about paying the $17 million ransom the gang behind the kidnapping is demanding.
LAURENT LAMOTHE, FORMER HAITIAN PRIME MINISTER: It would be very unfortunate for the $17 million to be paid because that would only
reinforce the gang and that would only finance further kidnappings. So the solution is to, short-term, send, you know, experts, security experts to
help the police in this particular situation.
JOHNS (voice-over): The missionaries were believed to be staying at a compound in the village of Titanyen outside Port-au-Prince. On Saturday,
they were kidnapped by a group of armed men while driving back from visiting a nearby orphanage in Croix-des-Bouquets.
Haitian officials say the gang 400 Mawozo is responsible.
We took a ride in a helicopter today to get a better view of the area.
JOHNS: I've been on many of these roads outside of Port-au-Prince 10 years ago.
[10:15:00]
JOHNS: But it's very different now, simply because of the kidnappings. It is not safe for a foreigner to drive on the roads. That's why we're in the
helicopter.
400 Mawozo is Creole for "out in the country," outside the city, and that's where this group and that's where this group comes from, an armed gang that
has grown larger and larger and more powerful, particularly over the last several months since the assassination of the president of Haiti.
They control the roads in many ways. The police need help.
JOHNS (voice-over): Kidnapping and robbery has become a part of life on the roads outside Port-au-Prince. What's different this time is the massive
amount of money being demanded in ransom, $1 million per victim.
400 Mawozo started small, first stealing livestock, then cars and eventually becoming bold enough to carry out individual kidnappings; now
groups of people or collective kidnapping. Authorities blame the lack of law enforcement response for the group's sudden growth.
JOHNS: There's a real reluctance from government authorities as well as many people who are part of the electorate to have another peacekeeping
force on the ground to restore order.
But if they don't want that to happen, the question is, how can Haiti succeed without getting control of the situation on the ground?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JOHNS: Back live on the bustling streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince, we wait for any word on the negotiations to free these 17 missionaries.
We've been told by one of the negotiators in some of the past kidnappings that the custom has been for the groups to demand astronomical numbers in
terms of ransom at the very beginning and then drop those numbers later.
So far, no indication, we've been told, the kidnappers, at least within the last 24 hours, have been sticking by their demand -- Becky, back to you.
ANDERSON: Joe Johns is in Port-au-Prince in Haiti. Thank you, sir.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is said to be resting at Windsor Castle after scrapping a visit to Northern Ireland. Officials say the 95-year-old
monarch, quote, :reluctantly agreed" to cancel today's trip on medical grounds, sources say. It is not related to COVID-19. The palace says she is
disappointed but in good spirits.
Climate change, one of the big topics here at the Expo in Dubai. And Sweden are taking a lead in going green. We'll show you some of their
accomplishments and discuss the challenges ahead.
And I talk live to an Israeli philanthropist about his organization's second planned lunar probe and collaboration between his country and the
UAE. Morris Kahn live here at the Expo. Stay with us.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:20:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON: One of the themes here at Expo 2020 is sustainability and protecting the Earth for future generations, one of the things standing in
the way of the growing demand for fossil fuels. That is according to a new U.N. report.
At least it says, by 2030, the largest fossil fuel generating countries will pump out 110 percent more coal, oil and gas than would be necessary to
keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
That's the goal set out by the 2015 Paris climate accord. The reports show while these numbers are sobering, governments have the power to reverse
course. That's the challenge that governments have faced for a generation: how to grow economically while protecting the environment and the likes of
you and me, quite frankly.
Sweden's leaders believe they have made some headway. They've cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly a quarter between 1990 and 2019 while
tripling the GDP. The key, they say, is close cooperation between public and private enterprise, along with academia and labor organizations.
One of those leaders joins me now. Krister Nilsson is Sweden's state secretary at the ministry of foreign affairs, focusing on foreign trade.
Before we get into that, do talk to us about your presence here. We were hoping to achieve -- what's Sweden's ambition here?
KRISTER NILSSON, STATE SECRETARY, SWEDISH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: I think what we experience, when you enter the area, go into the pavilions,
is that we discuss about the global challenges.
As you mentioned, climate is one of them. But there is also lots of discussion on the global solutions. If we're going to have the same view on
that, we need to have more projects, more business communities meeting and discussing solutions making business that will scale up the solutions.
But also see how different sectors react. Today, it's space week. We have lots of folks in space and the knowledge generated by space technology can
be used in order to mitigate climate effects, used for changing behaviors.
ANDERSON: What have you got right in Sweden?
And what are you still to achieve?
NILSSON: I think what we've done historically -- and you say we decoupled the economic growth from the carbon dioxide -- is that we managed to do
changes in the infrastructures, like heating systems and transport systems.
What we have left and where we are a good halfway is also changing manufacturing, industry production, being more efficient or -- even like
the steel industry, producing steel without carbon emissions.
ANDERSON: What's your net zero goal, out of interest?
NILSSON: Net zero goal it's 2045.
ANDERSON: OK, it was important you point that out because the next question is, you will tell me that you have some substance, some detail;
you have a roadmap that you will tell me you are already executing on.
When so many people haven't provided that roadmap, these are IOUs or MOUSAVIAN: , effectively for so many countries, what will your message be
to leaders, to businesses, to civil society who will be at COP26 next week?
NILSSON: One of the most important issues is carbon pricing. I think there are lots of different initiatives globally on that. We were one of the
first countries to introduce a pricing on carbon emissions.
I think that's how very much we created incentives for change. And we have to look more into that in different arenas as well, see if we can expand,
find new solutions for that.
ANDERSON: One of Sweden's sustainable development goals is to be the world's first fossil-free welfare state.
NILSSON: Yes.
ANDERSON: That is great.
But if you do it and nobody else achieves that, there's no point, is there?
NILSSON: Yes.
ANDERSON: Let me put this to you. China ramping up its coal production at present to face what is an energy crisis all over the world. Oil prices are
at record highs and could go higher.
[10:25:00]
ANDERSON: None of that is encouraging the drawdown on coal and other fossil fuels. We hear a lot of optimism, a lot of plans, a lot of talk
ahead of COP26. I think there is genuine enthusiasm now to fight this climate crisis.
But how optimistic are you at this point?
NILSSON: I think what we say is possible. We need to say what is actually possible, not focusing on what today we know that we can't do.
That way of looking into the challenges in the industry sectors have made us now introducing totally new products and ways of manufacturing globally.
I think that is, of course, where trade comes in, because, if we can expand the trade, if we can expand the reach for Swedish companies with solutions
globally, that will have an effect.
But I understand it's also about showing to other countries that they can follow this path. That's why the partnership is so important. That's why we
are simply here doing that.
Saying, why can't we do it together?
ANDERSON: Because effectively global trade is a huge carbon emitter, to be quite frank.
NILSSON: Yes.
ANDERSON: So you talk about how bilateral relationships, trading relationships -- you talk about ensuring that trade is a kind of -- is a
sustainable effort going forward. But in and of itself, that's tough. Give me some solutions here.
NILSSON: Yes. I totally agree. We can no longer say that trade in itself is it. We look at what we trade with and the standards we put on products
and services. We have the new factory industry that has to be more sustainable when it comes to recycling and everything. And we are working
on that.
We are working on putting electrification into market, with hydrogen. We see we can have the steel industry. With electrification we can actually
achieve huge -- in brief, we have identified the largest emitters in Sweden, together with the companies and said, what can we do, what would be
the challenge?
What should we do as a government and what are you able to do?
Then we have funded research and investments to a large scale. I think we are the largest or second largest in Europe for R&D.
ANDERSON: That's where the solutions lie, in R&D.
NILSSON: Yes. And that's when trade can be a part of the solution. But also trade but also when it comes to, for example, export credits, we
should not give internationally globally export credits for extraction of fossil fuel. We should also move away from fossil fuel subsidies. We should
have the WTO to have a climate agenda in the industrial meetings.
ANDERSON: That's exactly a conversation that I had with the WTO, alongside other agency heads just last week. Sir, fascinating to talk with you.
Thanks for joining us here.
NILSSON: Thank you for having me. Thank you.
ANDERSON: One quick programming note -- we will have extensive coverage of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow November the 1st through the 12th.
Tune in to Connect The World each day for that. And for all the latest developments, cnn.com/climate.
I'm Becky Anderson. Could we see flags from Israel and UAE side by side on the moon?
I ask the head of UAE's space agency up next.
And we will talk the future of space exploration and collaboration with an Israeli philanthropist and space advocate Morris Kahn.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. Stay with us.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:30:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON: We are coming to you live from the Dubai Expo this week, focusing on space exploration. Today, we are looking at how and why
countries are expanding their space programs and collaborating with other nations.
Scotland, for example, announcing here at the Expo a new strategy aimed at securing a $5.5 billion share of the global space market. The plan calls
for dedicated launch capability as early as next year.
The 20,000 new jobs by the start of the next decade and in keeping with the theme, we have been emphasizing this week, Scotland's space strategy looks
to address issues here on Earth from reducing emissions to supporting the use of satellite data for environmental monitoring.
The UAE has one of the most ambitious space programs globally. Already it has a spacecraft orbiting Mars, seeking to understand the Martian climate
and now the country has set its sights on sending a probe to Venus and beyond to study an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
I sat down with Sarah Al Amiri, the head of the UAE's space agency earlier to talk about the vision that the UAE has for its space project and why.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARAH AL AMIRI, CHAIR, UAE SPACE AGENCY: So we started our space endeavor as one of the areas by which we'll work to diversifying our economy. The
space sector provided us with the capability to develop engineering and science skills together in one program and one project.
What the exploration program allowed us to do is expedite that development. What our continuation in the space exploration program will provide us is
with an impact on the economy.
As you know, the space sector has a wide and far-reaching impact on the -- on society as a whole. You see a vast transformation into the way of
working when you know you can achieve getting to Mars. But we've also seen great implications on the private sector.
On the Mars mission we started early on, dabbling on seeing some of our manufacturing companies can manufacture parts for the Mars mission. It's
right now around Mars in the Hope probe, manufactured parts in the Emirates. We never thought that was possible.
Now we're looking at a mission that you mentioned, how to build further on the private sector. The space economy, as you know, is an economy that is
vibrant and will thrive over the next decade. The UAE is going to play a part in the Earth observations here and also with regard to communications
satellites.
We will continue our efforts in building and diversifying our economy.
ANDERSON: You talk about Earth observation. There will be viewers who don't understand exactly what that means. You've talked about it being an
inexpensive gateway in. Just explain what you mean by that.
AMIRI: This observation is any form, be it for climate purposes, weather purposes, for imaging purposes, for urban planning, for farming, for
getting better farming practices. What the lower cost of launch has enabled us to do is to send more satellites into space, to image Earth.
[10:35:00]
AMIRI: Right now, it's near real time. What that means is if you want to start a business in space, you no longer need to own a satellite. You get
access to data that is available from various companies around the world and you produce your products and services based on this.
There's a vast amount of area you can do this for, be it for farming and arid environments such as ours, planning better road networks. We spoke
about our net zero contribution for the UAE and the commitment to net zero.
That is also an area that we can look at with regard to climate change. Data from space is something that is quite valuable; the utilization of it
will create an amazing effect for the economy.
ANDERSON: You've talked about the opportunity for the private sector and you talked about how the sort of space exploration is twofold; one, the
scientific side and then the technology side. You've explained how the private sector can impact what is going on here and around the world.
What is the economic value of space to a country like the UAE?
AMIRI: Economic value is far and outreaching. If we go back to the next 50 years of the UAE and the contribution that a lot of the economic plans that
we have as a country to further diversify our economy, one common thread is science and technological investment and capabilities to explore and
innovate and ensuring our talent base grows.
Space provides you with that interesting sort of aspirational element that gets people geared toward the importance of science, technology and
society. I think you lived that with us last February in the UAE. It was a palpable change on the understanding of science technology.
ANDERSON: Can you be a little bit more specific?
What sort of contribution to the UAE's GDP might space and its associated ecosystem contribute here?
AMIRI: Within five years, if we have a vibrant space sector that will come into play, it will add viability to our economy. That's significant and a
direct impact. There's been various metrics around the world on the multiplier effect of the space sector.
Like you said, it produces an ecosystem around it that, at this point, I think is immeasurable anywhere in the world. We can't find a dollar value
on the impact of the space sector.
We can measure the space economy -- and I gave you the measurements on our part. But we do understand and countries understand, we see this in Expo
during space week, they understand the indirect implications and the ripple effect and the multiplier effect on the economy.
ANDERSON: So you do not doubt that the sort of numbers that we are seeing a decade or two from now, which are something like $1 trillion worth of
ecospace, as it were, that to you is realistic.
AMIRI: That is realistic because the space agencies, including ours, are transforming their mode of business. They're acting as enablers for the
space sector, providing them with opportunities, alleviating risk and providing them with business. It's through that you're able to get that
trillion dollar valuation.
ANDERSON: Talk to me about international partnerships.
Where do you see the opportunities?
AMIRI: International partnerships are vital to the evolvement of the space sector. They are on a case-by-case basis and a program-by-program basis.
The best model we've had has always been on leveraging, on both parties' trends and ensuring there's an amalgamation between teams to work together
and advance forward.
That goes to the underlying factor that's very important for technological advancements and that's diversity. And bringing that multicultural essence
and different perspectives and priorities into one team creates such a large impact.
ANDERSON: Can I be a bit more specific?
I know that there is ambition for the UAE and Israel to collaborate; two nations' flags jointly planted on the moon by 2024, is what I am hearing.
Can we go a bit more in depth on what that might look like?
AMIRI: On the back of the Abraham accords, we've signed here at Expo, a memorandum of understanding between the Israeli and UAE space agencies. On
the back of that, we've had both our private sector in the UAE interested in flying some of the instruments that will take measurements on missions
that Israel is currently building.
That is currently in the exploratory phase. But that's going to bring our industry together. What we've underlined as one of the key cooperation
areas between the Emirates and the state of Israel in the space sector has been on better connecting our private sector, because to create an
ecosystem that you ensure there is mutual benefit for both parties, your industries have to work together, it's not just about only government
efforts.
ANDERSON: The UAE says it is determined to make a meaningful contribution to space exploration, to scientific research.
[10:40:00]
ANDERSON: And the understanding of the solar system. There will be those watching this who say that the program here smacks of power projection.
Your response.
AMIRI: It's scientific. We see that from the Emirates Mars mission. Early on during that mission, we were able to observe a type of aurora on Mars
that hasn't been fully measured before. That gives us vast scientific understanding.
Less than a few weeks ago, our science team has found higher than expected levels of oxygen in the Martian atmosphere. That gives us a better
understanding on the evolution of atmospheres and our understanding on theories.
Those are vast implications. If I go back to the data, the data will be soon available for the public, in just under 10 days, two terabytes worth
of data was downloaded by the science community. This is purely a scientific mission.
You've got the best judges in the world, scientists. If the data is not valuable to them, it wouldn't be that heavily utilized.
ANDERSON: The headlines have been dominated by U.S. billionaires and their race in space, as it were, and the drive to promote space tourism, which,
to a certain extent, has overtaken some of these more interesting headlines.
But here at Expo, what we've just been discussing has been discussed in depth and there are some fascinating conversations going on. The race for
space, though, elicited this response from Britain's Prince William, "Great minds and brains should be trying to repair this planet, not trying to find
the next place to go and live."
Does he have a point?
AMIRI: No, I would like to say. And the reason is that if we did not advance space exploration further, you really don't understand how your
planet lives in the wider context of things and how the evolution on this planet is going to be in the wider context of things.
Everyone in the space community understands that Earth is a place that is hospitable to humans. We've seen other planets. It's desolate out there.
It's not fun to live on Mars or on the moon. We would need a lot of life support to live on either the moon or on Mars or any other planet.
The investments that are currently going into space are very important to advancements on Earth. And most of the space agencies and countries
understand that link.
That's why we have a conversation here during space week. You see that, within at least 26 nations that have their pavilions here, space is one of
the underlying factors and data inputs advance our understanding of climate change and the evolution of the climate.
We use, Becky, space on our daily basis more than we ever think that we do, from understanding the weather that we currently have, getting data on
where to go and how to get there and, more importantly, getting the right models to understand how climate change is impact impacting space.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Sarah al Amiri, the head of the space agency and minister for advanced sciences in the UAE.
You are watching CONNECT THE WORLD. Still ahead, the newest players in the international space race. We'll look at the countries making space
exploration with an eye toward the future a priority. More on that after this.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:45:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON: A lot has changed since the international space race started in the 1950s. Back then, the United States and the former Soviet Union vied
for space supremacy. Fast forward to today and a bunch of countries now pouring money and resources into space exploration. Isa Soares guides us
through this, our next generation of interplanetary heavy hitters.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Lifting off from the satellite launch center in the Gobi Desert, China rocketed three astronauts toward
the country's new space station.
The crew will live and work there for 183 days, China's longest mission yet and a step in the country's young space program, quickly becoming one of
the world's most advanced. Though China arrived late to space exploration, the government has been investing billions of dollars in its advancement.
In the past three years, Chinese missions have brought rock samples from the moon back to Earth for the first time in 40 years, successfully landed
an exploratory robot on the far side of the moon and then one on Mars.
They were only the second country to do so. The United States, unsurprisingly, came first but America's cosmological dominance could
challenged by China as well as other space ambitious nations.
As its space program expands, the United Arab Emirates also reached Mars earlier this year, though their mission didn't touch the surface. The UAE's
scientific satellite began orbiting the Red Planet in February.
The country also plans to send a uncrewed spacecraft to the moon in 2024. India hopes to do the same later this year or in 2022 after a failed
attempt in 2019. They've been inching toward a new date for the unmanned lunar landing.
India's prime minister is also encouraging the private sector to help the country's space ambitions following the U.S. in a pivot toward
commercializing space.
Another with lunar ambitions is the European Space Agency, which is working to develop a moon lander. The ESA also has probes currently exploring the
solar system.
Still a player in space, Russia is planning a collaborative asteroid mission, joining forces with China for a robotic probe set for 2024.
They're also hoping to launch an automatic lunar station in July of next year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Touchdown confirmed.
SOARES (voice-over): And in a first both for space and cinema, a Russian film crew returned to Earth Sunday after shooting scenes on the
International Space Station for the first-ever movie partly filmed in space.
As a whole, however, Russia's space program has dwindled from decades ago, when the Soviet Union launched the first satellite into space. In the
meantime, Russia's former space rival has grown more ambitious. NASA has sent five rovers to explore the surface of Mars, just launched a 12-year
mission to explore asteroids and says it will soon land the first woman and first person of color on the moon.
As advancements unfold, the space race is much changed from its former standoff era, now mixing contest with collaboration.
Take a look at the crew on the International Space Station, astronauts from the United States, Japan, Belarus, France and Russia; high above
geopolitics, a truly international cooperation at the helm of humanity's next frontier -- Isa Soares, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: I talked to the head of the UAE's space agency about her country's collaboration with Israel. Right here at the Expo today, they
signed a memorandum of understanding to announce cooperation in scientific research and space exploration.
Part of the agreement calls for the UAE to develop scientific instruments for an Israeli moon mission set for 2024.
[10:50:00]
ANDERSON: My next guest is a key player in that upcoming mission. Morris Kahn is chairman of the SpaceIL and the Israeli nonprofit organization that
promotes science and science education. SpaceIL became the first private entity to reach the moon when its lunar probe traveled there in 2019 before
it crashed on the landing.
For the 2024 mission, it is all systems go. Morris Kahn joins me now at our Expo studio.
You have just signed, sir, what is an historic deal with the UAE. Just tell me about the details of that.
MORRIS KAHN, CHAIRMAN, SPACEIL: I tell you, I actually went into the second phase of SpaceIL's project to the moon, called Beresheet. My
objective in going was twofold; one, I wanted to help them raise money. This is what I was good at.
And the second thing that I wanted to do -- and this for me was an objective -- was to get into a joint agreement with the Emirates for a
joint project in space.
ANDERSON: Why, sir?
KAHN: My feeling was that if Israel and the Emirates had a joint project in space, the impact of this joint venture, I think, would be tremendous.
ANDERSON: The idea of the UAE and Israeli flag being planted together on the moon is a great one, so far as optics are concerned. Your critics, the
critics of the Abraham accords, perhaps might accuse you of power projection and simply optics.
What's behind this?
Just explain why this is an important understanding and agreement.
KAHN: You've got to remember that Israel lives in an Arab world, we're surrounded by Arab states. We have been isolated from them for years.
There's been no real communication and no real participation in joint projects with them.
The accords that actually Trump generated, the Abraham accords, actually opened up the Emirates to Israel. And this has actually been a visiting
card for Israel to develop relationships with other countries.
So I say that, in space, which is dramatic and will get a lot of publicity -- because when we got to the moon, effectively got to the moon, it created
such an impact, I was surprised.
ANDERSON: I understand the impact that you want to make in space. And I totally get and understand the importance of international collaboration,
not least with the UAE.
And we talked about the importance of collaboration on an international scale going forward, there will be those watching this tonight, who say
Morris Kahn, could you not help broker some sort of deal between Israel and the Palestinians for peace first, rather than do something in outer space?
What would your answer to that question be?
KAHN: Well, I try to do things which I know are doable and doable in a timeframe in my lifetime. I'm 91. I have no doubt that, at some point in
time, the time will come where we and Israel are going to have to deal with our Arab neighbors.
We're going to have to -- we live in the same area. They're not going to disappear and we're not going to disappear. So the time will come but not
in my time.
ANDERSON: Well, sir, it's been a pleasure having you on.
KAHN: By the way, I'm optimistic.
ANDERSON: Good. I'm glad to hear that.
According to a Morgan Stanley analyst, Elon Musk is already the world's richest person. It will be SpaceX, I am told, rather than Tesla that lifts
him to trillionaire status. So you may be 91, but there is more than enough time to be more successful than you already are. It's been a pleasure
having you on. Thank you very much indeed.
KAHN: Thank you.
ANDERSON: You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. We'll take a short break for you. Back after this.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:55:00]
(VIDEO CLIP, "WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY," 1971)
ANDERSON: Doesn't matter how old you are, that takes you back. The British songwriter behind the iconic soundtrack for "Willy Wonka" has died. He's
passed away. His friend, actress Joan Collins, called him one of the giant songwriters of our time.
Bricusse won two Oscars over his career and he wrote music for "Home Alone," "Superman," "Goldfinger" and so many others. He once wrote he felt
he was one of the luckiest people in the world, perhaps next to Ringo Starr, he said.
In the Canary Islands where a volcano has been erupting for more than a month now, a daring drone rescue is being planned to save three stranded
dogs, stuck in and abandoned on La Palma island for weeks, surrendered by volcanic ash with no one to take care of them.
Small drones have dropped food for them. But they are still hungry and weak. Conditions are too dangerous for a helicopter rescue so a drone will
with a big net will try to catch the dogs one by one and fly them to safety. The company in charge of the operation says its success will depend
on how the dogs react.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAIME PEREIRA, CEO, AEROCADMARAS (through translator): For us, it's either we get them out or they stay there. So if there's another option to get
them out, go ahead. If there isn't and it's the last option, we're going to go rescue them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The drones will only have a few minutes to rescue each of the dogs so their batteries don't run out.
I'll be back with the second hour of CONNECT THE WORLD right after what is this very short break. So don't go away. Stay with us.
END
