Top 18 Most Noteworthy Global Events of 2021

At the 39th ASEAN Summit, leaders discussed ASEAN’s relationships with its partners and other international and regional issues of shared concern. The nations welcomed and appreciated the positive progress in ASEAN's foreign relations, which have contributed effectively to the association's collective development. Looking ahead, ASEAN leaders emphasized the need to further enhance and deepen ASEAN's partnerships, encouraging partners to provide significant and practical contributions towards building the ASEAN Community and cooperating on emerging challenges, including addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring sustainable recovery.

In the current complex and difficult environment, ASEAN leaders underscored the central role of ASEAN as crucial, highlighting the importance of strengthening and respecting this role. They pledged to continue promoting dialogue, trust-building, and mutually beneficial cooperation, in line with ASEAN’s foundational documents, while stressing that new regional agreements must contribute to peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.

The Summit also discussed international and regional concerns, including the South China Sea, Myanmar, and the Korean Peninsula, expressing concern over developments in the South China Sea.

In a speech during the 100th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Communist Party of China at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on July 1, President Xi Jinping praised a 'new world' created by the Chinese people, emphasizing that any efforts to divide the party from the people or to incite opposition to the party would ultimately fail.

China marked the centenary of the Communist Party’s founding (on July 1, 1921) with the passage of the third historic resolution at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee, affirming the completion of the goal of building a moderately prosperous society. China is now entering a new phase towards establishing a modern, wealthy, democratic, civilized, harmonious, and beautiful socialist state by 2049.

China has achieved significant accomplishments across all sectors, reinforcing its growing global role and influence. It is now the second-largest economy in the world, with the highest global trade volume and is the largest trade partner for 130 economies, contributing roughly 30% to global economic growth.

A significant advancement last year was the development of oral treatments for COVID-19. However, the rapid spread of the Omicron variant cast doubt on the world’s path out of the pandemic. Policymakers and scientists warned that COVID-19 would continue to challenge the world in 2022 and beyond, until global immunity levels are sufficient for it to become endemic.

Within days of its discovery, the Omicron variant was classified by the WHO as a 'variant of concern,' prompting numerous countries to implement urgent response measures.

The situation surrounding Omicron showed how the fight against COVID-19 has evolved. Scientists now focus on tracking new variants, and in the case of Omicron, South Africa had the resources to detect it and the goodwill to notify the world.

Thanks to South Africa's transparency, governments worldwide quickly responded with preventive measures, even though they didn't fully understand the new variant. Travel restrictions were swiftly imposed on travelers from countries deemed high-risk for spreading Omicron.

While COVID-19 ravaged the globe, it also played a crucial role in Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. He promised to lead the nation through the pandemic and restore normalcy. Biden was inaugurated on January 20, 2021, facing numerous urgent challenges, such as reviving a pandemic-stricken economy, addressing deep societal divisions, and restoring America's global leadership, which had weakened significantly under Donald Trump's presidency.

Biden's victory, which marked a shift away from Trump's 'America First' policies, had a profound impact on how the U.S. was perceived globally and altered the dynamics with allies, partners, and rivals. In his first year, the U.S. took a leadership role in the world once again, sharing vaccines with poorer nations, rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, and pushing for a series of agreements and commitments with allies. Biden also took a tougher stance against China, urging like-minded partners to counter Beijing's growing influence.

However, the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and a slow economic recovery overshadowed Biden's first year in office, leading to a significant drop in his approval ratings. Despite this, the President still has three years ahead to fulfill his promises and build his legacy, aiming to 'overcome challenges, restore the soul, and secure America's future,' as he stated in his inauguration speech.

Adopting the approach of 'building partnerships, engaging competitors,' President Joe Biden abandoned the 'America First' doctrine and reversed several key policies of his predecessor. Biden led the U.S. back into multiple international organizations and agreements, strengthened ties with traditional allies, and formed new alliances like AUKUS to maximize U.S. interests and restore the country's global standing.

Domestically, Biden signed the $1.9 trillion 'American Rescue Plan' to address economic recovery, proposed a $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, pushed through two bills on gun control, and advanced key immigration reforms.

One of President Biden's most contentious decisions last year was the full withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in May. Following the U.S. pullout, the Taliban rapidly escalated their attacks on government forces, capturing rural areas and provincial capitals in just over three months, before seizing Kabul on August 15 and taking control of the entire country, establishing a temporary government.

The Taliban's swift advance was viewed as a major failure for the U.S., which had invested nearly $2.3 trillion into Afghanistan and had spent years training and equipping a large military force that ultimately lacked the will to fight, leading to their swift defeat. The chaotic evacuation further damaged the image of the U.S. military, exposing Washington's lack of a long-term strategy for Afghanistan.

After taking control, the Taliban attempted to present a more moderate image but continued to enforce Sharia law. They were accused of seeking revenge on former adversaries and failed to take clear actions to protect women's rights, preventing their government from being recognized internationally. Afghanistan was plunged into a crisis as aid was cut off and over $9.5 billion in assets were frozen. The United Nations warned that the Taliban's impasse could push approximately 14 million Afghans into famine, and the Central Asian nation stood on the brink of collapse.

As President Xi Jinping appears set to remain in power after the 2022 National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a veteran European leader, considered an icon for guiding Germany and the European Union (EU) through numerous challenges, bids farewell to politics. Angela Merkel concluded her 16-year tenure as Germany's Chancellor on December 8, passing the torch to Olaf Scholz.

In the post-Merkel era, Germany will face urgent challenges, including the ongoing complexities of Covid-19 and the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. Chancellor Scholz may need to abandon the political alignment with the U.S. and economic closeness to China that Merkel maintained throughout her four terms.

With Merkel's departure, the relationship between the EU and China is expected to become more strained, especially as opposition to China rises across Europe. However, many hope that her exit will help rebalance power within the EU. A number of young Germans are also eager for change, believing Merkel's approach had hindered progress on critical issues like climate change, the digital race, and addressing the growing wealth divide.

The global energy shortage and widespread supply chain disruptions have had a severe impact on the availability and distribution of goods. The prices of oil, gas, and coal surged, leading to skyrocketing electricity costs, and fueling inflation. Numerous businesses and factories were forced to shut down due to a lack of power and raw materials, which negatively affected the global economic recovery.

In March 2021, the Suez Canal was blocked for nearly a week after the massive Ever Given container ship became stuck, resulting in losses of approximately $400 million per hour. The incident caused more than 400 other vessels to be delayed, cutting off a major shipping route that accounted for about 15% of global maritime trade at the time.

The space exploration journey has made significant progress, thanks to the booming private space tourism industry.

On July 20th, American billionaire Jeff Bezos embarked on his first space flight aboard the New Shepard spacecraft, developed by his company Blue Origin. Along for the ride was the youngest person ever to reach space, an 18-year-old student from the Netherlands. Three months later, Blue Origin launched its second mission, carrying the oldest space traveler, Canadian actor William Shatner, who was 90 years old.

In October, a Russian film crew spent 12 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to shoot the first-ever film made in space, titled 'The Challenge.' Russian news agency TASS also signed an agreement to open the first permanent media office on the ISS.

After withdrawing from the longest war in history in Afghanistan, the United States appears to be shifting its focus to Asia in its efforts to counter China's rising power. On September 16th, the U.S., UK, and Australia unexpectedly announced the AUKUS trilateral security agreement, which includes plans to build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines for Australia. This move is seen as part of the U.S.'s strategy to share cutting-edge submarine technology with its allies and maintain its underwater edge in the face of China's growing military influence.

AUKUS has placed significant pressure on China, which has condemned the deal as an 'extremely irresponsible threat' to regional stability and raised concerns about Australia's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. Experts fear that AUKUS could escalate the arms race in Asia, prompting China to take more aggressive actions in the already tense Indo-Pacific region due to the ongoing U.S.-China rivalry.

However, AUKUS has also caused divisions among America's allies, with Australia canceling a $65.9 billion deal to purchase 12 French submarines, a move that infuriated France. Paris has called the decision a 'betrayal' and 'stab in the back,' even recalling its ambassadors from both Australia and the U.S. in protest. Observers predict that as the U.S.-China competition intensifies, the rifts among America's allies regarding their stance on China will become more apparent.

The situation in Southeast Asia took a dramatic turn on February 1st when Myanmar's military staged a coup, overthrowing the democratically elected government and arresting State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, establishing a military-led government. The coup sparked massive protests across the country, which were met with violent crackdowns by the military, resulting in over 1,100 deaths as soldiers used force to suppress the demonstrations.

The military regime in Myanmar has faced widespread international condemnation. The U.S., U.K., and EU have repeatedly condemned the coup and the violence against protesters, imposing sanctions on military officials. The UN Security Council issued a joint statement condemning the violence, supporting democratic processes, and calling for peaceful dialogue. In October, ASEAN made an unprecedented decision not to invite Myanmar's military leaders to its summit.

The turmoil has plunged Myanmar into deeper economic crisis and exacerbated the domestic COVID-19 situation, with the UN Development Program predicting that up to 25 million people could be living in poverty by next year. Despite international pressure and sanctions, the military junta has shown no signs of backing down, nor has it been swayed by ASEAN's efforts to mediate dialogue within the country.

In the past year, China has continued its isolationist approach with its "Zero-COVID" strategy while reinforcing President Xi Jinping's authority in the lead-up to next year's Chinese Communist Party (CCP) National Congress. On November 11, the CCP's Sixth Plenary Session ratified a 36,000-word document, the third historical resolution in the party's 100-year history, positioning President Xi alongside past leaders such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

The resolution, titled "The Party's Major Achievements and Historical Experience from a Century of Struggle," emphasizes Xi's leadership and affirms his unshakeable position in the future of China's politics, especially after the country abolished the presidential term limits.

This resolution is expected to further cement China's rising influence on the global stage, strengthening its economic, diplomatic, and military power. It signals a more assertive China, intensifying its superpower rivalry with the United States. Some analysts have even speculated about a potential new Cold War between the two nations, with implications for global areas like economics, geopolitics, and the fight against climate change.

One of the most shocking moments of 2021 was when a mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, while Congress was in session to certify Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory. The violent riot inside the Capitol resulted in five deaths and millions of dollars in damages, with order restored only after the Pentagon deployed the National Guard.

This scene stunned the world, as it marked the first time that a violent crowd attacked the heart of American democracy, while Trump largely refrained from intervening. The Democratic-led House of Representatives later sought to impeach Trump, but he was acquitted by the Senate.

The global perception of America was severely tarnished by the riot. Chinese media mocked U.S. democracy, while Western nations labeled the event as a “shameful day for America” and called it the “greatest challenge to U.S. democracy since the Civil War.”

In the midst of a severe global supply chain disruption, another rare incident dealt a blow to international trade. On March 24, the Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships weighing over 200,000 tons, ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking one of the most crucial maritime trade routes. This halted all traffic through the canal for nearly a week. It was the first time a ship had completely paralyzed the Suez Canal since its opening in 1869.

The impact of this incident was immediately felt worldwide, as 13% of global trade and 10% of global oil shipments pass through the Suez Canal, a vital link between Europe and Asia. The global trade losses were estimated at $6-10 billion for the week the Ever Given was stuck, while Egypt lost approximately $12-14 million every day.

The Ever Given was finally freed on March 29, allowing the Suez Canal to resume operations. However, the incident revealed a major vulnerability in the global trade system. The World Economic Forum (WEF) warned that as cargo ships become larger and more complex, their dependence on narrow, centuries-old maritime routes poses a significant risk.

Russia has actively promoted its Northern Sea Route as an alternative to the Suez Canal, which poses logistical risks. Meanwhile, Egypt is considering expanding the canal from 250 meters to 400 meters to accommodate massive ships like the Ever Given and prevent future blockages.

In the past year, the world witnessed numerous natural disasters, with the catastrophic floods in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, China, in mid-July, standing out as one of the most unusual and devastating events. Zhengzhou was hit by a once-in-a-thousand-years rainfall, with over 609mm of rain in one day, triggering massive floods that submerged subway stations and highways. The disaster led to over 300 deaths, caused $12.7 billion in damages, and affected the coal mining areas of Henan, forcing several mines to close due to flooding.

In October, flooding struck Shanxi, China's coal heartland, affecting 1.76 million people, killing dozens, and halting operations at 60 coal mines, worsening China's ongoing energy crisis. This forced the country to implement widespread power cuts to factories and households.

Experts believe that this extreme flooding signals the kinds of harsh weather conditions China may face in the coming decades, as global warming leads to more moisture in the atmosphere and heavier rainfall. As the world's most populous country, with 1.4 billion people, China is also the largest contributor to climate change, responsible for around 28% of global CO2 emissions.

These catastrophic floods weren't limited to China. Similar events were recorded in Germany, Belgium, and Malaysia, while an unusually powerful typhoon struck the Philippines, claiming hundreds of lives.

The world entered 2021 with cautious optimism, as a wave of vaccines was rolled out, and mass vaccination campaigns quickly became the backbone of pandemic response strategies. By this time, over 8.75 billion doses of the vaccine had been administered.

However, the emergence of the Delta variant led to a surge in cases, with Covid-19 infecting over 276 million people and claiming more than 5.3 million lives, which is equivalent to the entire population of New Zealand. It became one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, second only to the Spanish flu of 1918.

The pandemic caused a global economic loss of approximately $3.3 trillion, with tens of millions of jobs lost and widespread disruptions in supply chains. Should the global economy slip into recession, the total loss could escalate to $82 trillion, according to the Risk Research Centre at Cambridge Judge Business School.

The evolution of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the Delta and Omicron variants, made the COVID-19 pandemic more complicated, with nearly 280 million cases and over 5.4 million deaths globally.

The World Health Organization has granted emergency use authorization for 10 different COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, many countries have shifted from a "zero cases" strategy to "safely living with COVID-19," focusing on mass vaccination campaigns and implementing mandatory vaccination policies to control the spread. This shift has helped the global economy begin to recover by the end of the year.

Currently, over 56% of the global population has been fully vaccinated, but vaccination rates in poorer countries remain low, with less than 10% of people vaccinated.

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), held in Glasgow, reached an agreement on the Glasgow Climate Pact, reaffirming the goal to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5°C.

Countries also announced specific targets for achieving net-zero emissions, halting deforestation, and reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Further commitments included halting investments in fossil fuels and increasing financial support for developing nations to tackle climate change.

The conference marked a significant step forward in the global response to climate change.