NOVEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9NEWSROOMPAKISTAN PROPOSES NATION-WIDE PLAN TO TACKLE ECONOMIC INEQUALITYThe newest reforms enacted by the South Korean government, which raised the percentage of medical college admissions by 0.015 percent of applicants, have sparked renewed hope for aspiring doctors, sparking hope in the majority of the test re-takers.The reforms, though welcome among students, have faced opposition within the medical community. Thousands of medical students and trainee doctors staged protests and halted work for months, objecting to the increase in medical school admissions, arguing it could dilute the quality of medical training. Despite these protests, the government has proceeded with the expansion, aiming to address South Korea's healthcare demands, even though the stoppage has impacted hospitals nationwide.South Korea is holding its highly competitive Suneung exam, or College Scholastic Ability Test, where students vie for admission to prestigious universities and, increasingly, to medical programs that offer high social and economic prospects. This year, a record number of students--almost a third of the 600,000 sitting for the exam--are retaking it, motivated by recent reforms that expanded the number of slots for medical trainees.South Korea takes extensive measures to ensure test-takers can focus without distraction. On exam day, national protocols kick in: flights are rescheduled, traffic is slowed, and honking is banned. Offices are asked to adjust working hours to reduce congestion near the 1,200 exam centers. Despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions (less than 1 percent), Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, ranking fifth globally in climate risk. The country's leaders are calling for global accountability, stressing that the Global South should collectively demand funding from wealthier nations, who bear greater responsibility for emissions. To address these challenges, Pakistan has introduced a National Adaptation Plan aimed at reducing climate vulnerability and bridging social and economic inequalities.Pakistan is ramping up its climate resilience efforts with a sophisticated disaster management system that tracks weather patterns across the country through nearly 300 sensors. This system, managed by the National Disaster Management Authority in Islamabad, has already proven effective. For example, in 2022, it helped evacuate 150,000 people in Punjab from impending flood danger. These proactive measures reflect the country's adaptation to an escalating climate crisis following the devastation of the 2022 floods that submerged a third of Pakistan, claiming 1,700 lives and affecting 33 million people.Romina Khurshid Alam, the prime minister's climate coordinator, underscored that the situation is not only a financial challenge but a human rights issue. She advocated for climate justice, stating that developing nations struggling with climate impacts deserve a platform and support from those more responsible for the climate crisis. SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT INCREASES INTAKE OF STUDENTS FOR MEDICAL COLLEGES
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