Snake, Sachs and SEA: Messages for the New Year

WHAT do the Year of the Snake, Prof Jeff Sachs and South-East Asia have in common?

First, a bit of background.

Wednesday (Jan 29) sees the start of the Chinese New Year of the Snake – specifically, the Wood Snake.

According to The Great Race – the ancient folklore and legend of how the snake got its place in the Chinese Zodiac – the snake is traditionally associated with cunning, strategy and smarts.

The Wood Snake, particularly, is considered adaptable, patient and resourceful, often approaching challenges with careful planning and long-term vision.

Jeff Sachs is a world-renowned Columbia University economist, a Sir Jeffrey Cheah distinguished professor at Sunway University, as well as president of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

A prominent figure with a sizable following for speaking up against oppression, most recently the atrocities in Gaza, Prof Sachs was in Malaysia in mid-January and met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

At the recent SDSN Asean Workshop, he delivered a speech titled "Global Developments and their Implications for Sustainability" where he highlighted several key messages. More on those later.

South-East Asia, for this column, will be referred to interchangeably with Asean, and maybe also because I need another "S" word for the alliterative heading of this column.

Anyway, Snake, Sachs and South-East Asia – let's bring them together Sss-ynergistically.

Message 1: Greater need for ethical leadership and resilience

Past Snake years have often been marked by transformative events, shaping the global landscape.

Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869 (Earth Snake) and led India to its independence.

In 2013 (Water Snake), Pope Francis' ascension ushered in a new era for the Catholic Church, emphasising humility and social justice – values that align with the need for ethical leadership in today’s complex world.

Just like Prof Sachs, he has called out world leaders for their failure to do more for Gazans.

Similarly, in 1965 (Wood Snake), the US Voting Rights Act was a landmark in the fight for equality, demonstrating the importance of resilience and long-term vision in pursuing social progress.

Prof Sachs stressed the importance of leadership guided by values, pointing to examples from Europe, where strong social welfare systems have contributed to greater equity; and contrasted this with widening inequalities in other parts of the world.

In this regard, he called for Asean countries to integrate ethical considerations into their economic and social strategies to ensure sustainable and just development.

Message 2: Embrace multipolarity and diplomacy

The Metal Snake year of 2001 saw the tragic 9/11 attacks, which drastically altered global security and international relations, especially between Western and Muslim nations.

The end of the Korean War in 1953 (Water Snake) showcased how diplomacy could pave the way for stability but with the trade-off being families separated for decades, spanning generations.

In his speech, Prof Sachs highlighted how the world is transitioning from Western-dominated geopolitics to a multipolar landscape, with China, India and other emerging economies asserting their influence.

He cited the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as an example of China’s strategic economic diplomacy which could transform global trade and connectivity, benefitting the masses.

Notwithstanding US President Donald Trump’s isolationist America-first approach and rejection of multipolarity, Prof Sachs reminds us that Asean – under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s 2025 chairmanship – can position itself as a neutral and strategic hub, balancing relationships with major powers while being the voice of multiversity and multiculturalism, examples of which the world sorely needs.

Message 3: The environment is struggling

The 1989 (Earth Snake) Exxon Valdez oil spill – one of the worst environmental disasters in history – is a reminder of the environmental damage human activities can cause and the urgent need for responsible corporate behaviour.

In 2013 (Water Snake) we saw Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, causing massive destruction in the Philippines.

The lessons from this disaster continue to inform today's sustainability strategies, with Prof Sachs emphasising the importance of coordinated climate action.

He stressed that Asean must take a proactive approach to climate resilience, citing China’s significant investments in large-scale infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail and renewable energy solutions.

He praised regional efforts like the Asean Power Grid but urged further cooperation in areas such as carbon pricing, sustainable urban planning, and disaster preparedness.

He warned that without decisive action, climate disasters will continue to exacerbate economic vulnerabilities.

Message 4: Innovation and technology will transform lives

Snake years have also been marked by major technological advancements that have reshaped societies.

Apple Inc was founded in 1977 (Fire Snake), and went on to revolutionise the tech industry with the Macintosh and subsequently iMacs and iPhones.

It was also the year the original Star Wars came out!

Similarly, the 1953 (Water Snake) discovery of DNA’s structure transformed medicine and biotechnology, underscoring the importance of investing in research and development to tackle global challenges.

On innovation and technology, Prof Sachs spoke extensively on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and automation, highlighting how Asean countries must invest in digital literacy and infrastructure to remain competitive.

He also emphasised, however, the need for ethical AI governance to address challenges such as job displacement and data privacy.

The path forward: Wisdom 2025

As we enter the Year of the Wood Snake in 2025, the world faces challenges that demand wisdom, patience, and strategic foresight.

With Trump’s return to the White House, AI potentially achieving “General Intelligence”, the rise of right-wing fanaticism, and the continued crises caused by climate change, the coming year will be pivotal in shaping the future.

The Year of the Snake therefore calls for calculated moves, careful planning, and a clear vision – much like the strategies Prof Sachs advocates for a sustainable and inclusive future.

By drawing lessons from past Snake years and heeding Prof Sachs' roadmap, this can be a year of meaningful transformation and progress for Asean and beyond, and more importantly, the people.

Wishing all readers a Happy and Ssssuperb Chinese New Year!

Danial Rahman

Danial Rahman has education close to his heart. He tweets at @danial_ari and welcomes feedback at [e-mail]. https://twitter.com/danial_ari