From the war in Ukraine to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, passing through the Winter Olympics in Beijing and the new images of space offered by the James Webb telescope, the year 2022 has seen all the colors on the international scene. Here’s what 2023 has in store for us across the map.
February 24, 2023 will mark the sad first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which still does not seem to be running out of steam. The conflict, which lasts much longer than expected, has claimed tens of thousands of victims – soldiers and civilians – and forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homes. This war notably triggered a major energy crisis in Europe, whose gas supply was largely dependent on Russia. It has forced countries to question the global energy balance.
Protests sparked in Iran by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was arrested by vice squad in September for breaking the dress code are set to persist into 2023. The movement, which has turned into a reclaiming of rights , questions the Islamic Republic. Already nearly 450 people have lost their lives taking part in these demonstrations and a dozen have been sentenced to death for their participation.
After the controversial removal of the right to abortion in the United States in 2022, the United States Supreme Court will have to rule on a law in Colorado which currently prevents a company from refusing to offer a service because of race, orientation sex or religion. Indeed, an American wedding website creator, who opposes same-sex marriages, has appealed to justice arguing that this anti-discrimination law violates her freedom of expression. The Court will have to make a decision before June 2023, according to Reuters.
On May 6, 2023, King Charles III will be officially crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, which will host around 2,200 guests from around the world. In total, several hundred million viewers should also watch the event from their living room, according to the BBC. This will likely cause some friction from the side of the royal family, while a hostile reception could be in store for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, who continue to sow controversy with their new series on Netflix.
Many sporting events will be held all over the globe, to the delight of fans who will be able to wear the colors of their favorite teams. Notably, the Canadian team will participate in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand.
The year 2023 should also see the 40th anniversary of the “Gay Games”, hosted this year by Hong Kong and Guadalajara, Mexico, in November. Every four years, this sports competition is open to everyone, members of the LGBTQ community or not.
A very first wooden satellite designed by a Japanese aerospace company should head for space in 2023. If the experiment proves a feat, this satellite would greatly reduce the amount of space debris. Unlike aluminum ones, these wooden satellites would burn without releasing hazardous substances into the atmosphere or causing a rain of debris upon their return to Earth. The launch has been postponed several times since its initial date, in November 2021.
The economic, geopolitical and energy crises that shook the world will likely continue to impact the global economy in 2023. The sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, combined with a new balance in the supply of food and gas, have caused the highest inflation rates for several countries since the 1980s, according to The Economist. An increase in prices and a drop in purchasing power, added to a rebalancing of the supply of goods and services, could cause a recession in several countries, i.e. a drop in gross domestic product over a given period. .
