Less than 17% of the Population in the Western Balkans does not use Internet
“Still unpublished latest edition of the RCC’s annual public and business survey for the Wester Balkans - Balkan Barometer 2020 shows that, as expected, internet was extensively used for…
Montenegro second Country in Europe to be free of active Coronavirus Cases
Last night, Montenegro became the second country in Europe to officially report they are free of active COVID-19 cases. Montenegro has now joined the Faroe Islandsas the only two…
Crisis Response is complicated by Complex Political Economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The emerging economies of southeastern Europe that are not part of the European Union, where incomes are lower, and social safety nets less developed, are particularly vulnerable to…
Over 100 Countries have reached out to the IMF for Help
Over 100 countries have reached out to the IMF for help to fight the pandemic—from Afghanistan to Nigeria to Haiti—with 50+ requests swiftly approved for a total of about US$18b.…
Millions of Children at risk of Diseases like Diphtheria, Measles and Polio amid COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID 19 is disrupting life-saving immunization services around the world, putting millions of children – in rich and poor countries alike – at risk of diseases like diphtheria, measles…
COVID-19 Pandemic Today reached a milestone in Africa with 100,000 Cases
The COVID-19 pandemic today reached a milestone in Africa, with more than 100 000 confirmed cases. The virus has now spread to every country in the continent since the first…
Smithsonian Science Education Center Launches New COVID-19 Guide for Youth
The Smithsonian Science Education Center, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)—a partnership of 140 national academies of science, engineering and medicine—has developed…
Mechanism Prosecutor confirms the Death of fugitive Augustin Bizimana
The Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor confirms today the death of Augustin Bizimana, one of the major fugitives alleged to have been a senior leader of the 1994 genocide…
EU is engaged in the preservation of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
On World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we celebrate cultural diversity in the European Union and underline its importance in fostering dialogue and respect between people…
EBRD and Partners launch SME equity Research Programme
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is launching a dedicated research programme in support of the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in selected countries where…
One of the World’s most wanted Fugitives Félicien Kabuga arrested
Félicien Kabuga – one of the world’s most wanted fugitives who is alleged to have been a leading figure in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda –…
Representatives of the Central Banks of the Western Balkans and Turkey met for Annual Dialogue
Representatives of the EU Member States, the Western Balkans and Turkey, the European Commission and the European Central Bank, as well as representatives of the central banks of the…
COVID-19 has pushed many Countries into Deep Recessions
The world is in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ensuing Great Lockdown, has pushed many countries into deep recessions—worse than during the 2008–09 global financial crisis.…
IMF Managing Director: Outlook is worse than our already Pessimistic Projection
“With the crisis still spreading, the outlook is worse than our already pessimistic projection. Without medical solutions on a global scale, for many economies a more adverse development…
Montenegro: Have health order “mass violations” jeopardised the country’s coronavirus recovery?
Montenegro could be one of the first countries in Europe to become free of active coronavirus cases, but mass breaches of public health orders earlier in the week may…
European States must do more to address the Challenges faced by young LGBTI Persons
European states must do more to address the specific challenges faced by young LGBTI persons, especially in times of crisis, said Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić…
COVID-19 Pandemic is highlighting the need to urgently increase Investment in Services for Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the need to urgently increase investment in services for mental health or risk a massive increase in mental health conditions in the coming months,…
The need to control the Pandemic in the whole World is urgent
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Carissa F. Etienne, called on countries to address health, social and economic emergencies, saying she is “deeply concerned” by the…
People living longer and healthier lives but COVID-19 threatens to throw progress off track
All over the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant loss of life, disrupting livelihoods, and threatening the recent advances in health and progress towards global development goals…
Smallpox Eradication also offers hope for efforts to eliminate other Infectious Diseases
On 8 May 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly officially declared: ‘The world and all its peoples have won freedom from smallpox.’ The declaration marked the end of…
Fontelles: 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration offers a Chance to reflect on what European Integration means
On 9 May, we mark Europe Day. The 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration offers a chance to reflect on what European integration means and on the EU’s…
Faroe Islands: First Place in Europe to Have No More Active Coronavirus Cases
As of this morning, the Faroe Islands in the Northeast Atlantic, is the first place in Europe to confirm there are no more active cases of COVID-19. The Faroe…
ROMACTED Programme has mobilised significant Financial and Human Resources in the Western Balkans
Following the outbreak of the pandemic virus, the ROMACTED Programme has mobilised significant financial and human resources in the participating municipalities to adequately respond to the crisis and to…
UK Political Coordinator the UN: We’ve been pleased to see the Problems of Blockages in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be overcome
"As the High Representative makes clear, Bosnia and Herzegovina, like nearly every other country, is battling the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been impressed with the discipline and solidarity shown…
WHO: Up to 190 000 people could die of COVID-19 in Africa if not controlled
Eighty-three thousand to 190 000 people in Africa could die of COVID-19 and 29 million to 44 million could get infected in the first year of the pandemic…
EBRD boosting Finance and Reform Support to help Western Balkans fight Coronavirus
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is planning a sharp rise in financing for the Western Balkans this year and has stepped up support for reforms to…
EU reaffirms the need to pay Special Attention to the growing Impact of the Pandemic on all Human Rights
The coronavirus pandemic impacts every country and region of the world and every aspect of our lives. It has reminded us how interconnected we are. Nobody will be safe…
Connectedness of the Dutch Economy Leads to Lower GDP Growth Forecast
The GDP growth forecasts for the Netherlands issued by the IMF in its April 2020 World Economic Outlook (WEO) surprised many, not only for the large negative 2020 number itself, but…
The Commission registered 7.4 Billion Euros for universal Deployment of Treatments and Caccines against Coronavirus
Today, the Commission registered €7.4 billion, equivalent to $8 billion, in pledges from donors worldwide during the Coronavirus Global Response pledging event. This includes a pledge of €1.4 billion…
WHO welcomes Innovations around the World including repurposing Drugs for COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes innovations around the world including repurposing drugs, traditional medicines and developing new therapies in the search for potential treatments for COVID-19. WHO recognizes…
International Monetary Fund has 1 Trillion US Dollars lending Capacity
Exceptional times call for exceptional action. In many ways, there has been a ‘response like no other’ from the IMF’s membership. Governments all over the world have taken unprecedented…
OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls on States to let Journalists work freely without Fear
In a video message published on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, called on participating States throughout the…
Seven confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in the South of Yemen
To date, there are seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the south of Yemen, including two deaths, as declared by national authorities. No other cases have been officially reported…
Borrell: Essential Role of Journalism in upholding Freedom of Expression in Democratic Societies
On World Press Freedom Day, we pay tribute to the essential role of journalism in upholding online and offline freedom of expression in democratic societies and fostering transparency…
How to address the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the most vulnerable?
How to address the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for the most vulnerable in our societies, especially for human trafficking victims and survivors, is the focus of a…
World Health Organization reports fivefold increase in Cyber Attacks
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has seen a dramatic increase in the number of cyber attacks directed at its staff, and email scams targeting the public…
Director of the Pan American Health Organization urges Vaccination Programs to continue during the COVID-19
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, today urged for vaccination programs to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. “If we fall behind on routine…
WHO calls on Countries to ensure that Immunization is maintained wherever possible
Countries across the WHO European Region are utilizing guidance from WHO/Europe to include immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) as an essential health service during the current COVID-19 pandemic. WHO…
WHO publishes Key Considerations for the gradual easing of the Lockdown Restrictions
WHO/Europe has published key considerations for the gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions introduced by many countries in response to the spread of COVID-19 across the European Region. The…
Mechanism has been closely following Developments in each of the Countries where its Branches are
Since the confirmation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mechanism has been closely following developments in each of the countries where its branches and field offices are located, as well…
Borell: Multilateralism is the only Effective Way to face a Threat with which no Country can cope on its own
Today, we celebrate the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. As we tackle the biggest global health crisis of our generation, the European Union reaffirms its longstanding commitment to international cooperation and…
WTO and IMF concerned with the Decline in the Supply of trade Finance
As our members grapple with their response to the global health and economic crisis, we call for more attention to the role of open trade policies in defeating the…
WHO urges Countries to move quickly to save Lives from Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa
Severe disruptions to insecticide-treated net campaigns and in access to antimalarial medicines could lead to a doubling in the number of malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa this year compared…
WHO: Hard fought gains in Immunization Coverage at Risk without critical Health Services
Shutting down immunization services in the COVID-19 pandemic risks triggering a resurgence of diseases that can be prevented with safe and effective vaccines, warns the World Health Organization in…
Across the World, Financial Conditions have tightened Dramatically
Challenging times for emerging markets The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted the global economy at every level. Across the world, financial conditions have tightened dramatically, with unprecedented portfolio outflows…
United States has provided 1.2 Million US Dollars to Bosnia and Herzegovina
USAID Director in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms. Nancy J. Eslick and UNICEF Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina dr. Rownak Khan, handed over today 44 phones and 44 tablets to…
Telecommunication Companies to text People directly on their Mobile Phones with vital Health Messaging
The World Health Organization, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with support from UNICEF are set to work with telecommunication companies to text people directly on their mobile phones with…
Borell Fontelles: these are Testing or even Existential Times for the European Union
It is now more than a month that the coronavirus has Europe in its grip. While every day we work flat out to address the crisis in all…
When the COVID-19 Outbreak is over, we can’t simply “go back to normal”
Over the last few centuries – and especially in recent decades – humankind has made great progress in becoming more compassionate, valuing justice and freedom, and promoting and safeguarding…
ILO and EBRD joining Forces in face of Coronavirus Pandemic
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are joining forces to respond to the coronavirus crisis in the Western Balkans by advising national…