WHO reveals leading causes of death and disability worldwide: 2000-2019
Noncommunicable diseases now make up 7 of the world’s top 10 causes of death, according to WHO’s 2019 Global Health Estimates, published today. This is an increase from 4 of…
RCC, UNDP launch an Initiative for Women’s Economic Empowerment
The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be launching an initiative, 'Women’s Economic Empowerment: Areas for joint actions in the Western Balkans', aiming to…
Today it is more important than ever to recall that Human Rights are universal
On 10 December, we celebrate Human Rights Day. This day deserves our attention as it marks the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Today it is…
EU adopts a Global Human Rights sanctions regime
The Council today adopted a decision and a regulation establishing a global human rights sanctions regime. For the first time, the EU is equipping itself with a framework that will…
UN and Partners release Record Humanitarian Aid Response Plan as COVID-19 wreaks Havoc
The shock of COVID-19 has pushed the number of people who need humanitarian assistance worldwide to a record high – up by 40 per cent compared to the same time…
Council of Europe starts ROMACTED Phase II Programme in the Western Balkans and Turkey
Within the framework of the Joint European Union/ Council of Europe Programme ROMACTED Phase II on “Promoting good governance and Roma empowerment at local level”, the Call for Proposals for the…
During the coronavirus pandemic the level of gender-based violence increased significantly
In early 2020, Awa had just turned 15 years old when she heard that her marriage was being arranged. Escaping it seemed difficult, but Awa found the courage to defy…
How a Collective Infrastructure Push Will Boost Global Growth
With vaccines around the corner, there is increased hope that the pandemic could soon be under better control. That said, the need for cooperative efforts to work toward a better…
Georgieva: News on Vaccines provides hope of a durable end to this Crisis
Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today at the conclusion of the Fifth “1+6” Roundtable convened by the Chinese authorities: “I…
Team Europe steps up Delivery to its COVID-19 Recovery Package up to €38.5 Billion for Partner Countries
Half of Team’s Europe global recovery package to help partners address the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased to €38.5 billion, has already been disbursed, showing the EU is delivering on…
“#OxfordVaccine is 70.4% Effective”, Interim Data Shows
Oxford University released an announcement on the efficacy of its candidate coronavirus vaccine today, saying the findings indicate they have a vaccine “that will save many lives.” On their official…
World Leaders join Forces to fight the accelerating crisis of antimicrobial Resistance
The heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the World Health Organization (WHO) today launched the new…
WHO urges greater COVID-19 vigilance in Africa as holidays near
With the end of year approaching and many African families planning get-togethers, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to be on high alert for a possible surge in…
EU Ambassadors’ Conference 2020: “The EU needs to practice the language of power, not just speak it”
This afternoon, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, addressed EU ambassadors in the closing session of the 2020 EU Ambassadors’ conference.…
US President-elect Joe Biden will be much warmer and more respectful of European Allies
The US President-elect Joe Biden will be much warmer and more respectful of European allies, which will create a better working atmosphere, but the fact is that relations between the…
COVID-19 Pandemic has brought hidden, dangerous knock-on Effects for Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to key health services in Africa, raising worries that some of the continent’s major health challenges could worsen. The preliminary analysis…
90 Million People likely to fall into extreme Poverty this Year as a Result of the Pandemic
The COVID-19 crisis has devastated people’s lives, jobs, and businesses. Governments have taken forceful measures to cushion the blow, totaling a staggering $12 trillion globally. These lifelines have saved…
Borrell-Jourova: Inside Europe, We are committed to Improving the Working Environment for Journalists
”Journalists play a fundamental role in the functioning of democracies, in ensuring accountability of those in power, and in providing timely and factual information. They help shed light on hidden issues and help us understand the world’s complexities.…
Borrell: We need more Inclusive Peace and Security in the World
On the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, we celebrate a turning point in the way the international community has…
How COVID-19 Will Increase Inequality in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies
Emerging markets and developing economies grew consistently in the two decades before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, allowing for much-needed gains in poverty reduction and life expectancy. The crisis now…
Historic Delay: Arctic Sea Still not Freezing
Despite nearing the end of October, the Arctic Sea ice still hasn’t commenced freezing—a first since records began. For the first time in recorded history, the ice in the…
Pandemic Persistence Clouds Latin America and Caribbean Recovery
COVID-19 has hit Latin America and the Caribbean harder than other parts of the world, both in human and economic terms. The relatively large human toll is evident: with only…
Reforms have the Potential to be Transformative by making cross-border Payments Cheaper
When paying for coffee, we swipe, tap, wave, and soon may wink—a quick and painless exchange of coffee for money. But when paying for imports or sending remittances, we often…
Borrell: EU and the UN are Natural Partners who have been working Hand in Hand for Peace
On 24 October, the European Union turns blue to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. We celebrate a moment that turned the course of history: when…
Mechanism: Through ad hoc Tribunals, the UN immensely strengthened International Justice
As Principals of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), we are proud to join the international community in marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Charter of the…
Obesity significantly increases Chances of severe Outcomes for COVID-19 Patients
Obesity can significantly increase the chances of severe outcomes for patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). To raise awareness of this linkage and to discuss the latest academic research of…
Mechanism launches Lectures on International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
Judge Carmel Agius, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), on Friday launched the second cycle of the Mechanism’s Inter-University Video Lecture Programme (Programme) by delivering…
World Health Organization approved antigen-based Rapid Diagnostic Tests
The roll-out of new, World Health Organization (WHO) approved antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests for the novel coronavirus in Africa will significantly boost testing capacity and marks a game-changer in…
President Agius updated the UN General Assembly on Judicial Developments in Mladic and Stanisic Cases
President Carmel Agius today presented the eighth Annual Report of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) to the United Nations General Assembly. The President commenced by congratulating…
IMF: A Tentative Global Economic Recovery is underway
”A tentative global economic recovery is underway, supported by extraordinary macroeconomic policy responses. But the recovery is partial, uneven, and marked by significant uncertainty, with the pandemic continuing to…
Call on UN Member States to support the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty
Today, on the World and European Day Against the Death Penalty, the European Union and the Council of Europe reaffirm their opposition to the use of capital…
COVID-19 Pandemic is increasing Demand for Mental Health Services
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing, according to a new WHO…
International Monetary Fund approved Tranche of Debt Service Relief for 28 Member Countries
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved on October 2, 2020 a second six-month tranche of debt service relief for 28 member countries under the Catastrophe…
Small and medium-sized Enterprises are handicapped by limited Access to Credit
Small and medium-sized enterprises dominate the business landscape in the Middle East and North Africa region. These enterprises account for more than 90 percent of the region’s businesses and,…
IMF: Field of Economics has been far from immune from Discrimination and Racism
"The recent widespread protests in the United States and across the world against police brutality and systemic racism have stirred our collective conscience. As staff working in a multilateral…
Around 14% of COVID-19 Cases reported to WHO are among Health Workers
The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on governments and health care leaders to address persistent threats to the health and safety of health workers and patients. “The COVID-19 pandemic…
Single European Sky: for a more sustainable and resilient air traffic management
Today, the European Commission is proposing an upgrade of the Single European Sky regulatory framework which comes on the heels of the European Green Deal. The objective is to…
Michel: The Challenges of the Future are not exactly the same as those of 1945
”Seventy-five years of the Charter of the United Nations. But rather than looking back, I want to look forward 75 years, to 2095. My youngest daughter, Lucie, will be…
The Commission signs Second Contract to ensure Access to a potential Vaccine
Today, a second contract with a pharmaceutical company entered into force following the contract’s formal signature between Sanofi-GSK and the Commission. The contract will allow all EU Member States…
Commission calls on Member States to develop joint Approach to 5G Rollout
Today, the Commission takes further steps in the Digital Decade agenda to strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty, as announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address on Wednesday. The…
EU works on Enhancing the Capabilities of WB Preparedness for and Response to Radiological Emergency
Although having no operational nuclear power plants at their territory, Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) could nevertheless be affected by nuclear releases…
Shutdown of Economy in April due to COVID-19 has had a higher cost for Women than Men
Japan’s voluntary month-and-a-half shutdown of the economy in April due to COVID-19 has had a higher cost for women than men. A key reason: a “guilt gap” between women…
EBRD and Women 20 call on G20 Members to mainstream Gender Equality
G20 Leaders should put women at the heart of all immediate and long-term post-Covid-19 recovery efforts, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Women 20 (W20), the…
Number of Global under-five Deaths dropped to its lowest Point
The number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in 2019 – down to 5.2 million from 12.5 million in 1990, according to new mortality estimates released…
EBRD to boost Raiffeisen Bank Albania’s lending capacity
Businesses in Albania will have better access to finance thanks to a risk-sharing facility of up to €50 million signed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)…
ODIHR opens limited Election Observation Mission in Kyrgyzstan
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened a limited election observation mission (LEOM) for the 4 October parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, following an invitation…
Pljevlja’s Former Head Imam Documents Hate Vandalism in Northern Montenegro on Facebook
The former head imam in Pljevlja, Montenegro has been sharing photographs this week depicting anti-Bosniak vandalism on his Facebook account amid incidences of attack on Bosniaks in the…
The Pandemic is straining Economic and Social fault lines: the only remedy is international Cooperation
An infected passenger flies from Wuhan to Milan, a computer virus invades an internet connection, subprime defaults in the US Midwest trigger a global economic crisis. The super-spreaders of…
IMF elects New Director of the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department
Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced today her intention to name Ms. Ceyla Pazarbasioglu as Director of the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department.…
172 Countries engaged in Discussions to potentially participate in COVAX
172 economies are now engaged in discussions to potentially participate in COVAX, a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine manufacturers to provide countries worldwide equitable access to safe…
