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…
Security-intelligence Activities at the time of Covid-19 Pandemic
Global epidemic caused by the coronavirus will inform major changes in international relations, and even internal political relations in majority of countries in the world. Some analysts have started to speak…
Highly unusual Combination in Israel of an extended Political Crisis, multiple Security Challenges during Coronavirus Pandemic
A seminar at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) on political and security implications of the corona crisis underscored the prevalent uncertainty regarding the situation, but also highlighted several…
IMF to employ all available Policy Tools to protect Jobs and restore Growth
"We express our deepest sympathies for the loss of human lives caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our urgent collective task is to mitigate the health and economic impact that…
Creator of ‘Share Your Smile’ Global Movement speaks exclusively for Sarajevo Times
Robertino Rodriguez, a respiratory therapist in San Diego, California has started a global movement among frontline healthcare workers battling the coronavirus pandemic. There are currently 28,142 confirmed cases of…
Inclusion and not hatred needed to overcome the Common Crisis
It is only through the strength of our diversity that we will overcome the health crisis we are facing as well as the economic and social challenges likely to…
Lockdown has Changed Women in Western Europe
COVID-19 has killed over 92,000 people across Europe, and total cases of infection throughout the continent passed one million yesterday. Spain is the second most affected country in the…
Measures necessary to contain the Coronavirus have triggered an Economic Downturn in almost all Countries
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented human and health crisis. The measures necessary to contain the virus have triggered an economic downturn. At this point, there is great uncertainty…
The Great Lockdown: Worst Economic Downturn Since the Great Depression
The world has changed dramatically in the three months since our last update of the World Economic Outlook in January. A rare disaster, a coronavirus pandemic, has resulted in a tragically…
IMF Executive Board approved Relief on Debt Service for 25 Member Countries
The Executive Board today approved relief on debt service for 25 member countries that are eligible for support from the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT); a further 4…
Staying safe during season of religious and cultural events, amid the COVID-19 outbreak
For millions of people across the Western Pacific Region, this season of religious events and cultural festivities will be dramatically different, as governments discourage or ban large gatherings and…
WHO: Alcohol does not protect against COVID-19; access should be restricted during Lockdown
Alcohol is known to be harmful to health in general, and is well understood to increase the risk of injury and violence, including intimate partner violence, and can cause…
growinPresence of COVID‑19 in sub-Saharan Africa threatens the same Human Costs as elsewhere
The growing presence of COVID‑19 in sub-Saharan Africa threatens the same human costs as elsewhere in the world. The economic costs could be just as devastating. Sweeping measures For…
