Debt Relief for the poorest Countries Critical in Fight against COVID-19
“COVID-19 is generating an unprecedented global economic crisis. And as we witness in all such crises, this economic destruction is cruelly and unequally distributed. “For the world’s poorest countries,…
Number of confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Africa has risen to more than 10,000
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has risen to more than 10 000 and caused more than 500 deaths. While the virus was slow to reach the…
Persistent Roma Inequality increases COVID-19 Risk
Overcrowding and poor access to sanitation have long blighted Roma communities across Europe. On the eve of International Roma Day, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the…
FIFA encourage People to be Healthy At Home as the World comes Together in the fight against COVID-19
FIFA has joined forces with the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in supporting the #BeActive campaign launched on the UN International Day of Sport for…
It is Time to think about Life after COVID-19 as the Time doesn’t wait for Anyone
In this article it is not going to be predicted about the future as that can be done by great predictors and analysts. One thing has become clear, that,…
Miroslav Lajcák appointed as EU Special Representative for Western Balkan Regional Issues
The Council today appointed Mr. Miroslav Lajčák as EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues. The tasks of the new EU Special Representative…
Health Crisis will have a significant Economic Fallout, reflecting Shocks to Supply and Demand
This health crisis will have a significant economic fallout, reflecting shocks to supply and demand different from past crises. Substantial targeted policies are needed to support the economy…
Mechanism has been closely following Developments in each of Countries where its Field Offices are located
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…
Obligation to combat the Exploitation of Vulnerable People becomes most acute
Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, today issued the following statement, in co-ordination with Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship, to the OSCE participating States…
Protection from domestic Violence urgently needed for Women and Children under stay-at-home Orders
Noting a troubling rise in domestic violence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and self-isolation guidelines in many countries, OSCE leaders called today for measures to be taken…
EU mobilises immediate Support for its Western Balkan Partners to tackle Coronavirus
As part of the global response to the coronavirus outbreak, the European Commission has announced up to €38 million in immediate support for the Western Balkans to tackle the…
Is Structure key to maintaining a sense of Normalcy during Coronavirus Pandemic in the World?
Parents and children are facing major life disruptions with the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). School closures, physical distancing, it’s a lot to take in and it’s difficult for…
OSCE urges Public Officials in Slovenia to refrain from Pressure on Independence of public Broadcaster
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today regarding the accusations against, and pressure on, the public service broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVS), by…
COVID-19 has struck Europe with stunning Ferocity
COVID-19 has struck Europe with stunning ferocity. While we do not know how long the crisis will last, we know that the economic impact will be severe. In Europe’s…
A Global Approach is the only Way to fight COVID-19
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today launched a $2 billion coordinated global humanitarian response plan to fight COVID-19 in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries in a bid to…
Deadline for nominations for Max van der Stoel Award 2020 extended
The deadline for receiving nominations for the Max van der Stoel Award 2020 has been extended to 30 April 2020. The award of 50,000 euros recognizes extraordinary and…
WHO Director-General calls on G20 to unite against Coronavirus
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, addressed Heads of State at today’s extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit focused on COVID-19. He told them, “You have come…
WHO, UN Foundation launch COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
A new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Solidarity Response Fund will raise money from a wide range of donors to support the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to…
Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust makes $200 Million available for the world’s Poorest Countries
In direct response to the COVID-19 crisis the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has adopted some immediate enhancements to its Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) to enable…
Strong and coordinated Policy Actions needed to resolve this Global Crisis
International Monetary and Financial Committee Chair Lesetja Kganyago and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva issued the following statement following today’s conference call of the International Monetary and…
Growing Presence of COVID‑19 in sub-Saharan Africa threatens enormous Human Costs
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…
Coronavirus Outbreak to have Severe Consequences for Population living in extreme Poverty
The World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund have issued the following joint statement to the G20 concerning debt relief for the poorest countries: The coronavirus outbreak is likely…
OSCE offers Recommendations on short-term Responses to COVID-19 that support Social Cohesion
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier has prepared recommendations for governments to consider in their efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. Based on the experience of…
IMF is Launching a Tracker of Policies Governments are Taking in Response to COVID-19
Governments around the world are taking decisive steps to limit the human and economic impact of COVID-19. Many countries have taken extraordinary monetary and fiscal policy measures. “These measures…
IMF Executive Board Approves 1.3 billion Dollars Extended Arrangement
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today approved a 48-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with Jordan for an amount equivalent to SDR 926.37…
Borell: COVID-19 Crisis is not a War but it is ‘war-like’ in that it requires the Mobilisation
The COVID-19 crisis is not a war but it is ‘war-like’ in that it requires the mobilisation and direction of resources at unprecedented levels. Solidarity between countries and…
Five Steps to kicking out Coronavirus
FIFA, the international governing body of football, and the World Health Organization (WHO) have teamed up to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) by launching a new awareness campaign led by…
OSCE: Сoronavirus Response should not impede the Work of the Media
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about recent interferences regarding media content by the media regulatory agency in Russia, Roskomnadzor, in…
Désir expressed his Concerns about Provisions of the Coronavirus Response Draft Bill in Hungary
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about provisions of the coronavirus response draft bill in Hungary that could negatively impact…
IMF: Human Costs of the Coronavirus Pandemic are already immeasurable
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva made the following statement today following a conference call of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors: “The human costs of the…
COVID-19 is highlighting how vulnerable People with Lung Diseases and weakened Immune Systems can be
New World Health Organization (WHO) guidance will help countries accelerate efforts to stop people with tuberculosis (TB) infection becoming sick with TB by giving them preventive treatment. A quarter…
Impact of COVID-19 and the Oil Price Plunge in the Middle East
The impact of COVID-19 and the oil price plunge in the Middle East and the Caucasus and Central Asia has been substantial and could intensify. With three-quarters of…
OSCE Mission in Kosovo condemn violent Attack against Journalists
The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned the physical attack that was reported…
In Europe and in the World, all Minds are focused on Actions to tackle the Outbreak of COVID-19
In Europe and in the world, all minds are focused on actions to tackle the outbreak of COVID-19 and mitigate the effects of the crisis. The European Union works…
Blunting the Impact and Hard Choices: Early Lessons from China
The impact of the coronavirus is having a profound and serious impact on the global economy and has sent policymakers looking for ways to respond. China’s experience so far…
IMF Announces Expedited Appointment of Geoffrey Okamoto as First Deputy Managing Director
The IMF Executive Board has approved the expedited appointment of Mr. Geoffrey Okamoto as First Deputy Managing Director, effective March 19, 2020. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva originally proposed…
Observers were predicting that Human Population was too big and would soon strip the World of Resources
Demographic change is having a fundamental impact on the global economy—but not in the way we once thought it would. A mere five decades ago, some observers…
The World is undergoing a major Demographic Upheaval
“Demography is destiny” is an oft-cited phrase that suggests the size, growth, and structure of a nation’s population determines its long-term social, economic, and political fabric. The…
Borell: to strengthen Coordination among Member States to help EU Citizens who are currently outside EU
High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell, supported by the EEAS, the Commission and EU Delegations around the world, is leading the work to strengthen coordination among Member States to help…
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media condemns Brutal Attack on Journalist Angelov
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned today the brutal attack on Bulgarian journalist Slavi Angelov, editor of the weekly newspaper and related website “168 chasa”, in Sofia.…
Kasprzyk: spread of COVID-19 has led to the Closure of International Borders
The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, has issued the following statement: “The ongoing situation following…
It took more than 50,000 Years for World Population to reach 1 billion People
“Demography is destiny” is an oft-cited phrase that suggests the size, growth, and structure of a nation’s population determines its long-term social, economic, and political fabric. The phrase…
Montenegro is taking Serious Precautions while still Remaining Coronavirus-Free
Despite Montenegro still remaining a coronavirus-free state as of Tuesday amid the global pandemic, the country is taking serious precautionary measures to prevent disease spread, with supermarkets elevating…
ODIHR Election Observation Activities temporarily limited as Health Risks increase
Election observation activities of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are being temporarily limited in some places, as countries around the OSCE region restrict cross-border…
History Class: Al Seeb Market is One of the Historical and old Markets
Al Seeb Market or (Seeb Bazar) can be considered one of the historical and old markets in the Sultanate. Once you enter the market, the first shops on the…
IMF stands ready to mobilize its $1 Trillion Lending Capacity
Today, the IMF published a set of policy recommendations that can help guide countries in the difficult days ahead. What more needs to be done? Three action areas for the global…
Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions postpone Round because of COVID-19
After carefully reviewing circumstances related to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), UN Representative Cihan Sultanoglu, Special Representative of the…
Montenegro is the Only Coronavirus-Free Nation in Europe
Montenegro currently remains the only European nation without a single confirmed case of the coronavirus which has become a global pandemic and infected over 150,000 people worldwide and killed…
EU renews Sanctions to Ukraine for a further 6 Months
The Council today decided that current sanctions in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine should be extended for a further six…
WHO, UN launch first-of-its-kind COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
A new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Solidarity Response Fund will raise money from a wide range of donors to support the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners…
