This article is published in association with United Nations. As glaciers disappear at an alarming rate due to climate change, the UN General Assembly has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP). Co-facilitated by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this global initiative seeks to unite […]Climate emergency: 2025 declared international year of glaciers
January 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As glaciers disappear at an alarming rate due to climate change, the UN General Assembly has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP). Co-facilitated by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this global initiative seeks to unite […]UN rights expert calls for end to Russia’s crackdown on lawyers
January 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A UN independent human rights expert on Tuesday called for an end to Russia’s severe crackdown on the legal profession, condemning the prison sentences handed down to three lawyers last week who defended the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of […]EBRD achieves record mobilisation in 2024
January 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has been stepping up its private-sector mobilisation efforts to better support its clients and help its economies meet their investment needs. In 2024, the Bank delivered unprecedented volumes of financial mobilisation. Total mobilisation, a metric that includes private, […]Ceasefire in Gaza brings hope, but West Bank faces escalating violence
January 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The crisis in Gaza continues to remain acute, with UN humanitarians reporting critical shortages of water, food and efforts to deliver vital aid to the war-torn region. Meanwhile, escalating violence in the West Bank has further deepened concerns over civilian safety and access to assistance. The ceasefire […]EIB and Banco Desio to mobilise up to €400 million in financing to support innovative investments in small businesses and mid-caps
January 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banco Desio have announced an agreement worth a total of €200 million, in an aim to offer a new financing opportunity for innovative investments in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Italy totalling €400 million. The first €60 million tranche was […]UN regrets US exit from global cooperation on health, climate change agreement
January 22, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN agencies responded on Tuesday to President Trump’s executive orders ending US membership of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement, highlighting the massive potential negative impact on public health and efforts to curb global warming. “The WHO regrets the announcement […]Turning over a new leaf
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. Releaf Paper, the world’s first producer of 100 per cent leaf-based packaging, has grown from kitchen experiments to an international success in just six years. With offices in Kyiv and Paris, millions in investments and customers in 20 countries, the company’s groundbreaking technology is transforming the […]EBRD approves new food and agribusiness strategy
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved its new Food and Agribusiness Strategy 2025. The strategy outlines the Bank’s vision for the sustainable transformation of the agrifood sector amid the complexities of global food systems. The new 2025 strategy enhances and sharpens the Bank’s approach, considering the agrifood sector […]World News in Brief: Sudan famine latest, weekend attacks in Ukraine, Tanzania Marburg virus update
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
A UN aid convoy is on its way in southern Sudan to the strategically important city of Wad Madani, carrying food and nutrition supplies for families at risk of famine. In an alert on Monday, the World Food Programme (WFP) said that the trucks will be the first from the UN agency to reach Wad Madani in […]Sweden: City of Malmö to build thousands of energy-efficient homes with EIB financing of €225 million
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will lend the Swedish city of Malmö SEK 2.6 billion (around €225 million) to build energy-efficient homes. The project will add more than 1,500 apartments in the city while advancing European Union climate goals and helping Sweden achieve its own energy-efficiency […]Guterres urges support for the Middle East amid current ‘turbulent period’
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. With the Middle East undergoing “a period of profound transformation”, the international community must support efforts towards more justice, dignity, human rights and peace in the region, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday. António Guterres addressed the Council’s first quarterly debate on the Middle […]President Metsola: “Gaza ceasefire the breakthrough we all hoped for”
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. President Metsola opened the 20-23 January session by welcoming the Gaza ceasefire, noting the importance of EU-US relations, and marking the anniversary of the death of David Sassoli. Ceasefire in Gaza Reacting to the ceasefire agreement in Gaza that came into effect on Sunday, […]Commission registers European Citizens’ Initiative on the reuse and transformation of buildings
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission registered a European Citizens’ Initiative, entitled ‘HouseEurope! Power to Renovation’. The aim of the initiative is to create incentives for the renovation and transformation of existing buildings. The organisers call on the Commission to propose legislation incentivising the reuse of existing […]Commission welcomes the integration of the revised Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online into the Digital Services Act
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. e Commission and the European Board for Digital Services welcome the integration of the revised ‘Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online +’ into the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which encourages voluntary codes of conduct to tackle risks online. The […]Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry will be launched on 30 January
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. As announced by President Ursula von der Leyen to the European Parliament on November 27, 2024, the European Commission is launching a Strategic Dialogue with the European automotive industry, social partners and other key stakeholders on 30 January. This initiative underscores the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding […]Middle East crisis: Updates for 20 January; Guterres calls for ‘immediate action’ to protect civilians, release of all hostages
January 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Thanks for joining us: we’ve ended our live coverage of the Middle East crisis for today in New York, but you can follow the resumed session of the Security Council later. Here’s a recap of what you missed this morning. Production team: Daniel Johnson in Geneva and […]Record year for EBRD in Türkiye with €2.6 billion invested
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested a record €2.6 billion in Türkiye in 2024 – up from €2.5 billion in 2023 and €1.6 billion in 2022 – driven by the private sector’s appetite for the green transition and the Bank’s continuing support for […]Increase in climate-driven wildfires calls for more investment in prevention
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The deadly wildfires that have swept through the Los Angeles area, destroying whole communities and causing billions in damage, reveal why countries must invest more in stopping these devastating blazes before they start. It’s much needed, as wildfires are rapidly increasing in intensity, frequency and duration due […]EBRD sets an investment record in Central Asia
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has set a new operational record in Central Asia by investing €2.26 billion through 121 projects in six regional economies last year – almost doubling its annual investment in Central Asia compared with 2023. It also mobilised €784 […]New year sees uptick and expansion of fighting on Ukraine’s frontlines
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The recent holiday and New Year season brought no respite in Ukraine, but rather an escalation and even expansion of the fighting, consistent with developments in 2024, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs said in a briefing to the Security Council on Thursday. “Most disturbingly, in 2024 […]EBRD provides €5 million financing package to Union Bank in Albania
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting small businesses in Albania in partnership with Union Bank, the European Union (EU) and other donors. The Bank is lending €5 million to enhance the digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improve access to […]Relentless crisis in Haiti: One in eight children internally displaced
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The humanitarian crisis in Haiti has reached a critical point, with one in eight children now internally displaced due to escalating violence fuelled by armed groups who continue to control most of the capital, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The latest data reveals that over […]EBRD provides €50 million to boost energy efficiency in Kosovo’s public buildings
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is scaling up its support for energy efficiency in public buildings in Kosovo through a sovereign loan of up to €50 million to the Ministry of Finance. The loan is part of a project worth at least €86 […]Gaza ceasefire could boost aid deliveries to 600 trucks per day: WHO
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Amid reports that Israel’s security cabinet has given the green light to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) expressed cautious optimism on Friday over the potentially major boost to aid relief in the devastated enclave. “The target is to get between 500 […]Security Council briefed on challenges to peacekeeping in Lebanon, Syria
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Two senior UN peacekeeping officials briefed the Security Council on Friday on recent developments in Lebanon and the occupied Syrian Golan, and the challenges facing “blue helmets” serving there. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix was joined by Major General Patrick Gauchat, Head of the UN Truce […]In Lebanon, Guterres highlights challenges and support for peacekeepers
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Continuing his high profile visit to Lebanon, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday underscored the challenges faced by UN peacekeepers and reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces. His itinerary included a trip to Naqoura in the south – where the UN Interim Force […]Will those responsible for atrocities in Syria finally face justice?
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Hopes are rising that, with the support of the United Nations, the architects of the brutal former regime of Bashar al Assad in Syria will eventually be held accountable for their crimes. For years, UN human rights bodies have been documenting, monitoring and publishing reports on abuses, […]World News in Brief: Antisemitism action plan, DR Congo violence escalates, new migration movie, year of ‘peace and trust’
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN launched a new Action Plan on Friday that will enhance monitoring and response to antisemitism. The plan was announced by the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), a platform for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation. Miguel Ángel Moratinos called antisemitism – prejudice or hatred […]‘Lebanon is on the cusp of a more hopeful future’, says UN chief Guterres
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday expressed optimism for Lebanon’s future as he wrapped up a two-day solidarity visit with a call on the new government, the Lebanese people, and international community to “make the most of this atmosphere of opportunity”. “A window has opened paving the […]Guterres welcomes start of ceasefire in Gaza as UN ramps up food deliveries
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the start on Sunday of the ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, as UN humanitarian convoys brought in urgently needed food aid to begin pulling the war-ravaged territory back from starvation. “We stand ready to support this implementation and scale up the delivery […]As One Cycle Ends, Another Begins Amid Growing Divergence
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas We project global growth will remain steady at 3.3 percent this year and next, broadly aligned with potential growth that has substantially weakened since before the pandemic. Inflation is declining, to 4.2 percent this year and 3.5 percent next year, in a return to central bank […]Sudan war becomes more deadly as ethnically motivated attacks rise
January 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The conflict in Sudan is taking an “even more dangerous turn for civilians”, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday. His warning comes in the wake of reports that dozens were brutally killed in ethnically targeted attacks in Al Jazirah state in the […]EU provides €235 million humanitarian aid to Syrians
January 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission will provide new humanitarian support to Syrians, both inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, for an amount of €235 million for 2025. Following the collapse of the former government in Damascus, the EU is working at all levels to boost humanitarian […]
