This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. In the face of soaring energy prices, many households across the Western Balkans are searching for ways to lower their heating and electricity bills. The EBRD is working with local partner banks and donors to provide financing to households and housing associations, supporting investment in energy-saving […]Supporting a Serbian housing association through the GEFF programme
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. In the face of soaring energy prices, many households across the Western Balkans are searching for ways to lower their heating and electricity bills. The EBRD is working with local partner banks and donors to provide financing to households and housing associations, supporting investment in energy-saving […]Ukraine: EIB and Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation strengthen efforts to safeguard EU bank investments and fight fraud and corruption
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in combating potential fraud and corruption involving European Union-backed investments in Ukraine. Signed by EIB Inspector General Monique Koning, General Counsel José Maria Fernández Martin […]Bulgaria gets €250 million EIB loan to co-finance EU-backed projects
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending Bulgaria €250 million to co-finance EU-backed projects and accelerate development in areas ranging from energy efficiency and water to transport and research. The loan is for projects that will strengthen the Bulgarian economy, bolster competitiveness and enhance the country’s […]Italy: EIB provides €100 million for Marcegaglia’s decarbonisation and innovation strategy
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Today the European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced €100 million in financing for Marcegaglia, the Mantua-based steel group. This operation will support the group’s €170 million investment plan. The operation was finalised this morning at the group’s historic headquarters in Gazoldo degli Ippoliti, as the loan was signed by heads […]UN Special Envoy continues shuttle diplomacy on Syria
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Special Envoy for Syria travelled to Jordan on Friday for discussions on the tumultuous events that have seen a new transitional authority take charge in Damascus in recent days, with more high-level meetings planned over the weekend. Geir Pedersen is due to confer with Arab […]EP to establish two new standing and two special committees
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Friday, the European Parliament political group leaders have decided on the creation of two new standing committees and two special committees. Responding to citizen’s expectations and reflecting EP priorities for the 10th legislature, European Parliament political group leaders (President Metsola and chairs of […]Syria: Top UN official stresses need for unity, humanitarian aid, reconstruction
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria has called for international support for the country as it embarks on the path to political transition following the overthrow of the Assad regime. “The stability of Syria will benefit everyone – not only the sub-region but the […]Commission updates EU Air Safety List and adds Air Tanzania to the airlines banned within the European Union
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission today updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, because they do not meet international safety standards. Ensuring the highest level of air safety for […]EBRD and EU support Marsa Maroc to enhance the competitiveness of Moroccan ports
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is investing in Morocco’s maritime sector with a loan of up to MAD 690 million (equivalent to €65 million) to Marsa Maroc SA. The EBRD loan will finance increases in the capacity of the multipurpose terminals at the […]EBRD and Araratbank provide boost for Armenian firms
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. Armenia’s private sector is set to benefit from fresh funds for green initiatives, thanks to a US$ 10 million (€9.5 million) financial package to Araratbank from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The funding is in partnership with the European Union (EU), the Green […]EU launches Humanitarian Air Bridge operation for Syria to deliver emergency supplies and boosts humanitarian funding
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission is launching a new Humanitarian Air Bridge operation for those most in need in Syria, to deliver emergency healthcare and other essential supplies, as well as increasing its humanitarian funding. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “The […]Gaza: ‘Sickening normalisation’ of suffering, amid attacks on people and aid convoys
December 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Ongoing military operations by Israeli forces in Gaza continue to cause devastation for civilians trying to escape the fighting, with mounting casualties and a critical lack of humanitarian aid for the desperate population. According to local media reports, 30 Palestinians were killed in the central Gaza area […]Underinvestment threatens universal health coverage goals
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Coinciding with Universal Health Coverage Day on Thursday the World Health Organization (WHO) released its 2024 Global Health Expenditure Report, revealing troubling declines in government health spending. The report, titled Global Spending on Health: Emerging from the Pandemic, shows a reduction in per capita government health expenditures […]Taliban’s pursuit of ‘Islamic vision’ eroding freedoms in Afghanistan: Security Council
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Taliban’s continued imposition of strict interpretations of Islamic law and Afghan culture has resulted in unprecedented restrictions on women and girls, the UN envoy for the country warned on Thursday. Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, […]Syria: UN chief calls for urgent de-escalation by Israeli forces, withdrawal from Golan buffer zone
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General has expressed concern over the hundreds of Israeli airstrikes against targets in Syria since the overthrow of the Assad regime, calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the demilitarized zone in the strategically important Golan. In a note to correspondents issued on Thursday, […]At least 68 journalist killings in 2024, UNESCO reports
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. For the second consecutive year, conflict zones have proven dangerous for journalists and media workers, with 2024 seeing at least 68 deaths in the line of duty, according to new data from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). More than 60 per cent of these […]UN General Assembly demands Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, affirms ‘full support’ for UNRWA
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
The General Assembly adopted two key resolutions on Wednesday night, demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages. It also reaffirmed its full support for the embattled UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA). The actions were taken at the Assembly’s resumed 10th emergency special session, following […]Syria: Prioritise search for the missing, justice for victims
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The international community owes it to the Syrian people “to listen, to act and to work tirelessly” so the crimes of the deposed Assad regime can never happen again, the top UN envoy for the country said on Thursday. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen is engaging with […]Gaza: ‘Devastation is absolutely staggering’, says senior WFP official
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Describing the level of devastation across the Gaza Strip as “absolutely staggering”, the Head of Emergency Communications for the World Food Programme (WFP) has told UN News in an interview that civilians are desperate for lifesaving aid and there’s a growing risk of widespread famine. Speaking from […]Sydbank uses EIB guarantee to award €400m new lending to Mid-Caps
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Signature is first Linked Risk Sharing agreement in Denmark, aimed at increasing risk appetite among banks and improving access to finance for Danish businesses. Sydbank and the European Investment Bank have signed a new linked risk-sharing agreement that aims to make available up to €400 million […]Statement by the European Commission on the occasion of Bulgaria and Romania becoming fully part of Schengen
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes today’s unanimous decision by the Council to lift internal land border controls with Romania and Bulgaria as of 1 January 2025. This important step completes the full entry of both countries into the Schengen area. This not only strengthens the Schengen […]The de facto authority in Syria is a designated terrorist group: What happens now?
December 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an armed group designated as a terrorist organization by the UN Security Council, has emerged as the dominant force in Syria, following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. However, according to a core Security Council resolution on Syria adopted at the height […]Prologis secures €225 million EIB loan to accelerate solar and energy projects across Europe
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Prologis, Inc. (NYSE: PLD), the global leader in logistics real estate has secured a €225 million framework loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to advance its plans to produce electricity from low-carbon sources through solar panels on the roofs of its logistic centres, alongside battery […]Austria: EIB supports Zumtobel Group in the development of innovative lighting solutions
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €50 million loan to the Zumtobel Group to boost its research and development of innovative lighting solutions. The funding will support R&D projects in the lighting group’s EU locations that are planned for the next three financial years, with a total budget […]Spain: EIB provides €80 million loan for expansion and electrification of port of Bilbao
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an €80 million loan with the Port Authority of Bilbao to finance the expansion and electrification of the port of Bilbao. The project supports maritime transport as an alternative to other more carbon-intensive modes, with the EIB financing also helping […]Lithuania and EIB team up in €100 million initiative for greener housing
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The Lithuanian government and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are joining forces in a €100 million initiative to renovate more than 700 apartment buildings in the country. The accord aims to mobilise up to €625 million for refurbishing around 700 multi-apartment buildings in numerous cities, including […]Germany: EIB and Commerzbank to boost Europe’s wind manufacturers
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is using again its €5 billion initiative to support manufacturers of wind-energy equipment in Europe by extending a €500 million counter-guarantee to Germany-based Commerzbank AG. The transaction will enable Commerzbank to set up a portfolio of up to €1 billion of […]Ukraine joins the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, Ukraine joins the Media strand of the Creative Europe programme, which supports the audiovisual sector by funding selected projects related to film development and distribution, online and TV content, as well as the creation of innovative tools and business models in the audiovisual […]Commission steps up support for Member States to strengthen EU security and counter the weaponisation of migration
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission is adopting a Communication to support Member States to counter hybrid threats from the weaponisation of migration by Russia and Belarus and to strengthen security at the EU’s external borders. The serious and persistent nature of the hybrid threats at the […]Commission seeks feedback on proposed revision of the State aid Aviation Guidelines
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has launched today a public consultation inviting all interested parties to comment on a proposed targeted revision of the 2014 Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines (the ‘Aviation Guidelines’). Interested parties can respond to the consultation until 5 March […]European Commission to issue €90 billion in long-term EU-Bonds in the first half of 2025
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission intends to issue up to €90 billion of EU Bonds in the first half of 2025 (H1), from January to June 2025. The Commission’s funding plan for H1 2025 continues the 2024 issuance programme, during which the EU raised €138 billion in […]Guterres upholds UN commitment to a smooth and inclusive transition in Syria
December 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres said the UN is “totally committed” to supporting a smooth transition of power in Syria through an inclusive political process that guarantees full respect of minority rights. Mr. Guterres was speaking on Wednesday to reporters in Pretoria, South Africa, where he met with Government […]Six bold environmental leaders named 2024 Champions of the Earth
December 11, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Brazil’s first-ever Minister of Indigenous Peoples and an initiative promoting sustainable agriculture in Egypt are among the six recipients of the 2024 Champions of the Earth award, announced by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday. The laureates were honoured for their outstanding leadership, […]
