This article is published in association with United Nations. Artificial intelligence or AI technology can help to protect vulnerable women, give women a voice in male-dominated communities and increase training opportunities in Southeast Asia thanks to innovative approaches by United Nations agencies. With AI enabled technology becoming commonplace, the UN System is beginning to take advantage […]Southeast Asia provides fertile ground for women to benefit from AI
December 27, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Artificial intelligence or AI technology can help to protect vulnerable women, give women a voice in male-dominated communities and increase training opportunities in Southeast Asia thanks to innovative approaches by United Nations agencies. With AI enabled technology becoming commonplace, the UN System is beginning to take advantage […]Only 3 per cent of UN emergency food aid getting to desperate Gazans
December 24, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Since October, when Israeli forces launched a ground offensive in northern Gaza, only three per cent of food and water deliveries organized by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) have been permitted to enter areas in northern Gaza. At the end of December, a joint UN convoy […]Commission proposes to suspend visa-free travel for officials from Georgia
December 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission is proposing to suspend part of the EU-Georgia Agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. If the Council adopts this proposal, Georgian diplomats, officials and their families holding diplomatic and official passports would require a visa to travel to […]The Commission and Switzerland complete negotiations to bring the EU-Switzerland bilateral relationship to a new level
December 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. On 20 December, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd confirmed the completion of negotiations on a broad package of agreements that aim to deepen and expand the EU-Switzerland relationship. The broad […]Gaza is now a graveyard and there’s no escape, say UN aid teams
December 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Hunger, dire living conditions made worse by heavy winter rains and ongoing hostilities continue to endanger people’s lives in Gaza, which has become “a graveyard”, UN humanitarians warned on Friday. “The world is not seeing what’s going on with these people, it’s impossible for families to shelter […]Reconstruction and vital repairs underway in Syria, as ‘security conditions’ permit
December 20, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Around 1.3 million Syrians have received food aid in the past three weeks across Syria from the UN and partners, as the restoration of key services begins in some of the relatively stable areas of the country. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at the daily briefing on […]Syria: UN envoy concludes talks in Damascus, citing hope for democratic future
December 19, 2024 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Special Envoy for Syria concluded talks in Damascus on Wednesday, expressing optimism that the fall of the Assad regime could mark the start of a peaceful and democratic transition for the shattered country, while acknowledging challenges remain. “It’s early days,” Geir Pedersen said referring to […]Member States made significant progress in VAT Compliance in 2022, but continued efforts are still needed
December 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Most EU Member States made significant progress in Value-Added Tax (VAT) collection between 2018 and 2022, according to a new report released by the European Commission today. The annual VAT Gap in the EU Report, which measures the difference between theoretically expected VAT revenues […]Europe Needs a Coordinated Approach to Industrial Policy
December 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Alfred Kammer, Andrew Hodge, Roberto Piazza Industrial policy is having a moment in Europe, as countries increasingly turn to sectoral policy interventions to address the challenges of geopolitical fragmentation and economic security, enhance productivity, and accelerate the green transition. State aid spending by European Union countries has tripled […]Syria crisis: ‘Key priority’ is preserving evidence of crimes, say UN investigators
December 18, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The historic shift of power in Syria and the possibility of finally accessing evidence of horrific human rights violations could bring accountability closer than ever – if only proof can be preserved – a top UN investigator said on Tuesday. The head of the International, Impartial and […]Commission approves €1.7 billion Danish State aid scheme to support the production of renewable gas
December 18, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an estimated €1.7 billion (DKK 13 billion) Danish scheme to support the production of renewable gas to be injected into the grid. The scheme will contribute to the EU’s climate targets in line with […]Romanian businesses to get extra financing as EIB steps up lending to BRD Sogelease IFN
December 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €70 million to a unit of Romanian bank BRD Groupe Société Générale to increase financing for a range of businesses in the country. The EIB loan to BRD Sogelease IFN SA is meant to benefit Romanian small and medium-sized […]In Damascus, top UN envoy stresses need for credible, inclusive, ‘Syrian owned’ transition
December 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN’s top Syria envoy has held talks in Damascus with the head of the new administration as well as the prime minister of the caretaker Government, stressing the imperative for a “credible and inclusive Syrian owned and led political transition.” The UN Independent Commission of Inquiry […]Commission takes next step to deploy the IRIS² secure satellite system
December 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Commission takes next step to deploy the IRIS² secure satellite systemInternet Governance Forum: Shaping a safe and equitable digital future
December 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As the world navigates rapid digital transformation, the 19th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the theme “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future.“ Bringing together participants from over 170 countries, the Forum comes at a pivotal moment following the recent adoption […]EBRD and EU provide €3 million loan to NLB Banka AD Podgorica as part of SME Go Green programme
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), in partnership with the European Union (EU),is providing a loan of up to €3 million to NLB Banka AD Podgorica to contribute to the development of Montenegro’s SME sector – mainly for financing small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) . […]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 […]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 […]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, […]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 […]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 […]Forging Peace in Syria: Great opportunities, grave risks
December 11, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime on Sunday, Syria has entered a period of profound uncertainty, and the UN will have a vital role in ensuring an orderly transition to renewed, stable institutions, continuing efforts to bring together different groups and factions which began at […]Human toll of senseless conflict ‘is incalculable’, says Türk
December 10, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk delivered his annual statement on Monday, urging global solidarity and decisive action in the face of mounting challenges to fundamental human rights. As the world prepares to mark Human Rights Day 2024, Mr. Türk reflected on “a time when […]Human Rights Day: 5 key things to know
December 10, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As Human Rights Day dawns on 10 December, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing importance of equality, justice, and dignity for all people worldwide. The theme for Human Rights Day 2024, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, highlights the continued relevance of human rights in addressing global challenges. […]Syrians now have ‘historic opportunity’ to build a peaceful future, says Guterres
December 9, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Sunday. As reports continued to emerge from the Syrian capital, Damascus, […]Syria crisis: UN delivering life-saving assistance; relocates non-critical staff
December 9, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Syria announced on Saturday that the Organization is removing non-critical staff from the country, emphasizing that this is a precautionary step to protect UN personnel “while maintaining essential operations”. “The UN is strategically reducing its footprint by relocating non-critical staff outside […]‘Major milestone’ on solutions to internal displacement: Top adviser
December 5, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. There have been significant advances in addressing the worldwide internal displacement crisis, but urgent action is still needed as numbers continue to rise, topping 76 million people worldwide, the top UN official on the issue said on Wednesday. UN Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement Robert Piper […]Belgium: KBC enhances focus on sustainability investments by SMEs with new EIB facility
December 5, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. KBC and the European Investment Bank continue their longstanding partnership with a new loan facility aimed at improving access to finance and supporting sustainability investments by small and medium-sized Belgian businesses. Through a €300 million EIB loan, which KBC will match with its own funds, €600 […]Commission and EIB announce new partnership to support investments in the European battery manufacturing value chain
December 4, 2024 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are announcing a new partnership to support investments in the EU’s battery manufacturing sector. This partnership will see a €200 million top-up (loan guarantee) to the InvestEU programme from the EU Innovation Fund. It […]Three billion people globally impacted by land degradation
December 3, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Three billion people around the world are suffering the impact of poor and degraded land which will “increase levels of migration, stability and insecurity among many communities,” according to the newly-elected President of a UN-backed conference on desertification, drought and land restoration which is taking place in […]Plastic pollution treaty negotiations adjourn in Busan, to resume next year
December 2, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Despite intense discussions, delegates recognised the need for more time to address divergent views and refine the treaty’s framework. The session, which began on November 25, brought together more than 3,300 participants, including representatives from over 170 nations and more than 440 observer organizations. Delegates agreed on a […]Medical professionals on the frontier: ensuring safety of medical workers in armed conflicts
December 2, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Kenko Togo Tchakounte Lydie, a 5th year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMPS) Douala, Cameroon. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the […]Displacement crisis reaches 123 million, amid ongoing conflicts
November 8, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has called for “urgent international support” as the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reaches 123 million, with ongoing conflicts in Lebanon, Sudan and other areas driving further displacement. In a statement to the Third Committee of the General […]
