With European countries facing another year of damaging heatwaves, drought and other extreme weather events, how prepared and resilient are they to handle these events? A new interactive European Environment Agency (EEA) product published today looks at key climate change impacts and adaptation and preparedness actions. Source link
The General Assembly approves $ 5.4 billion in the United Nations peacekeeping budget for 2025-2026
Acting on the recommendation of sound Fifth committee (Administrative and budgetary), the Assembly approved budgets of 12 missions, logistics centers in Entebbe (Uganda) and Brindisi (Italy), and the support account for peacekeeping.
The budgets were adopted without vote, with the exception of the resolution on the provisional force of the United Nations in Lebanon (Unifil), which was adopted by 147 votes in favor of 3 against (Argentina, Israel and the United States), with 1 abstention (Paraguay).
The adoption of the Unifil budget followed an oral amendment conducive of Israeli, which was rejected by 5 votes in favor (Argentina, Canada, Israel, Paraguay and United States) against 83 against, with 57 abstentions.
Last year, the peacekeeping budget was $ 5.59 billion for 14 operations, which means that the 2025-2026 figure reflects a modest decrease, after the final regulations of the former missions in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.
Pressing liquidity challenges
Despite the budget agreement, the United Nations Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan described an image that gives reflection on the fragility of the wider liquidity of the UN.
“” You arrive in one way or another to find common ground three times a year. But I only want you to go a little further to solve one of the underlying problems of the UN, which has been tormenting us for 80 years“He told the delegates last week by concluding negotiations in the fifth committee.
He described how approved budgets are often undermined by cash shortages, forcing immediate instructions to reduce expenses by 10, 15 or even 20%.
“” No money, no implementation. There is not enough money. I cannot emphasize enough to emphasize a necessary massive effort on your side to take us in a way to this line and face a problem that has tormented the UN in recent years, “he said.
United Nations peacekeeping operations
UN Peace Interview remains one of the most emblematic United Nations activities, with Nearly 70,000 soldiers, police and civilians Deployed through Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Missions include long -standing deployments Monusco in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Unclog in Cyprus, and Minusca in the Central African Republic. Mandated by the Security adviceThese operations strive to stabilize conflict areas, support political processes, protect civilians and help disarmament and rule efforts.
The United Nations peacekeeping budget is distinct from its regular budget, which supports the main programs of the organization, including human rights, development, political affairs, communications and regional cooperation.
The budgetary of peacekeeping takes place from July to June, while the regular budget is aligned in the calendar year.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Sudan: the UN warns booming trips and imminent floods
During the regular Tuesday briefing at the UN headquarters, in New York, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric relay warnings of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ochha), citing urgent concerns across the country.
“In Sudan, we continue to be deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of current fighting, which increases even higher travel and driving needs,” said Dujarric.
Displacement of conflict driving
The clashes between the rival soldiers – the Sudanese armed forces (SAF) and the rapid support forces (RSF) – continue to uproot civilians, especially in the states of Darfour and Kordofan. The fighting in El Fasher alone has moved more than 400,000 people since April, according to OCHA.
In June, nearly 8,000 people displaced from northern Darfur arrived in AD-DABBA, putting pressure on overloaded resources and limited access to health care, shelter, clean water and food.
In the north of Kordofan, more than 16,000 people were forced to flee their houses in Bara between June 26 to 29 only, while 16,000 others to flee Babanusa in West Kordofan on June 27, according to the International United Nations Migration Organization (Iom).
Flood warnings
In addition, OCHA warned against the increase in the risk of flooding while Sudan enters its rainy season, which takes place until October. The forecasts indicate the precipitation greater than the average, which increases the threat of river and sudden floods – in particular in areas already faced with limited infrastructure and access.
“Any flood could disrupt access to the road, hamper the delivery of aid and increase the threat of the epidemics of the disease during the current strain season,” said Dujarric, noting that a cholera in progress The epidemic could worsen with the floods.
Nearly 500,000 people were affected by floods last year. With the probability of a rehearsal or worse this season, Mr. Dujarric said that humanitarian agencies are ready to respond “when access and resources allow it”, but warned that critical financing gaps are hindering preparation.
The UN visits Sudan
Mr. Dujarric also stressed the importance of recent discussions between the general subsecretary for humanitarian affairs Tom Fletcher and senior officials SAF and RSF.
Mr. Fletcher asked for a humanitarian break to allow rescue assistance to reach the people of El Fasher, who was besieged by the RSF and has cut aid since last April.
“Our humanitarian colleagues point out that we will continue our commitments in order to facilitate fast and safe delivery to all those who need it,” said Dujarric.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Gaza: Families deprived of the means for survival, humanitarians warn
“As humanitarian assistance and basic services dwindle, people in Gaza have been increasingly deprived of the means for their survival,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York.
It has been 17 weeks since any fuel has entered Gaza, according to Mr. Dujarric – a critical shortage that forced the Al-Shifa Medical Complex to suspend its kidney dialysis services and restrict its intensive care unit services to just a few hours per day.
Other hospitals, including Al-Aqsa in Deir al-Balah, have also come under attack, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting a strike on a tent sheltering displaced civilians in its courtyard.
Over the past 48 hours, five school buildings sheltering displaced families were also hit, reportedly causing deaths and injuries, while a new evacuation order issued on Sudan displaced 1,500 families from northern Gaza.
Living in terror
Olga Cherevko, an official at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), described conditions for families in Gaza as “living in terror.”
“The only thing that is on their minds right now is a ceasefire and peace at last,” she said.
Ms. Cherevko called for Israel to open all border crossings and allow a steady and sufficient flow humanitarian aid.
“The thing that needs to happen for us…to address the emergency on the ground, is to reopen additional crossings, to allow supplies to enter through multiple corridors and remove the constraints that are in place for us to deliver supplies to people in need,” she said.
She warned that unless conditions change quickly, essential services will continue to shut down — and the broader humanitarian response could stall entirely.
“If the situation doesn’t change very, very urgently, more such services will continue shutting down,” Ms. Cherevko said.
“And if the situation doesn’t change going forward, the entire humanitarian operation could grind to a halt.”
50 years of cites: boullier of the fauna of the extinction of trade
Originally designed in 1963 during a meeting of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Convention Having entered into force in 1975, as the first world agreement of the genre. It continues to serve as a vital tool to help prevent rapid decline in species.
Why quote things?
The urgency of Cite“The mission is clear: international wildlife trade is now worth billions of dollars, and non -regulated trade – in parallel with the loss and overexploitation of housing – continues to conduct vulnerable species to extinction.
Because these commercial borders, international cooperation is essential.
“CITES is not a static or autonomous agreement”, ” said Ivonne Higuero, secretary general of Cites, marking the birthday.
“It is a living promise to invest in nature – a commitment to the future, with each other and the millions of species with which we share this planet.”
With 185 parts – regional economic states or organizations – where the Convention has entered into force, CITIs regulates trade for more than 40,000 plants and animals, covering living animals, wood and plant -based products.
Impact of the real world
CITES has established itself as one of the most effective multilateral environmental agreements by developing CITES BASE TRADE – The most complete source in the world of global data on wildlife trade – and directives for legal acquisition, permits and application.
Thanks to the Convention, international collaboration has brought species in danger criticizing the edge, such as African elephants, pangolin and crocodiles.
Protection of pachyderms: Mothers of elephants around baby.
A key initiative, monitoring of the illegal elephant killing program (Mike) works in more than 70 sites across Africa and Asia, covering about half of the Pachyderms population. Mike Data has contributed to a downward trend in illegal murders, especially in Africa.
Ahead
CITES The secretary general Higuero called on the international community to remain attached to the cause.
“That the next 50 years are marked by a deeper unit, a clearer concentration and a more daring action,” she said.
“We must continue to aim high and build a world where wild animals and plants thrive in their natural habitats, where trade supports – and does not threaten – biodiversity, and where people and the planet thrive in harmony.”
One and quote
The CITES secretariat is supported by the United Nations Environment Program (Dive), which with administrative and operational support.
CITES completes the work of other United Nations entities, such as the organization of food and agriculture (Fao) to improve fishing management, capacity building and technical cooperation with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escape), and initiatives focus on young people with the United Nations Development Program.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
The life of children has “ upset ” by the wars of the Middle East, in North Africa, warns Unicef
Alarming, 110 million children in the region live in countries affected by war, with damaged or destroyed or destroyed houses.
“The life of a child is upset upside down the equivalent of five seconds due to conflicts in the region”, ” said Edouard Beigbeder, Unicef Regional director for the Middle East and North Africa on Tuesday.
UNICEF estimates indicate that 45 million children in the region will require humanitarian assistance in 2025, an increase of 41% since 2020.
Funding for deficits
However, financing gaps affect vital programs in the region.
For example, in May, Syria had to face a 78% financing difference and the state of Palestine a difference of 68% for their 2025 calls. UNICEF regional programs are also subject to increasing financial pressure.
The prospects of 2026 are also dark, said UNICEF, noting that its funding for the Middle East and North Africa should decrease by 20 to 25%, potentially resulting in deficits up to $ 370 million.
Conflicts must stop
This would endanger rescue programs in the region, including the treatment of severe malnutrition, safe water production in conflict areas and fatal disease vaccinations.
“While the fate of children in the region is worsening, the resources necessary to respond become rarer,” said Beigbeder.
“Conflicts must stop. International advocacy to resolve these crises must intensify. And support for vulnerable children must increase, not refuse. ”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Citizens see improvements in justice systems in the EU, finds report
The latest EU Justice Scoreboard reveals that citizens in most EU countries perceive judicial independence as having improved or remained stable compared to 2024. The report records progress in digitalising justice systems, shortening legal proceedings and improving access to justice for all.
Citizens see improvements in justice systems in the EU, finds report
The latest EU Justice Scoreboard reveals that citizens in most EU countries perceive judicial independence as having improved or remained stable compared to 2024. The report records progress in digitalising justice systems, shortening legal proceedings and improving access to justice for all. Source link
The northern hemisphere of heat highlights the value of early alert alerts
Three days after the National Weather Service of Spain confirmed a record reading of 46 ° C in the southern city of El Granado, there was little break in day and night temperatures through the continent and beyond.
In Barcelona, a road sweeper would have died on Saturday after finishing his quarter of work, which caused a widespread survey and public calls to stay away from the sun as far as possible.
“Everyone is at risk,” said Clare Nullis, spokesperson for the World Meteorological Organization (Wmo): “If you go out without water in the middle of the day, to jog, go for a bicycle ride, you will probably have health problems or even die. “”
Fossil fuel factor
If part of the reason for the heat of the heat of Europe is because it is at the grip of a high -pressure high pressure in North Africa weather, Ms. Nullis noted that “climate change induced by humans” is the source of these acute meteorological events.
Another part of the climate puzzle is that sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean are exceptionally high for this time of the year. “This is the equivalent of a terrestrial heat wave,” said OMM spokesperson.
“The extreme heat slips on you,” she added, while the dangerously hot conditions become “more frequent, more intense” due to the global warming caused by the combustion of fossil combustibles.
“This is something with which we have to learn to live,” said Nullis, stressing the importance of early warnings in national weather and hydrological services to prevent more deaths by extreme heat events-which are often “sub-reflective” in official statistics.
Hot days – and nights
According to the United Nations agency, the minimum night temperatures and the maximum daytime temperatures broke the station’s monthly records for June in certain parts of the west and southwest of Europe, partly explaining why the heat wave is so drained.
“The frequency and intensity of extreme heat events increase in Europe and in 2050, around half of the European population can be exposed to a high or very high risk of thermal stress during the summer,” said Nullis.
“What is exceptional – and I stressed exceptional but not unprecedented – is the time of year. We are July 1, and we see episodes of extreme heat that we would see normally later. »»
WMO insisted that the warnings of national weather services and coordinated thermal action plans are increasingly important to protect public security and well-being.
The United Nations agency promotes these efforts through its The first warnings for all platform.
A key component is the WMO coordination mechanism (Wcm) which supports the regions subject to the crisis and conflicts with advice. WMO organizes information authorizing the bad weather, the climate and the water in countries such as its WCM Global Hydromet Weekly Scan.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Europass: 20 years of helping people learn and work in Europe
Today we celebrate 20 years of Europass, the online platform that has been helping millions of people in Europe plan their learning and career. Find out more about the free set of online tools that Europass offers and about how National Europass Centres are celebrating this special anniversary.