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EIOPA opens public consultation on revised Guidelines on Supervisory Review Process

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EIOPA opens public consultation on revised Guidelines on Supervisory Review Process

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) launched today a public consultation on its draft revised Guidelines on the Supervisory Review Process, used by supervisors to regularly assess insurers’ and groups’ exposure to risks and the effectiveness of the controls they have in place. The primary objective of the revision is to update the Guidelines by clarifying existing instructions as necessary in light of the Solvency II review and by bringing emerging risks within their scope. 

The proposed amendments to the Guidelines pursue two key goals: first, to align the existing provisions with the latest regulatory developments and new supervisory best practices; and second, to incorporate new processes to address risks and trends that have emerged since the Guidelines were first adopted. In recommending changes, EIOPA paid due attention to the objectives of regulatory simplification and burden reduction, resulting in targeted and limited changes to the existing rules.

To reflect the outcome of the Solvency II review and in order to ensure more effective supervision and financial stability in Europe’s insurance sector, the draft Guidelines include new sections in areas such as business model analysis, joint on-site inspections, early intervention measures, pre-emptive recovery planning, and the supervision of conduct of business. In response to the growing importance of emerging risks, EIOPA also introduced guidance to ensure that supervisory authorities incorporate sustainability risks, IT and cyber risks, and Supervisory Technology (SupTech) into their supervisory review processes.

These Guidelines are of primary relevance to national supervisory authorities but are expected to indirectly benefit insurers and reinsurers by enhancing the consistency, predictability, and transparency of supervisory engagement. In line with its commitment to regulatory simplification, EIOPA has deliberately limited the amendments to those that are strictly necessary to support the implementation of Solvency II and to promote supervisory convergence across the European Union.

Consultation process

EIOPA invites stakeholders to provide their feedback on the Consultation Paper by responding to the questions via the online survey no later than 24 September 2025. All responses will be published on EIOPA’s website unless otherwise requested.

Go to the Consultation

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Iran crisis: UN stays and delivers

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MIDDLE EAST CRISIS: Live updates for 16 June

“In the early morning hours of 13 June, a number of attacks took place in Tehran, and other parts of Iran,” said Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator in Iran.

“Then over the next 12 days there were multiple attacks by either side…we know that there have been at least 627 people killed and almost 5,000 injured in Iran.

Underlining that the UN remained in Iran through the duration of the conflict, Mr. Priesner noted that discussions are ongoing with the Government on “how to adapt existing UN programmes to meet the country’s post-conflict needs”, he told journalists in Geneva via Zoom.

Tehran insight

Speaking from the Iranian capital, the UN official confirmed reports that Tehran had seen a population movement as several million residents left the city seeking safety from the missile strikes. He mentioned the solidarity that Iranians had shown towards each other, with families in the north and the countryside hosting those coming from Tehran.

Looking ahead, Mr. Priesner said: “we know that the health sector has very specific needs given the damage.” 

Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator in Iran.

The UN’s development and humanitarian presence in Iran spans 18 agencies with approximately 50 international staff and 500 national staff.

Last year’s budget amounted to around $75 million with two-thirds dedicated to the country’s roughly 3.5 million refugees or people in a refugee like situations.

Iran has been hosting one of the largest – and most protracted – refugee situations in the world for over four decades with inclusive policies for example in the fields of access to health and education, and UN has supported these efforts over the years.

The remainder of this budget is allocated for development projects including climate adaptation and mitigation work. Mr. Priesner said there was need for significant additional funding to support the most vulnerable groups in Iran including children, the elderly, female-headed households and persons with disabilities.

The UN official confirmed reports that increasing numbers of Afghan refugees have been heading back to their country across the Iranian border either voluntarily or through deportation.

According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, 36,100 Afghans returned on 26 June alone. The number of daily returns has continued to increase since 13 June, it said.

Every day, and sometimes every few hours, buses arrive and stop at the Afghanistan-Iran border, carrying exhausted and desperate Afghan refugee families with all their belongings,” said Arafat Jamal, UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan returnees’ plight

“Many are returning to a country they barely know, forced out of Iran after decades of living there. The recent Israel-Iran war accelerated their return, pushing numbers to a record high, while deep funding cuts have made humanitarian aid operations increasingly challenging.”

Having just returned from the Islam Qala border area, UNHCR Representative Arafat Jamal told UN News that the flow of people into Afghanistan has surged since the conflict, rising from around 5,000 daily crossings to a recent peak of nearly 30,000.

The UNHCR official warned that Afghan returnees are arriving in an impoverished country that is unprepared to support them. Women and girls who had access to education and jobs in Iran now return to a country where “extreme gender injustice” makes such opportunities impossible, he said.

Arafat Jamal, UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan, on returns from Iran.

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ESMA finds convergence opportunities for pre-trade controls

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ESMA finds convergence opportunities for pre-trade controls

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, recently concluded a common supervisory action (CSA), implemented together with National Competent Authorities (NCA’s) on pre-trade controls under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II).   The CSA was launched with the goal of gathering further detailed insights on how […]

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Sudan: UN warns of soaring displacement and looming floods

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Sudan: UN warns of soaring displacement and looming floods

At Tuesday’s regular briefing at the UN Headquarters, in New York, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric relayed warnings from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs (OCHA), citing urgent concerns across the country.

“Across Sudan, we continue to be deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of the ongoing fighting, which is escalating displacement and driving needs even higher,” Mr. Dujarric said.

Conflict driving displacement

Clashes between rival militaries – Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – continue to uproot civilians, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan states. Fighting in El Fasher alone has displaced more than 400,000 people since April, according to OCHA.

In June, nearly 8,000 displaced people from North Darfur arrived in Ad-Dabba, putting pressure on overstretched resources and limited access to healthcare, shelter, clean water and food.

In North Kordofan, over 16,000 people were forced to flee their homes in Bara between 26 and 29 June alone, while another 16,000 to flee Babanusa in West Kordofan on 27 June, according to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Flood warnings

Separately, OCHA warned of increased flood risks as Sudan enters its rainy season, which runs through October. Forecasts point to above-average rainfall, heightening the threat of both riverine and flash floods – especially in areas already facing limited infrastructure and access.

“Any flooding could disrupt road access, hamper aid delivery, and heighten the threat of disease outbreaks during the ongoing lean season,” Mr. Dujarric said, noting that an ongoing cholera outbreak could worsen with the floods.

Nearly 500,000 people were affected by floods last year. With the likelihood of a repeat or worse this season, Mr. Dujarric said humanitarian agencies are ready to respond “where access and resources allow,” but warned that critical funding gaps are hampering preparedness.

UN relief visits Sudan

Mr. Dujarric also highlighted the importance of recent discussions between Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher and senior SAF and RSF officials.

Mr. Fletcher appealed for a humanitarian pause to allow lifesaving aid to reach people in El Fasher, which has been besieged by the RSF and cut off from assistance since last April.

“Our humanitarian colleagues underscore that we will continue our engagements with the aim of facilitating the swift and safe delivery of aid to all those who need it,” Mr. Dujarric said.  

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Extreme weather in a changing climate: is Europe prepared?

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Extreme weather in a changing climate: is Europe prepared?

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.

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Extreme weather in a changing climate: is Europe prepared?

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ESMA finds convergence opportunities for pre-trade controls

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

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The General Assembly approves $ 5.4 billion in the United Nations peacekeeping budget for 2025-2026

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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

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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

“Budget margins”: gender equality in developing countries under-funded by $ 420 billion per year

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“Money simply does not reach women and girls who need them most”, United Nations said in a press release published on Monday.

This estimate comes in the middle of the fourth international conference on financing ongoing development in Seville, Spain.

There, world leaders strive to revitalize the international financing structure to better support the Sustainable development objectives (ODD), one of which is gender equality.

“We cannot fill gender gaps with budgets that lack a gender lens … Gender equality must pass from the margins of the budget lines at the heart of public policy“Said Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women.

Go from promise to action

In order to remedy this deficit, UN women said that the world needed a decade of targeted and coherent investment to end gender shortcomings and make sure no one is left behind.

This includes the expansion of budgeting sensitive to sex which follows carefully where funding is most necessary and support programs that target these areas.

Currently, three -quarters of countries have no systems to follow the distribution of public funds in relation to gender equality.

More specifically, investing in public care systems – such as child and elder care programs – is essential to guarantee that women can enter the labor market.

Debt overwhelmed

In addition, UN women have called for an urgent debt relief, citing that many countries are so overwhelmed by loan funding that they cannot devote money to the advancement of gender equality.

In this vein, UN women welcomed the Sevill compromisoA, the outcome of the conference adopted by the Member States, which presents new commitments in favor of development of development, including on the promotion of gender equality.

Ms. Gumbonzvanda stressed the need for governments to support the commitments they have made in this document with real action.

“” [Gender equality] Take money. It takes a reform. And it takes leadership that considers women not as a cost, but as a future. »»

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Gaza: private families of the means of survival, warn humanitarian workers

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“While humanitarian assistance and basic services are decreasing, the inhabitants of Gaza have been increasingly deprived of survival means,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, to journalists from the United Nations headquarters in New York.

According to Mr. Dujarric, the fuel has entered Gaza for 17 weeks-a critical shortage which forced the Al-Shifa medical complex to suspend its renal dialysis services and to restrict its intensive care unit services only a few hours a day.

Other hospitals, including Al-Aqsa in Deir al-Balah, have also been attacked, with the World Health Organization (WHO) signaling a strike on a tent housing civilian civilians in its courtyard.

During the last 48 hours, five school buildings sheltering inappropriate families have also been struck, causing deaths and injuries, while a new evacuation prescription on Sudan has moved 1,500 families from northern Gaza.

Live in terror

Olga Cherevko, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ochha) described the conditions of the families of Gaza as “living in terror”.

“The only thing that is in mind right now is a cease-fire and peace,” she said.

Ms. Cherevko called Israel to open all border crossings and allow constant and sufficient humanitarian aid.

“The thing that must happen for us … To resolve the emergency in the field, is to reopen additional passages, to allow supplies to enter by several corridors and to remove the constraints that are in place so that we can deliver supplies to people in need,” she said.

She warned that the conditions are not changing quickly, the essential services will continue to close – and that the broader humanitarian response could be stored completely.

“If the situation does not change very, very urgent, more services will continue to close,” said Cherevko.

“And if the situation does not change in the future, the whole humanitarian operation could stop. »»

Originally published at Almouwatin.com