Photo by Andreas Dress on Unsplash The European Committee of the Regions’ willingness to participate actively in the UN-led processes for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2024 European Summit of Regions and Cities were the main themes of the meeting between President Vasco Alves Cordeiro and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres. The meeting, in the…
Photo by Osama Madlom on Unsplash The financial community is increasingly rejecting nuclear weapons, a new report from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons claims. ICAN is a coalition of non-governmental organizations in one hundred countries promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations nuclear weapon ban treaty. It says that after more than a year…
Photo by Kevin Kelly on Unsplash A new report from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says that although numerous EU member states are imposing stricter limits or outright bans on alcohol advertisements, these restrictions do nearly nothing to lower alcohol consumption levels. Public health campaigners have long insisted that alcohol advertising bans could help reduce sales and, by…
Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash The Commission has published a key analysis of the existing EU policies supporting the agri-food sector to “become greener, more digital and resilient.” With it, the Commission says it is launching a public consultation inviting interested parties to propose actions to accelerate the twin transition of the sector. The consultation is open to the whole industrial…
Photo by Slavcho Malezanov on Unsplash Campaigners say the EU ban on caged farming is still on track despite what has been dubbed the “organised political attack” on the European Green Deal. Compassion in World Farming has now called on the European Commission to “continue to resist pressure by vested interests and swiftly adopt an ambitious draft…
Photo by Omid Armin on Unsplash The European Commission has agreed to pay a sixth tranche of €1.5 billion under the macro financial assistance Plus package for Ukraine worth up to €18 billion. With this instrument, the EU says it seeks to help Ukraine cover its immediate funding needs, with “stable, predictable and sizeable” financial support in 2023. With the latest payment, Ukraine has received…
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash A new initiative has been launched to help promote protection from “plant pests.” EFSA, the European Commission (EC) and their partners in Member States of the European Union are launching the #PlantHealth4Life campaign. Among other things,the campaign promotes awareness of plant health and its link with our everyday life. Plants are…
Photo by Simon Hermans on Unsplash Greens and “progressives” say they have joined forces ahead of the snap elections in Spain on Sunday 23 July. They say they will “strive for a Green, social and feminist Spain.” Sumar’s leader Yolanda Díaz is known for her work as Minister of Labour, and she is now aiming to become Spain’s…
Photo by Charles Smart on Unsplash According to an official statement from the Royal Office of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the King has received a letter from the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. In this letter, the Israeli Prime Minister has announced the decision of the State of Israel to ‘recognise the sovereignty of Morocco…
Photo by Rafay Ansari on Unsplash The blueprint for a net-zero industry “lacks vision on how to ensure Europe’s industry stays competitive and attracts investment.” That is the view of the European Economic and Social Committee, the body that represents the various economic and social components of organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by…
