Source: ASEAN
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, participated in the Oslo Forum 2025, held in Oslo, Norway, on 11 June 2025, where he delivered remarks on “Derisking disorder: Asia’s playbook for conflict prevention and management.”
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN participates in the Oslo Forum 2025 in Oslo, Norway appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
Lord Caine asks an urgent question in the Lords chamber on the current disorder in Ballymena.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — The Chinese mainland will never allow people who support “Taiwan independence” on the one hand to make money on the mainland on the other, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Wednesday.
Zhu Fenglian made the statement in response to recent comments by die-hard Taiwanese separatist Shen Boyang about the punishments imposed by mainland China on companies linked to him. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — The Chinese mainland on Wednesday vowed to step up its fight against cyber attacks carried out by an organization backed by Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a question about a wanted list released in early June by police in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, southern China.
The list contains the names of 20 people suspected of involvement in cyber attacks organized by Taiwan’s Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM).
Zhu Fenglian said the recent actions by mainland Chinese law enforcement agencies to ensure public security constitute a decisive response to separatist forces advocating “Taiwan independence” and specifically target ICEFCOM’s illegal activities.
The evidence that the DPP administration is organizing frequent and indiscriminate cyberattacks on mainland China’s network infrastructure through ICEFCOM is “clear and irrefutable,” she said.
She reiterated that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. “Anyone who jeopardizes national sovereignty, security or development interests will face legal consequences,” she added.
Zhu Fenglian said legal measures will be taken against the illegal activities of the DPP administration, including cyber attacks carried out in collusion with external forces.
“We will continue to take effective measures in accordance with the law to bring those responsible to justice. We will not be lenient with them,” she said. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 jolted offshore Taitung County, Taiwan Island at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) said.
According to CENC, the epicenter of the tremors was located at 23.33 degrees north latitude and 121.72 degrees east longitude. The earthquake’s source was located at a depth of 20 kilometers. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — More than 7,000 Taiwanese representatives will attend the 17th Taiwan Strait Forum to open Sunday in east China’s Fujian Province, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said Wednesday.
The main theme of the upcoming forum, according to her, will be “expanding exchanges between people and deepening integration development.”
The forum’s participants will include representatives of political parties, trade unions and youth organisations, as well as professionals from various industries and members of religious communities, she added.
The main conference of the upcoming forum is scheduled to be held on June 15, and the main venue of the forum is the city of Xiamen. The forum will host 56 different events. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SEOUL, June 11 (Xinhua) — The Republic of Korea (ROK) has stopped broadcasting propaganda from loudspeakers in the area bordering the DPRK, the ROK Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
The ministry said in a statement that the suspension of the broadcast was a step toward fulfilling President Lee Jae-myung’s promise to restore trust in inter-Korean relations and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Seoul stopped broadcasting anti-North Korean loudspeakers on Wednesday afternoon, media reported.
Lee Jae-myung, who took office on June 4, vowed during the election campaign to halt the broadcasts, which were resumed last June in retaliation for balloons filled with garbage and manure sent from North Korea. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CAIRO, June 11 (Xinhua) — Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abu al-Gheit on Wednesday welcomed the joint decision of five Western countries to impose sanctions on two Israeli ministers.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have been banned from entering Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom for repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, the five countries’ foreign ministers announced Tuesday.
In a statement issued by the Arab League on Wednesday, Abu al-Gheit called the ban “important” because it holds officials in the occupying government accountable for engaging in “clear incitement to violence” and condoning Israeli settlers who attack Palestinians in the West Bank with impunity.
According to the Secretary-General, the sanctions expose the criminal actions of far-right government officials who have committed war crimes and large-scale violations of international humanitarian law in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The move is an important step towards changing the international position on war crimes against Palestinians and taking practical steps to hold those responsible accountable, the statement said. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, June 11 (Xinhua) — Moscow and Washington are directly interacting to eliminate irritants in bilateral relations, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said at a briefing on Wednesday.
“Russia and the United States are directly in contact to eliminate irritants in bilateral relations,” TASS quotes him as saying.
According to D. Peskov, there are many “blockages” in Russian-American relations, but the dialogue between the countries continues. “And of course, one can hardly hope for any quick results. But it is precisely this kind of complex, step-by-step work that has begun and will continue,” he noted.
The Kremlin spokesman noted that the third round of consultations between Russia and the United States on bilateral issues, planned for Moscow, will be carried out through diplomatic agencies.
“As you can see, the dialogue continues. All this is being carried out by diplomatic agencies within the framework of the understandings that were reached between President /of Russia Vladimir/ Putin and President /of the USA Donald/ Trump,” D. Peskov emphasized. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BISHKEK, June 11 /Xinhua/ — Kyrgyzstan has approved the National Development Program for the country until 2030. The corresponding decree was signed by President Sadyr Japarov, the press service of the country’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce reported on Tuesday.
“The program was approved in order to continue the course of large-scale reforms and ensure the country’s sustainable development in the context of new global and regional challenges,” the statement said.
As noted, the program is a strategic document aimed at improving the well-being of citizens, achieving inclusive economic growth and ensuring social justice.
The key targets of the program are as follows: increasing GDP per capita to USD 4,500, maintaining GDP at a level of at least USD 30 billion, and the average annual GDP growth rate at 8%, the country’s entry into the top 30 countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, improving the country’s ranking in the Human Development Index by 10 positions, maintaining unemployment at a level of no more than 5%, the volume of investment in fixed capital to GDP in 2030 should be at least 20%, and the size of the state external debt should be maintained at a level of up to 60% of GDP.
The program focuses on four strategic development vectors: industrialization, agriculture and tourism, green energy, and turning Kyrgyzstan into a regional hub.
The program also provides for reform of public administration and strategic planning, digitalization of the economy and services, development of human capital, support for small and medium-sized businesses, ensuring macroeconomic stability, measures for adaptation to climate change and increasing the resilience of ecosystems. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LONDON, June 11 (Xinhua) — The United States should resolve trade disputes with China through equal dialogue and win-win cooperation, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said at the first meeting of the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Consultations Mechanism held in London from Monday to Tuesday.
The Chinese side reaffirms that the United States should work with China to match its words with deeds, demonstrate sincerity in fulfilling commitments and concrete efforts to implement consensus, so as to jointly uphold the hard-won results of the dialogue, he said.
During the talks, both sides held frank and in-depth talks and exchanged views on trade and economic issues of mutual interest.
The two sides reached an agreement in principle to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their telephone conversation on June 5 and the framework measures to consolidate the results of the trade and economic negotiations in Geneva, and made new progress in finding approaches to each other’s trade and economic concerns.
Calling the meeting an important consultation held under the guidance of the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state on June 5, He Lifeng said Beijing’s position on China-US economic and trade issues is clear and consistent.
Noting that the essence of China-US trade and economic relations lies in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, the vice premier said that cooperation between Beijing and Washington in trade and economic spheres is beneficial to both sides, while confrontation is detrimental to both sides.
There are no winners in trade wars, he said, adding that China does not seek conflict but is not afraid of it either.
He called on the United States to resolve trade disputes with China through equal dialogue and win-win cooperation, adding that while China sincerely holds trade and economic consultations, it also has its own principles.
Next, the two sides should, in accordance with the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during the phone call, make better use of the China-US trade consultation mechanism and make efforts to strengthen consensus, reduce misunderstandings and enhance cooperation, he said.
The two sides should maintain communication and consultation and promote stable and sustainable growth of economic and trade relations so as to bring more certainty and stability to the world economy, He Lifeng added.
The US side said the meeting achieved positive results and further stabilized bilateral trade and economic relations, adding that Washington will follow the same direction as Beijing to jointly implement the consensus reached at the meeting.
The American side was represented at the meeting by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamison Greer. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Central Bank of Russia (2) –
Terms of provision of standing loans by the Bank of Russia (except overnight loans) as of 16.06.2025:
| Type of loans | Loan term | Rate (% per annum) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Liquidity Facility Loans | 1-30 | 21 |
| Additional Liquidity Facility Loans | 1-180 | 21.75 |
The deadline for accepting applications for a loan from the Bank of Russia sent to:
| electronically using personal accounts** | 20:25*** day of loan provision |
| on paper (if it is technically impossible to send it in electronic form)* | 17:00 on the day of the loan |
* local time
** Moscow time
*** In case of extension of the end time of the settlement period of the regular session of the payment system of the Bank of Russia, the time for accepting applications for a loan from the Bank of Russia is also extended, but not more than until 20:55
Data available from 11/15/2011 to 06/16/2025.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Central Bank of Russia –
Master’s programs, as well as research tracks, online courses, and continuing education programs will start this fall. Graduates will build models and predict people’s economic behavior taking into account the influence of cognitive biases, and assess the risks of business decisions or regulatory initiatives.
The pilot project is being carried out by the Bank of Russia, the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, the Ministry of Finance of Russia and Rosfinmonitoring. Six leading Russian universities have joined it: Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the New Economic School, St. Petersburg State University and Tomsk State University.
“The trick of this project is its diversity: the pilot participants are different, the formats are different, and the approaches are different too. Already in the process, in practice, we will understand what is most in demand among both students and employers. We want a strong scientific school of behavioral economics to emerge as a result, so that a community of specialists in this field will appear, where those who research and those who need this research will interact,” said Mikhail Mamuta, Head of the Service for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Ensuring the Availability of Financial Services of the Bank of Russia.
Representatives of the largest banks, financial companies and marketplaces, relevant ministries and departments took part in the discussion of educational programs. Companies are ready to assist in training personnel, accept students for internships, go to universities and analyze real situations of relationships between organizations and consumers.
The pilot was created to work out the interaction between educational institutions and employers. Based on its results, a decision will be made on how and in what format to develop this project in the higher education system.
Preview photo: Lightspring / Shutterstock / Fotodom
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 24703
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Participants in the special military operation who have the status of combat veterans, as well as participants in repelling the armed invasion of Ukrainian formations into Russian border regions, have received the right to become members of housing construction cooperatives (HCC). A resolution on this has been signed.
The list of categories of citizens who can be accepted as members of housing and construction cooperatives was approved in 2012. Until now, it included 11 categories of citizens, including large families, employees of state research centers, federal state educational organizations, state academies of sciences, employees of defense industry organizations, employees of internal affairs agencies and employees of the Russian National Guard who have special police ranks.
A housing cooperative is one of the forms of citizen participation in housing construction. People who establish a cooperative accept members of the housing cooperative, collect share contributions from them, and use the proceeds to build a house.
The advantage of a housing cooperative is that shareholders can directly search for contractors, monitor the construction progress and control how their money is spent. At the same time, the final cost of the apartment is usually lower than the market price, since shareholders pay for construction work without an intermediary bank.
The signed document introduces changes toGovernment Resolution of February 9, 2012 No. 108.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Nations – Geneva
The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold its fifty-ninth regular session from 16 June to 9 July 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The session will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, 16 June under the presidency of Ambassador Jürg Lauber of Switzerland. The opening will be addressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who will present his annual report. The Council will be meeting in room XX of the Palais des Nations.
Over almost four weeks, the Council will consider more than 60 reports presented by the Secretariat of the United Nations and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, human rights experts and other investigative bodies on numerous topics and relevant to the situation of human rights in more than 40 countries. In total, the Council will hold 32 interactive dialogues.
During the session, the Council will hold interactive dialogues with the High Commissioner on his annual report under agenda item two; on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under agenda item four; and on Ukraine and Colombia under agenda item 10.
The Council will hold enhanced interactive dialogues under agenda item two with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and on the oral update of the Fact-Finding Mission on the human rights situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Under agenda item four, the Council will hold an enhanced interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, with the participation of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
On climate change, the Council will hold its annual panel on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights, followed by an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on climate change. The Council will also hold its annual panel on technical cooperation and capacity-building.
Under agenda item three, the Council will hold its annual panel discussion on women’s rights, and a panel on safe drinking water and sanitation. It will also hold interactive dialogues on summary executions, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, transnational corporations, education, health, leprosy (Hansen’s disease), sexual orientation and gender identity, migrants, internally displaced persons, prevention of genocide, trafficking, extreme poverty, discrimination against women and girls, violence against women and girls, judges and lawyers, and international solidarity.
The Council will also hear the presentation of the Secretary-General’s interim report on the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, under agenda item 10. Further, it will hold interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea and the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel, under agenda item two; and with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi under agenda item four. The Council will also hear oral updates from the Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan under agenda item two and from the Commission of Inquiry on Syria under agenda item four.
Additionally, the Council will hold interactive dialogues under agenda item seven with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, and under agenda item nine with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Under agenda item 10, it will hold an interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic.
The final outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of 14 States will also be considered, namely those of Italy, El Salvador, Gambia, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Fiji, San Marino, Kazakhstan, Angola, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Madagascar, Iraq, Slovenia, Egypt, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A detailed agenda and further information on the fifty-ninth session can be found on the session’s web page. Reports to be presented are available here. All meetings of this session are broadcast on UN Web TV.
First Week of the Session
The fifty-ninth regular session will open on Monday, 16 June under the presidency of Ambassador Jürg Lauber. After the opening, the Council will begin considerations under agenda item two, and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, will present his annual report. Subsequently, the Council will hold an enhanced interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. This will be followed by an enhanced interactive dialogue on the oral update of the Fact-Finding Mission on the human rights situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On Tuesday, 17 June, the Council will hold an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s annual report, followed by an interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel. At the end of the day, it will hear the presentation of an oral update by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan.
On Wednesday, 18 June, the Council will commence discussions under agenda item three on the promotion and protection of all human rights, holding interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, which will conclude on Thursday, 19 June. This will be followed by interactive dialogues with the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
On Friday, 20 June, the Council will hold interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members, the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons.
Second Week of the Session
In its second week, the Council will conclude its interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons on Monday, 23 June. It will then hold interactive dialogues with the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.
The Council will start Tuesday, 24 June, with the first part of its annual discussion on women’s rights, focusing on gender-based violence against women and girls in conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings. This will be followed by an interactive dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls. In the afternoon, the second part of the annual discussion on women’s rights will be held, focusing on the commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy and on overcoming barriers to women’s leadership in peace processes.
On Wednesday, 25 June, the Council will hold interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, and the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity.
The Council will start Thursday, 26 June, with a panel discussion on the realisation of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, followed by the presentation of reports under agenda item three. In the afternoon, it will start its consideration of reports under agenda item four on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, hearing the presentation of an oral update by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, followed by interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, and on the oral update of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi.
On Friday, 27 June, the Council will hold an enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, and the oral update of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. This will be followed by an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the presentation of the High Commissioner’s oral update on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua.
Third Week of the Session
The Council will begin its third week on Monday, 30 June, with its annual panel discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights, focusing on facilitating just transitions in the context of addressing the impacts of climate change on human rights. This will be followed by an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change. It will then hear the presentation of the report of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises on the thirteenth session of the Forum on Business and Human Rights under agenda item five on human rights bodies and mechanisms.
The Council will next start its consideration under item six of the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Italy, El Salvador, Gambia, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Fiji, San Marino, Kazakhstan, Angola, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Madagascar, Iraq, Slovenia, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will conclude at the end of the day on Wednesday, 2 July.
On Thursday, 3 July, the Council will hold an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, under agenda item seven on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories. This will be followed by an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, under agenda item nine on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance.
In the afternoon, the Council will begin discussions under item 10 on technical assistance and capacity-building, with interactive dialogues on the oral presentation of the High Commissioner regarding his Office’s periodic report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine, and on the interim report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine. This will be followed by an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on the enhancement of technical assistance and capacity-building to assist Colombia in the implementation of the recommendations made by the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition.
On Friday, 4 July, the Council will hold its annual panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity-building, focusing on the role of technical cooperation and capacity-building in strengthening national structures which play a role in promoting and safeguarding human rights, particularly national human rights institutions and national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up.
This will be followed by an interactive dialogue on the oral update of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic.
In the afternoon, the Council will hear the presentation of the report of the High Commissioner relating to cooperation with Georgia. It will then start taking action on draft resolutions and decisions.
Fourth Week of the Session
The final week of the Council will be devoted to taking action on draft resolutions and decisions and the appointment of a member of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development and a member of the Working Group on arbitrary detention. The session will conclude on Wednesday, 9 July.
The Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system, made up of 47 States, which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the main purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them.
The composition of the Human Rights Council at its fifty-ninth session is as follows: Albania (2026); Algeria (2025); Bangladesh (2025); Belgium (2025); Benin (2027); Bolivia (2027); Brazil (2026); Bulgaria (2026); Burundi (2026); Chile (2025); China (2026); Colombia (2027); Costa Rica (2025); Côte d’Ivoire (2026); Cuba (2026); Cyprus (2027); Czechia (2027); Democratic Republic of the Congo (2027); Dominican Republic (2026); Ethiopia (2027); France (2026); Gambia (2027); Georgia (2025); Germany (2025); Ghana (2026); Iceland (2027); Indonesia (2026); Japan (2026); Kenya (2027); Kuwait (2026); Kyrgyzstan (2025); Malawi (2026); Maldives (2025); Marshall Islands (2027); Mexico (2027); Morocco (2025); Netherlands (2026); North Macedonia (2027); Qatar (2027); Republic of Korea (2027); Romania (2025); South Africa (2025); Spain (2027); Sudan (2025); Switzerland (2027); Thailand (2027); and Viet Nam (2025).
The term of membership of each State expires in the year indicated in parentheses.
The President of the Human Rights Council in 2025 is Jürg Lauber (Switzerland). The four Vice-Presidents are Tareq Md Ariful Islam (Bangladesh), Razvan Rusu (Romania), Claudia Puentes Julio (Chile), and Paul Empole Losoko Efambe (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Mr. Efambe also serves as Rapporteur of the Geneva-based body.
The dates and venue of the fifty-ninth session are subject to change.
Information on the fifty-ninth session can be found here, including the annotated agenda and the reports to be presented.
For further information, please contact Pascal Sim (simp@un.org), Matthew Brown (matthew.brown@un.org) and David Díaz Martín (david.diazmartin@un.org)
___________
Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
HRC25.006E
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a two-day official visit to Switzerland from June 9 to 10, and has commenced the Sweden leg of his European tour aimed at strengthening economic ties and fostering innovation-driven partnerships.
The Switzerland visit focused on advancing India-Switzerland economic cooperation and operationalising the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed earlier this year between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Goyal held high-level meetings with Swiss government officials and industry leaders to chart a roadmap for TEPA implementation and explore new opportunities for trade and investment.
During the visit, Goyal met with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, and State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda. Discussions centred on regulatory cooperation, skills development, innovation partnerships, and measures to facilitate faster investment decision-making.
The minister also engaged with Swiss industry leaders across sectors including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, precision engineering, defence, and emerging technologies. In sectoral roundtables and bilateral meetings, Goyal highlighted India’s growing economic strength, policy stability, infrastructure expansion, and the government’s efforts to create a conducive ecosystem for global investors. Swiss companies welcomed India’s expanding domestic market and policy reforms, viewing the country as a key destination for growth and manufacturing.
A key highlight was Goyal’s participation at the 18th Swissmem Industry Day held in Zurich, attended by over 1,000 delegates representing Switzerland’s mechanical, electrical, and metal industries. In his keynote address, the minister invited Swiss companies, including SMEs and deep-tech innovators, to scale up investments in India by leveraging TEPA. He emphasised India’s demographic advantage, engineering talent, and robust supply chains, encouraging Swiss industry to anchor research and development, establish manufacturing bases, and co-create technologies for emerging markets.
An immediate outcome of the visit was the swift resolution of a facilitation request from Endress+Hauser, a global process automation firm with a presence in India. The company had raised concerns about land availability near its Maharashtra facility. The issue was resolved within hours through coordinated efforts by the minister and Indian authorities, demonstrating the government’s commitment to investor-friendly governance.
Goyal also held one-on-one meetings with several Swiss companies exploring expansion strategies, localisation, talent development, and MSME linkages. Interest was especially strong in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, industrial automation, clean technology, and healthcare innovation.
The minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation from Indian industry bodies including ASSOCHAM, CII, and FICCI, reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-industry approach to economic diplomacy. In a meeting with the Switzerland chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Goyal appreciated their contribution to enhancing India’s reputation for financial excellence.
The visit concluded on a note of shared optimism, with Swiss stakeholders reaffirming confidence in India’s rise as a global economic powerhouse and welcoming the government’s collaborative and reform-oriented approach.
Moving on to Sweden, Goyal will co-chair the 21st session of the Indo-Swedish Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Scientific Cooperation with Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa.
He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Benjamin Dousa and Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary to the Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade. These discussions aim to reinforce the strong economic relationship and identify new opportunities aligned with India’s long-term economic objectives.
Key engagements will include an India-Sweden business leaders’ round table and meetings with leading Swedish companies such as Ericsson, Volvo Group, IKEA, Sandvik, Alfa Laval, and SAAB. The discussions will focus on sectors where Sweden excels, including advanced manufacturing, green technologies, and sustainable solutions.
Goyal will also meet members of the Indian diaspora and address media interactions to strengthen people-to-people ties and communicate India’s vision for the bilateral partnership.
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited, HOIL has recently provided Sgùrr Access and Marine Services Limited with loan assistance towards their start-up costs for a new business venture based in Kyle of Lochalsh. HOIL, The Highland Council’s business loan company offers loan support to Highland based businesses and community organisations, who can benefit from straightforward loan conditions and a tailored offer to support their project.
Sgùrr Access and Marine Services Limited approached HOIL for a loan to support initial investment start-up costs for a new business venture.The loan funds provided were used to purchase specialised equipment to carry out Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) inspection services for the aquaculture and marine leisure sectors across Scotland, but particularly on the West Highland coast.
Sgùrr Access and Marine Services Limited is a newly established company which is based in Kyle of Lochalsh. They provide ROV mooring and marine infrastructure inspection services as an alternative to commercial divers. The use of ROV technology delivers cost-effective, enhanced safety and accurate inspection services, which are essential for aquaculture companies, mooring associations and local authorities managing marine infrastructure.
Chair of HOIL, Councillor Paul Oldham, said: “I welcome this opportunity to help Sgùrr Access and Marine Services Limited get their business underway as it seems like they have found a good market to be able to service in a new way. I wish Lewis every success.
“The Opportunity Fund from HOIL provides accessible and affordable finance for start-ups and growing businesses across the Highlands and is one of several funds we can use to help projects across the area.”
Lewis MacLeod, Director of Sgurr Access and Marine Services Limited added: “The loan I received from HOIL was instrumental in helping me launch my ROV inspection business in the Highlands. I have been able to invest in high-quality equipment and cover initial setup costs, which would have been difficult to fund on my own. Thanks to their early backing, I was able to get the business off the ground quickly and start delivering cost-effective, high-resolution inspection services to clients across Scotland.”
To find out more about the support HOIL can provide businesses with visit here or email
11 Jun 2025
Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, will visit Ottawa, Ontario, from June 14 to 15, 2025.
Canada and the United Kingdom have shared history and enduring ties. Prime Minister Starmer’s visit will strengthen the long-standing economic and security partnership between the two nations – and deliver growth and prosperity for our peoples.
The conversations between the leaders will carry forward into the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question:
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has updated the quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs this month. Cats and dogs imported from the Mainland that meet the relevant quarantine requirements (including obtaining satisfactory results from testing conducted by recognised laboratories on the Mainland and having an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians) will have their quarantine period significantly reduced from the current 120 days to 30 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
Reply:
Rabies is a contagious disease that causes fatality to mammals (including humans) and no specific treatment is available at present. To prevent the introduction of animal diseases such as rabies into Hong Kong, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) regulates the import of live animals through a permit system, and controls the import of cats and dogs under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A) to protect public and animal health. Under effective control measures, Hong Kong has long been widely recognised as a rabies-free place by other places. Animals of Hong Kong generally face less stringent quarantine requirements when entering other places.
On the quarantine arrangements of imported cats and dogs, the AFCD classifies places into different groups according to different risk of rabies, with reference to information about the surveillance of animal diseases from the World Organisation for Animal Health. Group I and Group II places are respectively rabies-free places and places where rabies cases are few and under effective control. Since these places are considered of lower risk of rabies, the imported cats and dogs are exempted from quarantine upon fulfilling specified requirements. Places that do not meet the requirements of Group I or Group II, or where their situations cannot be determined, will be included in Group III. Cats and dogs imported from these places are required to undergo a quarantine of not less than 120 days before December 2024.
Since December 2024, the AFCD has divided Group III into Group A and B according to the results of risk assessment. Quarantine period for cats and dogs of Group IIIA is significantly shortened from 120 days to 30 days upon their arrival in Hong Kong, provided that they meet the relevant quarantine requirements including that the animals must be vaccinated against rabies, conducted a valid rabies neutralising antibody titre test, had an animal health certificate issued or endorsed by a government veterinary officer of the place of export. The Macao Special Administrative Region, Lithuania and the Mainland have been included in Group IIIA successively. As regards Group IIIB places, since the risk of rabies is higher or uncertain, and the incubation period of rabies can be up to several months, the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from those places is maintained at not less than 120 days.
The reply to the question from Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung is as follows:
(1) As mentioned just now, as long as cats and dogs imported from the newly added Group IIIA places (including the Mainland) meet the relevant quarantine requirements and hold an animal health certificate issued by an official veterinarian from the Mainland, the quarantine period upon arrival in Hong Kong will be significantly reduced from 120 days to 30 days. Because of this change, the cost of quarantine facilities that the owners of these cats and dogs have to pay has been greatly reduced to one-quarter of the previous cost, at the same time, the turnover rate of quarantine facilities will increase to four times than that of the past. The waiting time for quarantine facilities will be reduced correspondingly, and the usage effectiveness will be increased significantly.
As regards the quarantine arrangements, the current international practice is to isolate cats and dogs in officially supervised quarantine facilities to ensure that the animals will not have direct or indirect contact with other animals during the quarantine period, so as to avoid the transmission of animal disease into the community. As the mortality rate of rabies is close to 100 per cent, and animals have the opportunity to come into contact with other people or animals when they are quarantined in private premises, this will bring to them higher risk. Hence from a risk management perspective, home quarantine arrangement is not appropriate. The Department will continue to make reference to the latest animal disease situation announced by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and timely optimise the quarantine requirements for imported cats and dogs, taking into account factors such as international practices, operational experience and risk assessment.
(2) To facilitate animal owners to bring their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong, the Government has not only optimised the quarantine requirements for cats and dogs, but also increased the number of quarantine facilities. The new quarantine facilities at the Kowloon Animal Management Centre under the AFCD have been put into service in May this year. The quarantine facilities provided for cats and dogs have increased from 21 and 20 to 34 and 30 respectively. Further, taking into account that the shortened quarantine period has increased the turnover speed to four times than that of the past, the handling capacity of the AFCD’s quarantine facilities could be increased by as much as six to seven times than that of the past. In addition, the AFCD encourages private animal welfare organisations to provide quarantine facilities for cats and dogs, and is reviewing the application of the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). It is expected that the quarantine facility will be put into service in the middle of this year. The Department will also provide information and assistance to other private animal welfare organisations interested in operating quarantine facilities for cats and dogs. On the basis of the above improvement measures, it is expected that the quarantine facilities will be able to meet the demand.
As regards the number and testing quality of recognised Mainland laboratories, after discussions with the Mainland authorities and taking into account the regional distribution and level of recognition of the laboratories in the Mainland, the AFCD has recognised four Mainland laboratories in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Changchun for conducting rabies antibody titre tests for cats and dogs. All four laboratories are recognised by the Mainland authorities and the European Union, hence the quality of testing is assured. The AFCD will closely monitor the situation and will discuss with the Mainland authorities to adjust the list of approved laboratories when necessary.
(3) The Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong (VSB) is a statutory body established under the Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance (Cap. 529), and is responsible for the regulation, registration and disciplinary control of veterinary surgeons, to ensure a high standard of veterinary services in Hong Kong. The VSB learns about the overall veterinary services through data gathered in the regulation of the veterinary profession.
The number of registered veterinary surgeons (RVS) has been consistently on the rise since 2015, from 823 in 2015 to 1 364 in April this year, representing an increase of 65 per cent. Moreover, RVS comprises many specialties, such as small animal internal medicine and surgery, dermatology, cardiology, neurology and veterinary pathology. Apart from private veterinary clinics, the City University of Hong Kong and some animal welfare organisations, such as the SPCA, also provide veterinary services, therefore animal owners should be able to find appropriate veterinary services for their pets.
Thank you, President.
Source:
[PRESS RELEASE] – Samoa became one of the first Pacific Island nations to adopt a legally binding Marine Spatial Plan — a milestone step to fully protect 30% and ensure sustainable management of 100% of its vast ocean 120,000-square-kilometer ocean territory.
The adoption of the plan under the Lands, Survey and Environment Act 1989 was endorsed by Samoa’s Cabinet, setting a global blueprint for how large ocean states can sustainably manage their ocean and their resources.
Hon. Toeolesulsulu Cedric Pose Salesa Schuster, Samoa’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environment announced the legal adoption of the plan, stating, “Samoa is a large ocean state, and our way of life is under increased threat from climate change, overfishing, habitat degradation and more. This Marine Spatial Plan marks a historic step towards ensuring that our ocean remains prosperous and healthy to support future generations of Samoans‒just as it did for us and our ancestors.”
The Marine Spatial Plan includes the establishment of nine new fully protected Marine Protected Areas, covering 36,000 square kilometers of ocean. It integrates traditional management systems by incorporating existing nearshore community-managed areas such as Fish Reserves and District MPAs, ensuring these culturally important practices are preserved and strengthened.
Traditional knowledge and the best available science together with input from stakeholders and communities from across 185 communities guided and shaped the Plan. Its implementation will be led by the MNRE in close collaborations with other Ministries and national and local stakeholders.
Leilani Duffy-Iosefa, Country Director of Conservation International Samoa, emphasized the importance of Samoa’s legal commitment and the broader implications for global marine governance, “This example shows what true delivery and accountability look like and Conservation International is excited to continue the partnership to support Samoa’s goals to protect 30% and sustainably manage 100% of its ocean.”
Dr. Kathryn Mengerink, Executive Director of the Waitt Institute, acknowledged Samoa’s leadership and the significance of this achievement in the global context, “Today, Samoa has established itself as a leader in sustainable ocean management. We are proud to support Samoa’s visionary leadership and decisive action towards securing a healthy ocean, thriving communities, and a prosperous future for its people and the planet.”
The legal establishment of Samoa’s Marine Spatial Plan comes ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference taking place this June in France. The conference, aptly themed “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” will provide a platform for Samoa to inspire countries across the globe to advance their ocean protection targets as the deadline for the 30×30 conservation goals rapidly approaches.
END.
SOURCE – Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002188/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (Renew)
In its reply to the Parliamentary question of 27 January 2025 (‘Environmental vignettes for low-emission zones’, No E‑000355/2025), the Commission mentioned a study seeking to ‘identify and map EU interoperable technical solutions for demonstrating compliance with access rules’.
Dated 11 March 2025, the Commission’s answer added that the study’s results would – once they had been ‘further analysed’ – be made available ‘in the coming weeks’ on the Publications Office’s website.
In the light of the above:
Is the Commission in possession of the aforementioned results? If so, what interoperable technical solutions has it been able to identify and map?
Submitted: 2.6.2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002193/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Estelle Ceulemans (S&D), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Elio Di Rupo (S&D), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE), Nora Mebarek (S&D), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Marc Botenga (The Left), Rima Hassan (The Left), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Wouter Beke (PPE), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Carola Rackete (The Left), Thomas Bajada (S&D), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), André Rodrigues (S&D), Liesbet Sommen (PPE), Brando Benifei (S&D), Carla Tavares (S&D), Nikos Papandreou (S&D), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D)
On 19 May 2025, Prime Minister Netanyahu cynically invoked the need to prevent famine for diplomatic reasons, authorising a derisory resumption of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, while declaring Israel’s aim to take full control of the territory.
This minimal easing follows a critical crisis caused by Israel’s total blockade for over two months, violating Article 59(1) of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
This deliberate obstruction of aid to over two million Palestinians has created a situation of near starvation, with 4 000 children suffering from severe malnutrition. Meanwhile, over 90 % of the population has been forcibly displaced, 400 humanitarian workers have been killed since 7 October 2023, and constant bombing has destroyed 60 % of the building stock.
Given the intensification of violence announced by Israel, but also considering the small success of diplomatic pressure, enabling limited humanitarian aid in the area:
Submitted: 2.6.2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002305/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kathleen Funchion (The Left)
Transport infrastructure connecting the South East of Ireland to Dublin is important for Ireland’s connectivity to Europe. Ireland’s National Development Plan specifically mentions increasing the capacity of the N11 national road and the M11 motorway, but to date there has been very little progress. Additionally, the train that is on this route has an average speed of just 56 km/h and the journey takes roughly three hours.
Submitted: 6.6.2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002304/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kathleen Funchion (The Left)
Since the last reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the implementation of that reform at the national level, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) in Ireland has had several issues. There are still farmers who have not received payments since 2023.
Submitted: 6.6.2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002187/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)
The number of people with rare diseases in the EU is estimated at 30 million, while the number of rare diseases is estimated at 6-8000. Diagnosis can take more than five years, while many people never receive a timely or adequate diagnosis. At the same time, the high cost of treatments, unequal access to treatments and the limited availability and geographical dispersion of specialists and centres of expertise mean that people with rare diseases have difficulty accessing care and support.
In view of this:
Submitted: 2.6.2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002192/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christine Schneider (PPE), Lena Düpont (PPE)
If a goose holding wishes to make use of the option to have its parent geese vaccinated against avian influenza in future, the young geese may only be moved to other holdings 21 days after vaccination in accordance with Annex XIII Part 5 Number 4.1 letter e of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361. Up until now, young animals have been moved much earlier, which is why goose holdings are not tailored to the 21-day waiting period.
Submitted: 2.6.2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for oral answer O-000020/2025
to the Commission
Rule 142
Tom Berendsen
on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
European industry is currently facing enormous challenges. The Clean Industrial Deal sets out the long-awaited joint plan to strengthen Europe’s industrial decarbonisation and competitiveness, foster clean innovation, safeguard jobs and boost resilience and strategic autonomy. But time is running out. We therefore urge the Commission to move swiftly from strategy to delivery, with greater ambition and concrete, accelerated action.
Submitted: 5.6.2025
Lapses: 6.9.2025
Source: European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is tripling to €3 billion the intermediated financing available to Europe’s defence-industry suppliers in a fresh move to bolster security on the continent. The EIB is also triggering the new facility through an inaugural agreement with Deutsche Bank, providing long-term liquidity earmarked for security and defence investment projects.
The EIB’s increase in intermediated financing targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are a pillar of Europe’s defence industrial base. The EIB is providing a €500 million loan to Deutsche Bank, in a partnership that will enable €1 billion in financing and working capital for SMEs throughout the European Union security and defence supply chain, as well as military and police infrastructure such as training facilities for military personnel.
The new partnership was unveiled at the European Defence and Security Summit in Brussels today by EIB Group President Nadia Calviño. It will support improved access to finance for security and defence projects, addressing the urgent need for investment in innovation, supply chain resilience, and strategic autonomy amid increased geopolitical uncertainty.
“Strengthening Europe’s security and defence is central to our mission,” said President Nadia Calviño. “We’re scaling up financing to record levels, and through intermediated lending and partnerships with banks across the EU, we ensure that SMEs in the defence supply chain have access to the financing they need.”
“With this framework loan, Deutsche Bank will be able to deploy capital to clients at all stages of the supply chain throughout Europe, where it is most needed,” said Fabrizio Campelli, Deutsche Bank’s Head of Corporate Bank and Investment Bank and Member of the Management Board of Deutsche Bank AG. “It will support the comprehensive efforts our bank is deploying to advise and finance the sector at this crucial moment for Europe. Deutsche Bank is honoured to be the first European bank to partner with the EIB under its Pan-EU Security & Defence Lending scheme. The message is clear: we stand ready to reinforce the resilience of Europe’s security and defence.”
The threefold increase in the EIB’s €1 billion “Pan-European Security and Defence Lending Envelope” approved in December 2024 reflects exceptionally strong interest by commercial banks across Europe in leveraging the EIB’s resources, freeing up liquidity to support investments in the sector. The defence financing cooperation with Deutsche Bank is the first with a commercial bank under the EIB’s expanded lending scheme, with further partnerships currently due to follow shortly.
It follows the agreement announced last week between the EIB and the national promotional institutions of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain on a pan-European approach to strengthening European security and defence. Ther EIB and the five long term investors – Caisse des Depôts, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) and Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) – agreed to work together on areas of investment and on potential joint financing in sectors such as research and development, industrial capacity, and infrastructure.
The EU has more than 2,500 SMEs that are essential suppliers for major defence manufacturers such as Airbus, Thales, Rheinmetall and Leonardo. The SMEs provide key components, technologies and services, underpinning jobs, innovation and growth in the sector.
The boost in potential EIB lending to defence SMEs is meant to help them counter traditional funding obstacles that larger companies in Europe are generally spared. The move also covers Mid-Caps, another segment of the EU defence industry that has faced financing hurdles on the market.
Background information
About the EIB
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. The EIB finances investments in eight core priorities that support EU policy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security. The EIB Group stepped up its support to Europe’s security and defence industry in 2024 by enlarging the scope of projects eligible for financing and setting up a one-stop shop to streamline processes, doubling investment to €1 billion. The EIB Group expects to multiply this amount in 2025 to new record.
The Board of Directors in March approved a series of additional measures to further contribute to European peace and included peace and security as a cross-cutting Public Policy Goal to finance large-scale strategic projects in areas such as land-border protection, military mobility, critical infrastructure, military transport, space, cybersecurity, anti-jamming technologies, radar systems, military equipment and facilities, drones, bio-hazard and seabed infrastructure protection, critical raw materials and research.
In addition to financing, the EIB offers advisory services that help public and private partners develop and implement high-quality, investment-ready projects. In 2024 alone, EIB advisory teams helped mobilise over €200 billion of investment across Europe and beyond.
High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.
About Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank provides retail and private banking, corporate and transaction banking, lending, asset and wealth management products and services as well as focused investment banking to private individuals, small and medium-sized companies, corporations, governments and institutional investors. Deutsche Bank is the leading bank in Germany with strong European roots and a global network.
Source: European Parliament
Rural areas are home to 25 % of people in Europe and occupy 83 % of the EU’s territory. They face a number of economic, social, demographic and structural challenges that hinder their economic growth and development. With the appropriate policy and financial tools, rural areas will be able to explore their full potential and move to a situation of sustainable long-term growth. In June, Parliament is due to consider an own-initiative report on strengthening rural areas through cohesion policy.
Source: European Parliament
During Parliament’s June plenary session, MEPs will pose oral questions to the Commission on the UK’s accession to the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention and will vote on a resolution on this issue. The convention aims to facilitate the recognition and enforcement of court decisions in civil and commercial matters among its parties.