Source: European Commission (video statements)
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech at the EU Ambassadors Conference 2025
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Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is holding a two-part evidence session on the remediation of dangerous cladding on Monday 3rd February at 3.30pm. The National Audit Office reported in November 2024 that up to 60% of buildings with dangerous cladding had not yet been identified. It highlighted hundreds of thousands of residents who have no idea when their building will be made safe, with many continuing to suffer significant emotional and financial distress.
The session’s first panel will hear from the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign on the current experience of residents. Other likely topics to be discussed with housing sector representatives include how to accelerate remediation in social housing, strengthening enforcement and paying for remediation.
The Committee will then move into its second panel to question senior Government and Homes England officials. The panel will likely see scrutiny of Government plans for identifying buildings with dangerous cladding. Current estimates are the 9,000 to 12,000 buildings over 11m will need remediating. At the time of the NAO’s report, only just under 5,000 buildings had been identified, with work yet to start on around a third of these.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
Minister Gwede Mantshe delivers the keynote address at the African Mining Indaba 2025 on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
If you were affected by a recent natural disaster, and are in a county designated for assistance, Help Is Here. To apply for FEMA assistance, or to update your application, go to DisasterAssistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Federal Advisory Committees provide important recommendations concerning science, international trade, farming, nutrition, and other significant matters. If you are serving on a Federal Advisory Committee, you need to know the applicable ethics rules to maintain the public’s trust in the important work of your committee. To assist advisory committee members across the Executive Branch, the USDA Office of Ethics is making this video publicly available on YouTube. If you are a USDA employee or are a member of a USDA Advisory Committee and you have any ethics questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the USDA Office of Ethics at: https://www.ethics.usda.gov. Also, be sure to download the innovative, and free, USDA Ethics App by searching “USDA Ethics” on any smart phone, and play the new inter-active USDA-NASA Lunar Greenhouse Ethics Learning Game (available on USDA’s Ethics webpage at www.usda.gov/ethics).
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Source: United Nations (Video News)
One of the main examples of successful stabilization by the UN comes from East Timor, a context that was marked by 24 years of conflict during the Indonesian occupation and violent internal crises after independence. With support from the United Nations, the small Asian nation achieved self-determination and pacification.
To overcome divisions and other issues, Timor-Leste invested in reconciliation, an experience that can inspire global peace and security efforts in other contexts. Therefore, on a recent visit to the country, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, stated that “the world has a lot to learn” from the Timorese experience.
Between 1999 and 2012, Timor-Leste hosted six of the organization’s missions, four of which were peacekeeping and the other two were political. The Asian nation lives under the motto “conflict never again, welcome development” and works to send more and more Timorese soldiers to stabilization missions around the world.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Briefing Monday
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Human Rights
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Haiti
Interfaith Harmony Week
Honour Roll
BRIEFING MONDAY
On Monday, at 12:30 p.m., there will be a briefing by Ambassador Fu Cong, the Permanent Representative of China and President of the Security Council for the month of February. He will discuss the Council’s programme for the upcoming month.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
On the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is saying that humanitarian organizations in Goma continue to assess the impact of the crisis, including the widespread looting of warehouses and the offices of aid organizations.
The World Health Organization and partners conducted an assessment with the Government between January 26th and yesterday and report that 700 people have been killed and 2,800 injured people are receiving treatment in health facilities. These numbers are expected to rise as more information becomes available.
Today, OCHA and its humanitarian partners visited sites for internally displaced people in the areas of Bulengo and Lushagala – which is on the outskirts of Goma.
They found that water and healthcare services are still operational, but conditions remain dire.
In Goma, access to safe drinking water remains cut off, forcing people to rely on untreated water from Lake Kivu. Without urgent action, OCHA cautions that the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks will continue to increase.
For its part, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said today that several displacement sites, including on the outskirts of Goma – where over 300,000 displaced persons had sought refuge – have been partially or completely emptied.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=31%20January%202025
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Survivors of the Eaton Fire describe the feeling of losing their home, and the kindness of the firefighters who did all they could to save their most valuable possessions.
Source: European Commission (video statements)
Press conference by António COSTA, President of the European Council, Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission and Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister
You can read more about the exact contents of the Competitiveness Compass at the following link: https://europa.eu/!DXJPFw
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Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
National Commissioner of South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola provides an update on the successes registered during safer festive season operations
Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)
This week’s top stories of the week include:
0:15 5 global risks facing the world – The Global Risks Report 2025, produced by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Marsh McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group, offers a sobering outlook for the future. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed experts anticipate a turbulent decade ahead, with no expectation of calmer times.
2:58 Why women’s health is often ignored – Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health than men, despite having a longer life expectancy. Nine key conditions account for one-third of this women’s health gap. Seven are conditions that affect women only. They include breast cancer, endometriosis and menopause.
5:40 Protectionism harms global trade – Protectionism involves restricting imports, often by putting tariffs on them to defend industries from foreign competition. In the short term, protectionism can boost domestic economies, creating jobs and swelling government revenues. But it can also reduce consumer choice and lead to trade retaliation from other nations along with a more uncertain global economic environment.
9:27 Most in-demand health career – With nearly 29 million nurses worldwide, nursing is the largest healthcare profession. However, a global shortage persists, with 6 million unfilled positions before the pandemic—89% in low and lower-middle-income countries. This gap impacts both healthcare outcomes and economic growth.
_____________________________________________
The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
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#WorldEconomicForum
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
American leadership is back in our hemisphere and we’re ready to work with our regional partners. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is embarking on his first trip as Secretary of State. He’ll be visiting Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic where he will focus on mutual priorities that make Americans stronger, safer, and more prosperous.
Read more: https://www.state.gov/secretary-rubios-travel-to-panama-el-salvador-costa-rica-guatemala-and-the-dominican-republic/
———-
Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.
Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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#StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Humanitarian supplies now run low in and around Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, due to escalating violence. Families caught up in conflict are crossing the border into neighbouring Rwanda seeking safety. About 1,000 asylum seekers have arrived at the Rugerero site, which is currently under construction and has been specifically designated by the Government of Rwanda to receive new arrivals.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Established in 1974 after the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, UNDOF is one of the UN’s longest-running peacekeeping forces. Discover how UNDOF maintains peace along the tense Israel-Syria border.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Catherine Russell never forgets the children she meets. As Executive Director of UNICEF, she bears witness to the stories of tens of millions of children and young people suffering around the world, and shares causes for optimism and hope wherever she finds it.
“Children just want to be children. No matter what, the bleakest situation, the most terrible things, they still want to play right? They want to find some joy. They want to just be kids, and I think that’s what we have to all work to protect.”
2024 was one of the worst years on record for children in conflict, a devastating statistic that the United Nations is refusing to accept as a deadly new normal. In this episode*, Catherine Russell reflects on the impacts of childhood trauma, the limits of human resilience, and looks back on a childhood spent trick-or-treating for UNICEF.
* Episode recorded in the end of 2024
Full episode: https://youtu.be/6zR21e7yQUQ
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #UNICEF #children
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) forced labor enforcement mission supports ethical and humane trade while leveling the playing field for United States (U.S.) companies that respect fair labor standards. CBP is the only U.S. government agency, and one of the few in the world, with the legal authority to take enforcement action against goods produced with forced labor to prevent entry into domestic commerce.
Forced labor is a violation of basic human rights. CBP is committed to identifying products made by forced labor and preventing them from entering the U.S.; therefore denying access to the U.S. economy for those that engage in the egregious human rights abuses associated with the use of forced labor.
Eradicating the use of forced labor is a moral imperative. Additionally, forced labor is an unfair trade practice that undermines the ability of companies that treat workers fairly to compete in the global economy. CBP is determined not only to prevent goods made with forced labor from entering the United States, but also to do everything within our authority to stop them from being made in the first place.
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#cbp
#trade
#lawenforcement
#humantraffickingawareness
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
The President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña Palacios, stressed the critical role of the WTO in promoting peace and prosperity through free trade during his delivery on 31 January of the latest edition of the WTO Presidential Lecture. President Peña emphasized that, amid the current global challenges faced by the multilateral trading system, middle powers like Paraguay have a unique responsibility to act as bridge-builders and to foster dialogue and consensus. This will contribute to a more stable and cooperative international order, he said.
What the lecture: https://youtube.com/live/jzTIuAaewY4?feature=share
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
“I thank President Trump for the promises he made to us. He said he would secure our borders and that he would never forget about Laken. And he hasn’t. He’s a man of his word.” –Laken Riley’s mother Allyson Phillips
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
The White House
Source: United Nations (Video News)
How does the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provide life-saving aid in war zones? Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the ICRC, delves into the organization’s unique mission, the challenges of delivering humanitarian assistance, and the critical role of neutrality in protecting those affected by armed conflict.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Media stakeout by James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, and Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations, on Myanmar.
Source: European Central Bank (video statements)
Watch President Christine Lagarde talk about the motifs chosen by the ECB’s Governing Council to illustrate the two possible themes for future euro banknotes: “European culture: shared cultural spaces” and “Rivers and birds: resilience in diversity”. We’ll be launching a contest later this year to help us select final designs in 2026.
For more information, see the future banknotes page.
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/banknotes/future_banknotes/html/index.en.html
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
Expanding a startup isn’t just about innovation—it’s about access to markets, investment, and the right support system. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), located in Ben Guerir, Morocco, provides entrepreneurs with training, incubation, and resources to help them scale beyond local borders. By fostering international partnerships and connecting founders to global networks, the university enables startups to navigate new markets, attract investment and drive economic growth.
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
The National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General (Dr/Adv.) Godfrey Lebeya and his management holds a media briefing to outline progress and take stock of milestones achieved during the third quarter of financial year 2024/2025
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
The White House
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile attends and speaks at the Official Opening of the first phase of the BAPS Hindu Mandir Temple and Cultural Complex in Johannesburg