Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on April 28, 2025.
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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.
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The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.
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Press Conference by The President of ECOSOC Bob Rae and the Assistant-Secretary-General for Economic Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Mr. Navid Hanif, on the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development, 28-29 April.
Remarks by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the 2025 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow-Up (FfD Forum).
With five years remaining to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), Secretary-General António Guterres said, “we cannot let our financing for development ambitions get swept away,” urging countries to “making good on the commitments” made in the Pact for the Future last September.
Opening a financing for development forum ahead of the July 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting Bob Rae said, “trade is not a four letter word.”
Rae said, “trade is a positive way for countries to exchange goods and services, and to be able to emerge from poverty themselves. We need to reinforce the importance of reducing barriers to trade rather than increasing barriers to trade. To think that trade is a win-lose proposition, that some countries win from trade and other countries lose, or to think that there is a simple national solution to the problem of international trade, is simply wrong.”
Guterres, told the forum that “we face some harsh truths; the harsh truth of donors pulling the plug on aid commitments and delivery at historic speed and scale; the harsh truth of trade barriers being erected at a dizzying pace; the harsh truth that the Sustainable Development Goals are dramatically off track, exacerbated by an annual financing gap of an estimated for 3 billion US dollars; and the harsh truth of prohibitively high borrowing costs that are draining away public investments in everything from education and health systems, to social protection infrastructure, and the energy transition.”
He said, “from a necessary stimulus to help countries invest in their people, to vital and long awaited reforms to the global financial architecture, to the Pact’s clear commitments to open, fair and rules-based trade, to its call for an analysis of the impact of military expenditures on the achievement of the SDGs – with the final report out by September – to the Pact’s urging for an ambitious outcome to July’s Conference on Financing for Development.”
The Secretary-General said, “in many developing countries, gains are getting crushed under the weight of debt services siphoning away investments in education and infrastructure. And the problem is getting worse.”
He said, “the Sevilla Conference should emerge with a commitment by member states to lower the cost of borrowing, improve debt restructuring, and prevent crisis from taking goals. And this includes establishing a dedicated facility to help developing countries manage their liabilities and then has liquidity in times of crisis.”
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Rae said, “every capital of an advanced economy that is normally a donor is having a debate about what can they do? What can we do? But there’s no one country that can substitute for the efforts that the United States has been making over the last 80 years.”
He said, “we can’t wait for the United States to make up its mind as to what kind of a player it wants to be in the world. We have an obligation ourselves. Each one of our governments has an obligation to say, what are we going to do to make sure that the public good is not totally forgotten, and that the wellbeing of the world is not forgotten, and that our common security is not forgotten?”
The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) will be held in Sevilla, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, 2025. The conference will focus on financing for sustainable development and will be held at the FIBES Sevilla Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
The Middle East and North Africa face growing uncertainty amid shifting global geopolitics, trade tensions, and weakening international cooperation. These global developments, combined with regional challenges such as conflicts and political instability, pose significant risks to economic stability. How can policymakers manage immediate threats while strengthening resilience against future shocks?
Join us for an engaging discussion with a distinguished panel of experts as we explore these critical issues, highlighted in the IMF’s forthcoming Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia. This event is held in partnership with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Panellists:
Jihad Azour – Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF
Helima Croft – Head of Global Commodity Strategy & MENA Research, RBC Capital Markets
Ahmed Galal Ismail – CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Holding
Tarik Yousef – Director and Senior Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs
Moderator:
Joumanna Bercetche – Anchor, Bloomberg Television
Comments to the media by Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, and Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on non-proliferation and nuclear weapons.
This Stakeout was first in French, then in English; the English-only version was published here.
To watch the full stakeout in both languages, please visit: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1f/k1f00drn65
ECB Research Bulletin by Peter Karadi, Anton Nakov, Galo Nuño, Ernesto Pasten and Dominik Thaler.
Read more: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/research-publications/resbull/2025/html/ecb.rb250429~6f9636652d.en.html
The Research Bulletin features a selection of recent work on policy-relevant topics by ECB economists. Published on a monthly basis, the articles in the Research Bulletin are intended for a general audience.
The views expressed in each article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the European Central Bank and the Eurosystem.
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
Under President Trump’s leadership, we have the most secure border in the history of this nation. President Trump was able to do in 100 days what the Biden administration couldn’t — or wouldn’t — do in four years.
Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)
#ICYMI The #NFLDraft marked its 90th year in Green Bay, Wis. and our #military service members made their presence known during the three-day event. Congrats to the new @NFL players and thanks to our service members for proudly representing our nation.
For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
One month after two powerful earthquakes struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, millions are still grappling with the devastating impacts. Even before the disaster, nearly 20 million people across the country needed humanitarian assistance — and the earthquakes have pushed an additional 2 million into urgent need. The UN and partners are delivering critical aid and supporting communities on the long road to recovery.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Financing for Development
Deputy Secretary-General
Victims of Terrorism Associations’ Network
Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
International Court of Justice
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Lebanon/Israel
Yemen
Sudan
Afghanistan
Myanmar
Security Council
International Day
Resident Coordinator – Samoa
Financial Contribution
Briefings Today
FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT
This morning, the Secretary-General, as you heard, spoke at the Economic and Social Council Forum on Financing for Development.
He said that, as we prepare for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla in July, we are facing some harsh truths: donors are pulling the plug on aid commitments, the Sustainable Development Goals are dramatically off track and high borrowing costs are draining away public investments.
But, the more dangerous truth is that collaboration is being questioned with the ongoing trade wars. The Secretary-General said trade is a prime example of the benefits of international cooperation, and trade barriers are a clear and present danger to the global economy and sustainable development.
These are tough times, he said, but it is in difficult periods that the imperative for responsible, sustainable investment is even more critical.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed is in Montevideo, Uruguay. Today, she met with the President of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, to discuss the country’s development priorities and their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Later today, she will meet with several Government Ministers to discuss the partnership between the United Nations and Uruguay. She is also meeting youth groups, civil society, and of course the country team of the United Nations.
And over the weekend, she chaired the annual regional retreat with UN Resident Coordinators from across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ms. Mohammed will leave Uruguay later today and will be back here tomorrow evening.
VICTIMS OF TERRORISM ASSOCIATIONS’ NETWORK
This morning, our friends at the Office of Counter-Terrorism launched the Victims of Terrorism Associations’ Network. This is an initiative that brings together victims of terrorism and victims’ associations from across the globe to drive collective action to support victims’ rights and needs.
The network aims to provide a safe space for victims and survivors of terrorism to support each other, build resilience and engage as advocates, as educators, and as peacebuilders.
The development of the network was supported by a financial contribution from Spain.
The network was launched during an event this morning – and it is already available on UN Webtv. More information on the website of the office of Counter-terrorism.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=28%20April%202025
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Fiscal institutions in ministries of finance worldwide have been advancing the digital transformation of public finance, recognizing the potential of digital technologies to enhance their operations. Among these technologies, AI has sparked particular interest, with governments exploring its applications across various areas. Governments must grapple with both the potential of AI and the complexities of scaling its implementation effectively and responsibly.
At the same time, governments, especially in emerging and developing economies, face challenges that hinder progress in digitalizing fiscal operations, including outdated systems, limited interoperability, and difficulties to establish governance frameworks. This workshop comprises two panels to explore how governments are leveraging technologies and how the surge in AI interest has accelerated innovation and raised new expectations, including with AI use cases, setting up projects effectively, and approaching AI responsibly.
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: 100 days into the Trump Administration and global diplomacy at the State Department has never been stronger. Our negotiations and efforts to bring about peace are not just 9-5, they are 24/7.
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
Bahrain deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 28 April. Ambassador Abdulla Abdullatif ABDULLA presented Bahrain’s instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.
Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L
Connect with the U.S. Army online:
Web: https://www.army.mil
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
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#USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Shorts #Army
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
The Diablo Canyon Power Plant is currently California’s only nuclear power plant. It generates nearly 10% of the state’s power and also desalinates water on site.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General Travel
– Deputy Secretary-General
– Syria
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– South Sudan
– Haiti
– Nigeria
– Refugee Funding Cuts
– ECOSOC
– International Days
– Briefings – Monday
Secretary-General travel
The Secretary-General arrived today in Rome, where tomorrow, he will attend the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square. He will be back in the office on Monday.
There will be a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly to pay tribute to the memory of Pope Francis on Tuesday, in the General Assembly Hall at 3 pm. The Secretary-General will speak at that meeting.
And the UN flag will be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, as well.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed will travel to Montevideo, Uruguay, later today to chair the annual regional retreat with UN Resident Coordinators from across the Latin America and the Caribbean region. Ms. Mohammed will also meet with senior government officials to strengthen the UN-Uruguay partnership and discuss priority actions to support the Sustainable Development Goals. She will return to New York on April 29.
SYRIA
This morning, the Security Council held an open briefing on Syria. Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, told Council members that the political transition in Syria is now at a truly critical juncture. He added that in his recent discussions with the interim authorities, including Mr. Ahmad Al-Sharaa, he stressed the need for future constitutional process that involves all of Syria’s societal and political components.
For her part, Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said that nearly three quarters of the population in Syria are in need and 7 million are displaced.
Since the start of the year, 960 trucks have delivered aid through the cross-border operation from Türkiye – more trucks than during the whole of 2024. However, we need more funding to sustain this work, let alone scale it further, she said.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=25%20April%202025