The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) is inviting civil society organisations to apply for funding projects to advance and support democracy. UNDEF will support two-year projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organisations, […]
Council commits 23.04 billion euros to combat climate change by 2021
In 2021, the European Union and its 27 member states committed €23.04 billion in climate finance from public sources to support developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Council approved the figure, in preparation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27), which will […]
UNGA 77: EU Delegation to defend rules-based order
A high-level delegation of the European Union will attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly next week in New York. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, and Commissioners Janez Lenarčič and Jutta Urpilainen will host and participate in events and meetings with leaders from around the world, and have a number of […]
Russian military control of Ukraine nuclear plants cause for grave concern, nuclear energy agency warns
Reports that Ukraine’s, and Europe’s, largest nuclear power plant is under the control of Russian forces is a cause for grave concern, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, said on Sunday. In a statement released by the IAEA, Mr. Grossi said he had been informed by Ukrainian authorities that, although regular staff […]
‘Senseless war’ forces one million to flee Ukraine: UN refugee chief
The “senseless war” in Ukraine has forced one million people to flee the country in just seven days, while countless others have been displaced within its borders, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said on Thursday. “I have worked in refugee emergencies for almost 40 years, and rarely have I seen an exodus as […]
Major drop in EU’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, official data confirms
Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) decreased by almost 4 % in 2019, according to latest official data, published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). These data confirm the EEA’s preliminary estimates, published in October 2020. The large decline in emissions, achieved before the COVID-19 crisis, was mainly due to reduced coal […]