Historic shifts offer Syria a path forward

Historic shifts offer Syria a path forward

The United States, European Union and United Kingdom have taken steps to ease long-standing sanctions – moves that, according to UN officials, could pave the way for long-overdue progress on the political and humanitarian front, provided they are sustained and inclusive. Speaking to the Security Council from the capital Damascus on Wednesday, UN Special Envoy […]

Stuck in the middle? Indebted nations plot path to growth amid global trade upheaval

Stuck in the middle? Indebted nations plot path to growth amid global trade upheaval

The High-Level Conference of Middle-Income Countries (MICs), held on 28 and 29 April, was attended by senior representatives from 24 MICs, many of which are highly indebted, leaving them little room for spending on developing their economies. Since 2000, only 27 countries transitioned from middle income to high-income status, and many have experienced reversals back […]

Security Council debates precarious path forward for a new Syria

Security Council debates precarious path forward for a new Syria

Four and a half months after the fall of the Assad regime, the interim authorities have begun taking formal steps towards political reform, the Security Council heard on Friday. These include the formation of a broader, more diverse cabinet and initial plans to establish an interim People’s Assembly. However, the process remains tenuous and incomplete, […]