The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community is expanding its reach in Bulgaria with the launch of a new national hub to support local innovation and connect stakeholders to Europe’s wider innovation ecosystem. The EIT Community Hub Bulgaria was officially launched today during the Green Transition Forum 2025, held at the Sofia Event […]
The United States strikes Iranian nuclear marks of perilous turn: diplomacy must prevail, explains Guterres
After ten days of air strikes initiated by Israel aimed at paralyzing the Iranian nuclear program which led to fatal daily exchanges of missile shots between Tehran and Tel Aviv, the UN chief said that diplomacy should now prevail.
“” We are now likely to go down into a reprisals after reprisals“He said, responding to the American intervention overnight to support the military campaign of Israel, which targeted three installations involved in the enrichment of uranium.
Back to essential serious negotiations
“” We must act – immediately and decisively – to stop fighting and return to serious and supported negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program“Added Mr. Guterres.
He told ambassadors that citizens in the wider region of the Middle East could not have another cycle of destruction yet. Demanding a ceasefire, he also put Iran to note that he must “respect” the treaty of non-proliferation on the development of nuclear weapons as the cornerstone of peace and security in the world.
Iran has always denied the allegation of Israel and others that its ambitions should become a nuclear armed state, compared to atomic energy for purely peaceful purposes.
Israel, the United States and Iran face a brutal choice. “A path leads to a broader war,” continued the UN chief, “deeper human suffering and serious damage to international order. The other leads to de -escalation, diplomacy and dialogue. ”
Grosi warns against major risks after the strikes
The head of the UN guard dog with atomic energy, the Aiea,, Inflected ambassadors The recent military strikes of Israel and now the United States on nuclear sites in Iran have seriously compromised security and could present serious risks if the situation is getting worse.
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi said that the attacks had caused “a Strong degradation of nuclear safety and safety“, Even if there had been no radiation leaks which could potentially have an impact on the public so far.
The head of the IAEA warned the ambassadors that if the short window of opportunity to return to the dialogue closes, the destruction could be “unthinkable” while The global nuclear non-proliferation regime “as we know, it could collapse and fall”.
Grossi confirmed that the main establishment of enrichment of Iran in Natanz had undergone major damage, in particular key electricity infrastructure and underground rooms containing uranium materials.
He said that the main concern inside the site was now chemical contamination, which can be dangerous if it is inhaled or ingested.
Massive radiation leak always possible
He also listed damage to other nuclear sites across the country, including Esfahan, Arak and Tehran, adding that if the radiation levels remained normal, the attacks had made the alarm on the Iran operational nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
Mr. Grossi warned that any strike on Bushehr could trigger a release of massive radiation in the region. “The risk is real,” he said. “Military climbing threatens lives and delays diplomacy which is necessary to resolve this crisis.”
He urged all parties to be restrained and said that the AIEA was ready to return experts to help monitor and protect damaged nuclear sites.
High person in political affairs: “no military solution”
Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenča told ambassadors that the world was facing a “dangerous moment” after the American bombing mission, while Iran considers potential reprisals.
He warned the Council that the region risks being “engulfed in new instability and volatility”, with “no military solution to this conflict”.
Mr. Jenča confirmed important damage to Iranian sites, citing open -source satellite imagery and Iranian relationships that the tunnels and buildings of the Fordwow nuclear installation had been affected. He urged Tehran to Give IAEA inspectors to access “as soon as the security conditions allow”.
Death assembly
Hostilities between Iran and Israel are now in their tenth day, and Jenča said that humanitarian toll was riding. “” Most [of the 430 killed in Iran] have been civilians, “he noted, while also citing Israeli reports out of 25 dead and more than 1,300 injured.
He also reported growing threats from non -state armed groups, including Houthis in Yemen, warning that their reprisals could widen the conflict. The Iranian parliament, on the other hand, expressed its support for the closure of the crucial commercial road through the narrow Strait of Hormuz.
“” The world will not be spared ramifications of this dangerous conflict “,” Mr. Jenča said, urging countries to act in accordance with international law and Charter of the United Nations.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
EIT Community Hub Launched in Bulgaria
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community is expanding its reach in Bulgaria with the launch of a new national hub to support local innovation and connect stakeholders to Europe’s wider innovation ecosystem.
The EIT Community Hub Bulgaria was officially launched today during the Green Transition Forum 2025, held at the Sofia Event Centre. This milestone marks an important step in strengthening Bulgaria’s position in the European innovation landscape.
The launch event welcomed a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the European Commission, international experts from the EIT network, Bulgarian universities, research organisations, entrepreneurs and innovative companies. Martin Kern, EIT Director, gave a welcoming speech online at the event.
This Hub, led by our colleagues Ms. Irina Ilieva and Ms. Mariyana Hamanova, is a one-stop-shop for anyone in Bulgaria looking to engage with the EIT…The hub isn’t just a helpdesk – it’s a dedicated local gateway to the EIT’s full pan-European offer…Let us work together to ensure that Bulgaria doesn’t just participate in Europe’s innovation future – but helps lead it
Stefan Dobrev, Chair of EIT Governing Board
What is the EIT Community Hub Bulgaria?
The EIT Community Hub Bulgaria was established to support the development of the national innovation ecosystem and to connect Bulgarian organisations with the institute’s Europe-wide network.
Located in Sofia, within the offices of Cleantech Bulgaria and JA Bulgaria, the hub offers a collaborative space for knowledge exchange, innovation support and development opportunities. It provides direct access to funding, mentorship, training and innovation programmes.
Meet the Team Behind the Hub
The hub is managed by two respected organisations with extensive experience in sustainable technology, education and entrepreneurship:
- Ina Stoyanova, Project Coordinator, Cleantech Bulgaria
- Irina Ilieva, Programme Director, JA Bulgaria
Their combined leadership ensures the hub is well placed to deliver a meaningful impact on Bulgaria’s innovation landscape.
Building on Proven Success
Over the past years, Bulgaria’s role in the EIT Community has grown substantially. Since 2021, the EIT has supported: 22 Bulgarian organisations with more than €2.5 million in funding; the creation or growth of 188 ventures; the launch of 23 new innovations; and the training of over 8,300 learners through EIT programmes. Now, with the launch of the EIT Community Hub Bulgaria, the Institute is taking its commitment one step further.
Guterres condemns a deadly attack on peaceburns in the Republic of Central Africa
The ambush took place on Friday along the Dafock Birao-Am axis in the Vakaga volatile prefecture, in the northeast of the car, near the border with Sudan affected by the conflict.
According to the stabilization mission, MinuscaThe patrol was targeted by “unidentified armed elements” in the locality of Am-Sissia.
The attack can be a war crime
In a statement published by his spokesperson on Sunday, Secretary General António Guterres extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, as well as to the government and the people of Zambia, and wished a rapid recovery to the injured soldier.
He pointed out that attacks on the United Nations Peace Soldiers could constitute war crimes under international law and urged the Central African authorities “to Save no effort to identify the authors of this tragedy so that they can be brought to justice».
This marks the third fatal attack on the peacekeeping patrols of MINUSCA since the beginning of 2025.
In March, a Kenyan peacekeeper was killed in the prefecture of Haut-Mbomou, and a month earlier, a Tunisian “blue helmet” lost his life in the North. Earlier this week, two Nepalese peacekeepers were injured in an assault in the South West.
Valentin Rugwabizahead of the United Nations mission, Decree on “Multiplication of attacks on peace soldiers” and echoed the appeal to justiceUndering the authorities to act decisively against those responsible.
Since its deployment in 2014, MINUSCA has undergone significant losses, with approximately 150 peacebuilders paying the ultimate price.
The strength of 17,000 people was established to help stabilize the car, a country embraced by decades of political instability, armed conflicts and humanitarian crises.
According to a February report from the United Nations Agency for Refugees (Hcr), the worsening of insecurity in certain parts of the country has forced Minusca to intensify patrols in several regions, including areas near the border with Sudan where violence and displacement have increased in the middle of the brutal civil war between rival soldiers.
The secretary general reaffirmed UN solidarity with the people and the government of the car, stressing the continuous commitment of the World Organization towards Peace and Stability in the region.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
What is development financing?
These are among the 17 goals agreed by almost all countries, called the Sustainable development objectives (ODD). The plan is to hit these targets by 2030.
But we are late. A great reason? There is simply not enough coherent funding to make real progress.
This is why world leaders, economists and other decision -makers meet at the end of this month in Seville, Spain, for a major event called the fourth international conference on development funding. It is called a “unique opportunity” to rethink the way the world pays for sustainable development.
What is development financing?
Basically, development funding works to answer a simple question-how does the world pay for a more balanced and more balanced aid, trade and development system?
Traders in Madagascar. One of the most underdeveloped countries in Africa, transports charcoal on the market.
The global community’s response has been to create a system that mobilizes the entire international financial architecture – taxes, subsidies, trade, financial and monetary policies – to the development agenda.
Architecture aspires to be as inclusive as possible, engaging a wide range of funding sources allowing countries to become more self -sufficient so that their citizens can lead a healthy, productive, prosperous and peaceful life.
Development financing essentially consists in “changing the functioning of the system to ensure that developing countries can … actually invest in their future”, Shari Spiegel, director of Funding for sustainable development the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Desa), says UN News.
Among these sources of financing are multilateral development banks which provide financial and technical support to developing countries. International and national commercial and revised trade policies also strive to relaunch development economies.
And, official development assistance (ODA) creates a channel through which aid from developed countries can flow directly to developing countries.
Why is development for development important?
From increasing debt and the decline in investments to help reduce development objectives, the current system fails to the people it is supposed to serve.
People everywhere pay the price:
- The debt increases, investments decrease and helps the donors shrinks.
- 600 million people could still live in extreme poverty by 2030 if we do not change lessons And it will take much more decades to reach the SDGs.
- Today, 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more to reimburse debt than for health or education.
- In addition, billions of people will continue to live in countries that must prioritize debt payments on development.
- This means less money for schools, hospitals, drinking water and jobs – the basics that people need to prosper.
And for people who face the consequences of the inaction of the world, it is an unacceptable chronology.
What systemic changes should be made?
As growing commercial obstacles and official development aid decreasing each year, an approach to financing financing for development is not sustainable.
The work began on a rapid public transport system connecting Delhi to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, India.
The next conference in Seville offers the opportunity to change course, mobilize large -scale finance and reform system rules to impose people’s needs at the center.
The conference will bring together countries, representatives of civil society and financial experts to discuss new approaches to development financing.
Above all, this conference will also offer developing countries a headquarters at the table, so that their needs are treated in international financial decision -making.
What role does debt play?
In the current financing system, developing countries continue to pay exorbitant amounts to serve their debt while being confronted with borrowing costs which can be up to two or four times higher than their developed counterparts.
These costs tend to increase in particular during or directly during crisis periods, creating a feedback loop through which developing countries cannot afford to develop the very structures which would allow them to pay these costs.
“Faced with debt expenses and a high capital cost, developing countries have limited prospects of finance the objectives of sustainable development,” said UN secretary general, António Guterres.
Children stand at the door of a house in a district struck in poverty in Lebanon. (deposit)
What can we expect from the conference?
The secretary general said that “big ideas” and “ambitious reforms” would need to get back on the right track to end poverty, hunger and inequalities.
“” [The conference] Presents a unique opportunity to reform an overwhelmed, dysfunctional and unfair international financial system, “said Chief António Guterres of the UN.
Member States have reached an agreement on a project that will launch an ambitious set of reforms and actions that countries must fill to fill the financing gap of $ 4.
The United States has withdrawn from the conference process on Tuesday During the final negotiations on the result documentsaying he couldn’t get on board with the project.
The reform will partly come from the effective mobilization of all stakeholders – private and public, formal and informal, developing and developed – and aligning their incentives and commitments to a sustainable future.
This includes emphasis on multilateralism as the basis of all development, increasing taxes that directs public funds towards international development objectives, reducing the cost of capital for developing countries, restructuring existing debt and the search for even more innovative financing methods.
“Seville is a moment in time. It’s really the start, not the end of the process. So now, the question is how to implement commitments? ” said Ms. Spiegel.
The reform of a broken financing system is difficult, but Ms. Spiegel is optimistic that multilateralism is up to par.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Media advisory – Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 23-24 June 2025
Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities. Source link
Media advisory – EU-Canada summit, 23 June 2025
Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities. Source link
The UN chief “ seriously alarmed ” by the American bombing of Iranian nuclear sites
“I am seriously alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today,” said the UN chief, reiterating that there is no military solution.
“” This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. »»
President Donald Trump pronounced a television address to the nation from the White House at 10 pm, local time and said that Iranian nuclear installations in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan had been “completely erased” describing the long -term bombing raid as a “spectacular military success”.
President Trump called on Iran’s management to “make peace” and return to negotiations on his nuclear program or to undergo a much greater wave of attacks.
The Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed the extent of damage to the three sites in central Iran. Earlier in the day, the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs would have warned the United States against any involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict that broke out on June 13.
Fatal strikes
At least 430 Iranians have been killed in waves of strikes since then with around 3,500 injured, according to figures from the Iranian Ministry of Health.
In Israel, 24 civilians died in reprisal attacks according to local authorities with more than 400 missiles would have been dismissed to the country.
B-2 bombers were involved in American strikes, confirmed President Trump, dropping so-called “Bunker Buster” bombs on the Uranium enrichment site in Fordow which is buried deeply in a mountain south of the Téheran capital.
‘Avoid a spiral of chaos’
In his declaration, the secretary general reiterated his concerns expressed THE Security advice During Friday’s emergency meeting on the crisis that the conflict “could quickly become uncontrollable – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world”.
He called on all the Member States to defuse the situation which threatens the stability of the Middle East and beyond, calling everyone to respect its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
“” At this perilous hour, it is essential to avoid a spiral of chaos“, He added by calling for an immediate return to the negotiations between the parties at war.
“” There is no military solution. The only way to follow is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Ukraine: Security Council hears of escalating attacks, diplomatic developments
“As we are facing renewed escalation on the ground and crisis elsewhere, it is critical to maintain focused attention on the urgent need for peace in Ukraine,” said UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča – one of two senior officials briefing the ambassadors.
In the three weeks since the Council last met on Ukraine, Russia has carried out unrelenting large-scale attacks on cities and towns, resulting in a significant rise in civilian casualties.
Deadly Kyiv attack
A combined drone and missile attack on the capital Kyiv overnight on 16-17 June was one of the deadliest there in a year. At least 28 civilians were killed and more than 130 injured. Many others are still reported missing under the rubble of the 35 apartments destroyed that night.
Attacks also reportedly occurred in Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv and Kyiv provinces that same night, with two civilians reportedly killed and scores injured in Odesa.
“These levels of death and destruction risk dimming hope for an immediate ceasefire and threaten to undermine prospects for a lasting peace,” he said.
‘Dramatic increase’ in casualties
Data from the UN human rights office, OHCHR, reveals that at least 13,438 civilians, including 713 children, have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Another 33,270 civilians have been injured, including over 2,000 children.
The number of civilian casualties in the first five months of this year alone totaled 5,144 – nearly 50 per cent higher than in the same period in 2024. Of this number, 859 were killed and 4,285 injured.
“This dramatic increase is a result of intensified use of long-range weapons, both missiles and loitering munitions, against cities across Ukraine,” said Mr. Jenča.
Ukrainian authorities report that between 1 and 17 June, Russian forces launched at least 3,340 long-range drones, including loitering munitions and decoy drones, and 135 missiles into the country. This compares to 544 long-range munitions launched during the whole of June 2024.
Attacks reported in Russia
Escalating violence also continues to be reported in Russian regions that border Ukraine, though at a far lower level.
In the Kursk region, a woman died in hospital a day after being injured in a Ukrainian drone attack while a man was killed, and five others injured, in a strike on a recreational centre. The UN was not able to verify these reports.
“Let me once again unequivocally state – attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law, wherever they occur,” said Mr. Jenča, reiterating the UN’s condemnation.
Diplomatic developments welcomed
Meanwhile, “important diplomatic developments have taken place on the challenging path towards a lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Ukrainian and Russian delegations held their second face-to-face meeting in Istanbul on 2 June. They reportedly exchanged written memoranda outlining their respective visions for a ceasefire and parameters for a future peace settlement.
The sides also reached agreement for the large-scale exchange of prisoners of war, mortal remains and civilian detainees. Swaps have been carried out since then, with the latest round taking place earlier on Friday. The mortal remains of 6,057 Ukrainian and 78 Russian servicepersons also have been returned as of 16 June.
“We welcome the continuation of all meaningful diplomatic efforts, including the recent talks in Istanbul. We urge the sides to make tangible progress towards a ceasefire and a lasting settlement through continued talks,” said Mr. Jenča.
In the face of escalation, he called for redoubling efforts “to ensure that the fragile diplomatic process is not only sustained but becomes irreversible.”
Civilians bear the brunt
In the meantime, civilians continue to bear the severe consequences of the war, said Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
“As the war continues, millions of lives are impacted every day. Essential services are disrupted, and vulnerabilities are deepening for nearly 13 million people in need of assistance,” she said.
Roughly 3.7 million people are displaced inside Ukraine, including 60,000 newly displaced from frontline regions since January alone. Almost six million citizens are now refugees, mainly in Europe.
Amid the intensifying hostilities, the Government continues to order the mandatory evacuation of families with children from front-line villages, she said. However, for some people in these locations “attacks are so frequent that evacuations themselves become a risky prospect.”
Humanitarians at risk
Ms. Wosornu noted that humanitarians also face growing threats. This year, two aid workers have been killed and 24 injured while delivering assistance, and some 68 incidents of violence impacting relief personnel, assets and facilities have been recorded.
She said that “despite an operating environment beset by multiple risks and challenges,” humanitarians remain committed and engaged, and their operations continue. Between January and May, they reached some 3.4 million people with life-saving aid, including food, water, medicines, health services and livelihood support.
Humanitarians are seeking $2.6 billion for Ukraine this year, and $816 million, has been secured, she said, stressing the importance importance of “timely financial support”.
End the war
Ms. Wosornu concluded her remarks by renewing earlier calls for the Council to take urgent, collective action in three areas, including protecting civilians and ensuring safe humanitarian access to all in need.
Ambassadors were also urged to ensure sustained financial support as “declining funding trends” threaten aid efforts.
Her final request was an appeal to “end this war, and until then, ensure that humanitarian concerns are a central part of discussions on a pause in fighting or longer-term agreement.”