The first EU-Moldova summit was held on 4 July 2025 in Chișinău. At the joint press conference, European Council President António Costa reaffirmed that Moldova’s future is within the EU. He commended Moldova’s reform progress and resilience in the face of multiple crises, underlining the EU’s determination to support the country’s accession process, economic development […]
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ECCC Governing Board and the Network of National Coordination Centres met in Rome, Italy
During the meetings, members welcomed Natalia Tkachuk from the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center within the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, and Kyrylo Zaporozhets from the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, for a presentation on Cybersecurity in Ukraine – three years of lessons learned.
This session provided an opportunity for meaningful engagement with Ukrainian representatives. The Board expressed its support for Ukraine and its commitment to continuing the dialogue.
The Board also discussed matters related to the governance of the ECCC. Topics included the ongoing implementation of cybersecurity projects co-funded by the ECCC, the development of the cyber community and the establishment of a Strategic Advisory Group, the ECCC’s annual accounts and initial audits, as well as the continued work of the Board’s Working Groups. In addition, an initial discussion was held on the future direction of the ECCC beyond 2027.
Contact for media: communicationeccc [dot] europa [dot] eu (communication[at]eccc[dot]europa[dot]eu)
“ A spirit of unity ”: cooperatives cultivating peace in South Sudan
“Cooperatives are a system that allows southern suddens to improve their livelihoods, but at the same time, also contributes to the economy … This is the only way for South Sudan to leave poverty,” said Louis Bagare Project Manager of food and agricultural cooperatives (Fao) In South Sudan.
He spoke before International Cooperative DayWho is celebrated every July 5, and who emphasizes how cooperatives allow people to provide for their basic needs in contexts where individuals working alone are insufficient.
A path to peace
In South Sudan, the potential of cooperatives extends beyond economic empowerment.
A farmer from South Sudan Till his land.
“Cooperatives are one of the avenues that can bring peace and stability to South Sudan,” said Mr. Bagare.
For more than a decade, South Sudan has been faced with many challenges that come across. After its independence in 2011, a civil war broke out, concluding in 2018 with a peace agreement. But this peace is more fragile that never.
Pillage and inter -municipal violence, mainly perpetrated by young people, continues to be an omnipresent concern for many communities which are already confronted food insecurity and continuous climatic shocks.
In this context, cooperatives provide a glimmer of hope.
“Cooperatives have really changed the state of mind of our people and brought stability to the country,” said Deng William Aachiek, director of rural producers from the Sudan Ministry of South South Agriculture and Food Security.
But what can cooperatives inaugurate lasting peace?
A voluntary and democratic group
Cooperatives are voluntary economic organizations in which members share risk, work and income.
“A cooperative is a democratic social association of people who, as an individual, cannot improve their status of life and social status … But once they meet in a cooperative, they can then increase the level of their lives,” said Oneil Yosia Damia, Director General of Cooperative Development in South Sudan.
A cooperative of southern Sudan farmers has been trained in the production of seeds by FAO.
FaoLouis Bagare believes that this type of democratic approach to governance at the local level will go to the national level and encourage more widespread adhesion to a democratic form of governance through South Sudan.
Income, no firearms
In addition to providing a model of democratic governance, cooperatives also allow economic growth and development, providing communities – especially young people – a viable and lasting alternative to looting.
“When, in particular young people, are engaged in productive activities that generate income, they will not have the point of choosing a firearm to go fight or to fly and loot,” said Bagare.
In South Sudan, communities that form cooperatives often do not have enough individual resources to maintain a sustainable livelihood, a reality that pushes young people to violent looting for survival.
” When [community members] Work together, when they bring together ideas, when they bring together resources, it is much easier for them to overcome their livelihoods, “said Bagare.
Bagare also explained that banks are more ready to invest in groups and that organizations like FAO are more likely to provide support for cooperatives. But in the end, the objective is that it will not be long term.
“The emphasis is placed on the strengthening of their capacity so that they can create lives,” said Bagare.
A historical structure in the youngest country in the world
In South Sudan, there are cooperatives of each shape and size. Massively, these cooperatives are agricultural, but some also produce soap, bread and textiles. The history of South Sudan is populated by examples of this type of work.
“Cooperatives are not something now. This is part of the culture of South Sudan, ”said Bagare.
Mr. Daima referred to “the golden era” of the cooperatives that existed before the civil war in 2011. He said that his office in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety works with diligence to return to that time.
“I want our cooperatives to be as busy as bees. It is the spirit of unity, of unity, ”said Mr. Daima.
Mr. Bagare hopes for a future in South Sudan where cooperatives are part of each economic sector – not just agriculture.
“If we are able to work together, we can become better people tomorrow. But when we continue to fight only, we will continue to destroy ourselves. ”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Refuge and security Elude to Afghan women from the returned to Iran and Pakistan
Since September 2023, more than 2.43 million undocumented Afghan migrants have returned from Iran and Pakistan.
Women and girls represent approximately half of Pakistan returnees, while their share among those returning from Iran have increased regularly, reaching around 30% in June.
The pace of climbing yields is useful reported THE Humanitarian work groupa consortium of humanitarian actors led by United Nations and the United Nations Reproductive Health Agency (Unfpa).
Border vulnerabilities
Women and girls arrive with little protection or support.
“A tent would be my only protection. I don’t have appropriate clothes or hijabs to wear, no food to eat, no contact number and no parents to stay, “said a woman on the border.
Those who travel without a mahram – A male tutor – Faced with specific risks. Interviews and discussions by the working group have revealed extortion, harassment and threats of violence to border crossings.
“They took 6,000 rupees (about $ 21) and only gave me 2,000 back. Now I don’t know where to go with this money, “a woman told Torkham. In Qala Islam, others have pointed out “ill -treatment and harassment … provoking fear and distress”.
Increased risks of protection
Rapatrians are faced with growing exposure to sexist violence, early and forced marriage, trafficking and transactional sex – exacerbated by a lack of basic resources.
A humanitarian worker from Kandahar said: “A widow with four girls was trying to see if she could sell one or two girls to someone here to have money to survive.”
Humanitarian agencies report a critical shortage of safe spaces and mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPS), in particular to border passages, where many women arrive in distress and disoriented.
Shelter, livelihoods and education
In the provinces, women cite shelter, livelihoods and education of girls as best needs.
“We need a place to stay, a chance to learn and a way to win,” said a repatriated woman from Nangarhar’s province.
Only 10% of households led by women live in permanent shelters and almost four out of ten fear the expulsion. In Herat, 71% of women declared rent disputes and 45% of households led by women lived in inadequate housing.
“Many families lack sufficient financial resources to provide basic foods and necessities,” said a woman in Herat.
Women who previously worked in professions such as sewing or crafts now find it difficult to restart due to a lack of tools, movement restrictions and limited networks.
Ahead
The forced yields that should continue, humanitarian agencies urge on the scale of sex sensitive services, including security spaces, mental health care, support for livelihoods and access to education.
UN women and its partners call for an increase in funding and supported international support to meet urgent and long -term needs of Afghan women and girls.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Speech by President António Costa at the opening ceremony of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
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UN chief ‘appalled’ by worsening Gaza crisis as civilians face displacement, aid blockades
Multiple attacks in recent days have killed and injured scores of Palestinians at sites hosting displaced people and others attempting to access essential supplies, according to a statement from UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Thursday.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the loss of civilian life,” Mr. Dujarric said.
On just one day this week, nearly 30,000 people were forced to flee under new Israeli relocation orders, with no safe place to go and clearly inadequate supplies of shelter, food, medicine or water, he added.
Critical systems shutting down
With no fuel having entered Gaza in over 17 weeks, the UN chief is also “gravely concerned that the last lifelines for survival are being cut off.”
“Without an urgent influx of fuel, incubators will shut down, ambulances will be unable to reach the injured and sick, and water cannot be purified,” Mr. Dujarric said.
“The delivery by the United Nations and partners of what little of our lifesaving humanitarian aid is left in Gaza will also grind to a halt.”
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for safe and sustained humanitarian access so aid can reach people in desperate need.
“The UN has a clear and proven plan, rooted in the humanitarian principles, to get vital assistance to civilians – safely and at scale, wherever they are,” Mr. Dujarric said.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. He reminded all parties that international humanitarian law must be upheld.
Displacement continues
Displacement remains relentless. On Wednesday, Israeli authorities issued a new evacuation order in parts of Gaza City, affecting some 40,000 people and including a displacement site, a medical point and one of the few neighbourhoods that had remained untouched by such orders since before the March ceasefire.
Since that ceasefire collapsed, over 50 such orders have been issued, now covering 78 per cent of Gaza’s territory.
“Add the Israeli-militarized zones and that percentage jumps to 85 – leaving just 15 per cent where civilians can actually stay,” Mr. Dujarric said, briefing reporters at the UN Headquarters, in New York.
Those areas are overcrowded and severely lacking in services or proper infrastructure.
“Imagine having just over two million people in Manhattan – which is actually slightly bigger – but instead of buildings, the area is strewn with the rubble of demolished and bombed-out structures, without infrastructure or basic support,” the UN Spokesperson said.
“And in Gaza, these remaining areas are also fragmented and unsafe.”
The United Nations Human Rights Council hears dark updates on Ukraine, Gaza and global racism
Climbing conflicts in Ukraine
In an oral update, il à Marques Kehris, Deputy Secretary General of the UN Human Rightsreported a strong escalation of hostilities in Ukraine.
Civil victims increased from April to June, seeing almost 50% dead and additional injuries compared to the same period in 2024.
“More than 90% of these victims took place in a territory controlled by Ukraine,” she said, attributing the point in part to the intensification of Russian drone and missile attacks.
Attacks using aerial warheads and repeated strikes in hospitals have instilled “terror and anxiety” among urban populations, she added. A night attack from June 16 to 17 in kyiv killed more civilians than any other assault in the past year.
While cease-fire negotiations have produced humanitarian gains-such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of deceased soldiers-Ms. Kehris stressed arduous conditions of detention.
More than 117 former Ukrainian prisoners of war interviewed by the United Nations Rights Office, Ohchrpointed out torture, including sexual violence, in Russian captivity. Although less widespread, similar abuses have also been documented in unofficial Ukrainian detention facilities, which caused calls to transparent investigations.
The report also noted continuous violations of human rights in the territories occupied by Russia, in particular restrictions on civic space and the exercise of freedom of expression.
“Peace is more imperative than ever,” said Kehris, reiterating calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in accordance with international law.
Structural racism and intersectionality
Ashwini KP, Special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racismpresented a thematic report focused on intersectionality as a tool for racial justice.
Based on the experiences of black feminists and extended by studies focused on the members of the Dalit, Indigenous, Muslims and Roma community, the concept of intersectionality was presented as essential to dismantle systemic discrimination.
“Women of African origin, the oppressed communities of caste, Roma, Arab and Muslim women and other marginalized groups are affected disproportionately due to forms of discrimination that are overlapping,” said Ashwini.
Its report has detailed how states can integrate an intersectional approach, emphasizing data disintegration, the development of participatory policies, legal recognition of multiple discrimination and historical responsibility.
Ashwini stressed the importance of restorative justice for the communities affected by colonialism and slavery and called for states – in particular those historically accomplices – to implement daring reforms.
People search the rubble of a building destroyed in the central band of Gaza.
Deepening of the crisis in Gaza
Francesca Albanese, Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967Also reported to the council, with a dark update on Gaza.
She described conditions as “apocalyptic” and reported more than 200,000 people killed or injured since October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked Israeli communities – killing at least 1,200 people and taking more than 250 as hostages.
“In Gaza, the Palestinians continue to suffer suffering beyond the imagination,” said Ms. Albanese, describing the Gaza humanitarian foundation supported by Israel as a “death trap-designed to kill or force the theft of a hungry, bombed and emaciated population marked for elimination”.
She also accused Israel of having used conflict as an opportunity to test new weapons and technologies against the population of the “without restraint” enclave.
“The occupation forever has provided optimal test fields for weapons manufacturers and large technologies with little surveillance and zero responsibility-while investors and private and public institutions have largely benefited,” she said.
“We have to reverse the tide,” said Ms. Albanese, calling on the Member States to impose a full embargo on arms in Israel, to suspend all trade agreements and investment relations and to apply responsibility, “ensure that corporate entities are faced with legal consequences for their involvement in serious violations of international law”.
Independent rights experts
Special rapporteurs are independent human rights experts appointed and mandated by the Human Rights Council – The UN’s highest intergovernmental forum on human rights.
Being part of his Special proceduresSpecial rapporteurs and other independent experts are mandated to monitor and assess the situation of rights in certain thematic situations or country.
They work in their individual quality, are not UN staff and do not receive wages.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
UN Human Rights Council hears grim updates on Ukraine, Gaza and global racism
Escalating conflict in Ukraine
In an oral update, Ilze Brands Kehris, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, reported a sharp escalation in hostilities in Ukraine.
Civilian casualties have surged, with April to June seeing nearly 50 per cent more deaths and injuries compared to the same period in 2024.
“More than 90 per cent of these casualties occurred in territory controlled by Ukraine,” she said, attributing the spike in part to intensified Russian drone and missile attacks.
Attacks using airburst warheads and repeated strikes on hospitals have instilled “terror and anxiety” among urban populations, she added. A June 16-17 nighttime attack in Kyiv killed more civilians than any other assault in the past year.
While ceasefire negotiations have produced some humanitarian gains – such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of deceased soldiers – Ms. Kehris underscored harrowing conditions in detention.
Over 117 former Ukrainian POWs interviewed by the UN rights office, OHCHR, reported torture, including sexual violence, in Russian captivity. Though less widespread, similar abuses have also been documented in unofficial Ukrainian detention facilities, prompting calls for transparent investigations.
The report also noted ongoing human rights violations in territories occupied by Russia, including restrictions on civic space and the exercise of freedom of expression.
“Peace is more imperative than ever,” Ms. Kehris said, reiterating calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in line with international law.
Structural racism and intersectionality
Ashwini K.P., Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, delivered a thematic report focused on intersectionality as a tool for racial justice.
Drawing from experiences of Black feminists and expanded by studies focusing on Dalit, Indigenous, Muslim and Roma community members, the concept of intersectionality was presented as essential to dismantling systemic discrimination.
“Women of African descent, caste-oppressed communities, Roma, Arab and Muslim women, and other marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted due to overlapping forms of discrimination,” Ms. Ashwini said.
Her report detailed how states can integrate an intersectional approach, emphasising data disaggregation, participatory policymaking, legal recognition of multiple discrimination and historical accountability.
Ms. Ashwini highlighted the importance of reparatory justice for communities affected by colonialism and slavery and called on states – particularly those historically complicit – to implement bold reforms.
People search through the rubble of a destroyed building in the central Gaza Strip.
Deepening crisis in Gaza
Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, also reported to the Council, with grim update on Gaza.
She described conditions as “apocalyptic” and reported over 200,000 people killed or injured since 7 October 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked Israeli communities – killing at least 1,200 people and taking more than 250 as hostages.
“In Gaza, Palestinians continue to endure suffering beyond imagination,” Ms. Albanese said, describing the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as a “death trap – engineered to kill or force the flight of a starved, bombarded, emaciated population marked for elimination.”
She also accused Israel of using the conflict as an opportunity to test new weapons and technology against the population of the enclave “without restraint”.
“The forever-occupation has provided an optimal testing ground for arms manufacturers and big tech with little oversight and zero accountability – while investors, and private and public institutions have profited handsomely,” she said.
“We must reverse the tide,” Ms. Albanese urged, calling on Member States to impose a full arms embargo on Israel, suspend all trade agreements and investment relation and enforce accountability, “ensuring that corporate entities face legal consequences for their involvement in serious violations of international law.”
Independent rights experts
Special Rapporteurs are independent human rights experts appointed and mandated by the Human Rights Council – the UN’s highest intergovernmental forum on human rights.
Forming a part of its Special Procedures, Special Rapporteurs and other independent experts are mandated to monitor and assess the rights situation in certain thematic or country situations.
They work in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.
The chief of the UN `dismayed ” by aggravating the Gaza crisis while civilians are faced with a trip, help the blockages
In recent days, multiple days have killed and injured dozens of Palestinians on sites hosting displaced people and others trying to access essential supplies, according to a statement UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric Thursday.
“The secretary general firmly condemns the loss of civilian life,” said Dujarric.
Only one day this week, nearly 30,000 people were forced to flee under new Israeli relocation orders, without any safe place and clearly inadequate supplies of shelters, food, medication or water, he added.
Critical systems Stop
Without fuel having entered Gaza in more than 17 weeks, the United Nations is also “seriously concerned about the fact that the last lines of survival survival are cut”.
“Without an urgent influx of fuel, the incubators will stop, the ambulances will not be able to reach the wounded and the patients, and the water cannot be purified,” said Dujarric.
“Delivery by the United Nations and the partners of the little wild humanitarian aid is left in Gaza will also stop.”
The secretary general reiterated his call for safe and sustained humanitarian access so that help can reach people in desperate need.
“The UN has a clear and experienced plan, rooted in humanitarian principles, to obtain vital aid for civilians – safely and on a large scale, wherever they are,” said Dujarric.
The secretary general reiterated his call to an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all the hostages held by Hamas and other groups. He reminded of all the parties that international humanitarian law should be confirmed.
Continuous displacement
The displacement remains relentless. Wednesday, the Israeli authorities published a new evacuation order in certain parts of Gaza City, affecting some 40,000 people and including a travel site, a medical point and one of the few districts that had remained intact by these orders since before the ceasefire in March.
Since this ceasefire has collapsed, more than 50 orders of this type have been issued, now covering 78% of the Gaza territory.
“Add the Israeli-militarized areas and this percentage jumps at 85-leaving only 15% where civilians can really stay,” said Dujarric, informs journalists at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
These areas are overcrowded and seriously lack of appropriate services or infrastructure.
“Imagine having a little more than two million people in Manhattan-which is actually slightly larger-but instead of buildings, the area is dotted with rubble and bombed structures, without basic infrastructure or support,” said UN spokesperson.
“And in Gaza, these remaining areas are also fragmented and dangerous.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
