Commentary

The rapid advancement of science and technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), is creating enormous opportunities for countries to accelerate socio-economic growth, but also widening development gaps and exacerbating inequality worldwide.

According to the United Nations, almost all 23 biodiversity targets for 2030 are facing major challenges. The reality shows that the world does not lack goals or commitments to protect the green planet but rather decisive action to narrow the gap between reality and expectations.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world once again faces a test of solidarity and cooperation in responding to a public health challenge as the Ebola outbreak grows increasingly serious.

Structural shifts in the global economy are posing major challenges for young people’s job prospects.

The race for the next United Nations Secretary-General is entering a fiercely competitive stage. The international community hopes to find a “captain” capable of forging consensus and building trust among countries with differing strategic interests, thereby steering the United Nations (UN) through turbulent time while strengthening the multilateral organisation's voice on global issues.

European Union (EU) member states are under pressure to narrow their differences over the bloc’s long-term budget ahead of the EU summit, which is taking place in Brussels, Belgium, on October 15 and 16.

In a recent address at the 2026 Climate Summit, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised: “We are the first generation with the tools to end the fossil fuel age – and the last who can avert climate catastrophe.”

“Resilience starts at home” is the timely message from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) for this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (October 13). Amid the complex evolution of climate change, this theme urges the world towards reshape its mindset to prevention: building adaptive capacity from each family — society’s smallest unit.

Geopolitical volatility, instability in energy and financial markets, and the growing trend towards trade barriers are placing increasing pressure on the global economy.

Amid a world economy beset by a series of challenges, the boom in investment in artificial intelligence (AI) has become a rare “bright spot”, providing a strong boost to global trade. However, as the AI “fever” continues to heat up, economies are also facing a number of major questions.

Enlargement of the European Union (EU) is closely linked to the bloc’s strategic interests, potentially strengthening its position and influence on the international stage. However, the process continues to face numerous obstacles arising from differences in perspectives and levels of development among countries.

Many emerging and developing countries are pursuing new paths to leapfrog directly into the era of clean electricity. The solar energy boom is therefore no longer simply a response to electricity shortages; it is becoming a new driving force reshaping the global economic and industrial landscape.

The European Commission (EC) is preparing to announce a new Arctic strategy, marking the European Union’s push to strengthen its presence in a region of strategic importance to the Old Continent’s economy, security, and energy.

Three years after the conflict between Israel and the Hamas movement erupted on October 7, 2023, the security situation in the Gaza Strip remains deeply volatile, with air strikes occurring frequently. The US-backed peace plan for the Gaza Strip is expected to offer “a light at the end of the tunnel”, but doubts and uncertainty remain over the feasibility of the initiative due to differences in the interests of the parties involved.

As the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt oil flows and push diesel prices to record highs, major oil exporters are holding back from increasing output. Oil prices have eased after the G7 agreed to release 100 million barrels of crude oil and diesel from strategic reserves, but the “black gold” market remains at risk of a prolonged period of high prices.

The global food price index has just reached its highest level in nearly four years, posing a major challenge as the 2030 deadline for achieving the goal of ending global hunger draws closer.

Migration has always been a highly controversial issue and a “test” of Europe’s spirit of solidarity, responsibility-sharing, and mutual support in overcoming difficulties. Reaching a common approach among many countries to the challenge is no easy task, particularly when the security interests of individual countries come into sharp conflict with the bloc’s core values and common goals.

Relations between the European Union (EU) and Canada are entering a new phase, shifting from traditional trade cooperation towards a broader partnership framework covering the economy, technology, defence, energy, and supply chain security.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its forecast for global economic growth to 3% in 2026, highlighting the resilience and ability to withstand a series of successive shocks.

A large-scale trial of an Ebola vaccine is being urgently rolled out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is part of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) relentless efforts to bring the outbreak under control as it continues to develop in a complex manner in the central African country, which has long been plagued by poverty and prolonged conflict.