Commentary

Despite the efforts of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the negotiation process on a global "pandemic treaty" encountered many obstacles and missed the goal of fully developing the content by March 31. The new round of negotiations, which will take place at the end of April 2024, is assessed to be the last chance for the countries to find consensus, helping to effectively respond to future health disasters.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has just been sworn in for the third term, continuing to govern the country until mid-2030, in the context of Egypt facing many economic difficulties due to foreign currency shortages and escalating inflation, as well as many challenges in a volatile region.

Romania and Bulgaria partially join Europe's Schengen travel zone, opening free access for travellers arriving by air or sea from both countries without border checks. European officials affirmed that this is a great success for both Bulgaria and Romania, and marks a historic moment for the Schengen area.

US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2023 grew by 3.4%, higher than the 3.2% previously forecast; meanwhile, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of China's manufacturing industry in March returned to over 50 points for the first time, after five consecutive months of decline. These are positive signals from leading economies that light up hope that the world economy will step out of the risk of recession.

As a foundational technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to create breakthroughs in many areas of social life. The United Nations General Assembly's recent adoption of the first resolution on promoting safe, secure and reliable AI systems is considered an important turning point in AI management, bringing this advanced technology into the legal framework for effective AI governance towards sustainable development goals.

French President Emmanuel Macron has recently concluded a three-day visit to Brazil. The visit marks a new beginning in the bilateral ties, after a period of tension under the administration of former Brazilian President Lula da Silva.

Argentine President Javier Milei has announced that tens of thousands of public sector jobs will be cut by the end of this month to reduce the budget deficit. The Argentine government is also stepping up the implementation of the austerity policy as high inflation has exerted a strong impact on domestic consumption and the Argentine economy has fallen into recession.

Minister of External Affairs of India S. Jaishankar has recently visited three Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia. The visit reflects India's respect for ASEAN, contributing to building a closer relationship between India and this dynamic developing region, as well as concretising the Act East Policy that New Delhi has been pursuing for a long time.

International shipping companies are not only facing the threat of attacks by Houthi forces in the Red Sea and neighbouring waters, but also have to respond to the recent resurgence of Somali piracy after a period of being suppressed by international naval forces. Ensuring security is emerging as a major challenge on shipping routes as well as for global trade activities.

The European Union (EU) Summit provides an opportunity for member countries to find a common voice to solve challenges from both inside and outside the bloc.

In recent days, a special weather forecast report that has covered many major television channels around the world has conveyed several emotions and human messages. This report was special because children were the reporters with predictions about their future in the face of risks and fluctuations from the climate crisis.

The European Union (EU) has just resumed negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines, signed a joint declaration to elevate their relationship to a “strategic and comprehensive partnership” with Egypt, and launched negotiations to deepen and expand the relationship with Switzerland.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is developing rapidly, posing “difficult problems” in taking advantage of opportunities and minimising risks. With the AI Act recently passed by the European Parliament (EP), European Union (EU) member states are one step closer in the process of building the first legal framework for this advanced technology.

In order to secure Australia’s position as a renewable energy superpower, the country's government has just decided to provide up to 840 million AUD (550 million USD) to help deliver Australia’s first combined rare earth mine and refinery.

The initiative to pilot the opening of a maritime route to get emergency supplies to people in the Gaza Strip is expected to contribute to easing the serious humanitarian crisis that is pushing about 2.3 million Palestinians to the brink of starvation.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns that the Middle East enters the holy month of Ramadan while facing a terrible food crisis. With about 40 million people in the Middle East and more than 58 million people in the Greater Horn of Africa suffering from severe food insecurity, the world encounters a major challenge in efforts to save tens of millions of people on the brink of famine.

After 16 years of negotiations, India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — comprised of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland — have signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). As India’s first modern trade agreement with a group of developed countries, TEPA marks a historic step in the partnership between India and the EFTA.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is visiting Europe, with one of the key goals towards promoting the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU). Bangkok is trying to open more doors for economic cooperation through the FTAs to promote exports, attract investment and strengthen the economy.

Over the weekend, at a testimony before the Senate Committee on Monetary Policy, US Federal Reserve (FED) Chair Jerome Powell said the agency may begin cutting key lending rates this year. However, the FED has not yet “determined” a time to reduce interest rates, while analysts recommend cutting interest rates soon before falling into an “awkward” situation.

The European Union (EU)’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, also known as C3S, said that the world just experienced its hottest February ever. It was also the 9th consecutive month in which global temperatures recorded unprecedented highs due to climate change. Temperatures soared across the planet last month, from Siberia to South America, with Europe also experiencing its second warmest winter on record.

The security situation is rapidly deteriorating in Haiti, pushing this Caribbean country into a serious crisis and forcing the government to declare a state of emergency and nighttime curfew. The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) calls on all political actors in Haiti to have a broad dialogue to resolve the situation and prevent the risk of destabilising the region.

The 2024 US presidential election entered an acceleration phase with Super Tuesday, which provided a clearer picture of the representatives of the Republican and Democratic parties in the race for the White House. Whoever the candidate is, their views on hot issues in the US will play a significant role in determining the outcome of the race.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation are “investments” in peace.

Japan’s House of Representatives has just approved a draft budget of 112.57 trillion yen (750 billion USD) for the next fiscal year, starting in April 2024, to stabilise social security and promote economic growth. This budget package is expected to create new development momentum in the context that the Japanese economy is showing positive signs.

The government of the Republic of Korea is trying to handle the crisis in the healthcare industry after thousands of doctors across the country simultaneously quit their jobs to protest plans to increase medical school enrollment quotas. The wave of layoffs seriously disrupted people's healthcare activities and caused chaos in the medical system of the “Land of Kimchi.”

International organisations warn that about 58.1 million people are facing severe food insecurity in the Greater Horn of Africa. However, the fear of food insecurity not only exists in Africa but is also a “ghost” that haunts many regions of the world.

Inflation has changed the way many Americans shop, making them spend more deliberately. Changes in consumption habits are helping the US bring down the inflation storm.

At a ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) warned that economic "headwinds" and geopolitical tensions threaten global trade, as well as multilateral trading systems while promoting reform and creating opportunities for developing and least developed countries to strengthen their capacity to attract investment.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its third year with no signs of cooling down, despite efforts by the international community calling for an end to the fighting. The persistent confrontation between the two sides, which has led to tensions between Russia and the West, has impacted regional peace and security while affecting food and energy security on a global scale and leaving behind immeasurable consequences.

The South American economic bloc Mercosur and the European Union (EU) have decided to postpone their free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations until June.