INTERVIEW: Sevilla ‘a critical test’ of multilateralism

The promises were made at the opening of the Financing for Development Conference (FFD4), currently underway in the Spanish city of Sevilla, when delegates agreed on the Sevilla Commitment.  During the conference UN News spoke to Li Junhua, the UN Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary-General of the international summit. Li Junhua: The […]

Continue Reading

Sevilla: Without sustainable development, there is neither hope nor security

Development benefits all countries because it is linked to other areas of activity and society, including basic security itself. Without it, there is no hope – and no stability. That is the key message from the Director of the UN Development Programme’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (UNDP), Marcos Neto, to all other nations […]

Continue Reading

🚢Ireland: New Heavy Cargo Service Announced for Four West Cork Islands

Cork, 4 July 2025 – Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has unveiled a new five-year contract to enhance heavy cargo transport services to four inhabited islands off the coast of County Cork: Oileán Chléire (Cape Clear), Sherkin, Long Island, and Heir Island. 📦 Expanded Service CommitmentThe contract, running from […]

Continue Reading

🛢️ U.S. Lifts Export Restrictions on Ethane Shipments to China

On 3 July 2025 The Trump Administration has officially rescinded licensing requirements for U.S. ethane exports to China, restoring a critical energy trade route disrupted by recent regulatory tensions. The decision, enacted by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, reverses a mandate introduced in early June that required exporters to obtain […]

Continue Reading

Landless and locked out: Young farmers struggle for a future

However, this creates challenges by limiting land access for the next generation and diminishing their voice in agricultural policymaking. Without land assets, young people struggle to secure the resources needed to become agricultural producers themselves. Between 2005 and 2021, the number of youth employed in agrifood jobs declined by 10 per cent, prompting concerns for […]

Continue Reading

Ireland and UK Ministers Meet to Safeguard €2.5 Billion Weekly Trade, Strengthen Future Cooperation and Shape Strategic Partnership

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, met yesterday in Dublin with UK Minister of State for Europe, North Americas and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP, to advance bilateral cooperation under the UK–Ireland Joint Statement 2030 framework. The meeting reflected a continued strengthening of relations between Ireland and the UK, as […]

Continue Reading

With sustainable development under threat, Sevilla summit rekindles hope and unity

“The human consequences of rising debt burdens, escalating trade tensions and steep cuts to official development assistance have been brought into sharp relief this week,” she told the closing session of the pivotal gathering, amid sizzling temperatures across southern Spain. Multilateralism at work But against that backdrop, the conference has delivered a strong response – […]

Continue Reading

The Sevilla Commitment: A vital step to rebuild trust in global cooperation

Activists, many from the Global South, attending the talks in Spain, are calling for greater leadership and commitment from wealthier nations to help address long-standing structural inequalities. The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) carries strong symbolic weight, reflected in the agreed priorities of the Sevilla Commitment. United Cities and Local Governments Paula […]

Continue Reading

United States and Vietnam Reach New Trade Agreement with 20% Tariff

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States has finalized a new trade agreement with Vietnam, imposing a 20% tariff on Vietnamese imports and a 40% tariff on transshipped goods entering the U.S. market. The new tariff regime comes just ahead of the 9 July deadline, which would have triggered […]

Continue Reading

Drowning in debt: New forum in Sevilla offers borrowers chance to rebalance the books

The Borrowers’ Forum is being hailed as a milestone in efforts to reform the international debt architecture, supported by the UN and emerging as a key part of the Sevilla Commitment outcome document. “This is not just talk – this is execution,” said Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Rania Al-Mashat. “The Borrowers’ […]

Continue Reading