NDO - The world economy is facing a future in which there are more and more barriers and tariff measures. In the context that economies have to “live” with trade barriers, analysts are concerned that global economic growth is at risk of sharp decline.  

NDO – The long-lasting confrontation between the United States and the European Union (EU) concerning alleged subsidies to aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus has escalated to a new level following the ruling of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The risk of a “tariff battle” between the two economies on the two coasts of the Atlantic Ocean is becoming more evident than ever, “overshadowing” the world economy and global trade picture. 

NDO – Teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg gave a powerful and emotional speech that strongly impressed world leaders during the recent high-level week of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. Since then, the global anti-climate change movement has continued to spread vigorously in many countries around the world. 

NDO – US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have signed a document that is considered by both sides as the “initial phase” of a US-Japan trade agreement. Despite not being a comprehensive deal, the document is still an important achievement, helping to relieve tensions between the two countries, which have lasted for over a year, related to the thorniest issues, including the taxes on Japanese automobiles and US agricultural products. 

NDO - The first-ever Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit has recently been held at the New York headquarters, in the US, with the participation of leaders of countries, businesses and international organisations, calling for “taking the decisions necessary in order to come together more effectively to ensure that the 2030 Agenda is successfully implemented”. In which, ending poverty, building a low-carbon economy, and promoting a fair and peaceful society are the goals that countries are striving to accomplish. 

NDO – The UN Climate Action Summit opened in New York, the US on September 23 with the participation of representatives from more than 60 countries and the European Union (EU). 

NDO - Arab countries in the Middle East simultaneously strongly criticised the new move of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the Jordan Valley, a key part of the West Bank, if he wins a closely contested election just a week away. The international community is concerned that this Israeli plan will escalate tensions in the region, threatening to completely bring down the Middle East peace process. 

NDO – More than 1,000 African and international leaders operating in the fields of politics, economy and society, as well as global scholars, recently gathered in the South African city of Cape Town to attend the 28th World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF Africa 2019). 

NDO – Forecasts and statistics have shown that "dark clouds" have begun to cover the prospects of the world's leading economy. 

NDO – The growing wildfires in the Amazon rainforest have become a “hot” topic for the media and occupied the whole agenda of many forums in the world over recent times. The international community is concerned about not only the serious impacts of the wildfires, but also the search of a consensus to address the common global challenges. 

NDO – Anticipating difficulties in reaching a consensus on many of the world’s current pressing issues, the host country of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit 2019, France, adjusted the traditional format as it had not drafted the conference’s Joint Declaration. However, resolving disagreements between the most developed countries in the world still remains an “impossible mission”. With G7 members not looking towards the same direction, it is difficult for the group to maintain its influence in global governance. 

NDO - Iranian Foreign Minister M. Zarif has just concluded his visits to four countries including Finland, Sweden, Norway and France to promote diplomatic efforts to reduce the negative impact of US sanctions. Iran wanted to seek European support to remove the current economic difficulties, as well as reduce pressure from the US, amid France's plan to ease escalating tensions in the Gulf. 

NDO – Russian President Vladimir Putin paid an official visit to France on August 19. The visit takes place ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit 2019, scheduled to be held in France’s Biarritz from August 24-26. The relations between Moscow and Paris are gradually warming again when meetings between the two sides, especially at a high level, have become more regular.