NDO – The world has experienced unprecedented challenges due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. On the threshold of New Year 2021, despite the “light at the end of the tunnel” seen in the prospects of disease control and economic recovery, a series of difficulties are still predicted to lie ahead. 

NDO – The global labour market has experienced a very difficult period as the “COVID-19 storm” “swept away” many jobs, disturbing enterprises. Financial packages and measures have been introduced by many countries as remedies to "save" businesses and workers, in order to sustainably restore the job market. 

NDO – The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has witnessed many fluctuations in 2020 with the extremely tense relations between Iran vs the United States and allies, as well as the continued conflicts in many countries. However, the “light at the end of the tunnel” has also emerged on the journey to seek peace and clear deadlocks for regional crises. 

NDO – 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations’ (UN) service to promote global peace and development. In the context that the COVID-19 pandemic is devastating economies, undermining progress in poverty eradication and the realization of sustainable development goals, the UN has played a key role as well as maintained its pioneering mission in facilitating international cooperation to respond and overcome common challenges. 

NDO – Taking place on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Climate Ambition Summit 2020, convened by the United Nations (UN) on December 12, offered an opportunity for the world to review the results of implementing the agreement and set out specific goals and effective plans to reduce emissions. 

NDO – Earlier this December, a series of countries around the world announced the a vaccination against COVID-19. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that if too much emphasis is placed on the “miracle” fix of vaccines and lack of supportive measures, countries couldpay a high price. However, the development createdpositive sentiment on a global scale. 

NDO – The US economy is facing a lot of difficulties as the COVID-19 pandemic is still causing havoc in the country. The latest reports and statistics show that economic activity in many parts of the US came to a standstill in November, while job growth was the slowest since July. 

NDO – The first positive signs in the world economy have been recorded, as progress with vaccines and treatment have lifted expectations for the recovery of production, trade and services. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said in its recently released economic outlook report that global output will return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2021 after witnessing a sharp 4.2% decline this year. 

NDO – The Schengen Agreement has played a very important role for Europe both in terms of politics and economics. However, the COVID-19 pandemic that has raged for nearly a year has posed many challenges for this agreement, reflecting the Continent's goals of integration, solidarity and unity. Leaders of the European Union (EU) are calling for the protection of the free movement area to serve the post-pandemic recovery process. 

NDO – Under the theme of “Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth”, the 12th BRICS Summit was recently held virtually, during which, leaders from the world's leading emerging economies sought to gain consensus and strengthen intra-regional cooperation to promote trade and respond to common challenges, in the context of the negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

NDO – International media and public opinion continue to add positive comments on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ,just signed by ASEAN and its partners. The member countries believe that the RCEP will promote economic integration in the Asian-Pacific region, while other countries see the world's best free trade pact as a “wake-up call”, encouraging the multilateral trade process which still remains stagnant.