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UN Global Compact: Consultation on the Food and Agriculture Business Principles, Brussels

The Consultation on the Food and Agriculture Business Principles (FAB Principles) was hosted by Paolo De Castro, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament, in Brussels on 11 February 2014.   To advance the positive impact that business can have on sustainable agriculture, the UN Global Compact is facilitating the development of voluntary FAB Principles in collaboration with the private sector, key civil society organizations and experts.   The FAB Principles will art

UN heads, EU call for humanitarian ceasefire in Syria

The European Commission signed on Wednesday three major contracts with United Nations agencies totalling €147 million to deliver vitally needed aid to people directly affected by the Syrian crisis.

European Commission on UK’s decision to delay strike against Syria

Prime Minister David Cameron was forced yesterday (28 August) to push back his plans for an imminent military strike against Syria in a humiliating climb-down for Britain's leader after coming under fierce domestic and international pressure. Just a day after recalling Britain's parliament to vote on how to respond to Syria's suspected use of chemical weapons, Cameron was ambushed when the opposition Labour party said it wanted greater parliamentary scrutiny and rebel lawmakers in his own ruling Conservative party said they would oppose him.

Austerity driven Europe could miss UN development goals

Eradicate extreme poverty, achieve universal primary education and combat HIV. These are only a few of the proposals made by the UN in 2000 to free people from multiple deprivations. This pledge turned into the eight Millennium Development Goals. 13 years later, as Europe lives on of the worst crisis in decades, economic and fiscal pressure will see many member states missing their targets in fighting poverty reduction. Europe fears that foreign aid will be among the first casualties of long-term austerity measures.

EU seeks wider access to sustainable energy, calls on private sector

Providing access to sustainable energy to an additional 500 million people by 2030. That's the aim of "Energizing Development", a new initiative unveiled by the European Commission on Monday. With a budget of 50 million euros, the EU will give technical advice to those developing countries who choose to participate in the programme. Led by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the plan also seeks to improve energy efficiency and double the amount of renewable energy currently used.