European Union

The African confederation has yet to take an official stance, but where do the key African footballing nations stand on the Infantino saga?

Turkish club Trabzonspor are set to confirm the signing of Egypt captain and former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1780 of 17 July 2026 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The Council sanctioned seven persons and three entities responsible for serious human rights violations in relation to the operation of scam centres in Southeast Asia.

The Council amended the Ukraine Facility and Ukraine Plan to include nearly 30 additional conditionalities following more than €8 billion in Ukraine Support Loan financing.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1709 of 13 July 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1707 of 13 July 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2014/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1713 of 13 July 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1705 of 13 July 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1723 of 13 July 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1767 of 17 July 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1277 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Lebanon.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the aggression against two diplomats of the Embassy of France in Tehran perpetrated by Iranian security forces on July 19.

The European Parliament is in recess over the summer from 27 July to 23 August 2026.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Workers are patrolling in a wind power plant on Tan Thanh beach, Go Cong city of Viet Nam. Countries in Asia and the Pacific are moving towards green transitions in the wake of higher oil prices. Credit: Unsplash/Thompson Le

By Michał Podolski
BANGKOK, Thailand, Aug 5 2026 (IPS)

Inaction and maintaining the status quo of fossil fuel dependence carry significant costs. The recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, for instance, caused enormous losses to the global economy, with many Asia-Pacific countries bearing disproportionately larger adverse impacts. Had these economies had a more diversified energy mix, they would have benefited from such resilience under current circumstances.

Green transition, however, comes at a significant cost – investment in environmental sustainability. This investment brings tangible returns and benefits, such as cleaner air, better health, a vibrant natural environment or reduced negative climate impacts. What is the overall balance of these costs and benefits, opportunities seized or lost, innovation, or status quo maintenance?

This overall balance amounts to decisions for a faster or slower shift towards environmental sustainability and green transition. Each carries fiscal, investment and financing consequences with differing socioeconomic outcomes. Overall, because of these countless dimensions, decision-making for green transition is inherently complex. In principle, humanity has never undertaken a green transition before and lacks established blueprints.

ESCAP’s Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026 sheds light on this challenge. The report identifies decarbonisation pathways that offer lower costs and higher benefits, highlights bottlenecks that inflate expenses, clarifies current priorities, and examines socioeconomic impacts. In short, the Survey 2026 identifies cheaper options with greater impacts.

For instance, in some Asia-Pacific countries, the choices on decarbonisation are relatively straightforward. With limited fossil fuel dependence, low risks of asset stranding and minimal vested interests in coal, oil and gas industries, these economies are advancing renewable energy expansion. They are leapfrogging decarbonisation hurdles and reaping steady benefits from carbon-free energy.

However, economies heavily reliant on fossil fuels are confronting tougher dilemmas. Faster carbon withdrawal brings higher immediate costs, offset only by longer-term benefits. Labour markets face greater pressure from anticipated reskilling and green sector development. These economies face elevated risks and must proceed cautiously. Ultimately, the green transition demands strong and prosperous economies capable of delivering goods and services to build a carbon-free world.

As for labour markets, net employment effects of green transition can be positive overall, yet uneven across countries and sectors. Fossil fuel job losses, potentially abrupt ones, are often concentrated in mineral-rich areas, with knock-on effects on related industries. Historical coal phase-outs without prompt government support reveal prolonged unemployment, youth out-migration, and community decline. Older workers are particularly at risk of exiting the labour force permanently. In contrast, green jobs emerge more gradually, often elsewhere, and require different skills. This mismatch highlights the need for proactive government planning – including funded reskilling and economic diversification – to redeploy skills from declining sectors.

Inflation provides another example of dilemmas faced by policymakers that are or want to pursue green transition. Higher inflation undermines economic activity and complicates transition-oriented policymaking. For instance, green transition policies, such as carbon pricing, can gradually increase prices, and thus inflation. This can raise interest rates, hinder capital-intensive green investments and pose financial stability challenges for central banks. Economies may tolerate modest and stable inflation, but high and volatile inflation will undermine the green transition efforts.

The Survey 2026 also highlights that government interventions like subsidies can be beneficial but can also lock-in suboptimal technologies. Too much of a good thing can be harmful. Government policies should guide objectives and priorities, for example, the need for better and cheaper energy storage, and enable people and enterprises to discover the most effective solutions. Market-friendly policy tools, such as technology-neutral emission limits, clear long-term plans and streamlined permitting, are all important policy adjustments.

“Take the right decisions, allow markets to work in a fair way” was a message on climate action by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres in 2025. The Survey 2026 builds on this, emphasising that market mechanisms can drive decarbonisation by identifying the best opportunities. The report also reinforces the call for “right decisions” to ensure a just and inclusive transition.

There are often easier and harder paths to the same goal. With due regard to diverse national circumstances, Asia-Pacific economies must progressively move to a low-carbon future, while safeguarding socioeconomic well-being of their people. There is no universal set of policies, but there is one clear direction. Although some costs may seem high today, inaction would prove far more expensive. At the end, optimal paths require pragmatic, evidence-based judgement: gradual where necessary, ambitious where feasible, and always mindful of who bears today’s costs versus tomorrow’s benefits.

Michal Podolski is Associate Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP

IPS UN Bureau

 

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A wave of Kenyan elephant deaths has been blamed on pesticides, but experts tell the BBC they are doubtful.

Chad le Clos reveals his apartment in South Africa was destroyed by a fatal fire in a "heartbreaking tragedy" - the night after he became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history.

Chad le Clos reveals his apartment in South Africa was destroyed by a fatal fire in a "heartbreaking tragedy" - the night after he became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history.

La ministre des Affaires étrangères du Canada, Anita Anand est annoncée au Bénin pendant la période du 4 au 6 août 2026. Sa visite s'inscrit dans le cadre du renforcement de l'axe Cotonou-Ottawa.

La cheffe de la diplomatie canadienne, Anita Anand est attendue à Cotonou du 4 au 6 août 2026. L'annonce a été faite à travers un communiqué du ministère canadien des Affaires étrangères.

Durant son séjour, Anita Anand va rencontrer plusieurs membres du gouvernement. Il s'agit selon le communiqué, de son homologue Corinne Amori Brunet du Bénin, et ses collègues Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, ministre du tourisme et du commerce extérieur, chargé de l'industrie et de la promotion de l'investissement ; de Gildas Agonkan, ministre délégué auprès du président de la République chargé de la défense ; et Hugues Oscar Lokossou, ministre délégué auprès du ministre de l'économie et des finances, chargé de la mobilisation des ressources extérieures et de la gestion de la dette.

Les discussions avec les membres du gouvernement béninois porteront sur la promotion des priorités communes, notamment la diversification commerciale, la croissance économique, la sécurité régionale et l'égalité des genres tout en cernant les possibilités d'approfondir la coopération bilatérale et le dialogue grâce à un engagement commun au sein de la Francophonie.

Une rencontre avec le secteur privé béninois est également annoncée pour mettre en lumière les possibilités de renforcer les liens commerciaux, de promouvoir le commerce et l'investissement, et de favoriser une collaboration accrue.

Le Canada et le Bénin ont établi leurs relations diplomatiques en 1962. Les deux pays entretiennent un partenariat solide fondé sur la coopération en matière de développement, de commerce et d'engagement multilatéral, et sur leur appartenance commune à la Francophonie.

Dans le cadre de la Stratégie du Canada pour l'Afrique, le bureau à Cotonou sera élevé au rang d'ambassade, conformément à l'engagement du gouvernement canadien à renforcer sa présence sur le continent africain et ses relations avec le Bénin, précise le communiqué.

F. A. A.

Une opération conjointe menée par les Douanes béninoises et la Police républicaine a permis la saisie d'un important stock de boissons contrefaites dans l'arrondissement de Ouédèmè.

L'intervention a été conduite par la Brigade des Douanes d'Athiémé en collaboration avec le Commissariat de Ouédèmè. Les agents ont intercepté une cargaison de produits frauduleux destinés à la commercialisation.

Au total, 826 kg de boissons contrefaites ont été saisis, soit 59 cartons et 8 bouteilles. Cette opération s'inscrit dans le cadre de la lutte contre le trafic de produits illicites sur le territoire national. Une enquête a été ouverte afin d'identifier les personnes impliquées dans ce réseau de fraude.

Après avoir interprété l'hymne national du Bénin en langue Dendi lors de la célébration du 66ᵉ anniversaire de l'indépendance à Cotonou, Amy-Mako veut prolonger cette initiative. Dans une interview accordée au journal La Nation, l'artiste chanteuse, guitariste et griotte originaire de Parakou a annoncé la réalisation prochaine d'un clip de « L'Aube nouvelle » en Dendi.

Amy-Mako, de son vrai nom Amina Bouandoko Orou a marqué la célébration nationale du samedi 1er août 2026 avec une version de l'hymne national dans cette langue du Nord-Bénin. Elle a ensuite repris cette prestation le lundi 3 août lors de la cérémonie de montée des couleurs à la Cour suprême à Porto-Novo. Selon l'artiste, ce projet va se poursuivre au-delà des cérémonies officielles.« Dès que je rentre, je vais rapidement faire le clip de l'hymne national en Dendi. Le clip sera prêt d'ici deux à trois semaines pour diffusion pour le public », a-t-elle confié à La Nation.

Amy-Mako a été contactée par le ministère en charge de la Culture pour proposer une interprétation de l'hymne national en Dendi. « J'étais tranquillement chez moi à Parakou quand j'ai reçu un appel du ministère me demandant si je pouvais proposer une interprétation de l'hymne national en Dendi. J'ai dit oui », raconte-t-elle.

Elle précise avoir été retenue après une sélection impliquant plusieurs artistes. « Le ministère a écouté les audios de chacun de nous. Et par la grâce de Dieu, Amy-Mako a été choisie pour cette interprétation », souligne-t-elle.

Pour l'artiste, cette prestation constitue une étape importante dans la valorisation des langues nationales. « C'était la toute première fois que l'hymne national était chanté en Dendi lors de notre fête de l'indépendance », affirme-t-elle.

Avec ce futur clip, Amy-Mako entend rendre cette version accessible au public et notamment aux jeunes générations. « J'ai vu qu'il existe déjà le clip en Fon. Il faut maintenant celui en Dendi pour nos enfants », ajoute-t-elle.