Africa

La compagnie aérienne nationale a annoncé le lancement de sa première liaison régulière entre Alger et Tamanrasset, prévue pour le lundi 25 août. Selon le […]

L’article Air Algérie Domestic Airlines : Lancement de la première liaison régulière Alger – Tamanrasset est apparu en premier sur .

Guide dog Achi was rescued from rough seas but was to be put down as he was in the country illegally.

Le président de la Commission américaine du commerce (FTC) a alerté plusieurs géants américains de la tech contre l’affaiblissement de la sécurité et de la confidentialité des utilisateurs américains sous l’effet de lois étrangères, notamment le règlement européen sur les services numériques (DSA).

The post États-Unis : la FTC accuse le DSA européen de menacer la confidentialité des Américains appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Une situation préoccupante s’installe dans les ports algériens, où des centaines de véhicules importés s’entassent, en attente de leur livraison aux citoyens. En cause : […]

L’article Retards dans la livraison des véhicules importés : Les députés interpellent le gouvernement est apparu en premier sur .

Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei is ruled out of Sunday's Antrim Coast Half Marathon because of illness but a quality international field has still been assembled for the event.

Les services de la météorologie nationale ont annoncé, ce vendredi, l’arrivée d’orages accompagnés de pluies intenses sur plusieurs wilayas de l’Est et du Sud. Cette […]

L’article Alerte météo : des pluies orageuses attendues ce aujourd’hui sur plusieurs wilayas est apparu en premier sur .

L’Institut culturel italien d’Alger annonce le lancement du « Programme d’Excellence – Campus arabo-méditerranéen 2025 », une initiative ambitieuse qui place l’éducation et la coopération internationale au […]

L’article Programme d’Excellence – Campus arabo-méditerranéen 2025 : l’Italie ouvre ses portes aux algériens est apparu en premier sur .

Nine bodies have been found in fresh graves near the site of the "Shakahola Forest Massacre".

Keith Andrews says Yoane Wissa has been training with Brentford and the coach will decide on Saturday if he features against Aston Villa.

Depuis hier, une vidéo largement partagée sur les réseaux sociaux algériens a suscité une vague d’indignation. Les images montrent un homme barbu, vêtu d’un qamis, […]

L’article Sidi Bel Abbès : après la vidéo choquante, une séance de réconciliation relance le débat est apparu en premier sur .

En vacances, beaucoup de Belges n’arrivent pas à couper les ponts avec le bureau. Plus d’un sur trois consulte ses e-mails ou décroche son téléphone professionnel en congé. Une nouvelle étude montre que ce comportement n’est pas forcément négatif, mais qu’il existe une limite à ne pas franchir.

The post Pourquoi les Belges peinent à décrocher du travail pendant leurs vacances appeared first on Euractiv FR.

A total of 102 deported foreigners have been convicted of "cyber-terrorism and internet fraud" this week.

La compagnie nationale Air Algérie a annoncé, via sa page officielle, une offre spéciale sur ses vols pour la saison automnale, avec une réduction de […]

L’article Air Algérie lance ses promotions automnales avec des réductions de 30 % est apparu en premier sur .

Le ministère de la Culture et des Arts a annoncé une série de réformes législatives et réglementaires visant à moderniser le cadre juridique du secteur […]

L’article Algérie : Réformes majeures pour moderniser le secteur culturel et artistique est apparu en premier sur .

La bataille n'est peut-être pas terminée, car ni Bruxelles ni les États membres ne semblent disposés à abandonner ces secteurs clés. La France a notamment exprimé l'espoir que l'exemption puisse encore être négociée.

The post Droits de douane américains : l’UE n’obtient pas d’exemption pour le vin et les spiritueux, mais espère un revirement appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Israel has accused the report behind the classification of being "based on Hamas lies laundered through organisations with vested interests"

Le milieu de terrain nigérian et de Southampton, Joe Aribo, affirme que jouer au football en cage en grandissant à Londres a fait de lui le joueur qu'il est aujourd'hui.

Les incendies qui ravagent le sud de l’Europe cet été révèlent un paradoxe : les terres agricoles sont à la fois des victimes des flammes et des barrières contre leur propagation.

The post Les terres agricoles, victimes et boucliers face aux incendies en Europe appeared first on Euractiv FR.

An Afghan family successfully sued in July to have their promised visas issued. Since then, there has been an uptick in cases of other affected individuals taking legal action

Following Achim Steiner’s June 2025 departure, the questions loom: Who will replace him? What sort of person does UNDP need? And why does it even matter? Credit: Shutterstock

By Felix Dodds and Chris Spence
SAN FRANCISCO, California / APEX, North Carolina, US, Aug 22 2025 (IPS)

In June this year, UNDP bade farewell to Achim Steiner. The ninth Administrator in UNDP’s history had completed a second four-year term in office.

Who will replace him? According to our sources, several strong candidates applied for the post by the June 9 deadline. Regional consultations are now taking place to figure out who will get the nod. In the meantime, UNDP’s deputy head, Haoliang Xu, has been serving as acting Administrator since June 17.

What sort of person does UNDP need? And why does it even matter?

 

Difficult Political World

The current political landscape has become widely polarized, marked by increased division and negativity, both within countries and globally. This is fueled by factors such as partisan polarization among policymakers and the electorate, as well as growing public dissatisfaction with the performance of democratic institutions and multilateral institutions. Some of this has been fueled by external forces seeking to undermine democracies; some of it is a result of bitter internal feuds and wide ideological differences.

The Global Risk 2025 World Economic Forum identified several risks:

• Declining optimism
• Deepening geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions
• A growing sense of societal fragmentation
• Environmental risks – from long-term concern to urgent reality
• Technological risks – considered still partially “under the radar”

Coupled to this, there is a shrinking in overseas development aid from Western countries and the impact of many regional conflicts, as well as the damaging legacy of the recent Covid-19 pandemic, and a slowing in progress global in terms of human development. Given this backdrop of global challenges and extreme uncertainty, the next leader of UNDP will certainly have their work cut out.

 

The Qualities of a Leader: The Times They Are A-Changin’

As the key decision-makers assess candidates, we hope “change management” is high on their list of qualities. With global geopolitics in a state of flux and UN funding under severe pressure, UNDP’s next leader will have to exhibit calm under pressure, an ability to build relationships across various political divides, and an aptitude for handling internal change management as the UN wrestles with its funding crisis.

Meanwhile, there is also a challenge over how UNDP should navigate its role vis-à-vis the World Bank and the growing involvement of various regional development banks in its sphere of work. Taken all together, this is a tall order.

We believe it is very important a future leader gets the internal changes right. UNDP’s remit is broad. From helping countries tackle poverty and inequality, to promoting sustainable development, human rights, women’s empowerment, and democratic governance, the role covers a lot of ground.

Who gets to decide who the new boss will be? Technically, the decision lies with the UN Secretary-General. However, his nomination requires confirmation by the UN General Assembly, and comes only after consulting with the UNDP Executive Board.

This board consists of representatives from 36 countries who serve on a rotating basis. Current board members include China, India, Brazil, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US—some “heavy hitters” who will undoubtedly have a variety of strong views on the matter.

 

Possible Candidates

Candidates that are rumored to have applied include:

Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand): This one is (to the best of our knowledge) an unconfirmed rumor. But if selected, the well-known former Prime Minister of New Zealand would follow in the footsteps of Helen Clark, another former New Zealand leader, who served as UNDP head from 2009-2017. Although highly regarded, could Ardern’s left-of-center politics prove an obstacle in these fractured political times?

Alexander De Croo (Belgium): A politician of Europe’s center/center-right, this former Belgian Prime Minister is believed to have been nominated before the June deadline and is considered in-the-running for the job.

Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica): This former Vice President of Costa Rica has held several high-profile roles within the UN system, including Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). She is from the National Liberation Party in Costa Rica, a social democratic party.

Izumi Nakamitsu (Japan): Japanese national Nakamitsu has a long history of involvement with the UN and is a seasoned diplomat. Currently, she serves as UN Under-Secretary-General of Disarmament.

Bård Vegar Solhjell (Norway): The Norwegian government has apparently nominated the former left-wing Environment Minister as its candidate. He was active in the “No to the EU” campaign in Norway.

Jens Christian Wandel (Denmark): Another candidate with a wide range of UN experience, Wandel was recently appointed a Special Adviser on Reforms to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with responsibility for an internal review of current reforms and their implementation.

Chrysoula Zacharopoulou (France): A former French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, centrist politician Zacharopoulou is also being considered for the position.

 

Whoever is appointed will need to hit the ground running. Succeed, and UNDP’s role could be elevated in a way it arguably has not been since the 1990s. Fail, and the organization risks irrelevance at a time when it is needed more than ever.

Prof. Felix Dodds and Chris Spence have participated in UN environmental and sustainable development negotiations since the 1990s. Their latest book, Environmental Lobbying at the United Nations: A Guide to Protecting Our Planet, was published in June 2025.

Excerpt:

UNDP is looking for its next leader. Who should it be? Prof. Felix Dodds and Chris Spence look at the candidates and identify the qualities and characteristics a new leader should possess.