United Nations General Assembly observers

IDB Invest launches USD 1 billion benchmark bond to strengthen support for COVID-19 response

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 15, 2020

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IDB Invest, the IDB Group's private sector institution, rated Aa1/AA/AAA, raised USD1 billion in funding through a fixed rate benchmark issue to support its coronavirus response.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IDB Invest, the IDB Group's private sector institution, rated Aa1/AA/AAA, raised USD1 billion in funding through a fixed rate benchmark issue to support its coronavirus response.
  • This represents its second fixed rate benchmark issue of 2020, following a USD 1 billion 2-year COVID-19 response bond priced in April this year.
  • The transaction experienced strong demand with 51 investors across the globe participating and orders totaling more than USD 1.55 billion.
  • The high level of demand reflects investors' interest in IDB Invest's sustainable development mission, strong credit profile and support for coronavirus alleviation in the private sector.

IDB Invest launches USD 1 billion benchmark bond to strengthen support for COVID-19 response

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 14, 2020

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IDB Invest, the IDB Group's private sector institution, rated Aa1/AA/AAA, raised USD1 billion in funding through a fixed rate benchmark issue to support its coronavirus response.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IDB Invest, the IDB Group's private sector institution, rated Aa1/AA/AAA, raised USD1 billion in funding through a fixed rate benchmark issue to support its coronavirus response.
  • This represents its second fixed rate benchmark issue of 2020, following a USD 1 billion 2-year COVID-19 response bond priced in April this year.
  • The transaction experienced strong demand with 51 investors across the globe participating and orders totaling more than USD 1.55 billion.
  • The high level of demand reflects investors' interest in IDB Invest's sustainable development mission, strong credit profile and support for coronavirus alleviation in the private sector.

“On the path to a deeper and stronger partnership, living up to the European and African aspirations”: Council adopts conclusions on Africa

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 1, 2020

The Council today approved conclusions on Africa, restating the paramount importance of a stronger EU-Africa partnership.

Key Points: 
  • The Council today approved conclusions on Africa, restating the paramount importance of a stronger EU-Africa partnership.
  • The conclusions note that Joint Communication Towards a comprehensive strategy with Africa constitutes an excellent basis on which to initiate a new ambitious partnership with Africa.
  • The next EU-AU Summit will be a pivotal moment for renewing a comprehensive joint strategic approach that delivers on these aspirations.
  • The conclusions highlight that the COVID-19 pandemic has further demonstrated the need for a global response and a strong EU-Africa partnership.

Press release - ACP-EU Post-Cotonou: A Joint Parliamentary Assembly is non-negotiable

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 26, 2020

They stress that both the ACP negotiating mandate and the European Parliament position on the future agreement underline the essential role to be played by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

Key Points: 
  • They stress that both the ACP negotiating mandate and the European Parliament position on the future agreement underline the essential role to be played by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
  • A government-only driven partnership would not represent the interests of the ACP and European peoples affected by the agreement.
  • It would be a step backwards in the ACP-EU relations and lack essential parliamentary scrutiny.
  • A strengthened involvement of the parliaments is crucial, as democratic oversight is more needed than ever in order to build a strong and balanced partnership.

Forward look: 22 June - 5 July 2020

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 20, 2020

There are no Council meetings scheduled during this period.

Key Points: 
  • There are no Council meetings scheduled during this period.
  • Several video conferences are planned in order to take forward work on the collective response to COVID-19 in a range of sectors, as well as address other issues.
  • This list will be regularly updated.
  • Tuesday 23 June

    Video conference of ministers responsible for environment

    Video conference of ministers responsible for education

    Monday 29 June

    Video conference of ministers responsible for agriculture and fisheries

    Other events

    Monday 22 June

    EU-China summit via video conference

    Tuesday 23 June

    Tripartite Social Summit video conference

    Tuesday 30 June

    Republic of Korea- EU leaders' video conference meeting

    Supporting the future of Syria and the region - Brussels IV Conference

    For video coverage of Council sessions and audiovisual material, please see the following Council websites:

CoR ECONomic Bulletin No. 6: Updates on the COVID-19 crisis

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 6, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has substantial repercussions on the European economies. The ECON Commission of the European Committee of the Regions prepares  regular economic bulletins  on recent research, articles and discussions on the socio-economic impact of the pandemic in Europe and on the different economic response measures planned and implemented at EU, national, regional and local level.

Key Points: 

The Covid-19 pandemic has substantial repercussions on the European economies. The ECON Commission of the European Committee of the Regions prepares  regular economic bulletins  on recent research, articles and discussions on the socio-economic impact of the pandemic in Europe and on the different economic response measures planned and implemented at EU, national, regional and local level.

CoR ECONomic Bulletin No. 5: Updates on the COVID-19 crisis

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 16, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has substantial repercussions on the European economies. The ECON Commission of the European Committee of the Regions prepares  regular economic bulletins  on recent research, articles and discussions on the socio-economic impact of the pandemic in Europe and on the different economic response measures planned and implemented at EU, national, regional and local level.

Key Points: 

The Covid-19 pandemic has substantial repercussions on the European economies. The ECON Commission of the European Committee of the Regions prepares  regular economic bulletins  on recent research, articles and discussions on the socio-economic impact of the pandemic in Europe and on the different economic response measures planned and implemented at EU, national, regional and local level.

African responses to the COVID-19 pandemic

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 14, 2020

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Special Envoy to mobilise international support for Africa's efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic at the African Union.

Key Points: 
  • Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Special Envoy to mobilise international support for Africa's efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic at the African Union.
  • To what extent was the continent prepared for such a pandemic?
  • How will the pandemic affect African countries' economies?
  • What are the current issues facing Nigeria's economy, and to what extent are these exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic?

African responses to the COVID-19 pandemic

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 14, 2020

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Special Envoy to mobilise international support for Africa's efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic at the African Union.

Key Points: 
  • Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Special Envoy to mobilise international support for Africa's efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic at the African Union.
  • To what extent was the continent prepared for such a pandemic?
  • How will the pandemic affect African countries' economies?
  • What are the current issues facing Nigeria's economy, and to what extent are these exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Press release - European Parliament opens its doors online to mark Europe Day

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 9, 2020

Due to the current circumstances, the annual open-door event of the European institutions, that each year brings tens of thousands of citizens to the premises of the European Parliament, has been turned into a digital open day.

Key Points: 
  • Due to the current circumstances, the annual open-door event of the European institutions, that each year brings tens of thousands of citizens to the premises of the European Parliament, has been turned into a digital open day.
  • A series of online events and exhibitions are organised around the theme of solidarity and EU action to confront the pandemic and its economic consequences.
  • Amongst the highlights of the day will be the meeting on Saturday morning between President Sassoli (S&D, IT) and organisations working for solidarity in Europe.
  • Statement by European Parliaments President and leaders of political groups on the Schuman Declaration anniversary (9 May)

    You can also enjoy an online exhibition, featuring items from the Parliaments archives.