Those living in Kurdistan, currently part of Iraq, on September 25 will be voting on if they want to have their own independent country. In the process they could end up further accelerating what some are calling the genocide of the Yezidi.
The Arab-Asian region is the home of 300 million youth in 22 Arab countries and 400 million more in Asia in the Pacific. These 700 million aged 15-24 years old add up to more than 60 percent of the entire world's youth population, and yet in spite of the vast wealth in both regions their future is still a major question.
Multilateral development banks (MDBs) leaders have agreed to deepen their collaboration to encourage private sector investment in vital infrastructure needed to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth throughout the world.
Human development is progressing and has recently made major strides in many areas, but many are still left behind, with systemic and often unmeasured barriers to catching up. A new UN report urges a stronger focus on those excluded and on actions to dismantle these barriers to ensure sustainable human development for all.
Some 200 000 people from Mosul and across Iraq will be able to earn an income for the first time since the Islamic State of the Levant (ISIL) took parts of the area in 2014, thanks to a new FAO project that is restoring irrigation to 250 000 hectares of farmland.
A congress billed as the world’s largest ever to focus on the environment has opened to warnings that our planet is at a “tipping point” but also with expressions of hope that governments, civil society and big business are learning to work together.
The official reasons for the US-led, UK-backed invasion of Iraq in 2003 were to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, end Saddam Hussein’s support of terrorism, and free the Iraqi people. The truth, finally emerging, is far uglier.
The long awaited Chilcot Report (5 years) on the Invasion of Iraq will finally be released on 6th July, 2016.
Water scarcity, conflict and refugee exodus is the strongest megatrend in West Asia, indicating the status of current trends and how these factors may shape the future, according to UN Environment Programme’s sixth Global Environment Outlook – GEO-6 Regional Assessment for West Asia released May 2016.
The problem of children around the world being exposed to lead -- and the many medical consequences of that -- is still significant even in the 21st century. A study just published by New York University shows the annual economic cost of lead exposure at $977 billion worldwide, with ~$700 billion of that happening just within Asia.
When, in March 2015, delegates from the Middle East met in Amman for their regional consultations round in preparation for the May 23-24 World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, most likely what they had in mind is the fact that their region was –and still is– the dramatic set of “the mother of all humanitarian crises.
According to a just released market study, the global total value of all airport construction projects is estimated at U.S. $637.8 billion. The biggest single chunk of that is in the Asia-Pacific region, with $224.1 billion or 35.1% of the total.
There is an oil producing country situated in the Gulf region, made of a cluster of islands. It is small, surface and population wise. But it holds the dubious privilege of ranking top of the list out of the 33 countries most likely to be water-stressed in the year 2040. This country is the “Mamlakat Al Bahrain” (the Kingdom of the Two Seas) or simply Bahrain.
The Aspen Institute Stevens Initiative will connect youth in the United States, Middle East, and North Africa to build 21st century skills and cross-cultural understanding.
Five years ago the Arab world blew up, and the flames are still raging. What at first had been euphoria quickly turned to chaos. What cannot be denied, though, is that the uprisings were the spark of an epochal change.
SWIFT data shows a double digit growth of RMB adoption by financial institutions established in all regions. In February 2016, 1,131 banks were using the RMB for payments with mainland China and Hong Kong, representing 37% of all institutions exchanging payments with mainland China and Hong Kong across all currencies.
A new industry report forecasts future trends for the growing worldwide demand for cardiovascular needles. North Amnerica is expected to continue to lead demand for the products, but all regions are seeing increased demand.
The World Health Organization just issued its latest Zika Virus situation report, including maps showing the spread of the virus worldwide and recommendations for those who are or may become infected.
The Middle East residential water treatment devices market was valued at US$ 414.1 Mn in 2014 and is anticipated to reach US$ 855.3 million by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 6.8% throughout the forecast period.
Persistence Market Research (PMR) has recently announced the publication of a market study on the global seasonings and spices market. On a global basis, Europe and Asia-Pacific dominate this market.
Thirty-four countries, including 27 in Africa, are currently in need of external assistance for food due to drought, flooding and civil conflicts, according to a new just released edition of FAO's Crop Prospects and Food Situation report.
In a yet another violation of international laws and their own human values, 28 European countries have just agreed with Turkey to open a new “bazaar” of refugees, this time using the old barter system. i.e. Iraqis and Afghans in exchange of Syrians.
A 6,830-ton North Korean cargo ship was seized by Philippine government officials as it docked into Subic Bay on March 3. The vessel, its cargo and its crew will be held indefinitely as part of new tougher United Nations sanctions recently approved against the North Korean government.
A new study by ABI Research suggests that despite a floating myth speculating that it will only be a matter of time before personal computers meet their demise, the market is still going strong and shows no sign of slowing down in the immediate future.
The FAO Food Price Index was stable in February, as falling sugar and dairy prices offset a substantial jump in vegetable oil prices from the previous month.