After many rounds of tough negotiations, the European Union (EU) and Switzerland have reached a historic agreement to strengthen trade relations, resolve long-standing disagreements on freedom of movement, and open a new chapter in bilateral relations.

Population aging is a persistent concern for many countries worldwide. As this issue has become an irreversible trend, many nations are quickly adapting to turn challenges into opportunities for economic development.

The recent Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit held in Serbia attracted the attention of many leaders and technology experts. Amidst the rapid advancement of AI technology, discussions at the summit centred around balancing innovation with ethical standards in tech development and the need for international cooperation and experience sharing among nations.

The World Bank (WB) has announced that it has raised close to 24 billion USD for providing loans and grants to some of the world's poorest nations, which it can leverage to generate a record 100 billion USD in total spending power. This joint action is expected to support the 78 countries that 'need it most'.

Australia has just become the first country to pass a bill banning children younger than 16 years from social media. With such a step considered unprecedented, Australia is a pioneer in tightening digital platform regulations to protect children in the online environment.

The mediating efforts of the US and France, along with the international community, have led to a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. This agreement opens up the hope of ending the longest and bloodiest conflict between the two sides in decades while also preventing a serious humanitarian crisis that was at risk of spreading throughout the region.

South Africa will officially assume the presidency of the Group of 20 leading emerging and developed economies (G20) from December 1. As the first African nation to take over the “hot seat” of the G20, South Africa is expected to play a crucial role in elevating the position of Global South countries in efforts to address global challenges.

The Japanese government is considering an economic stimulus package worth 39,000 billion JPY (more than 252.7 billion USD), while the Bank of Japan (BOJ) has left open the possibility of raising interest rates. These measures are seen as a way to prevent sharp inflation and ensure long-term economic growth for the country.

The National Economic and Social Development Council of Thailand (NESDC) expects the Thai economy to sustain its upward momentum in 2025 with a growth of 2.3-3.3% despite growing risks.

This year, host country Azerbaijan has chosen the theme “In Solidarity for a Green World” for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), with hopes for a green future for the world.

Leaders of Arab and Muslim countries have gathered in the capital of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend an extraordinary summit aimed at finding solutions to prevent military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is calling on local farmers to adopt advanced technologies to reduce carbon emissions in rice production, aiming to enhance the country’s rice competitiveness in the global market.

With victories in a series of key battleground states, Donald Trump has secured the minimum 270 electoral votes needed in the US presidential election, officially winning the presidency.

The Asia-Pacific region has recently overcome numerous challenges, demonstrating its dynamism and adaptability in the face of global difficulties and fluctuations. With expectations to continue a positive recovery in the second half of 2024, Asia-Pacific is asserting its role as the primary driver of global economic growth.