The Governing Council today decided to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. The outlook for energy prices, while highly volatile, currently stands close to the baseline of the June Eurosystem staff projections and well above the levels recorded prior to the conflict in the Middle East. Uncertainty remains high and the full inflationary impact o...
2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial MeetingChengdu, People's Republic of China | 23 July 2026APEC ministers responsible for telecommunications/information and communications technologies and digital policy issued a joint statement following the conclusion of their meeting in Chengdu on Thursday.Echoing the discussions and outcomes of the 2026 APEC Dig...
We, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China, gathered on the occasion of ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) with China in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines, on 22 July 2026;RECALLING the commitment of ASEAN and China to advancing practical cooperation in the areas of commo...
The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) was held on 21 July 2026, in Manila, Philippines. The Meeting was chaired by the Philippines under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”ASEAN COMMUNITY-We noted that this year marks the first year of the implementation of the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future. We reaffirmed our commitment to its full an...
UNDP and ISS invite researchers, practitioners, youth experts and digital rights specialists from across Africa to contribute to a new policy compendium, Youth-Safe Digital Futures: From Digital Inclusion to Responsible AI for Peace and Development in AfricaPhoto: UNDP AfricaAcross Africa, young people are using digital platforms to access education, build...
Global goods trade expanded by an estimated 12.5% quarter over quarter in the first half of 2026, reaching about $13.7 trillion, supported in part by higher prices.East Asia recorded the strongest goods trade growth in the first quarter, well above the global average.AI- and electric vehicle-related products led goods trade growth, with further gains expec...
More than 700 participants from across the region came together in two virtual seminars to exchange experiences and reflect on how artificial intelligence and digital technologies can contribute to more equitable and inclusive education.Más de 700 participantes de la región se reunieron en dos seminarios virtuales para intercambiar experiencias y reflexi...
SummaryA multi-stakeholder effort for educational transformationHuman-centered and ethical AI for educationToward a responsible and inclusive AI future in EgyptUNESCO and the Ministry of Education and Technical Education of Egypt officially launched the national "Artificial intelligence competency framework for teachers" on 3 June 2026. This mark...
Credit standards tightened moderately for firms amid higher perceived risksBusiness loan demand rose slightly, while household loan demand decreasedCredit standards tightened most in sectors such as the car industry and energy-intensive manufacturingAccording to the July 2026 bank lending survey (BLS), euro area banks reported a moderate net tightening of ...
AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how consumers access and use financial information, education and advice for personal financial decision making. While consumers’ increasing use of AI tools and AI-generated content for personal finance brings opportunities in terms of accessibility, personalisation and decision making, it also increase...
