Politics and Governance

High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development will take place from 10 to 19 July 2023

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will take place from 10-19 July 2023 under the Economic and Social Council. The forum will focus on accelerating COVID-19 recovery and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It serves as the main UN platform for sustainable development, involving UN Member States and civil society organizations in reviewing progress and providing policy guidance for the SDGs. In-depth reviews of SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17 will take place, along with supporting the mid-term review of SDG implementation and preparations for the 2023 SDG Summit under the UN General Assembly in September 2023.

Early parliamentary elections in Spain will be scheduled to take place on 23 July 2023

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that the Spanish Parliament will be dissolved, paving the way for an early general election. The voting will take place on July 23. General elections were previously set to be held in December, but were brought forward by the heavy losses sustained by Sanchez’s ruling Socialist party. The decision to dissolve the parliament and hold early elections will aim to address the challenges faced by the ruling Socialist party. The upcoming elections will see the selection of 350 members of the Congress of Deputies through a closed-list regional proportional system, while 206 members of the Senate will be chosen from open lists.

Defence and Security

Lithuania will host a two-day NATO Summit on 11-12 July 2023

Lithuania will host a NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 11-12, 2023. The event, chaired by the NATO Secretary General, will be held at LITEXPO – Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre. It is expected to be the largest gathering in Lithuania’s history. During the Vilnius meeting, Allied Heads of State and Government will have the opportunity to agree on further steps to strengthen deterrence and defence, review significant increases in defence spending, and continue their support for Ukraine. The transatlantic bond within NATO remains vital for the security of over one billion citizens in an era of growing strategic competition.

Fifth substantive session of the OEWG on security of and in the use of ICTs will be held from 24 to 28 July 2023

The fifth substantive session of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) will be set to take place from 24 to 28 July at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States of America. This working group was established by a resolution, A/RES/75/240, passed by the General Assembly in November 2020. The group is tasked with developing rules, norms, and principles for responsible state behaviour in ICTs, considering state initiatives for ICT security, establishing regular institutional dialogue, studying information security threats, exploring cooperative measures, examining international law’s application to ICT use, and promoting confidence-building and capacity-building.

Trade and Economics

Forty-ninth regional course on key issues on the international economic agenda will be held from 3 to 14 July 2023

The regional course on key international economic issues for Eastern European countries will be hosted by the Faculty of Economics, Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia. Taking place from 3 to 14 July 2023, the course will primarily focus on the interconnections between trade, investment, finance, and development, particularly within the framework of international trade negotiations. Its objectives include enhancing understanding of these linkages in relation to country development strategies and equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and skills for trade negotiations and the formulation of effective trade and development policies aligned with their countries’ needs and interests.

7th Supervisory Meeting on D-8 PTA and 3rd Trade Ministers Council will be hosted on 17-18 July 2023

The 7th meeting of the Supervisory Committee on D-8 PTA and the 3rd Trade Ministers Council will be hosted by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh from 17 to 18 July 2023. D-8, also known as Developing-8, is an economic cooperation organization comprising Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. The primary objectives of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation are to enhance member states’ global economic position, promote diversified trade relations, increase participation in international decision-making, and improve living standards. The D-8 is a global arrangement encompassing its diverse member composition, and it does not undermine the bilateral and multilateral commitments of its members to other international or regional organizations.

Social Issues

Policy Dialogue on the Participation of Women in Small Scale and Informal Cross Border Trade will be held on 4 July 2023

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will present its Policy Review publication titled “Mozambique’s Integration into Regional Value Chains and the Role of Women Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders” at a Policy Dialogue on Women’s Participation in Small Scale and Informal Cross Border Trade in Mozambique on 4 July 2023. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in collaboration with TradeMark Africa, will aim to address challenges faced by small-scale and informal cross-border traders. Informal cross-border trade refers to trade conducted by small, unregistered traders between neighbouring countries. Senior policymakers and stakeholders will discuss public policy actions to facilitate trade and increase formalization among these traders.

8th Regulating for Decent Work Conference will be organized from 10 to 12 July 2023

The Regulating for Decent Work (RDW) network organizes its conference every two years. The 8th RDW Conference will take place in Geneva from 10 to 12 July 2023. The primary objective of the RDW project is to address the prevailing arguments against labour laws that have shaped employment policies in recent times. With a focus on two key goals, the RDW network aims to advance research on integrating labour rights into strategies for economic growth and to disseminate a principled and cohesive argument in support of upholding and promoting labour rights within the globalized economy. By convening the conference, the RDW network will seek to foster dialogue, exchange ideas, and develop solutions for creating a conducive environment for decent work worldwide.

Energy and Environment

Biorisks, Biosecurity and Biological Disarmament Conference will take place on 4-5 July 2023

The Biorisks, Biosecurity, and Biological Disarmament Conference will be scheduled on 4 and 5 July 2023 at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. To promote multi-stakeholder engagement in biological security and disarmament, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) will be collaborating to organize the conference. This gathering will aim to bring together participants from civil society, academia, industry, and diplomatic circles to foster discussions on enhancing biosecurity and advancing biological disarmament. The event will facilitate exchanges on diplomatic processes, as well as current and upcoming issues related to biorisk, biosecurity, and biological disarmament.

16th International Symposium on Isotope Hydrology will be held from 3 to 7 July 2023

The 16th International Symposium on Isotope Hydrology event will take place in Vienna from 3 to 7 July 2023. With a history of 60 years, this symposium provides a valuable platform for reviewing the latest advancements in isotope hydrology. Participants will delve into various aspects, including the water cycle, climate studies, and forensic applications such as ecological traceability. Additionally, they will discuss research requirements, analytical innovations, and training needs to further enhance the utilization of isotope hydrology. The symposium’s focus will align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) of ensuring clean water and sanitation, emphasizing the crucial role that isotope hydrology can play in achieving this global objective.