The EU is walking back from anti-palm oil bigotry
06 Jan International & Trade

The EU is walking back from anti-palm oil bigotry

At the EU-ASEAN summit on 1 December 2020, a remarkable thing happened. The European Union agreed to a new conciliatory approach to palm oil, writes Robert Hii.
by Robert Hii
The Khojaly Genocide: A Crime against Humanity
26 Feb International & Trade
The Khojaly Genocide: A Crime against Humanity
Preparing for the next virus
26 Feb Tech & Research
Preparing for the next virus
The next step for fully circular plastic packaging
23 Feb Energy & Climate
The next step for fully circular plastic packaging
Looking towards the future: Universities and Europe’s knowledge policies PM+
15 Feb Tech & Research
Looking towards the future: Universities and Europe’s knowledge policies
Europe’s universities are upping their game for the new decade, to meet the challenges of our digital and green transitions, writes Amanda Crowfoot.
Europe: Time to partner with an old friend PM+
15 Feb International & Trade
Europe: Time to partner with an old friend
Panama has historically been Europe’s key investment and trade partner in Latin America and the Caribbean; it can now play an essential role in the region’s renaissance in relations with the EU, writes Yavel Francis.
The European Commission’s proposed ban on Aloe sets a dangerous precedent for natural products PM+
05 Feb Agriculture & Food
The European Commission’s proposed ban on Aloe sets a dangerous precedent for natural products
With consumers increasingly seeking natural products such as Aloe to remain healthy longer, the European Federation of Associations of Health Products Manufacturers (EHPM) raises important concerns regarding the EU’s scientific evaluation of this botanical. The European Parliament in the ENVI Committee addressed for the first time this topic in an exchange of views on 14 January and voted on an objection on 27 January.
Abu Dhabi looks to drive clean energy post-COVID PM+
03 Feb Energy & Climate
Abu Dhabi looks to drive clean energy post-COVID
However, the Emirate still sees a future for oil and gas as part of the country’s cleaner energy mix, writes Sara Stefanini.
Vaping is the gateway out of smoking PM+
29 Jan Health
Vaping is the gateway out of smoking
Recent trends framing e-cigarettes as a gateway to smoking do not stand up to scrutiny, write the Consumer Choice Center’s Maria Chaplia and World Vapers’ Alliance’s Michael Landl.
Stimulating creativity as a structured process to foster sustainable innovation in SMEs PM+
28 Jan Tech & Research
Stimulating creativity as a structured process to foster sustainable innovation in SMEs
The CreaInnovation Project, an EU Interreg MED project has been looking at how to stimulate innovation through creative thinking.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week: accelerating the world’s sustainable development PM+
20 Jan Energy & Climate
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week: accelerating the world’s sustainable development
The Middle East’s economic recovery has a chance to look greener and more sustainable than ever before, writes Dr Guy Burton.
Aboca: an example of European Green Deal thinking applied to health PM+
19 Jan Agriculture & Food
Aboca: an example of European Green Deal thinking applied to health
With the “Green Deal”, Europe puts sustainability at the heart of its scientific, cultural and economic development. This is not just an abstract idea, but a concrete opportunity to promote a new economic and social system that reverses the effects of the current extractive model of development, a model which is reliant on the destruction of environmental resources and the use of substances that are not part of the ecosystem. The Green Deal is a vital opportunity - the only route available - which should also be applied in the health and therapy sector. It is a vision that Aboca has been pursuing ever since it was founded.
Energy solutions for a green future – some key takeaways to chew over PM+
18 Jan Energy & Climate
Energy solutions for a green future – some key takeaways to chew over
Katrina Sichel reports on Liquid Gas Europe’s recent event.
A new Saudi Arabia beckons European tourists and investors. Could these changes bring Brussels and Riyadh closer? PM+
13 Jan Industry & Finance
A new Saudi Arabia beckons European tourists and investors. Could these changes bring Brussels and Riyadh closer?
Could the Arab nation’s vision of transforming into a tourist hub by 2030 bring the Kingdom closer to Europe? Muddassar Ahmed reports.
Finding a common ground for international space regulation PM+
05 Jan Tech & Research
Finding a common ground for international space regulation
The increasing weaponisation of space poses a significant threat to the security of the planet. What we need now is open dialogue which fosters cooperation rather than rivalry, argues Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan.
The importance of a strong and multilateral-focussed United States
30 Dec International & Trade
The importance of a strong and multilateral-focussed United States
Joe Biden’s biggest challenge will be to re-establish a multilateral dynamic that keeps Russia in check, argues former US ambassador Cameron Munter.
5G: Driving Europe’s Economic Recovery and Green Transition PM+
23 Dec Tech & Research
5G: Driving Europe’s Economic Recovery and Green Transition
Qualcomm’s Wassim Chourbaji explains how investment in 5G can provide the economic boost Europe needs to achieve its digital and green objectives.
Morocco: A Telehealth success story PM+
16 Dec Health
Morocco: A Telehealth success story
One of Africa’s most technologically ambitious countries is embracing the advantages provided by modern telehealth techniques and rolling them out to its rural communities, discovers Colin Mackay.
Endorsing vaping to successfully fight cancer PM+
15 Dec Health
Endorsing vaping to successfully fight cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the EU. 1.3 million people die from cancer each year. Therefore, the upcoming European Beating Cancer Plan is a historic opportunity to improve public health in Europe, but to be successful the EU must be brave enough to endorse new approaches. Vaping must finally be endorsed to beat cancer, writes World Vapers’ Alliance’s Michael Landl.
Russia’s double-game in Belarus PM+
10 Dec International & Trade
Russia’s double-game in Belarus
It is crucial that the EU and US simultaneously support the protestors, pressure Lukashenko and prevent Russia from growing its influence in the country, writes former Bulgarian foreign minister Daniel Mitov.
Why techplomacy is more important than ever PM+
10 Dec Tech & Research
Why techplomacy is more important than ever
Collaboration between the private and public sectors and the bridging of transatlantic views on concrete challenges like data flows and cyberthreats will be essential for governments, business and workers to succeed, writes DIGITALEUROPE’s Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl.
Digital skill and political will: Europe must raise the game to tame Google PM+
08 Dec Tech & Research
Digital skill and political will: Europe must raise the game to tame Google
Kelkoo Group CEO Richard Stables calls for Europe’s public and private sectors to come together to level the online playing field and hold Big Tech companies to account.
COVID-19: a wake-up call for Europe and the world PM+
01 Dec Health
COVID-19: a wake-up call for Europe and the world
Current attempts to reshape the European Union's health policy are going in the right direction, but they still need firm support from Member States to implement people-centred and needs-driven health services, write AHF Europe.
Violence Against Women: Enough with the Colours PM+
25 Nov Jobs & Social Rights
Violence Against Women: Enough with the Colours
The International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is about more than social media posts and condemning acts in other countries, it’s about taking action at home, argues Lina Aburous.
Stopping targeted advertising cuts off industries and dumbs down tech PM+
25 Nov Tech & Research
Stopping targeted advertising cuts off industries and dumbs down tech
The European Parliament’s vote to phase out the practice threatens to reduce consumer choice and stifle what is one of Europe’s most innovative sectors, writes the Consumer Choice Center’s Yaël Ossowski.
Mobile payment and financial inclusion in Morocco PM+
20 Nov Industry & Finance
Mobile payment and financial inclusion in Morocco
Morocco’s financial inclusion strategy is helping shift a large chunk of the country’s informal economy to the formal one, explains Azzedine El Mountassir Billah.
Shining a light on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month PM+
20 Nov Health
Shining a light on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
SIOP Europe joined forces with CCI Europe and PanCare for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September), urging Europe to recognise that paediatric cancer remains an urgent health and socio-economic issue.
The World needs the G20, now more than ever PM+
19 Nov International & Trade
The World needs the G20, now more than ever
As Saudi Arabia’s G20 Presidency comes to an end, H.E. Ambassador Saad Bin Mohammed Alarify, Head of the Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the European Union, reports on the country’s significant achievements.