Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala met with the Chief Executive of Macao, China, Sam Hou Fai on 23 April at the WTO. They discussed the active role Macao, China plays at the WTO and its strong support for the multilateral trading system. As trade openness and transparency are key to Macao, China’s strong economic performance, both leaders highlighted the importance of the WTO for supporting the ongoing contribution of Macao, China to the global economy.
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
Briefing by Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, on the question concerning the country.
He said, “When I last briefed you in January, I underscored that Haiti was entering a decisive phase requiring sustained efforts across the political and security tracks. This phase is clearly now fully underway.”
On the political transition, Ruiz Massieu said, “The transfer of executive authority on 7 February to the Council of Ministers, under the leadership of Prime Minister Fils-Aimé, ensured institutional continuity at a moment of significant vulnerability.”
Turning to the humanitarian situation, he added, “Today, as the Council is aware, more than 1.45 million people are internally displaced, mostly because of violence, and an estimated 6.4 million Haitians will require humanitarian assistance in 2026. Behind these figures are communities under immense strain, where insecurity and humanitarian needs are increasingly intertwined. Without tangible improvements on the security front, progress will be difficult to sustain.”
On international coordination, Ruiz Massieu said, “The Coordination Mechanism established on 14 April — bringing together BINUH, the recently established United Nations Support Office in Haiti and the Gang Suppression Force — is instrumental in ensuring that international support is coherent, coordinated and aligned with national priorities determined by the Haitian authorities.”
He added, “As this Council has recognized, the security response alone will not suffice. Renewed national efforts on disarmament, dismantlement, reintegration and community violence reduction play a significant role in consolidating security gains and creating space for further political and electoral progress.”
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
In this highlight from the chamber, members press the government on its plans to tackle plastic pollution, including plastic waste, the damage to health done by microplastics and creating PFAS-free alternatives for school uniforms.
Read a transcript of this question https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2026-04-22/debates/6FF0490F-E603-40AE-B065-998519D024D8/PlasticPollutionReduction
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Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee have published a report following an independent an-led review of live and electronic music. Fans, musicians, activists, and industry professionals explain what this means for the industry.
