ISTANBUL, October 18, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The 15th Turkish-Arab Economic Forum (TAFF 2024), aimed at deepening relations between Turkiye and the Gulf countries and defining joint strategies for the region, took place yesterday in Istanbul.The Forum saw the attendance of many key figures from the Gulf countries, including Kuwait's Minister of Finance Noora Suleiman Salem Al-Fassam, Iraq's Minister of Finance Taif Sami Mohammed, Egypt's Deputy Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, Tunisia's Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh, Libya's Minister of Finance Dr Kalid Al-Mabrouk, President of the Turkish Investment Fund Baghdad Amreyev, Secretary General of the Egyptian Federation of Arab Chambers Dr Khaled Hanafy, Regional Director of the Saudi International Finance Corporation Fawaz Bilbeisi, Director of the World Bank GCC Cooperation Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali, Partner at the UK's DWF Solomon Ebere, Board Member of the Qatar Chamber Mohamed Bin Ahmed Al Obaidly, and Vice President of International Business Development of the United Arab Emirates Khalid Al Marzooqi.Turkiye's Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek evaluated global and regional strategies.In his speech at the 15th Turkish-Arab Economic Forum, Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek highlighted the decline in inflation and the slowdown in monetary policies. He emphasized that global trade will continue in November, pointing out that while there are challenges, there are also opportunities in this process. Mehmet Simsek further noted that he expects an increase in cooperation across various sectors, emphasizing that partnerships in energy, manufacturing, technology, and machinery are crucial for realizing the region's potential and he expressed his support for diversification strategies.Dr. Erkan Kork stated that Turkiye and the Gulf countries could build a shared future.Speaking at the 15th Turkish-Arab Economic Forum, Dr. Erkan Kork, Chairman of the Board of BankPozitif, highlighted that the participating countries share the same geography, history, and values, and emphasized that joint steps would be stronger and more effective. He noted that building a shared future with the available know-how, technology, and investments is vital for unlocking the region's potential.BankPozitif Chairman Dr Erkan Kork at the 15th Turkish Arab Economic ForumExpressing pride in Turkiye's positioning as a fintech hub, Dr Erkan Kork predicted that Turkiye would play a leading role on the global stage in various fields in the near future. He also stressed the importance of forums, fairs and events like this for fostering relationships between the business world and governments of different countries.In his speech, Dr Erkan Kork pointed out that Turkiye is in a very strong position in terms of innovation and information technology, noting that while processing times in many sectors in Europe are long, they are much shorter in Turkiye. Dr. Erkan Kork also highlighted Turkiye's high level of competitiveness in recent years.At the forum, which had a high participation rate, Fatih Karahan, Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye, Burak Dagloglu, Member of the Board of Directors of the Turkiye Wealth Fund, and Rfat Hisarckloglu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkiye, were also among the speakers.Source: BankPozitif, https://www.bankpozitif.com.trSait Inanc, +90533 722 49 69, info@bankpozitif.com.tr* This press release is issued through EuropeNewswire.Net (www.europenewswire.net) and distributed by EmailWire (www.emailwire.com) – the gloabal newswire that provide Press Release Distribution with Guaranteed Results™. Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

SHENZHEN, CHINA, Oct 18, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - China Medical System Holdings Limited (the “Group” or “CMS”) is pleased to announce that on 18 October, the first batch of prescriptions of ruxolitinib phosphate cream (the “ruxolitinib cream” or the “Product”) for qualified vitiligo patients were issued in the Greater Bay Area, at Zhongshan Chen Xinghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, and Dongguan Songshan Lake Tungwah Hospital. The Product’s new drug application (NDA) was approved by the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau (ISAF) of Macau on 11 April 2024, and subsequently the Product was approved by the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration on August 19 through the "Hong Kong and Macau Medicine and Equipment Connect" policy, which officially introduced ruxolitinib cream for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo with facial involvement in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age, providing a novel treatment option for patients with relevant indication into designated medical institutions in the Mainland of Greater Bay Area.In addition, on 24 September, the NDA for vitiligo indication of ruxolitinib cream has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA). In accordance with the relevant regulations of the drug real-world data application pilot program in the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone (the “Pilot Zone”), CMS has conducted a real-world study on ruxolitinib cream in China. The results have shown positive efficacy, which is consistent with the key outcomes of global pivotal clinical studies. All secondary efficacy endpoints showed a trend of benefit consistent with the primary efficacy endpoint, and the treatment effect for vitiligo continued to improve with longer treatment duration. Meanwhile, through the safety monitoring data of the Pilot Zone, no new safety events have been identified. Adverse events mostly had severity levels of grade 1 or 2. No adverse event (AE) leading to discontinuation or withdrawal, and no serious adverse event (SAE) related to the study drug occurred.If the Product is successfully approved for marketing in Mainland China, it will be the first prescription drug approved by NMPA for repigmentation in vitiligo, bringing this novel treatment hopes for Chinese vitiligo patients.Furthermore, on 12 August 2023, the Product was approved by Hainan Medical Products Administration for Urgent Clinical Import, and officially became available to applicable patients in the Pilot Zone on August 18, for the topical treatment of non-segmental vitiligo in adults and adolescents aged 12 and above with facial involvement. Benefiting from the Early and Pilot Implementation Policy granted by the state to Hainan Free Trade Port and the Pilot Zone, patients with vitiligo in China can apply for the Product in Boao Super Hospital first and receive treatment from the expert team. As of 30 June 2024, more than 3,200 patients have been treated with ruxolitinib cream in Boao Super Hospital.CMS has always been patient-oriented and innovation-driven based on clinical needs, continuously striving to improve drug accessibility. Benefited from the "Hong Kong and Macau Medicine and Equipment Connect" policy, ruxolitinib cream was approved for use in the Greater Bay Area and completed its first batch of prescriptions, shortening the time difference for Chinese vitiligo patients to use innovative drug and benefiting more domestic patients. Looking forward to the future, the Group will continuously strive to meet the unmet needs of Chinese patients, continuously explore novel drugs with international quality, and efficiently promote products’ clinical development and commercialization, so as to bring more quality pharmaceutical products through differentiated innovation-breakthrough, to safeguard the health and life-quality of patients.About ruxolitinib creamRuxolitinib cream (Opzelura), a novel cream formulation of Incyte’s selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the topical treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo in patients 12 years of age and older. As of now, it is the first and only treatment for repigmentation approved for use in the United States[1]. Ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura) is also approved in the U.S. for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) in non-immunocompromised patients 12 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies are not advisable[2]. In Europe, ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura) is approved for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo with facial involvement in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age[3].On 2 December 2022, the Group through a subsidiary of the Company, a dermatology medical aesthetic company (“CMS Skinhealth”) entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Incyte for topical formulations of ruxolitinib for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory dermatology diseases. In accordance with the License Agreement, the Group through CMS Skinhealth received an exclusive license to develop, register and commercialize the Product in Mainland China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region, Taiwan Region and eleven Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Timor-Leste and Brunei Darussalam) (the “Territory”) and a non-exclusive license to manufacture the Product in the Territory. The License Agreement commenced on its effective date and has a royalty term of ten years from the date of the commercial sale of the Product in the Territory (the “Royalty Term”). Upon the expiration of the Royalty Term, the License Agreement may be renewed for a period of ten years thereafter (the “Initial Extended Royalty Term”) as per certain conditions defined in the License Agreement. Upon the expiration of the Initial Extended Royalty Term, the License Agreement may be extended for a period otherwise agreed by both sides as per certain conditions defined in the License Agreement.Incyte has worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of the Product, marketed in the United States and Europe as Opzelura®. Opzelura and the Opzelura logo are registered trademarks of Incyte.About vitiligoVitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by depigmentation of the skin, which results from the loss of pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. It is estimated that there are approximately 14 million vitiligo patients in China[4]. Non-segmental vitiligo patients account for approximately 85% of them. Topical corticosteroids (TCS) and calcineurin inhibitors (CI) are used off-label for non-segmental vitiligo, however, these therapies have clinical deficiencies with long-term adverse reactions of long-term treatment or limited efficacy[5,6].About CMSCMS is a platform company linking pharmaceutical innovation and commercialization with strong product lifecycle management capability, dedicated to providing competitive products and services to meet unmet medical needs.CMS focuses on the global first-in-class (FIC) and best-in-class (BIC) innovative products, and efficiently promotes the clinical research, development and commercialization of innovative products, enabling the continuous transformation of scientific research into clinical practices to benefit patients.CMS deeply engages in several specialty therapeutic fields, and has developed proven commercialization capabilities, extensive networks and expert resources, resulting in leading academic and market positions for its major marketed products. CMS continues to promote the in-depth development of its advantageous specialty fields and expand business boundaries. While strengthening the competitiveness of the cardio-cerebrovascular/gastroenterology business, CMS independently operates its dermatology and medical aesthetics business, and ophthalmology business, aiming to gain leading positions in specialty therapeutic fields, whilst enhancing the scale and efficiency. At the same time, CMS has expanded its business territory to the Southeast Asian market, striving to become a "bridgehead" for global pharmaceutical companies to enter the Southeast Asian market, further escorting the sustainable and healthy development of the Group.Reference:1. Drug approval information can be found on the FDA official website, as follows: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-topical-treatment-addressing-repigmentation-vitiligo-patients-aged-12-and-older2. Drug approval information can be found on the Incyte official website, as follows: https://investor.incyte.com/news-releases/news-release-details/incyte-announces-us-fda-approval-opzeluratm-ruxolitinib-cream3. Drug approval information can be found on the EMA official website, as follows: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/opzelura4. Ezzedine K, Eleftheriadou V, Whitton M, van Geel N. Vitiligo. Lancet. 2015;386(9988):74-84. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60763-75. Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo (2021 version)6. Kubelis-López DE, Zapata-Salazar NA, Said-Fernández SL, Sánchez-Domínguez CN, Salinas-Santander MA, Martínez-Rodríguez HG, Vázquez-Martínez OT, Wollina U, Lotti T, Ocampo-Candiani J. Updates and new medical treatments for vitiligo (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2021 Aug;22(2):797. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10229. Epub 2021 May 25. PMID: 34093753; PMCID: PMC8170669.CMS Disclaimer and Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release is not intended to promote any products to you and is not for advertising purposes. This press release does not recommend any drugs, medical devices and/or indications. If you want to know more about the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, please follow the opinions or guidance of your doctor or other medical and health professionals. Any treatment-related decisions made by healthcare professionals should be based on the patient’s specific circumstances and in accordance with the drug package insert.This press release which has been prepared by CMS does not constitute any offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and shall not form the basis for or be relied on in connection with any contract or binding commitment whatsoever. This press release has been prepared by CMS based on information and data which it considers reliable, but CMS makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, whatsoever, and no reliance shall be placed on, the truth, accuracy, completeness, fairness and reasonableness of the contents of this press release. Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain statements regarding the Group’s market opportunity and business prospects that are individually and collectively forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Any forward-looking statements and projections made by third parties included in this press release are not adopted by the Group and the Company is not responsible for such third-party statements and projections.Media ContactChina Medical System Holdings Ltd.CMS Investor RelationsWebsite: https://web.cms.net.cn/en/home/Source: China Medical System Holdings Ltd. Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

- Eco Expo Asia is expected to attract over 300 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions with new exhibitor groups from Anhui Province and Norway- The Expo will feature three focal points: New Energy, Waste Management and Circular Economy, and ESG-related Services, in pursuit of achieving the dual carbon goals- Government officials, industry experts and business leaders from various countries and regions, including Belt and Road countries will attend the Eco Asia Conference- Talks and workshops on the last day of the Expo (2 November) will be open to the public for freeHONG KONG, Oct 17, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Eco Expo Asia 2024, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo from 30 October to 2 November. The last day of the event will be open to the public for free.To extend the sourcing journey, exhibitors and buyers worldwide can connect via the Click2Match virtual business matching platform from 23 October to 9 November.HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Jenny Koo said: "In the face of climate change, countries and regions have been actively propelling carbon reduction policies and sustainable development. China, for instance, set carbon reduction and neutrality goals in 2020 and has been advocating the development of new quality productive forces. The Hong Kong SAR Government is also committed to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050, and the development of related industries has become increasingly diversified, laying a strong foundation for Hong Kong’s sustainable development. Themed Fostering Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality, the 19th edition of Eco Expo Asia will bring together international exhibitors and industry professionals to showcase cutting-edge innovations and technologies that aim to achieve dual carbon goals.”Speaking at the press conference, the Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government, Fong Kin-wa, expressed: "We hope the Eco Expo Asia could share with visitors and exhibitors from around the world, including Belt and Road countries and ASEAN countries, the latest green innovation for achieving carbon neutrality, with a view to promoting exchange and cooperation between governments and trade sectors on boosting green & low-carbon transformation, achieving sustainable development, and leading Hong Kong towards carbon neutrality.”Converging international exhibitors and government officials at Eco Expo AsiaThis year’s Expo is expected to attract over 300 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, Germany, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States and Canada. Several provinces and cities from Mainland China will form pavilions, including the return of Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The Anhui Pavilion will debut with technologies focused on air quality, water treatment and quality management as well as new energy materials and equipment. Supported by Innovation Norway, the debut group participation from Norway will showcase technologies for water quality management and waste treatment.The Eco Asia Conference, held during the first three days of the exhibition, will provide a platform for government officials, industry experts and business leaders from various countries and regions to discuss key trends, including energy projections, green building technologies and the circular economy. The conference is supported by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, National Development and Reform Commission, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China. Officials from Belt and Road countries, including Malaysia, Laos, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Brunei and Vietnam will also attend the conference.Three focal points in pursuit of dual carbon goalsTo achieve dual carbon goals, the development of green energy and green transportation has become a global trend. New energy is a focus of this year’s exhibition and many innovative new energy-related products and technologies will be featured. For example, Hong Kong’s first hydrogen fuel cell street-cleaning vehicle will be showcased at the booth hosted by the Environment and Ecology Bureau in conjunction with other HKSAR government units.The Inner Mongolia Pavilion will showcase cutting-edge solutions in environmental protection, ecological restoration and new energy. Innovative technical solutions, such as hydrogen purification systems and carbon capture and storage equipment, will be highlighted at the Canada Pavilion. In the Green Transportation zone, GMI Motors Ltd and first-time exhibitor Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co. Ltd will present a variety of electric vehicles. Chun Yang International (HK) Company Ltd will demonstrate fast charging and mini wall-mounted EV chargers catering to different needs.Waste Management and Circular Economy is a second focal point of the Expo, with exhibitor Smart Farming HK Ltd showcasing fish feed made from food waste and a sustainable fish farming concept. First-time exhibitor Nanda (Hong Kong) Technology Corporation Ltd will feature a food waste biodegradation machine that can process up to 36,000 kg of food waste per day.The Sustainable Restaurant Awards 2024, the first of its kind in Hong Kong's F&B industry to recognise restaurants based on their carbon footprint, will be presented on the third day of the Expo.The third focal point of the Expo is ESG-related services which is experiencing strong demand. Several world-leading certification and consultancy companies will exhibit for the first time, including SGS Hong Kong Ltd, Intertek Testing Services Hong Kong Ltd, TUV Rheinland Hong Kong Ltd and BSI Pacific Ltd to present their testing and certification services as well as ESG consulting and training programmes. ESG AI, an innovative tool launched by China Energy Conservation & Environmental Protection (Hong Kong) Investment Co. Ltd, makes use of big data analysis and other technologies to generate regulatory-compliant ESG reports in one click.Nurturing talent to inject fresh energyEco Expo Asia has long been a platform for start-ups to showcase their latest innovations. Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation will showcase products and technologies from 10 start-ups related to green transport, circular economy and energy efficiency.In the popular Start-up Zone, exhibitor Ezygreenpak Ltd will demonstrate its patented water-soluble non-woven packaging material that can be completely dissolved in 90°C hot water without leaving any harmful residue. BSF Innovation Ltd's organic green building powder, consisting of fibre and calcium extracted from insect shells and food waste, can be blended with traditional building materials to make eco-bricks, reducing the manufacturing process carbon emissions by around 40%.A series of seminars and workshops on Public DayTo encourage residents to adopt green living practices, talks and workshops will be held on the last day of the Expo (2 November), which are free and open to the public. A highlight will be the Dialogue with the Secretary for Environment and Ecology for school students. Experts will share their strategies and experience in tackling extreme weather. The public can also participate in a variety of green workshops and shop for green products at Green Mart.Photo download: https://bit.ly/3BWSrpjJenny Koo, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC, introduced Eco Expo Asia highlights at the press conference. She said Hong Kong’s environmental-related industries were expanding in diversity, establishing the groundwork for the city’s sustainable development.The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address released yesterday emphasises the need to promote the development of new energy and expand the electric vehicle charging network. Ms Koo stated that the HKTDC has been committed to promoting sustainable development in the business sector. In October, the HKTDC will work closely with the Environmental and Ecology Bureau to hold Eco Expo Asia, and provide support services and sourcing platforms to assist industry players in promoting and sourcing green products and solutions. In addition to Eco Expo Asia, the HKTDC aims to facilitate international connections through large-scale flagship events, promoting Hong Kong's role as an international centre for green finance and green technologyJenny Koo, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC (centre); Fong Kin-wa, Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government (left), and Judy Cheung, Deputy General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd (right), attended the press conferenceGMI Motors Ltd displayed a brand-new, 32-seater electric bus with a large capacity batteryStart-up Ezygreenpak Ltd demonstrated its innovative water-soluble non-woven packaging material that can completely dissolve in 90°C hot waterTen companies resident at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation sites will take part in the exhibition. Growgreen Ltd and One Energy (HK) Ltd showcased products related to circular economy and green transportation at the press conferenceSmart Farming HK Ltd introduced food waste recycled feed and fish farming sustainabilityWebsiteEco Expo Asia: www.ecoexpoasia.comMedia enquiriesPlease contact the HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:Stanley SoTel: (852) 2584 4049Email: stanley.hp.so@hktdc.orgClayton Lauw Tel: (852) 2584 4472 Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.orgThe HKTDC’s Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/enAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.Background information on Messe FrankfurtThe Messe Frankfurt Group is one of the world’s leading trade fair, congress and event organisers with their own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,160 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2022 were around €454 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability. With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent). For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Washington, D.C., Oct 18, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Today marks the launch of the second edition of the Multilateralism Index from the International Peace Institute (IPI) and the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). The Index reveals that states remain engaged in the global multilateral system even as it increasingly struggles to address the crises it faces.Multilateralism Index 2024 ReportAn image of the front cover of the Multilateralism Index 2024 ReportKey resultsThe performance of the multilateral system declined across all five domains examined.Peace and security showed the steepest deterioration in performance, with the number of armed conflicts rising from 39 in 2013 to 55 in 2022.Climate action and human rights also saw significant declines in performance, despite increased engagement from member states.Participation in multilateral institutions has increased in most domains, even as performance has declined, indicating a shift from cooperation to contestation.Inclusivity improved across all domains, with steady growth in NGO engagement and women's representation in UN bodies.The Multilateralism Index 2024 presents a complex picture of global cooperation over the past decade, examining five crucial domains: Peace and Security, Human Rights, Climate Action, Public Health, and Trade. It reveals a contradiction: while participation in the multilateral system has largely held steady or even increased, its effectiveness in addressing global challenges has declined.Dr. Adam Lupel, IPI Vice President & COO said: "Over the past decade, we've witnessed a paradox in multilateralism. While participation in international institutions has largely held steady or even increased, the performance of the multilateral system in addressing global challenges has declined. This suggests a shift from cooperation to contestation at a time of transformation and rising global crises."The peace and security domain experienced the most significant deterioration in performance. Active armed conflicts increased from 39 in 2013 to 55 in 2022, with a notable rise in internationalized conflicts. The UN Security Council has seen more frequent use of the veto power, constraining its ability to respond to crises. However, states have not broadly pulled back from the UN peace and security architecture, and commitments in some areas, such as multilateral peacebuilding, have increased.Climate action presents another contradiction. Despite near-universal participation in the Paris Agreement and growing climate commitments, these commitments continue to fall short of necessary targets. Projections show an 8.8% increase in emissions by 2030, in stark contrast to the 43% decrease required to meet the critical 1.5°C target.The human rights domain exhibits a counterintuitive pattern. While engagement with UN human rights mechanisms has increased, global human rights protections have steadily declined. Most strikingly, members of the UN Human Rights Council consistently scored lower on human rights measures than the global average, indicating that many states are engaging less to advance human rights than to shape the direction of the system.Multilateral action on public health was significantly shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reversed years of progress, particularly in areas such as childhood immunization. It also put the shortcomings of the global public health system in stark relief, spurring negotiations on an international pandemic agreement aimed at strengthening preparedness and response capabilities for future health crises.Trade is the one area where both performance and participation decreased. The paralysis of global trade negotiations and breakdown in adherence to global trade rules signal a shift away from multilateral approaches. This trend, combined with growing geopolitical tensions, creates challenges for global economic cooperation.Steve Killelea, Founder & Executive Chairman of IEP, commented: "The Multilateralism Index 2024 reveals a challenging trend: while engagement in global institutions has increased, their effectiveness has declined across key areas. There is a need to revitalize our multilateral system to address today's complex challenges."Despite these challenges, the Index highlights positive developments, particularly in the area of inclusivity. NGO engagement with the UN system has grown, and women's representation has increased across many UN bodies. However, the Global South remains underrepresented in many areas, suggesting that geographic inclusivity remains a work in progress.As the world contends with interconnected crises, from conflict to climate change, the Multilateralism Index 2024 provides valuable insights into the current state of global cooperation. It underscores the need for thoughtful reform to ensure that multilateral institutions can effectively address the complex challenges of the 21st century.Contact InformationMike KoslowskiIEP Senior Communications Advisormkoslowski@economicsandpeace.org+61418410531Related FilesMultilateralism Index 2024 - Full Press Release (1)Multilateralism Index 2024 - Full Press Release (1)SOURCE: International Peace Institute Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.