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North America
The Transatlantic Partnership has been a key pillar of the EU’s security and economic development since its foundation. With strong historical and cultural ties and shared values underpinning extensive economic, political and security relations, the U.S. and Canada are today two of the EU’s Strategic Partners. Maintaining and deepening the EU’s partnership with North America is crucial to building a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world.
The EU brings together representatives from youth organisations as well as young leaders to build bridges across cultures and borders. By building partnership and trust among young people from all continents, the EU empowers the youth to be both actor of and driver for social and political change. International Youth Day on August 12, celebrates the role of young women and men as essential partners in change, and provides an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.
There are an estimated 370 million indigenous people worldwide, living across 90 countries. They make up less than 5 per cent of the world's population, but account for 15 per cent of the poorest. Nevertheless, indigenous peoples contribute to the diversity and richness of civilizations and cultures and indeed to our common heritage. The EU, together with the rest of the world, celebrates this contribution on International Day for the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
Approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans each year; the equivalent of 310,000 shipping containers, or a truckload of trash every minute. Images of plastic bags entangling sea turtles and PVC bottles littering our beaches are just the tip of the iceberg, as ocean currents transport this plastic to every corner of our planet.
Today, more than ever, the EU is increasing engagement to boost multilateralism and international cooperation. That is the message from the European Union's Foreign Ministers today as they adopted their priorities for the United Nations and the 73rd UN General Assembly (UNGA). Together the EU and the UN will continue to engage as a positive force for change, bringing unique added-value to European citizens.
Today marks the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Behind each victim lie frightful suffering and experiences that must be appropriately addressed and prevented. Globally an estimated number of 2.45 million people, of which 1.2 million children, are trafficked every year. The EU takes the fight against trafficking in human beings very seriously.
