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Western Europe
The EU’s relations with non-EU Western European countries (Andorra, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Switzerland) differ in many respects from those with the other European non-EU countries. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are to a significant degree integrated with the EU’s internal market, with differing conditions for such integration.
Our planet faces numerous climate challenges. The adverse effects of climate change are felt all over the world and pose a great threat to the environment and people. Also, they could undermine both the development gains made over many decades and the prospects for achieving the UN's 2030 agenda, the sustainable development goals which all EU countries have signed up to.
In 2017 every 2 seconds one person was forced to flee their home due to war, persecution or violence. With millions of people in need on a record high the European Union continues its work with partners around the world to address the humanitarian challenges and to provide long-term support. Last year, €2 billion of the EU's humanitarian budget was allocated to help displaced people and host communities in 49 countries. And EU Member States have granted protection to more than 538 000 people.
Ten years after the EU's first landmark report on climate change and security, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, will host the high level event Climate, Security and Peace: The Time for Action on 22 June in Brussels. The high level event will bring together ministers, leading international figures, parliamentarians, think tanks and civil society to highlight the ongoing and new threats posed by climate change, consider progress made in making essential policy and operational linkages between climate and security and look at options to drive forward action. You can join and follow all the discussions using the hashtags #united4climate and #climadiplo
Natural resources belong to local communities not to militias. Since 2003, the EU and international partners representing 99% of the world’s diamond trade have joined forces to make sure that the production and trade of rough diamond contributes to peace and sustainable economic and human development. Through the Chairmanship this year, and a number of concrete projects, the EU is committed to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds and improve mining communities’ livelihoods.
A healthy world ocean is critical to our survival. Every year, World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to honour, help protect, and conserve our world’s shared ocean, which connects us all.
Violence against women and girls still takes place every day, inside and outside the European Union. This violation of human rights is pervasive and has many different faces: it happens regardless of social background, whether at home, at work, at school, in the street, playing sports or online. It limits women's and girls' full participation in all aspects of society – political, cultural, social and economic.
