 "Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to attend a high-level international forum in Turkmenistan's Ashgabat. File image/Reuters")
It is set to be a busy Friday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to attend a high-level international forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will be meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Rome today.
The European Union’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council will meet in Brussels today. Meanwhile, Italy’s largest union, CGIL, will organise a general strike. Lastly, the UN Security Council is likely to hold a briefing and consultations on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Here is all that is set to take place across the world today.
Putin to attend International Year of Peace and Trust forum
Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to attend a high-level international forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust. The event will take place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The event is held in commemoration of the United Nations’ General Assembly’s proclamation of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. It was recognised by the UN on December 12, 1995.
The aim of the event is to promote peace, preventive diplomacy, and regional cooperation, in alignment with the UN’s goals for the year. The forum is expected to attract numerous heads of state and government, including the presidents of Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Iraq, as well as high-level representatives from other nations like China.
Italian PM Meloni to meet Palestinian president
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Palazzo Chigi today. This meeting is a central event during Abbas’s visit to Rome, where he will also participate in the annual “Atreju” political festival hosted by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party.
The leaders are expected to focus heavily on stabilising the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, initiating reconstruction efforts, and addressing the severe humanitarian situation. Italy has a specific ‘Food for Gaza’ initiative and is involved in medical evacuations.
A recurring point of discussion is Italy’s firm stance that Hamas must be disarmed and cannot play a role in the future governance of the Palestinian people, stressing the importance of the Palestinian Authority’s leadership.
EU finance ministers meet in Brussels
The European Union’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) will meet be held in Brussels today. Finance ministers from all EU member states will be a part of the meeting, chaired by Danish Minister for Economic Affairs Stephanie Lose.
Ministers will discuss the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression and potential uses of immobilised Russian assets to support Ukraine. Meanwhile, the bi-annual ECOFIN tax report and progress on EU customs reform, particularly regarding customs duties on low-value parcels, will be discussed.
Italy strike over govt budget proposal
A major nationwide general strike will take place across Italy today. It has been called by the country’s largest trade union, CGIL, to protest the government’s proposed 2026 budget law.
The strike affects both public and private sectors and is expected to cause widespread disruption, especially to transport and public services. A large amount of disruptions are expected to take place in trains, buses, cabs and other local public transport.
UNSC meeting on DRC
The UN Security Council (UNSC) is likely to hold a briefing and consultations on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today.
A key item for the Council in December is the expected renewal of the mandate for the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (Monusco), which is set to expire on December 20. Discussions will focus on the security challenges in the eastern provinces, particularly the activities of armed groups like the M23 rebels, and the status of regional peace efforts.
The progress and challenges of Monusco’s gradual and responsible withdrawal plan, agreed upon with the Congolese government, will also be a major topic.