Geopolitical and Economic Tensions

Global Economic Slowdown and Trade Wars:

A United Nations report released on May 15, 2025, indicates a worsening global economic outlook due to heightened trade tensions and policy uncertainty. Global GDP growth is projected to decelerate, with major economies like the US, EU, and China experiencing slower growth. Tariffs, particularly those imposed by the US, are threatening to raise production costs and disrupt supply chains. The G7 nations on May 22, 2025, pledged to address "excessive imbalances" in the global economy and are considering increased sanctions on Russia.

US-China Competition:

The great-power competition between the US and China remains a dominant factor in geopolitical stability, influencing trade alliances, technology landscapes, and creating concerns about potential conflicts.

Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory:

The health system in Gaza continues to be a grave concern, with reports to the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly on May 21, 2025, detailing deterioration, forced displacement, overcrowding, and attacks on health infrastructure.