The 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck overnight in Paktika and Khost provinces on the border with Pakistan in southeastern Afghanistan. More than a thousand people were killed and 1500 others injured.
The earthquake was felt in several provinces in the region, and also in the Afghan capital, Kabul, located about 200 km north of the epicenter of the earthquake. It was also felt in neighboring Pakistan, but no damage or casualties have been reported yet.
The quake is arrived at night when many people were asleep. Families could be still believed to be trapped under the rubble. we can fear that the toll could rise further.
“People are digging grave after grave,” said the head of the Information and Culture Department of Paktika province, Mohammad Amin Huzaifa, in a message to the press. “It is also raining and all the houses are destroyed. There are no tents or food. People are still trapped under the rubble (…) We need immediate help,” he added.
More than 2,000 houses were reportedly destroyed. In the villages, unfortunately, people don’t always have the income, the ressources and the ability to build proper housing that’s why as many houses were destroyed, if no more have already been destroyed.
This is the first natural disaster since the Taliban takeover. The government is trying to send helicopters to aid people but the issue is that the aid economic here has been devastated. They are trying to rely as much on local aid agencies, but those are the ones that have felt the greatest impact from the sanctions, from the cutback. In this poor and difficult to access rural areaGetting aid to people in need has always been extremely difficult and they will very struggle to deal with this issue until international aid agencies cans pump money in more support because at the moment they’re really under resources and founded.
— Basherkella – বাঁশেরকেল্লা (@basherkella) June 22, 2022
Afghanistan is plunged into a serious financial and humanitarian crisis caused by the freezing of billions of assets held abroad and the sudden halt of international aid which had been carrying the country at arm’s length for 20 years and which is now returning in dribs and drabs.
Frequent earthquakes
Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies at the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. These disasters can be particularly destructive because of the low resistance of rural Afghan houses.
The deadliest earthquake in Afghanistan’s recent history (5,000 deaths) occurred in May 1998 in the northeastern provinces of Takhar and Badakhshan.
Eurobarometer surveys are the official polling instrument used by the European Parliament, the European Commission and other EU institutions and agencies to regularly monitor the state of public opinion in Europe on issues related to the European Union, as well as attitudes on subjects of political or social nature.
Russia’s war against Ukraine has strengthened public support for the EU, the EP Spring Eurobarometer survey published today finds.
Almost two thirds (65%) of Europeans see EU membership as a good thing. This is the highest result since 2007, when it was at 58%. EU membership is seen as ‘a good thing’ by a relative majority of citizens in all countries except Greece and Slovakia, where more respondents view it as ‘neither a good nor a bad thing’. Compared to Parliament’s last Parlemeter survey conducted at the end of 2021, results have increased significantly in most countries, particularly in Lithuania (+20 pp), Malta (+12 pp) and Estonia (+9 pp).
52% of Europeans today have a positive image of the EU, against 12% negative. This result is an increase of 3 points for positive image since November-December 2021 and, at the same time equals the best result measured by European Parliament’s surveys since 2007. National results for a positive EU image range from 76% in Ireland to 32% in Greece.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, welcoming the results of the survey, said: “With war returning to our continent, Europeans feel reassured to be part of the European Union. European citizens are deeply attached to freedom, are ready to defend our values, and are increasingly realising that democracy can no longer be taken for granted.”
Recent events have also shaped the image Europeans have of other major actors on the international scene.Russia is seen positively only by 10% of respondents, down from 30% in 2018 when this question was last asked. China returns the second lowest ranking with 22% (-14 pp). By contrast, Europeans have a more positive image of the UK (65%, +1 pp) followed by the USA with 58% (+13 pp).
Most citizens perceive the war in Ukraine as fundamental change: 61% of Europeans are not confident that their life will continue unchanged. Only around a third of respondents (37%) believe it would. A survey published last week by the European Commission shows eight in ten respondents (80%) agreeing with imposing economic sanctions on the Russian government as well as Russian companies and individuals. A majority of citizens in 22 Member States is satisfied with the EU’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Inflation and the cost of living were already rising since long before Russia invaded Ukraine, further magnifying the problem, and now four in ten Europeans say they are already experiencing an impact on their standard of living (40%). As clear sign of European resilience and unity, 59% of Europeans see the defence of common European values such as freedom and democracy as a priority – even if that were to affect prices and the cost of living.
The increasing economic worries are also reflected in the political priorities citizens want the European Parliament to focus on: The fight against poverty and social exclusion is mentioned first (38%), followed by public health (35%), which has dropped significantly by 7 pp over the past six months, and democracy and rule of law (32%), which in turn was subject to a significant increase by 7 pp.
The perception of the war and what it means for the European Union becomes also visible in the citizens’ core values they want the European Parliament to defend as a matter of priority: Democracy again tops the list, with an increase of six points compared to autumn 2021 (38%, +6pp). The protection of human rights in the EU and worldwide as well as the freedom of speech and thought both follow on 27%.
Background
The European Parliament’s spring 2022 Eurobarometer was carried out between 19 April and 16 May 2022 among 26.578 respondents in the 27 EU Member States. The survey was conducted face-to-face and completed with online interviews where necessary. EU results were weighted according to the size of the population in each country.
The overarching topic of the Conference was Religion and Diversity.
CEC Executive Secretary Katerina Pekridou spoke about self-understanding of the Orthodox Church in relation to ecclesial plurality based on a series of consultations held from 2002-2008 between CEC and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE).
These consultations initiated a dialogue about a possible church model of “unity in reconciled diversity” as founded on the Leuenberg Agreement.
The panel was part of a larger project “The Theologies and Practices of Religious Pluralism” organised by Reset Dialogues on Civilizations, Milano, the University of Birmingham, the Berkley Center at Georgetown University, and the Foundation for Religious Sciences, Bologna.
The project will further investigate current debates and issues on pluralism within and across religious traditions and how some of these debates are reshaping the status of religion in different public spaces.
The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide briefed the Security Council on Tuesday, reinforcing concerns already voiced by other senior UN officials in the chamber, over “the heightened risks” of sexual violence, and trafficking, which are “significantly impacting women and children”, following the Russian invasion of 24 February.
Beginning her briefing with a wider perspective, Wairimu Nderitu said that hateful and contentious narratives that form in the wake of growing hostility, violence and discrimination, could have a “devastating impact” on societies at large.
“We saw it in the lead up to the Holocaust, in Rwanda in 1994” and also in the ethnically-charged Bosnia conflict between Muslims, Serbs and Croats in the mid-1990s, she said, reminding that “ending wars require sustained actions”, including countering acrimonious rhetoric, hate speech online and offline, and rights violations that impact lives and livelihoods.
The senior UN official recounted that the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which in 1948, “emerged out of the shadows of the Holocaust,” identifies as punishable offences, conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide and complicity in genocide.
“This is done in full respect to the essential right of freedom of expression as provided under international human rights law,” she said.
Ukraine in focus
Turning specially to Ukraine, Ms. Nderitu highlighted the important role regional and international in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and stressed the importance for all States to adhere to international human rights and international humanitarian law and principles.
The special Adviser recalled the Secretary-General’s visit to the region, his call for a cessation of hostilities and her office’s work in supporting inter-communal dialogue efforts with the UN Country Team there.
Meanwhile, “the continued deterioration of the situation,” has prompted the Special Adviser to urge all in a position of influence to “redouble their efforts to contribute to the restoration of peace”.
She called on religious leaders to use their influence to support efforts to solve the ongoing conflict, not to inflame it further and reminded that advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, is prohibited under international law.
Solution is possible with commitment on the part of everyone – UN Special Adviser
‘We must work harder’
In terms of allegations that could constitute the possible commission of genocide and war crimes in Ukraine, she said that could only be decided “by a court of competent jurisdiction”, adding that her office “does not carry out criminal investigations on specific incidents, present or past”.
While the Special Adviser role is for prevention, not adjudication, she again called for “an end to this war, to ensure the protection of civilians and to accelerate diplomatic efforts to make both possible”.
“Prevention focuses on the future, and on the past too, and the outpouring of hostility in response to this war means we must work harder to protect everyone,” she said.
She urged the Council and concerned parties to “articulate an inclusive vision, propose a roadmap…that is not indifferent to injustice”.
While a “solution is possible with commitment on the part of everyone,” she reminded however, that with every continued delay “the escalation of human suffering continues”.
Dehumanizing Ukrainians
Liubov Tsybulska, Head of the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security, a Ukrainian Government-established think-tank, said that “thousands” of pieces of evidence were now pointing to Russian war crimes.
She also cited “genocidal rhetoric” gleaned from Russian media that refers to Ukraine as a “fake nation” that does not “deserve to exist”.
Recalling Soviet-era tactics to starve the enemy, she accused Russia of “bringing famine”, and said that some Russian troops were expressing “pride and approval” over abuses being committed.
Ms. Tsybulska highlighted what she said were efforts to destroy Ukrainian culture and wondered: “Why do the Russians hate us?”.
Cyber front
Jared Cohen, CEO of Jigsaw and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the US Council of Foreign Relations, spoke in depth about cyber warfare and how it has been waged during the Ukraine war.
“Like air, land and sea, the internet has become a critical domain to occupy during war,” he said, describing what Ukraine has experienced thus far, as “a crystal ball of what is likely to come” in the future.
He zeroed in on “vectors of attack,” including on critical infrastructure, via “traditional hacking”; distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or malicious attempts to disrupt normal website traffic; and midsized and large attacks – or “microfloods” – that can significantly ramp-up the complexity of attacks.
Mr. Cohen pointed to the online effort to undermine Ukraine’s Government and leadership.
As an example, “deep fakes of alleged cocaine addiction were used to cede and feed a harassment campaign against President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy” to undermine his credibility, in a bid to tip support toward Russia, he said.
Ukraine is closing the book on scores of Russian authors and turning a deaf ear to its foe’s music, too.
The Ukrainian parliament Sunday approved a law that stops the printing of books by Russian citizens unless they give up their Russian passport and become Ukraine citizens. The ban only applies to those authors who held Russian citizenship after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.
Books printed in Russia, its ally Belarus and occupied Ukrainian territory also can no longer be imported, and special permission is required for the importation of books in Russian from any other countries.
Another law passed Sunday puts the brakes on music by post-1991 Russian citizens played by media outlets and on public transportation. It also forces television and radio broadcasts to play more Ukrainian-language speech and music content. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to sign laws that would place limits on Russian books and music in Ukraine. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS
“The laws are designed to help Ukrainian authors share quality content with the widest possible audience, which after the Russian invasion do not accept any Russian creative product on a physical level,” Ukraine Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said.
The laws will go into effect once Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signs them as expected.
The new mandates are the latest push by Ukraine to rid itself of Russia’s influence over the country in a process dubbed “derussification.” One of the laws would ban books from Russia, Belarus or occupied Ukrainian territory from being imported. REUTERS/Stringer
Ukraine argues that the moves are necessary to undo centuries of Russian policies meant to erase Ukraine culture, while Russia has said such measures only oppress the large number of Russian speakers in Ukraine.
Scientific evidence shows that overexposure to UV radiation is the major cause of skin cancer. To help people protect themselves adequately, a consortium of UN agencies on Tuesday, launched an innovative new App that can help anyone, anywhere, determine the safe amount of time to stay outdoors, soaking up the rays.
The SunSmart Global UV App, is the collective brainchild of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
“The SunSmart Global UV App provides five-day UV and weather forecasts at searchable locations”, said Carla Drysdale, spokesperson for WHO.
While speaking today at a briefing at the United Nations in Geneva, Ms. Drysdale added that “it highlights time slots when sun protection is required and aims to help people around the world know when to use sun protection, in an effort to reduce the global burden of skin cancer and UV-related eye damage”.
Developed by Australia’s Cancer Council Victoria and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, the app is based on the UV Index, which indicates the level of solar UV radiation at the earth’s surface.
The UV Index uses a scale of 1 (or Low) to 11 and higher (or Extreme). The higher the index value, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes, and the less time it takes for harm to occur.
120,000 lives lost in 2020
“Globally, it’s estimated that over 1.5 million cases of skin cancer, that’s melanoma and non-melanoma combined, were diagnosed globally in 2020”, Ms. Drysdale said.
“During the same period, more than 120,000 people across the world lost their lives to this highly preventable disease”.
Much of UV-related illness and death can be avoided through a set of simple prevention measures such as limiting time in the midday sun, seeking shade when UV rays are most intense, and wearing protective clothing, hats and sunglasses – as well as the use of sunscreen.
Useful for work and play
“This app combines meteorological, environmental and health expertise to help protect people from the sun both at work and in their leisure” said WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Tallas. It is unique because it uses data from country-level weather and UV measuring stations to provide accurate and location-specific UV Index readings…It is a great example of science serving society.”
Vera Paquete-Perdigão, Director of the ILO’s Governance and Tripartism, Department, said the app was “a useful tool to assist companies and workers in identifying hazardous work, and planning safety and health measures.”
And speaking for UNEP on launch day, Meg Seki, Executive Secretary of UNEP’s Ozone Secretariat, noted that the highly effective Montreal Protocol, protects the stratospheric ozone layer which, in turn, protects human health and the environment by blocking out most of sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
“Skin cancer can result from overexposure to the sun, so it is imperative for everyone to remain vigilant and ensure they protect themselves adequately with hats and sunscreen. The SunSmart App is a fantastic UV monitoring tool, and I would encourage everyone to use it.”
Northern exposure
According to WMO’s spokesperson Clare Nullis “it’s now the period of the year when UV radiation is at its maximum in Europe, in the northern hemisphere”.
“This is because of the position of the sun in the sky”, she added. “There are other factors that influence the amount of UV, which is the ground, clouds, the ozone layers, etc. So, all of these elements are being added into this app”.
The SunSmart Global UV app is available free of charge at both the Apple App Store and Google Play store for Android.
It provides personalized options so that users can take actions to protect prolonged excessive UV exposure, a major cause of skin cancer and other UV relate diseases.
Workers made redundant in six companies producing household appliances in Attica, Greece, should receive €1.5 million in EU aid.
On Tuesday, the Committee on Budgets approved Greece’s request for funding from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). In their decision, MEPs acknowledge that “expenditure for new household appliances in Greece was strongly impacted first by the economic crisis from 2008 to 2016 and second by the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Reasons for the dismissals include domestic supply shortages of electrical components, high productions costs, difficulties in adapting to the digitalisation and automation of production processes.
The support for the dismissed workers will include advisory services and individual job-seeking assistance, training in digital skills, and tailored vocational training, leading to a certification, where possible, or support in securing higher education qualifications. Participants can also receive advice on how to start their own business coupled with a start-up grant of up to €22,000.
The total estimated cost of these measures is about €1.8 million, of which the EGF will cover 85% (€1.5 million). The Public Investment Programme of the Greek Ministry of Economy and Development will finance the remaining 15%.
The draft report by rapporteur Bogdan Rzońca (ECR, PL) recommending that Parliament approve the aid was passed by 29 votes, 1 against and no abstentions. The vote in plenary will take place on 23 June in Brussels.
EU job-seeking aid for France
1 580 workers from Air France and two of its subsidiaries in 16 regions in France, who lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, should receive €17.7 million in EU aid.
On Tuesday, the Committee on Budgets approved France’s request for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). MEPs acknowledge that “Air France was severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, which caused a sharp decline in income and traffic”. The region Île-de-France (57% of the layoffs) has been most affected.
The support provided to the dismissed workers includes advisory services, career guidance, job search assistance and the possibility to learn new skills through tailored vocational training. Participants can also receive advice on how to start their own business and a start-up grant of up to €15 000. The support measures also include hiring benefits, salary top-ups and quick reemployment allowances for workers.
The total estimated cost of these measures is about €21 million, of which the EGF will cover 85% (€17.7 million). Air France will finance the remaining 15%.
The draft report by rapporteur Fabienne Keller (RENEW, FR) recommending that Parliament approve the aid was passed by 29 votes, 1 against and no abstentions.
Approval by plenary is expected on 23 June in Brussels.
Background
Under the new 2021-2027 EGF regulation, the Fund will continue to support Europe‘s workers and self-employed people whose work has stopped. The new rules allow support to be given to a larger number of people affected by having their jobs or sector restructured: all types of unexpected major restructuring events are eligible for support, including the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as larger economic trends like decarbonisation and automation. Member states can apply for EU funding when at least 200 workers lose their jobs within a specific reference period.
Returning to an in-person format this year, the verdant North Lawn was transformed into a sprawling exercise area for the yoga demonstration session, where experienced yogis and curious newcomers alike, flexed their bodies – and minds.
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India and is now practiced in various forms around the world.
The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
Inaugurating the event, the President of the UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, noted that as the COVID-19 pandemic has upended lives and livelihoods, triggering a deluge of anxiety and depression, “the practice of yoga serves as a holistic approach to the physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being of humanity.”
“It simply works.”
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti said that during the difficult times of the pandemic, millions embraced yoga as their companion, to stay healthy, overcome depression and mental anxiety and it is in recognition of this important role of yoga that the theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Yoga for Humanity’.
“Yoga can also be an integral part of our build back better strategy”, he said.
North Lawn return
Organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, this was a first in-person yoga day celebration after a hiatus of two years due to pandemic induced restrictions.
The event titled “Yoga with the Masters” featured introduction to basic yoga practices and their demonstration by renowned Yoga experts, a yoga dance by the group Indian Raga, pranayama breathing by Isha Yoga, yoga asanas by Bhakti Center, and a meditation workshop by the Integral Yoga Institute.
Highlighting the benefits, Sam Chase, an Instructor at Isha Yoga said, “Yoga is about being in an experience in which you and the rest of the existence are not separate things. Now, if you do the yoga practices, definitely these benefits will come, you will become more mentally balanced, you will become physically healthy.”
Sam Chase, an instructor at Isha Yoga institute. , by UN News/Sachin Gaur
“But it’s a little bit like driving an airplane around on the streets. Yes, you can use it as a bus if you want, but yoga has the potential to take you into the sky.”
Practicing yoga since the age of 15, Kishore Chandra of Bhakti Center was thrilled to be back at the UN headquarters.
Speaking to UN News, he said, “I feel really good being back on the lawn, because in 2019 it was raining, and we did it inside the General Assembly, and so it’s been since 2018 that we’ve been out here… there’s nothing like being in person out here with everyone.”
“Yoga is really a way of life, it’s not just the asanas, the asanas are part of it, but for me it means a way of life, because asanas help you get something special, which is peace of mind.”
Recognizing the universal appeal of yoga, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the annual International Day of Yoga in 2014, with the adoption of General Assembly resolution 69/131.
The resolution underscored that global health is a long-term development objective that requires closer international cooperation through the exchange of best practices aimed at building better individual lifestyles devoid of excesses of all kinds.
Kishore Chandra of Bhakti Centre demonstrates a yoga asana at UN Headquarters in New York City., by UN News/Sachin Gaur
It recognized that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being.
In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
The President of General Assembly reminded that yoga is all about unity: connecting the mind, body and spirit.
Improving global health is our long-term objective. Today’s celebration therefore is also an opportunity to promote more sustainable lifestyles and a healthier outlook on life.”
He highlighted the power of yoga as the power of unity for a healthier, happier and prosperous future for all
Role of the UN
Integral Yoga Institute’s Kali Morse, led a meditation workshop, stressing the important role the UN can play, in spreading awareness about the multifaceted benefits of yoga.
“The fact that it is at the UN, I think is monumental, because the UN has always been a place, where hopefully, we can bring people together to make decisions that are for humanity.”
UN News/Sachin Gaur
Kali Morse is an instructor at Integral Yoga Institute and led a meditation workshop during the event at UN Headquarters.
She said it’s crucial to “have an international day of yoga, where you can connect people, and then have speakers that talk about how we can serve humanity, and act as human beings, throughout the world, to avoid more war and unrest.”
Practitioners believe that the essence of yoga is balance and therefore it can be an important instrument for promoting sustainable lifestyle in harmony with planet Earth.
Sam Chase of Isha Yoga pointed out how we have always gone on about trying to fix humanity by saying what is right, what is wrong, but yoga doesn’t approach it like that.
“If you come to an experience where everyone around you and everything around you is a part of you, then nobody has to teach you what is right, what is wrong. You will treat people around you, you’ll treat the Earth around you with a great deal of respect, because it is a part of you.”
He emphasized that more than ever, especially given the variety of environmental crises going on in the world, we have to come together as people, and ensure that our planet doesn’t disappear on us.
Bringing together over a hundred participants from Europe and beyond, the virtual Assembly of the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) highlighted diverse Christian perspectives in addressing contemporary challenges posed by environmental degradation.
The Assembly, held from 13 to 15 June 2022 under the title “Challenges we are living in”, focused on challenges faced by communities on the way to a sustainable future, including issues related to energy security, the European Green Deal, and climate vulnerability from the church perspective.
“Our way of looking at nature and creation must change,” said Archbishop K. G. Hammar of the Church of Sweden, a keynote speaker. “We must let God transform our eyes so that we see what God sees when He looks upon His creation, and not with the eyes of greed or dominion.”
“Ecology has taught us that humans are not above everything else. We are part of everything and heavily dependent on the web of life, where we dwell. Theology must be metamorphosis theology. All theology must be kenosis theology and eco-theology,” added Archbishop Hammar.
Dr Ruth Valerio, Global Advocacy and Influencing Director at Tearfund, emphasised that hope is an integral part of all actions needed to save our common future. She underlined the links between worship, work, and witness, which formulate a holistic response to environmental challenges.
Members of European Parliament Sirpa Pietikainen from Finland and Martin Hojsík from Slovakia stressed that “there is no more time for mere discussion.” “We know what is the challenge, we have resources, we have still some time – let’s do what is needed.” They stressed that as “societies and communities we must admit that we have reached the limits of what the planet can bear. We have lost our humility. However, we still have solutions in our hands.”
The panel also explored topics such as ecological challenges, learning from the pandemic, energy security and growing vulnerability to climate change, the European Green Deal and the role of churches, advocacy and dialogue of churches with politics, networking and cooperation, as well as the environment, climate justice, and peace.
Finally the Assembly explored the role of care for creation and ecological justice in the upcoming Assembly of the World Council of Churches, it announced the winners of the ECEN Roman Juriga Award, and discussed concerns related to climate justice and a sustainable future from the perspective of the ecumenical youth.
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Ms Katerina Pekridou, CEC Executive Secretary for theological dialogue participated in a meeting of high-level delegation of religious leaders from Ukraine, who visited the secretariat of COMECE in Brussels, and exchanged with representatives of EU Churches and religious communities on perspectives for peace in their war-torn country and ways to support the Ukrainian population.
COMECE organised the meeting in collaboration with the EU office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
Among the members of the Ukrainian delegation were His Beatitude Epiphanius, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, H.E. Mgr. Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Bishop of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, Sheikh Akhmed Tamim, Supreme Mufti of Ukraine and Gennadii Bilorytskyi, Representative of the Union of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine.
The delegation was received by Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, together with H.E. Mgr. Franco Coppola, Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as representatives of Brussels-based Catholic organisations and of other religious communities.
