Europe & CIS

New Energy for the Future: Solar Panels Online at Bratislava Regional Centre

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 4 November 2009-Bringing new energy to downtown Bratislava, the United Nations Development Programme has opened a solar energy station at its Bratislava Regional Centre. The solar station is the first in the city's Stare Mesto, or old city, and one of three solar stations in the Slovak capital. It is also one of the first UN buildings globally to install solar panels on its roof. Video: Solar Panels Bring New Energy Photo Album: Solar Panels Installed and Launched

With Temperatures set to Rise in Next 30 Years, Croatia Fights Back Against Climate Change

Zagreb, Croatia, 30 October 2009-Croatian President Stjepan Mesić  has committed to a United Nations campaign to combat climate change as part of Croatia’s celebration of the 64^th anniversary of the UN. The UN-led campaign—known as Seal the Deal—aims to spur public support and political will to reach an agreement at a landmark global climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. At the conference, countries plan to commit to reducing greenhouse gases between 50 and 80 percent, sealing the deal to reduce the effects of temperature rises of more than 2 degrees Celsius.

Video: Energy in Our Homes Photo Album: Sealing the Deal With Conservation Programmes

Tackling Rising HIV Levels in Russia, Central Asia

Moscow, Russia, 5 November 2009-Eastern Europe and Central Asia continue to experience rising rates of HIV, particularly in Russian and Ukraine —home to 90 percent of cases. In Central Asia and the Caucauses, the number of newly reported HIV cases is also rising rapidly. Overall, the region experienced a more than 100 percent increase in people living with the virus between 2001 and 2007, with drug abuse a prevelant cause of illness through use of dirty needles.