1. EU (EUROPEAN UNION) UPDATES
A. EU DEEPENS SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AND ADVANCES UKRAINE’S EU ACCESSION
At the European Council meeting of 18–19 June 2026, EU leaders reaffirmed long-term political, financial and military support for Ukraine and backed further pressure on Russia. The EU also welcomed the opening of the first cluster of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations on 15 June, covering fundamental areas such as democratic institutions, rule of law and fundamental rights.
The EU agreed to continue preparations for a €90 billion loan for Ukraine for 2026–27 and extended its economic sanctions against Russia for another year.
PSIR significance: The development shows the EU's growing role as a geopolitical and security actor, linking European integration, enlargement, Russia–EU rivalry, strategic autonomy and the changing European security order.
B. EU–INDIA STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP GAINS MOMENTUM
At the G7 Summit in Évian on 17 June, EU leaders indicated that the EU–India Free Trade Agreement would be signed by the end of 2026 and that work on an investment agreement would be accelerated. The EU also highlighted cooperation with India on security and defence and the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
PSIR significance: Important for India–EU relations, multipolarity, strategic autonomy, economic diplomacy and connectivity politics, particularly as India and the EU seek greater cooperation amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
2. ASEAN UPDATES
A. ASEAN–CHINA COOPERATION RESPONDS TO GLOBAL TRADE AND ENERGY SHOCKS
On 3 June 2026, ASEAN and China, at their 24th Customs Consultation in Phnom Penh, expressed concern over the impact of Middle East tensions on global energy markets, trade flows and supply chains. They agreed on the need to strengthen supply-chain resilience and maintain the multilateral trading system amid external shocks.
PSIR significance: Relevant to ASEAN–China relations, regional economic resilience, geoeconomics and ASEAN’s strategic importance amid major-power and geopolitical disruptions. It also shows how external conflicts can directly affect Southeast Asian economies.
3. APEC (ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION) UPDATES
A. APEC STRENGTHENS REGIONAL COOPERATION ON HEALTH SECURITY
In June 2026, APEC established its first dedicated healthcare sub-fund, with Chinese Taipei contributing US$1.5 million. The fund will support cooperation among APEC economies on primary healthcare, digital health, telemedicine, ageing and chronic diseases, addressing widening healthcare-access gaps across the Asia-Pacific.
PSIR significance: The initiative shows the expansion of regional cooperation beyond trade and investment into human security, public health and inclusive development.
4. NAFTA (NOW USMCA) UPDATES
A. US–MEXICO ADVANCE USMCA JOINT-REVIEW NEGOTIATIONS
The United States and Mexico held their second bilateral negotiating round on 15–17 June 2026 ahead of the first USMCA Joint Review. Discussions focused on rules of origin, economic security, agriculture, labour, environment, steel and aluminium, and automobiles. The two sides also agreed to establish a committee to review implementation of the agreement's sectoral annexes.
PSIR significance: The negotiations reflect the growing importance of economic security, regional supply chains and strategic trade in North American economic relations, showing how contemporary trade agreements are increasingly shaped by geopolitical and security considerations, not just tariff reduction.
5. UNITED NATIONS (UN) UPDATES
A. UN PLAYS DIPLOMATIC ROLE IN US–IRAN PEACE DEAL
The United Nations welcomed the US–Iran peace agreement announced on 15 June 2026, which provided for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a framework for further negotiations. Secretary-General António Guterres also acknowledged the diplomatic role played by Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in facilitating the agreement.
PSIR significance: The development is important for understanding the UN’s role in conflict resolution and multilateral diplomacy, while also highlighting the growing importance of regional powers and mediation in resolving major international conflicts.
B. SECURITY COUNCIL RESPONDS TO ESCALATING CONFLICTS
The UN Security Council remained heavily engaged with major conflicts during June. It held repeated discussions on Ukraine, including warnings about escalating attacks and civilian casualties, while also addressing the Middle East, Afghanistan and Sudan. On 29 June, the Council renewed sanctions measures concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
PSIR significance: These developments highlight both the continuing importance and the limitations of the UN Security Council in maintaining international peace and security, particularly amid major-power divisions.
6. UN - SPECIALIZED AGENCIES & RELATED ENTITIES- UPDATES
A. WHO RESPONDS TO ESCALATING EBOLA OUTBREAK IN CENTRAL AFRICA
The WHO reported in June that the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had expanded rapidly, with 676 confirmed cases and 136 deaths by 10 June. Uganda also reported confirmed cases linked to transmission from the DRC. WHO assessed the risk as very high in the DRC and high in Uganda, while coordinating cross-border surveillance, treatment and preparedness.
PSIR significance: The outbreak highlights the importance of global health governance, international cooperation, human security and the role of specialised UN agencies in managing transnational threats.
B. WMO WARNS OF DEVELOPING STRONG EL NIÑO
On 25 June 2026, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that El Niño had developed in the tropical Pacific and was expected to strengthen rapidly during July–September. WMO warned of significant implications for global weather patterns and mobilised its climate-information systems to support governments in reducing risks to lives and livelihoods.
PSIR significance: Important for global environmental governance, climate security, disaster management and international cooperation, with particular relevance for vulnerable developing countries.
7. WTO (WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION) UPDATES
A. WTO MEMBERS ADVANCE REFORM TALKS AMID GLOBAL TRADE TENSIONS
On 26 June 2026, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reported progress in informal discussions on WTO reform, including negotiations on decision-making, development issues and the future functioning of the multilateral trading system. The discussions come after the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) failed to reach consensus on several major reform issues.
The push for reform is particularly important as unilateral tariffs, trade fragmentation and geopolitical tensions increasingly challenge the WTO-centred global trading system.
PSIR significance: Relevant to multilateralism, globalisation, WTO reform, North–South relations and the crisis of the rules-based international economic order.
8. THIRD WORLD DEMANDS – UPDATES
A. DEVELOPING COUNTRIES PUSH FOR REFORM OF THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM
In June 2026, UNCTAD highlighted the growing debt and financing pressures facing developing countries. A report released on 15 June noted that rising borrowing costs had reduced fiscal space for development in 99 developing countries, and called for more affordable long-term finance, stronger debt restructuring mechanisms and greater international financial support.
The same month, developing countries advanced the Borrowers’ Platform, a new mechanism intended to strengthen their collective voice in discussions on sovereign debt and the international financial architecture.
PSIR significance: This is directly relevant to the Third World/Global South demand for a New International Economic Order (NIEO), particularly reform of global financial institutions, debt justice, development finance and greater voice for developing countries in global economic governance.
9. GLOBALISATION UPDATES
A. CRITICAL MINERALS BECOME A NEW CENTRE OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE
A UNCTAD Global Trade Update released on 11 June 2026 highlighted how critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements are becoming increasingly important to global trade because of the expansion of electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy and digital technologies. However, supply and processing remain highly concentrated, creating new geopolitical vulnerabilities and trade dependencies. UNCTAD called for stronger international cooperation and greater value addition in developing countries.
PSIR significance: The development shows how globalisation is increasingly shaped by geoeconomics, strategic supply chains and resource security, suggesting a shift from simple economic interdependence towards strategic and resilient globalisation. It is particularly relevant to the Global South's demand for greater control over natural resources and value chains.
10. TRANSNATIONAL ACTORS UPDATES
A. ICRC AND ADB JOIN HANDS TO STRENGTHEN HUMANITARIAN ACTION
On 10 June 2026, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) established their first institutional partnership to coordinate initiatives in fragile and conflict-affected areas. The partnership focuses on resilience, innovation and addressing humanitarian needs in vulnerable communities.
PSIR significance: The partnership illustrates how transnational humanitarian organisations and international financial institutions increasingly work together beyond the traditional state-centric framework to address human security, conflict and development challenges.
11. DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATES
A. GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS LAUNCHED BY UN
On 11 June 2026, the UN Human Rights Office launched the Global Alliance for Human Rights, bringing together governments, civil society and other stakeholders to promote concrete, time-bound action on human rights. The initiative seeks to strengthen collective action and build renewed support for the international human-rights system ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2028.
PSIR significance: Important for the debate on the global human-rights regime, international consensus, multilateralism and the role of non-state actors in protecting universal rights.
12. ENVIRONMENT UPDATES
A. UN CLIMATE TALKS IN BONN ADVANCE CLIMATE FINANCE AND JUST TRANSITION
The UN Climate Change Conference (SB64) held in Bonn from 8–18 June 2026 made progress on implementing the Paris Agreement, particularly on the Just Transition Mechanism, climate finance, technology transfer, capacity-building and implementation of the first Global Stocktake. However, countries remained divided on the continuation and future design of some work programmes, leaving key negotiations for COP31.
PSIR significance: Important for global climate governance, climate justice, North–South negotiations and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The continuing disagreements also show the difficulty of building consensus on finance and technology support for developing countries.
B. WMO WARNS OF A STRONG EL NIÑO
On 25 June 2026, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that El Niño had developed in the tropical Pacific, with a rapid strengthening expected during July–September. WMO warned of implications for global temperatures, rainfall patterns and extreme weather, with the Indian Ocean also expected to develop a positive Indian Ocean Dipole.
PSIR significance: Relevant to climate security, food and water security, disaster preparedness and global environmental cooperation, particularly for vulnerable developing countries such as India.
13. GENDER JUSTICE UPDATES
A. UN SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS FOR GREATER ROLE FOR WOMEN IN PEACE PROCESSES
The UN Security Council held a high-level open debate on 17 June 2026 on “Women and Peace and Security”, focusing on strengthening women’s participation in conflict prevention, peace negotiations and peacebuilding. UN Women noted that women accounted for only 7% of peace-process negotiators globally in 2024, while nearly nine out of ten negotiation tracks had no women negotiators. The UN also highlighted that women’s participation in UN-led peace processes had remained only 16–23% during the previous five years.
PSIR significance: Important for Feminist International Relations, Women, Peace and Security, gendered security and women’s participation in diplomacy and conflict resolution. It demonstrates how gender representation has become an important dimension of contemporary international peace and security.
14. TERRORISM UPDATES
A. UN COUNTER-TERRORISM WEEK FOCUSES ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND TERRORIST FINANCING
The UN Counter-Terrorism Week began on 26 June 2026, bringing together governments, international organisations, civil society and other stakeholders to strengthen global cooperation against terrorism. A major focus was the changing use of digital platforms, virtual assets, crowdfunding, messaging applications and other emerging technologies for terrorist financing and radicalisation. A joint event involving India, France and UN counter-terrorism bodies on 29 June specifically examined these emerging financing risks.
The Fourth High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies on 29–30 June further focused on evolving terrorist threats and strengthening implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
PSIR significance: The development highlights the changing nature of transnational terrorism, particularly the use of technology and digital finance, and the need for multilateral cooperation, counter-terrorist financing and rights-compliant counter-terrorism.
15. NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION UPDATES
A. IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS DEEPENS AMID WAR AND SAFEGUARDS CONCERNS
The US–Iran conflict in June 2026 sharply intensified concerns over the future of Iran’s nuclear programme and the international non-proliferation regime. The IAEA continued to stress the importance of safeguards, verification and access to nuclear facilities, while the conflict complicated international monitoring and diplomacy surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities. The crisis also raised wider concerns about the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
PSIR significance: Highly relevant to nuclear proliferation, NPT safeguards, IAEA, regional security and the limits of arms-control diplomacy. It also highlights how military conflict can weaken the verification mechanisms on which the global non-proliferation regime depends.
16. GLOBAL POWER POLITICS UPDATES
A. G7 SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS US–CHINA–RUSSIA POWER DYNAMICS
The G7 Summit in Évian, France, on 15–17 June 2026 placed the US–Iran conflict, Russia’s war in Ukraine and strategic competition with China at the centre of discussions. G7 leaders backed continued support for Ukraine and stronger pressure on Russia, while also addressing the consequences of the Iran conflict for energy security and global trade. India participated as an invited partner alongside Brazil, Egypt, Kenya and South Korea.
The summit also highlighted an important shift in power politics: China and Russia remained outside the G7 but were central to discussions on the global order, while India and other emerging powers were increasingly involved in major global-governance conversations.
PSIR significance: Important for understanding US–China–Russia strategic competition, the relevance of the G7, emerging multipolarity, India’s role as a major power, and the transformation of the post-Cold War international order.
B. US–IRAN CONFLICT BRINGS GREAT-POWER INTERESTS INTO SHARP FOCUS
The US–Iran conflict and subsequent ceasefire agreement in June became a major test of great-power diplomacy. President Trump publicly acknowledged the neutrality of China and Russia during the conflict, while China and Russia maintained diplomatic engagement with Iran. The crisis also brought the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and Middle Eastern energy supplies into the centre of global power politics.
PSIR significance: The episode demonstrates how regional conflicts become arenas of great-power competition, involving military power, energy security, nuclear diplomacy and strategic balancing.
