This year’s session of the General Conference of UNESCO coincided with the 70th anniversary of the functioning of the United Nations. The conference, which is held every 2 years, takes the key decisions for the organization. This session highlighted the important role of UNESCO in the implementation of the development agenda for 2030 on the subjects of education, halting the wave of extremism and combating xenophobia. The development agenda will replace the former Millennium Development Goals (aimed at poverty, HIV/AIDS and education) from 2016 onwards.

The summit was attended by leaders of Central and Eastern Europe, following an invitation by the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, and the President of Poland Andrzej Duda. NATO’s CEE member states are worried about Russia’s expansion plans in the region, especially after the occupation of Crimea. Much attention was also paid to a common strategy for the General Summit of the Alliance in Warsaw. The adopted declaration consists of three elements. First, next year's NATO summit is to be a top decision-making one. Second, these decisions will mean a greater military presence on the eastern flank of the Alliance, as well as more infrastructure and more joint exercises and cooperation. The third element concerns the importance of the joint assessment of threats and their character, especially with regards to the situation in Eastern Europe.

During the meeting in St. Petersburg, the United Nations adopted 12 resolutions on the fight against corruption. The focus was in particular on the cooperation of the public and private spheres, with the aim of combating corruption globally. The event, which is organized every two years, took place for the 6th time.

Ministers Luis de Guindos and Jose Manuel Soria visited the Spanish pavilion at the Havana International Fair (FIHAV), the largest trade fair in Cuba. During the visit, agreements were signed for the short-term refinancing of the debt of Cuba with a value of € 201.5 million, as well as several agreements on economy and industry.

The conservative Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) regained an absolute majority in parliament, which had been lost earlier in June. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced new elections because no coalition could be formed. The AKP received 316 of the 550 seats in parliament. The main opposition party, the social-democratic Republican People’s Party (CHP) received 134 seats. The Pro-Kurdish leftist People’s Democratic Party (HDP) received 59 seats while the right-wing Nationalist Action Party (MHP) ended up with 41 seats.

On 1 November, parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan. The election was won as expected by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) of current President Ilham Aliyev. YAP won a majority of  69 out of 125 seats in the unicameral Azeri parliament. During the previous elections, the party had won 71 seats. Representatives of the largest opposition parties boycotted the elections, which was also shunned by international observers of OSCE due to imposed restrictions by the Azerbaijani authorities.