Czech Republic assumes the E.U. Presidency from January to July 2009, followed by Sweden from August to December 2009.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who will chair the EU presidency, set energy, external relations and the economy as the top priorities in his country's tenure. However, some of the key challenges he will face include the renewed violence in the Middle East, the Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute, and a worst-in-decades global financial crisis. Read More...

The presidential inauguration is the official day that the President of the United States is sworn into office. The purpose of this inauguration is to honor the incoming president with formal ceremonies, including: a Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, an Inaugural Address, and an Inaugural Parade. The inauguration will take place on January 20, 2009 in Washington D.C. on the steps of the United States Capitol. On January 3, 2009, the president-elect and his family will stay at Hay Adams hotel, and will later move to the official president-elect residence across the White House.

The year ended with the renewed conflict in Gaza, the resignation of Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed after he was unable to bring security to the war-ravaged country, the death of Guinea President Lasana Conte and the military takeover under Capt. Moussa Camara which triggered condemnation from the African Union, the United Nations, the United States, the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union. The most notable event that affected everyone around the world was the credit crunched that turned tinto a full-blown global financial crisis. The United States and Europe reacted to the unfolding crisis by unveiling broad bail-out-packages for the financial system. The most celebrated event was the election of the first African-American to the U.S. Presidency, Barak Obama. Read more...

On 16 to 22 March 2009, the Small States Network for Economic Development (SSNED) will conduct its first series of workshops on issues that are of concern for small states. One of the core themes of the SSNED's work programme is strengthening outreach and knowledge building of small states. The series of workshops hope to attain this objective. The theme for the workshop is 'Sustainable Development Strategies for Small States.' The workshop is primarily intended for public sector officials, at senior or middle management levels. Funded participants are normally nationals of small developing small states, members of the Small States Forum, and are nominated by the governments of these countries, through their Ministries of Finance.

The SSNED is offering financial support for up to 15 individuals from eligible small developing states. The support will consist of reimbursement or payment of (i) travelling expenses, using the most direct flights to Malta in economy class, (ii) transfers from the airport to the hotel (iii) accommodation for 7 nights in Malta, (iv) workshop participation and documentation expenses (v) a modest subsistence allowance, (vi) transport for field trips and excursion (vii) refreshments during coffee breaks and (viii) final dinner. Participants are nominated by the SSNED Focal Point at the Ministry of Finance of their country. Nominations ended last 31 December 2008 and approved participants, based on a set of pre-established criteria, are notified not later than January 15, 2009.

SSNED was first proposed by Malta at the 2005 Small States Forum held in Washington, and the mandate to establish it was given by the 2006 Small States Forum held in Singapore.