The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has unveiled a concerning trend in global peacekeeping efforts, reporting a more than 40% decline in personnel deployments to multilateral peace operations between 2015 and 2024. This significant reduction comes at a time when geopolitical tensions and funding cuts are increasingly undermining the effectiveness of these critical missions. The findings, released ahead of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, underscore the growing challenges faced by both the United Nations and regional organizations in sustaining peace operations worldwide.

In 2024, a total of 61 multilateral peace operations were active across 36 countries or territories, marking a slight decrease from the previous year. Sub-Saharan Africa remained the region with the highest number of missions, hosting 21 operations, followed by Europe with 19, and the Middle East and North Africa with 14. Despite the relatively stable number of missions, the number of international personnel deployed has plummeted, with only 94,451 personnel serving at the end of 2024, compared to 161,509 in 2015.

Dr. Claudia Pfeifer Cruz, a Senior Researcher at SIPRI, highlighted the increasing difficulties in agreeing on, deploying, and sustaining multilateral peace operations. 'This has real consequences for civilians on the ground,' she noted, pointing to the tangible impact of these challenges on conflict-affected populations. The report also sheds light on the financial difficulties plaguing peace operations, including a liquidity crisis in the UN peacekeeping budget, which has disrupted mission functionalities and raised questions about their future viability.

Looking ahead, the report anticipates continued obstacles for multilateral peace operations, driven by geopolitical divisions, funding shortages, and a shift towards militarized approaches to conflict management by host governments. These trends not only threaten the capacity of peace operations to address immediate security concerns but also risk sidelining broader objectives such as human rights and the rule of law. As the international community grapples with these challenges, the findings serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for renewed commitment and innovative solutions to sustain global peacekeeping efforts in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) has announced that its portfolio company, Umecrine Cognition, has resumed patient inclusion in its Phase 1b/2a clinical study. The study evaluates the efficacy of golexanolone, a drug candidate aimed at alleviating cognitive symptoms in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The trial's temporary halt in March was due to technical issues in capsule production, which did not compromise patient safety.

Umecrine Cognition is at the forefront of developing innovative treatments for cognitive symptoms associated with liver diseases. Golexanolone, the company's leading drug candidate, is undergoing a rigorous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess its effectiveness in PBC patients suffering from significant fatigue and cognitive impairments. This development marks a critical step forward in addressing unmet medical needs in liver disease management.

Karolinska Development, holding a 73% stake in Umecrine Cognition, plays a pivotal role in nurturing Nordic life sciences innovations. The investment firm specializes in identifying and growing companies that translate breakthrough medical research into commercial products, offering both therapeutic benefits to patients and attractive returns to investors. The resumption of the clinical trial underscores the resilience and commitment of both companies to advancing healthcare solutions.

The collaboration between Karolinska Development and Umecrine Cognition exemplifies the potential of strategic investments in the life sciences sector. By leveraging world-class medical innovations and expertise, the partnership aims to bring forth treatments that could significantly improve the quality of life for patients with liver diseases. As the clinical trial progresses, the medical community eagerly anticipates the outcomes that could herald a new era in the treatment of cognitive symptoms related to liver conditions.