The UNASUR Constitutive Treaty officially established the Union of South American Nations, an intergovernmental continental union of twelve South American nations.
12 nations sign the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty Read more
The first democratic elections in Bhutan began in 2007, and all levels of government had been democratically elected by 2011.
Bhutan convenes its first democratic elections Read more
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Belgium since 1 June 2003, making it the second country in the world to open marriage to same-sex couples, after the Netherlands, and 9 days ahead of the Canadian province of Ontario. Legislation to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples was passed by both chambers of the Federal Parliament in November 2002 and January 2003 with the support of most political parties, and received royal assent on 13 February 2003.
Belgium becomes second country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage Read more
The South Asian nation took unprecedented action when it found that plastic bags played a key role in clogging drainage systems during disastrous flooding.
Bangladesh becomes world’s first country to ban thin plastic bags Read more
The AU has many key objectives, including fostering greater unity, cohesion and solidarity between the African countries and African nations.
The African Union is founded by 55 member states Read more
No country recognized marriage between two people of the same sex prior to the 21st century, but a law to legalize marriage equality passed the Dutch legislature in 2000 and went into effect several months later.
The Netherlands became the world’s first country to legalize same-sex marriage Read more
The state-owned Zafarana wind farm is located in Suez and was built in eight phases between 2000 and 2010. The farm is 120km2 in size and boasts 700 turbines with a combined capacity of 545 MW. The €110 million wind farm was supported by soft loans from Denmark, Spain, Japan, and Germany.
Egypt commissions its first large-scale wind farm Read more
Although offered control of Macau as early as the 1960s, the Chinese deemed the time “not yet ripe” and preferred to wait until December 1999 — the very end of the millennium, two years after the Hong Kong handover—to close this chapter of history. Upon the handover of Macau European colonization of Asia ended.
Portugal cedes control of Macau to China, ending European colonization of Asia Read more
On 29 May 1999, Abubakar transferred power to the winner of the 1999 presidential election, former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo as the second democratically elected civilian President of Nigeria heralding the beginning of the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
Democracy emerges in Nigeria after 16 years of military rule Read more
The European Union was formally established when the Maastricht Treaty came into force on 1 November 1993. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU.
Austria, Finland, and Sweden join the European Union Read more
