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Category: United Nations

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: First UN mission to Syria’s Sweida, fresh displacement in Haiti, new lightning record

    Source: United Nations 2

    The team went to Sweida City, as well as two districts – Shahba and Salkhad – where they met with local community representatives and partners, in addition to visiting displacement sites and reception centres. 

    Members also conducted assessments in the three districts of the governorate, where hundreds of people have been killed, and some 175,000 people displaced, in recent sectarian violence amid Syria’s ongoing political transition since the fall of the Assad regime last December.

    A senior UN official told the Security Council earlier this week that a fragile ceasefire is “largely holding”.

    More aid delivered

    OCHA said a fifth humanitarian aid convoy organized by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent also arrived in Sweida on Thursday. It was the largest so far, with 40 trucks.

    The convoy, which included UN assistance, delivered medical supplies, flour, fuel, canned goods, hygiene kits and shelter materials, among other assistance. 

    On Wednesday, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent also delivered four tankers carrying more than 120,000 litres of fuel.

    Haiti: Armed groups expand activities

    Armed groups in Haiti are expanding their presence and activities in the Artibonite region which has sparked waves of displacement, according to OCHA. 

    Last Monday, violence linked to armed groups flared in the town of Liancourt, where a vehicle and several homes were set on fire. This followed a week of violent clashes.

    As of 19 July, nearly 15,000 people have been displaced across four communes in Artibonite. They are staying with host families, many of whom were already finding it hard to meet basic needs.

    OCHA said response efforts are underway, led by local humanitarian partners. They have distributed hygiene kits to more than 500 displaced households and host communities, as well as hundreds of hot meals.

    2017 lightning flash in US Great Plains sets new world record

    A lightning flash in a notorious storm hotspot in the United States nearly a decade ago has been certified as the longest on record, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced on Thursday.

    The megaflash – an incredible 829 kilometres long (515 miles) – occurred during a major storm in the Great Plains in October 2017 and was some 61 kilometres greater than the previous record, also set in the same region.

    It extended from eastern Texas to near Kansas City, equivalent to the distance between Paris and Venice in Europe: a journey that would take roughly eight to nine hours by car, or at least 90 minutes by plane.

    Value of early warning systems 

    The flash was not identified in the original 2017 analysis of the storm but was discovered through re-examination. 

    WMO’s Committee on Weather and Climate Extremes recognized the new record with the help of the latest satellite technologies and the findings were published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

    “Lightning is a source of wonder but also a major hazard that claims many lives around the world every year and is therefore one of the priorities for the international Early Warnings for All initiative,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

    Launched in 2022, the initiative aims to ensure that everyone on the planet is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through early warning systems by the end of 2027. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Once-in-a-decade push for the ‘locked out’: Global leaders set for landmark UN conference in Turkmenistan

    Source: United Nations 2

    Backed by the new Awaza Programme of Action, the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries or LLDC3 will push for freer transit, smarter trade corridors, stronger economic resilience and fresh financing to lift development prospects for the 570 million people living in those countries.

    For landlocked nations, geography has long dictated destiny.  

    Trade costs are up to 74 per cent higher than the global average and it can take twice as long to move goods across borders compared to coastal countries. As a result, landlocked nations are left with just 1.2 per cent of world trade.

    UN Video | What to expect from LLDC3 in Awaza, Turkmenistan

    And amid global economic shifts, these countries face the huge risk of being left behind.

    “LLDC3 is a pivotal opportunity to reverse this trajectory,” said Rabab Fatima, UN High Representative for Landlocked Developing Countries.

    “At its heart, this conference is about people – it is about the millions of children who lack internet or digital tools, the farmers who cannot get their goods to market because of poor roads, and the entrepreneurs whose dreams are held back by border delays and limited access to funding.”

    Broad engagement

    The four-day event, from 5 to 8, August will feature plenary sessions, five high-level roundtables, and a Private Sector Forum focused on building partnerships and boosting investment.  

    Dedicated forums with parliamentarians, women leaders, civil society and youth will bring voices from across society into the heart of the discussions.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to attend, underlining the urgency of the agenda.

    World Bank/Curt Carnemark

    Many landlocked countries, such as Botswana (pictured) are also on the frontlines of the impact of climate change, highlighting their vulnerability.

    The Awaza Programme of Action

    Central to the conference is the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December.  

    It lays out five priority areas – structural transformation, infrastructure and connectivity, trade facilitation, regional integration, and resilience building – supported by five flagship initiatives.  

    These include:

    • A global infrastructure investment facility to close financing gaps.
    • Regional agricultural research hubs to boost food security.
    • A high-level UN panel on freedom of transit, ensuring smoother cross-border flows.
    • Digital connectivity initiatives to bridge the digital divide.
    • A dedicated landlocked developing countries trade work programme at the WTO.

    © UNICEF/Giacomo Pirozzi

    Women shop at a vegetable market in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Boosting food security is one of the priority areas of the Awaza Programme of Action.

    Turkmenistan

    For Turkmenistan, hosting LLDC3 is both a diplomatic milestone and a statement of intent.

    “We are proud to host it on the Caspian Sea coast in Turkmenistan,” said Aksoltan Ataeva, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN.

    “We look forward to welcoming [everyone] to Awaza for a transformative, action-oriented conference that puts landlocked countries at the heart of global partnerships.”

    Organizers promise state-of-the-art facilities, cultural showcases and networking spaces designed to spur collaboration. Delegates will also experience Turkmen heritage firsthand, from local art to Caspian cuisine.

    UN Photo/Jawad Jalali

    Cross-border infrastructure, such as these power lines, are crucial connections linking LLDCs with the regional and global electric grids.

    The bigger picture

    For the landlocked developing countries, the stakes are existential.  

    These countries are among the most climate-vulnerable, least connected and furthest from global value chains. Without bold action, progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will remain out of reach.

    “The destiny of humanity is inseparably linked to the destiny of these countries,” said Diego Pacheco, Ambassador of Bolivia, who currently chairs the LLDC Group at the UN.

    “Together, we can unlock the potential of landlocked developing countries – not just for the benefit of our nations, but for the shared future of all humanity and the Mother Earth.”

    As the countdown to Awaza begins, expectations are high – not about whether geography matters (it does), but whether global solidarity can transcend its limits.

    LLDC3 aims to prove that it can.

    There are 32 landlocked developing countries, of which 16 are also least developed.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 1 August 2025 Joint News Release Breastfeeding in Indonesia on the Rise, But Mothers Need More Support

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Jakarta, 1 August 2025 – As Indonesia commemorates World Breastfeeding Week 2025, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) are highlighting the importance of strengthening support systems for breastfeeding mothers across the country.

    World Breastfeeding Week is observed around the world from 1–7 August. In Indonesia, this important occasion is observed throughout the month of August, under the theme: “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”.  

    UNICEF and WHO commend the Government of Indonesia’s continued commitment to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months has steadily increased, rising from 52% in 2017 to 66.4% in 2024. However, many infants are not exclusively breastfed for the full six months – the duration required to achieve the full health benefits.

    With reliable and long-lasting support, mothers can better access help when they need it, wherever they are – at work, home or in their community. This includes skilled counselling from trained health workers, workplace policies and physical arrangements that enable breastfeeding, and ongoing support from community networks.

    “By investing in support systems for breastfeeding mothers, we create a vital a safety net that ensures no mother has to navigate breastfeeding challenges alone,” said UNICEF Indonesia Representative, Maniza Zaman. “When women and their babies are supported to breastfeed successfully, it sets off a chain of positive outcomes – not only for the child’s development, but also for stronger families, healthier communities and ultimately a better future for the nation.”

    “Indonesia’s steady rise in exclusive breastfeeding is a remarkable achievement and reflects the commitment of families, communities and the health system,” said Dr N. Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Indonesia. “With stronger support systems, every mother in Indonesia can have the resources needed to exclusively breastfeed for the full recommended six months, giving every child the healthiest start to life.”

    Breastfeeding is a baby’s first source of protection and nutrition. UNICEF and WHO recommend that infants are breastfed within one hour of birth and exclusively breastfed in their first six months of life, with no other foods and liquids provided.

    Evidence shows that breastfeeding boosts children’s cognitive development by 3–4 IQ points, reduces overweight and obesity risk and provides lifelong protection against non-communicable diseases. Babies who are not breastfed are up to 14 times more likely to die before their first birthday than those who are exclusively breastfed during their first six months. 

    Unlike formula production, breastfeeding is also environmentally sustainable, lowering carbon emissions and reducing packaging waste.

    UNICEF and WHO call on all stakeholders – the government, workplaces, healthcare institutions, the private sector and communities – to accelerate efforts to support breastfeeding mothers. Key actions include:

    • Expand access to skilled breastfeeding counselling through health facilities, community services, and remote options such as tele-counselling established by the Ministry of Health.
    • Ensure all maternity facilities implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
    • Enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) to protect families from unethical marketing.
    • Integrate breastfeeding education into healthcare training curricula.
    • Adopt family-friendly policies—including paid maternity leave, lactation rooms and flexible workplace arrangements. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: More than two in five people in the English- and Dutch-Speaking Caribbean struggle for daily meals

    Source: World Food Programme

    BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – Nearly 3.2 million people in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean are food insecure, according to the latest Food Security and Livelihoods Survey by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In 2025, 30 percent of Caribbean people reported eating less than usual; which is in line with the trend over the last 4 years arising from increased food costs that accompanied global geopolitical factors.

    Across the Caribbean, nations face food-related challenges due to their geographic remoteness, lack of locally available resources and exposure to climate worsening.

    “The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to natural hazards and supply chain disruptions, which can cause rapid increases in food prices. It’s deeply concerning that many people are struggling to afford the food they need. Strengthening and diversifying supply chains and trade routes across the region is essential. These efforts will help make food more accessible and affordable, while supporting faster recovery in times of crisis,” said Brian Bogart, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in the Caribbean.

    Rising food prices are a major concern for the region, with food inflation consistently outpacing overall inflation rates. Nearly all respondents, 94 percent, report higher food costs in the months leading up to the survey. One-third of households also experienced job loss or reduced income, putting further strain on already stretched budgets.

    Local production efforts are being challenged by rapidly increasing operational costs. Among farmers, 85 percent report rising prices for animal feed and tools or machinery, 81 percent note higher fertilizer prices, and 73 percent cite increased seed costs. These burdens are particularly heavy in a region that relies significantly on imported agricultural inputs.

    CARICOM’s Director of Sectoral Programmes, Ambassador David Prendergast noted, “As we commence our successor programme 25 by 2025+5, we must stress the importance of data to inform our strategic interventions in achieving greater food and nutrition security.”

    Investing in adaptive social protection and emergency preparedness will be essential to cushion the impacts of future shocks which threaten people’s access to food. In an environment marked by hazards, robust social protection mechanisms provide a safeguard, whilst integrating strategies to assist where the need is greatest. Access to data is essential to deliver these mechanisms. The survey and the recently launched real-time food real-time food security monitoring system by CARICOM and WFP, will play a key role in identifying emerging needs early and supporting timely decision-making.

    The Food Security and Livelihoods survey is made possible through the support of the Government of Canada and the European Union. It is part of the partnership between CARICOM and WFP to support CARICOM’s efforts to understand, track, and address food insecurity across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

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    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @wfp_Caribbean
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Japan contributes towards food and nutrition security in Lesotho

    Source: World Food Programme

    Maseru– The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a contribution of JPY 200 million (approximately US$1.36 million) from the Government of Japan to support the national school feeding programme in Lesotho. Over the next year, this funding will provide nutritious meals to 50,000 pre-primary learners across the country.

    The contribution will ensureuninterrupted access to hot, nutritious school meals, boosting attendance and learning outcomes. It will also expand the home-grown school meals programme, linking smallholder farmers to schools and strengthening Lesotho’s local food systems.

    “We highly appreciate Japan’s continued support to Lesotho,” said Mr Elliot Vhurumuku, WFP Representative and Country Director in Lesotho. “Over the past five years, their contribution has enabled WFP to sustain the Government’s national school feeding programme while strengthening climate resilient food systems and sustainable livelihoods in Lesotho.” 

    Lesotho is currently recovering from the impact of a devastating drought, while grappling with economic shocks. With a high unemployment rate, rising food costs and declining household purchasing power, urgent action is needed to prevent even greater numbers of people from sliding into food insecurity.

    “Given Lesotho’s socio-economic challenges, driven by multiple, complexed factors including drought, Japan is glad to be able to assist in developing Lesotho’s food security, which will help meet the dietary needs of those affected, households,” said H.E. Shimizu Fumio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Lesotho.” We hope that this food assistance will help meet the dietary needs of those affected, households, thus improve the nutritional status of children.”

    The Government of Japan is a long-standing partner of WFP in Lesotho, being a leading supporter of WFP’s school feeding programme, providing vital funding over the past 10 years to sustain WFP’s initiatives of supporting the national school feeding programme.

    #                 #                   #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media, @WFP_SAfrica and @evhurumukuwfp

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Bloodshed at GHF-run Gaza aid sites ‘a great sin’, says former top UN official

    Asia Pacific Report

    A former senior UN aid official has condemned the bloodshed at the notorious US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s aid food depots, describing the distribition system as having turned into a “catastrophe”.

    The number of aid seekers killed continues to climb daily beyond 1000.

    Martin Griffiths, director of Mediation Group International and the former Under Secretary General of the UN Humanitarian Affairs Office, said: “I think when many of us saw the first plans of the GHF to launch this operation in Gaza, we were immediately appalled by the way they were proposing to manage it.”

    “It was clearly militarised. They’d have their own security contractors,” he told Al Jazeera.

    “They’d have [Israeli military] camps placed right beside them. We know now that they are, in fact, under instructions by [the Israeli military].

    “All of this is a crime. All of this is a deep betrayal of humanitarian values.

    “But what I at least did not sufficiently anticipate was the killing and was the absolutely critical result of this operation, this sole humanitarian operation allowed by Israel in Gaza,” Griffiths added.

    “The 1000 killed are an incredible statistic. I had no idea it would go that high and it’s going on daily. It’s not stopping.

    “I think it’s a catastrophe more than a disappointment,” he said. “I think it’s a great sin. I think it’s a great crime.”

    Humanitarian aid advocate Martin Griffiths . . . We know now that [GHF] are, in fact, under instructions by [the Israeli military]. All of this is a crime.” Image: Wikipedia

    Commenting about US envoy Steve Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee’s planned visit to GHF-run aid distribution sites in Gaza, he said this was “likely to be choreographed”.

    However, he acknowledged it was still an “important form of witness”.

    “I’m glad that they’re going,” Griffiths said.

    “Maybe they will see things that are unexpected. I can’t imagine because we’ve seen so much. But I don’t see it leading to a major change.

    “If I was one of the two million Gazans starving to death, this is a day I would like to go to an aid distribution point,” Griffiths added.

    “There’s slightly less risk probably than any other day.”

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Japan and WFP provide emergency food assistance to families impacted by floods and droughts in Burundi

    Source: World Food Programme

    BUJUMBURA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of US$1 million from the Government of Japan to provide lifesaving food assistance to 18,000 people affected by floods and droughts in Burundi.

    A ceremony was held in Bujumbura today to mark the contribution. The ceremony was attended by Mr Pontien Hatungimana, Burundi’s Permanent Secretary to the Minister of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights, and Gender, H.E. Mr Isao Fukushima, Ambassador of Japan to Burundi and Jean-Noël Gentile, WFP’s Country Director in Burundi.

    “Frequent floods and droughts are shattering livelihoods and worsening food insecurity in Burundi, particularly within rural communities, where more than 85 percent of the population relies on subsistence farming for survival,” said Jean-Noël Gentile, WFP’s Country Director in Burundi. “This generous contribution from the Government of Japan is vital in supporting the daily food needs of vulnerable people as they rebuild their lives.” 

     
    From September 2023 to June 2024, heavy rain caused floods and landslides in Bujumbura and Burunga Provinces, affecting more than 300,000 people and displacing over 47,000. Meanwhile, drought conditions caused by below-average rainfall in Butanyerera Province resulted in crop and income losses for smallholder farmers.

    “I am pleased to proceed to today’s ceremony. This project aims at providing food assistance to the most vulnerable people in Burundi based on the philosophy of Human Security. I sincerely hope that with the expertise of WFP in Burundi, as many Burundians as possible could spend better lives in dignity,” said H.E. Mr Isao Fukushima, Ambassador of Japan to Burundi. “Japan has been a good partner of WFP in Burundi, and we have implemented eight joint projects since 2010.”

    The Government of Japan is a major contributor to WFP in Burundi, providing more than US$12 million in support since 2019.

    #                #            #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) via @WFP_Africa
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: On brink of famine, Gazans forced to scour dirt for food

    Source: United Nations 2

    Without fuel, many basic facilities cannot function, from water treatment plants to medical infrastructure.

    Meanwhile, Gazans now on the brink of famine have been reduced to taking desperate measures in their search for food, scouring the roads taken by aid convoys, UN aid worker Olga Cherevko told UN News.

    “While we were driving, I saw an elderly man on the side of the road completely alone, kneeling down, and he was picking up handfuls of lentils that had spilled on the ground from one of the previous convoys that had been passing,” she said.

    “He was picking them up with his hands and just putting them into his t-shirt as this is obviously the only option he has right now to find food because this is how desperate the situation has become.”

    Desperate actions

    The latest reports from Gaza indicate that mothers who are unable to breastfeed because they are not eating enough now feed their babies ground chickpeas, bread and rice, which are not suitable for infants.

    In a social media post, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stressed that “this is a condition that we can prevent,” calling for increased humanitarian access. 

    Separately, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) emphasised that “the health needs in Gaza are immense. A continuous flow of medical supplies is critical.”

    Meanwhile, health workers on Wednesday reported that at least 50 Gazans were killed and 400 others injured while waiting for food near Zikim crossing in the north.

    Ms. Cherevko, who works with the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, explained that her mission to Kerem Shalom on Thursday morning had been delayed at a “holding point” for two hours before being allowed to proceed to the crossing point separating Gaza from Israel.

    ‘Tactical pauses’ are not enough

    Although the fuel supplies are welcome, they are far from enough, she insisted.

    “We need hundreds of thousands of litres of fuel to be entering every day so that we can power even the most basic of our facilities to power, water, sanitation, healthcare, emergency telecommunications and other critical facilities effectively,” she said.

    The announcement of daytime military pauses by Israel last weekend appears to have slightly reduced the amount of time aid convoys now wait for permission to proceed, the OCHA worker noted.

    There has also been a “slight reduction” in security incidents involving Gazans taking food from UN trucks, she said.

    In its latest update on the emergency, OCHA said that four days since the start of tactical pauses declared by Israel, “we are still seeing casualties among those seeking aid and more deaths due to hunger and malnutrition…Unilateral tactical pauses alone do not allow for the continuous flow of supplies required to meet immense needs levels in Gaza.”  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Meeting on the situation in Ukraine

    Source: United Nations 2

    The UN Security Council meets Thursday morning to discuss threats to international peace and security, with a focus on the situation in Ukraine. The meeting was requested by Russia. Follow our live updates as UN News, in coordination with UN Meetings Coverage, brings you key highlights and takeaways from today’s session. UN News App users can follow the coverage here.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Council Holds Briefing on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    9970th Meeting (AM)

    The Council meets this morning, at the request of the Russian Federation, under its agenda item “threats to international peace and security” to discuss the situation in Ukraine. 

    The delegation of Ukraine will participate in the meeting under Rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure.

    …

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Economic and Social Council Holds Organizational Meeting to Launch 2026 Session

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    2026 Session,

    1st Meeting (AM)

    ECOSOC/7219

    The Economic and Social Council opens its 2026 session today, electing its Bureau and hearing from Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. 

    Lok Bahadur Thapa of Nepal has been endorsed to serve as the President for the session.  Amar Bendjamaa of Algeria; Paruyr Hovhannisyan of Armenia; Darío Bencosme Castaños of the Dominican Republic; and Héctor Gómez Hernández of Spain have been nominated to serve as the session’s Vice-Presidents.

    The 54-member Council will also adopt its provisional agenda (document E/2026/1) as well as take action on the draft resolution “Working arrangements for the 2026 session of the Economic and Social Council”, (document E/2026/L.1) and decide its seating arrangement for the session.

    …

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Youth Leader Fund for World without Nuclear Weapons Announces New Group of Youth to Receive Training in Disarmament, Leadership, Storytelling

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    NEW YORK, 31 July 2025 (Office for Disarmament Affairs) – One hundred young participants from 61 countries around the world have been selected to join the second phase of the Youth Leader Fund for a World without Nuclear Weapons, an interactive learning programme funded by the Government of Japan and managed by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.  Through online courses, meetings with diplomats and other experts and the development of creative projects, the Youth Leader Fund will equip these young leaders with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to contribute to the global effort to eliminate nuclear weapons — the most dangerous weapons on Earth.

    The 100 selected leaders, aged 18 to 29, were chosen from over 8,400 applications — an overwhelming response that speaks to the increasing interest, passion and commitment of youth to peace and disarmament efforts.

    The new cohort of youth leaders was announced and celebrated during the launch event for the second phase of the Programme, held on 31 July 2025 at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations in New York City.  The hybrid-format event featured a video message from the Government of Japan, followed by in-person remarks by Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.  The newly selected youth participants, members of the first phase of Youth Leader Funder, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs staff, as well as delegates from other Member States also attended the event online and in-person.  Ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, delivered a closing remark.

    “In challenging times, the creative and transformative power of youth offers renewed hope for change.  Through the YLF programme, we reaffirm our commitment to young people as architects of the future, building peace upon the foundations laid by the past:  the legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki reminds us of the urgent need to keep nuclear disarmament at the heart of the United Nations’ efforts, as it has been since its inception,” stated Ms. Nakamitsu.

    “I would like to congratulate all of you who were selected from among the many applicants to participate in this second cohort.  As the hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) are ageing, the role of the younger generations, such as yourselves, is becoming even more significant in passing on the realities of the atomic bombings and in conveying them broadly throughout the world,” stated Iwaya Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, in a video message.

    The event featured an intergenerational dialogue between Youth Leader Fund participants and a hibakusha from Nagasaki, highlighting the crucial role of youth in carrying forward the legacy of survivors.  This was followed by a panel discussion, focusing on youth, education and disarmament in the context of the eightieth anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the adoption of the UN Charter.

    Through the Youth Leader Fund programme, participants will gain a fundamental understanding of key issues related to disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control.  Following successful completion of the e-learning component, 50 participants will be selected for a fully funded study tour to Japan, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where they will engage with hibakusha and international and local youth in Japan, with whom they will organize a conference to foster meaningful discussions and exchange of ideas.

    In this second phase of the Youth Leader Fund, young people will explore subjects such as the human cost of nuclear weapons, the role of the United Nations in multilateral disarmament efforts and the impact of nuclear armament on gender and on the environment.  Participants will also engage in skills workshops on leadership and negotiation and a new creative component focusing on journalism and storytelling to communicate about nuclear disarmament in impactful, effective and human-centred ways.

    Under the Youth4Disarmament umbrella, the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs aims to promote youth engagement, education and capacity-building to advance in disarmament and non-proliferation goals.  This includes connecting geographically diverse young people with experts to learn and exchange ideas about current international security challenges, the work of the United Nations and ways to actively participate, building the path towards a secure common future.

    To learn more about the Youth Leader Fund, please visit: disarmamenteducation.org/ylf.

    Contact:  youthleaderfund@un.org.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNFPA urges governments to act on climate and gender at Global Symposium ahead of COP30

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    Brasília, Brazil, 31 July 2025 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Brazil today issued a powerful Call to Action urging governments to place gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) at the heart of global climate response. The Call to Action was issued as the 2025 Global Symposium on Climate Justice and Impacted Populations draws to a close in Brasilia. 

    Held just months ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the high-level symposium was convened by UNFPA and the Government of Brazil to mobilize bold, rights-based, and gender-responsive climate action at a pivotal moment as countries revise their national climate plans and realign funding priorities.

    The Call to Action outlines a shared roadmap to put gender equality, SRHR, and protection from gender-based violence (GBV) at the center of global climate response. It identifies concrete steps for governments and institutions to take as they prepare for key COP30 milestones –  including the Belem Health Action Plan, a flagship COP30 initiative focused on strengthening health systems as part of global climate action.

    The Call to Action demands: 

    • More climate finance directed to women and girls, especially in crisis-affected settings
    • Stronger support for national and local partners to include SRHR and protection from GBV in climate policies
    • Greater investment in data and evidence to inform gender-responsive climate action
    • Stronger emergency preparedness and health systems that can withstand climate shocks
    • That SRHR and protection for GBV are finally included in the COP30 Gender Action Plan on climate change

    Women and girls are already paying a steep price for a climate crisis they did not cause. They face rising rates of gender-based violence, worsening maternal health outcomes, and growing barriers to essential services like contraception and safe childbirth. Yet most national climate policies overlook their needs. Key systems, including health, education, and protection services, remain underfunded and overstretched. Just a fraction of global climate finance is allocated to gender equality, and reliable data on how women and girls are affected remains scarce or nonexistent.

    “We are at a pivotal moment in our march against climate change — one that must unite us all. Let us leverage this moment to forge a path forward that ensures climate justice and strengthens the resilience of women and young people in the face of climate change,” said Diene Keita, UNFPA Acting Executive Director, in her opening remarks.

    The three-day hybrid event, which brought together more than 150 policymakers, researchers, youth leaders, and advocates from around the world, built on UNFPA’s first global convening on climate and SRHR, the International Symposium on SRHR, Gender and Climate Change Resilience, held in Pretoria ahead of ICPD25 in 2019. There, participants issued the Future Africa Call to Action – a shared advocacy agenda, urging governments to integrate SRHR and gender equality into climate resilience efforts. This year’s event took that work further, delivering the Brasília Call to Action as the next step to embed gender, health, and equity into climate decision-making — especially as countries prepare new climate commitments ahead of COP30. 

    “Many aspects of climate change and its impacts on populations were examined and further explored during the discussions of this symposium, reinforcing the understanding that it is impossible to advance resilience and sustainable development without integrating gender equality into environmental and climate policies,” said Janja Lula da Silva, First Lady of Brazil and Special Envoy for Women at COP30, who participated in the closing ceremony. “There can be no climate justice without gender equality. And no climate justice without the full participation of women.”

    As the UN’s lead agency on sexual and reproductive health, UNFPA brings a critical rights-based perspective to climate action, grounded in gender equality and the lived realities of diverse women and girls. With decades of experience in humanitarian response, data systems, and frontline health services, UNFPA is working with countries to ensure sexual and reproductive health care and interventions to address GBV and harmful practices remain available during climate shocks. From supporting displaced women during emergencies to strengthening climate-resilient health systems, UNFPA is helping countries respond to today’s risks while preparing for a more uncertain future.

    Press Enquiries:

    Zina Alam; zialam@unfpa.org; media@unfpa.org 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IAEA-Supported Laboratory Opens to Fight Microplastics in Galapagos Islands

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    A new laboratory supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was officially inaugurated this month in the Galapagos Islands to address the growing threat of marine microplastic pollution.

    The Oceanography and Microplastics Laboratory was established by the government in Ecuador, with support from the IAEA, to monitor and analyse microplastic pollution in the Galapagos Islands. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galapagos Islands are renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity and unique evolutionary adaptations, shaped by their remote location some 1000 kilometres west of mainland Ecuador.

    While a robust monitoring and cleanup programme is in place to tackle the estimated six tonnes of plastic waste that wash ashore on the islands each year, microplastics — plastic particles smaller than five millimetres — pose a more complex challenge for the Galapagos National Park, a protected area encompassing 97% of the islands.

    Nuclear-derived techniques can help detect and analyse microplastic particles too small for traditional monitoring. The laboratory is now analysing water samples and will be able to analyse sediment, and biota samples from the islands at a microscopic scale to identify the types of polymers and improve the understanding of how they disperse in the marine environment where they can endanger marine life.

    In a video address at the opening ceremony for the laboratory on 17 July, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the laboratory — situated on the Santa Cruz Island — will be an active partner in environmental monitoring and reporting of microplastic pollution for Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands.

    “The laboratory offers new opportunities to conduct studies on the environmental impact on the vulnerable and relevant biodiversity of the Islands, helping authorities to take and implement more precise control measures aimed at the protection and conservation of the Galapagos National Park,” he added.

    The new laboratory marks a significant milestone in the IAEA’s NUTEC Plastics initiative, which has supported countries since its launch in 2020 in researching microplastics and applying nuclear techniques to enhance recycling processes. The support to the Galapagos Islands follows the IAEA’s work in Antarctica — another valuable ecosystem — with the launch of microplastics research there in 2024.

    The data generated in the new laboratory will enable local and national authorities to more accurately assess plastic pollution levels and design targeted strategies to mitigate their impact. The information will also feed into the IAEA’s coordinated efforts under the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco to build a global network of laboratories with analytical capacities to monitor and mitigate marine microplastic pollution.

    The IAEA, through its technical cooperation programme, has also strengthened monitoring and analytical capacities in institutions such as the Galapagos National Park and the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) in Guayaquil, to address the growing threat of marine pollution from microplastics in the Galapagos Islands. The IAEA has allocated nearly €1 million to provide the new laboratory with equipment and training for monitoring marine stressors such as ocean acidification, eutrophication, and microplastic pollution — all of which threaten the region’s unique biodiversity and ecosystems.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Angola protests: UN urges restraint, investigations into deaths

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Thursday urged Angolan authorities to conduct prompt, thorough and independent investigations into the deaths, as well as the reported use of excessive force during the demonstrations.

    “Unverified footage suggests that security forces used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters, which points to an unnecessary and disproportionate use of force,” OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said.

    He added that while some demonstrators resorted to violence and looting, any force used by authorities must comply with international human rights standards.

    “Any individuals who may have been arbitrarily detained must be immediately released.”

    Rapid escalation in situation

    The protests began on Monday as a strike by minibus taxi drivers over a one-third rise in diesel prices, part of a government effort to reduce fuel subsidies. According to media reports, the demonstrations quickly spread, becoming one of Angola’s most disruptive protest waves in recent years.

    Government officials reported that at least one police officer was among those killed. Nearly 200 people are said to have been injured, and shops and vehicles reportedly vandalized – mostly in the capital, Luanda.

    Sporadic gunfire was also reported in parts of the city earlier in the week, and emergency services were overwhelmed. Many businesses remained shuttered Thursday and hospitals reportedly struggled to cope with the number of casualties.

    Ensure rights protection

    OHCHR emphasised that while authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order, they must do so in a way that protects human rights.

    “All protesters taking to the streets to express their opinions should do so peacefully,” said Mr. Al-Kheetan. “All human rights violations must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.”

    The UN rights office also reiterated the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms, including the rights to life, expression and peaceful assembly, in any law enforcement response.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Speakers Stress Economic and Social Council’s Key Role in Responding to Today’s Global Challenges, as 54-Member Organ Begins 2026 Session, Elects Bureau

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    The Economic and Social Council commenced its 2026 session today, and as Canada handed its presidency to Nepal, speakers pointed to the important role that the organ must play in responding to the myriad challenges of the moment.

    Opening the meeting, Robert Rae (Canada), the Council’s President for its 2025 session, noted that “we hear a lot in the UN discourse about how things are broken, how things have fallen apart, how things are unhinged”.  While not disagreeing with those assessments, he emphasized:  “Our job is not to give speeches saying how terrible things are — our job is to roll up our sleeves and fix things.”  He added that no UN agency or body “has more of a responsibility to do that than the Economic and Social Council”.

    Urging that body to take its responsibilities seriously, he recalled some of the problems that the Council addressed over the past year — the role of artificial intelligence, the situation in Haiti and development in the UN context.  “I think this Council helped,” he stated.  He also pointed out that current questions regarding the UN’s relevance are not new — some even raised them when the Organization was founded — and spotlighted, as a counterpoint, the important discourse concerning the State of Palestine during the recent high-level conference on the two-State solution.

    President Appointed, Vice-Presidents Elected for 2026 Session 

    He concluded that the new Bureau will face new challenges ahead — “that’s how the world works” — and the Council then elected, by acclamation, Lok Bahadur Thapa (Nepal) as President of the Council at its 2026 session.

    Taking his seat at the podium, Mr. Thapa directed the Council to proceed to the election of the other Bureau members for that session.  The body then elected — also by acclamation — Amar Bendjamaa (Algeria), Paruyr Hovhannisyan (Armenia), Wellington Darío Bencosme Castaños (Dominican Republic) and Héctor Gómez Hernández (Spain) to serve as Vice-Presidents.

    Mr. Thapa then delivered his inaugural statement, emphasizing:  “For Nepal, this is a historic moment.”  Recalling that his country was admitted to the UN 70 years ago, he said that assuming Presidency of the Council for the first time is a “testament to our enduring commitment to multilateralism and our aspiration to contribute meaningfully to build trust, strengthen multilateral cooperation and achieve a more just, inclusive, equitable and resilient world”.

    Yet, “the world today is navigating a ‘polycrisis’” of conflict, climate disruption, economic uncertainty and deepening inequality, he said, also pointing to renewed great Power competition, escalating cyberthreats, an off-track 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, surging humanitarian needs and a $4 trillion annual financing gap for developing countries.  “In this context, the role of ECOSOC has never been more relevant and important,” he stated.

    Under ‘Delivering Better’ Motto, President Outlines Priorities for Session

    Noting that his Presidency will be guided by the motto of “Delivering Better”, he underscored that doing so “is not an option — it is an imperative”.  Detailing what that motto means for Nepal, he underlined the need to strengthen multilateralism and rebuild trust, accelerate the 2030 Agenda, ensure effective coordination and coherence within the UN system, strengthen partnerships and ensure implementation and follow-up.  “ECOSOC must evolve from convening dialogue to driving measurable impact,” he urged.

    He also outlined several priorities for his presidency, including transforming agriculture and food systems to strengthen food security and rural resilience; championing digital inclusion and youth entrepreneurship; and advancing climate action and resilience.  On the latter, he said that special focus will be placed on mitigating glacial lake outburst floods and protecting vulnerable communities.  Among other initiatives, he said that his presidency will also give “due priority to promoting the interests of countries in special situations”, as “their unique vulnerabilities demand tailored solutions”.

    “ECOSOC is our place,” he stressed, encouraging all present to “bring forward your vision, your ideas and your transformative solutions”.  He added: “We must send a clear and united message — multilateralism delivers, and it delivers for everyone.”

    Following that statement, the newly elected Vice-Presidents — the representatives of Algeria, Armenia, Dominican Republic and Spain — as well as delegates from China, Australia, Djibouti, Republic of Korea, South Africa and the European Union, took the floor to thank the outgoing Bureau and express support for the incoming one.  Many specifically thanked Mr. Rae for his work over the past year.

    Speakers also acknowledged the challenges ahead and underlined the Council’s important role in addressing them at this critical juncture for development.  An observer for the Major Groups and Other Stakeholders Coordination Mechanism, for her part, underlined the need for civil society to be heard during that endeavour.

    Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Says Urgent Action, Stronger Cooperation Key to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

    “Through its convening power — across segments, forums and special meetings — the Council has shown its continued relevance,” said Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.  Today’s interconnected world demands stronger cooperation to achieve sustainable solutions, he pointed out, calling for “urgent” action to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as only 35 per cent of targets are currently on track.

    “ECOSOC’s role is central,” he stressed, “to forge consensus, provide policy guidance and mobilize coordination action and follow-up.”  Its eightieth anniversary invites reflection, and upcoming reviews are key opportunities to ensure the realization of its full potential.  He concluded:  “I urge all Member States to continue actively engaging with the Council to advance the implementation of its mandates and the realization of the SDGs.”

    Council Adopts Provisional Agenda, Working Arrangements for Session

    Following that, the Council adopted, without a vote, its provisional agenda (document E/2026/1) and working arrangements (to be issued as document E/2026/L.1) for 2026.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: As World Grapples with Great Peril, Values Enshrined in Helsinki Final Act ‘Remain Our Moral and Strategic Compass’, Secretary-General Anniversary Message Says

    Source: United Nations 4

    SG/SM/22750

    Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, in Helsinki today: 

    I am pleased to send my warm greetings as you gather to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.  I commend the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chair, Finland, for its leadership in convening this anniversary event.

    Half a century ago, the Helsinki Final Act charted a bold and visionary course for peace — rooted in dialogue, grounded in international law, and anchored in the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people.

    This year also marks the eightieth anniversary of the UN Charter.  The principles of our Charter and OSCE are a shared foundation for peace and cooperation.

    But today those principles are under grave strain.  War continues to rage in the European continent. Trust between States is fraying.  Human rights are under assault.  Democratic space is shrinking.  And disinformation is fuelling division and fear.  We are witnessing a dangerous drift away from commitments that have safeguarded peace for generations.

    Yet, in this moment of peril, the values enshrined in the UN Charter and echoed in the Helsinki Final Act — sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful coexistence — remain our moral and strategic compass.

    The role of the OSCE as a platform for dialogue and a guardian of these principles is more vital than ever.  The United Nations stands firmly with the OSCE in defending shared values:  dialogue over division, cooperation over confrontation and dignity for all.

    Let us recommit to the spirit of Helsinki.  By strengthening regional partnerships to renew multilateralism. By principled leadership to uphold international law.  And by forging unity of purpose to build a future of mutual respect, resilience and shared prosperity.

    Let us honour this milestone by renewing our commitment to a world anchored in peace, justice, and human rights.  Thank you — and my very best wishes for a successful meeting.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Russian attack on Ukrainian capital kills at least 11 civilians

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    Among the confirmed dead is a six-year-old boy. At least 10 of the injured were children, the mission said, and news reports indicate that figure is rising.

    City-wide damage

    Russia reportedly launched 309 drones and eight cruise missiles during the night,  and despite air defences managing to destroy many of them, the damage across the capital was severe.  

    At least 27 locations across Kyiv were hit by the attack, with the heaviest damage seen in the Solomianskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts, where UN rescue efforts are ongoing.  

    In the Sviatoshynskyi district, a missile destroyed a section of a nine-story apartment building.

    In the Solomianskyi district, a five-story apartment building was severely damaged, and at least two people were killed.

    UN Ukraine reported that witnesses described shock at the strike, which happened so quickly that they did not have time to seek shelter.

    “Homes, businesses and public buildings are being destroyed, and it may take years to rebuild them. And each new attack compounds the psychological toll on people who have to spend night after night in shelters,” said Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU.

    More than 100 buildings were reportedly damaged in the capital, including homes, schools, kindergartens, medical facilities and universities, according to news reports.  

    Unprecedented civilian toll

    This attack follows a wave of violence close and far from the frontline, including weekend assaults that killed at least 20 civilians and injured over 120, a prison attack on Monday that killed 16 inmates, a hospital strike that killed three and the death of five civilians in the east on Tuesday.

    This violent pattern continues from June, when HRMMU reported that Russia launched 10 times more missile and loitering munitions attacks against Ukraine compared with June 2024, killing 232 and injuring 1,343.

    The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, stressed on social media that “international humanitarian law must be respected. All efforts must be taken to protect civilians. They are not a target.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Delivering better’: New ECOSOC president emphasises climate action, food security

    Source: United Nations 2

    Mr. Thapa said that the motto of his presidency will be “Delivering Better,” which requires strengthening partnerships and multilateralism to achieve more effective implementation of initiatives, including the 2030 Agenda adopted 15 years ago.  

    “Delivering better is not an option — it is an imperative. It is our pathway to restoring trust in multilateralism, bridging divides, empowering the most vulnerable and translating commitments into action,” he said.  

    Four vice-presidents were also elected for the coming year: Amar Bendjama (Algeria), Héctor Gómez Hernández (Spain), Wellington Darío Bencosme Castaños (Dominican Republic) and Paruyr Hovhannisyan (Armenia).

    80 years of ECOSOC 

    The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for promoting international economic and social cooperation and development.

    It has 54 member States, elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms on a rotating basis, with seats distributed by region.

    ECOSOC coordinates the work of UN specialized agencies, commissions and bodies on issues ranging from sustainable development and human rights. It also serves as a central platform for fostering debate, forging consensus, and promoting action on global economic and social issues.

    For Mr. Thapa, this body is central to shaping the world’s development agenda and ensuring that no one is left behind.  

    “ECOSOC is our place. It needs dedication, participation and active engagement of all UN membership and stakeholders,” he said.  

    Five ways to deliver better

    While “delivering better” will be the motto of Mr. Thapa’s presidency, he outlined five specific areas upon which he and the Council will focus in the coming year.

    With over 735 million people worldwide experiencing hunger, his first priority area is transforming agriculture to strengthen rural resilience and end hunger.  

    Digital entrepreneurship and youth engagement are tied to this — and are his second priority area. He noted the “youth bulge” in many developing countries which he said will be a powerful demographic asset if it can be taken advantage of.  

    Like ECOSOC presidents before him, his third priority area deals with climate action and resilience. This time, however, he would like ECOSOC to focus specifically on glacier lakes and floods.  

    His final two priority areas are reforming the international financial architecture so that it is more inclusive and commemorating the 80th anniversary of ECOSOC.  

    Mr. Thapa noted that he and ECOSOC’s membership will be working to achieve these challenges in the midst of multiple, interlinking crises including accelerating climate change, rising geopolitical tensions and decreasing trust in the multilateral system.  

    “These challenges are systemic and interconnected. They demand integrated, inclusive and forward-looking responses,” Mr. Thapa said.  

    Fix, repair, mend

    Before Mr. Thapa’s remarks, Bob Rae, the outgoing president of ECOSOC and Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, reflected on his tenure. He acknowledged that the world is currently in a time of great hardship and genuine anguish.  

    But he said that it must be the job of ECOSOC — and UN Member States more broadly — to not only give voice to this anguish and hardship but to actually find solutions for it as well.  

    “We hear a lot in the UN discourse about how things are broken, how things have fallen apart, how things are unhinged … But our job is to fix, it’s to repair, it’s to mend, it’s to allow things to heal, it’s to make change happen,” Mr. Rae said.  

    Both Mr. Thapa and Mr. Rae affirmed that multilateralism can work and that ECOSOC should play a unique role in rewriting the narrative surrounding international cooperation.  

    “We must reaffirm our collective belief in the power of multilateralism — not as an abstract ideal, but as a pragmatic tool for delivering better outcomes for all,” Mr. Thapa said.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Trade critical to ending plastic pollution

    Source: United Nations 2

    That assessment by UN trade and development body, UNCTAD, comes in an update published on Thursday ahead of the final round of talks to develop a legally binding international instrument against plastic pollution.

    “Although plastics are directly linked to the triple planetary crisis – pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change – there is still no comprehensive international treaty governing their composition, design, production, trade, and disposal,” UNCTAD said.

    Polluting our oceans

    In 2023, plastic production reached 436 million metric tonnes worldwide, with the traded value surpassing $1.1 trillion.  It also accounted for 5 per cent of total merchandise trade.

    However, 75 per cent of all plastics ever produced have become waste, most of which has ended up in the world’s oceans and ecosystems.

    This pollution also threatens food systems and human well-being, especially in small island and coastal developing countries with limited capacity to cope.

    Support for substitutes

    UNCTAD is advocating for tariff and non-tariff measures to support ecologically sustainable plastic substitutes which often are derived from natural sources such as minerals, plants or animals, and can be recycled or turned into compost.

    Global trade in these substitutes reached $485 billion in 2023, with an annual growth of 5.6 per cent in developing economies.

    Scaling up will require action to address challenges related to tariff and non-tariff measures, limited market access and weak regulatory incentives.

    Tariff disparities

    UNCTAD explained that a reduction in tariffs on plastic and rubber products over the past 30 years – from 34 per cent to 7.2 per cent – has made them “artificially inexpensive”.  Meanwhile, alternatives such as paper, bamboo, natural fibres and seaweed face average tariffs of 14.4 per cent

    “These disparities in how materials are treated discourage investment in alternative products and hinder innovation in developing countries that aim to export safer and more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based plastics,” it said.

    Currently, 98 per cent of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, meaning that emissions and environmental damage are expected to rise if left unchecked. In response, many countries are using non-tariff measures such as bans, labelling requirements and product standards.

    However, these regulations differ, leading to fragmentation and increased compliance costs. Furthermore, small businesses and low-income exporters struggle in the face of overlapping or inconsistent requirements, thus affecting how they can both participate in and benefit from sustainable trade.

    Hope for treaty talks

    For UNCTAD, the talks towards the plastic pollution treaty are promising. They began in 2022, with the final round taking place next week at the UN in Geneva.

    The treaty would cover the entire life cycle of plastics – production, consumption, and waste – within a fair and comprehensive framework.

    The UN agency said a successful treaty should include tariff and non-tariff measures to support sustainable substitutes for plastic, investment in waste management and circular infrastructure, digital tools for traceability and customs compliance, as well as policy coherence across frameworks reached through the World Trade Organization (WTO); the UN climate secretariat, UNFCCC; the Basel Convention on hazardous waste, and related regional measures.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza Strip: Humanitarians warn of worsening famine conditions, attacks on civilians

    Source: United Nations 4

    Of the 154 malnutrition-related deaths since October 2023 (including 89 children) reported by Gazan health authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) said 63 occurred in July alone.

    These deaths follow a steep drop in food consumption: 81 per cent of households reported poor food consumption in July (up from 33 per cent in April), and 24 per cent experienced severe hunger (up from 4 per cent), crossing the famine threshold, according to the humanitarian update issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday.

    Acute malnutrition rates also surpassed famine thresholds in Khan Younis, Deir al Balah and Gaza City.

    Given these recent figures, IPC food security experts warned that the worst-case famine scenario is unfolding. However, they added that while the third famine threshold of starvation-related deaths is rising, collecting data remains a challenge. 

    UN agencies caution that time is running out for a full-scale humanitarian response. 22 per cent of the analyzed population is facing “catastrophic” level of food insecurity, and a further 54 per cent is at “emergency” level. 

    At the same time, less than 15 per cent of essential nutrition services remain functional.

    Attacks on civilians

    Of the over 60,000 Palestinians reported killed since October 2023, nearly 9,000 died after hostilities reignited in March, and 640 between 23 and 30 July.

    Civilian casualties while seeking food are also rising, with 1,239 killed and over 8,152 injured since 27 May.

    OCHA further noted that displacement figures since 18 March have surpassed 767,800, though no new evacuation orders were issued by Israeli authorities since 20 July. The 20 July order affecting a humanitarian hub in Deir al Balah has since been rescinded.

    Amid ongoing displacement, overcrowding in shelters, lack of privacy and worsening hunger has elevated the risk of gender-based violence (GBV) for women and girls.  

    The conditions are especially dire in southern Gaza, where there are no longer any safe shelters for GBV survivors.

    Humanitarian measures

    Between 23 and 29 July, only 47 per cent of 92 coordinated aid movements were fully facilitated by Israeli authorities. About 16 per cent were denied, 26 per cent impeded after initial approval and 11 per cent withdrawn by organizers.

    The Israeli military announced a daily 10-hour pause in military activity, beginning 27 July, in Al Mawasi, Deir al Balah and Gaza City “to increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering Gaza.”

    They also announced measures including airdrops of flour, sugar and canned food; the reconnection of the power line from Israel to the southern Gaza desalination plant; the removal of customs barriers on food, medicine, and fuel from Egypt; and the designation of secure routes for UN humanitarian convoys.

    However, humanitarian partners warned that airdrops could endanger civilians, lead to unequal distribution and fall short of needs.

    Working with limited funding

    In addition, lack of sufficient funding is also hampering response efforts.

    As of 30 July, only about 21 per cent of the $4 billion requested for the 2025 urgent humanitarian appeal for the region has been secured, leaving critical gaps. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In Myanmar, conflict and floods collide as UN warns of deepening crisis

    Source: United Nations 4

    Farhan Haq, UN Deputy Spokesperson, stressed the need for unimpeded relief operations and a peaceful path out of crisis.

    “The UN remains concerned by ongoing violence in Myanmar, including aerial bombardment hitting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said, at the regular press briefing in New York.

    “Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.”

    His remarks come as monsoon rains and flooding – worsened by Cyclone Wipha – swept through parts of the country, further straining regions already destabilized by conflict and a devastating earthquake in March.

    Millions forced to flee

    The crisis left more than 3.3 million people internally displaced, with another 182,000 seeking refuge abroad since the military coup in February 2021, according to the latest UN figures. In addition, over 1.2 million – mostly members of the minority Muslim Rohingya community – were forced to flee the country, driven by waves of violence.

    The largest exodus took place in August 2017, when nearly one million Rohingya fled brutal violence and attacks by security forces, likened to a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” by then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

    © UNICEF/Nyan Zay Htet

    Disasters and fighting has forced millions across Myanmar to flee their homes in search of safety. Many shelter in IDP camps like this one in central Myanmar.

    Floods, landslides upend lives

    In the flood-affected areas of Bago, Kayin and Mon states, more than 85,000 people have been affected, with homes destroyed, roads cut off and emergency services overstretched.

    Relief partners report significant shortages of food, safe drinking water and medical supplies. In Taungoo district (Bago) alone, three flood-related deaths have been confirmed, while six more people reportedly died in a landslide in Shan state.

    The pathway out of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar requires an end to the violence 
    – UN spokesperson Farhan Haq

    “The pathway out of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar requires an end to the violence and unimpeded access for relief workers and supplies,” Mr. Haq stressed, noting that health systems are also under acute strain.

    Disease outbreaks rising

    A humanitarian bulletin from the World Health Organization (WHO)-led Health Cluster warns that floodwaters are driving spikes in acute watery diarrhoea, dengue and malaria.

    There are deep concerns over outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, and polio is increasing due to low immunization rates and poor hygiene conditions in overcrowded camps.

    WHO has verified 27 attacks on healthcare facilities so far this year, with other monitoring groups reporting over 140 additional incidents.

    Meanwhile, severe funding shortages – exacerbated by cuts in United States funding – have forced the suspension of services at 65 health facilities and 38 mobile clinics across Myanmar. Services at a further 28 mobile clinics have been scaled down.

    © OCHA/Eva Modvig

    Hakha, the capital of Chin state in Myanmar.

    Elections under military cannot be credible

    The political context remains grim. Since the February 2021 military coup, which overthrew the elected government and imprisoned top leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has seen a steady escalation of armed conflict and repression.

    The junta’s plans to hold elections have drawn deep concern, including from the UN.

    “The Secretary-General reiterates his concern over the military’s plan to hold elections amid ongoing conflict and human rights violations, and without conditions that would permit the people of Myanmar to freely and peacefully exercise their political rights,” said Mr. Haq.

    He recalled Security Council Resolution 2669, adopted in 2022, which called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi; upholding democratic institutions and processes; and pursuing in constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar.

    Commitment to stay and deliver

    Despite the volatility and access constraints, UN agencies remain committed to reaching affected populations.

    As of July, nearly 306,000 people had received health services in 59 earthquake-hit townships – just 67 per cent of the target population, reflecting the limited funding and security challenges faced by aid workers.

    “The United Nations is committed to staying and delivering in Myanmar,” Mr. Haq affirmed, “and to working with all stakeholders, including ASEAN and other regional actors, to attain sustainable peace.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In Myanmar, conflict and floods collide as UN warns of deepening crisis

    Source: United Nations 4

    Farhan Haq, UN Deputy Spokesperson, stressed the need for unimpeded relief operations and a peaceful path out of crisis.

    “The UN remains concerned by ongoing violence in Myanmar, including aerial bombardment hitting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said, at the regular press briefing in New York.

    “Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.”

    His remarks come as monsoon rains and flooding – worsened by Cyclone Wipha – swept through parts of the country, further straining regions already destabilized by conflict and a devastating earthquake in March.

    Millions forced to flee

    The crisis left more than 3.3 million people internally displaced, with another 182,000 seeking refuge abroad since the military coup in February 2021, according to the latest UN figures. In addition, over 1.2 million – mostly members of the minority Muslim Rohingya community – were forced to flee the country, driven by waves of violence.

    The largest exodus took place in August 2017, when nearly one million Rohingya fled brutal violence and attacks by security forces, likened to a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” by then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

    © UNICEF/Nyan Zay Htet

    Disasters and fighting has forced millions across Myanmar to flee their homes in search of safety. Many shelter in IDP camps like this one in central Myanmar.

    Floods, landslides upend lives

    In the flood-affected areas of Bago, Kayin and Mon states, more than 85,000 people have been affected, with homes destroyed, roads cut off and emergency services overstretched.

    Relief partners report significant shortages of food, safe drinking water and medical supplies. In Taungoo district (Bago) alone, three flood-related deaths have been confirmed, while six more people reportedly died in a landslide in Shan state.

    The pathway out of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar requires an end to the violence 
    – UN spokesperson Farhan Haq

    “The pathway out of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar requires an end to the violence and unimpeded access for relief workers and supplies,” Mr. Haq stressed, noting that health systems are also under acute strain.

    Disease outbreaks rising

    A humanitarian bulletin from the World Health Organization (WHO)-led Health Cluster warns that floodwaters are driving spikes in acute watery diarrhoea, dengue and malaria.

    There are deep concerns over outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, and polio is increasing due to low immunization rates and poor hygiene conditions in overcrowded camps.

    WHO has verified 27 attacks on healthcare facilities so far this year, with other monitoring groups reporting over 140 additional incidents.

    Meanwhile, severe funding shortages – exacerbated by cuts in United States funding – have forced the suspension of services at 65 health facilities and 38 mobile clinics across Myanmar. Services at a further 28 mobile clinics have been scaled down.

    © OCHA/Eva Modvig

    Hakha, the capital of Chin state in Myanmar.

    Elections under military cannot be credible

    The political context remains grim. Since the February 2021 military coup, which overthrew the elected government and imprisoned top leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has seen a steady escalation of armed conflict and repression.

    The junta’s plans to hold elections have drawn deep concern, including from the UN.

    “The Secretary-General reiterates his concern over the military’s plan to hold elections amid ongoing conflict and human rights violations, and without conditions that would permit the people of Myanmar to freely and peacefully exercise their political rights,” said Mr. Haq.

    He recalled Security Council Resolution 2669, adopted in 2022, which called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi; upholding democratic institutions and processes; and pursuing in constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar.

    Commitment to stay and deliver

    Despite the volatility and access constraints, UN agencies remain committed to reaching affected populations.

    As of July, nearly 306,000 people had received health services in 59 earthquake-hit townships – just 67 per cent of the target population, reflecting the limited funding and security challenges faced by aid workers.

    “The United Nations is committed to staying and delivering in Myanmar,” Mr. Haq affirmed, “and to working with all stakeholders, including ASEAN and other regional actors, to attain sustainable peace.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Saint Lucia Concludes Two-Day Migration Data Workshop to Shape Evidence-Based Policy

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Castries, Saint Lucia –  The Government of Saint Lucia took a major step last week, as it moves to develop a comprehensive evidence-based migration policy to serve the country’s development agenda in the coming years.  The “Essentials of Migration Data” (EMD) workshop was held from 16-17 July 2025 with the aim of strengthening the Government’s ability to produce, disseminate and use data and statistics on migration.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Somalia’s Climate Crisis Demands Global Action, Says IOM Deputy Director General

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Mogadishu, Somalia, 31 July 2025 – The Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ugochi Daniels, has wrapped up a four-day mission to Somalia, sounding the alarm on the deepening climate and displacement crisis unfolding in the region. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: European Union maintains vital support for WFP’s lifesaving assistance in Algeria

    Source: World Food Programme

    ALGIERS – The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to Sahrawi refugees in Algeria through sustained funding for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), enabling the delivery of vital food assistance to over 133,000 vulnerable people each month. This month marks the second year of the multi-year partnership that provides €5 million annually to address one of the world’s most protracted refugee crises.

    In the remote desert camps near Tindouf, where Sahrawi refugees have lived since 1975, WFP’s assistance remains a lifeline. More than 80 percent of the population relies entirely on humanitarian aid to meet their basic food needs. Through its partnership with the Algerian Red Crescent, WFP distributes monthly food rations tailored to nutritional needs, while increasingly prioritising programmes, including Social Behaviour Change (SBC) initiatives, addressing malnutrition among children and pregnant women and promoting better nutrition practices.

    “We are deeply grateful to the European Union for their unwavering support and commitment to the Sahrawi refugees,” said Aline Rumonge, WFP Representative and Country Director in Algeria. “This strong and reliable partnership provides the sustained funding we need to deliver life-saving assistance while improving the effectiveness of our operations in the camps.”

    In 2024, WFP provided nearly 19,000 metric tons of food and reached 8,600 pregnant and breastfeeding women with monthly cash-based transfers to improve dietary diversity and reduce the risk of anaemia. In addition, WFP distributed specialised nutritious food to prevent and treat moderate acute malnutrition among children under five.

    The EU has been a cornerstone donor for WFP’s operations in Algeria, contributing €102 million (US$123.4 million) since 2003. With needs persisting and global attention waning, this enduring partnership underscores a shared commitment to ensure Sahrawi refugees are not forgotten.

    WFP has supported the Sahrawi refugees in Algeria since 1986. WFP’s operations in the country are carried out and monitored in collaboration with national and international organizations to ensure food assistance reaches the people for whom it is intended.

    #                #            #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X @wfp_media @wfp_mena

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s video message to the High-level Conference commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Download the video:
    https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+26+Jun+25/3418332_MSG+SG+HELSINKI+FINAL+ACT+50TH+26+JUN+25.mp4

    Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    I am pleased to send my warm greetings as you gather to mark the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.

    I commend OSCE Chair, Finland, for its leadership in convening this anniversary event.

    Half a century ago, the Helsinki Final Act charted a bold and visionary course for peace – rooted in dialogue, grounded in international law, and anchored in the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people. 

    This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter.  The principles of our Charter and the OSCE are a shared foundation for peace and cooperation. 

    But today those principles are under grave strain.

    War continues to rage in the European continent. 

    Trust between states is fraying. 

    Human rights are under assault. 

    Democratic space is shrinking. 

    And disinformation is fueling division and fear.   

    We are witnessing a dangerous drift away from commitments that have safeguarded peace for generations.

    Yet, in this moment of peril, the values enshrined in the UN Charter and echoed in the Helsinki Final Act – sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful coexistence – remain our moral and strategic compass.

    The role of the OSCE as a platform for dialogue and a guardian of these principles is more vital than ever. 

    The United Nations stands firmly with the OSCE in defending shared values: dialogue over division, cooperation over confrontation, and dignity for all.

    Let us recommit to the spirit of Helsinki.

    By strengthening regional partnerships to renew multilateralism.

    By principled leadership to uphold international law.

    And by forging unity of purpose to build a future of mutual respect, resilience, and shared prosperity.

    Let us honour this milestone by renewing our commitment to a world anchored in peace, justice, and human rights.

    Thank you — and my very best wishes for a successful meeting.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 31 July 2025 Departmental update Redefining the HIV response in Africa through local production of medicines and diagnostics

    Source: World Health Organisation

    While Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest HIV burden globally and is home to almost 65% of all people living with HIV, for decades, access to HIV treatment across the African region depended almost entirely on imports of lifesaving drugs and diagnostic tests manufactured thousands of miles away. 

    To boost supply chain resilience and regional self-reliance, WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes Department, in collaboration with the Regulation and Prequalification Department, has been actively advocating for locally manufactured quality-assured medicines and diagnostics. This work is carried out in close partnership with countries, manufacturers in Africa and partners such as the Global Fund and Unitaid. 

    In 2023, Universal Corporation Ltd (UCL), a Kenya-based pharmaceutical company led by Mr Palu Dhanani, became the first African manufacturer to receive WHO prequalification to produce tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine and dolutegravir (TLD), a WHO-recommended first-line antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection.

    “Local production of quality-assured health products is an urgent priority. With every African manufacturer that meets WHO prequalification standards, we move closer to a more self-reliant, resilient, and equitable health system. Regulation and prequalification are not just technical processes; they are catalysts for health sovereignty and timely access to lifesaving medicines and diagnostics,” said Dr Rogerio Gaspar, WHO Director for Regulation and Prequalification.

    A first for the continent

    As recently announced, the Global Fund now procures UCL’s TLD for Mozambique, marking the first time TLD is manufactured on African soil. This milestone reflects ongoing collaboration between WHO and the Global Fund to support essential HIV services, through the NextGen market shaping approach.

    “The procurement of the African-manufactured first-line HIV treatment by the Global Fund for Mozambique is a great milestone towards strengthening supply chain systems in Africa. This will contribute to better health outcomes for people living with HIV who need uninterrupted medicine supplies,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes.  

    However, production alone isn’t enough. To ensure sustainable and resilient supply chains, critical enablers are needed, such as advanced market commitments, fair procurement policies and continued technical support.

    WHO shares the vision of a world where every region has the capacity to secure its own health. Locally manufactured TLD is a major step towards that goal, but more action is needed. African manufacturers should be prioritized in global supply chains, and  guaranteed equitable access to health technologies that meet quality, safety and efficacy/performance standards.

    HIV testing: another critical frontline

    HIV testing is a critical health service and a vital gateway to both prevention and treatment. With current shifts in donor funding, many countries are facing financial strain, putting testing programmes at risk. Keeping people living with HIV on treatment is important and requires affordable and reliable access to HIV rapid tests. 

    WHO is urging governments to shift towards low-cost, quality-assured HIV rapid tests, especially the first test in their national testing algorithms, for significant cost savings. 

    Codix Bio, a Nigerian in-vitro diagnostics company, has received a sublicense to manufacture rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), with an initial focus on RDTs for HIV, using technology transferred from the global in-vitro diagnostics company SD Biosensor. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of WHO’s Health Technology Access Programme and the Medicines Patent Pool, this new local manufacture of HIV RDTs will improve access to affordable diagnostic tests and help mitigate disruptions of HIV testing services.

    “Having locally produced HIV RDTs will help increase affordability, and more broadly address supply chain vulnerabilities and delays in access to diagnostics,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes.

    In addition to switching to low-cost quality-assured HIV tests, WHO encourages countries to use HIV self-tests to mitigate gaps in human resources for health as well as stockouts for the first RDT in national algorithms.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Nuclear Science and Nuclear Security Infrastructure to Protect Rare Rhinos: IAEA-Supported Project Marks a Milestone

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    In a pioneering effort to combat wildlife trafficking of the threatened rhinoceros, a South African University today began implementing a project supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project combines the safe insertion of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns and available nuclear security infrastructure to deter and detect illegal poaching.

    With over 10,000 rhinos lost to poaching in the past decade, South Africa – home to the world’s largest population of rhinos – remains a target for criminals driven by the illegal trade of rhino horn. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reported 103 rhinos poached. In response, this project run by the University of the Witwatersrand is using radiation to support conservation and enforcement efforts.

    After two years of initial tests, the Rhisotope Project was created in 2021 with the idea to tag rhino horns with radioactive material. This makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports and airports worldwide. These RPMs, commonly used to detect nuclear and other radioactive material, can now be harnessed against wildlife crime.

    The IAEA’s support to the Rhisotope Project leverages its central role in strengthening the global nuclear security framework. With millions of vehicles and people crossing borders every day, the use of an estimated 10,000 RPMs worldwide has become a critical tool for detecting unauthorized transboundary movements of nuclear and other radioactive material.

    “The Rhisotope Project shows how nuclear science and nuclear security infrastructure can be used in new ways to address global challenges,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “The IAEA is supporting countries to maximize the benefits of nuclear. By using already installed nuclear security infrastructure in novel ways, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.”

    At an event today in the Waterberg, Limpopo, about 250 kilometres north of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand announced the results of the rigorous safety assessments conducted during the pilot phase of the project. In June last year, radioisotopes were inserted into 20 rhinos. Health monitoring and cytological examinations of 15 treated animals and a comparison of five animals not treated were conducted by Ghent University in Belgium. The test results proved that the method is non-invasive and does not pose a risk to the rhinos’ health.

    “This has been an international collaboration of likeminded individuals who are trying to make a real difference to this poaching crisis,” said James Larkin, Director, Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. “We started with the question – what if radiation could protect rather than harm, by turning rhino horns into traceable markers that stop poachers before they trade? After two years of digital modelling, safety testing and detection simulations, we’re ready to roll out a solution that could truly reduce rhino poaching.”

    The success of project also opens the door for future applications to other endangered species.

    “The methodology could be adapted to protect other endangered species like elephants or pangolins,” said Larkin.

    The IAEA is providing both technical and financial support to the project under its Coordinated Research Project titled Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology – Detection of RN and Other Contraband. As part of the project, the Agency also supports countries in their efforts to optimize the detection of radiation by the use of its Minimum Detectable Quantity and Alarm Threshold Estimation Tool, thereby allowing detection of the tagged with radiation rhino horns.

    “The Rhisotope Project brings the entire global nuclear security network into play,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “The nuclear security infrastructure that exists in many countries around the world to detect smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material can be used to pick up the trafficking of rhino horn, and any other contraband that might be carried alongside it. Committing to nuclear security pays off in multiple ways.”

    B-roll and photos will be made available here.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Unlock More Capital, Deputy Secretary-General Urges at AGFUND Event Citing Real Leadership across Africa to Achieve Sustainable Food Security, Resilience

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the UN Food Systems Summit+4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4) Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) side event:  “Mobilizing Investment for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2:  The Role of Public-Private Partnerships”, in Addis Ababa today:

    It is a pleasure to be with you today to confront one of the great injustices of our time, and to spotlight a response that offers hope.

    Let me start with the stark reality we all know too well.  Hunger is rising.  Over 800 million people are food insecure.  Climate shocks and conflict are battering food systems.  Inflation and instability are undermining livelihoods.

    Once again, those with the least are paying the highest price.  Behind the numbers are human potential being lost every single day.  Children whose growth is stunted, mothers who skip meals to feed their families and farmers trapped in cycles of debt when harvests fail.

    This is both a development emergency and a solvable failure.  We have the knowledge and the means, what we lack is the scale of investment needed to act decisively.  Food systems don’t stop at borders:  rivers flow across regions and markets stretch across continents. Our response must reflect that same interconnection grounded in shared responsibility. 

    We meet here in Addis Ababa, a city that has long embodied African cooperation and leadership.  There is no better place to recommit to food security and resilience.

    Food is more than a necessity.  It is also a foundation for peace and a force for unity.  In a divided world, food carries the promise of shared responsibility and shared survival.  It is with this understanding that I welcome the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security.

    That is why I welcome the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security.  Launched at the Sixteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16) under Saudi leadership and supported by AGFUND and many others, this initiative offers a structured, forward-looking response to today’s urgent needs.

    The value of the Flagship lies in its design.  It brings together science and policy, local knowledge and institutional finance, Governments and field-based delivery.  Over 30 partners are already involved.

    With careful targeting and strong regional coordination, the Flagship is directing resources to the people and places that need them most — smallholder farmers, women producers and fragile ecosystems.

    This approach recognizes that sustainable food security cannot be achieved through top-down solutions alone.  It requires empowering local communities, strengthening Indigenous knowledge systems and ensuring that women — who produce the majority of the world’s food — have equal access to land, credit and decision-making power.

    This initiative is not just a vision on paper, it is already generating real momentum — through integration with the Global Drought Resilience Partnership and through collaboration with the Joint SDG Fund in countries like Ethiopia and Cameroon.  These efforts show that it’s possible to build practical, blended financing models that support action.

    We are seeing real leadership across Africa.  Countries are moving forward with national strategies, restoring land and linking action to results.  This is African leadership in motion rooted in local priorities, supported by global partners.

    Yet we must be clear-eyed about the obstacles that remain, particularly around financing.  The financing gap for food systems transformation is estimated at over $300 billion annually.

    Connected, is the fundamental inequity in how climate finance flows.  The countries most affected by climate change receive the least support, while those who have contributed least to the problem bear the greatest burden.

    The financing gap is felt most in the least developed countries and small island developing States.  We need to unlock more capital, not only from traditional sources, but also through environmental, social and governance bonds, responsible land investment and climate-aligned funds.

    Before I close, I want to acknowledge the partners who have made this possible.  Let me thank AGFUND and Dr. Nasser Al Kahtani for their leadership, the Crop Trust for hosting the Secretariat and the Arab Coordination Group for their financial and strategic backing.

    As we move forward together, we must remember what this work is really about. This initiative is a reminder that change comes from purpose, partnership and persistence.

    So, let us move forward with a shared determination.  Because food systems transformation is not only about agriculture.  It is about dignity.  It is about justice.  It is about the future we owe one another.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –