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Category: United Nations

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message on World Youth Skills Day [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    On this World Youth Skills Day, we recognize that skills not just tools – they are engines of empowerment and opportunity.

    From traditional knowledge to creative arts to community leadership, a diverse range of skills enable young people to shape their futures and build more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable societies.

    This year’s theme rightly highlights the growing importance of digital and AI skills.

    From basic digital literacy to advanced data science, these capabilities are ever more vital for young people to thrive in today’s world – and lead in tomorrow’s.

    But opportunity must be universal. We must close the digital divide – so that every young person – regardless of gender, geography, or background – can reach their full potential.

    Digital education must be human-centered, nurturing not only technical ability, but also creativity, critical thinking, and compassion.

    And as AI reshapes our world, young people must be seen not just as learners – but as co-creators of a fairer digital future.

    Let’s do our part to equip every young person with the skills for the digital age.

    ***
    En cette Journée mondiale des compétences des jeunes, nous apprécions les compétences à leur juste valeur : loin de se cantonner à la fonction d’outils, elles sont des facteurs d’émancipation et des portes vers de nouveaux horizons.

    Connaissances traditionnelles, talent créatif, force de mobilisation locale : un large éventail d’aptitudes permet aux jeunes de façonner leur avenir et de rendre les sociétés plus inclusives, plus pacifiques et plus durables.

    Le thème de cette année, fort à propos, met à l’honneur l’importance croissante que revêtent les compétences dans le domaine du numérique et de l’intelligence artificielle.

    Il est de plus en plus essentiel que les jeunes aient une culture numérique élémentaire ou des connaissances avancées en science des données s’ils veulent s’épanouir dans le monde d’aujourd’hui et diriger celui de demain.

    En tout état de cause, personne ne doit rester à l’écart. Nous devons combler le fossé numérique afin que chaque jeune, indépendamment de son genre, de sa situation géographique ou de ses origines, puisse réaliser pleinement son potentiel.

    L’éducation au numérique doit être centrée sur l’être humain et valoriser non seulement le savoir-faire technique, mais aussi la créativité, l’esprit critique et la compassion.

    À l’heure où l’intelligence artificielle transforme notre monde, il faut considérer les jeunes non seulement comme des apprenants, mais aussi comme les cocréateurs d’un avenir numérique plus juste.

    Agissons pour que chaque jeune dispose des compétences nécessaires à l’ère du numérique.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Press Conference by Secretary-General António Guterres at United Nations Headquarters

    Source: United Nations 4

    Following is a transcript of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press conference to launch the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report, in New York today:

    Dear members of the media,

    Today, we launch the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025.  Under-Secretary-General Li will go through the details.  But allow me to kick things off.

    We are now 10 years into our collective journey toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  The Report is a snapshot of where we stand today.  Since 2015, millions more people have gained access to electricity, clean cooking and the Internet.  Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population — a significant increase from just a decade ago. Access to education has continued to increase and more girls are staying in school.  Child marriage is declining.  Renewable energy capacity is growing, with developing countries leading the way.  And women’s representation is rising — across governments, businesses and societies.

    These gains show that investments in development and inclusion yield results. But let’s be clear:  we are not where we need to be.  Only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress.  Nearly half are moving too slowly.  And 18 per cent are going in reverse.  We are in a global development emergency.  An emergency measured in the over 800 million people still living in extreme poverty.  In intensifying climate impacts.  And in relentless debt service, draining the resources that countries need to invest in their people.

    We must also recognize the deep linkages between underdevelopment and conflicts.  That’s why we must keep working for peace in the Middle East.  We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution.  We need the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold.  We need a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions.  We need an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan.  From the DRC to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar, we know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    In the face of these challenges, the Report we are launching today points the way to progress.  Transformational pathways — in food, energy, digital access, education, jobs and climate — are our road map.  Progress in one area can multiply progress across all of them. But we must move faster, and we must move together.

    That means advancing affordable, quality healthcare for all.  Investing in women and girls as a central driver of progress.  Focusing on quality education and creating decent jobs and economic opportunities that leave no one behind.  Closing the digital divide and ensuring that technologies like artificial intelligence are used responsibly and inclusively.  And it means recognizing a fundamental fact.  Progress is impossible without unlocking financing at scale.

    The recent Sevilla Commitment reflected a commitment to get the engine of development revving again.  Through reform of the international financial architecture, real action on debt relief and tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks so countries can better access capital at scale and at a reasonable cost.  We have more opportunities to drive these priorities forward — from the High-Level Political Forum to the Second Food Systems Stocktake Summit to the World Social Summit and more.  We must maximize these moments for real commitments — and real delivery.

    Today’s Report shows that the Sustainable Development Goals are still within reach.  But only if we act — with urgency, unity and unwavering resolve.

    It’s a pleasure to be with you again and I will give the floor to my dear colleague Li.

    Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs:

    As the Secretary-General noted, we stand at a very defining moment.  This Report of 2025 serves as both our compass and call to action, providing the critical evidence needed to guide discussions at the HLPF and beyond.

    The data reveals in the Report a story of remarkable progress alongside turbulent challenges.  Over the past decade, we have seen the following tangible victories:

    • New HIV infections have decreased by nearly 40 per cent since 2010.
    • Malaria prevention efforts have saved more than 12 million lives since 2000.
    • [54] countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
    • An additional 110 million children have enrolled in school since 2015.
    • Access to electricity has reached 92 per cent of the global population, with 45 countries achieving universal electricity access in the past decade.
    • Internet use has increased by 70 per cent — reaching 68 per cent today globally.

    These are not mere statistics; they are the stories of lives transformed — more children in school, more families protected and more communities empowered.

    However, the Report also lays bare a harsh reality:  a challenging global context is stalling progress.  Conflicts are escalating, temperatures are breaking records and debt burdens are rising, while developing countries face an annual $4 trillion SDG financing gap.

    The world is not moving fast enough to achieve the SDGs amid overlapping crises.  Just to share some sobering facts from the Report:

    • Over 800 million people remain trapped in extreme poverty.
    • Billions of people lack access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
    • Women continue to devote 2.5 times as many hours to unpaid domestic and care work as men.
    • Climate change is accelerating, with 2024 marking the hottest year on record at 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
    • Low- and middle-income countries faced record-high debt servicing costs of $1.4 trillion in 2023.

    Despite these monumental challenges, the path forward is clear.  In the Report, it shows that progress is possible if we scale up solutions and build on hard-won gains.  We must focus our efforts on six key transitions that represent our most promising levers for systemic change.  Recent global events such as UNOC3 and FFD4 have demonstrated a renewed spirit and commitment to collective action.  Let us seize this moment to recommit, to act decisively and deliver on our promise.

    Thank you.

    **Questions and Answers

    Spokesman: Edie, please.

    Question: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary-General, on behalf of the United Nations Correspondence Association for doing this briefing.  As you well know, my name is Edith Lederer from the Associated Press.  You said that there had been progress on 35 per cent of the SDG targets, but which, if any, of the 17 SDG Goals are on target to be achieved by 2030?  And if I may, what is your reaction to President Trump saying just an hour or two ago that if there is no peace deal in Ukraine in the next 50 days, he will impose biting sanctions on Russia.  And I think we also would all like to know what, if any, role the UN is being asked to play if there is a new ceasefire in Gaza?

    Thank you.

    Secretary-General:  There are many different questions.  [laughing]  First, there are only 35 per cent of the Goals that are on target. But that means that 35 per cent of the Goals are on target, and some are extremely important.  Extreme poverty has reduced.  Child mortality and women’s mortality have dramatically reduced, and the access of girls to education and, in general, the access to education has substantially increased.  So, if there were no Sustainable Development Goals, many of these achievements would never have been reached, because the Sustainable Development Goals have created a framework in which Governments and other entities could be united to deliver on some of the key priorities of development in today’s world.  So, the Sustainable Development Goals are a success already because at least one third of them are achieving the results that were determined.

    Now, but why is it not the same everywhere?  Where are the obstacles?  Let’s be clear.  There is something fundamentally wrong in the structure of the economic and financial architecture and in the way it operates to the detriment of developing countries.  And this has nothing to do with the Sustainable Development Goals.  The Sustainable Development Goals are objectives to improve the living conditions of everybody.  The problem is that the Sustainable Development Goals do not include the instruments that would be necessary to make them happen.  And that is why we have been strongly insisting for the need to deep reforms in the international financial architecture, and I would say, in the rules of the global economy, in order to make sure that it is possible for countries that are drowning in debt, for countries that have no access to concessional funding, for countries that are marginalized in international trade.  We need those reforms to create the conditions for those countries to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

    So, I think that the discussion is not whether or not we have reached enough.  The discussion is what are the roots in the injustices and inequalities of our global economic and financial system that make it so difficult to implement things that everybody will recognize are the things that are needed for us to live with dignity.

    The second question that you have asked is about the sanctions.  I would say that what we absolutely need is to have an immediate ceasefire and to have an immediate ceasefire paving the way for a political solution and the political solution based on the Charter, on international law and on the different resolutions of the bodies of the UN.  Whatever can contribute to these objectives will, of course, be important if it is done in line with international law.

    Question:  And on Gaza…

    Secretary-General:  Gaza is horrific.  We all condemned the horrible, terrible, attacks of Hamas, but what we are witnessing in Gaza is a level of death and destruction that has no parallel in recent times.  And it is something that undermines, I would say, undermines the most basic conditions of human dignity for the population of Gaza, independently of the enormous suffering that they are having.

    We absolutely need a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.  And I hope that the parties are able to overcome, both parties are able to overcome the difficulties that they still find for that ceasefire to take place.  But the ceasefire is not enough.  It is essential that that ceasefire leads to a solution, and that solution can only be possible if both Palestinians and Israelis can have a State where they can exercise their rights.  The idea, and that is why we are going to have in July, one conference on the two-State solution, the idea that it would be possible to have 5 million people inside a country, in their own lands, without any rights is something that is totally against humanity and totally against international law.

    Spokesman:  Sherwin Bryce-Pease.

    Question:  Secretary-General, Sherwin Bryce-Pease, South African Broadcasting.  What is your estimation, sir, of the impact of the decisions by the United States in recent months to withdraw from various development-related initiatives, including climate finance and the recent financing for development conference that you referred to in Sevilla.  Its rejection, also, of increased lending by development banks in particular, essentially pushing back at the reforms you are seeking to achieve in terms of the restructuring of the global financial institutions?  How are you going to fill the gaps that are going to be left by the United States’ withdrawal from these initiatives?

    Thank you.

    Secretary-General:  The problem is not the presence or not presence in international meetings.  The question is that, obviously, we need in an international economic and financial system that is fundamentally wrong and unfair, we need reforms.  And to put obstacles to those reforms is indeed something that is extremely negative.  And I hope that the countries that lead the global economy, the G7 countries, understand that it is better to lead the reforms of a system today than to wait and one day suffer the reforms of the system that will become inevitable.

    Spokesman:  Dezhi?

    Question:  Secretary-General, Xu Dezhi, China Central Television.  A similar question with Sherwin.  We know that Trump Administration now reversed multiple policies, it’s not only just the international financial institution.  It’s also about the clean energy policy.  It’s about its tariffs to bring instability of the world economy.  How much impact would that be to the SDGs?  And given the fact this is only the first year of this Administration, you will have four years, how would, how should other countries to do to achieve the SDGs?

    Thank you.

    Secretary-General:  Well first of all, about clean energy, I think that independently of the will of the Government of any country and in particular, the United States, we are witnessing irreversible movements towards the hegemonic role of renewables.  This is moving at a speed that nobody could forecast just a few months ago.  And the truth is that even in the United States, you have a number of states that are moving forward very strongly, and you have the private sector that makes their accounts and sees where profits are.  And today, the cheapest energy is renewable.  And so, you are not intelligent if you invest in more expensive forms of energy or if you invest in things that will be stranded in the near future.  So, I am pretty confident that the realities of the global economy will make any attempt to slow down the process ineffective.  And I’m optimistic about the capacity of renewable energy to very quickly assume a leading role in the global economy.

    About trade, it is clear that any trade war is something in which nobody wins.  Everybody loses.  And so, I strongly believe that it is absolutely essential to avoid trade wars.  And we don’t know yet what is going to happen.  Many things are changing every day, but I hope we come to the end of this with a rational global trade system.

    Spokesman:  Thank you, Pam, and then we’ll have to go.

    Question:  Thank you very much for a somewhat grim Report, but an optimistic view of it.  Pamela Falk from US News and World Report.  So, a big picture question.  The Pew Charitable Trust, other organizations, look at the UN and favourability around the world.  And although it’s still positive, it’s trending downward.  What can you do, particularly since global goals like nutrition that overlaps two SDGs, people at the N4D [Nutrition for Development] is looking for private sector funds, clusters of countries.  Is that the new multilateralism?  And what can you do to bring up the favourability of the UN?

    Thank you.

    Secretary-General:  What we are witnessing in the world today is a progressive trend for a multipolar world.  You see the emerging economies growing at a faster rate than developed countries.  We can talk about China, but we can talk about India, we can talk about Indonesia, we can talk about so many other countries.  So, the global economic relations are changing, and we see a trend more and more for these different entities to network.  And in that networking, multipolarity will tend to strengthen multilateralism.  So, I’m very optimistic about the future of multilateralism because I’m seeing that every single day, there is a bit more equilibrium in international relations.  Every single day, we move a little bit more to multipolarity.  And at every single day, we are heading into a direction that, because multipolarity by itself requires multilateralism, we are heading into a direction in which the present trends and the present attacks and the present, I would say, forms of undermining multilateralism, will inevitably fail.

    Spokesman: Thank you very much. We need to let our guests go.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Saddened by Passing of Muhammadu Buhari, Secretary-General Praises Former Nigerian President’s Key Role Promoting Regional Peace, Security in West Africa

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    SG/SM/22728

    The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

    The Secretary-General is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

    During his tenure, President Buhari demonstrated a deep commitment to the sovereignty, stability and development of his country.  He also played a key role in promoting regional peace and security in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin.  He was also a strong advocate for multilateral and regional cooperation.

    The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government, and the people of Nigeria during this time of national mourning.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General Welcomes Adoption of Final Report of Open-ended Working Group on Security, Use of Information and Communications Technologies

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    SG/SM/22726

    The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

    The Secretary-General welcomes the consensus adoption of the final report of the Open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) 2021-2025, marking the conclusion of four years of steady efforts to safeguard the peace and security of the ICT domain.

    The Secretary-General expresses his sincere appreciation to Burhan Gafoor (Singapore), Chair of the Open-ended working group, for his tireless efforts and leadership.

    He congratulates the Open-ended working group on its many concrete achievements, which demonstrate that even in the most challenging international security environment, collective action is still possible.

    He welcomes, in particular, the agreement to establish a new “Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible State behaviour in the use of ICTs”.

    The Secretary-General now calls upon all States to work together through the Global Mechanism to tackle digital risks and ensure these technologies are leveraged for good.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Sanctions Committee Concerning South Sudan Discusses Expert Panel’s Final Report

    Source: United Nations 4

    On 1 July 2025, the Panel of Experts on South Sudan briefed the members of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015), in connection with the Panel’s final report submitted in pursuance of paragraph 18 of resolution 2731 (2024).

    During the briefing, the Coordinator provided an overview of the findings and recommendations contained in the Panel’s report, noting inter alia the current volatile political and security situation in South Sudan, including serious clashes between the armed forces of the principal signatories to the peace agreement, as well as the ongoing humanitarian and economic crises.

    Following the Coordinator’s presentation, members of the Committee asked questions and exchanged views regarding the findings and recommendations contained in the final report.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Inter-ethnic violence in Syria, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, global information security

    Source: United Nations 2

    The violence erupted two days after a Druze merchant was abducted on the highway to Damascus.

    The incident marks the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since Islamist rebels toppled former dictator Bashar al-Assad in December and installed a new caretaker Government, which is gaining increasing international recognition.

    Those targeted include the Druze sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam.  

    UN voices ‘deep concern’

    On Monday, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, expressed “deep concern” over these reports and urged authorities and stakeholders to “take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm and prevent incitement.”

    She also underscored the need for inclusion, trust-building and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria.

    UN human rights chief says ‘wisdom’ of Indigenous Peoples needed in climate change, digital policy upgrades

    The UN human rights chief spoke at a high-level political forum on the rights of Indigenous Peoples on Monday.

    Underscoring how crucial such forums are to advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Volker Türk highlighted developments in Colombia, Finland and Guatemala that have given them more self-determination.

    But despite these advances, violations against Indigenous Peoples’ rights continue.

    Many still lack formal land recognition, while mining activity, deforestation and large-scale agricultural development often cause environmental destruction.

    Indigenous Peoples also experience immense discrimination and face the brunt of climate chaos, Mr. Türk stressed.

    Toll on activists

    Furthermore, data from the human rights office reveals that 26 per cent of rights activists killed in 2023 and 2024 were Indigenous, largely in the Americas.

    Additionally, states are using AI in ways that harm Indigenous Peoples through surveillance, data exploitation and exclusion from decision-making. Türk thus called for human rights-based approaches that uphold Indigenous data sovereignty and self-determination.

    The High Commissioner also called for future policies on climate, digital technologies and other areas to “reflect the wisdom and experience of Indigenous Peoples.”

    “This is not only essential to respect and fulfil the human rights of Indigenous Peoples,” he concluded. “There is growing recognition that the ideas and approaches of Indigenous Peoples hold important lessons for all of us.”

    Guterres welcomes step forward in securing digital technology worldwide

    The UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday, welcomed the adoption by consensus of the UN Open Ended Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies.

    It was established in 2020 with a five-year mandate to promote regular institutional dialogue and initiatives focused on keeping digital technologies safe and secure.  

    The Secretary-General welcomed the Final Report of 10 July, which summed up the past five years of negotiations, said a statement issued by his Spokesperson.  

    It reflects shared views on current and emerging threats, responsible government policies, international law, norms and efforts such as confidence-building and capacity development.  

    Call for cooperation

    It also establishes a permanent mechanism to continue discussions about responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies, which the Secretary General particularly appreciated.  

    “The Secretary-General now calls upon all States to work together through the Global Mechanism to tackle digital risks and ensure these technologies are leveraged for good,” the statement said.  

    The Secretary General congratulated the group on its accomplishments, saying the consensus adoption “demonstrates that even in the most challenging international security environment, collective action is still possible.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council renews UN’s Haiti mission amid spiralling crises

    Source: United Nations 2

    By adopting resolution 2785, the Council renewed the authorization of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), reaffirming support for a Haitian-led solution to the island nation’s overlapping crises.

    The decision comes as armed gangs maintain their grip on most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, with over 1.3 million people displaced and more than 4,000 killed in the first half of 2025 alone, according to UN figures.

    Conditions have deteriorated dramatically amid growing food insecurity and the erosion of public institutions. Of particular concern is the safety of women and girls, with a sharp rise in reports of sexual violence since the start of the year – including rape, gang rape, and sexual enslavement.

    Time is running out

    The Security Council also “expressed its intention to consider, without delay” the recommendations by the Secretary-General on possible future roles for the UN in sustaining security and stability in Haiti.

    In February, António Guterres presented the Council with a range of options.

    “Each new wave of criminal attacks against the communities and institutions of Haiti is a distressing sign that time is running out,” the UN chief said in a letter.

    He urged Member States to support the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which the Council authorized in October 2023 to assist Haiti’s national police in tackling gang violence and restoring order. He also emphasized that international efforts to improve security must be matched by national progress toward resolving the political crisis.

    Several Council members voiced willingness to engage on the Secretary-General’s proposals. The Chinese representative, for instance, said Beijing was open to working with others to chart a constructive way forward.

    “With regard to how to improve the situation in Haiti, including how to respond to the Secretary-General’s recommendations, we are ready to have candid communication with all parties, explore viable solutions and seek the broadest possible consensus,” said Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN.

    UN Photo/Mark Garten

    Security Council adopts resolution extending the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) during the meeting on the question concerning Haiti.

    Mission critical

    The Council’s action was welcomed by Haiti’s Ambassador, who underscored the political and security stakes ahead of a critical 2026 transition timeline.

    “This extension should help Haitian authorities undertake a real, genuine political dialogue, to strengthen good governance, bolster security and bring about justice and promote human rights,” said Pierre Ericq Pierre, Permanent Representative to the UN.

    He also expressed his Government’s expectation that the UN mission will support implementation of the national roadmap, including constitutional reforms and elections.

    Emphasizing national ownership, he added: “BINUH must work as part of a holistic plan to support Haitian authorities in confronting the grave crisis shaking the country to its core.”

    The United States, which led negotiations on the resolution alongside Panama, stressed the urgency of political progress and called on international partners to increase support.

    “Less than one year remains on the Transitional Presidential Council’s planned roadmap for the restoration of democratic institutions,” said Ambassador Dorothy Shea, acting representative.

    “Supporting the security of elections and the participation of all sectors of society is key to sustainable political progress in Haiti. Without BINUH, realizing the vision of a stronger, more resilient society would be less likely.”

    New mission leadership

    Council members also welcomed Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu, appointed as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of BINUH, succeeding María Isabel Salvador.

    Mr. Ruiz Massieu, who currently leads the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, brings decades of diplomatic and political experience, including in peace negotiations and institution-building.

    The UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) – a special political mission – was established in 2019 to advise and support Haitian authorities on political dialogue, justice, human rights and governance.

    It succeeded a series of UN peacekeeping and political missions on the island, dating back to 1993, including the large-scale MINUSTAH operation, which wrapped up in 2017 after 13 years.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the passing of former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.
     
    During his tenure, President Buhari demonstrated a deep commitment to the sovereignty, stability, and development of his country. He also played a key role in promoting regional peace and security in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin. He was also a strong advocate for multilateral and regional cooperation. 
     
    The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government, and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during this time of national mourning.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks at the opening of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2025 [as prepared for delivery]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    In 2015, the world made a landmark commitment to achieve sustainable development and ensure that no one is left behind.

    The 2030 Agenda built on previous decades of development efforts and carried forward the vision and lessons of the Millenium Development Goals.

    It framed the Sustainable Development Goals around a paradigm shift that integrates the three core dimensions of sustainable development — economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability — and underscored the vital role of effective governance and strong institutions.

    It carried a promise to everyone, everywhere, to live in dignity, on a safe and healthy planet. 

    Today, a decade later, we meet again as the world grapples with conflicts and deepening geopolitical tensions.

    The fabric of multilateralism is fading, and the SDGs seem out of reach. Hard-won development gains are at serious risk, as a multitude of challenges, exacerbated by the chronic shortfall in adequate financing.

    Alarmingly, half of the world’s poorest countries have yet to return to their pre-pandemic income levels.

    Inequalities have amplified.

    Trade tensions are escalating.

    The climate crisis is worsening.

    Democracy is under threat.

    And the debt crisis continues to tighten its grip on the world’s poorest countries.

    The situation is truly sobering.

    Yet, the latest data show that while progress on SDGs has been uneven and limited, there is reason for hope. 

    Social protection and health systems are expanding, especially in middle-income countries, where they are reaching more people.

    More mothers are surviving childbirth, and more children are living beyond their fifth birthday.

    Education access is broadening, creating new pathways for young people.

    The number of girls who are in school and studying STEM subjects is higher than ever before.

    Countries are investing in better data and technology, for policies to reach the furthest behind.

    There are promised investments in digital connectivity and clean energy, to serve those in the most remote areas.

    Meanwhile, the world has united behind an ambitious global agreement to confront deep-seated structural challenges and unlock faster, more inclusive progress.

    The Pact for the Future, adopted last September, builds on existing reforms and commitments and charts a bold way forward to revive multilateralism and collective action, anchored in peace, solidarity and cooperation.

    The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development renewed our commitment to deliver on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, take forward debt solutions, and tackle the international financial architecture.

    The Ocean Conference in Nice generated important consensus on critical issues, from marine protected areas to plastic pollution, illegal fishing and maritime security.

    The 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30) and the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, reignited political drive for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    And there are many more opportunities this year to push our agenda forward:

    The Second Stocktake of the UN Food System Summit.

    The Second World Summit on Social Development.

    The Biennial Summit on Finance.

    COP 30, and ahead of that, new, updated and economy-wide Nationally Determined Contributions to get our climate goals back on track. 

    Excellencies,

    We must build on these achievements. Make the most of the momentum and drive action – particularly through this High-Level Political Forum.

    We are under pressure because the truth is: expectations are high, trust is eroding and crises are deepening, as we strive to deliver on our promise of the 2030 Agenda.

    This Forum is an important opportunity to reflect, exchange and course correct.

    It is our space to amplify the momentum, share lessons and good practice, deepen partnerships, and reignite our collective ambition to fulfill the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Over the coming days, we must reflect honestly and constructively on progress. Particularly on:

    SDG3 on health and wellbeing, SDG5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, SDG8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG14 on life below water, and SDG 17 on partnerships and means of implementation – this all with human rights at the centre of everything we do and hope to achieve.

    And we must focus on the theme of this year’s meeting: “Inclusive solutions, based in science- and evidence,” and take heed of key findings of the Secretary-General’s Report on the SDGs.

    We need solutions that address persistent challenges.

    That can be adapted and applied across diverse contexts.

    And that improve the lives of billions of people who are left behind:

    The 800 million people living in extreme poverty…

    The 2.2 billion people without safe drinking water…

    The 2.3 billion suffering food insecurity…

    The 3.4 billion without safely managed sanitation…

    And the countless women, Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and other marginalized groups unable to access formal health and protection systems. 

    Excellencies,

    This Forum will also welcome the tenth set of voluntary national reviews, or VNRs. They present a temperature check of every country’s journey.

    Since 2016, a total of 190 countries have conducted close to 400 VNRs.

    This voluntary national exercise has been almost universally adopted:

    A heartening sign of commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs…

    And evidence that the SDGs are now deeply woven into national plans, policies, and monitoring frameworks.

    These reviews are powerful roadmaps to achieve the SDGs and mobilize all stakeholders.

    Across regions, we have seen civil society’s engagement deepen – driving progress nationally and locally.  

    VNRs have helped build knowledge and data and offered practical pathways to dismantle structural barriers that hold us back.

    Over the past decade, they have inspired action through inclusive, scalable approaches, grounded in local realities.

    I look forward to the 37 VNR presentations at this Forum,

    And I encourage other countries to engage and foster a meaningful exchange of experiences.

    Excellencies, Friends,

    It is up to all of us to build on our successes, and make this Forum count.

    We have come far. And have even further to go.

    But we have much further to go if we are to honor the promise of the SDGs.

    The pathway to 2030 is narrowing.

    And the decisions we take now – where we invest, what we prioritize, and where we reform – will shape development trajectories for decades to come.

    With five years to go, the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative marks a historic step to build on recent reforms and ensure that the United Nations remains a trusted, agile partner, ready to tackle today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties, and drive our collective push for the 2030 Agenda nationally, regionally and globally.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Timberbiz

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    Timberbiz is Australasia’s home for timber news and information.

    Timberbiz’s aim is to produce complete, informative and quality industry publications, which focus on industry news, views, research and development and solution outcomes; offer a quality medium through exceptional service; and provide an effective advertising service.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘A compass towards progress’ – but key development goals remain way off track

    Source: United Nations 2

    The UN’s key Sustainable Development Goals Report released Monday by Secretary-General António Guterres, chronicles both progress and setbacks – showing that the world has made significant advances but is still drastically off-track to achieve its development goals by 2030.

    Seize the day

    “This report is more than a snapshot of today. It’s also a compass pointing the way to progress. This report shows that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are still within reach, but only if we act – with urgency, unity, and unwavering resolve,” Mr. Guterres said.

    The release of the report coincides with the first day of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development which will convene over the next ten days in New York in the hopes of answering the UN chief’s call to action. 

    ‘A global development emergency’

    In 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda, which outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals – including ending poverty and ensuring that everyone had access to healthcare and quality education.

    The ambitious SDGs were to be achieved by prioritising future generations through sustainable and climate-friendly initiatives.

    “The 2030 Agenda represents our collective recognition that our destinies are intertwined and that sustainable development is not a zero-sum game but a shared endeavour that benefits us all,” said Li Junhua, UN Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

    Ten years after this commitment, the agenda is facing increasingly strong headwinds, including a $4 trillion funding shortfall for the developing world and increasing geopolitical tensions which are undermining multilateralism.

    “The problem is that the Sustainable Development Goals do not include the instruments that would be necessary to make them happen,” Mr. Guterres said.

    In light of these challenges, only 18 per cent of the SDGs are on track to be met by 2030. Around 17 per cent are experiencing moderate progress. But over half of the goals are moving too slowly – and 18 per cent of the goals have gone backwards.

    “We are in a global development emergency, an emergency measured in the over 800 billion people still living in extreme poverty, in intensifying climate impacts and in the relentless debt service,” the Secretary-General said.

    Real lives transformed – and left behind

    Between 2015 and 2023, maternal death rates and death rates of children under the age of five dropped by approximately 15 per cent. During this same period of time, 54 countries eliminated at least one tropical disease, and 2.2 billion cases of malaria were averted as a result of prevention areas.

    “These victories are not abstract statistics – they represent real lives transformed, families lifted from poverty and communities empowered to build better and more resilient futures,” Mr. Li said.

    However, just as some have had their lives transformed, many people around the world have been left behind.

    One in 10 people still live in abject poverty and one in 11 experience food insecurity. Over 1.1 billion people live in slums or informal settlements without basic services, including access to clean water and sanitation. And in 2024, one person lost their life to conflict every 12 minutes.

    In short, while many lives were transformed in the past ten years, many lives were not – and some were actually worsened or lost.

    “What we have learned since then is that sustainable development is not a destination but rather a journey of innovation, adaptation and commitment to human dignity,” Mr. Li said.

    Data at the heart of development

    Reliable data is what underpins sustainable development, according to the Secretary-General’s report. It is what enables the UN, State governments and civil society leaders to understand what progress has been made and how to target increased investments for areas which require more work.

    When the 2030 Agenda was first adopted in 2015, only a third of the SDGs had sufficient data and over a third lacked internationally agreed upon methodologies. Today, 70 percent of the SDGs are well-monitored and all indicators have internationally established monitoring mechanisms.

    However, the progress made in monitoring development progress is, like all parts of the development agenda, under increasing threat.

    “This report tells the SDG story in numbers, but it is, above all, a call to action,” Mr. Guterres said.

    © UNICEF/Anderson Flores

    A young girl in Guatemala holds herbs from a kitchen garden.

    Multilateralism is non-negotiable

    The Secretary-General said that the SDGs cannot be achieved without significant reforms to the financial architecture, which must begin with an investment in multilateralism.

    “This year’s HLPF is a crucial moment that gives us hope and encourages us to think collectively outside the box,” said Lok Bahadur Thapa, Vice President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the meeting which opened the HLPF.

    This forum is an acknowledgement that the work is not yet done – the goals require more investment and more commitment in the next five years in order to ensure that the world does not leave more people behind.

    “This is not a moment for despair, but for determined action. We have the knowledge, tools, and partnerships to drive transformation. What we need now is urgent multilateralism – a recommitment to shared responsibility and sustained investment,” Mr. Li said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Marking a Milestone: 20th Anniversary of the Amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    Twenty years ago, the adoption of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (A/CPPNM) marked the start of a new era in international efforts to counter the risk of nuclear security threats.

    The Convention and its Amendment are the only internationally legally binding undertakings in the area of physical protection of nuclear material and of nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes. They provide a robust international legal framework as a foundation for effective nuclear security.

    On the occasion of the anniversary, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized in his message that “it is in everyone’s interest that all States join and implement both. We need to do everything possible against current and emerging threats, and we need to lay a solid foundation for the many communities embracing reliable, low carbon nuclear energy in more and more countries.”

    The Amendment came into force in May 2016 and extended the scope of the original treaty to cover physical protection of nuclear facilities and nuclear material used for peaceful purposes in domestic use, storage and transport. It also further criminalizes offences related to illicit trafficking and sabotage of nuclear material or nuclear facilities, and provides for strengthened international cooperation in light of the expanded scope, such as assistance and information sharing in the event of sabotage.

    The first Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials was held at the IAEA’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria from 28 March to 1 April 2022. The second such Conference is scheduled to be held in Vienna in April 2027.

    “As we prepare for the second conference on the Amendment to the CPPNM, the IAEA will continue its support. We will do this through new partnerships with key decision makers and stakeholders, new initiatives and tailored legislative and technical assistance,” Grossi said.

    The CPPNM currently has 165 Parties, of which 138 have also joined the Amendment. Most recently, Mongolia became the latest Party to the Amendment.

    Mongolia’s ratification of the A/CPPNM in April 2025 marked a strategic step in strengthening the national nuclear security framework and legal infrastructure. “This development reaffirms Mongolia’s strong commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology and to preventing nuclear and radiological threats both nationally and regionally. By joining the Amendment, Mongolia has expanded its obligations to protect nuclear material not only during international transport but also in domestic use and at nuclear facilities, in line with international standards,” said Gerelmaa Gombosuren, Acting Head of the Foreign Affairs Division in Mongolia’s Nuclear Energy Commission.

    “The country’s adherence was made possible through close cooperation with the IAEA, whose legal guidance, technical assistance, and capacity-building support have significantly enhanced our institutional preparedness. We remain committed to the universalization and effective implementation of the A/CPPNM and to contributing to global nuclear security efforts,” she added.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s press conference on the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Dear members of the media.

    Today, we launch the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. 

    Under-Secretary-General Li will go through the details. 

    But allow me to kick things off.

    We are now ten years into our collective journey toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    The report is a snapshot of where we stand today.

    Since 2015, millions more people have gained access to electricity, clean cooking, and the internet.

    Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population — a significant increase from just a decade ago.

    Access to education has continued to increase and more girls are staying in school.

    Child marriage is declining.

    Renewable energy capacity is growing, with developing countries leading the way.

    And women’s representation is rising — across governments, businesses and societies.

    These gains show that investments in development and inclusion yield results.
    But let’s be clear: we are not where we need to be.

    Only 35 percent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress.

    Nearly half are moving too slowly.

    And 18 percent are going in reverse.

    We are in a global development emergency.

    An emergency measured in the over 800 million people still living in extreme poverty.

    In intensifying climate impacts.

    And in relentless debt service, draining the resources that countries need to invest in their people.

    We must also recognize the deep linkages between under-development and conflicts.

    That’s why we must keep working for peace in the Middle East.

    We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution.

    We need the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold.

    We need a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions. 

    We need an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan.

    From the DRC to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar, we know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    In the face of these challenges, the report we are launching today points the way to progress.
    Transformational pathways — in food, energy, digital access, education, jobs, and climate — are our roadmap.

    Progress in one area can multiply progress across all of them.

    But we must move faster, and we must move together.

    That means advancing affordable, quality healthcare for all.

    Investing in women and girls as a central driver of progress.

    Focusing on quality education and creating decent jobs and economic opportunities that leave no one behind.

    Closing the digital divide and ensuring that technologies like artificial intelligence are used responsibly and inclusively.

    And it means recognizing a fundamental fact.

    Progress is impossible without unlocking financing at scale.

    The recent Sevilla Commitment reflected a commitment to get the engine of development revving again.

    Through reform of the international financial architecture, real action on debt relief, and tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks so countries can better access capital at scale and at a reasonable cost.

    We have more opportunities to drive these priorities forward — from the High-Level Political Forum, to the Second Food Systems Stocktake Summit, to the World Social Summit, and more.

    We must maximize these moments for real commitments — and real delivery.

    Today’s report shows that the Sustainable Development Goals are still within reach.

    But only if we act — with urgency, unity, and unwavering resolve.

    It’s a pleasure to be with you again and I will give the floor to my dear colleague Li.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 14 July 2025 News release WHO recommends injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) released today new guidelines recommending the use of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) twice a year as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention, in a landmark policy action that could help reshape the global HIV response. The guidelines are being issued at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) on HIV Science, in Kigali, Rwanda.

    LEN, the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP product, offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options. With just two doses per year, LEN is a transformative step forward in protecting people at risk of HIV – particularly those who face challenges with daily adherence, stigma, or access to health care.

    “While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The launch of WHO’s new guidelines, alongside the FDA’s recent approval, marks a critical step forward in expanding access to this powerful tool. WHO is committed to working with countries and partners to ensure this innovation reaches communities as quickly and safely as possible.”

    The new guidelines come at a critical moment as HIV prevention efforts stagnate with 1.3 million new HIV infections occurring in 2024 – with disproportionate impact among key and priority populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, and children and adolescents. WHO’s recommendation on LEN signals a decisive move to expand and diversify HIV prevention, giving people more options to take control over their health with choices that fit their lives.

    Simplified testing: a major barrier removed

    As part of these guidelines, WHO has recommended a public health approach to HIV testing using HIV rapid tests to support delivery of long-acting injectable PrEP, including LEN and cabotegravir (CAB-LA). The simplified testing recommendation removes a major access barrier by eliminating complex, costly procedures and enabling community-based delivery of long-acting PrEP through pharmacies, clinics, and tele-health.

    Next steps: call for implementation

    LEN joins other WHO-recommended PrEP options, including daily oral PrEP, injectable cabotegravir and the dapivirine vaginal ring, as part of a growing arsenal of tools to end the HIV epidemic. While access to LEN outside clinical trials remains limited at the moment, WHO urges governments, donors and global health partners to begin rolling out LEN immediately within national combination HIV prevention programmes – while collecting essential data on uptake, adherence and real-world impact.

    Additional WHO recommendations at IAS 2025

    For the first time, WHO’s treatment guidelines include a clear recommendation for the use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) as an alternative switching option for antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults and adolescents who have achieved full viral suppression on oral ART and do not have active hepatitis B infection. This approach is designed to support people living with HIV facing adherence challenges to oral regimens.

    Updated guidelines on service delivery integration include recommendations to integrate HIV services with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as mental health care for depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorders into HIV services, alongside interventions to support ART adherence. Additionally, new guidelines on management of asymptomatic STIs recommend screening of gonorrhoea and/or chlamydia in key and priority populations.

    For people living with HIV who have mpox and are either ART naive or have experienced prolonged ART interruption, rapid initiation of ART is strongly recommended. Additionally, early HIV testing is advised for individuals presenting with suspected or confirmed mpox infection. WHO’s standard operating procedures further emphasize HIV and syphilis testing for all individuals with suspected or confirmed mpox.

    In response to the broader challenges facing HIV programmes, WHO has also issued new operational guidance on sustaining priority HIV services in a changing funding landscape. The guidance aims to provide a stepwise framework to help countries prioritize services, assess risks, monitor disruptions, and adapt systems to protect health outcomes and preserve progress.

    “We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS as a public health problem,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes and incoming Director of Science, Research, Evidence and Quality for Health. “What we need now is bold implementation of these recommendations, grounded in equity and powered by communities.”

    HIV remains a major global public health issue. By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV with an estimated 65% in the WHO African Region. Approximately 630 000 people died from HIV-related causes globally, and an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV, including 120 000 children. Access to ART continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023.

    At a time of reduced funding for HIV and health, WHO’s new and updated guidelines offer practical, evidence-based strategies to sustain momentum. By expanding prevention and treatment options, simplifying service delivery and promoting integration with broader health services, they support more efficient, equitable, and resilient HIV responses. Now is the moment for bold implementation to ensure these gains translate into real-world impact.
     

    Note to the editor

    WHO at the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science

    The IAS 2025, the13th IAS Conference on HIV Science is being held in Kigali from 13 to 17 July 2025. It is the world’s most influential meeting on HIV research and its applications. This biennial conference presents the critical advances in basic, clinical and operational HIV research that move science into policy and practice. Through its programme, the meeting sets the gold standard of HIV science, featuring highly diverse and cutting-edge research.

    At IAS 2025, WHO will present new normative guidance through key satellite sessions and engage at the highest level to highlight innovations and promote health equity, while sounding the alarm on the risks posed by declining global health funding. Detailed information on WHO at the conference is here. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 14 July 2025 Departmental update WHO issues first-ever guidance to support countries in staying malaria-free

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first global guidance on preventing the re-establishment of malaria ‒ a vital resource for countries that have succeeded in eliminating the disease or are approaching that milestone.

    To date, 47 countries or territories have been officially certified malaria free by WHO. Another 60 appear on a WHO supplementary list of countries where malaria never existed or disappeared without specific measures.

    Historically, most countries that have eliminated malaria have managed to maintain their malaria-free status. Many of these are situated in temperate climatic zones and achieved elimination during the WHO-led Global Malaria Eradication Programme (1955–1969).

    More recently, countries in tropical and subtropical regions have made notable progress, with several achieving elimination certification from WHO. The latest example is Suriname, which was officially certified malaria-free in June 2025.

    Despite these successes, malaria remains endemic in 83 countries and territories. The movement of people from endemic to malaria-free areas continues to pose a threat ‒ particularly if conditions allow for local transmission to resume. Preventing the re-establishment of malaria is critical to safeguarding progress.

    “Achieving malaria elimination is a tremendous accomplishment ‒ but the journey doesn’t end there. Countries must remain vigilant to keep malaria at bay,” said Dr Daniel Ngamije, Director a.i. of the Malaria & Neglected Tropical Diseases Department at WHO. “This new guidance offers the practical tools and strategies countries need to protect their hard-won gains and prevent malaria from returning.”

    While relevant to all malaria-free countries, the guidance is targeted to those in tropical and subtropical zones ‒ where the risk of re-establishment is highest.

    With increasing travel, migration, and climate variability, the challenges to sustaining malaria elimination are likely to grow. WHO’s new guidance provides a timely and essential tool for national malaria programmes as they navigate this evolving landscape.

    The guidance was launched today at a regional meeting for Middle East and North African countries on the prevention of re-establishment of local transmission of malaria.

    Malaria elimination is defined as the interruption of local transmission (reduction to zero incidence of indigenous cases) of a specified malaria parasite in a defined geographical area as a result of deliberate activities. Continued measures to prevent re-establishment of transmission are required.

    Re-establishment of malaria transmission is the occurrence of indigenous malaria cases (cases of second-generation local transmission) in a country or area where the disease had previously been eliminated. WHO’s operational definition of re-establishment of malaria transmission is the occurrence of at least 3 indigenous cases of the same species in the same focus for 3 consecutive years. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: UNICEF mourns seven children killed queuing for water

    Source: United Nations 2

    The incident occurred in central Gaza on Sunday, according to media reports, which said that four other people also lost their lives due to the Israeli airstrike. 

    The Israeli military said it had been targeting a terrorist but a “technical error” saw the munition stray off course.

    Uphold protection of children

    UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell noted that the incident came just days after several women and children were killed while lining up for nutritional supplies.

    “The Israeli authorities must urgently review the rules of engagement and ensure full compliance with international humanitarian law, notably the protection of civilians, including children,” she wrote in a statement posted on X.

    The UN has repeatedly deplored the killing of Palestinians seeking food aid amid the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where food security experts have warned that the entire population is not getting enough to eat.

    Stockpiles of food available

    Meanwhile, “truckloads of food and medical supplies are waiting in warehouses” just outside the enclave, UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA said in a tweet.

    It included a quote from one of its health workers who said that “in the past, I only saw such cases of malnutrition in textbooks and documentaries.  Today, I am treating them face to face in the health centre.”

    UNRWA appealed for starvation of civilians to stop and for the siege to be lifted.  

    “Let the UN, including UNRWA, do its lifesaving work,” the tweet said.

    West Bank annexation ‘well underway’

    Separately, UNRWA also highlighted the situation of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank against the backdrop of the war in Gaza.

    Agency chief Philippe Lazzarini told an international conference in Switzerland on Monday that “annexation is well underway.”

    UNRWA said “this is not just destruction: it is part of systematic forced displacement, a violation of international law, and a form of collective punishment.”

    In January, Israeli forces launched operations in Tulkarm and Jenin in the West Bank, which UNRWA has previously said are the most extensive in two decades.

    Humanitarians reported last week that the operations are causing massive destruction and displacement while attacks by Israeli settlers have intensified.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the conclusion of the Open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General welcomes the consensus adoption of the final report of the Open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) 2021-2025, marking the conclusion of four years of steady efforts to safeguard the peace and security of the ICT domain.
     
    The Secretary-General expresses his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Burhan Gafoor (Singapore), Chair of the Open-ended working group, for his tireless efforts and leadership.
     
    He congratulates the Open-ended working group on its many concrete achievements, which demonstrate that even in the most challenging international security environment, collective action is still possible.
     
    He welcomes, in particular, the agreement to establish a new ‘Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible State behaviour in the use of ICTs.’
     
    The Secretary-General now calls upon all States to work together through the Global Mechanism to tackle digital risks and ensure these technologies are leveraged for good.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN rights body rules Guatemala failed displaced Mayan Peoples

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    The landmark decision, announced on Thursday, also considered the harm caused to succeeding generations.

    “Forced displacement is permanent in nature until the victims benefit from a safe and dignified return to their place of habitual residence or are voluntarily resettled elsewhere,” said Committee member Hélène Tigroudja.

    Conflict, displacement and violations

    The Committee found that the 269 members of the K’iche’, Ixil and Kaqchikel Mayan Indigenous Peoples were violently uprooted from their traditional lands and forced to seek refuge in the capital, Guatemala City, in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

    They were forcibly displaced during “scorched earth” operations amid internal armed conflict in the 1980s.

    Mayan leaders approached the Committee in 2021, claiming their rights under the UN treaty were violated.

    Although they had reached a settlement with the Government and agreed on several reparation measures under the 2011 National Compensation Programme – which foresaw, in particular, the resettlement and construction of alternative housing – it was never implemented.

    ‘Stripped of cultural identity’

    The UN Committee’s decision noted that while in the capital city, Mayans were also forced to conceal and ultimately change their identities, representing another violation.

    “The uprooting of the victims from their natural environment and lands had a deep, devastating, and lasting impact as they were irremediably stripped of their cultural identity,” Ms. Tigroudja said. 

    “They had to abandon their cultural practices, stop wearing their traditional clothing and stop speaking their language, which also constitutes an irreparable loss for their children and grandchildren,” she added.

    Transgenerational trauma

    In a new approach, the Committee considered that the State violated not only the rights of those who were forcibly displaced but also the rights of third-generation children born in displacement, thus transmitting the trauma of being uprooted. 

    “Indigenous Peoples’ rights are, by definition, intergenerational.  Transmission is a key condition for the continuity of Indigenous Peoples’ existence and cultures,” Ms. Tigroudja said.

    The Committee also highlighted that the forced displacement and accompanying violence resulted in the victims having to leave behind the buried bodies of their relatives. 

    Burial rites disrupted

    Moreover, they were unable to perform funeral rituals for family members who died or were executed or forcibly disappeared during the conflict, in violation of their right not to be subjected to torture and inhumane treatment. 

    “In Mayan culture, not performing funeral rites is considered a moral transgression which can lead to spiritually caused illnesses that can manifest as physical diseases and can affect the entire lineage,” Ms. Tigroudja explained. 

    “These are not only performative ceremonies and rituals but an integral part of the physical, moral and spiritual integrity of members of the communities as well as of the communities as a whole,” she added.

    Action by authorities

    The Committee requested Guatemala to search for and hand over the remains of the disappeared family members so that funeral rituals can be carried out in accordance with cultural requirements. 

    The Government is also urged to undertake other measures, including providing victims, their children and grandchildren with the necessary medical, psychological and/or psychiatric treatment; and publicly acknowledging responsibility.

    About the Committee

    The Human Rights Committee comprises 18 independent experts who monitor implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

    More than 170 States are party to the UN treaty. Committee members are elected by States parties and serve in their personal capacity. They are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: High-level Forum Kicks Off with Focus on Status of Sustainable Development in Health, Gender, Economy, Ocean, Partnerships

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    High-Level Political Forum,

    1st & 2nd Meetings (AM & PM)

    ECOSOC/7210

    The high-level political forum on sustainable development kicks off today and runs through 23 July, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.

    The 2025 forum’s theme is “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”, with a focus on reviewing: Goal 3 on good health and well-being; Goal 5 on gender equality; Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth; Goal 14 on life below water; and Goal 17 on partnerships for the goals.

    The forum serves as the United Nations central platform for assessing, steering, and strengthening the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Goals.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Joint statement by OCHA, UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, UNRWA, WFP and WHO on fuel shortage in Gaza

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    New York/ Geneva/ Rome/ Gaza, July 12, 2025 – The United Nations warns that the fuel shortage in Gaza has reached critical levels.  

    Fuel is the backbone of survival in Gaza. It powers hospitals, water systems, sanitation networks, ambulances, and every aspect of humanitarian operations. Fuel supplies are needed to move the fleet used for transporting essential goods across the Strip and to operate a network of bakeries producing fresh bread for the affected population. Without fuel, these lifelines will vanish for 2.1 million people.  

    After almost two years of war, people in Gaza are facing extreme hardships, including widespread food insecurity. When fuel runs out, it places an unbearable new burden on a population teetering on the edge of starvation.  

    Without adequate fuel, UN agencies responding to this crisis will likely be forced to stop their operations entirely, directly impacting all essential services in Gaza. This means no health services, no clean water, and no capacity to deliver aid.  

    Without adequate fuel, Gaza faces a collapse of humanitarian efforts. Hospitals are already going dark, maternity, neonatal and intensive care units are failing, and ambulances can no longer move. Roads and transport will remain blocked, trapping those in need. Telecommunications will shut down, crippling lifesaving coordination and cutting families off from critical information, and from one another.  

    Without fuel, bakeries and community kitchens cannot operate. Water production and sanitation systems will shut down, leaving families without safe drinking water, while solid waste and sewage pile up in the streets. These conditions expose families to deadly disease outbreaks and push Gaza’s most vulnerable even closer to death.  

    For the first time in 130 days, a small amount of fuel entered Gaza this week. This is a welcome development, but it is a small fraction of what is needed each day to keep daily life and critical aid operations running. 

    The United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners cannot overstate the urgency of this moment: fuel must be allowed into Gaza in sufficient quantities and consistently to sustain life-saving operations. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Takes Up Renewal of Haiti Mission

    Source: United Nations 4

    5596th Meeting (AM)

    The Security Council will vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) for another six and a half months, until 31 January 2026.  The text is authored by Panama and the United States, the co-penholders on Haiti.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Votes on Renewal of Yemen Mission

    Source: United Nations 4

    9957th Meeting (AM)

    The Security Council will vote on a draft resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) for another six and a half months, until 28 January 2026. The text is authored by the United Kingdom, the penholder on Yemen.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WHO urges roll-out of first long-acting HIV prevention jab

    Source: United Nations 2

    Injectable lenacapavir – LEN, for short – is a highly effective, long-acting antiretroviral alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

    “While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

    Test kit advantage

    WHO’s support for the injectable drug is significant because HIV prevention efforts are stagnating around the world.

    To make it easier for people to receive the injection close to home, the UN agency also recommends the use of rapid testing kits for the disease, as opposed to “complex, costly procedures”.

    According to the agency, 1.3 million people contracted HIV in 2024; people most impacted were sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, and children and teens.

    “WHO is committed to working with countries and partners to ensure this innovation reaches communities as quickly and safely as possible,” insisted Tedros, in comments during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) on HIV Science, in Kigali, Rwanda.

    The recommendation for LEN is also in line with the US health authorities which approved it in June.

    Call for implementation

    Although access to the LEN injection remains limited outside clinical trials today, WHO urged governments, donors and partners to incorporate LEN “immediately” within national combination HIV-prevention programmes.

    Other WHO-supported HIV-prevention options include daily oral tablets, injectable cabotegravir – which is injected once every two months – and the dapivirine vaginal ring, as part of a growing number of tools to end the HIV epidemic.

    Funding dilemma

    Amid massive funding cuts to the global effort to end HIV-AIDS – including the leading US Government programme launched in 2003, PEPFAR, focusing on combating the disease in Africa – WHO also issued new operational guidance on how to sustain priority HIV services.

    “We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS…what we need now is bold implementation of these recommendations, grounded in equity and powered by communities,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes and incoming Director of Science, Research, Evidence and Quality for Health.

    HIV remains a major global public health issue.

    By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV with an estimated 65 per cent in Africa. Approximately 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes globally, and an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV, including 120,000 children.

    More positively, access to HIV drugs continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million a year earlier. Without anti-retroviral medication, the HIV virus attacks the body’s immune system, leading ultimately to the onset of AIDS.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Data for Climate Action: Expert Forum for Climate Change-Related Statistics

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    01 September (9:00) – 03 September (12:30) 2025

    Palais des Nations, Building E, Room XXIII, Geneva Switzerland

    Information note, programme and templates

    Session I: Setting the Scene

    Session II: Climate Change Adaptation-Related Statistics

    Session III: Biennial Transparency Reports

    Session IV: Meeting data user needs

    Session V: Climate and Health Statistics

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Building urban resilience in Capricorn District Municipality, South Africa

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Stakeholders engage in hands-on exercises using the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities to assess resilience levels and identify priority actions.

    From 17 to 19 June 2025, Capricorn District Municipality in South Africa hosted a three-day workshop on Urban Risk-Informed Development Planning and Making Cities Resilient 2030. The training was jointly organized by the municipality, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Africa, under the GIZ Resilience Initiative Africa project. 

    Located in Limpopo Province, Capricorn faces multiple hazards such as floods, drought, wildfires, and heatwaves. This makes resilience planning not just relevant but critical. Through participatory exercises, government officials and local stakeholders worked to build their capacities and identify priority actions for disaster risk reduction (DRR). 

    Stakeholders were introduced to DRR frameworks to guide their understanding and action planning. This included a comprehensive orientation on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which emphasizes the need for a multi-hazard, multi-sectoral approach to managing disaster risk, and the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, particularly its Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient. These frameworks served as the conceptual backbone for local resilience planning. 

    Participants were guided through the practical application of the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities, a diagnostic tool designed to measure urban resilience across critical sectors. Stakeholders collectively reviewed Capricorn District’s resilience performance, identifying strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. The assessment provided a baseline to inform strategic planning, resource prioritization, and future investments in resilience-building across the district.

    ” Resilience is not optional; it is essential. Through honest reflection and active collaboration, we can build inclusive, adaptive communities aligned with the Sendai Framework and the SDGs,” said Councillor Pemme Jossuf. 

    Stakeholders of the Urban Risk-Informed Development Planning workshop in Capricorn District Municipality

    The assessment revealed that while foundational systems for disaster resilience are in place, several critical gaps still need to be addressed. These include the need for better integration of DRR in spatial planning, stronger financial mechanisms for resilience, safeguarding of natural ecosystem and the need for more inclusive engagement with at risk communities. 

    “Seeing our real scores motivates us to prioritize actions where they matter most. This is exactly the kind of systemic, practical work that sets a foundation for long-term resilience across the SADC region” shared Mr. Mpheehe Machaba, the executive manager for community services, Capricorn District Municipality. 

    The workshop emphasized the importance of inclusive risk-informed planning, integration of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in performance management, and the use of local knowledge to protect at risk communities. Special focus was placed on aligning local strategies with national policies and international frameworks like the Sendai Framework, SDG 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13- Climate Action, and South Africa’s DRM legislation. 

    “The Scorecard isn’t just a technical tool but a means through which cities understand where they are, where they need to go, and how to get there, ” said Carolyne Mengich, the associate programme management officer at UNDRR. 

    Breakout sessions encouraged collaborative reflection on risks, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for integrating resilience into development planning.

    The final day of the workshop was dedicated to the co-creation of draft DRR Action Plans specifically tailored to the local context, risks, and institutional capacities of the Capricorn District. Building on the insights from the Scorecard assessment, participants identified priority actions across multiple sectors including coordination, infrastructure, social services, and information management and communication. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that the action plans were realistic, inclusive, and locally owned. There was broad consensus that effective implementation will require a phased approach, beginning with quick wins and capacity-building measures, followed by more resource-intensive structural interventions. Participants also recognized that sustained progress hinges on strong multi-stakeholder coordination, inclusive of government departments, local municipalities, civil society, the private sector, and technical partners. The Capricorn experience underscores how locally driven, globally informed resilience building can guide municipalities in South Africa and beyond.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Building inclusive early warning systems in Seychelles: a national step forward

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    A major stride was taken towards achieving the goals of the global “Early Warnings for All” initiative, when Seychelles hosted a national workshop to validate its framework for strengthening risk knowledge and Early Warning Systems (EWS). Amid rising climate threats, the three-day event emphasized inclusive disaster preparedness that would ensure that gender, disability, and other vulnerable groups are not overlooked. 

    Supported by UNDRR and the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative, the workshop brought together government agencies, and civil society to review gaps in the production, access, and use of risk information. Participants validated a draft “Framework and Capacity Building Plan” under Pillar 1: Disaster Risk Knowledge of Seychelles’ National EWS Roadmap, focused on improving understanding of hazards, vulnerabilities, and responsive action. 

    Speakers stressed the importance of accessible, disaggregated data. Marwess Gabriel, Public Relations Officer of the Seychelles Land Transport Agency, highlighted the need for reliable information to support response efforts, while Daniel Cetoupe, Chief Risk Management Officer of the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) underlined the workshop’s goal; identifying gaps to build national resilience. 

    Tsitsi Magadza, Programme Management Officer of UNDRR reinforced that inclusive data drives inclusive decisions:

     “Collecting gender-based and disability-inclusive risk information allows us to make decisions that support at risk groups.”

    A key outcome was the rollout of the Inclusive Early Warning Systems Checklist, a tool to ensure gender and disability inclusion across all EWS pillars. Its application revealed progress in preparedness and response, but gaps in risk knowledge, particularly in involving at-risk groups in data collection remain. 

    Christine Winslow, founder of Ramp Up Rise Up, reflected on the need for training and inclusion of organizations for persons (OPDs) with disabilities in DRR: 

    “There’s a lot of training for me and other disability NGOs to do.” 

    Her reflection pointed to the importance of empowering OPDs with the tools and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to early warning and disaster risk reduction systems. 

    The workshop concluded with a commitment to national capacity building, improved data systems, inclusive communication strategies, and stronger cross-sector collaboration. It marked a crucial step forward in making sure that, in terms of DRR, no one is left behind.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Dar es Salaam City Council moves to strengthen local capacities for disaster preparedness and risk-informed development

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    In a pivotal step toward fortifying urban resilience in East Africa, Dar es Salaam City Council, in collaboration with United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the GIZ Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA), convened a workshop to strengthen local capacity for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaption. Held at the historic Karimjee Hall, this three-day event,  held from June 17th to 19th, 2025, brought together 25 stakeholders, including local government officials, development partners, civil society representatives, academia and the private sector.

    The workshop successfully  elevated  the role of local governance in advancing risk-informed development and climate adaptation  strategies. The efforts align with key global and regional frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The initiative also aligns with the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) Initiative, which supports cities to strengthen their resilience to climate and disaster risks.

    Addressing urban vulnerability in a rapidly changing climate

    With more than half of the global population now residing in urban areas—a figure expected to surpass 60% by 2030—rapid urbanization, climate variability, poverty, and insufficient planning have significantly heightened cities’ vulnerability to disasters. Dar es Salaam, specifically, is projected to grow into a mega city of more than 10 million people by 2030, intensifying challenges related to increased frequencies of floods and droughts, sea level rise and salinity affecting groundwater.

    In his opening remarks, Mr. Amani Kavishe, Natural Resource Officer, Dar es Salaam City Council, underscored the urgent need for cities to adopt integrated approaches that not only address immediate hazards but also build long-term adaptive capacities. 

    “Building a resilient Dar es Salaam starts with how we plan and build today. If we do not integrate resilience into our infrastructure and policies now, we will continue to rebuild after every flood” said Mr. Kavishe. ‘”his workshop is a step forward towards smarter, safer urban development.”

    Building local capacity with practical tools and preliminary assessment

    A central component of the workshop involved extensive training on the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities, a diagnostic tool that helps local authorities assess their resilience using  the Ten Essentials of the MCR2030 initiative – which outline the steps that need to be taken to build urban resilience. As a co-organizer and a key facilitator, UNDRR provided essential technical capacity for the workshop.

    Participants actively applied the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities, with technical guidance provided by experts from UNDRR and GIZ. Through this practical exercise, they conducted a preliminary assessment of Dar es Salaam City Council’s current resilience status. The assessment process enabled participants to identify key strengths, critical gaps, and opportunities for improvement in the city’s disaster risk reduction efforts.

    The workshop primarily focused on training participants on the use of the Scorecard and understanding its implications, laying groundwork for future strategy development.

    A platform for knowledge exchange and commitment

    The event served as more than a training; it was a forum for collaboration and exchange. Participants shared experiences, challenges, and innovations from their respective institutions, contributing to a rich dialogue on context-specific resilience building. The Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA) project, a partnership implemented by GIZ, in collaboration with UNDRR Regional Office for Africa, the African Union Commission (AUC), the SADC Secretariat, Slum Dwellers International and Africa Adaptation Initiative, reiterated its commitment to supporting inclusive and gender-responsive urban development that leaves no one behind.

    Feedback from participants underscored the workshop’s impact. ‘”The workshop was highly informative, equipping us with crucial knowledge on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and practical strategies for implementing it in our community to enhance city resilience’”Carlos Mdemu from Mazingira Konekti (CSO).

    In closing, the UNDRR representative underscored the importance of sustaining momentum beyond the workshop. Participants were encouraged to leverage the tools, partnerships, and knowledge gained to formulate actionable DRR strategies, and to utilize platforms such as the MCR2030 dashboard, which offers guidance, tools, and monitoring capabilities to help cities assess resilience, track progress, and connect with partners for, continued support and collaboration.

    As cities like Dar es Salaam continue to grow, the imperative to integrate resilience thinking into all facets of planning has never been more urgent. Through strengthened institutional capacities and cross-sectoral cooperation, the workshop marks a significant milestone toward a safer, more resilient urban future for Tanzania and Africa.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: From Challenge to Change — Implementing Gender Action Plans in Practice

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Across governments, institutions, and organizations, gender action plans (GAPs) have become essential tools for advancing gender equality. Yet, moving from policy documents to real-world impact remains a complex task. How can implementers bridge the gap between identifying gender-related challenges and taking concrete, effective action?

    This webinar brings together representatives from national agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations that have developed and begun to implement their gender action plans. Our focus is not on the abstract or aspirational, but on the how: How were challenges identified? How were these transformed into actionable commitments in a GAP? And how have these commitments been — or are being — implemented on the ground?

    Through case-based presentations and guided discussion, participants will gain insights into:

    • The specific gender-related challenges that organizations sought to address;
    • How these challenges were translated into clear, actionable items in a GAP;
    • The strategies and tools used to implement these actions — including successes, setbacks, and lessons learned.

    Designed for implementers at the national level — particularly in government agencies and public institutions — this webinar will offer real-world examples, practical reflections, and candid insights from those working to turn plans into progress. Whether you are at the start of your gender mainstreaming journey or seeking to refine and operationalize your existing plan, this event will provide inspiration and guidance from peers who are confronting similar questions.

    This event will also mark the launch of the UNECE Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6) publication, Gender Action Plan Blueprint: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Standards, Regulation and Public Service. The Blueprint offers a practical roadmap for integrating gender considerations into quality infrastructure and public sector institutions. Structured around a modular, customizable model, it provides actionable guidance for organizations seeking to align their gender equality efforts with national priorities and international frameworks.

    Join us for an engaging session that connects vision with action — and action with impact.

    Welcome

    • Lance Thompson, Head Regulatory Cooperation Unit (and moderator of the event)
    • Michelle Parkouda, Chair Team of Specialists on Gender-Responsive Standards

    National implementations from challenge to change

    • Canada: Michelle Parkouda, “Building gender expertise into the standardization system”
    • Rwanda: Elsa Ndibwami Tunga, “Implementing women’s empowerment in standards, certification, metrology, quality and testing services”
    • Great Britain: Stephanie Eynon, “Women inclusion in standards development”
    • Ecuador: Carla Gordon, “Code of conduct for participation in technical standardization committees, including gender equality”
    • (potentially two other examples, to be confirmed)

    Closing remarks

    • International Organization for Standardization
    • Michelle Parkouda, Chair Team of Specialists on Gender-Responsive Standards

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN-backed labour standards at risk as tariff uncertainty grows

    Source: United Nations 2

    Threatened or actual tariff increases are largely focused on taxing imports into the United States and will make the products made by factories outside the country more expensive – a situation which may drive down demand.

    The ILO’s Better Work programme, a partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has supported garment factories, many of which export their products to the United States.

    The ILO’s Sara Park explained to UN News what could happen next.

    Sara Park: Better Work currently operates in the garment, textile and footwear sector in 13 countries around the world.

    It was set up 24 years ago in Cambodia to monitor the working conditions in garment factories and since then has focused on improvement and capacity building of factories and our constituencies in the sector, for example occupational safety and health.

    There are other elements that support the sector to promote social dialogue, safe and decent work which includes fair wages and working hours. The programme has also helped build productivity in those sectors.

    UN News: How is the ILO involved?

    Sara Park: The ILO is a tripartite organization, so we work with governments, employers, the unions who represent workers, usually Ministries of Labour, but also with ministries of trade or commerce because the programme focuses on exports.

    © Better Work/Aron Simeneh

    A worker at a factory in Ethiopia carries out an inspection on fire safety equipment.

    But what maybe makes us different from other projects is that we have a very close collaboration with major brands from the US, UK, Europe and Japan to promote responsible business practices.

    UN News: How successful has this programme been?

    Sara Park: Our studies show that at the factory level we’ve made significant impact, for example by increasing wages and supporting gender-equality related issues, women’s empowerment and women getting more supervisory roles.

    Over the quarter of a century of its existence, Better Work has lifted millions of people out of poverty and reduced the environmental impact of the apparel sector by creating decent work in sustainable enterprises.

    It’s still hard for unions as freedom of association remains a big challenge.

    © ILO/Aaron Santos

    A woman works at a Better Work-affiliated factory in Viet Nam.

    If you’re trying to develop a whole industry and make it competitive, it takes years if not decades; however, we have seen improvements in the factories where we work.

    Better Work-enrolled factories have also reported an increase in orders from buyers.

    UN News: So, this is good for business as well?

    Sara Park: This is good for business, and productivity in individual factories. Governments also tell us that the programme supports confidence and thus growth of the industry as a whole in participating countries.

    © Better Work/Marcel Crozet

    Garment employees work on a production line of an exporting clothing plant in Jordan.

    UN News: How has Better Work been affected by recent global changes in development funding?

    Sara Park: As we know from recent developments, the US Government has cut funding and that has affected our programmes in Haiti and Jordan, which were almost fully funded by the US. The other countries have not been affected, as we are lucky to have very diverse funding.

    UN News: Why is the ILO’s ongoing support needed once the relationship between factory and the buyer is set up?

    Sara Park: The buyers, which are often well-known companies, require a sustainable way of monitoring working conditions to ensure they are in compliance with international labour standards; this is important to eliminate risk from the buyers’ perspective.

    The Better Work programme supports improvements in factories, by conducting assessments, advisory and learning sessions and helps all parties to better understand compliance with the standards. It also works with governments, workers and employers to build capacity.

    © Better Work/Feri Latief

    Workers take their lunch break at a garment factory in Indonesia.

    UN News: Currently there is widespread uncertainty about tariffs, the taxing of imported goods particularly into the United States. How is the garment sector impacted?

    Sara Park: At the moment, we don’t know what the impact will be. Governments are monitoring the situation. Employers and, of course, the unions are worried.

    It is extremely challenging for factories as uncertainty means they cannot plan even for the short term, as they don’t know what orders they will have. They are also concerned about paying workers.

    Better Work-enrolled factories are providing primarily jobs in the formal sector; if they close, then those jobs may move to the informal sector where workers have fewer protections.

    In countries like Jordan for example, migrants make up the majority of the workforce in the garment industry, most of them come from South and Southeast Asia.

    UN News: How is this uncertainty impacting investment in the global garment industry?

    Sara Park: During periods of crisis or uncertainty, investment generally pauses. One concern is that factories stop investing in improving working conditions, which could affect occupational safety and health.

    For example, heat stress is a serious issue. Recently, in Pakistan temperatures reached 50 degrees Celsius so action needs to be taken to protect workers. This may not happen if investment dries up.

    UN News: What would you say to a garment worker who was worried about his or her job?

    Sara Park: We understand this is a worry for many workers. Yet the work of the ILO is continuing to ensure that workers are protected and the ILO remains in those countries and is committed to improving conditions for all workers across different sectors.

    We will continue to promote social dialogue because that’s how improvements can be made at factory, sectoral and national level.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN forum to spotlight health, gender equality, oceans, in critical bid to meet development goals

    Source: United Nations 2

    The 2025 High-Level Political Forum, or HLPF, follows two recent successful UN conferences focused on vital development issues: one in June in Nice, France, dedicated to ocean protection, and another held in Sevilla, Spain, centred on boosting financing for sustainable initiatives.

    The Sevilla meeting ended with a strong call to action: to urgently address the massive $4 trillion annual shortfall in financing needed to achieve the SDGs. It also highlighted the pressing need for greater investment and deep reform of the global financial system.

    Held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the forum will take place from 14 to 23 July at UN Headquarters in New York.

    Here are five key things to know about this year’s forum:

    1. It’s all about accelerating action

    The HLPF is the United Nations’ main platform for tracking global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. It meets each year to review countries’ efforts, share solutions, and push for faster action to meet the 2030 targets

    The 2025 forum is convening under the theme:

    Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals leaving no one behind.

    This reflects a growing sense of urgency. With the 2030 deadline fast approaching, the forum will emphasise practical, data-driven strategies to close implementation gaps– particularly in the face of intersecting global crisis including climate change, inequality, and economic instability.

    © ILO/Fauzan Azhima

    The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are all interconnected, for instance progress on SDG 2 to end hunger is closely tied to advances in health and education.

    2. Five SDGs in the spotlight

    Each year, the HLPF conducts in-depth reviews of selected Goals. In 2025, the focus will be on:

    SDG 3: Good health and well-being

    SDG 5: Gender equality

    SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

    SDG 14: Life below water

    SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

    These Goals span a wide range of issues – from public health and gender equity to economic resilience and marine conservation.

    SDG 17, which is reviewed annually, highlights the importance of revitalising global partnerships and enhancing means of implementation – including financing, which nations committed to just last month in Sevilla.

    © UNICEF/Lasse Bak Mejlvang

    3. Countries will share their progress, voluntarily

    A hallmark of the HLPF is the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) – self-assessments by Member States on their progress toward the SDGs. In 2025, dozens of countries are expected to present their VNRs, offering insights into both achievements and persistent challenges.

    These reviews foster transparency, peer learning, and accountability. They also provide a platform for civil society and other stakeholders to engage directly with governments on development priorities.

    VNR Labs – interactive sessions focused on national reviews – create space for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration

    4. It’s not just governments

    While the HLPF is a UN intergovernmental platform, it brings together a diverse range of voices, including youth groups, local authorities, indigenous peoples, NGOs, academics, the private sector, and UN system agencies.

    A rich programme of side events, exhibitions, and roundtable-discussions. This inclusive approach reflects the spirit of the 2030 Agenda, which recognises sustainable development is a universal, shared endeavour.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    A wide view of the opening of the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), held in the General Assembly Hall.

    5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 The Final Countdown

    With only five years left to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, the 2025 HLPF marks a critical inflection point.

    It is more than a yearly check-in. This year’s session comes at a time when science, solidarity, and urgent action must converge. It will help set the tone for the next Sustainable Development Goals Summit in 2027, where world leaders will take stock of collective progress and determine the final push toward 2030.

    What happens now – at this two-thirds deadline moment – will shape whether the SDGs will realise a global promise or become a missed opportunity.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –