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Category: United Nations

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message on World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    What’s good for land is good for people and economies.

    But humanity is degrading land at an alarming rate, costing the global economy nearly $880 billion every year — far more than the investments needed to tackle the problem.

    Droughts are forcing people from their homes, and inflaming food insecurity – the number of newly displaced people is at its highest level in years.

    Repairing the damage we have done to our land offers huge benefits, including a great return on investment. It can reduce poverty, create jobs, safeguard water supplies, protect food production, and improve land rights and incomes – especially for smallholder farmers and women. 

    The theme of this year’s Desertification and Drought Day – “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities” – is both a statement of fact and a call to action.

    I urge governments, businesses, and communities to answer the call and accelerate action on our shared global commitments on sustainable land use. We must reverse degradation, and boost finance for restoration – including by unlocking private investment. 

    Let’s act now to heal land, seize opportunities, and improve lives. 

    ***

    Ce qui est bon pour les terres est bon pour la population et l’économie.

    Pourtant, la dégradation des terres causée par les activités humaines se poursuit à un rythme alarmant et coûte à l’économie mondiale près de 880 milliards de dollars chaque année, soit bien plus que ce qu’il suffirait d’investir pour remédier au problème.

    Les sécheresses forcent les gens à fuir et aggravent l’insécurité alimentaire ; le nombre de personnes nouvellement déplacées n’a jamais été aussi élevé depuis des années.

    La restauration des terres dégradées offre de nombreux avantages, notamment un excellent retour sur investissement. Elle permet de réduire la pauvreté, de créer des emplois, de préserver les ressources en eau, de protéger la production alimentaire et d’améliorer les droits fonciers et les revenus, en particulier pour les petits exploitants agricoles et les femmes.

    Le thème retenu cette année pour la Journée mondiale de la lutte contre la désertification et la sécheresse, « Restaurer les terres. Saisir les opportunités », est à la fois un constat et un appel à l’action.

    J’exhorte les gouvernements, les entreprises et les populations locales à entendre cet appel et à redoubler d’efforts pour que les engagements mondiaux en faveur d’une utilisation durable des terres soient honorés. Nous devons enrayer la dégradation de l’environnement et accroître les financements en faveur de la restauration des terres, notamment en mobilisant des investissements du secteur privé.

    Agissons sans attendre pour prendre soin des terres, élargir le champ des possibles et améliorer les conditions de vie.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN Peacekeeping Chief Visits Viet Nam: Strengthening Global Peacekeeping through Gender Equality

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    This June, Under-Secretary-General for UN Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix concluded a four-day visit to Viet Nam, reaffirming the UN’s strong partnership with the country and spotlighting Viet Nam’s leadership in promoting women’s participation in peacekeeping. 

    The visit coincided with Viet Nam’s hosting of an international forum on enhancing the participation of female police officers in UN peacekeeping operations, jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam and UN Women. The event brought together over 100 participants from around the world, including high-level national officials, international partners, police peacekeepers, and UN leadership, to identify ways to promote more participation of women in UN peacekeeping.  

    Women peacekeepers in civilian, military, and police roles have been rising steadily over the last several years but remain underrepresented, despite evidence that peacekeeping missions are more successful when women are meaningfully represented, including at the senior leadership level. Member States play a critical role in helping to address these gaps. 

    USG Lacroix thanked the Government of Viet Nam for its longstanding commitment to UN Peacekeeping and for championing the UN’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which calls for increased participation of women at all decision-making levels, protection of women and girls from gender-based violence, and the integration of gender perspectives in peacekeeping and conflict resolution efforts. He noted the timely significance of the forum as the global community marks 25 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, which laid the foundation for the WPS agenda. 

    “Viet Nam is a strong supporter of [the Women Peace and Security Agena]” Mr. Lacroix affirmed. “I look forward to continuing to strengthen our already excellent partnership in training, leadership development, and inclusive work environments.” 

    The forum highlighted Viet Nam’s impressive deployment of female police officers, with women comprising over 30% of its police peacekeepers—exceeding the UN’s minimum target of 20%. Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung underscored the Ministry of Public Security’s proactive policies to empower female officers and integrate gender equality into Viet Nam’s security architecture. 

    Discussions at the event explored global and national experiences, challenges, and policy gaps related to the deployment of women in peace operations, offering actionable recommendations to further elevate their roles and leadership. 

    Advancing the WPS agenda is a critical part of initiatives like Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and its implementation strategy, A4P+, which seek to continually strengthen our operations and ensure we can continue to meet evolving security threats.  

    During his visit, Mr. Lacroix also visited a moving exhibition organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in  Viet Nam and Viet Nam National Mine Action Center, showcasing artwork by children from areas heavily contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war. With nearly 20% of Viet Nam’s territory affected, the USG commended national and international efforts—particularly in Mine Action, advanced technologies, and the training of women deminers—to build safer, more resilient communities. “Support to Mine Action is critical to ensure safer futures for these younger generations,” he said. 

    This year also marks 50 years since the end of the war in Viet Nam. Against this backdrop, Mr. Lacroix’s meetings with Vietnamese officials served as a powerful reminder of the country’s transformation and enduring contributions to international peace and security.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: From Ratification to Action: UNESCO Empowers Nauru’s Heritage Ambitions in the First National Consultation on the World Heritage Convention

    Source: United Nations

    In a landmark move to safeguard its cultural and natural heritage, Nauru held its first national consultation meeting on the World Heritage Convention with the support of UNESCO. A dynamic interactive session on 23 May 2025 brought together national stakeholders and international experts to discuss the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Nauru.

    This milestone meeting follows Nauru’s official ratification of the World Heritage Convention on 22 July 2024, making it the 196th and latest State Party to the most widely endorsed international treaty for heritage protection. The announcement was made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, where Hon. Charmaine Eraidinomo Scotty, Minister for National Heritage, Culture, Tourism and the Naoero Museum, emphasized Nauru’s commitment to safeguarding its unique heritage in the face of climate change.

    Shortly after ratification, Nauru submitted its first International Assistance request, which was approved by the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee in February 2025. This consultation meeting was convened to kickstart the implementation phase of this project.

    More than 20 representatives of different national institutions from Nauru attended the meeting, including Ms Romana Keopke, Secretary for National Heritage; Mr Horasio Cook, Director of Naoero Museum and National Focal Point for the World Heritage Convention; and representatives from Department of Culture, Tourism, Language, and Youth Affairs; the Department of Lands and Survey; the Department of Environment, Management and Agriculture; the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation; the Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority among others.

    With presentations from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the UNESCO Regional Office in the Pacific in Apia, as well as international experts on cultural and natural heritage, the meeting covered the fundamentals of the World Heritage Convention, such as Outstanding Universal Value, conservation responsibilities, and available support mechanisms. A key focus was the discussion on the current situation of heritage issues in Nauru, including the current governing structure, legal framework, as well as the needs and challenges to be addressed through the first International Assistance project.

    This consultation marks a crucial step in Nauru’s journey to identify, document, preserve and promote its cultural and natural heritage for future generations.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Join the 30th Anniversary Celebrations of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds

    Source: United Nations

    On the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), the UNESCO World Heritage Centre joins the international community in celebrating this milestone in global environmental cooperation. For three decades, AEWA has united efforts to protect migratory waterbirds and their habitats across continents, exemplifying the power of collective action in the face of environmental challenges.

    The conservation of migratory waterbirds is deeply linked to the protection of World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves, Ramsar sites, and other key biodiversity areas along flyways. UNESCO reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international cooperation, addressing emerging threats such as avian influenza, and integrating biodiversity into global conservation and sustainable development agendas.

    To mark this important milestone, the AEWA Secretariat has collected and published statements from a wide range of partner organizations on a dedicated anniversary page. Among them, Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, shared a video message expressing support and solidarity with AEWA’s ongoing work and enduring legacy in the conservation of migratory waterbirds.

    © UNESCO / 30 Years of AEWA – Statement by Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Civil Society Organizations Brief the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Situation of Women in Mexico, Thailand, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Poland and Republic of Moldova

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was this afternoon briefed by representatives of civil society organizations on the situation of women’s rights in Mexico, Thailand and Ireland, the reports of which the Committee will review this week, and in Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Poland and the Republic of Moldova, the reports of which had been scheduled for consideration in the cancelled ninety-third pre-sessional Working Group.

    In relation to Mexico, speakers raised concerns regarding disappearances and abductions of women; gender-based violence and its impact on marginalised women; and legislative issues affecting women, including related to abortion, sex work, surrogacy and homicide.

    Non-governmental organizations speaking on Ireland raised topics including the lack of access of marginalised women, including Roma and Traveller women, to State services; the high prevalence of gender-based violence; discrimination against migrant women; and overcrowding in women’s prisons.

    On Thailand, speakers addressed discrimination against marginalised women, including lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women; the negative effects of mining projects on indigenous women and girls; gender-based violence; and discrimination against women and girls with disabilities.

    The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Mexico: Alianza por los derechos de las mujeres y niñas en toda su diversidad; GAMAG & Laboratorio Feminista de Derechos Digitales; Alianza de Mujeres Indígenas de Centroamérica y México, y Mujeres afromexicanas; and Mujeres defensoras y periodistas.

    The Human Rights Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Ireland spoke on the country, as did the National Women’s Council of Ireland; Immigrant Council of Ireland/NASC/Akidwa; Traveler and Roma Coalition; Beyond Surviving; Irish Penal Reform Trust; University of Galway; and Disabled Women Ireland.

    As for Thailand, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand spoke, as did the following non-governmental organizations: Protection International; PPM, Khon Rak Ban Kerd Dan Khun Thot Group; Civil Society Assembly for Peace; Indigenous Women’s Network of Thailand; Young Pride Foundation and Asia Pacific Transgender Network; Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights and World Coalition against the Death Penalty; Shero Thailand; and Association for the Empowerment of Women with Disabilities.

    Speaking on the Republic of Moldova were Amnesty International; Eurasian Harm Reduction Association; and a coalition of women-led organizations including Eurasian Women’s Network on AIDS and NGO Association for Creative Development of Personality.

    Speaking on Kazakhstan was Equality Now; while the Centre for Reproductive Rights spoke on Poland, and Amnesty International spoke on Paraguay.

    There were no speakers present to discuss Angola, Comoros and Guinea-Bissau, the reports of which had also been scheduled for consideration in the cancelled ninety-third pre-sessional Working Group.

    The Committee’s ninety-first session is being held from 16 June to 4 July.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 17 June to consider the tenth periodic report of Mexico (CEDAW/C/MEX/10).

    Opening Remarks by the Committee Chair

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said this meeting was an opportunity for non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions to provide information on the States parties that were being considered this week, as well as on reports that had been scheduled for consideration in the cancelled ninety-third pre-sessional Working Group, namely those of Angola, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Poland and the Republic of Moldova.  She noted that the adoption of a list of issues and questions in relation to the combined third and fourth periodic reports of Syria, also initially scheduled for the pre-sessional Working Group, had been postponed.

    Statements by Non-Governmental Organizations from Mexico, Thailand and Ireland

    Mexico

    Concerning Mexico, speakers, among other things, expressed concern about the growing militarisation of the country, which disproportionately affected indigenous, rural marginalised women, as well as about disappearances of women, which were linked to trafficking in persons and femicide. 

    Speakers also expressed concern about gender-based violence, particularly against Afro-descendant women, human rights defenders, and young people.  More than one million Afro-descendant women were facing violence in Mexico, one speaker said, with some 57 per cent having faced some form of sexual violence.  Persons searching for the disappeared were particularly at risk; at least 16 had been killed, and there was impunity for crimes against human rights defenders. Key support for these people, such as refuge and shelter, had been denied.

    Speakers also raised issues related to Mexican legislation, noting that abortion was still regulated by criminal law; that legislative reforms had been made to criminalise sex work; that surrogacy remained legal in 12 states; and that homicide against trans women was not recognised as trans femicide.

    Speakers called on the Committee to encourage Mexico to recognise women human rights defenders; eliminate the crime of abortion; address trafficking of women; take measures to protect vulnerable women; harmonise legislation on violence against women; introduce regulations on digital violence and measures to combat violence against women in the media; release human rights defenders who had been imprisoned; and strengthen protection systems with a gender-based perspective.

    Ireland

    Those speaking on Ireland said, among other things, that deep and systemic barriers affected the access of marginalised women, including Roma and Traveller women, to childcare, abortion, employment, education, housing and healthcare.  These women needed to be supported by targeted policies.  Minority women were severely underrepresented in politics, continued to be over-represented in the criminal justice system, and faced barriers in accessing child benefits.  The State needed to collect ethnic data to inform support policies for minorities, and there needed to be dedicated funding for policies for women, developed in cooperation with women’s organizations. The bill to amend equality legislation needed to be rejected immediately, as it threatened the rights of marginalised women.

    Ireland lacked targeted measures for women with disabilities, one speaker said.  There was systemic discrimination against women with disabilities in work and healthcare; this needed to be addressed.

    Speakers also expressed concern about the high prevalence of gender-based violence in Ireland. Interventions were needed to strengthen the justice system related to such violence.  Ireland disclosed counselling notes in sexual offence trials; it needed to cease this act of secondary discrimination.  The proposed amendment to the law in this regard would exacerbate harm.

    Speakers said migrant women faced significant discrimination in Ireland, including in employment and education opportunities, medical care and housing.  There was no entitlement to legal aid for migrant women; women asylum seekers could not access the labour market, and migrant women were disproportionately represented in the informal sector.  One speaker noted that 7,000 women in Ireland were affected by female genital mutilation, but there was no State strategy to combat female genital mutilation.  There needed to be a dedicated national action plan to address the phenomenon.

    Overcrowding in Irish prisons was at a crisis point, one speaker said, with the two women’s prisons far over capacity. There was a record number of women with babies in prisons.  The Government had not made efforts to establish an open women’s prison; this needed to be done.  It also needed to guarantee investigations into Magdalene Laundries abuses, undocumented deaths, and forced family separation.  There needed to be a timeframe for the full implementation of the redress scheme.

    Thailand

    Concerning Thailand, speakers said, among other things, that marginalised women, including refugees, trans and gender-diverse women, continued to face discrimination and a lack of access to services.  Some 70 per cent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons had experienced depression.  The Government needed to strengthen the implementation of the gender equality act and address the marginalisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 

    Mining projects were destroying the lifestyles and livelihoods of indigenous women and girls in Thailand and poisoning the State’s rivers.  Royal decrees issued in 2024 severely undermined indigenous women’s rights, limiting land access and traditional farming practices.  The Committee needed to call on the Government to review and amend these decrees, and to protect indigenous women’s rights and the environment.

    Some five per cent of death row inmates in Thailand were women, one speaker said.  The Committee needed to urge the State party to implement a moratorium on the death penalty for non-violent offences.

    Speakers said Thailand needed to urgently reform its laws on gender-based violence to clearly define consent and cases where mediation was appropriate; stop criminalising survivors of gender-based violence; make ending all forms of gender-based violence a national priority; and ensure protection for all survivors.

    More than one million women and girls with disabilities in Thailand remained invisible, one speaker said. They still faced sterilisation, violence and abuse, and police rarely recorded the complaints of women with disabilities.  The Government needed to outlaw forced sterilisation, ensure the representation of women with disabilities in politics and decision-making bodies, and adopt measures to guarantee procedural accommodation for women with disabilities in justice processes.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert called for recommendations of quotas for representation of Thai women in Parliament.

    Another Expert said pre-trial detention was being weaponised in Mexico.  The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus seemed to have led to the deliberate imposition of lengthy pre-trial detention.  Did the non-governmental organizations have a position on this?

    One Committee Expert asked about the familial rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in Ireland.  Was there a norm on shared physical custody?

    A Committee Expert asked about reports of the use of unofficial pre-trial detention in Mexico.

    One Committee Expert asked whether trafficked women were offered exit programmes that promoted social empowerment in Mexico.  How was Ireland implementing the Istanbul Convention, including related to restrictions on abortion?

    Responses by Non-Governmental Organizations

    Mexico

    Responding to questions on Mexico, speakers said that “automatic” pre-trial detention implemented in the State was a violation of liberty that disproportionately affected women.  The number of offences for which automatic pre-trial detention was imposed had been broadened recently.

    The criminalisation of victims of trafficking severely affected women’s rights.  Most victims were young girls.  There was a lack of training for officials charged with identifying and protecting victims.  There was a link to disappearances and abduction of women and girls and trafficking, which had been taken over by organised crime.  There needed to be regulation to address the sexual exploitation of women.

    Ireland

    A speaker said there were huge challenges in accessing child maintenance in Ireland.  There had been no progress in establishing a child maintenance agency. Roma women who did not comply with habitual residency laws had no access to child benefits.

    Only one Traveller woman had been elected to the national parliament.  More needed to be done to increase their representation. 

    There were almost 250 Irish women who travelled to the United Kingdom each year to access abortions.  Irish women still faced significant challenges in accessing abortions.  There needed to be political will to implement the conclusions of the independent review into access to abortion.

    Ireland had a national strategy on preventing gender-based violence and domestic violence, but this strategy did not address female genital mutilation.  A plan needed to be implemented to address this issue.

    Thailand

    Responding to questions on Thailand, a speaker said there was low representation of women from rural and marginalised communities on political bodies.  No females had been elected to parliament.  There was a lack of laws addressing discrimination against women with disabilities.

    Women human rights defenders often faced strategic lawsuits against public participation in Thailand, and the State did not have legislation on hate crimes.  Many human rights defenders faced harassment online and needed protection.

    Statements by Non-Governmental Organizations from Kazakhstan, Republic of Moldova, Poland and Paraguay

     

    Kazakhstan

    On Kazakhstan, speakers expressed concern about laws and practices that failed to sufficiently address gender-based violence and sexual violence.  Rape was only recognised by State legislation when it involved physical force.  There were significant barriers to investigating sexual violence, and as a result, few cases reached the justice system. Women with disabilities often faced sexual violence and discrimination.  Support services for survivors of sexual violence remained inadequate; hotlines for reporting and shelters needed to be strengthened.

    Republic of Moldova

    Speakers said that the Republic of Moldova’s legal system lacked provisions to address all forms of gender-based violence, leading to inconsistent interpretation of the law, which needed to be amended in line with the Istanbul Convention.  There was insufficient protection for victims. Sanctions needed to be issued for perpetrators of domestic violence.

    It was concerning that the provision of abortion services via telemedicine had been banned, one speaker said. This ban was implemented without consultation with civil society or medical professionals.  The Government needed to repeal the ban and ensure access to abortion services for all women.  It also needed to amend legislation to decriminalise sex work and implement measures to protect sex workers from discrimination.

    The Republic of Moldova’s low thresholds for small-scale use of illegal drugs led to the criminalisation of women drug users, perpetuating stigma against such women.  Pregnant women who used drugs were often denied access to healthcare, and social workers often initiated child protection proceedings for the children of women who used drugs.  The Committee needed to ask the Republic of Moldova how it would protect the rights of women drug users.

    Women with HIV faced violence and discrimination every day in the Republic of Moldova, one speaker said. Many such women often did not report abuse for fear of stigmatisation.  The law criminalised HIV infection and prevented women with HIV from breastfeeding.  The Government needed to decriminalise HIV infection and support women with HIV to access shelters, legal support and healthcare, protect their confidentiality, and ensure that their voices were heard.

    Poland

    On Poland, a speaker said that the State’s abortion law prevented women from accessing safe and legal abortions. There was a near-total ban on abortion in place, and women were often compelled to travel abroad for abortive care. Legislative proposals seeking to reintroduce access to legal abortion were pending review, while guidelines on access to legal abortions had been developed but had not been sufficiently distributed.  The Committee needed to ensure that the State party guaranteed the right to abortion and health care for women.

    Paraguay

    On Paraguay, a speaker expressed concern at the high rate of teenage pregnancies and sexual violence against women and girls.  There was an almost total ban on abortion, even in cases where the pregnancy was the result of rape.  There was also a lack of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education in schools. There was a high level of maternal mortality; the State needed to strengthen primary health care.

    Paraguay needed to invest more in public health, the speaker said.  It was one of the most expensive countries in the world to fall sick.  The high cost of healthcare disproportionately affected certain groups, such as those with cancer.  The State party needed to improve the availability of medicines. In April 2025, a bill was brought before the Senate that sought to merge the Ministry of Women into the Ministry of the Family; this bill needed to be rejected.

    Dialogue with the National Human Rights Institutions of Ireland and Thailand

    Statement by the National Human Rights Institution of Ireland

    LIAM HERRICK, Chief Commissioner, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, expressed concern about Ireland’s continuing and outstanding failures to effectively vindicate the rights of women and girls at the national level.  Women and girls in Ireland continued to face discrimination at every stage of life.  The State’s approach to domestic implementation of Convention rights fell far short of what would be expected of a wealthy, democratic nation.

    Ireland faced challenges, including transforming the childcare and care sectors, closing the gender pay and pension gap, supporting more women leaders, and reforming the outdated patriarchal system of the male breadwinner, which held society back.

    Violence against women, including femicide, remained at crisis levels in Ireland.  The State was obliged to do everything in its power to keep women and girls safe in communities and in homes.  The lack of adequate supports and refuge spaces for victims and survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking was a major concern, especially as these were the main cause of homelessness for women and children in Ireland. The State needed to significantly scale up the provision of culturally appropriate, universally designed refuge accommodation units and provide guidance to local authorities on supporting victims and survivors seeking emergency accommodation and social housing.

    Regarding women in politics, progress in Ireland was worryingly slow.  Ireland was currently 99th in the world for women’s representation in national parliaments and 96th in the world for women cabinet ministers.  A third of the 43 parliamentary constituencies had no women as representatives.  Only one woman from an ethnic minority background was elected to Parliament in the recent election.  Robust reforms at local political level, including the introduction of 50 per cent gender quotas, were vital.

    Political leaders had repeatedly apologised for these failures and promised redress for victims and survivors of abuse within Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, schools, residential institutions and to survivors of the practice of symphysiotomy. However, the State continued to fail to adequately implement the 2014 O’Keeffe judgment.  It needed to establish a new comprehensive, fair and non-discriminatory redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse in primary and post-primary schools before 1991/1992.

    Inadequate funding threatened the work of civil society in protecting women’s rights in Ireland.  Civil society organizations needed adequate support. The State also needed to place greater focus on the intersectional nature of issues affecting women and minority groups.  Women’s and girls’ rights were crucial for an integrated, harmonious and thriving society, based on equality and the rule of law.  Never had it been so urgent for Ireland, as a wealthy, leading European Nation, to take decisive action to fulfil its obligations under the Convention.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked how to ensure that all constituencies in Ireland had women representatives.

    Another Committee Expert asked about the representation of women in the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the achievements of women in the State’s foreign and policy affairs. 

    One Committee Expert asked about specific quotas that were needed to promote the representation of Roma, women with disabilities and other marginalised women in public life in Ireland.

    A Committee Expert asked about the threat to the Good Friday Agreement posed by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

    Responses by the National Human Rights Institution

    LIAM HERRICK, Chief Commissioner, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said that all political parties needed to increase their share of women candidates to 50 per cent.  This was particularly important at the local level. 

    A significant number of Irish women held leading positions within the international human rights system. However, there had never been an Irish woman head of Government, and there was a lack of representation of women in senior Government positions.  The national human rights institution had made recommendations for addressing hate speech against minorities, including Roma women.

    Specific provisions were drawn into the United Kingdom’s agreement on withdrawal from the European Union that promoted equivalence with established legal measures such as the Good Friday Agreement.

    Statement by the National Human Rights Institution of Thailand

    PORNPRAPAI GANJANARINTR, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, said the Commission recognised Thailand’s progress in many areas, including the legal reform to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, broadening access to safe abortion services, and the Government’s success in amending laws on gender equality and domestic violence victim protection.

    The current Constitution of Thailand guaranteed gender equality, but challenges still remained. One key concern was the persistence of gender bias, both in societal attitudes toward women, and in how women perceived their own roles.  Moreover, Thailand had yet to enact a comprehensive law to eliminate discrimination, a critical gap in the legal framework.

    Domestic violence was also a serious concern.  Despite the domestic violence victim protection act, women remained unprotected. The law mainly focused on mediation, which could pressure women to return to abusers instead of seeking justice. In the southern region, men-led community mediation could also result in biased outcomes.  Cultural norms, financial dependence, lack of education, and fear of legal consequences made it harder for women, especially vulnerable groups such as illegal migrant women, to leave.  Legal reforms were needed to make domestic violence a non-compoundable offence, extend the statute of limitations, and introduce offenders’ rehabilitation. Policies needed to focus on protecting victims’ rights, safety, and dignity, rather than forcing families to stay together.

    The Criminal Code did not cover new forms of harassment, such as stalking and online grooming.  Current labour laws only protected against harassment from supervisors, not co-workers. The Criminal Code needed to be reformed to include modern forms of harassment, expand workplace protection, and ensure victim-centred investigation.

    Women often faced barriers when seeking justice.  It was crucial to recruit more female inquiry officers as, at present, they accounted for only 6.5 per cent of the total number.  There were reports of unacceptable conduct by law enforcement, including offensive language and insensitive investigations. Gender-sensitivity training for law enforcement officers, private and gender-friendly complaint facilities, as well as accessible procedures for persons with disabilities were essential.

    Sex work was still illegal, leaving sex workers without labour protection or social welfare, and making them targets for abuse, even by authorities.  Some offences had been changed to non-criminal fines, but many officers still made unlawful arrests.  Sex work needed to be decriminalised to protect the rights and dignity of sex workers.

    Although Thailand had made progress in maternal health, many women still had problems accessing reproductive rights.  Safe abortion services were limited due to a lack of providers and poor referral systems. Pregnant inmates faced delays in counselling and abortion referrals.  Moreover, many women were unaware of their rights.  To address this, the Government needed to ensure that every province had at least one facility offering abortion services, and remove barriers beyond those set out by the law.  Public education on abortion rights and support mechanisms needed to also be promoted.

    The Commission was deeply concerned about the continued violence in Thailand’s southern border provinces, which greatly affected women.  Many had lost their partners, suffered emotional and financial hardship, and struggled to access justice or compensation.  Women were often left out of peace talks, and those who spoke up could face threats.  The Government needed to fully support affected women by providing financial aid, counselling, and childcare.  Rules and regulations that excluded families of those accused in security cases needed to be revised.  Women needed to have a real voice in peacebuilding, religious councils, and efforts to stop domestic and gender-based violence.

    Child marriage remained a serious issue in the southern border provinces.  Although the 2018 change to the Nikah regulation was a step forward, it had not been well enforced or updated to match the new law setting the minimum marriage age at 18.  The Commission called for the regulation to be revised to align with the Convention, and for strong action to ensure its implementation.

    Women human rights defenders continued to face serious risks, including harassment, lawsuits, and surveillance.  Some had even been targeted by disinformation and spyware like Pegasus.  There needed to be legal reforms to ban strategic lawsuits against public participation and stronger awareness raising among justice officials and businesses about the harmful impact of these lawsuits. 

    Women in rural areas were hit hard by climate change but were often excluded from decision-making processes.  Current disaster and climate policies lacked a gender perspective.  At the same time, cybercrime severely affected women, who made up 64 per cent of victims from 2022 to 2024, while legal protections remained weak.  The Government needed to include gender perspectives in environmental policy and women’s voices in climate decisions, and strengthen laws to better prevent and respond to cyber violence against women.

    Thailand had made good progress in meeting its commitments under the Convention. However, the Commission encouraged continued efforts to bring about real gender equality through stronger legal alignment, structural reforms, and the removal of remaining biased practices.

    Question by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said Thailand’s legislation on statelessness was not in line with international standards. Were there any initiatives to reform this legislation?

    Responses by the National Human Rights Institution

    PORNPRAPAI GANJANARINTR, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, said the Government had announced that there would be an amendment to the law on statelessness some years ago, but this process was still ongoing. Earlier this year, the Government had worked to identify 100,000 stateless people.  There needed to be further recognition of stateless people in Thailand. The Commission would continue to push for all stateless persons to be supported to obtain all necessary documents.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CEDAW25.012E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Multimedia University – MMU Cyberjaya

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    University Telekom became known as Multimedia University (MMU) when TM, as the parent corporation, was given the enormous task of establishing a new campus in Cyberjaya that would supply the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) with superior quality knowledge workers.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Youth Medical Education and Service (JMEDS) /Juventud Médica de Educación y Servicio (JMEDS)

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    JMEDS’s mission is to provide medical education, emergency response training, and health promotion to underserved and remote communities, with the goal of strengthening their resilience and reducing the impact of disasters.

    To educate: Because JMEDS believes that information saves lives. We organize talks, workshops, and training sessions to empower both communities and our team members with essential health knowledge.

    To serve: Because there are places where medicine doesn’t reach… but JMEDS does. Through medical brigades, prevention campaigns, and direct care in vulnerable communities, we bring health where it’s needed most.

    To inspire: Because every act of solidarity plants a seed. JMEDS aims to inspire other young people to stand up and take part in making a difference.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement by the Secretary-General – on the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    At a time when civilians face heightened risks from widening conflicts, it is imperative that we strengthen the frameworks that protect human life and dignity.  I am gravely concerned by recent announcements and steps taken by several Member States to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. 

    These announcements are particularly troubling, as it risks weakening civilian protection and undermining two decades of a normative framework that has saved countless lives.  I urge all States to adhere to humanitarian disarmament treaties and immediately halt any steps towards their withdrawal.  I also appeal to the 32 States that have yet to join the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention to do so without delay and to fully commit to its objectives.

    To this end, I intend to launch a global campaign to uphold the norms of humanitarian disarmament, accelerate mine action as an enabler of human rights and sustainable development, and drive forward the vision of a mine-free world.  To achieve these aims, over the next six months this campaign will aim to re-energize public support for disarmament and will also facilitate concrete actions by States to uphold humanitarian norms and strengthen mine action. 
     
    The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated.  The protection of innocent lives depends on our collective action and commitment.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message to mark the 100-day Countdown to the International Day of Peace [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    On 21 September, the world unites for the International Day of Peace. This year’s call: “Act Now for a Peaceful World”.

    Peace can’t wait – and it starts with us.

    We all have the power to help silence guns, build bridges and plant the seeds of lasting change.

    As we launch the 100-day countdown to Peace Day, let’s do our part to forge a more peaceful world.

    ***

    Le 21 septembre, le monde s’unit pour célébrer la Journée internationale de la paix. L’appel lancé cette année est : « Agissons maintenant pour l’avènement d’un monde pacifique ».

    La paix n’attend pas – et elle commence avec nous.

    Nous avons toutes et tous le pouvoir de faire taire les armes, de tisser des liens et de semer les graines d’un changement durable.

    À 100 jours de la célébration de la Journée de la paix, agissons pour forger un monde plus pacifique.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Migrants and Diaspora Drive Development Through Remittance Flows

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Geneva, 16 June 2025 – Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, conflict, and rising inequality, one financial flow has remained remarkably steady: the money migrants send home. On the International Day of Family Remittances, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) celebrates the powerful role of migrants and diaspora communities in supporting families and driving development worldwide through remittance flows. 

    “When migrants send money home, they are doing far more than providing for their families,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “They are building stronger communities, boosting local economies, and helping entire regions recover and grow. Remittances support children’s education, allow women to start businesses, and provide a vital cushion in times of crisis. When invested wisely, they are a powerful tool for development that benefits both countries of origin and destination.” 

    In 2024 alone, migrants sent an estimated USD 700 billion to low- and middle-income countries. These transfers now surpass official development assistance and foreign direct investment to those same countries, making remittances one of the most dependable sources of external financing. 

    More than just lifelines, remittances enable families to meet essential needs, from food and housing to education and healthcare. They also help communities recover and rebuild, supporting job creation, small businesses, and economic resilience, especially in areas affected by conflict and displacement. 

    Beyond their impact on families and communities back home, remittances also support host communities by stimulating local economies and strengthening social ties. Migrants provide a vital workforce for host countries, meeting labor gaps, and bolstering economic growth, creating a win-win situation.

    IOM works globally to expand access to financial services, promote safe and regular migration pathways, and support migrants in contributing meaningfully to both their countries of origin and destination. 

    Despite their impact, remittance flows are often hindered by high transfer costs and limited access to financial services. IOM continues to advocate for lower transaction fees, expanded digital and financial tools, safer and regular migration pathways, and greater inclusion of diaspora communities in national development strategies. 

    As the international community prepares for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, IOM calls on governments, financial institutions, and development partners to work together to create a supportive environment for remittances. Unlocking the full potential of these financial flows will help ensure that they contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gender just and disability inclusive climate action

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Time

    10:30-11:15 CEST

    About

    This is a hybrid side event for UNFCCC SB62 in Bonn. The side event will highlight, through lived experiences and contributions and the insights of our panellists, how a gender just, inclusive and climate-resilient world requires designing and implementing accessible solutions to bring transformation for all. It will highlight new and practical guidance and solutions from a disability and gender perspective to demonstrate how to break down barriers to create equitable sustainable change.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Opens Ninety-First Session in Geneva

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this morning opened its ninety-first session, hearing a statement from a representative of the Secretary-General and adopting its agenda and programme of work for the session.  During the session, the Committee will review the reports of Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino and Thailand, and adopt concluding observations on the reports of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, which it reviewed during a technical cooperation session held in Fiji in April.

    Andrea Ori, Chief of the Groups in Focus Section, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said he was pleased to announce the opening of the session, after the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was able to confirm it only last month due to the ongoing liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations.

    Mr. Ori said this year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 of 31 October 2000, a landmark document that recognised the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women and girls and the crucial role of women in conflict prevention, conflict management and sustainable peace efforts.

    Noting with concern that some 120 conflicts were currently affecting civilians and communities worldwide, and that women and girls were primarily targeted by gender-based violence as a tactic of war, Mr. Ori commended the Committee on its work to update general recommendation 30, which provided authoritative guidance to States parties on concrete measures to ensure that women’s rights were protected before, during and after conflict.

    Mr. Ori also announced with regret that the global funding crisis was affecting the Committee’s work directly. Due to the lack of funding, the Office of the High Commissioner was planning and operating under the assumption that no Committee would have a third session.

    He concluded by thanking the Committee for its unwavering commitment and dedication to advancing women’s rights and wished it a successful and productive session.

    Nahla Haidar, Committee Chairperson, said that the Committee was meeting in one of the most challenging times for the multilateral system, amidst devastating conflicts, a weakening of the rule of law, and scarce resources.  Human rights mechanisms needed to be protected more than ever for the benefit of all stakeholders.

    During the meeting, the Chair and Committee Experts discussed the activities they had undertaken since the last session.  Bandana Rana, on behalf of Brenda Akia, Committee Rapporteur and Chairperson of the Pre-Sessional Working Group, and Jelena Pia-Comella, Committee Rapporteur on follow-up to concluding observations, also briefed the Committee on their work.

    The Committee’s ninety-first session is being held from 16 June to 4 July.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage. 

    The Committee will next meet at 3 p.m. this today, Monday, 16 June, with the representatives of national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations of Mexico, Thailand and Ireland, whose reports will be reviewed this week. 

    Opening Statement

    ANDREA ORI, Chief of the Groups in Focus Section, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said he was pleased to announce the opening of the session, after the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was able to confirm it only last month due to the ongoing liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations.  The Committee’s pre-sessional working group, scheduled to be held after this session, and the sessions of both Optional Protocol Working Groups directly preceding this session were cancelled due to lack of funding.

    This year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 of 31 October 2000, a landmark document that recognised the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women and girls and the crucial role of women in conflict prevention, conflict management and sustainable peace efforts, reflecting international human rights norms.

    Some 120 conflicts were affecting civilians and communities worldwide, and women and girls were primarily targeted by gender-based violence, in particular sexual violence, as a tactic of war to humiliate, dominate, instil fear in, and displace communities.  Situations of insecurity, organised violence and armed conflicts exacerbated pre-existing gender inequalities and placed women and girls at an increased risk of gender-based violence.  Mr. Ori commended the Committee on its work to update general recommendation 30 on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations, which provided authoritative guidance to States parties on concrete measures to ensure that women’s rights were protected before, during and after conflict, and highlighted the importance of women’s meaningful participation in conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding.

    Mr. Ori welcomed that the Committee’s Chair would participate in the first panel of the 2025 annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women at the fifty-ninth session of the Human Rights Council, to be held on 24 June 2025 under the theme “Gender-based violence against women and girls in conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings”.  The second panel of the Council’s annual full-day discussion would focus on the theme “Commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy focusing on overcoming barriers to women’s leadership in peace processes”.  

    Mr. Ori said the global funding crisis was affecting the Committee’s work directly.  It was highly likely that, for those treaty bodies with three annual sessions, the Office of the High Commissioner would not be able to secure the funding to hold their third session.  The Office was therefore planning and operating under the assumption that no Committee would have a third session. The Office had received only 73 per cent of its approved regular budget in 2025, and 87 per cent of its approved regular budget in 2024. 

    The United Nations Office at Geneva’s conference services had also adopted cash conservation measures, which would impact the conference support provided to the United Nations human rights treaty bodies, with an overall reduction of 10 per cent.  With further reduction of the allotment, the mandated activities of treaty bodies would be even more affected in 2025 than in 2024. This would impact the treaty bodies’ ability to hold dialogues with States parties and to take decisions on individual communications, resulting in further delays and backlogs, and the Office was obliged to significantly reduce treaty body capacity building activities. 

    All this caused real damage to predictability, which was so important for States, civil society organizations and rights-holders to engage with treaty bodies.  Given the overall reduction in funds and availability of support services, “business as usual” was no longer possible and the treaty bodies needed to plan on “doing less with less”.

    The thirty-seventh annual meeting of Chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies was able to meet in Geneva from 2 to 6 June.  The Chairs dedicated the meeting to the liquidity crisis, which was affecting the very existence of treaty bodies, and to discussing what could be done to increase predictability under the current financial and human constraints. 

    Mr. Ori said he was aware that the Committee had a heavy programme ahead for the next three weeks, including constructive dialogues with eight States parties, the consideration of several individual communications, and the adoption of an addendum to general recommendation 30 on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations.  He concluded by thanking the Committee for its unwavering commitment and dedication to advancing women’s rights and wished it a successful and productive session.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said that more than 123 million people were currently displaced worldwide due to conflict situations, the majority of whom were women and children.  What could be the role of the United Nations in the future if it could not prevent these conflicts?

    Another Committee Expert asked why tens of countries were not providing the funds they had promised to provide. Was the United Nations considering reassessing its priorities to ensure that the Committee could hold three sessions each year?

    A Committee Expert said that the members of the Committee did not take the current situation lightly.  It was a grand shame and a disgust.  How could Member States let this happen?

    A Committee Expert said that reducing the activities of the treaty bodies would further silence them at this important moment.  Human rights systems needed to be reenforced, and this required resourcing.  How could this silencing be prevented?

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said that it was unacceptable that the work of the treaty bodies was becoming less and less visible.  The Committee hoped that something would happen that would allow it to hold its third session in September.

    Responses by the Representative of the Secretary-General

    ANDREA ORI, Chief of the Groups in Focus Section, Human Rights Treaties Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said the Office of the High Commissioner shared the Committee’s concerns. This was a turning point in multilateralism and in international law.  There were more than 120 conflicts in the world, the primary victims of which were women and children.  Authoritarian regimes were taking advantage of and working to weaken the multilateral system.

    Some 40 per cent of the United Nations’ regular budget depended on two States.  If one of those States decided not to pay its dues, that shook the entire Organization.  This was a major factor in the instability of the United Nations system.  The Secretary-General was working to reform the system through the “UN80” initiative, looking for solutions that kept it functioning with limited resources.

    The UN80 initiative was focused on reform.  This was an opportunity to reform the whole system rationally, to allow it to meet the challenges of today.  As part of the initiative, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was merging and regionalising its functions.  The Office was thinking optimistically but planning for the worst. It needed to be proactive rather than reactive and consider alternatives to stabilise the human rights system. The Committee also needed to consider alternative ways of carrying out its activities and reviewing States parties. Together, the Office and the Committee could find solutions for the challenges they faced by taking proactive decisions.

    Statements by Committee Experts

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said that the Committee had taken decisions to increase the production of lists of issues prior to reporting.  The United Nations system needed to not be reactive, and UN80 needed to implement thoughtful rather than patchwork reforms.

    The Committee was meeting in one of the most challenging times for the multilateral system, amidst devastating conflicts, a weakening of the rule of law, and scarce resources.  Human rights mechanisms needed to be protected more than ever for the benefit of all stakeholders.

    Since the last session, the number of States parties that had ratified the Convention had remained at 189.  On 15 May 2025, San Marino accepted the amendment to article 20, paragraph one of the Convention concerning the Committee’s meeting time, bringing the total number of States parties having accepted the amendment to 82.  A total of 126 States parties to the Convention were currently required to accept the amendment for it to enter into force.  The number of States parties that had ratified the Optional Protocol remained at 115, but Estonia was in the process of ratification.

    Ms. Haidar said she was pleased to inform that since the last session, Afghanistan, Australia, Cyprus and Guinea-Bissau had submitted their periodic reports to the Committee.  The interim government of Syria had decided to withdraw the combined third and fourth periodic reports that had been submitted by the previous regime and submit a new report under the traditional reporting procedure.  The total number of States parties that had opted out from the simplified reporting procedure since the 2022 decision to make the simplified reporting procedure the default procedure remained at 13. 

    The Committee adopted its agenda and programme of work for the session, and Ms. Haidar and Committee Experts discussed the activities they had undertaken since the last session. 

    BANDANA RANA, on behalf of BRENDA AKIA, Committee Rapporteur and Chair of the Pre-Sessional Working Group, introduced the report of the pre-sessional Working Group for the ninety-first session, which met from 28 October to 1 November 2024 in Geneva.

    The Working Group prepared lists of issues and questions in relation to the reports of Botswana, Cabo Verde, Czech Republic, El Salvador and Lesotho, in addition to lists of issues and questions prior to the submission of the reports of Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Malta under the simplified reporting procedure.  The pre-sessional Working Group had the reports of these States parties, except for those of Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Malta, to be submitted in response to the respective lists of issues prior to reporting.  It further had before it the general recommendations adopted by the Committee; draft lists of issues and questions and lists of issues prior to reporting prepared by the Secretariat; and other pertinent information, including concluding observations of the Committee and other treaty bodies.  In preparing the lists, the Working Group paid particular attention to the States parties’ follow-up to the concluding observations of the Committee on their previous reports.  The Working Group benefited from written and oral information submitted by entities of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations, as well as by national human rights institutions.  The lists of issues and questions and lists of issues prior to reporting adopted by the Working Group were transmitted to the States parties concerned.

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said that, in light of the backlog of State party reports pending consideration by the Committee accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee had decided to postpone the consideration of the States parties referred to in the report of the pre-sessional Working Group to future sessions, with the exception of Botswana.  The Committee instead decided to, during the present session, consider the reports of Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino and Thailand, and adopt concluding observations on Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, following country exchanges held during the Pacific technical cooperation session in Suva, Fiji from 7 to 11 April 2025.

    JELENA PIA-COMELLA, Committee Rapporteur on follow-up to concluding observations, briefed the Committee on the status of the follow-up reports received in response to the Committee’s concluding observations.  She said that at the end of the Committee’s ninetieth session, follow-up letters outlining the outcomes of assessments of follow-up reports were sent to Belgium, Gambia, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.  Reminders were sent to Honduras, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Ukraine, as their follow-up reports were scheduled for consideration at the ninetieth session but had not been received.  Ukraine’s report had since been received and would be scheduled for assessment by the Committee at its ninety-second session in October 2025.

    For the present session, the Committee would consider follow-up reports from Finland and Georgia, both received on time; Bahrain and Norway, received with a one-month delay; Armenia, with more than two months’ delay; and Mongolia, Namibia and the United Arab Emirates with more than five months’ delay.  Reminders regarding the submission of follow-up reports would be sent to Costa Rica, Hungary and Mauritania.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CEDAW25.011E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Early Warnings for All for Guyana 1st National Consultative Workshop

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    About

    The Government of Guyana, in collaboration with the United Nations and key international partners, will host the First National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4All) from June 24–26, 2025, in Georgetown. This high-level workshop will officially launch the EW4All initiative in Guyana and serve as a platform to take stock of the current status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), identify existing advancements and gaps, and develop a national implementation roadmap.

    Organized by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), with support from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNDRR, WMO, ITU, and IFRC, the workshop will bring together stakeholders to strengthen coordination and advance risk-informed, multi-hazard early warning systems that reach the most at-risk communities with timely, actionable information.

    What to expect?

    A three-day stakeholders’ consultation exercise will be held June 24th – 26th 2025 in Georgetown, Guyana, with the aim to highlight the existing advancements and gaps for an efficient MHEWS in Guyana, while identifying the pertinent activities to be included in a concerted national roadmap or implementation plan that will address closing the identified gaps and advancing MHEWS in the country. 

    Specifically, the first national consultive workshop will:

    • Validate draft reports on the identified gaps for an effective MHEWS;
    • Facilitate the identification of elements not described or identified in the revision of the gap analysis;
    • Take stock of the status of elements relevant to MHEWS in the country;
    • Identify all key actors and stakeholders;
    • Propose and formalize a national coordination mechanism for MHEWS (reengage the existing MHEWS Sub-Committee) that will ensure the implementation of the EW4All and MHEWS actions in the short, medium, and long term;
    • Define the national implementation plan for closing the identified gaps and defining the way forward towards sound, effective and sustainable MHEWS in Guyana.

    🕑 Time: 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM daily (Guyana Time | UTC-4)

    📅 Date: 24-26 June 2025

    📍 Where: Roraima Duke Lodge, Duke Street, Georgetown, Guyana
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Strengthening Business Continuity for MSMEs in Barbados Workshop

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    About

    The Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) will host the Strengthening Business Continuity for MSMEs in Barbados Workshop from June 17-18, 2025, at the United Nations House in Barbados.

    Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Barbados’ economy, but disruptions—whether from natural hazards, cyber threats, or financial instability—can put businesses at risk.

    This two-day workshop will empower MSMEs with strategies to navigate disruptions, improve disaster preparedness, and enhance long-term sustainability. Participants will benefit from practical strategies to strengthen their business continuity plans (BCPs), explore tools for operational stability, and learn how to integrate Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) to better anticipate, prepare for and respond to risks – ultimately helping to build a more resilient future for Barbados’ business community.

    What to expect?

    • Expert-led discussions on risk management & continuity planning
    • Hands-on exercises to develop effective recovery strategies
    • Introduction to Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) and how MSMEs can contribute to and benefit from these systems
    • Networking opportunities with MSMEs and industry professionals

    Date: 17-18 June 2025

    Where: United Nations House, Balmoral Gap, Bridgetown, Barbados
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Making Migrants Count: Experts Convene in Malmö to Close Gaps in Migration Data

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Malmö, Sweden, 16 June 2025 – Migration experts, policymakers, statisticians, and data scientists from around the world are convening in Malmö, Sweden, for the Fourth International Forum on Migration Statistics (IFMS) from 16 to 18 June. 

    The Forum provides a platform to share knowledge, experience, and best practices in improving migration data collection and better assessing its impacts. This year’s focus includes the gender dimensions of migration and leveraging innovative tools such as Big Data and artificial intelligence to track population movement more accurately. 

    “Behind every data point is a human story. Since 2014, over 72,000 migrants have died or gone missing on their journeys – a sobering reminder of the stakes involved,” said IOM Deputy Director General, Ugochi Daniels. “The IFMS plays a crucial role in bringing together global experts to ensure migration policies are grounded in evidence and save lives. As we look ahead, IOM is proud to lead the next edition of the Forum, continuing our shared mission to turn data into action for safer, more humane migration.” 

    Another major focus this year is the implementation of the revised United Nations Recommendations on Statistics of International Migration and Temporary Mobility. For the first time, these recommendations formally recognize a distinction between international migration and temporary mobility within global statistical frameworks, marking a significant milestone in understanding and reporting international migration. Implementation is now critical to ensure they translate into meaningful, comparable, and actionable data across countries. 

    Throughout the three-day Forum, experts from around the world will explore six core themes, ranging from developments in migration forecasting to the integration of data into policy processes. Sessions will also highlight how robust data can support regular migration pathways and dispel myths through fact-based narratives. 

    “This Forum is our direct contribution to Objective 1 of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: to strengthen the global evidence base on international migration by improving the collection, analysis and dissemination of high-quality, comparable migration data,” said Stefano Scarpetta, Director for Employment, Labour, and Social Affairs at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). “These days, more than ever, evidence-based policymaking is indispensable.” 

    “The expertise gathered in this Forum has a crucial role to play in making sure that perceptions about migration are aligned with facts,” said Ms. Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). “We must continue strengthening our evidence-based migration work to document the positive contributions of safe, orderly, and regular migration, while highlighting the risks associated with irregular and unsafe migration.” 

    Coinciding with the International Day of Family Remittances, this year’s Forum is organized by the OECD, in collaboration with IOM and UN DESA, with support from Malmö University and the Government of Sweden. The IFMS 2025 builds on the momentum of previous editions held in Paris (2018), Cairo (2020), and Santiago (2023), and marks a renewed commitment to evidence-based migration policy. 

    Plenary sessions of the Forum will be livestreamed via the event’s website. For the full agenda and registration details, visit: http://www.oecd-events.org/ifms2025 

    For more information, please contact: 

    Secretariat of the IFMS: ifms2025@oecd.org 
    United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA): 
    Helen Rosengren, rosengrenh@un.org 
    IOM Media Centre 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 4th Consultation on the improved modalities for reporting and assessment of forest disturbance/damage in the UNECE region: Frequency of reporting and Thresholds for forest damage/disturbance

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    In response to the request by of the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry (COFFI) and the FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC) to develop the improved modalities for reporting and assessment of forest disturbance/damage in the UNECE region, the UNECE/FAO Team of Specialists (ToS) on Monitoring Sustainable Forest Management has initiated work on this topic.

    A Task Force within the ToS has led the preparatory process, which includes the series of consultations to address key issues such as the purpose of reporting, the types of damage to prioritize, relevant metrics, the distinction between damage and disturbance, cause attribution, event timing, monitoring frequency, thresholds, and the integration of new technologies.

    The 4th consultation builds on the results of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd consultations, which were held on 25 February 2025, 27 March 2025, and 5 May 2025 respectively. It focuses on the following issues:

    • Frequency of forest damage/disturbance reporting, and
    • Thresholds for forest damage/disturbance.

    The 4th meeting will conclude this series of technical consultations on this topic. The results will form the basis of a proposal for improved forest damage and disturbance reporting in the UNECE region. This proposal will be discussed at the next Team of Specialists meeting, which will take place in Siegburg, Germany, from 9 to 11 September 2025 (in person only).

    Contact: Secretariat

    This meeting is exclusively for Team of Specialists and Task Force members. As such, it is closed to the public.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FAO and WFP early warning report reveals worsening hunger in 13 hotspots: five with immediate risk of starvation

    Source: World Food Programme

    WFP/Benjamin Anguandia. WFP delivered emergency food assistance to displaced families in Goma, DRC.

    Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali remain hotspots of highest concern, and Democratic Republic of the Congo has returned as a hunger hotspot to watch

    ROME – A new joint UN report warns that people in five hunger hotspots around the world face extreme hunger and risk of starvation and death in the coming months unless there is urgent humanitarian action and a coordinated international effort to de-escalate conflict, stem displacement, and mount an urgent full-scale aid response.

    The latest Hunger Hotspots report shows that Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali are hotspots of highest concern, with communities already facing famine, at risk of famine or confronted with catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity due to intensifying or persisting conflict, economic shocks, and natural hazards. The devastating crises are being exacerbated by growing access constraints and critical funding shortfalls.

    The semi-annual Hunger Hotspots report is an early-warning and predictive analysis of deteriorating food crises for the next five months. Developed and published with financial support from the European Union through the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), the latest edition projects a serious deterioration of acute food insecurity in 13 countries and territories – the world’s most critical hunger hotspots in the coming months.

    In addition to hotspots of highest concern, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar and Nigeria are now hotspots of very high concern and require urgent attention to save lives and livelihoods. Other hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.

    “This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat – it is a daily emergency for millions,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said. “We must act now, and act together, to save lives and safeguard livelihoods. Protecting people’s farms and animals to ensure they can keep producing food where they are, even in the toughest and harshest conditions, is not just urgent – it is essential.”

    “This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,” said Cindy McCain, World Food Programme Executive Director. “We have the tools and experience to respond, but without funding and access, we cannot save lives. Urgent, sustained investment in food assistance and recovery support is crucial as the window to avert yet more devastating hunger is closing fast.”

    Hotspots of highest concern

    In Sudan, Famine was confirmed in 2024. Conditions are expected to persist due to the continuing conflict and ongoing displacement, particularly in the Greater Kordofan and Greater Darfur regions. Displacement is likely to increase further during the outlook period while humanitarian access remains restricted. The circumstances are driving the country towards the risk of partial economic collapse, with high inflation severely limiting food access.  Around 24.6 million people were projected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity, including 637,000 people facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) through May 2025.

    In Palestine, the likelihood of famine in the Gaza Strip is growing as large-scale military operations hinder the ability to deliver vital food and non-food humanitarian assistance. In addition to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip, high food prices coupled with exhausted livelihoods and a commercial blockade will accelerate an 
    economic collapse. The entire population in Gaza – 2.1 million people – is projected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity, with 470,000 projected to face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) through September 2025.

    South Sudan faces compounding threats from political tensions, the risk of flooding, and economic challenges. Approximately 7.7 million people – or 57 percent of the population – are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) between April and July 2025, with 63,000 people projected to face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) levels of acute food insecurity. An IPC update released after the report’s finalization indicated Risk of Famine in two areas of the country and confirmed the bleak outlook.

    In Haiti, record levels of gang violence and insecurity are displacing communities and crippling aid access. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) already facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) levels of acute food insecurity in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area by June 2025.

    Meanwhile, in Mali, high grain prices and ongoing conflict are eroding the coping capacities of the most vulnerable households, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Around 2 600 people are at risk of Catastrophe (CH Phase 5) from June to August 2025 if assistance is not provided on time.

    Additional hotspots and areas of improvement

    In Myanmar, the impact of the recent major earthquake is likely to worsen the already dire food insecurity situation in the country, driven by escalating conflict, widespread displacement, severe access restrictions and high food prices.

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been reintroduced to the hotspot list due to intensifying conflict.

    In contrast, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the Hunger Hotspots list. In East and Southern Africa, as well as in Niger, better climatic conditions for harvests and fewer weather extremes have eased food security pressures. Lebanon has also been delisted following reduced intensity of military operations. However, FAO and WFP warn that these gains remain fragile and could reverse quickly if shocks re-emerge.

    A call for global solidarity

    In multiple hotspots, aid delivery is significantly hampered by restricted humanitarian access due to insecurity, bureaucratic impediments, or physical isolation. At the same time, critical funding shortfalls are forcing reductions in food rations, limiting the reach of life-saving nutrition and agricultural interventions.

    The Hunger Hotspots report highlights the importance of continued investments in early humanitarian action. Pre-emptive interventions save lives, reduce food gaps, and protect assets and livelihoods at a significantly lower cost than delayed humanitarian action.

    #                #            #

    Download the Hunger Hotspots Report here 
    More information about the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scales
    Broadcast quality footage available here

    Note to Editors
    The Hunger Hotspots report is part of a US and EU funded suite of analytical products produced under the Global Network Against Food Crises, to enhance and coordinate the generation and sharing of evidence-based information and analysis for preventing and addressing food crises.

    This series also includes the recently published 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, which retroactively looks at the levels of acute food insecurity in 2024, in complement to the Hunger Hotspots which is a forward-looking early warning system that provides decision makers with information for planning and resource allocation.

    About FAO

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

    Follow us on X via @wfp_media. 
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 16 June 2025 Departmental update WHO launches Global Research Agenda on Knowledge Translation and Evidence-informed Policy-making

    Source: World Health Organisation

    On 15 May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Research Agenda on Knowledge Translation and Evidence-informed Policy-making. The virtual event brought together over 800 participants from 100 countries, highlighting global commitment to strengthening the use of evidence in health policy and systems decision-making.

    The webinar included expert contributions on strategies for operationalizing the agenda across diverse contexts:

    • The webinar featured a keynote address by Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist at WHO, who emphasized the importance of embedding research into policymaking processes. Farrar stated, “I can only see [Knowledge Translation] as becoming more central and more critical to WHO’s function, not just in the role as Chief Scientist, but because this is something I have so passionately believed in and supporting of the team that have driven this forward, and I will continue that.”
    • The event also included a panel discussion with distinguished speakers who shared their insights on implementing the Global Research Agenda. Tikki Pang, Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore, highlighted the role of Asian philanthropy in supporting research initiatives. Pang noted, “I think the funding stream that’s looking promising […] is the potential role of Asian philanthropies, […] especially through an organization called the APC, the Asian Philanthropy Circle. And what they try to do is to link researchers with potential funders amongst Asia’s leading philanthropies.”
    • Angela Bednarek, Director of Scientific Advancement at the Pew Charitable Trust, underscored the significance of investing sustainably in research that informs policy and practice. Bednarek remarked, “I’m hopeful that with a really comprehensive and accessible agenda like this one we’ll see even more funders recognize these as valuable areas of investment […]. For those seeking funding, I encourage embracing unusual partnerships. These questions transcend geography and issue areas.”
    • Walid Ammar, Director at the Université St Joseph in Lebanon and former Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, discussed the need for active engagement of stakeholders in adapting the Global Research Agenda to regional contexts. Ammar stated, “A critical first step in adapting the Global Research Agenda to regional and national context would be the active engagement of research institutions, government bodies and other relevant stakeholders in the adaptation process.”
    • Rose Oronje, Director of Public Policy and Knowledge Translation at the African Institute for Development Policy, stressed the importance of involving groups already engaged in knowledge translation. Oronje stated, “An important part is bringing on board groups that are already very much involved in knowledge translation, […] groups that would steer the contextualization of this global agenda to the region.”
    • Donald Simeon, Director of the Caribbean Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, emphasized the importance of widespread acceptance and buy-in from regional stakeholders. Simeon commented, “The first step must be to ensure that there is widespread acceptance of the agenda among national and regional stakeholders, that is, they must be convinced of the value of the agenda before there is really true buy-in.”
    • Kathryn Oliver, Professor of Evidence and Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, highlighted the need to share existing knowledge and lessons learned. Oliver remarked, “Although we have identified a number of evidence gaps through this research, we know a huge amount already, and one of the key lessons for researchers in this field is, we need to learn better how to share the lessons that we have already generated.”

    During the event, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) announced a call for research proposals aligned with the Global Research Agenda.

    The call targets researchers from low- and middle-income countries working in public health institutions under ministries of health, universities, research institutes or nongovernmental organizations. Applications are open via the eTDR platform until 3 July 2025. Selected projects will receive phased funding beginning in 2025, with completion expected by January 2027.

    WHO encourages all stakeholders to align national and regional research agendas with the Global Research Agenda and to foster collaboration across sectors. This alignment aims to enhance the efficiency and relevance of health research and reduce duplication and research waste.

    Further information, including the webinar recording and related resources, is available on the Global Research Agenda website.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNESCO and Plastic Odyssey Join Forces to Tackle Plastic Pollution in Marine World Heritage Sites

    Source: United Nations

    UNESCO and Plastic Odyssey have announced a new strategic partnership to address the escalating crisis of plastic pollution threatening marine World Heritage sites. The collaboration was unveiled during the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

    Covering more than 2 million km²—an area comparable to the size of South Africa—marine ecosystems inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List are among the most ecologically significant on the planet. These sites harbour over 10% of all known marine species, safeguard one-third of marine species at risk of extinction, and store 15% of the world’s blue carbon in their seagrasses, tidal marshes and mangroves. Despite their vital ecological role, these exceptional environments are increasingly impacted by the global plastic pollution crisis.

    Plastic pollution is a global crisis that affects oceans and coastlines worldwide, with waste often carried across vast distances by ocean currents, washing up even in the most remote and protected marine areas. To confront this challenge, UNESCO and Plastic Odyssey are joining forces to implement targeted operations that include plastic waste removal, the development of sustainable, community-based recycling initiatives, and scientific data collection to better understand and combat the problem.

    © UNESCO x Plastic Odyssey : United Against Plastic Pollution

    The cooperation agreement, signed on 10 June 2025, builds on the success of a pioneering mission carried out in 2024 on Henderson Island, a remote UNESCO World Heritage site in the South Pacific. Despite its isolation, the island is burdened by significant plastic accumulation. During the expedition, over 9 tonnes of plastic waste were recovered and transformed—an effort that demonstrated both the magnitude of the crisis and the feasibility of impactful solutions.

    “This new partnership enables UNESCO and Plastic Odyssey to work together to reduce plastic pollution in World Heritage marine sites. Through these expeditions, we will also promote the development of sustainable recycling chains that benefit local and Indigenous communities.”

    The next operation will take place at Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, another remote UNESCO World Heritage site facing increasing plastic accumulation. In October 2025, an expert team will carry out a preliminary mission to assess the situation on the ground—mapping plastic accumulation, testing removal methods, and developing scientific monitoring protocols. The results of this mission will inform a series of larger-scale cleanup efforts planned to begin in 2026.

    “This marks a turning point in the fight against ocean plastic pollution. For the first time, we are uniting our efforts with UNESCO to launch cleanup missions in some of the world’s most treasured and isolated marine sanctuaries.”

    Bridging science, innovation and community engagement, this partnership reflects UNESCO’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding marine World Heritage and fostering ocean resilience in the face of mounting environmental pressures.

    About Plastic Odyssey:

    Plastic Odyssey is a global NGO dedicated to combating plastic pollution through practical, locally driven solutions. Since 2022, its eponymous vessel has traveled across the world’s oceans, promoting small-scale recycling initiatives in coastal regions most affected by plastic waste.

    For more information, visit: https://plasticodyssey.org

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNESCO and VELUX FOUNDATION Launch Global Initiative to Boost Climate Resilience in Marine Protected Areas

    Source: United Nations

    Nice, France – Thursday, 13 June 2025 – As global leaders gather in Nice for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), UNESCO is proud to unveil a bold new initiative to strengthen the resilience of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the face of accelerating climate change.

    MPAs are the cornerstone of ocean conservation, protecting biodiversity, supporting coastal and indigenous communities, and managing the sustainable use of vital ecosystems. With over 18,000 MPAs established worldwide, how these areas plan for, and adapt, to climate change will be central to the future health of our ocean.

    Launched jointly by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the World Heritage Centre, and generously funded by the VELUX FOUNDATION, this new project will develop urgently needed guidance for assessing climate vulnerability and help MPAs define priorities for adaptation and resilience.

    The initiative will deliver a standardized, open-access climate vulnerability assessment tool – available in English and French – designed for global use across the MPA network. The project supports the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.

    “Sustainable ocean planning must be grounded in the best available science. This project is a powerful example of how we can accelerate the uptake of science in decision-making. A thriving ocean is essential for the future of our planet —and that starts with equipping marine protected areas to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.”

    UNESCO marine World Heritage sites are uniquely positioned to pioneer new approaches in ocean conservation. The initiative will pilot in two such sites, the Banc d’Arguin National Park in Mauritania and Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland, Denmark. Insights from these locations will guide broader application across MPAs worldwide, advancing more resilient and science-informed ocean management.

    “UNESCO marine World Heritage sites are flagships of ocean conservation. This initiative will strengthen their resilience to climate change by integrating science, traditional knowledge, and the engagement of local communities”

    By connecting local communities, scientists, and conservation leaders, the initiative aims to transform how MPAs plan for the future—turning knowledge into action and building a more resilient ocean for generations to come.

    “Coastal areas face urgent climate adaptation challenges and restoring the ocean’s balance is essential for ecosystems to withstand climate change. This project expects to provide innovative tools and guidance to support action across all marine protected areas, not just UNESCO sites.” 

    This global initiative represents a critical investment in the future of our ocean. By equipping MPAs with practical tools, scientific insight, and local engagement, it lays the groundwork for a more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient approach to ocean conservation—benefiting both people and planet.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 13 June 2025 Departmental update Spain strengthens global health leadership with increased support to WHO

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the World Health Organization (WHO) today signed a new agreement and contribution of €5.25 million to support key WHO initiatives on universal health coverage, environmental health and emergency medical response.

    “Spain has long been a strong and steadfast partner to WHO and global health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We thank Spain for its increased flexible funding of our work, in doing so helping WHO be stronger and more independent and allowing us to deliver the services that countries and communities need from us.”

    This year, Spain’s commitment to global health entered a new chapter as it returned to the WHO Executive Board for the 2025–2028 term, nearly two decades since its last membership. This renewed engagement is supported by the country’s new Global Health Strategy, launched on 27 May 2025.

    This is underscored by today’s signing of a new agreement between Spain, and WHO and a growing collaboration between both partners. At the heart of this effort is the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), under the leadership of Mr Antón Leis; AECID has significantly stepped up flexible and strategic funding for WHO activities.

    AECID’s €5.25 million contribution to WHO is part of a broader €60 million pledge announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in November 2024. Spain’s multi-year commitment also includes support for critical health programmes in countries such as Jordan, Mali, and Sudan, and global initiatives like polio eradication, patient safety, and the elimination of cervical cancer.

    Looking forward, Spain will host the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, 30 June–3 July 2025, where it aims to elevate health financing as a core development priority. A high-level special event – co-sponsored by WHO and featuring leaders from global health, finance, and academia – will call for bold action through the “Health financing for a safe and sustainable economy: towards Seville health financing agenda for action.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan – Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO)

    Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2

    nited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan as his new Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).  Dr. Alakbarov will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator.  He succeeds Muhannad Hadi of Jordan, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and service.  The Secretary-General also thanks Sarah Poole of the United States, who has been providing steadfast support in an ad interim capacity. 

    Dr. Alakbarov brings more than 30 years of extensive international experience in executive leadership, strategic planning and policy-making, development programming and management, and humanitarian response.  He has been serving as the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia since 2023.  Prior to this, he held the position of Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), where he was also the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, from 2021 to 2023.  In Afghanistan, he also served as UN Resident Coordinator ad interim in 2020.

    Dr. Alakbarov has served in several positions within the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), including as Deputy Executive Director for Management and United Nations Reforms (ad interim) and Director of the Policy and Strategy Division in New York, Country Representative in Haiti, Deputy Regional Director of the Regional Office for Arab States in Cairo and Head of the Office in South Sudan.  Prior to these positions, he served in various roles at UNFPA supporting country programmes in Arab States, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.  His roles included Programme Officer covering Sudan, Somalia, and Iraq and Humanitarian Response Officer for Operations, in Afghanistan, Palestine and the Great Lakes Region.  From 1992 to 1995, he was an Assistant Professor at Azerbaijan Medical University and a practicing physician.

    Dr. Alakbarov holds M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in internal medicine from Azerbaijan Medical University and a Master of Arts in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.  He is fluent in Azerbaijani, English, French, Russian and Turkish.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Food insecurity in Lebanon returns to near pre-conflict levels – but gains remain fragile, new report shows

    Source: World Food Programme

    21 per cent of Lebanon’s population faces acute food insecurity, projected to worsen by the summer.

    BEIRUT – Under the patronage and in the presence of Lebanese Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani, and with the participation of WFP Representative and Country Director in Lebanon Mr. Matthew Hollingworth, Acting FAO Representative in Lebanon Ms. Veronica Quattrola and a number of experts and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Lebanon: Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report for the period of April to October 2025 was launched at the Ministry’s headquarters in Beirut.

    Link to latest report

    BEIRUT – Under the patronage and in the presence of Lebanese Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani, and with the participation of WFP Representative and Country Director in Lebanon Mr. Matthew Hollingworth, Acting FAO Representative in Lebanon Ms. Veronica Quattrola and a number of experts and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Lebanon: Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report for the period of April to October 2025 was launched at the Ministry’s headquarters in Beirut.

    The report shows that one in five people in Lebanon – around 1.17 million individuals – are facing crisis or emergency levels of acute food insecurity between April and June 2025. While this figure reflects gradual recovery compared to figures from earlier this year, when 1.65 million people were affected following the conflict, gains remain fragile without sustained support.

    This gradual recovery in food security levels is attributed mainly to the ceasefire agreement, a short-term increase in food assistance, and relative recovery in some local markets. However, the country continues to grapple with major challenges including the deterioration of agricultural infrastructure, rising inflation rates, economic stagnation, and concerning funding gaps in humanitarian programmes.

    The report highlights that the recent conflict caused significant damage to agricultural assets, especially in southern Lebanon, leading to a decline in production and disruption of food sources for many households. Damaged infrastructure – estimated to cost billions of dollars – remains unrepaired, and local economies are recovering at a slow pace. The number of internally displaced persons is estimated at around 100,000 people.

    “What the numbers are telling us is that while immediate and widespread humanitarian support before and throughout the ceasefire have eased pressures, the situation remains precarious,” said Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Lebanon Representative and Country Director. “Many families are one setback away from slipping back into crisis. Predictable, sustained assistance will be crucial to ensure these improvements hold.”

    According to FAO Representative in Lebanon a.i, Veronica Quattrola: “Escalating hostilities and mass displacement have severely disrupted agrifood systems, threatening food security. Agriculture is a vital pillar for resilience and recovery, making urgent, targeted support essential to restore production, stabilize food access, and build long-term resilience in affected communities.”

    The report identifies the highest levels of food insecurity in the governorates of Baalbek-Hermel, Baabda, Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun, Nabatieh, Tyre, and Akkar. According to the data:

    • Around 591,000 Lebanese (15% of Lebanese households),
    • Approximately 515,000 Syrian refugees (37% of Syrian refugees),
    • Nearly 67,000 Palestinian refugees (30% of Palestinian refugees),

    are currently living under crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

    IPC projections estimate that the number of affected individuals will rise to 1.24 million people – about 23% of the population analysed – between July and October 2025, due to seasonal factors, continued economic contraction (with GDP still 34% below 2019 levels), and a likely decline in humanitarian aid funding.

    During the report launch, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani stressed that Lebanon continues to suffer from the cumulative effects of financial, economic, and social crises since 2019, which have severely impacted living conditions and increased food insecurity. He said:

    “As part of its national responsibilities, the Ministry of Agriculture placed food security at the core of its strategy and requested to join the IPC initiative in 2022 to establish an accurate scientific basis for guiding policy.”

    He highlighted that the analysis results confirmed the urgent need for swift interventions, particularly in areas heavily affected by the hostilities, such as Akkar, Baalbek, Hermel, Bint Jbeil, and Marjayoun.

    The Minister added: “We need to strengthen national partnerships and expand coordination among relevant ministries – including Economy, Health, Environment, Social Affairs, Education, and Energy – to build an integrated national response that supports social safety nets, nutrition, education, and agriculture.” 

    He stressed that boosting sound agricultural production is a key entry point to achieving sustainable food security and noted several ministry initiatives in this regard, including the launch of a “Food Contaminant Observatory” and the reactivation of central laboratories in Kfarshima to ensure food safety and quality.

    In conclusion, Minister Hani thanked the Ministry’s partners – WFP, FAO, the American University of Beirut, the Central Administration of Statistics, and NGOs – for their efforts, stating:

    “Food security is a national responsibility that requires inclusive cooperation and continuous coordination among all stakeholders to build a more resilient society and ensure a fairer, more stable citizenship for everyone living in Lebanon.”

     

    –ENDs

     

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    About the World Food Programme (WFP)

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

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media

     

    About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

    The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

    Follow us on @FAOLebanon, FAOinLebanon

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 13 June 2025 Departmental update mRNA Technology Transfer Programme’s Phase 2.0 discussed with partners on the sidelines of G20 Summit

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In parallel with the G20 Health Working Group, global health leaders are coming together in Johannesburg to set the foundation for a new phase of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme – a pioneering initiative transitioning from proof of concept to sustainable, commercially viable manufacturing, while enhancing pandemic preparedness and regional health security.

    Launched in 2021 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), with the support of the Government of South Africa, France, Belgium, Canada, the European Union, Germany and Norway, the Programme has successfully enabled 15 Partners across Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia to receive foundational mRNA technology. Now, it is moving into Phase 2.0 (2026–2030), with the aim of empowering regional manufacturers to scale up commercially sustainable production of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics at Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-grade.

    “The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme is delivering on its promise to build capabilities in low- and middle-income countries,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The Pandemic Agreement adopted by the World Health Assembly also includes legally-binding commitments to strengthen local production. We must now translate those commitments into capacity on the ground, so that when the next pandemic strikes, we meet it more equitably and more effectively.”

    “This is a unique opportunity, driven by the pandemic. The foundations are in place — but without sustained political will, the promise of equitable mRNA access could slip through our fingers.” said Charles Gore, Executive Director of the Medicines Patent Pool. “What we need now is the courage to build on our investment to date, to align, and to realise the full value and impact of what we started.”

    From technology access to market-ready solutions

    The Programme is moving from focus on technology acquisition to defining how each partner will translate it into real-world impact. Each manufacturer is now focused on developing an economic case for long-term, flexible, and commercially viable manufacturing — with the capacity to produce mRNA vaccines in inter-pandemic periods and pivoting rapidly in response to future health emergencies.

    Product focus areas include:

    • mRNA vaccines – for pandemic and priority diseases (e.g., influenza, TB, HIV, malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis);
    • mRNA therapeutics – such as oncology and monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments; and
    • Biologicals beyond mRNA – including near-term commercial products to support facility viability.

     “We have successfully progressed with the technology transfer to eight Partners — a testament to the strength and openness of this platform,” said Prof. Petro Terblanche, CEO of Afrigen Biologics. “What comes next is even more exciting: Afrigen is on the cusp of receiving GMP accreditation, positioning us not only as a technology originator but as a sustainable manufacturing and innovation partner for the Global South. We will continue to work with local and global partners on the development of new vaccines prioritizing the burden of disease in LMICs.”

    A diversity of models, one global goal

    The Programme’s Phase 2.0 recognises that there is no one-size-fits-all model. Manufacturers will develop tailored business strategies based on national health needs and policy, regulatory maturity and regional market dynamics. Some, like Bio-Manguinhos and Sinergium in Latin America, BioFarma in Indonesia, and Biovac in South Africa, are already piloting investment roadmaps with detailed market, regulatory, and COGS (cost of goods sold) modelling. Others will receive bespoke support to develop their investment cases.

    Crucially, sustainability will depend on country and regional-level procurement commitments, pooled purchasing mechanisms, and cross-border alignment — especially in Africa and Asia, where national markets alone may be insufficient to support GMP-level manufacturing scale.

    “We need to back science with smart policy,” said Dr Mmboneni Muofhe of South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. “This is about creating a new ecosystem for public health security, grounded in regional ownership, long-term strategy and investments.”

    Rising demand meets structural barriers

    While market opportunities for mRNA vaccines and therapeutics are growing — from seasonal influenza and HPV to innovative cancer treatments — the Programme acknowledges structural hurdles:

    • Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy;
    • Shifting donor funding priorities that reduce funding availability;
    • High clinical trial costs; and
    • Need for supportive policies and well-defined procurement pathways.

    The mRNA Programme highlights both the growing interest in regional R&D consortia focused on target diseases of regional relevance like leishmaniasis and malaria, and the drive to advance next-generation technologies focusing on dose sparing, reduced cost of goods and thermostability.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE joins United Nations’ global call-to-action to accelerate social progress through AI-powered virtual worlds

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    UNECE joined forces with 17 other UN entities during the 2nd UN Virtual Worlds Day to urge governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to harness the transformative potential of AI-powered virtual worlds to drive development that works for all.  

    The call-to-action outlines 12 priorities—from expanding connectivity to promoting responsible use of emerging technologies—in order to ensure that no one is left behind in the fast-evolving digital era.  

    “Harnessing virtual worlds through common frameworks and standards can drive regional cooperation and smart, sustainable development. This initiative speaks to the heart of UNECE’s work to digitize its normative and capacity building instruments and enable communities to deal with the most pressing economic, environmental and social challenges in a data-driven and forward-looking manner,” said UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean.  

    Held under the theme “From Innovation to Impact: Delivering on the Pact for the Future”, the second edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation and demonstrated the growing momentum across the UN system to foster shared innovation, global standards, and inclusive digital ecosystems.  

    UNECE presented its policies and frameworks for digital energy transformation, and how they can enable more efficient, sustainable and clean energy systems. The energy sector is responsible for 70% of global GHG emissions, whereas its net useful energy output is estimated at only 5-30% due to conversion, transmission, distribution, and end-use losses. Harnessing digital innovations, such as AI-powered virtual plants and smart grids, can lead to systemic energy efficiency improvements and optimization, reducing energy costs by 80% by optimizing the efficiency of buildings and industrial facilities through retrofitting and electrification. 

    With its policies that support flexible, secure and interoperable energy systems, regulatory innovation that fosters open collaboration, as well as inclusive capacity-building strategies, UNECE is helping UN Member States to achieve system-wide efficiency and resilience in the energy sector. Above all, UNECE promotes a human-centered approach to digitalization that balances innovation with ethical considerations and prioritizes equity, social considerations, and long-term sustainability for a just transition.   

    Twelve priorities for a digital future for all  

    The call-to-action emphasizes the importance of expanding access to meaningful connectivity; empowering people through digital public infrastructure; promoting responsible and transparent use of AI; protecting environmental sustainability and cultural heritage; fostering youth digital skills and innovation; and advancing global standards and multistakeholder collaboration.  

    The priorities in the call directly respond to the Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 UN Summit of the Future, and support the implementation of its Global Digital Compact and Declaration for Future Generations, as well as the World Summit on the Information Society+20 (WSIS+20) process beyond 2025.  

    They also offer concrete proposals to inform the 2025 Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), which aims to accelerate action on poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, and social inclusion.  

    From vision to action: Partnering to deliver the digital future  

    The second edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day was co-organized by a broad coalition of UN entities, including: ITU, ITCILO, FAO, UNECA, UNECE, UNECLAC, UNESCWA, UNFCCC, UN Guatemala, UN-Habitat, UNICC, UNICEF, UNRISD, UN Tourism, UNU, UN Futures Lab, World Bank, and WIPO.  

    The collaboration illustrates the UN system’s capacity to co-create global solutions and work across sectors and regions to catalyze innovation that serves the public good, promoting open, rights-based digital transformation.  

    The event reaffirmed the need for practical, scalable partnerships to ensure that the benefits of virtual worlds and AI reach rural, remote, and underserved communities worldwide, leaving no one behind.  

    UN Virtual Worlds Day also unveiled the Citiverse Use Case Taxonomy Overview, the first flagship deliverable of the Global Initiative on AI and Virtual Worlds—a UN-led platform for promoting open, interoperable, and trustworthy AI-powered virtual worlds for people, businesses, and public services.  

    The interactive catalogue showcases real-world applications of AI-powered virtual environments transforming education, climate action, urban governance, public services, and economic resilience.  

    Read the full text of the Call-to-Action and explore the Citiverse Use Case Taxonomy: www.itu.int/un-virtual-worlds-day/2025   

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran

    Source: United Nations

    The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East.

    He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway.
     
    The Secretary-General recalls the obligation of UN Member States to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
     
    The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the Plane Crash in India

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the news of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 12 June, which claimed the lives of more than 200 people aboard as well as the loss of life and injuries at the BJ Medical College hostel, which was struck during the crash.
     
    He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of India, as well as to all countries whose citizens were affected by this tragedy. He wishes a swift and full recovery to those who were injured.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Viet Nam Hosts High-Level Forum to Promote Women’s Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    Ha Noi, Viet Nam – 12 June 2025 – Today, the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam (MPS), in partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), successfully convened an international forum under the theme: “Enhancing the Participation of Female Police Officers in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations –Global perspectives and Viet Nam’s Contribution.”

    The event marks a significant milestone affirming the strong commitment of the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam to promoting gender equality and empowering female police officers to play a more active role in global peacekeeping efforts.

    The Forum brought together more than 100 national and international participants, including high-ranking officials such as Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Minister of Public Security of Viet Nam; H.E Jean-Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Mr. Faisal Shahkar, United Nations Police Adviser and Director of the Police Division at the UN Department of Peace Operations. Representatives from relevant ministries, Vietnamese police peacekeepers, and embassies of Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Australia, Indonesia, the United States, among others, also participated.

    Viet Nam has actively deployed female police officers to United Nations peacekeeping missions, achieving a participation rate of over 30%—significantly surpassing the UN’s minimum target of 20%. This achievement has been recognized and commended by the international community. However, to ensure the sustainability, effectiveness, and long-term impact of such efforts, continued improvement of policy frameworks, expansion of international cooperation, and strengthened awareness across the police force on the role of women in peacekeeping are essential.

    In his opening remarks, Senior Lieutenant General Dr. Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Minister of Public Security, emphasized: “The Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam has proactively implemented policies and strategies to increase the participation of female police officers in UN peacekeeping operations. This not only reflects Viet Nam’s international commitments but also demonstrates a modern, human-centered, and globally integrated approach to security.”

    United Nations Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, expressed appreciation for Viet Nam’s steadfast support to peacekeeping operations, and for its commitment to achieve the goal of having more women in peacekeeping, particularly more female police officers. “There are several avenues to achieve that goal: first, by providing more training opportunities; second, by Member States nominating more female candidates including

    for leadership positions; and third, by creating work environments which are more welcoming for women. I look forward to continue strengthening the already excellent partnership with Viet Nam in all of these areas”.

    The forum featured in-depth discussions among experts and practitioners on issues including: the current status and challenges faced by female peacekeepers; UN policies and requirements on gender equality in peacekeeping; and experiences from other countries regarding the deployment of female police officers to peace operations. The event also highlighted current policy gaps and put forward concrete recommendations to enhance the role, representation, and quality of participation of female officers—including those from the Viet Nam People’s Public Security Force—in UN peacekeeping operations.

    Speaking at the Forum, Ms. Angela Pratt, Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, stated: “Increasing women’s representation in peacekeeping is not only a matter of gender equality—it also improves the effectiveness of peace operations. Viet Nam is currently exceeding global benchmarks for the deployment of female police officers. We encourage Viet Nam to continue its efforts, particularly in advancing women’s leadership and ensuring their presence in key mission positions.”

    UN Women and the United Nations system in Viet Nam reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Viet Nam in its peacekeeping journey through technical assistance, capacity building, and resource mobilization—including connecting Viet Nam to funding mechanisms such as the Elsie Initiative Fund.

    The Forum also reinforces Viet Nam’s implementation of its first-ever National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2024–2030), while contributing meaningfully to the global agenda under the United Nations Pact for the Future. The event concluded with a strong call for gender-responsive leadership and coherent policies to advance gender equality in peace and security.

    —

    Media Contacts: Vu Viet Hung Standing Office for UN Peacekeeping Operations, Ministry of Public Security Email: ppko@mps.gov.vn

    Hoang Bich Thao Communications and Advocacy Analyst, UN Women Viet Nam

    Email: hoang.thao@unwomen.org

    Press Release in English and Vietnamese.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 12 June 2025 Departmental update WHO’s “Beat the Heat” initiative making strides to protect workers and event participants from extreme heat and related environmental hazards

    Source: World Health Organisation

    “Beat the Heat,” an initiative tackling extreme heat and environmental hazards in workplaces and major events, is making strides in turning recommendations into concrete solutions. Running from January 2025 to June 2026 it is the first phase of collaboration between WHO and FIFA under the World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund. The project aims to protect workers, attendees, and local communities from extreme heat and other environmental hazards, such as solar UV exposure, and outdoor air pollution and to provide adequate drinking water and sanitation. By focusing on workplaces, mega sports events, and mass gatherings, it will increase awareness and action to strengthen preparedness and response measures to safeguard health in high-risk settings.

    The WHO supports strengthening health and well-being through sports initiatives as support by the World Health Assembly resolution 77.12. Sport for Health Programme.

    “The Sport for Health Programme is a platform for integrating health into the world of sport, helping to ensure that major events and everyday sporting activities alike promote and protect health of all involved persons,” said Dr Gaudenz Silberschmidt, Director, Health and Multilateral Partnerships. “In the face of rising global temperatures, the Beat the Heat project is both timely and critically important—it provides practical solutions to safeguard workers, staff and spectators from extreme heat, while reinforcing the importance of climate-resilient and healthy sport environments.”

    With extreme heat now recognized as a critical public health issue, the initiative will mobilize global support with a focus on developing action plans to ensure workplaces and public spaces are equipped with heat response strategies.

    Heatwaves alone are projected to cause 1.6 million deaths by 2050, underscoring the urgent need for robust, evidence-based measures to protect high-risk groups. WHO data show that 99% of the global population breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains pollutants responsible for 4.2 million premature deaths annually. Occupational hazards kill at least 3 million people each year and cause economic losses of up to 6% of global GDP.

    “The Beat the Heat initiative is about turning global guidance into real-world action,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health. “By supporting the rollout of protective guidance and tools, we’re helping to build safer, more resilient workplaces and safeguard the health of workers facing rising heat-related risks around the world.”

    According to the ILO, globally, 2.4 billion workers—or 70% of the global workforce—are exposed to excessive heat, resulting in more than 22 million non-fatal injuries annually. In 2022, an estimated 1.6 billion people worked outdoors. People working in and attending outdoor sports and mass gathering events are also at high risk of exposure to extreme heat, air pollution, and solar UV.

    “Protecting people during public health emergencies and mass gatherings must remain a top priority,” said Nedret Emiroglu, Director, Department of Health Emergency Core Capabilities, Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, WHO. “Climate change is driving more frequent and intense heatwaves, worsening air quality and UV exposure, all of which heighten health risks. Through the Beat the Heat initiative, WHO supports countries and event organizers with tools, early warning systems, and protocols. From local festivals to international tournaments, preparedness and response measures are critical to reduce adverse health impacts and build resilience.”

    Given the significant impact of extreme heat on sports and mass gatherings, WHO is engaging with select countries to implement targeted collaboration. Work has already begun with the United Republic of Tanzania and other countries will join shortly. With their experience in hosting major events and their strong commitment to occupational and environmental health, these countries are well positioned to pilot and scale effective interventions to reduce heat-related risks.

    As the world continues to experience record-breaking temperatures, the initiative remains a cornerstone of WHO’s commitment to climate-related health response—ensuring long-term protection for those most at risk.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: When Women Lead, Peace Follows: UN Brings Stories of Women Leading Peace to Photoville Festival

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    A Cambodian woman who grew up amid landmines now clears them as a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon. A Sudanese civil society leader rallies displaced women to reclaim their voices in peacebuilding. Young activists from the divided communities of Cyprus foster dialogue and understanding in a deeply complex and long-standing conflict. These are just a few of the extraordinary stories captured in Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace, a striking photo exhibition that premiered on 7 June 2025 at Brooklyn Bridge Park as part of the Photoville Festival.

    A joint initiative of the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), UN Women, the Elsie Initiative Fund, and the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), in partnership with Photoville, the exhibit highlights the stories of women as leaders, negotiators, and protectors in conflict-affected societies — told through the lenses of women photographers from those very communities.

    “Too often, women in conflict are portrayed only as victims,” said Natasha Lamoreux of UN Women. “But these photographs tell a different story. They show women as peacekeepers, negotiators, human rights defenders — leaders actively shaping peace.”

    From Sudan to Cyprus, Haiti to Lebanon, the UN collaborated with local women photographers who not only document the lives of women but also share in their struggles, striving to build peace in their communities, which creates an intimate and powerful perspective.

    “This exhibit is the culmination of months of partnership between the four organizing entities as well as between headquarters and field-based colleagues,” said Shatha Hussein from the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. “We worked on very difficult contexts and turbulent situations that are changing by the day. So working with women on the ground to amplify their efforts through this initiative was not easy in any of the contexts featured, but their commitment, despite the odds, made this possible.”

    Preparing this exhibit has been a profound challenge — one that mirrors the obstacles women face daily in conflict zones. Intense fighting spiked early this year in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan as the photoshoots were being planned.

    “These images are more than art — they are a collective story of resilience, acts of resistance, and transformation,” said Sophie Boudre of the UN Department of Peace Operations. “They declare that women’s rights must be protected, their leadership recognized, and their voices heard wherever peace is made.”

    Rooted in the Women, Peace and Security agenda launched by UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the exhibit underscores both the critical roles women play in peacebuilding and the persistent challenges they face — including a rising global backlash against gender equality.

    The Through Her Lens exhibit is on view through 22 June 2025 at Pier 1 of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. It will also be shown at UN Headquarters in time for a Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security at the end of October. Importantly, the exhibit will travel to the regions featured in the photographs — bringing these powerful stories full circle.

    View the exhibit online.

    Read the original article in Politcally Speaking, the online magazine from the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –