This is a summary of what was said by WFP Regional Coordinator in Latin America and the Caribbean, Lola Castro, to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the UN Noon Briefing in New York today
NEW YORK/ PANAMA CITY: As the United Nations World Food Programme Regional Coordinator in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2021, I have frequently visited Haiti over the past four years.
Our WFP team and partners on the ground have seen this crisis slowly unfolding and we’ve been sounding the alarm about the ever-deteriorating humanitarian situation for far too long. Immense humanitarian efforts are already underway, but the situation continues to degrade.
Food security update
Hunger in Haiti has never been worse: 5.7 million people – more than half of the country’s population – don’t have enough to eat. This includes more than two million people who are facing emergency levels of hunger (IPC 4) and 8,400 people living in temporary sites for displaced people who are experiencing extreme hunger, severe acute malnutrition and the risk of starvation (IPC5).
Haitiis one of five countries in the world where people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger. It’s really dramatic to have this in the Western hemisphere. We cannot imagine the situation in the sites housing displaced people.
Last week I visited the suburban commune of Petionville, in the southeast of Port-au-Prince, where WFP was providing emergency food assistance to thousands of people displaced by violence by armed groups in Kenscoff, a rural mountainside community. These are people who used to come and sell their food in the city. Their story bears testimony of food systems and supply chains breaking down as a result of the expansion of armed groups. Not only were these families forced to flee when criminals took control over their farmland, they now rely on WFP to survive. Conflict has also disrupted agricultural activities and commercial flow of food.
As a woman of course I am watching the situation for women and girls. We’re also extremely worried about the widespread violence that women and girls face in Haiti. With more than 6,000 cases of gender-based violence reported so far this year, Port-au-Prince is one of the most dangerous places in the world for women and girls. Food assistance lessens their vulnerability to abuse.
Running out of resources for emergency response and school meals
Violence, displacement and economic collapse are driving Haiti to the verge of total collapse. We are extremely concerned that growing humanitarian needs are outpacing resources to respond to this crisis.
WFP has significantly scaled up operations in Haiti, reaching over 1.35 million people until March 2025 and we continue providing support. But now we only have stocks and cash to support crisis-affected populations until July. This includes assistance to displaced people as well as to those living in areas facing IPC 4, emergency levels of hunger. Severe funding gaps are threatening the continuity of essential programmes that help anchor communities and prevent further deterioration. Among these, WFP’s flagship school meals programme—a key stabilizing force in the country—is at immediate risk.
This academic year, we’ve managed to provide daily meals to 550,000 schoolchildren, 70 percent of which were sourced from Haitian farmers. Without urgent funding, up to 50 percent of these schoolchildren will not receive meals in the next academic year. What is important is that this food is purchased mostly locally, from smallholder farmers, women and men still producing in areas of rural Haiti. We really need to ensure these children can continue going to school and we can continue to support these farmers to have normal livelihoods.
The Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti in 2025 is only 8 percent funded and we’re halfway through the year. WFP alone needs US$ 46.4 million over the next six months, to sustain its emergency response and address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition.
Lack of preparedness for hurricane season
On top of the dire situation I have already described, we have now officially entered the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs from June to November.
This year, for the first time ever, WFP has no prepositioned food stocks in Haiti, nor the cash liquidity to mount a swift humanitarian response in the case of a hurricane or extreme weather event. In previous years, we’ve always had in-country resources to be able to support between 250,000 and 500,000 people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Unless resources are made available, WFP will have no capacity to respond—there are no contingency supplies, no logistical buffer, and no lifeline for the most vulnerable.
At this moment when half of all Haitians are already going hungry, a single storm could push millions into a humanitarian catastrophe.
WFP expanding operational capacity
Against all these odds, I want to stress that WFP remains fully operational in Haiti.
During my visit last week, I went to our logistics hub in Cap Haitien and witnessed first-hand that, despite the extremely challenging context, WFP’s operational capacity has grown. We have more warehousing space and are receiving food through the port.
Also, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) remains a vital lifeline for the humanitarian community, ensuring the delivery of critical assistance and enabling the continuity of operations across the country. UNHAS continues to be the only safe and cost-effective option for humanitarian workers and the diplomatic community to get in and out of Port-au-Prince.
Our priority in Haiti is to continue providing first-line emergency food assistance to save lives, while also addressing the root causes of hunger. To hold the line on hunger, we’re calling on the international community to provide urgent support – and above all, the country needs peace.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Five members of a UN humanitarian convoy were killed on Monday night and several more were injured during an attack near Al Koma in North Darfur.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms this horrendous act of violence against humanitarian personnel who literally put their lives at risk in an attempt to reach vulnerable children and families in the famine-impacted areas of Sudan.
This joint WFP-UNICEF convoy was made up of 15 trucks, and they had travelled over 1,800 km from Port Sudan and were carrying nutrition supplies and food. The Agencies were negotiating access to complete the journey to El Fasher when the convoy was attacked. The route that the convoy was going to take was shared in advance, and parties on the ground were notified and aware of the location of the trucks.
Many of our trucks were burned in the attack, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged. It is devastating that the supplies have not reached the civilians in need. This was the first UN humanitarian convoy that was going to make it to El Fasher in over one year.
All attacks on humanitarian personnel, their facilities and vehicles must stop. These are violations under international humanitarian law. And we call for an urgent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
We call for safe, secure and the best possible operating conditions and for international humanitarian law to be respected by all parties, and not just in Sudan, but in all conflict-impacted countries. Under international humanitarian law, aid convoys must be protected, and parties have an obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
For those who were killed in the line of duty in Sudan, we of course extend our condolences to their families and loved ones, and we wish a speedy recovery to those who were wounded in the attack.
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission convened an Ambassadorial-level meeting on São Tomé and Príncipe on 29 May 2025, chaired by H.E. Ms. Antje Leendertse, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. H.E. Mr. Carlos Vila Nova, President of São Tomé and Príncipe, represented his Government at the meeting.
1. The Peacebuilding Commission welcomed the President’s presentation of São Tomé and Príncipe’s Conflict Prevention Strategy (2025-2029), emphasizing that it aims to strengthen democratic governance and further build public confidence in justice and security institutions. The Commission recognized the Strategy as a crucial framework to guide peacebuilding efforts.
2. The President and the Peacebuilding Commission acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the joint strategic assessment mission conducted by the United Nations and the Economic Community of Central African States in April 2023, which made several recommendations to strengthen the justice and security sectors. They also expressed appreciation for the first meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission on São Tomé and Príncipe, held in January 2024, and the subsequent visit to São Tomé by the then-Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission in May 2024. The Peacebuilding Commission commended São Tomé and Príncipe for the ongoing reforms of the justice and security sectors, in support of peace and development processes.
3. The Peacebuilding Commission took note of São Tomé and Príncipe’s history of peaceful transitions of power, while recognising that there are risk factors that could adversely impact the sustenance of peace in São Tomé and Príncipe. In that regard, the President and the PBC stressed the vital importance of ensuring democratic stability, the rule of law, and human rights protection in São Tomé and Príncipe.
4. The Peacebuilding Commission joins São Tomé and Príncipe in encouraging its partners, Member States, regional and international financial institutions, regional organizations, and other stakeholders, to continue supporting the country’s peacebuilding priorities technically and financially, as guided by the Conflict Prevention Strategy.
5. The Government of São Tomé and Príncipe and the Peacebuilding Commission agreed to review progress on the implementation of the Conflict Prevention Strategy at the end of 2025, in order to assess achievements, identify challenges, and guide next steps.
6. The Government of São Tomé and Príncipe and the PBC reaffirmed their commitment to building and sustaining peace in São Tomé and Príncipe.
(Signed)
H.E. Mr. Carlos Vila Nova President of São Tomé and Príncipe
H.E. Ms. Antje Leendertse Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission
DHAKA – As relentless rains batter southeastern Bangladesh, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is on the ground responding to rising needs in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
On 29 May, at the request of the Government, WFP activated its emergency response in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar District, just hours after flood warnings were triggered. Through its anticipatory action mechanism, 6,500 people received BDT 5,000 (US$43) per family, transferred directly to their mobile wallets. This early support allowed families to buy food and essentials, protect their homes and livelihoods, and brace for the floods ahead.
“As always, climate shocks hit hardest in communities already living in poverty and facing high food insecurity,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Bangladesh. “Because we acted early, families had a chance to prepare and face the storm with greater resilience.”
To respond to climate shocks this year, WFP has developed a four-phase emergency preparedness and response plan. It includes anticipatory action before the emergency to help people prepare, emergency food rations immediately after, financial support for affected people to access food as markets begin to reopen, and cash-for-work and income-generating activities to help communities recover quickly.
“Anticipatory action gives families a chance to prepare – to buy food, secure their homes and stay safe. But this window is narrow, and resources are limited. We are calling on partners to act with us – early, fast and at scale – to protect lives before the next wave of flooding hits,” added Scalpelli.
WFP aims to reach over 6 million people at risk but faces a funding gap of US$55 million.
WFP’s latest response is part of a growing national effort to strengthen early action in Bangladesh. In 2024, over 15 anticipatory action frameworks were activated by UN agencies and INGOs. In 2025, 46 agencies are expected to implement anticipatory action, with increasing national leadership and expanded coverage of hazards like heatwaves, landslides and droughts.
WFP’s anticipatory action is supported by partners including the European Union and donors contributing to our Global Anticipatory Action Trust Fund such as Germany and Ireland. We also acknowledge pooled funding and multilateral support, including from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and donors like Belgium, whose contribution enabled our recent response in Teknaf.
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.
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H.E. Mr. Ignazio Cassis, Foreign Minister of Switzerland and Member of the Swiss Federal Council; Excellencies; Distinguished Delegates; Ladies and Gentlemen,
This 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction comes at a critical point in time.
Let me express my sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Switzerland for welcoming us at this crucial juncture on the road to 2030, and to co-chairs Patricia Danzi and Kamal Kishore and their dedicated teams for their leadership in steering the 8th Global Platform forward.
We gather here with a profound sense of urgency, but also among geopolitical tensions, and an unwavering responsibility.
Just last week, I stood among global leaders at the first High-Level International Conference for Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe, witnessing first-hand the impact of climate change on Tajikistan’s Glacier’s in the Pamir mountain range. As a global community, the Conference issued an urgent call for action to safeguard these fragile ecosystems, reduce the impact of climate change on water-related ecosystems and invest in disaster prevention.
Days later, one of the biggest Alpine disasters struck just 130 kilometres from here in Blatten. A glacier collapse could have cost countless lives, but thanks to the early warning systems, people and their livestock were evacuated in time.
Still, the devastation is profound. I extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Blatten, who now face a difficult task of recovering what was lost.
This disaster is a stark reminder: early warnings save lives, but they alone cannot save glaciers from disappearing. Communities and ecosystems depend on these ice reserves, and the consequences of their loss are irreversible.
If global warming exceeds 1.5°C, the impacts will cascade across the planet. The UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All Initiative is helping countries prepare for climate-related shocks while strengthening climate resilience. But we must scale up this rapidly, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Excellencies,
When we came together in 2015 to adopt the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we did more than set ambitious goals, we made a solemn promise to build a world that is safer, more equitable, and more resilient.
Yet, that promise stands at a crossroads.
Although we have made progress since Paris in bringing down projected temperature increases, we are now dangerously close to the 1.5 degrees limit, and every new scientific report tells us that another climate indicator is flashing red.
Just last week, WMO projected that we will likely see temperatures rise above 1.5 degrees not just for a single year but over the next five years.
Disasters are not just increasing in scale and cost—they are striking with growing intensity and unpredictability, leaving no country or region untouched.
Every delay in action carries a devastating human and economic toll.
The 2025 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction highlights direct losses from disasters at $202 billion annually, but when cascading and ecosystem costs are considered, total losses exceed 2.3 trillion US dollars annually.
Disasters have devastating effects on the world’s most vulnerable countries – LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS –derailing economies, deepening inequity, and pushing them further off the path of sustainable development.
Middle Income Countries also face mounting setbacks, as disasters divert critical resources away from long-term growth.
Even developed countries are not immune. Record-breaking disasters are making entire regions uninsurable, exposing new vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Development Goals are dangerously off track, with an annual financing gap of over 4 trillion dollars.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Protecting development gains from disaster impacts is more urgent than ever.
Progress is possible and we have seen it.
Over the past decade, disaster mortality rates have declined, early warning systems have expanded, and two-thirds of countries that are part of the Sendai Framework now have disaster risk strategies in place.
But this is not enough. We must go further and faster to deliver on Early Warning Systems for All by 2027.
We must continue to build momentum powered by innovation, determination, and multi-networked leadership.
Your actions demonstrate that “resilience does pay” when governments, local actors, the private sector, youth and all of society come together to take action.
From Artificial Intelligence, predictive analytics and machine learning models, new tools together with traditional knowledge and on the ground practitioners are transforming how we predict, prevent, and mitigate disasters.
They must be expanded for proactive, data-driven prevention – saving lives while protecting livelihoods and assets.
Immediate, real-time monitoring, advanced satellite imagery and geographic information systems can complement preparedness strategies, coordination, and our 2030 Agenda’s promise of leaving no one behind.
These transformative actions must be scaled to ensure resilience is not an after-thought, but the foundation for our long-term prosperity.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I see three key actions to accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework in the remaining five years.
First, we must prioritize risk-informed development across all sectors and levels. This means putting prevention and resilience at the centre of every decision, investment, and policy that we make.
Every dollar invested in infrastructure, energy, cities, agriculture… must strengthen resilience, not exacerbate future risk.
At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, we have a chance to reform global development finance and address the debt crisis, enabling us to have more fiscal space to avert these crises.
Second, we must urgently scale up public and private investments in resilience. All nations must dedicate a larger portion of public budgets to disaster risk reduction and establish national financing frameworks that align economic development plans with risk reduction and climate adaptation needs.
We must acknowledge resilience as a long-term economic necessity – and the best return on investment.
Instruments like catastrophe bonds, risk pools, and climate-resilient insurance can ensure faster recovery while reducing economic strain on vulnerable communities.
I encourage you to work with the private sector to mobilize new ways of funding resilience and integrating it into long-term business practices.
Third, we must strengthen our solidarity and cooperation. The risks we face are interconnected — across geographies, political boundaries and development sectors.
By September, nations will submit new climate plans – or nationally determined contributions. Strong, ambitious strategies to cut emissions and fortify resilience will shape our future and drastically reduce the risk of climate-related disasters.
Our responses must also be based on behavioural science and predictive forecasting. We must focus particularly on those who are most vulnerable and those already living on the frontlines of crisis.
The UN Secretariat is committed to supporting you seizing every global opportunity to drive change towards resilience, breaking the vicious cycle of debt, uninsurability and crises.
This Platform, I believe must elevate disaster risk reduction across the UN system – from the UN Ocean Conference, to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, to COP30, to the World Summit on Social Development, and beyond.
Excellencies, Friends,
This is not business as usual.
The cost of inaction is already unbearable for many – and the choices we make now will shape the lives of generations to come.
Disaster risk reduction is not an option – it must be at the heart of our efforts to secure a safer, more sustainable, and more just world.
So let us rise to that moment — with resolve, with investment, and with the partnerships we need to deliver real results in the lives of people while protecting our planet.
ROME/NEW YORK, 3 June 2025 – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF condemn an attack on a joint humanitarian convoy near Al Koma, North Darfur last night. Five members of the convoy were killed and several more people were injured. Multiple trucks were burned, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged.
The convoy, made up of 15 trucks, was attempting to reach children and families in famine-affected El Fasher with life-saving food and nutrition supplies. Following months of escalating violence, hundreds of thousands of people in El Fasher – many of them children – are at high risk of malnutrition and starvation if supplies do not urgently reach them.
As is standard with our humanitarian convoys, the route was shared in advance, and parties on the ground were notified and aware of the location of the trucks. Under international humanitarian law, aid convoys must be protected, and parties have the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
Both agencies demand an immediate end to attacks on humanitarian personnel, their facilities and vehicles – a violation under international humanitarian law.
We call for an urgent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
We extend our condolences to the families of those killed and our heartfelt sympathy and support to all those injured. It is devastating the supplies have not reached the vulnerable children and families they were intended to. The convoy had travelled over 1,800km from Port Sudan and we were negotiating access to complete the journey to El Fasher when it was attacked.
This latest incident follows a series of attacks on humanitarian operations over the past two years, including last week’s bombardment of WFP’s premises in El Fasher which damaged a workshop, office building and clinic.
Attacks on humanitarian staff, aid, operations, as well as civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan have continued for far too long with impunity. WFP and UNICEF colleagues remain on the ground despite the insecurity, but call for safe, secure operating conditions, and for international humanitarian law to be respected by all parties. The lives of millions in Sudan, including in locations like El Fasher in Darfur, depend on it.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
New York, 7 June 2025 – This June, the United Nations will unveil a compelling new photo exhibit at New York’s Photoville Festival, bringing global attention to the leadership, courage and impact of women and their allies driving peace in some of the world’s most volatile places. Featuring original photos by local women photographers, the exhibition spotlights women peacebuilders, human rights defenders, UN peacekeepers and grassroots activists whose stories are too often overlooked. Their portraits and environments reflect both the challenges of conflict and the possibilities that emerge when women lead.
Launched in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), the exhibition highlights the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda which recognises not only the disproportionate impact of conflict on women but also their indispensable role in shaping peace, building trust, and leading transformative change.
“The fight for gender equality is not just about fairness,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his remarks at the 2025 International Women’s Day commemoration in New York. “It is about power – who gets a seat at the table, and who is locked out. Simply put, when women and girls rise, everyone thrives.”
Captured across eleven settings – Abyei, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mozambique, Occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan and Sudan – the images tell a collective story of resilience, resistance, and transformation.
“Too often, the role of women in peace processes and trust building is overlooked or underrepresented,” said Laura Hasani, a photojournalist from Kosovo with over 25 years’ experience. “These photos aim to change that, so the world sees and hears from the women who are rebuilding communities and leading change.”
In Haiti, Clyfane Saintil, a feminist activist and nonprofit leader featured in the exhibit, helps Haitian girls and women build confidence to claim their rights and shape their futures. “Change begins in our communities, where women and girls rise, and when men choose to be allies rather than obstacles,” she said.
Through the lens of those living the realities of conflict, the exhibition reframes how we see women: not only as victims, but as architects of peace and justice. It also calls on governments, international organisations, and communities to recommit to the promise of the WPS agenda, which remains as urgent today as it was 25 years ago.
Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace is a collaboration between the United Nations Department of Peace Operations and Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN Women, and the Elsie Initiative Fund. Premiering in Brooklyn Bridge Park on 7 June 2025, it will remain open to the public until 22 June, then travel to some of the countries featured before reaching the European Parliament in Brussels and, in October, UN Headquarters in New York, among others.
The exhibition is supported by the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, whose generous contributions made it possible to share these powerful stories worldwide.
The exhibition is free to view from June 7-22, 2025, at the Photoville Festival, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, New York City.
Note to the editors: The ‘Through Their Lens: Women Rising for Peace’ photo exhibition is underpinned by the principles outlined in United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent nine resolutions on Women, Peace and Security. The resolutions recognise the importance of women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in conflict resolution and call for greater inclusion of women in peacemaking and decision-making at all levels in peace and political processes.
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Media contacts:
UN Department of Peace Operations
Sophie Boudre
Email: boudre@un.org
Tel.: +1 917 691 5359
Milly Copping James
Email: milly.coppingjames@un.org
Tel.: +1 646 897 6383
UN Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs
Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
In response to the critical resource challenges facing the UN/LOCODE programme, this side event will convene a diverse panel of speakers from United Nations agencies, international organizations, and key industry stakeholders to explore innovative funding mechanisms and partnership models. The session will focus on the concept of a Contribution Support Fee and other potential modalities to ensure the long-term sustainability and modernization of the UN/LOCODE system.
Participants will engage in an open dialogue with the UN/LOCODE Advisory Group and UNECE Secretariat to assess the feasibility of various funding approaches, including voluntary contributions, public-private partnerships, and service-based support models. The event aims to foster a shared understanding of the operational risks posed by the current liquidity crisis and to identify actionable pathways for resource mobilization.
All stakeholders committed to the future of global trade facilitation and location standardisation are encouraged to attend and contribute to this critical discussion.
JORDAN—The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution from the Government of the People’s Republic of China to support the National School Feeding Programme in Jordan by providing healthy school meals for 30,000 students in the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps.
The contribution will enable WFP to distribute nearly 2.7 million healthy meals over two semesters during the coming scholastic year beginning in September 2025. As much as supporting schoolchildren’s daily nutritional needs, the project will create employment opportunities for 90 refugee women who will prepare the meals in three dedicated kitchens within the camps. The programme also supports local farmers, bakers, and food producers in Jordan.
“We are deeply grateful for this timely and impactful contribution from China,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan Alberto Correia Mendes. “This generous funding enables us to feed vulnerable refugee children, providing healthy school meals that support their well-being and development, while also contributing to addressing food insecurity at the camp level.”
The homegrown meals, which consist of a freshly baked pastry, a fruit, and a vegetable help meet children’s immediate food needs while enhancing dietary diversity and encouraging healthier eating habits.
The Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to Jordan, H.E. Chen Chuandong, praised Jordan for its pivotal role in hosting Syrian refugees and maintaining regional peace and stability. He also acknowledged the World Food Programme’s efforts in supporting Syrian refugees in Jordan. Ambassador Chen highlighted China’s active participation in international humanitarian efforts, driven by the goal of fostering global cooperation and sustainable development.
“This assistance demonstrates China’s tangible commitment to advancing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, while serving as a strong example of South-South cooperation,” said Ambassador Chen. He reaffirmed China’s readiness to collaborate with the international community to enhance refugees living conditions and promote food security, urging all parties to continue supporting Syrian refugees.
Under the National School Feeding Strategy, WFP and the Government of Jordan are working to scale up the homegrown healthy meals model to reach 500,000 vulnerable students by 2030.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
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Geneva, Switzerland, 2 June 2025 – The inaugural Global Early Warnings for All Multi-Stakeholder Forum opened today with a resounding call to accelerate the implementation of life-saving early warning systems worldwide. Co-led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the forum brings together governments, international organizations, civil society, private sector actors, and communities to advance the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative.
As part of the preparatory days for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, the two-day forum aims to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by the end of 2027. With disasters projected to increase by 40% between 2015 and 2030, and economic losses from disasters in 2023 estimated at $250 billion, the urgency for effective early warning systems has never been greater.
The forum’s opening session featured a comprehensive stock-take of global early warning system progress, highlighting that 108 countries report that they have multi-hazard early warning systems. Building on outcomes from five regional Early Warnings for All Multi-Stakeholder Fora held across Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe & Central Asia, the Americas & Caribbean, and Arab States, the global gathering captures lessons learned and identifies pathways to close remaining gaps.
Community-centered approaches and innovation at the forefront
Graphic recording of thematic session on community empowerment.
The forum’s first day emphasized the critical importance of people-centered approaches to early warning systems. Thematic sessions explored how communities can be empowered through user-tailored early warnings and early action, with particular attention to the unique challenges faced in fragile and conflict settings.
Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, reinforced this message, stating, “Leave no one behind comes very important in the context of early warning systems. Women, children and persons with disabilities are not passive recipients of services, they are active participants.”
Participants examined effective governance models that support multi-hazard early warning systems, recognizing that successful implementation requires institutionalized chains of responsibility and multi-stakeholder engagement including South-South and Triangular Cooperation mechanisms. The forum highlighted that early warning systems are strongest when at-risk communities and sectors co-develop and co-own these systems, ensuring trust, timely action, and long-term sustainability.
Innovation emerged as a key theme, with experts showcasing how science, technology, and local knowledge can advance multi-hazard early warning systems. Discussions covered the integration of artificial intelligence, satellite systems, Information of Things (IoT) technologies, and traditional knowledge systems to enhance forecasting accuracy and improve warning dissemination to vulnerable populations.
Ambassador Julien Thöni, Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations and other Organisations in Geneva, highlighted the dual nature of innovation: “Early Warning Systems can go hand-in-hand with innovation. New technologies from satellite data to mobile alerts help us predict more accurately and reach people faster. But innovation also means finding smarter ways to work together, adapt to local needs, and make sure no one is left behind.”
Building partnerships for resilient futures
Graphic recording of opening session & stock take on collaborative action and multilateralism.
The forum underscored that no single entity can build and maintain effective early warning systems alone. Participants emphasized the need for stronger partnerships across sectors, levels of government, and international boundaries to achieve Early Warnings for All, by All.
Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, emphasized the critical importance of collaboration: “No warning, however early, is effective unless it reaches the right people at the right time. And that is why we are here today. To cement our partnerships and trust which are essential to early action…Alone we can do very little. But together, we can do so much.”
Early warning systems provide a ten-fold return on investment and are recognized as among the most cost-effective adaptation measures. However, their full socio-economic benefits remain under-documented, highlighting the need for better evidence and advocacy to scale up investments.
The forum’s diverse organizing committee, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the CREWS Secretariat, the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Food Programme (WFP), Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM), the Global Network of Civil Society for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General Climate Action Team, reflects the multi-stakeholder approach essential for success.
Path forward: cooperation and finance
Graphic recording of session on effective governance to support multi-hazard early warning systems.
As the Forum continues, participants will focus on accelerating Early Warnings for All through international, regional and national cooperation and partnerships, alongside solutions for scaling and sustaining investments in multi-hazard early warning systems and building resident capacity.
The Forum will produce an outcome statement sharing overarching needs and priorities, as well as emerging opportunities identified by participants at the global level. These outcomes will feed directly into the Global Platform’s thematic session on early warnings and early action.
With Target G of the Sendai Framework calling for substantial increases in the availability and access to multi-hazard early warning systems, the Global Early Warnings for All Multi-Stakeholder Forum represents a critical milestone in the journey toward universal protection from disasters.
The Global Early Warnings for All Multi-Stakeholder Forum continues on 3 June 2025, focusing on international cooperation and financing solutions for early warning systems.
The 8th Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 (GPDRR2025) began with preparatory events on Monday, 2 June, ahead of the upcoming official programme with highlevel meetings from 4-6 June in Geneva, Switzerland. GPDRR 2025 is organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and hosted by the Government of Switzerland. Two parallel events took place on Monday: the Third Stakeholder Forum and the Global Early Warning for All (EW4All) MultiStakeholder Forum.
Third Stakeholder Forum
Opening
The Third Stakeholder Forum opened with statements by the Governments of Switzerland and Indonesia and senior UN leaders under the theme “United for Resilience.” Speakers highlighted progress on the Bali Agenda for Resilience, an outcome of the 7th Global Platform in 2022, and the opportunities for inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR).
Mirjam Macchi, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, appreciated stakeholders’ solidarity around the evacuation and assistance to the historic village of Blatten, destroyed last week by a glacial landslide 200 km from Geneva. She noted that even livestock were cared for-a powerful reminder that “resilience begins with local people” and inclusive solutions are more effective when those directly affected by disasters bring vital knowledge to action.
Achsanul Habib, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the UN, reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to risk-informed policies and inclusive approaches. He encouraged all participants to use the Stakeholder Forum as “not only a platform to listen and share, but a platform to act together.”
The event also showcased the Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments online platform (SFVC), where stakeholders can register their commitments, and users can identify areas of activity as well as gaps. Yuki Matsuoka, Head, UNDRR Office in Japan, noted that 729 individual organizations so far have registered their commitments.
Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organisation
Whole-of-society approach for the Sendai Framework on DRR: A collective responsibility
Sarah Wade-Apicella, UNDRR, moderated the session. On effective methods to implement inclusive DRR, Marcie Roth, World Institute on Disability, underscored the need for people with disabilities to be involved early in co-development of disaster risk strategies, and for foresight processes to incorporate diverse voices. Major Hamad Sabah Al-Sawar, Director of Crisis and Disaster Management, Bahrain, described Bahrain’s communication platform providing diverse modes of information sharing in multiple languages, the use of a phone application, and a common hashtag used to mobilize public action.
On intersectional and intergenerational knowledge sharing, Tom Colley, HelpAge International, drew attention to the wide network of older people associations worldwide as opportunities to engage this age group in DRR. He noted these associations can also harness and serve as channels for bringing Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge into DRR strategies. Barrise Griffin, Disaster Risk Management Authority, The Bahamas, emphasized moving away from one-off, extractive approaches to information gathering, and instead facilitating ongoing dialogue. Josefina Miculax Sincal, Huairou Commission, called for frameworks and trainings to strengthen good practices at the community level.
A slide showing the numbers of internal displacement by hazard for 2015- 2024.
Participants then heard comments and questions from the floor on the role of national DRR platforms in community-level participation, engagement, and school programs for children; managing conflicts of interest; looking beyond immediate impacts of DRR; measuring the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement; shifting risk ownership to local communities to handle disasters; and securing resources.
Data and financing for disaster displacement as loss and damage
Steven Goldfinch, Asian Development Bank (ADB), moderated this session.
Christelle Cazabat, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, explained that research into Hurricane Milton’s impacts in the US shows how people’s aspirations change when displacement stretches into the long term. She noted 2024 saw the highest number of people displaced in a single year globally (45.8 million), as well as the highest number of people continuing to live in displacement (9.8 million).
Noralene Uy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippines, noted that her country ensures children have access to child-friendly spaces during displacement, and that national protocols guide national and local assessments and reporting. Isoa Talemaibua, Ministry for Maritime and Rural Development, Fiji, highlighted Fiji’s risk assessment activities and stressed the value of financial tools such as green and blue bonds, and parametric insurance that enables rapid payouts based on environmental triggers.
Hoang Phuong Thao, ActionAid Vietnam, highlighted the organization’s work with marginalized and remote communities to use smartphones for receiving early warnings, as well as for reporting on local conditions, thereby informing the government’s trend analysis. Catalina Díaz Escobar, Corporación Antioquia Presente, emphasized that data collection itself is a political process and should be conducted in an ethical and respectful manner.
From Paris to Sendai: the fundamental connection of climate and DRR
Jamie Cummings, Sendai Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism, moderated the session. Animesh Kumar, UNDRR, underlined that risk is a common denominator across the Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating that all these global frameworks share the goal of resilience. He encouraged the institutionalization of the agreements at the national level and highlighted the need to localize them. On technical assistance, he stressed that funding applications under the Santiago Network -a mechanism to support countries recovering from loss and damage due to climate change -should be designed to catalyze downstream impacts. Hisan Hassan, National Disaster Management Authority, Maldives, described his country’s focus on EW4All and slow-onset losses. Manon Robin, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, discussed integration of national adaptation plans and DRR strategies and emphasized, supported by Le-Anne Roper, UNDRR, the need to focus on coordinating actors on different aspects of climate resilience. Amber Fletcher, University of Regina, emphasized that slow-onset disaster management and funding are crucial for food producers, and stressed the significance of non-economic loss and damage.
View of the panel during the “From Paris to Sendai: the Fundamental Connection of Climate and DRR” event.
Innovative financing and private sector leadership in DRR
Camila Tapias, UNDRR ARISE Global Board Member, moderated the session. Manisha Gulati, ODI Global, noted that most funding goes toward emergency response after disasters occur. She highlighted that when the private sector invests in critical services, DRR becomes an outcome, not only a target.
Yezid Niño, Private Sector Liaison, UNDRR Americas, emphasized the relevance of understanding that DRR is part of the development of the countries and pointed toward the role of regulatory frameworks in involving the private sector in financing DRR. Terry Kinyua, Co-Chair of the ARISE Global Board, stressed that the resilience of communities amounts to the resilience of a country.
Through digital interaction, attendees identified cost-benefit analysis, data gaps, and trust as the major barriers to private sector investment in DRR. Among the actions leaders can take to accelerate investment in resilience, attendees mentioned political incentives, regulatory alignment, resilience as a national priority, and the involvement of local leaders.
View of the panel during the “Innovative Financing and Private Sector Leadership in DRR” event.
Implementation of climate and DRR gender action plans at the national level-Synergies and strategies
Mwanahamisi Singano, Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), moderated this panel discussion unpacking synergies between the different Gender Action Plans (GAPs) under multiple conventions and frameworks, including the Sendai GAP. She noted the need to avoid duplication and ensure cost effectiveness.
Mary Picard, Humanitarian and Development Consulting, gave a keynote address describing the actions leading to the launch of the Sendai GAP in 2024. Panelists mentioned key lessons from their experiences with governments in implementing the GAPs, including the challenge of competing priorities and political preferences among different ministries when attempting to coordinate the different GAPs. Other interventions focused on holding governments and agencies accountable for implementing GAPs and enhancing communication among women’s networks, particularly those involved in DRR. Following interventions on regional mapping tools and GAP observatories that monitor implementation progress, Singano invited participants to provide inputs towards developing a universal DRR gender equality observatory.
Community-led action for resilience, building partnerships for inclusive action
Maité Rodríguez, Fundación Guatemala, moderated this session. The panel featured grassroot women leaders and related international organizations. Godavari Dange, Swayam Shikshan Prayog, a women-led organization of farmer-producers, highlighted women farmers’ work in drought preparedness to cultivate and stockpile animal fodder. She also highlighted technology training conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic for women to use online platforms. Norma Choc Botzoc, Community Practitioners’ Platform for Resilience in Guatemala, described grassroot women’s own development of risk and vulnerability assessments, which, she noted, are being used as tools for advocacy to local authorities to direct resources appropriately. Speakers from ADB and the Centre for Coordination of Disasters in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC) affirmed the central importance of cooperation and co-design of programs for climate resilience and recovery after disasters.
Disaster preparedness and risk reduction in urban areas—Building back better
Ladeene Freimuth, The Freimuth Group, moderated the session. Guilherme Simões, National Secretary for Peripheries, Ministry of Cities, Brazil, outlined the Live Peripheries program, which provides access to better urban infrastructure, social services, and opportunities; and the Peripheries Without Risk strategy, a community-based risk reduction and climate adaptation plan.
Marcie Roth, World Institute on Disability, highlighted EWS as one of the best-proven and cost-effective methods for reducing disaster deaths and losses. She drew attention to “Infinite Access,” a communication platform designed to deliver emergency alerts in multiple accessible formats.
Mario Flores, Habitat for Humanity International, discussed the challenges and opportunities of urban environments, stressing the need to build better in the first place; to have risk-informed development; and to consider housing as a platform for a peoplecentered resilience approach.
Debbra Johnson, ARISE-US Network, addressed the report “Navigating the sustainability-resilience nexus,” which brings together the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and the DRR Sendai Framework.
Breaking the DRR financing silos: A systematic shift in DRR financing for localization of inclusive resilience
Camila Tapias, UNDRR ARISE Global Board Member, moderated the session. Noting that financial capital existed but is not reaching local levels, Tanjir Hossain, Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism, called for breaking down silos so funding is not sitting around while millions of people suffer. Steve Goldfinch, ADB, described the National Disaster Management Fund of Pakistan that finances projects with high economic benefits using a 70% – 30% funding model from provincial governments. He also highlighted the National Disaster Risk Management Fund of the Philippines that encourage local governments to invest in disaster response, relief, preparedness and risk reduction measures. Emma Haight, UNDRR Investor Advisory Board, described the adoption of a green sewer design, first developed in Washington DC, which proved so successful that the design was replicated in London, UK, Cape Town, South Africa, and Quito, Ecuador, highlighting its environmental and financial risk reduction, and over USD 200 million in cost savings. Michelle Chivunga, Global Policy House, discussed using artificial intelligence to shift DRR responses, optimize data utilization in local governments, track and mobilize funding, and to use digital capital during humanitarian crisis to make up for funding shortfalls. Sara Hoeflich, United Cities and Local Government, recommended investment in basic services such as water supply, street cleaning, and sewer solutions to ensure clean cities as an investment and risk mitigation measure. Marcos Concepción Raba, Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction, discussed effective localization.
Global Early Warning for All (EW4All) Multistakeholder Forum
Opening
Julien Thöni, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Switzerland, said timely early warning action should provide critical time to act and respond, and noted that innovation better predicts and reaches people faster. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), suggested key criteria for improving early warning systems (EWS), including that science must connect people; and systems and partnerships must include actors “outside the DRR tent,” especially those most at risk. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of UNDRR, said EWS should not be regarded as a once-off intervention. He said national ownership must be strengthened, and the concept of leaving no one behind should be embedded into all efforts. Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition, via video, suggested EWS is the most basic tool for saving and protecting lives, and called for high-level political support, a boost in technology access, and public and private finance at scale.
Fireside chat: The state of EWS
Johan Stander, WMO, drew attention to national ownership, stakeholder engagement, and the involvement of funding partners when investing in EW4All. Sujit Kumar Mohanty, Chief of Branch, UNDRR, emphasized co-design and co-ownership approaches to meaningfully engage stakeholders for successful EW4All.
Good practices: Stakeholder perspectives on EWS
Interventions during this panel session included: calls to integrate women and youth in all decisions focused on EWS; investing in women’s leadership, particularly those with disabilities; ensuring young people are equitably involved; reaching those living in remote rural areas and conflict zones; and leveraging the communication power of mobile networks through private-public partnerships.
UNDRR Disability Leaders gather at the end of the day.
Perspectives from across regions on EWS
Panelists in this session focused on: successful collaboration and EWS progress in Zimbabwe after the 2019 Cyclone Idai; institutionalization of the community-based approach to EWS in Barbados; main challenges to integrate scientific tools and remote sensing into EWS in Lebanon; integration of the private sector in EWS decision-making process in Makati, the Philippines; and the role of cross-border cooperation, knowledge sharing, and educating people for effective EWS in Poland.
Thematic Sessions
Four thematic sessions took place during the day. These were:
The Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) are pleased to announce that The Bahamas will host the IX Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean (RP26) during the first week of May 2026. The announcement was made by the Hon. Leon Lundy, Minister of State for Disaster Risk Management of The Bahamas, during the Eighth Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, held in Geneva, Switzerland.
The session is the leading regional forum for governments and stakeholders to share experiences, foster partnerships, and promote practical solutions to reduce disaster risk and build resilience. Rooted in the mandate of the Sendai Framework, it reflects the commitment of Member States and partners to advancing regional cooperation through inclusive, intergovernmental dialogue and action.
RP26 will build on the momentum of previous platforms, providing a space to spotlight local leadership, innovation, and practical progress toward more resilient communities. Following the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework, and as we enter the final stretch toward 2030, RP26 represents a critical opportunity to consolidate action.
In addition, this regional platform highlights the leadership of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in advancing disaster resilience. In particular, The Bahamas has made significant strides in revamping its disaster risk governance framework following the devastating impact of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which caused an estimated $3.4 billion in losses and damages—91% of which affected the private sector. The country transitioned from a reactive approach to a proactive, integrated model of disaster risk management. This includes a stronger emphasis on mitigation, prevention, adaptation, and recovery planning, supported by the merger of its National Emergency Management Agency and Disaster Reconstruction Authority into the newly established Disaster Risk Management Authority.
RP26 will provide an opportunity to assess regional progress toward the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and contribute to the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).
RP26 will also serve as a key forum to advance regional priorities, including resilient recovery, comprehensive disaster risk governance, and inclusive, all-of-society approaches to disaster risk management. A central focus will be the strengthening of multi-hazard early warning systems, not only as a life-saving tool, but also as an enabler of timely and informed decision-making across sectors. The Platform will further address the need for adequate financing—not only in terms of access, but also in the equitable distribution, effective use, and execution of resources at national and local levels. Drawing on insights from the 2024 Regional Assessment Report (RAR24), RP26 will spotlight the importance of systemic approaches, and of integrating risk considerations across development planning. It will showcase innovative practices and investments that are shifting the region toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
“The Bahamas is honoured to host RP26 next year. The timing aligns meaningfully with the work we have been doing to build capacity and strengthen national disaster risk governance and resilience financing in country. We hope our experience offers insight for others, and that RP26 will be a space to listen, exchange, and drive progress,” said Minister Leon Lundy, of The Bahamas.
He continued, “For SIDS like The Bahamas, this Platform is necessary. As climate impacts increase and DRR finance gaps widen, the region must keep developing and advocating for systems that reflect our realities. We hope that RP26 drives progress in critical areas such as disaster risk financing and upscaling national and regional capacities. We look forward to welcoming the region to The Bahamas in 2026. Let’s ensure this Platform is remembered not for what we say, but for what we build.”
“RP26 is a powerful opportunity to elevate the leadership of Caribbean SIDS and to amplify the lessons learned from The Bahamas’ resilient recovery and risk governance reforms after Hurricane Dorian,” said Nahuel Arenas, Chief of UNDRR – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean. “As the region faces increasingly complex and interconnected risks, it is urgent to align efforts across sectors and countries. This platform will help catalyze action, promote innovation, and strengthen solidarity to advance the goals of the Sendai Framework across the region of the Americas & the Caribbean,” he added.
RP26 is expected to be more than just a forum—it will serve as a pivotal moment to reaffirm our collective commitment and inspire renewed collaboration across sectors and societies.
From now until 2030, every day counts. Stakeholders from governments, regional bodies, civil society, youth, academia, and the private sector are encouraged to seize this opportunity to contribute to a shared vision for a more sustainable region.
Further details, including the dates and venue, will be shared in the coming months.
President Van der Bellen, thank you for your leadership.
And my thanks to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It is fitting that the world’s one and only Terminator is focussing our attention on terminating pollution – continuing his history of political leadership and action.
Unfortunately, our world looks less like an action hero movie and increasingly more like a horror show.
We face a triple-whammy of woe:
Pollution clogging rivers, contaminating land, and poisoning our ocean;
Biodiversity destroyed at record pace;
And record levels of greenhouse gases catastrophically disrupting our climate.
We salute the real-life heroes on the front-lines when these crises strike:
The firefighters taking-on infernos…
The rescuers saving lives as floods sweep communities…
And the United Nations staff providing food, shelter, and care when crops fail, hurricanes hit, or people are forced from their homes.
No country – whether rich or poor – can escape these crises.
And no country can solve them alone.
But together, we can reap the rewards of action – from cheap, secure power, to better health.
The science is on our side. The economics are behind us.
Almost everywhere, solar and wind are the cheapest source of new electricity.
The world now invests almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels.
An energy revolution is underway across the globe.
We must unite for action to accelerate it, and drive down global emissions:
With new national climate plans from countries this year and new transition plans from business.
These must align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius – to avoid the worst of climate change.
We must unite in action to drive finance to developing countries so they can make the leap to renewables, adapt to our changing climate, and respond to disasters.
And we must unite in action to end biodiversity loss and pollution.
Particularly, countries must agree a new global treaty this year to end plastic pollution.
Friends,
United in action we can terminate pollution and protect people and planet.
The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing over 8 million people a year globally.
In February 2025, WHO marked the 20th anniversary of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), providing a legal framework and comprehensive package of tobacco control measures. The WHO FCTC now has 182 Parties covering more than 90% of the world’s population.
In 2007, WHO introduced a practical, cost-effective initiative to scale up implementation to reduce tobacco use called MPOWER. Today, 5.6 billion people are covered by an MPOWER measure which includes: monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; protect people from tobacco use; offer help to quit tobacco use; warn about the dangers of tobacco; enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and raise taxes on tobacco.
MPOWER has helped to reduce global deaths from tobacco use and created a global partnership on tobacco control focused on supporting the highest burden countries in the world, with WHO recognized as a global leader.
Thanks to commitment and powerful action in countries, and with support from key donors, tobacco use is declining across all WHO regions. Here are some stories from across the WHO regions demonstrating the impact of WHO’s work in this area.
Tobacco free farms in Kenya and Zambia
Tobacco free farmer from Migori County, Kenya. Photo by: WHO
A record 349 million people are facing acute food insecurity globally. Food insecurity is further exasperated by tobacco production. Tobacco is grown in over 124 countries, taking up 3.2 million hectares of fertile land that could be used to grow food. Tobacco farmers often lack the confidence to shift away from tobacco due to market variability for alternative crops.
WHO, in collaboration with partners, launched the Tobacco-Free Farms initiative in 2021 in Kenya and 2023 in Zambia.
The initiative has supported over 8 600 farmers in Kenya and over 500 farmers in Zambia.
The initiative seeks to move smallholder farmers away from tobacco growth and into nutritious food crops, by creating an ecosystem which could improve household food security and income generation. It may simultaneously add value to farmers’ land through rehabilitation of climate smart and other good agricultural practices.
First ever WHO treaty marks 20 years of saving millions of lives worldwide
Since the entry into force of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and the MPOWER technical package that supports it, global tobacco use prevalence has dropped by one-third. The WHO FCTC has helped to save millions of lives through strengthened tobacco control measures around the world.
Up to 5.6 billion people are now covered by at least one tobacco control policy and studies have shown a decline in global smoking rates. 138 countries require large pictorial health warnings on cigarettes packages because of the Convention and dozens more countries have implemented plain packaging rules on cigarette packages. Both measures serve as powerful tools to reduce tobacco consumption and warn users about the dangers of tobacco use.
Over a quarter of the world’s population is now covered by smoke free policies which require bans in indoor and workspaces, saving millions of lives from the dangers of the second-hand smoke.
More than 66 countries have implemented bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship which include bans on tobacco advertising in the media and sponsorship deals.
In 2022, WHO trained 157 law enforcement officers and 15 national trainers from five districts in Uganda to raise awareness and help enforce the smoking ban in public places. Photo by: WHO
In 2007, Uganda signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a legally binding treaty that requires countries to implement evidence-based measures to reduce tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. In 2015, the country passed its Tobacco Control Act, which regulates tobacco products and their use, including in public places.
These dual interventions have delivered notable results. Between 2014 to 2022, Uganda saw a 51% drop in the prevalence of tobacco use.
WHO played a key role in supporting the Ugandan government’s efforts, building the capacity of tobacco control focal people in government entities since 2015.
Legal measures drive down rates of tobacco use in Mauritania
“Quitting smoking is the best decision I’ve ever made for my health and I’m very proud of it,” says Ifrah. “Giving up smoking is difficult, but not impossible. With willpower and determination, it can be done.” Photo by: WHO
In 2018, Mauritania introduced legislation in line with WHO recommendations stipulating that all tobacco products on sale in Mauritania must carry a health warning covering at least 70% of the surface area of both sides of the packaging.
These legal steps to introduce graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging are changing the status quo. The 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) shows that between 2012 and 2021, tobacco use in Mauritania has declined by 8%, from 18% to 10%. Nearly 25% of smokers in Mauritania first noticed health warnings on cigarette packages, while 14% of smokers thought about quitting because of warning labels.
With WHO support, Mauritania’s Health Ministry has provided tobacco control training to 15 regional governors. Mauritania is also implementing awareness campaigns around the dangers of tobacco consumption, a ban on smoking in public places, and the introduction of tobacco taxes.
Pan American Health Organization hosts regional workshop to implement effective tobacco tax policies
Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in Latin America, contributing to high rates of non-communicable diseases. Despite clear evidence that tobacco taxation is one of the most effective public health interventions to reduce consumption, its use is still limited in many Latin American countries.
PAHO/WHO, with partners brought together policymakers from 15 countries to participate in the 3-day workshop, “Advancing Tobacco Taxes in Latin America”.
The meeting focused on addressing the ongoing public health and economic challenges posed by tobacco consumption in Latin American countries, emphasizing the potential of tobacco taxes as a cost-effective tool to reduce the burden of tobacco use. Participants included delegates from ministries of health and finance from Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Ministry of Health and WHO release Global Adult Tobacco Survey Indonesia Report
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Indonesia Report 2021 presents detailed information on tobacco use and key tobacco control indicators, using globally standardized protocols and methodologies. The report found that 34.5% of adults – 70.2 million people – used tobacco. Use of electronic cigarettes increased by 10 times in the last 10 years, from 0.3% in 2011 – when the last GATS was conducted – to 3% in 2021.
Across Indonesia, WHO continues to advocate for implementation of strong tobacco control measures. This includes increased taxation of tobacco products, expansion of subnational bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and stronger, more effective implementation and enforcement of smoke-free policies.
WHO encourages policy makers and public health researchers in Indonesia and globally to access and utilize the GATS Indonesia Report 2021, to better control tobacco and achieve a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
World No Tobacco Day 2024 in Thailand: protecting children from tobacco industry interference
Every year on 31 May, World No Tobacco Day highlights the dangers of tobacco use, exposes harmful business practices of tobacco companies, and empowers individuals to claim their right to health and protect future generations.
In Thailand, a troubling trend is rising among the youth: the growing popularity of e-cigarettes and vaping, driven by aggressive marketing and appealing designs. A sharp rise in e-cigarette use was observed amongst Thai school-aged children (13–15 years), with prevalence increasing from 3.35% in 2015 to 17.6% in 2022, despite the sale of e-cigarettes being banned in Thailand. Children and young people are aggressively targeted through marketing that relies heavily on social media and influencers.
The campaign exposed the tobacco industry’s deceptive practices and the real dangers of e-cigarettes, aiming to empower Thai youth to resist the lure of smoking and vaping. WHO urged all stakeholders – readers, parents, educators, policymakers – to unite in this fight, support anti-smoking campaigns, advocate for strict regulations, and educate communities to protect youth and secure a smoke-free future.
Towards a tobacco-free Jordan: launch of national strategy to combat tobacco and smoking
Minister of Health in Jordan delivering speech at the National Strategy to combat tobacco and smoking in all its forms launch. Photo by: WHO
Jordan’s Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, officially launched the National Strategy to Combat Tobacco and Smoking in All Its Forms 2024–2030 and an accompanying action plan for 2024–2026. The landmark launch event was held on 6 June 2024 under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister of Jordan Dr Bisher Khasawneh.
A startling 66.1% of males in Jordan are smokers, according to the 2019 Jordan National Stepwise Survey. A further 15.9% of males use electronic cigarettes. According to the WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2030, published in 2023, Jordan is one of just 6 countries globally where tobacco use is still growing.
The Ministry of Health developed the strategy in collaboration with the WHO Country Office in Jordan and incorporated contributions from various ministries, nongovernmental organizations and international experts. This approach has ensured that the strategy is a comprehensive, evidence-based road map tailored to the Jordanian context.
WHO Director-General congratulates the Philippines on its progress in tobacco control, 10 years since the signing of the Sin Tax Reform Law
In January 2023 in Manila, legislators of the Philippine Government, members of the Action for Economic Reforms and the Sin Tax Coalition, and representatives from WHO, development partners and civil society organisations marked the 10th anniversary of the passage of Republic Act 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Law.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated the Philippines on putting this tax reform and other measures in place for tobacco control. As a result of the many measures taken, tobacco use has dropped from 30% in 2009 to 20% in 2021.
“The taxes are having a clear impact. More smokers are trying to quit because of the high price of cigarettes. The Philippines is a great example for other countries of how raising tobacco taxes can save lives, reduce health costs, and raise revenues”, said Dr Tedros.
KINSHASA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announces its partnership with rising Congolese music star Sista Becky (Rebecca Kalonji) as a High-Level Supporter, advocating for nutrition and healthy eating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
With 28 million people facing severe hunger and 4.75 million children suffering from acute malnutrition in the country, Sista Becky’s influence and support will be instrumental in inspiring young people to take action against food insecurity and participate in community development.
“Through my voice and my work, I want to challenge young people to not only raise their voices but also to take action on the issues that directly impact their future, including access to nutritious food and better opportunities for women and girls,” said Sista Becky.
Sista Becky is gaining increasing recognition in the global music scene, with her socially conscious lyrics. Her debut single “Mr Rap” launched her career in 2016, while her album “Apéritif” (2021) established her as a leading artist in Congolese music. She has recently released a new single, “Kimpa vita”, adding to her growing reputation as a voice for social change in the DRC.
As a High-Level Supporter, Sista Becky joins Innoss’B and Distel Zolain playing a key role in furthering WFP’s mission to do more on school feeding, support healthy foods and prevent malnutrition across the country.
“We are thrilled to have Sista Becky join us in our mission to combat hunger and promote nutrition in DRC,” said Elvira Pruscini, WFP’s Representative and Country Director a.i. in DRC. “Her influence and dedication to social issues align perfectly with WFP’s objectives, and we look forward to the impact we can achieve together.”
Sista Becky joins WFP at a critical time as the organization continues to face a severe funding shortfalls. WFP needs US$433 million over the next six months to meet the growing humanitarian needs in the DRC.
Note to the editor: For more about Sista Becky, please visit @sista_becky
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This June marks one year since the arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen. I renew my call for their immediate and unconditional release, including those held since 2021 and 2023, and most recently this January.
I also reiterate my strongest condemnation of the death in detention of a World Food Programme colleague earlier this year. The Houthi de facto authorities have yet to provide an explanation for this deplorable tragedy, and I renew the call for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and accountability.
I stand in solidarity with all detained colleagues in Yemen and their families and pay tribute to their essential work and their families’ perseverance. The UN and its humanitarian partners should never be targeted, arrested or detained while carrying out their mandates for the benefit of the people they serve.
The continued arbitrary detention of our colleagues is a profound injustice against those who dedicate their lives to providing life-saving assistance and support to the people of Yemen. It has placed additional constraints on our ability to operate effectively and undermined mediation efforts to secure a path toward peace.
I again urge the Houthis to immediately release those arbitrarily detained. Particularly on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, this is a time to show compassion and end the ordeal of families who face celebrating yet another holiday without their loved ones.
I would like our detained colleagues to know that you are not forgotten. The United Nations will continue to work through all possible channels to secure your safe and immediate release, and I call upon Member States to continue expressing their solidarity with those detained and intensify advocacy towards their release. I welcome the collective support of international partners, NGOs and all those working to support the people of Yemen in these efforts.
في حزيران/يونيو من هذا العام، يمر عام كامل على الاحتجاز التعسفي لعشرات من موظفي الأمم المتحدة والمنظمات غير الحكومية الوطنية والدولية ومنظمات المجتمع المدني والبعثات الدبلوماسية على يد سلطات الأمر الواقع الحوثية في اليمن. أجدد دعوتي للإفراج الفوري وغير المشروط عنهم، وكذلك عن أولئك الذين تم احتجازهم منذ عامي 2021 و2023، ومن احتجزوا مؤخراً في يناير الماضي.
أُجدد التعبير عن بالغ الإدانة لوفاة زميلنا من برنامج الأغذية العالمي أثناء احتجازه في وقت سابق من هذا العام. حتى الآن، لم تُقدم سلطات الأمر الواقع الحوثية أي توضيح بشأن هذه الواقعة المؤسفة، أكرر مجدداً الدعوة إلى إجراء تحقيق فوري وشفاف وشامل ومساءلة المسؤولين.
كما أنني أعبر عن بالغ التضامن مع جميع زملائنا المحتجزين في اليمن وعائلاتهم، وأُشيد بعملهم الحيوي وبصمود عائلاتهم. فلا ينبغي بأي حال من الأحوال استهداف موظفي الأمم المتحدة وشركائهم في المجال الإنساني، أو تعريضهم للاعتقال أو الاحتجاز، أثناء قيامهم بمهامهم المكرّسة لخدمة غيرهم.
إن استمرار الاحتجاز التعسفي لزملائنا يُجسّد ظلماً فادحاً بحق من لم يدخروا جهداً في تقديم المساعدات المنقذة للحياة، وفي دعم الشعب اليمني . لقد فرض هذا الوضع مزيداً من القيود على قدرتنا على العمل بفعالية، كما قوّض الجهود المبذولة للتوسط نحو مسار يُفضي إلى السلام.
أناشد الحوثيين مجدداً للإفراج الفوري عن جميع المحتجزين تعسفياً. وخصوصًا مع حلول عيد الأضحى المبارك، آن الأوان لتغليب قيم الرحمة، ووضع حدّ لمعاناة العائلات التي ما زالت تقضي الأعياد بلا أحبائها.
أود أن يعرف زملاؤنا المحتجزون أنكم لستم منسيين. ستواصل الأمم المتحدة العمل عبر جميع القنوات الممكنة لضمان إطلاق سراحكم الآمن والفوري. وأدعو الدول الأعضاء إلى مواصلة التعبير عن تضامنها مع المحتجزين، وتعزيز جهود المناصرة من أجل الإفراج عنهم. كما أُعرب عن تقديري للدعم الجماعي من الشركاء الدوليون، والمنظمات غير الحكومية، وكل من يواصل العمل من أجل دعم الشعب اليمني وتعزيز هذه الجهود.
Let me begin by congratulating Her Excellency, Annalena Baerbock of Germany on her election as the President of the 80th Session of the General Assembly.
And to our current President of this 79th session — His Excellency Philemon Yang of Cameroon — thank you for your leadership.
From day one, you have presided over the General Assembly with wisdom, vision and skill.
You hit the ground running with the Summit of the Future.
And, since then, you have carried that work forward, taking on critical global issues, preparing for numerous milestone events in this 80th anniversary year, working to strengthen our institution, and serving as a powerful voice and advocate for Africa and its enormous potential.
President Yang, thank you for your advice, guidance and deep commitment to the United Nations and multilateral solutions.
Excellencies,
President-elect Baerbock, as you prepare to lead the 80th General Assembly, you do so at a difficult and uncertain moment for the multilateral system.
Conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality continue to challenge the human family.
Mistrust and divisions are rife.
The Sustainable Development Goals are alarmingly off-track.
Aid and development funding are drying up.
And our institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow.
This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges.
President-elect Baerbock’s vision — “Better Together” — is an inspiring rallying cry for today’s world and the global problem-solving system embodied by the United Nations to address these challenges.
Her priority issues range from peace and development to reform and transparency in the United Nations.
She brings a wealth of government and diplomatic experience to this task — including serving as her country’s Foreign Minister.
And let us not forget the historic significance of her being only the fifth woman to be elected President of the General Assembly.
President-elect Baerbock, you can count on my full support as you take on this important responsibility.
Excellences,
Depuis 80 ans, l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies joue un rôle indispensable pour bâtir des consensus, trouver des solutions, et agir pour un monde meilleur, plus pacifique et plus égalitaire.
Alors que nous approchons de la fin de la 79ème session et nous préparons à l’ouverture de la 80ème, engageons-nous à faire vivre les valeurs de solidarité et de collaboration qui définissent notre Organisation depuis sa création.
Je vous remercie.
**** [all-English]
Let me begin by congratulating Her Excellency, Annalena Baerbock of Germany on her election as the President of the 80th Session of the General Assembly.
And to our current President of this 79th session — His Excellency Philemon Yang of Cameroon — thank you for your leadership.
From day one, you have presided over the General Assembly with wisdom, vision and skill.
You hit the ground running with the Summit of the Future.
And, since then, you have carried that work forward, taking on critical global issues, preparing for numerous milestone events in this 80th anniversary year, working to strengthen our institution, and serving as a powerful voice and advocate for Africa and its enormous potential.
President Yang, thank you for your advice, guidance and deep commitment to the United Nations and multilateral solutions.
Excellencies,
President-elect Baerbock, as you prepare to lead the 80th General Assembly, you do so at a difficult and uncertain moment for the multilateral system.
Conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality continue to challenge the human family.
Mistrust and divisions are rife.
The Sustainable Development Goals are alarmingly off-track.
Aid and development funding are drying up.
And our institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow.
This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges.
President-elect Baerbock’s vision — “Better Together” — is an inspiring rallying cry for today’s world and the global problem-solving system embodied by the United Nations to address these challenges.
Her priority issues range from peace and development to reform and transparency in the United Nations.
She brings a wealth of government and diplomatic experience to this task — including serving as her country’s Foreign Minister.
And let us not forget the historic significance of her being only the fifth woman to be elected President of the General Assembly.
President-elect Baerbock, you can count on my full support as you take on this important responsibility.
Excellencies,
For 80 years, the United Nations General Assembly has played an indispensable role in forging consensus, finding solutions and taking action to build a better, more peaceful and equal world.
As we look ahead to the end of the 79th session, and prepare for the start of the 80th, let us strive to live up to the values of solidarity and collaboration that have defined this organization from the very start.
Thank you.
***** [all-French]
Permettez-moi tout d’abord de féliciter Madame Annalena Baerbock, de l’Allemagne, qui vient d’être élue Présidente de la 80e session de l’Assemblée générale.
Quant à vous, Monsieur Philemon Yang, du Cameroun, qui présidez actuellement la 79e session, je tiens à vous remercier de votre leadership.
Dès le premier jour, vous avez présidé l’Assemblée générale avec sagesse, hauteur de vue et compétence.
Le Sommet de l’avenir a été votre baptême du feu.
Depuis lors, vous avez poursuivi sans relâche l’action engagée, vous emparant des grandes questions internationales, organisant les nombreuses manifestations qui ont jalonné le 80e anniversaire de l’Organisation, œuvrant au renforcement de notre institution et vous faisant le porte-voix et le défenseur de l’Afrique et de son énorme potentiel.
Monsieur le Président, je vous remercie des orientations et de la direction données, ainsi que de votre profond attachement à l’Organisation des Nations Unies et aux solutions multilatérales.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Madame la Présidente, alors même que vous vous préparez à diriger la 80e Assemblée générale, le système multilatéral vit un moment difficile et incertain.
Les conflits, la catastrophe climatique, la pauvreté et les inégalités continuent de fragiliser la famille humaine.
La méfiance et les divisions s’enracinent.
Les objectifs de développement durable sont encore très loin d’être atteints.
Le financement de l’aide et du développement se tarit.
Enfin, nos institutions et nos structures sont toujours le reflet du monde d’hier et n’incarnent aucune vision pour demain.
Le moment est venu pour nous de nous unir, de trouver des solutions communes et d’agir ensemble pour relever ces défis.
La vision portée par Madame la Présidente et qu’incarnent ces mots – « Mieux ensemble » – est à même de rallier et d’inspirer le monde d’aujourd’hui et le système international de règlement des problèmes qu’est l’ONU et de leur permettre de remédier aux difficultés.
Ses priorités vont de la paix et du développement à la réforme et à la transparence à l’ONU.
Elle apportera à sa tâche une riche expérience gouvernementale et diplomatique, ayant notamment été la Ministre des affaires étrangères de son pays.
Enfin, n’oublions pas la dimension historique que revêt son élection, puisqu’elle n’est que la cinquième femme à être élue Présidente de l’Assemblée générale.
Madame la Présidente, vous pouvez compter sur mon appui total dans l’exercice de cette lourde responsabilité.
Excellences,
Depuis 80 ans, l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies joue un rôle indispensable pour bâtir des consensus, trouver des solutions, et agir pour un monde meilleur, plus pacifique et plus égalitaire.
Alors que nous approchons de la fin de la 79ème session et nous préparons à l’ouverture de la 80ème, engageons-nous à faire vivre les valeurs de solidarité et de collaboration qui définissent notre Organisation depuis sa création.
A major milestone was achieved on 26 May 2025, when the Member States agreed on the new WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 to take forward the development of evidence-based practice of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into the next decade. In discussing the Strategy, Member States deliberated on crucial components for inclusion, such as establishing a robust evidence base for traditional medicine practices, developing regulatory mechanisms for quality and safety, creating integrated health-care service delivery models where appropriate, and ensuring qualified practitioners.
With the Strategy, the Assembly explicitly recognized not only the role of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples but also the importance of upholding their rights, while promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation in the context of TCIM.
Under the 2025-2034 Strategy, WHO will assist Member States in strengthening the evidence base for TCIM, bolstering safety, quality and effectiveness, and, where appropriate, facilitating its integration into health systems while optimizing cross-sector collaboration.
The adoption of the Strategy capped an intensive two-year process of global and regional consultations. During the process, Member States, WHO at all three levels, stakeholders and partners, including indigenous representatives and representatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization, provided over 1200 comments. Forty-seven interventions were made during the discussion at the Assembly . All statements were positive, encouraging and supportive of the new Strategy. In addition, there were four interventions from non-State actors.
Building momentum
The adoption of the Strategy followed a series of high-profile side events during this year’s Assembly.
On 20 May 2025, ministers, global health leaders and experts gathered for the event titled “Improving Universal Health Coverage through the Implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034”. hosted by China’s National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in collaboration with Malaysia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Seychelles. The event underscored global momentum behind the Strategy and emphasized China’s influential contributions in policy, education, research and traditional medicine integration into the health-care system.
On 23 May 2025, India, together with 31 Member States of the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine (GFTM), hosted a second official side event, entitled “Traditional Medicine: From Traditional Knowledge to Frontier Science, for Health for All”. The event highlighted India as a role model and success story for the GFTM countries. With over 250 delegates in attendance, the event showcased national experiences and reaffirmed global commitment to traditional medicine.
Private sector support
The role of private sector support for scaling up evidence-based interventions for traditional medicine was explored during a panel discussion on 20 May 2025, convened by the Geneva-based Health Innovation Exchange.
The event brought together high-level speakers, including:
Dr Pierre Somsé, Minister of Public Health and Population of the Central African Republic;
Dr Benjamin Njoudalbaye, interim head of the African Union’s Africa Medicines Agency;
The panel underscored the need for innovative and sustainable financing models to scale up innovations, as well as related challenges, including the need for standardized frameworks to address regulatory gaps, protect indigenous knowledge and ensure equitable benefit-sharing. Also discussed was the ethical use of tools like artificial intelligence to validate and scale practices.
Delegates were united in the message that bridging gaps can accelerate the path to universal health coverage and produce more inclusive economies and improved planetary health. Watch the session here.
Launches and announcements
The World Health Assembly was also the setting for showcasing innovative tools. WHO launched the first-ever WHO Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Dashboards on 21 May 2025, featuring comprehensive global and country-level profiles. The project builds on insights from the Third WHO Global Survey on TCIM, conducted between April 2023 and March 2024, and marks a significant leap forward in WHO’s data modernization agenda. The new dashboards transform static survey data into a dynamic, real-time digital platform, empowering Member States to continuously update and manage their national TCIM data.
During the Assembly, the Government of India’s Ministry of Ayush signed a US$ 3 million Memorandum of Understanding with WHO to support the inclusion of Traditional Medicine in the International Classification of Health Interventions. This initiative will classify and standardize traditional Ayush medical practices like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, ensuring they are globally recognized within health-care data frameworks. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the agreement on social media, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it in his national radio address, Mann Ki Baat, as a proud milestone for India.
Engaging with delegates
To promote awareness and visibility of WHO’s work on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, “Ask Me” information stands were set up on 21 May 2025 during WHA78. These interactive hubs offered delegates and participants an opportunity to explore the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, the newly launched TCIM dashboards, and key areas of WHO’s ongoing work in TCIM.
Looking ahead to the Global Summit
The adoption of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 reflects a global consensus that TCIM, when validated and regulated, offers powerful solutions for advancing equity, inclusion and resilience in health care. As countries move from Strategy to action, the emphasis will be on building trust, supporting research and creating space for traditional medicine within national health plans.
The second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, to be held in New Delhi on 2–4 December 2025, will be a key opportunity to align all stakeholders in joint action behind the goals of the Strategy, and to share evidence and best practices to accelerate learning and innovation.
In the media
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Let me begin by thanking the Kingdom of Morocco and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation for convening us once again in the great city of Marrakech.
This platform has become much more than an annual event. In a world where clarity is often lost, what does true governance look like today?
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation reminds us that integrity and transparency still matter.
That governance must serve the people, not power.
Excellencies,
We meet today at a pivotal moment.
We have five years left to keep our promise on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
And this year marks the start of the second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 — Africa’s blueprint for transformation.
Together, these milestones demand urgency, action and above all, leadership that delivers.
Yet we gather in the midst of a turbulent global landscape, a world in crisis from every angle: the climate emergency, conflicts old and new, rising inequality, crushing debt, backsliding on human rights, and a worrying trend of narrowing civic space and democratic erosion worldwide.
Across too many societies, the rule of law is being weakened, replaced by the rule of force. We are witnessing a world of growing impunity, where leadership is increasingly unaccountable and public trust is under strain.
Africa is not immune to these pressures. But it is also not defined by them. In fact, Africa is responding with agency, with determination, innovation, and visionary leadership.
Still, progress is being made. Across the continent, we see shining examples of good governance, vibrant civic engagement, institutional resilience, and genuine socio-economic advancement.
But let us be clear, the gap between what is possible and the lived reality is far too wide. Leaders and institutions must be responsive to people and measured by their tangible impact on people’s lives, not merely by their existence.
And when governance falls short, it is often women and children who bear the greatest burdens, especially during conflict and crisis. Yet, time and again, it is these very women who step up, leading peacebuilding efforts, rebuilding fractured communities, and holding societies together.
Their suffering must be acknowledged. Their leadership must be celebrated. And where governance has failed to protect them, accountability must follow.
Africa’s economic transformation will not be a gift from outside; it will be kindled from within.
By unlocking intra-African trade.
By adding value domestically and investing meaningfully in Africa’s greatest resource – its people.
This must be a new era of trade and economy, built on inclusion, youth-led innovation, and fair access to markets.
And no conversation on governance is complete without Africa’s greatest asset, its young people.
They are not waiting for permission.
They are building movements, sharing innovations that are changing lives, and leading by example.
We must stop treating youth as the future and recognize them as leaders of today. This intergenerational transition is already underway, and we must support it with intent to accelerate it.
But none of this is possible without resources. Africa is paying the highest price to borrow, at a time when investments in development and resilience are most critical.
Yet, these investments cannot succeed in a vacuum. They require strong, inclusive, and accountable institutions, the kind envisioned in SDG 16, to deliver justice, ensure participation, and uphold the rule of law.
We need a system that supports public investment, protects fiscal space, and enables development. A system that delivers debt relief, clamps down on illicit flows, and taxes multinational profits fairly.
Because development cannot be top-down. It must be rooted in people’s agency — and built on institutions that reflect their voice, protect their rights, and serve the public good.
This is what leadership must look like in our time.
The United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Africa’s development priorities- advancing the SDGs, operationalizing the Pact for the Future, and mobilizing resources through the SDG Stimulus.
We work hand-in-hand with the African Union as we jointly implement Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Together, we are advancing youth empowerment, gender equality, economic transformation, and peacebuilding. And we are ready to support bold, African-led reforms rooted in justice, sustainability, human rights and shared prosperity.
Friends,
So let us meet this moment. Let us govern differently, with integrity, with inclusion, and with an intergenerational purpose.
Let us reclaim governance as a force for dignity, equity, and lasting peace.
Let us act in ways that respond to people’s needs, uphold their rights, and restore their trust.
Africa is not waiting, and the world must catch up.
Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Geneva/Abuja, 2 June 2025 – The international Organization for Migration (IOM) is deeply saddened by the devastating floods that struck Niger State, in Nigeria’s North-Central Region, on the night of 29 May 2025.
According to latest data from IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix, more than 3,000 people have reportedly been affected, with at least 153 lives lost and 11 reported injuries. The floods have destroyed homes, farmlands, water sources, essential infrastructure and health facilities, leaving families without shelter, food, clean water and access to critical health services.
IOM is working in close coordination with the Federal and State Governments, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to support response efforts. IOM has deployed a team of enumerators to assess the damage and identify urgent needs.
Together with government authorities and local and international partners, IOM is mobilizing urgent assistance to provide life-saving support to those affected.
IOM extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to all those impacted by this heartbreaking disaster.
This Report is the third edition of the Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) Synthesis and Analysis Report, showcasing stakeholders’ contributions to implementing the Sendai Framework, as submitted and published on the SFVC online platform. This report builds on continued efforts since the launch of the platform in 2018 and the publication of the first report in 2019 and the second report 2022.
It boasts an astonishing 161 published voluntary commitments (VCs), 729 participating organizations and 758 concrete deliverables. In addition, it presents a detailed analysis of the VCs including their geographical scope and distribution, contribution to the Sendai Framework priorities for action, targets and indicators, contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, hazards covered, among others.
The Voluntary Commitments initiative reflects the motive of the Sendai Framework that, on the one hand, States have the primary responsibility for DRR, but, on the other hand, this responsibility is shared with all stakeholders.
As the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction unfolds, we invite you to share your experience in real time.
Speakers – Share the key messages you’re presenting. Participants – Post what’s inspiring you, who you’re connecting with, and what you’re learning. Everyone – Highlight the actions and ideas you’ll take forward.
📲 Tag your posts with #GPDRR2025 and #ActForResilienceToday Let’s amplify the conversation as it happens. Your insight today can spark action tomorrow.
Young talent responds to the challenges of the future. On April 30th, youth representatives gathered for the second Regional Consultation organized by the Youth Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), in collaboration with the Major Group for Children and Young People, to exchange experiences and deepen their commitment to climate action and disaster risk reduction.
The urgency to reinforce community resilience was one of the main conclusions of the preliminary results of the 2025 Youth and DRR Survey, which points out the priorities of the new generations in the region. At the same time, the mid-term review of the Sendai Framework highlighted the need to strengthen the implementation of initiatives at the local level. This underscores the opportunity to expand stakeholder and community participation, and to enhance collaboration between governments, young people, and civil society.
‘Disaster risk reduction is not only the responsibility of young people, but a shared commitment of society as a whole,’ said Saskia Carusi, Deputy Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean. Her statement summarizes the spirit of the day and connects directly to one of the pillars of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which especially promotes the participation of young people as key actors in building communities with the capacity to respond to and recover from disasters. ‘Youth should not only be heard but actively included in decision-making processes; their leadership is indispensable for safer and more resilient communities,’ added Carusi, underlining the need to move towards more inclusive governance in the face of risk.
The Sendai Framework clearly points the way: ‘Children and young people are agents of change and should be given the space and modalities to contribute to disaster risk reduction, in accordance with legislation, national practice and curricula.’ Creating spaces for youth participation in defining strategies is not only a matter of generational justice, but also a key factor for more inclusive and sustainable risk reduction.
This event is the result of the work driven by the Network since the Regional Youth Declaration, presented in 2023 during the VIII Regional Platform for DRR in the Americas and the Caribbean, and reflects the joint effort of more than 600 members from across the region.
As a next step, these inputs will be integrated into the Civil Society Declaration to be presented at the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. This document will amplify youth voices to the international community, as well as set the roadmap for the Youth Network for DRR in the implementation of its action plan 2024-2026.
The Republic of Moldova: National Roadmap for Critical Infrastructure Resilience report assesses vulnerabilities of Moldova’s critical infrastructure systems against disaster risks, including systemic and cascading impacts, as well as interdependencies during disruptions. It identifies gaps and proposes improvements in policies, regulations, and their implementation, along with areas for enhanced coordination across sectors and governance levels. The report outlines cross-sectoral and sector-specific Resilience Action Plans, balancing short-term preparedness with long-term strategies, aligning with Moldova’s National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and the EU National Accession Programme.
This report was co-financed within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, as part of the “Strengthening critical infrastructure resilience in the Republic of Moldova” project. The project applied the global methodology on infrastructure resilience reviews developed by UNDRR and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure to assess the resilience of Moldova’s critical infrastructure, focusing on energy, ICT, transport, and water sectors. Moldova became the first country in Europe and Central Asia to adopt this approach, which has been implemented in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.
The project was supported by a Technical Working Group co-chaired by UNDRR and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, comprising representatives from six ministries, the State Chancellery, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, and the Agency for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre, along with UN agencies and civil society organizations. The initiative included consultations, webinars, and workshops, such as the stress test and resilience scorecard workshop.
DUSHANBE – On 30 May 2025, within the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation a special Thematic Session on “Glacial-related Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction: Leveraging the ‘Early Warnings for All’ Initiative” was organized by UNDRR, WMO, and the Government of Switzerland.
Glacier-related disasters, like glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and other floods, avalanches, and ice collapses, threaten communities and infrastructure in mountainous regions. Climate change exacerbates these risks by accelerating glacier retreat and increasing meltwater, making the global Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, and more broadly disaster risk reduction (DRR), urgent priorities. This high-level session aimed to address these growing threats and promote global collaboration and solutions that should protect vulnerable populations.
The session discussed the impact of glacier-related hazards/disasters, respective forecasting and warning systems and impact of the hazards downstream, specially focusing on the disproportionate impact on resource-limited regions.
Effective EWSs can reduce loss of life and damage by providing lead time for evacuation and emergency response. Yet, many at-risk areas, especially in developing nations, lack coverage – the gap that the UN’s EW4All initiative aims to close by 2027. Glacier-specific EWSs need real-time data on glacier dynamics and downstream risks as well as non-real-time vulnerability data/risk maps and DEMs., requiring technology and investments that have to be supported by high-level political will and advocacy.
DRR aims at building long-term resilience through measures such as risk knowledge and awareness building, land-use planning, infrastructure reinforcement, and community education. The Sendai Framework underlines the importance of a whole of government and all of society approach to DRR, the priorities for DRR financing, and supports a multi-hazard approach within risk reduction and EWSs, which can be tied to broader climate change adaptation goals.
Mr. Sulaimon Ziyozoda, Tajikistan, Deputy Prime Minister, National DRR Platform Chairman, EW4All National Focal Point highlighted,
“The importance of strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships among UN agencies and partners, donors and international financial institutions, governments, academia, civil society, and local communities for improving glacier preservation and DRR and for sustainable funding and accountability under the frameworks of the IYGP 2025, Action Decade of Cryospheric Sciences, and EW4All”.
“We need to strengthen our understanding of the climate-cryosphere-water nexus through an Earth System approach. Free data exchange is key – it all boils down to data.” – mentioned Prof. Celeste Saulo, WMO, Secretary General.
In terms of the Sustainable Development Goals and other global agendas, the session links to the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 (especially its Global Target G) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enhancing EWSs and disaster preparedness, which are essential for climate change adaptation. It also contributes to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by reducing disaster risks for vulnerable populations and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by ensuring water security in glacier-fed basins.
Participants called for the following actions to be taken in this area:
Launch public awareness raising that visually and narratively portrays the escalating risks of glacier-related hazards, emphasizing localized impacts
Identify glacier- and other cryosphere-related disaster loss data within national loss and risk assessments, in order to drive evidence-based policy, if possible, in a harmonized way that facilitates international data exchanges and comparisons.
Enhance national risk governance mechanisms by inclusion of glacier hazard expertise and the integration of monitoring into risk management strategies
Utilize the EW4All framework to foster broader engagement of governments and stakeholders in addressing glacier-related hazards, ensuring that EWS are duly prioritized and effectively reach vulnerable communities
Support developing transboundary EWS withing the EW4All at the sub-regional level, prioritizing the collaborative monitoring and dissemination of alerts for glacier-related hazards
Initiate a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort to produce comprehensive global/regional project proposals, outlining actionable strategies and plans for glacier hazard DRR
This Report is the third edition of the Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) Synthesis and Analysis Report, showcasing stakeholders’ contributions to implementing the Sendai Framework, as submitted and published on the SFVC online platform. This report builds on continued efforts since the launch of the platform in 2018 and the publication of the first report in 2019 and the second report 2022.
It boasts an astonishing 161 published voluntary commitments (VCs), 729 participating organizations and 758 concrete deliverables. In addition, it presents a detailed analysis of the VCs including their geographical scope and distribution, contribution to the Sendai Framework priorities for action, targets and indicators, contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, hazards covered, among others.
The Voluntary Commitments initiative reflects the motive of the Sendai Framework that, on the one hand, States have the primary responsibility for DRR, but, on the other hand, this responsibility is shared with all stakeholders.
The third edition of the Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) Synthesis and Analysis Report has been launched on 2 June 2025 at the Opening of the Stakeholder Forum held during the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 (GP2025).
A learning lab session is also organized during GP2025 on 6th June, Friday where stakeholders can learn more about the SFVC initiative and how to submit a VC in the online platform.
MAPUTO – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a generous contribution of EUR 500,000 from the Government of Finland to provide tens of thousands of children with daily hot meals as part of Mozambique’s ongoing National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (PRONAE).
The initiative, which will be immediately rolled out, reinforces the shared commitment of the Government of Mozambique, WFP, and partners to improve education, nutrition, and food security in some of the most vulnerable areas of the country. Finland’s contribution will enable WFP to provide daily hot meals to more than 56,000 students over the next three months in primary schools located along the Nacala Corridor in Nampula Province, northern Mozambique.
“School meals are more than just a plate of food; they are a vital investment in the future of Mozambican children”, said Satu Lassila, Ambassador of Finland to Mozambique. “Finland has a long-standing partnership with Mozambique, including in education. I am delighted that we can now support Mozambican children also in this way.”
Mozambique is currently facing one of the most severe food insecurity crises in recent years, with nearly 40 percent of children under the age of five suffering from stunted growth and a record 5 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The situation is especially dire in the northern region, where conflict and recurrent climate shocks continue to disrupt lives and livelihoods.
“Investing in school meals is one of the smartest and most impactful ways to support the next generations in Mozambique,” said Antonella D’Aprile, WFP Country Director in Mozambique. “Thanks to Finland’s generous contribution, thousands of children will receive the nourishment they need to learn and build a better future—not only for themselves but for the country as a whole.”
Evidence shows that school feeding programmes not only improve children’s nutrition and learning but also help reduce poverty and inequality by increasing school attendance and building human capital over time.
As a founding member and co-chair of the Global School Meals Coalition, Finland remains a steadfast provider and supporter of school meals around the world. This latest contribution builds on Finland’s longstanding collaboration with WFP to ensure that no child learns on an empty stomach.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food.
I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable.
Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs in Gaza must be restored immediately. The UN must be allowed to work in safety and security under conditions of full respect or humanitarian principles.
I continue to call for an immediate permanent, sustainable ceasefire. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. This is the only path to ensuring security for all. There is no military solution to the conflict.
“What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians. It’s the result of government policy — knowingly, evilly, maliciously, irresponsibly dictated.”
This statement was made not by a foreign or liberal critic of Israel but by the former Prime Minister and former senior member of Benjamin Netanyahu’s own Likud party, Ehud Olmet.
Nightly, we witness live-streamed evidence of the truth of his statement — lethargic and gaunt children dying of malnutrition, a bereaved doctor and mother of 10 children, nine of them killed by an Israeli strike (and her husband, another doctor, died later), 15 emergency ambulance workers gunned down by the IDF as they tried to help others injured by bombs, despite their identity being clear.
Statistics reflect the scale of the horror imposed on Palestinians who are overwhelmingly civilians — 54,000 killed, 121,000 maimed and injured. Over 17,000 of these are children.
This can no longer be excused as regrettable collateral damage from targeted attacks on Hamas.
Israel simply doesn’t care about the impact of its military attacks on civilians and how many innocent people and children it is killing.
Its willingness to block all humanitarian aid- food, water, medical supplies, from Gaza demonstrates further its willingness to make mass punishment and starvation a means to achieve its ends. Both are war crimes.
Influenced by the right wing extremists in the Coalition cabinet, like Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s goal is no longer self defence or justifiable retaliation against Hamas terrorists.
Israel attacks Palestinians at US-backed aid hubs in Gaza, killing 36. Image: AJ screenshot APR
Making life unbearable The Israeli government policy is focused on making life unbearable for Palestinians and seeking to remove them from their homeland. In this, they are openly encouraged by President Trump who has publicly and repeatedly endorsed deporting the Palestinian population so that the Gaza could be made into a “Middle East Riviera”.
This is not the once progressive pioneer Israel, led by people who had faced the Nazi Holocaust and were fighting for the right to a place where they could determine their own future and be safe.
Sadly, a country of people who were themselves long victims of oppression is now guilty of oppressing and committing genocide against others.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters called Israel’s actions “ intolerable”. He said that we had “had enough and were running out of patience and hearing excuses”.
While speaking out might make us feel better, words are not enough. Israel’s attacks on the civilian population in Gaza are being increased, aid distribution which has restarted is grossly insufficient to stop hunger and human suffering and Palestinians are being herded into confined areas described as humanitarian zones but which are still subject to bombardment.
People living in tents in schools and hospitals are being slaughtered.
World must force Israel to stop Like Putin, Israel will not end its killing and oppression unless the world forces it to. The US has the power but will not do this.
The sanctions Trump has imposed are not on Israel’s leaders but on judges in the International Criminal Court (ICC) who dared to find Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu guilty of war crimes.
New Zealand’s foreign policy has traditionally involved working with like-minded countries, often small nations like us. Two of these, Ireland and Sweden, are seeking to impose sanctions on Israel.
Both are members of the European Union which makes up a third of Israel’s global trade. If the EU decides to act, sanctions imposed by it would have a big impact on Israel.
These sanctions should be both on trade and against individuals.
New Zealand has imposed sanctions on a small number of extremist Jewish settlers on the West Bank where there is evidence of them using violence against Palestinian villagers.
These sanctions should be extended to Israel’s political leadership and New Zealand could take a lead in doing this. We should not be influenced by concern that by taking a stand we might offend US president Donald Trump.
Show our preparedness to uphold values In the way that we have been proud of in the past, we should as a small but fiercely independent country show our preparedness to uphold our own values and act against gross abuse of human rights and flagrant disregard for international law.
We should be working with others through the United Nations General Assembly to maximise political pressure on Israel to stop the ongoing killing of innocent civilians.
Moral outrage at what Israel is doing has to be backed by taking action with others to force the Israeli government to end the killing, destruction, mass punishment and deliberate starvation of Palestinians including their children.
An American doctor working at a Gaza hospital reported that in the last five weeks he had worked on dozens of badly injured children but not a single combatant.
He noted that as well as being maimed and disfigured by bombing, many of the children were also suffering from malnutrition. Children were dying from wounds that they could recover from but there were not the supplies needed to treat them.
Protest is not enough. We need to act.
Phil Goff is Aotearoa New Zealand’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs. This article was first published by the Stuff website and is republished with the permission of the author.
Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection, Mr. Bahodur Sheralizoda,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon and welcome to this distinguished group of delegated. It is especially important to see so many Ministers of Environment around the table, to which I belonged when I was Minister of Environment in Nigeria. It is great to see all of you here.
This morning, we heard the devastating impact of global warming on glaciers and related eco-systems. We all agree that 2025 must be the tipping point – not towards their collapse – but towards preservation.
We enter the second half of this decisive decade with a sobering truth: the world is not on track to meet the SDGs nor limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
I saw this first hand flying over the Fedchenko glaciers yesterday, and we also heard this play out with destructive force as a Glacier collapsed in the Swiss Alps last week.
We are already seeing 1.2 degrees of warming—and with it, record-breaking heatwaves, rising seas, vanishing glaciers, and intensifying storms. The WMO last week projected a 70% chance that the average temperature across the next 5 years will be above 1.5 degrees Celcius.
Glaciers, which sustain over two billion people with freshwater, are often among the first casualties of a heating planet. Their disappearance is not a distant threat – it is a lived reality for many today from around the world, as we heard this morning.
And we know that every tenth of a degree matters. The difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees is the difference between preservation and irreversible loss of ecosystems, food systems, water security, and for some, national existence.
Alarmingly, our mountain ecosystems are warming at twice the global average, triggering the fastest glacier retreat in recorded history.
And yet, the global response remains deeply inadequate. Despite progress made under the landmark Paris Agreement – signed in hope and grounded in science – temperatures still continue to rise.
The Paris Agreement still remains our North Star. It reflects a global consensus that we must limit global warming to well below 2 degrees—and we strive for 1.5.
But whilst we must be honest about the current context – we must also see the opportunities.
Around the world, we are seeing growing pushback against climate ambition:
Calls to delay action in the name of economic growth.
Fossil fuel interests distorting facts and sowing doubt.
Political cycles undermining long-term commitments.
In this environment, leadership is not the absence of resistance. It is the ability to act despite it.
It is time to translate our climate promises into policy—and policy into progress.
To preserve our glaciers and secure a livable future, I urge world leaders to prioritize three critical areas—each requiring not only technical solutions but sustained political will.
First, the 2035 NDCs, as we just heard from the Chairman, are our most immediate lever to alter our trajectory. They must represent a radical upgrade in ambition and credibility.
And so we are calling on all governments – particularly major emitters – to:
Submit enhanced NDCs aligned with science-based pathways to 1.5 degrees.
Integrate the guidance from the UAE consensus to triple renewable energy, double energy efficiency, and transition away from fossil fuels
Include transition roadmaps with policies that support workers and communities.
And we hope to being able to seize the benefits of the clean energy transition.
There is no alternative. The cost of inaction is incalculable.
Second, finance is the foundation of climate action. Without it, ambition will not be achieved.
We urge governments and financial institutions to:
Fulfil the New climate finance goal agreed in Baku.
Mobilize private capital in clean energy and adaptation and de-risking investment for development countries, will be essential.
Support climate-vulnerable countries—particularly glacier-dependent nations—with grants and concessional finance.
We also call for a reform of international financial institutions to make access faster, fairer, and more inclusive.
No country should be denied protection from climate chaos because of lack of liquidity or credit rating.
And third, preserving glaciers must move from the periphery to the core of global climate strategy.
I urge to strengthen coordination on sciences, funding, and policy action for glaciers’ preservation.
Investing in early warning systems, glacial monitoring, and local adaptation strategies in mountainous regions.
Recognize of indigenous and community-led knowledge in shaping responses.
The melting of glaciers is not only a symptom – it is a signal and if we fail to act, these warning signs will become tipping points.
Excellencies,
We understand the pressures leaders face. The path to 1.5 degrees is narrow. The politics are hard. But the science and economics are unequivocal – and the consequences of delay are intolerable.
We must be clear-eyed: preserving glaciers is not a niche issue. It is central to global water security, disaster resilience, and planetary stability. It is also about equity, it is about intergenerational justice, and about defending the rights of the most vulnerable.
Let us reject false choices between economic development and environmental protection. The technologies, the solutions, and the resources do exist. What is needed is the political will to deploy them—urgently and at scale.
Let 2025 be remembered as the year the world turned the tide.
Not with declarations alone, but with real decisions.
Not by defending the status quo, but by defining a new trajectory.
I believe if we choose to act—with honesty, urgency, and solidarity—then even at this late hour, the story of glacier loss can still be a story of human resilience.