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Category: United Nations

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Fast fashion fuelling global waste crisis, UN chief warns

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Climate and Environment

    Fast fashion is accelerating an environmental catastrophe, with the equivalent of one garbage truck’s worth of clothing either incinerated or sent to landfill every second, the UN chief warned on Thursday.

    Speaking at an event commemorating Sunday’s International Day of Zero Waste, Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action to curb the textile industry’s devastating impact on the planet.

    “Dressing to kill could kill the planet,” he stressed.

    The fashion industry is one of the world’s most polluting sectors, responsible for up to eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

    It consumes vast amounts of water – 215 trillion litres annually, equivalent to 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools – and relies on thousands of chemicals, many of them harmful to human health and ecosystems.

    Despite these staggering figures, clothing is being produced and discarded at an unprecedented rate, driven by business models that prioritise speed and disposability over sustainability.

    A crisis woven into our clothes

    Mr. Guterres cautioned that the waste crisis in fashion is only a symptom of a much larger global problem.

    Humans globally generate more than two billion tonnes of waste each year – enough to wrap around the planet 25 times if packed into standard shipping containers – polluting land, air and water, disproportionately affecting the poorest communities.

    “The rich world is flooding the Global South with garbage, from obsolete computers to single-use plastics,” he said.

    Many countries lack the infrastructure to process even a fraction of what is dumped on their shores, leading to increased pollution and hazardous working conditions for waste pickers.

    This year’s focus: Fashion

    Fashion is under the spotlight for this year’s international day, underscoring staggering resource consumption and pollution levels. It is an industry where trends change rapidly, garments are often discarded after being worn a handful of times.

    Experts estimate that doubling the lifespan of clothing could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44 per cent.

    However, it is also an industry with exciting opportunities to transform lives and livelihoods for the better.

    “Designers are experimenting with recycled materials. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability. In many countries, resale markets are booming,” Mr. Guterres said, urging everyone to contribute to the fight against waste.

    UNEP Video | Fast fashion is fuelling an ecological crisis

    Shun greenwashing

    Governments, he said, must enact policies and regulations that promote sustainability and zero-waste initiatives.

    Businesses must move beyond “greenwashing” and take real steps to reduce waste, increase circularity, and improve resource efficiency across supply chains.

    Consumers, in turn, can play a crucial role by making environmentally responsible choices – valuing durable products, reducing excessive consumption, and embracing resale markets.

    “There is no space for greenwashing,” he emphasised. “Businesses must increase circularity, waste reduction, and resource efficiency across their supply chains.”

    Beyond the fashion industry, the broader fight against waste requires global coordination, he added.

    More than a billion people live in slums or informal settlements without proper waste management, leading to severe health risks. Unregulated dumping and poor waste disposal practices are exacerbating pollution and biodiversity loss worldwide.

    “Let us commit to do our part to clean up our act, and build a healthier, more sustainable world for us all,” Mr. Guterres concluded.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: UN humanitarians flag impact on children of return to war

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issued a warning on Thursday over the terrible impact on youngsters of renewed Israeli bombardment and the total aid blockade.

    UNICEF’s Rosalia Bollen, who’s on the ground there, said that hundreds of children had been killed and injured – some with severe burns, shrapnel lodged in their bodies, fractures and amputations.

    “Even on 18 March with that very heavy, intense bombing, children still kept hope because they thought maybe it’s a one-off, but it’s not,” she told UN News.

    “The attacks continue, the airstrikes continue, tank shelling, shooting and displacement orders continue…people keep being pushed around with very few belongings.”

    ‘Inhumane ordeal’

    The head of the UN’s Palestine refugee relief agency, now outlawed by Israeli although continuing to operate inside the shattered enclave, said everyone feared the worst is yet to come in Gaza.

    “For nearly three weeks now, the Israeli authorities continue to ban the entry of any humanitarian aid or basic commercial supplies,” Philippe Lazzarini said in a social media post.

    “Under our daily watch, people in Gaza are again and again going through their worst nightmare. An endless unleashing of the most inhumane ordeals.”

    Also on Thursday, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that hundreds of thousands of Gazans risk severe hunger and malnutrition as food stocks dwindle and borders remain closed.

    WFP now has approximately 5,700 tons of food stocks left in Gaza, which is enough to support operations “for a maximum of two weeks”, the agency said.

    The agency has decided with the deteriorating security situation, rapid displacement of people, and growing needs, to distribute as much food as possible, as quickly as possible in Gaza:

    • Food parcels: WFP plans to distribute food parcels to half a million people; the reduced size parcel will feed a family for roughly one week.
      • Bakeries: Wheat flour supplies are sufficient to support bread production for 800,000 people for five days only. Currently 19 of 25 WFP-supported bakeries remain operational, and many struggle with severe crowd control issues as fear of bread shortages spreads throughout the Strip.
      • Hot meals: WFP has supplies to support 37 kitchens across Gaza cooking 500,000 hot meals per day for the next two weeks.
      • Fortified biscuits: WFP has emergency stocks of fortified biscuits – enough  for 415,000 people – which can be used as a last resort if all other food stocks are exhausted.   

    WFP and partners have positioned more than 85,000 tons of food commodities outside Gaza, ready to be brought in if border crossings are opened.

    © UNRWA/Mohammed Hinnawi

    UNRWA continues to provide healthcare and medical services in its health centers in Gaza.

    Clear and present danger

    Intensified hostilities continue across the Strip, killing and injuring people and severely constraining the ability of humanitarian workers to provide life-saving support, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing journalists in New York.

    Since Israel’s ground operation commenced in Rafah on Sunday, several ambulances belonging to the Palestinian Civil Defense – as well as the Palestine Red Crescent Society – were hit trying to rescue the wounded and their crews became trapped in the area.

    “Contact with the teams was lost, but several casualties have been reported,” he added.

    Yesterday, a UN humanitarian and Red Crescent team attempted to extract any casualties and recover the ambulances, but they were unable to reach the area.

    Soundcloud

    “Health workers, including first responders, should never be targeted,” Mr. Dujarric said. “Civilians fleeing fighting must be allowed to do so safely, and they must be allowed to return voluntarily when the situation allows it.”

    More people in Gaza are being forced to flee, and displacement orders now cover 18 per cent of Gaza’s territory again.

    “The UN and our partners are responding to people’s deepening needs as the situation allows it, but the complete closure of the crossings for the entry of cargo, which includes humanitarian aid – coupled with the ongoing hostilities – is making all of this increasingly challenging,” the UN Spokesperson underscored.

    Waiting at the border

    Tens of thousands of tents and hundreds of thousands of shelter items are waiting to enter Gaza, and many families forced to flee are unable to bring any of their belongings, further intensifying the shelter crisis.

    “Dwindling shelter stocks in Gaza are completely insufficient to meet the immense needs,” said Mr. Dujarric.

    Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the health system in Gaza is in freefall.

    Health partners report that essential supplies for mass casualty incidents need to be restocked due to the sharp increase in trauma cases and the severity of injuries.

    WHO reports there are fewer than 500 units of blood available, when 8,000 are needed every month.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN Mission urges restraint as South Sudan crisis deepens

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has called on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold the peace agreement as violence escalates and reports emerge of the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar.

    “Tonight, the country’s leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict or taking the country forward towards peace, recovery and democracy in the spirit of the consensus that was reached in 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a Revitalized Peace Agreement,” UNMISS Head Nicholas Haysom said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.

    Mr. Haysom, who is also the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, cautioned that any unilateral amendments could reverse seven years of fragile progress and risk plunging South Sudan back into war.

    “This will not only devastate South Sudan but also affect the entire region,” he added.

    UNMISS urged all parties to immediately cease hostilities and engage in constructive dialogue that prioritizes the well-being of the South Sudanese people at this critical juncture

    The world’s youngest country has been mired in conflict which erupted shortly after independence from Sudan in 2011, between Government forces led by President Salva Kiir, and fighters loyal to his rival Riek Machar, who has served as First Vice President since 2020 in a broad-based governing coalition.

    Clashes intensify

    Fighting has escalated over the past 24 hours, with clashes reported between Government troops of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition near Rejaf, just south of the capital Juba, and in Wunaliet, to the west.

    The situation in Upper Nile, in the north of the country, also remains volatile. Earlier this month the so-called White Army – a youth militia – overran South Sudanese army barracks in Nasir. In response, Government forces launched retaliatory aerial bombardments on civilian areas, using barrel bombs that allegedly contained highly flammable accelerants.

    An UNMISS helicopter – attempting to evacuate wounded SSPDF soldiers – in Nasir, region was also attacked this month, killing a crew member as well as several South Sudanese soldiers, including an injured General.

    Children at extreme risk

    Virginia Gamba, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, also warned that the surge in fighting is putting children at grave risk of violations, including killing, sexual violence and recruitment into armed groups.

    “I am deeply concerned over the escalating violence, particularly in the Upper Nile province, and I urge all parties to silence their weapons and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law,” she said.

    “The stability of the country and a lasting peace for all, including new generations, is at stake.”

    Repeated warnings

    Earlier this week, Mr. Haysom warned that South Sudan was “teetering on the brink of civil war,” citing indiscriminate attacks on civilians, forced displacement and ethnic tensions.

    Renewed fighting “would devastate not only South Sudan but the entire region, which simply cannot afford another war,” he said.

    Fragile peace at stake

    Civil war erupted in 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with First Vice President Machar. The war – marked by ethnic violence, mass atrocities and a widespread humanitarian crisis – lasted until a fragile peace deal was signed in 2018.

    Though the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement brought a degree of stability, delays in its implementation and continued political rivalries have kept tensions simmering.

    Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire, with over nine million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, including two million internally displaced persons.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: SRSG Kamal Kishore’s speech at the High-Level Policy Forum on Accelerated Financing for Disaster Risk Reduction to Build Resilience in Oslo, Norway

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Your Excellency, Åsmund Aukrust, Minister of International Development,

    Excellencies and Colleagues,

    It is a great honour for the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction to be organizing this high-level forum with the Kingdom of Norway. I would like to start by expressing my deep appreciation to Norway for hosting this forum and for its leadership on the topic of finance – both for disaster risk reduction and for sustainable development, especially in the context of the ongoing negotiations ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development. 

    I am also thankful to Norway for serving as co-chair of the Group of Friends for Disaster Risk Reduction, which is critical to supporting the work of UNDRR as we race towards the 2030 deadline of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

    Indeed, as we look around the world, it is clear that we must accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework to protect people and sustainable development from the growing impacts of disasters.

    Countries, rich and poor, are facing disasters that are larger and more destructive. This is partially driven by an increase in extreme weather events, but it is also driven by risk-blind investments, which increase the exposure and vulnerability of people and assets. The end result is more expensive disasters, which are a threat to economic prosperity and sustainable development.

    Over the last five years, global economic losses from disasters have increased on average by 25%. This increase represents tens of billions of additional losses each year.

    We have seen this manifest on one end of the spectrum with the recent California wildfires, which were reportedly the most expensive disaster in the history of the United States. 

    On the other end of the spectrum, we have seen war-ravaged Syria suffer approximately $5 billion US dollars in damages as a result of the 2023 earthquakes, and the Libyan city of Derna largely swept into the Mediterranean as a result of severe floods. This is on top of the loss of life, which was in the thousands, and continues to be felt most acutely by the Least Developed Countries. 

    When we add on top of these direct costs, the cost of slow-onset events and the indirect impacts of disasters, such as productivity losses, compromised health, and disrupted education, the total cost of disasters is likely in excess of a trillion US dollars a year.

    Moreover, as disaster costs increase, insurance companies are pulling out of high-risk markets, even in developed economies. For instance, “nonrenewal notices” of home insurance in the United States surged by nearly 30% from 2018 to 2022 to more than 600,000 a year.  And in developing countries, much of the losses, are not even covered by insurance, driving more people into poverty. 

    Even humanitarian assistance, which is a measure of last resort for many affected countries, is becoming scarcer. In 2024, only 43% of the budgeted needs were funded.  This year, the gap will likely be higher.

    Therefore, to reduce the burden of disasters, avoid a spiral of decreasing insurability, and limit humanitarian needs, it is essential that we invest in disaster risk reduction. 

    This means increasing dedicated funding to disaster risk reduction, while also ensuring that all other development investments are risk-informed. 

    At this Forum, we will dive into this issue in detail. And to help set the stage, I would like to briefly review where these investments could come from, starting first with domestic resources. 

    Domestic public funds are the primary source for investments in DRR. Early warning systems, resilient hospitals, and other DRR investments tend to have a public good nature, meaning that they benefit society but are difficult for investors to capture direct financial returns. 

    Yet, our research shows that only a limited share of the public budget, less than 1%, is allocated to DRR and that current spending only meets in most countries 10 to 25% of the needs, leaving a significant gap. 

    Although resources are limited, countries have an opportunity to make public spending more efficient and impactful by further integrating disaster risk reduction in public finance. This requires a conscious effort to create a ring-fenced budget allocation for DRR to empower responsible agencies, while also mainstreaming DRR in sectoral plans. To that end, we recommend the use of appropriate accountability mechanisms, including budget tagging and tracking of DRR-related expenditures. 

    We also need to reinforce synergies across government, for instance between the Ministries of Environment and National Disaster Management Authorities, to break silos and optimize the use of climate and DRR-related financing. Similarly, we need to ensure that finance is available both at the national and sub-national levels, as many investments happen locally.

    That said, it is important to consider that many developing countries face unique challenges that constrain their ability to scale up investment in DRR – and that is high levels of debt. 

    Since 2010, debt in developing countries has grown twice as fast as in developed countries, and they face much higher borrowing costs. 

    At the same time, disasters fuel debt in affected countries. For example, a recent study from the Inter-American Development Bank shows that debt levels in the Caribbean are 18% higher three years after a severe storm than normally expected. 

    These outcomes can be mitigated by pre-arranging financing mechanisms ahead of disasters, such as contingency credit lines, disaster-related clauses in sovereign debt instruments, and risk-transfer instruments. These mechanisms allow for a quicker recovery, thus limiting the impact on growth and the economy. 

    The second primary source of finance is the private sector. 

    On average, the private sector is responsible for about 75% of a country’s investment in assets, such as factories and real estate. If those investments are risk-blind, they will lead to the creation of new disaster risks and exacerbate existing ones. We see this, for instance, through the expansion of urban development into hazard-prone areas or the construction of infrastructure that is not disaster-resilient. 

    This can be avoided through regulatory frameworks, risk information, and financial incentives to make private investment risk-informed and to create markets for resilience-building solutions. 

    We should also better leverage the financial sector, which has played a limited role thus far in DRR financing. For example, the rapid rise in the green bond markets has only had a limited impact on driving investments into adaptation and resilience, in part due to the lack of market standards and taxonomies. These market standards are necessary for the emergence of financial instruments, such as resilience bonds, and to guide investor decisions. 

    Similarly, the local banking sector can play a role in supporting small and medium businesses to access finance for investment in resilience-building, including through blended finance mechanisms. 

    In this regard, I am happy to report that UNDRR has been pioneering some work in this area, including the development of a “Resilience Taxonomy,” in partnership with the Climate Bond Initiative, and the launch of a guide for adaptation and resilience finance, which we developed with Standard Chartered Bank and KPMG.

    The third and final major source of finance is the international community, specifically through the provision of Official Development Assistance. This is an area that is currently under stress but remains critical for many developing countries, and its promotion is one of the seven targets of the Sendai Framework.

    Looking at the data, we see that, between 2019 and 2023, only 2% of ODA projects had DRR as an objective. And within the humanitarian sector, we find that the amount of funding for disaster prevention and preparedness has actually gone down over the years – from an already low level of 3.6% between 2015 and 2018, to 3.3% between 2019 and 2023. 

    These trends show an imbalance between the increase in disaster risks around the world and the limited international funding being allocated to Disaster Risk Reduction.

    Such funding is critical to protecting development gains and reducing humanitarian needs, and for some of the most vulnerable countries, they are unable to invest in DRR without international assistance.

    With that overview, I believe we at this Forum have a unique opportunity to address some of the biggest challenges around DRR financing. And to help guide our discussions, I would like to suggest that we aim to make progress on three main objectives:

    First, the development of a national-level Roadmap for DRR financing systems to help countries raise the funds they need. 

    Some of the questions we would need to answer are: what key elements should be included in such a roadmap and what has worked, or not worked, in countries? 

    Second, explore international actions that we can commit to together. 

    For example, what initiatives or partnerships can emerge from this Forum on DRR Financing? How can we better leverage existing international cooperation to strengthen DRR? And how can we ensure the integration of DRR in the global discourse on financing, in particular, in the upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development? 

    And third, what more can be done to ensure that all investments are risk-informed and do not lead to disasters

    For public sector investments, how can we encourage the alignment of economic development plans with DRR strategies to avoid the creation of new risks? And what reforms or changes are needed to encourage risk-informed investing in the private sector?

    I think it is fair to say that this is a lot to cover over two days. That said, given the calibre of the participants, and the leadership of our host, I am confident that we can achieve concrete outcomes. 

    In closing, I want to again thank Norway for making this Forum possible at a critical time when financing is the single challenge that unites the disaster, climate, development, and humanitarian domains. The unique advantage of disaster risk reduction is that it can simultaneously strengthen all the other domains because of its emphasis on reducing vulnerabilities and building resilience.

    I am grateful for your participation in this Forum, and I look forward to our discussions.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Armed groups install ‘parallel administration’ in DR Congo, Security Council hears

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    Armed groups affiliated with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have continued to expand their control in North and South Kivu – setting their sights on more territorial gains.

    That’s according to the head of the UN stabilization mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO), Bintou Keita, who briefed the Security Council in New York on Thursday over escalating violence and displacement in the country since M23 overran the key cities of Goma and Bukavu last month.

    These armed groups are not only seizing territory, she explained, but also attempting to install “a parallel administration”, recently appointing a governor and two-vice governors in Bukavu as well as financial and mining officials in North Kivu.

    The MONUSCO peacekeepers have been in DRC since 2010 with a mandate to protect civilians and strengthen the Congolese Government’s efforts to quell violence and insecurity at the hands of multiple armed groups in the east.

    MONUSCO had proceeded, at DRC’s request, to withdraw its troops from South Kivu in June 2024 but Kinshasa reversed course, asking the Security Council to extend MONUSCO’s mandate through the end of 2025.

    Despite best efforts, armed groups have made major recent gains, chiefly the March 23 Movement which defends the interests of Congolese Tutsi – many exiled from Rwanda – and benefits from the support of Rwandan forces, and the extremist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

    Rights violations

    Ms. Keita described an alarming rise in human rights violations, including the summary execution of more than 100 civilians, forced child recruitment, abductions and cases of forced labour.

    “Women and children remain the main victims,” she told the Council, noting a spike in sexual violence linked to mass displacement, conflict and the presence of escaped prisoners and new recruits in affected areas.

    “Internally, displaced girls and boys are traumatised,” explained Charlotte Slente, from the Danish Refugee Council, also briefing Member States. “We have heard reports of girls engaging in survival sex,” she underscored.

    Aid workers have documented rape cases involving girls as young as five, with nearly every child protection case involving sexual violence. From December 2024 to February 2025, 403 grave violations of children’s rights were verified.

    In Ituri province – above North-Kivu – violence between CODECO and Zaïre armed groups has worsened, with civilians near mining zones and farmland bearing the brunt of the attacks.

    Humanitarian aid hampered

    The security situation has driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, with over 100,000 newly displaced since January in the city of Djugu in Ituri, alone.

    However, humanitarian access remains severely constrained due to insecurity, roadblocks and the closure of key airports in Goma and Kavumu.

    At the same time, the situation is being aggravated “in a global context of financial crisis”, Ms. Keita stressed. As of March, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for the DR Congo was only 8.2 per cent funded.

    Response and challenges

    Despite these obstacles, MONUSCO continues to deliver on its mandate, she underlined, citing expanded patrols, civilian protection efforts and the facilitation of disarmament talks in Ituri.

    These led to the surrender of over 2,200 fighters from the Zaïre group and the capture of weapons and ammunition.

    Meanwhile, the deployment of a new Force Commander in North Kivu, has boosted coordination with Congolese forces. Still, MONUSCO faces movement restrictions imposed by M23 in and around Goma, including roadblocks and advance notice requirements.

    Social cohesion at risk

    Ms. Keita expressed deep concern over rising hate speech and ethnic targeting of Tutsi and Swahili-speaking Congolese, particularly as displaced populations move westward into DRC’s vast interior.

    She called on the Government to adopt legislation to counter tribalism, racism and xenophobia, and reaffirm the nation’s diversity.

    Regional diplomacy: fragile transitions

    Efforts toward a ceasefire and political solution have so far stalled despite regional and international pressure – including resolution 2773 and mediation efforts led by Angola under the leadership of the African Union.

    M23’s advance disrupted transition talks between MONUSCO and Congolese authorities, especially in South Kivu, where Bukavu is under rebel control.

    Ms. Keita explained that the efforts to plan the mission’s disengagement from North Kivu and Ituri are “compromised”, with several planning assumptions now obsolete.

    Nevertheless, she reiterated MONUSCO’s commitment to a coordinated withdrawal process when possible.

    Call to action

    In closing, the UN Special Representative called on the council to take “concrete measures” against those responsible for grave rights violations and to renew efforts to ensure a political resolution.

    “We must direct all our efforts towards securing an unconditional ceasefire,” she said. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the General Assembly on the International Day of Zero Waste [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Mr. President, Madame First Lady, Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    The waste crisis is an issue that goes to the heart of how we produce, and how we consume.

    And one that requires action at every level – local, national, and global. 

    This year’s International Day focuses on fashion and textiles.

    And rightly so.

    Unless we accelerate action, dressing to kill could kill the planet.

    Textile production often uses thousands of chemicals – many of them harmful to people and the environment.

    It devours resources like land and water – putting pressure on ecosystems.

    And it belches out greenhouse gases – inflaming the climate crisis.  

    Clothes are being produced and discarded at a staggering rate – driven by business models that prioritize newness, speed, and disposability.  

    Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothing is incinerated or sent to landfill.

    Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    Fashion is just the tip of a toxic iceberg.

    Waste is an issue in every sector. 

    Every year, humanity produces over two billion tonnes of garbage.

    If you pack all that into shipping containers stacked end to end, they would stretch to the moon and back.

    Here on Earth, toxin-filled waste is seeping into our soil, our water, and our air. And ultimately into us.

    As usual, the poorest pay the highest price.

    More than one billion people live in slums and informal urban settlements, where waste management is non-existent and disease runs rampant.

    The rich world is flooding the Global South with garbage, from obsolete computers to single-use plastic and more.

    Many nations do not have the infrastructure to process even a fraction of what is dumped on their shores.

    As a result, materials that could be recycled are burned or sent to landfill. 

    And waste pickers are exposed to toxic chemicals as they sift through potentially hazardous materials, including broken electronics, in appalling conditions.

    Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    We need a different approach: one that delivers on the commitment in the Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable production and consumption.

    And there are signs of hope.

    Change is possible. And it presents exciting opportunities.

    In fashion, for example, designers are experimenting with recycled materials.

    Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability.

    In many countries, resale markets are booming.

    And important initiatives are bringing together large and small businesses, industry associations, civil society and many others to drive sustainability across the sector.

    They include the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, and the Fashion Pact.

    We must celebrate the power of these innovations to transform the industry.

    But we need more.

    And we need change in every sector.

    I welcome the work of the Chair and the First Lady and members of the United Nations Advisory Board on Zero Waste to raise awareness, and help meet the SDGs.

    The fight against waste requires us all.

    Governments must act:

    Through policies, regulations and subsidies:

    That promote sustainability, and zero waste initiatives…

    That encourage businesses to adopt positive practices…

    That provide decent jobs…

    And that empower everyone – not just the wealthy – to afford products that last.

    The current negotiations for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution – due in August this year – are a key opportunity for governments to drive progress.

    I urge them to take it…

    And to translate any treaty into action to support consumers to make environmentally friendly choices, and into a clear roadmap across industries.

    Addressing plastic pollution must be at the core of corporate responsibility.

    There is no space for greenwashing.

    Businesses must increase circularity, waste reduction and resource efficiency across their supply chains.

    We need accountability for corporate sustainability commitments.

    We need transparency for customers. 

    And we need consumers to use their purchasing power to encourage change:

    Reducing excessive consumption, valuing products that last, and embracing exchanges and resales.

    And we need young people and civil society to keep using their voices and power to demand change through advocacy.

    Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    We must build on progress, to end the waste practices wasting our planet.

    On this International Day, let us commit to do our part to clean up our act, and build a healthier, more sustainable world for us all. 

    And I thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World Summit ‘Opportunity to Drive Progress’ on Social Development, 30 Years after Copenhagen Declaration, Says Secretary-General

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Following is the text of UN Secretary General António Guterres’ video message to the special event commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the Copenhagen Declaration, held today:

    Together, we can build a better world for all humanity.  That conviction is at the foundation of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development — adopted 30 years ago.

    And it runs through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  Yet, today, life is marked by uncertainty and insecurity — fuelling frustration and division.

    As this year’s World Social Report shows, inequality, insecurity and deep distrust are rife across the world.  Countless people are struggling to make ends meet, while wealth and power concentrate at the top.

    Our planet is suffering from climate disasters, biodiversity loss and pollution.  Along with economic shocks, and conflict, these continue to erase hard-won development gains, all while new technologies are creating new possibilities but dividing people.

    Such challenges demand collective solutions.  In this thirtieth anniversary of the Copenhagen Declaration, we have an important opportunity to drive progress:  The second World Summit for Social Development.

    Let’s keep working together to make the most of that important gathering — and help build the more just, secure and united world that we so desperately need.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sudan war: Displacement figures fall for first time

    Source: United Nations 2

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Peace and Security

    For the first time in nearly two years of brutal conflict the number of Sudanese internally displaced during nearly two years of brutal conflict between rival militaries has fallen, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Thursday.

    However, the country remains in the grip of one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing famine, disease and insecurity.

    IOM data shows that between December last year and March, displacement fell by 2.4 per cent – with nearly 400,000 people returning to their places of origin in Aj Jazirah, Sennar and Khartoum states.

    While the decrease signals a hopeful shift, it does not necessarily indicate improved conditions, IOM said.

    Many are heading back to towns and villages devastated by months of war, where food, shelter and basic services are virtually non-existent.

    Conditions not yet in place

    Mohamed Refaat, who heads IOM’s country team in Sudan, warned that while many people are eager to return home, “the conditions for safe and sustainable return and integration are not yet in place.”

    “Basic services including healthcare, protection, education, and food are scarce, and the lack of functional infrastructure and financial capacity will make it difficult for families to rebuild their lives.”

    Fewer than a quarter of health facilities in the worst-affected areas remain functional – the rest have been destroyed, severely damaged or abandoned amid fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their affiliated militias.

    More than 30.4 million people – over half of Sudan’s population – require urgent assistance, according to the UN relief coordination office (OCHA).

    Food insecurity is at catastrophic levels, with 24.6 million people facing acute hunger. Famine has already been confirmed in parts of North Darfur and the Nuba Mountains, and similar conditions are expected to spread in the coming months.

    Across Sudan, there are an estimated 11.3 million IDPs – one of the largest displacement crises in the world, while nearly four million have fled to neighbouring countries – primarily Egypt, South Sudan and Chad.

    WFP/Abeer Etefa

    An aerial view of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. (file)

    Situation in Khartoum

    Meanwhile in Khartoum, OCHA is closely monitoring the latest shifts in control within the city, amid alarming reports of reprisals by armed groups against civilians, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Thursday.

    Sudan’s army retook the capital on Wednesday and reportedly drove RSF troops south.

    Mr. Dujarric reiterated that civilians must never be targeted and called on all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.

    “Serious violations must be investigated, with perpetrators held to account,” he said.

    Rise in sexual violence

    Women and children remain particularly vulnerable across the country, with UN agencies reporting an alarming rise in conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls.

    Over half of all displaced persons are children, and nearly four million children under five – along with pregnant and breastfeeding women – are suffering from acute malnutrition.

    Grave violations against children have also surged with an 83 per cent increase in child casualties since January, compared to the first quarter of 2024.

    Furthermore, more than 17 million children are out of school, as the conflict has disrupted the education system nationwide.

    Funding shortages

    Amid staggering needs, the response from humanitarian agencies has been severely hampered by a drastic funding shortfall.

    As of 26 March, only about $276 million (6.6 per cent) of the $4.2 billion required for the overall humanitarian response has been received.

    Similarly, IOM’s Sudan response plan which aims to assist 1.7 million people, is only six per cent funded.

    “Nearly two years of relentless conflict in Sudan have inflicted immense suffering, triggering the world’s largest and most devastating humanitarian crisis,” Mr. Refaat warned.

    “Recent cuts in international humanitarian aid budgets are compounding the crisis and deepening the suffering.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Fifth Committee Fill Vacancies on Contribution, Audit Committees

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today sent the General Assembly the names of three candidates to fill two vacancies on the Committee on Contributions and one vacancy on the Independent Audit Advisory Committee.

    Committee on Contributions

    For the 18-member Committee on Contributions, which advises the Assembly on the distribution of the Organization’s expenses among Member States, delegates delivered the names of Benjamin Sieberns (Germany) and Fu Liheng (China) to fill vacancies created by the resignations of Michael Holtsch (Germany), effective 7 March, and Lin Shan (China), effective 18 March, respectively. 

    Both candidates would serve for the remaining period of each office, which expires 31 December 2026.

    Independent Audit Advisory Committee

    After a single round of balloting, the Independent Audit Advisory Committee recommended Eric Oduro Osae (Ghana) to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Imran Vanker (South Africa).  Mr. Osae received 89 votes after 155 valid votes were cast.  He will serve for the remaining period of that office, which expires on 31 December 2026.  The Committee serves in an expert advisory capacity and helps the Assembly fulfil its oversight responsibilities.

    Before closing the meeting, Fifth Committee Chair Egriselda Aracely González López (El Salvador) thanked delegates for their work over the past several weeks and urged them to return to the negotiating rooms with “a constructive spirit and an open spirit” to conclude the Committee’s work by the end of the first resumed session on Friday, 28 March.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Life-and-Death Situations Must Never Be Left to Chance, Code, Corporate Interest’, Secretary-General Tells Conference on Artificial Intelligence

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the Global Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Security and Ethics, in Geneva today:

    I send greetings to this inaugural Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics.

    Artificial intelligence is profoundly reshaping how we live, work and communicate.  It can help drive progress and prosperity for all of humanity.

    But, unregulated AI also presents unprecedented risks — from disinformation to cyberattacks to mass surveillance.

    Nowhere are these dangers more acute than in the military domain.  Recent conflicts have become alarming testing grounds, with AI applications that defy international humanitarian law and harm civilians.

    Life-and-death situations must never be left to chance, code or corporate interest.  Humans must always retain control over decision-making functions — guided by international law, human rights and universal ethical principles.

    While several initiatives have explored the security dimensions of AI, the conversation has now come to the United Nations.  In the Pact for the Future, States committed to assessing the existing and potential risks and opportunities of AI in military applications.

    The recent UN General Assembly resolution 79/239 is an important first step to turning these commitments into action.  The views of Member States and my forthcoming report in response to the resolution will help us move forward in addressing AI’s impact, including in the military domain.

    Let us work together to build an AI for good — with human rights, human dignity and human agency front and centre.  I wish you a successful conference.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Combating Hunger Demands Global Effort at Every Level’, Says Secretary General, in message to Nutrition for Growth Summit

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Following is the text of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ video message to the Nutrition for Growth Summit, in Paris today:

    In 2015, world leaders made a pledge to humanity:  To eradicate hunger by 2030.

    Sadly, with less than five years to go, we are far off track.

    Today, 1 in 11 people suffers from hunger.  In Africa, it is one in five.

    Among children, malnutrition is a tragedy — and a moral failure.  Meanwhile, millions of people struggle with obesity due to a processed diet — high in sugar and saturated fats, but low in essential nutrients.

    This dual threat strains our healthcare systems, widens inequalities and hinders sustainable development.

    Combating hunger demands a global effort at every level — and unprecedented political and financial engagement to sustainably transform our food systems.

    The Global Alliance against Hunger aims to mobilize funds and concrete solutions to support countries in this transformation.

    In July, the second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa must result in tangible commitments — notably financial ones.

    Only a third of low- and middle-income countries have adequate funding for nutrition.

    Too often, vulnerable countries are left on their own — facing economic crises, protracted conflicts and climate disasters.

    The Pact for the Future calls for reforming the international financial architecture.  It includes a commitment to advance an SDG Stimulus.  To increase the lending capacity of multilateral development banks; to alleviate the burden of countries drowning in debt; and to mobilize more international and domestic resources, public and private, for vital investments — particularly in food security.

    Excellencies, a world without hunger is not a utopia.  It is a choice.

    We have the necessary resources, knowledge and tools. And your Summit represents a key opportunity to drive concrete action for a healthy nutrition for all.  So let us work together to keep our promise and make malnutrition a thing of the past.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: DR Congo: Record numbers face acute or emergency hunger

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    A record 27.7 million people are in the grip of acute hunger in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amid ongoing conflict linked to massive displacement and rising food prices, global food security experts warned on Thursday.

    The situation represents one of the world’s worst food crises, according to the UN-partnered Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) platform.

    “The humanitarian situation in the DRC is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Families who were already struggling to feed themselves are now facing an even harsher reality,” said Eric Perdison, WFP’s Regional Director for Southern Africa and ad interim WFP DRC Country Director.

    On a scale of one to five – where five indicates famine – 3.9 million people in DRC are classified as IPC Phase 4, which indicates “emergency” levels of hunger – and a 23.8 million are enduring Phase 3 “crisis” levels.

    Check out our explainer on how hunger and famine levels are classified, here.

    Chaos in the east

    The situation is worst in the conflict-affected eastern provinces of DRC – North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika – where families have lost access to their livestock and livelihoods.

    Rebels from the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group have wrested control of the main cities of Goma and Bukavu since the year began, amid continued fighting, economic collapse and continuing efforts by regional mediators to agree ceasefire terms. 

    Mapping shows that the outbreak of violence in December in eastern DRC led by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has pushed an additional 2.5 million people into acute food insecurity.

    Situation worse for those uprooted

    “Internally displaced people escaping violence remain among the most vulnerable, bearing the brunt of the worsening food crisis,” said the UN World Food Programme (WFP), in a joint statement with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

    They are just two of the UN agencies committed to helping the most vulnerable communities in the war-torn east by providing life-saving food and nutrition assistance and strengthening resilience.

    These include tens of thousands of people uprooted by M23 rebels from camps in North Kivu – and in particular six sites around Goma – and the territories of Kalehe and Uvira in South Kivu in February 2025, amid intensified conflict.

    “All IDP sites in North Kivu, particularly in the Goma region, are now completely empty,” the IPC said, adding that of the 3.7 million internally displaced people formerly based in camps in eastern DRC, more than 2.2 million are in “crisis” and 738,000 face “emergency” levels of hunger.

    In total, the DRC has more than 7.8 million displaced people, most live with host families in eastern regions.

    “We have resumed operations in parts of North and South Kivu, and we are committed to do more to support those at risk, but we urgently need more resources,” WFP’s Mr. Perdison said.

    “Armed clashes continue to disrupt food production and trade routes, while humanitarian access remains limited, as security risks hinder the ability to deliver essential assistance,” WFP added.

    Inflationary pressures

    The sharp depreciation of the Congolese franc, shuttered banks and lost incomes have also made it increasingly difficult for families to afford even the basics.

    At the same time, inflation and disrupted supply chains have contributed to a rise in food prices. The price of basic foods such as maize flour, palm oil and cassava flour have increased by up to 37 per cent compared to pre-crisis levels in December 2024.

    Soundcloud

    To date this year, 464,000 people have received WFP food, cash for food, and nutrition treatment in accessible areas of eastern DRC; WFP has managed to reach 237,000 people in Bunia alone.

    Beyond emergency food assistance in eastern DRC, FAO and WFP have invested in skills-based training in North and South Kivu to help communities improve their long-term food security.

    “The current situation is dire for the population, as harvests are lost, food prices soar, millions of people face acute food insecurity and are increasingly vulnerable,” said Athman Mravili, FAO Representative ad interim.

    Urgent appeal

    To help WFP reach 6.4 million people in DRC with food and nutrition assistance – and invest in long-term solutions – the UN agency needs $399 million to sustain operations amid growing humanitarian needs over the next six months.

    “WFP and FAO call on the international community to step up funding and humanitarian access to prevent a full-scale catastrophe,” they said. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN rights body sounds the alarm over South Sudan crisis

    Source: United Nations 2

    Human Rights

    The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan issued an alert on Thursday over the the rapidly escalating crisis in the country, calling for urgent coordinated action to protect civilians and preserve the 2018 peace deal that ended five years of civil war. 

    The arrest of First Vice President and main opposition leader Riek Machar, alongside mounting military clashes and reported attacks on civilian populations, signals a severe unravelling of the peace process and a direct threat to millions, rights investigators said.

    “At the heart of South Sudan’s crisis is a failure to protect civilians and uphold the commitments of the Revitalized Peace Agreement,” said Commission Chair Yasmin Sooka.

    “The deliberate targeting of opposition leaders and civilians represents a reckless disregard for international law and the country’s future,” she added.

    Uptick in violence

    South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation, having gained independence in July 2011. However, war erupted in December 2013 between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition forces led by Mr. Machar, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths. The 2018 peace deal ended the fighting and established a unity government.

    The Commission noted that violence has intensified in multiple regions of the country over the past month.

    This includes Upper Nile state, where aerial assaults have displaced more than 60,000 people and targeted populated areas following an attack on a helicopter from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on 7 March.

    Following reports of Mr. Machar’s arrest on Wednesday, UNMISS issued a statement urging the parties to exercise restraint and uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

    War fears, foreign intervention

    The UN Commission warned that failure to uphold the protections enshrined in the accord – including freedom of movement, political participation, and the cessation of hostilities – will lead to a catastrophic return to war.

    “The Peace Agreement is not optional – it is binding,” said Ms. Sooka. “Its systematic undermining by political and military actors is not only unlawful but a betrayal of the South Sudanese people who have already endured years of devastating conflict.” 

    The Commission noted that the situation is further exacerbated by the deployment of Ugandan troops and battle tanks into South Sudan following a request by the country’s President.

    The development raises serious concerns over potential violations of the UN arms embargo and the growing partisan role of foreign forces, which further endangers civilians and risks regional escalation.

    Although the protection of civilians must be the central priority, “instead, we are witnessing actions that increase civilian vulnerability – indiscriminate attacks, arbitrary detentions, and foreign intervention,” said Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández.

    Recommit to peace deal

    The Commission emphasized that all parties to the conflict – including State actors and militias – are bound by international humanitarian and human rights law. Furthermore, violations, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, may lead to individual criminal accountability before domestic or international courts.

    “We must not allow South Sudan to repeat the mistakes of the past,” said Commissioner Barney Afako, warning that “failure to de-escalate the ongoing political and military tension will be cataclysmic” for the country. 

    “The way forward is clear: an immediate recommitment to the Revitalized Agreement, the release of political detainees, the cessation of hostilities, and above all – protection of civilians,” he said.

    The Commission is calling on regional and international partners, including the African Union (AU), East African bloc IGAD and the UN, to urgently intensify diplomatic pressure, support de-escalation, and ensure full implementation of the provisions of the peace agreement. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s video message to the Special Event Commemorating the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Copenhagen Declaration

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Download the video:
    https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+26+Mar+25/3355309_MSG+SG+30TH+ANNIV+COPENHAGEN+DECLARATION+26+MAR+25.mp4

    Together, we can build a better world for all humanity.

    That conviction is at the foundation of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development – adopted thirty years ago.

    And it runs through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Yet, today, life is marked by uncertainty and insecurity – fuelling frustration and division.

    As this year’s World Social Report shows, inequality, insecurity and deep distrust are rife across the world.

    Countless people are struggling to make ends meet, while wealth and power concentrate at the top.

    Our planet is suffering from climate disasters, biodiversity loss and pollution.

    Along with economic shocks, and conflict, these continue to erase hard-won development gains…

    All while new technologies are creating new possibilities, but dividing people.
     
    Such challenges demand collective solutions. 

    In this thirtieth anniversary of the Copenhagen Declaration, we have an important opportunity to drive progress: the Second World Summit for Social Development.

    Let’s keep working together to make the most of that important gathering — and help build the more just, secure and united world that we so desperately need.

    ***

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE to accelerate decarbonization of road transport by developing harmonized provisions for electric vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell retrofit systems

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    As the world shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable mobility, the transport industry plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. To achieve climate goals and reduce air pollution, public authorities (primarily in Europe but also in Asia) are accelerating projects to restrict the number of vehicles with internal combustion engine (ICE) in circulation and replace them with zero-emission ones.  

    According to OICA, there are 1.9 billion vehicles in use globally. Since it is not possible and economically viable for all of them to be replaced by new electric cars, retrofitting is emerging as a cost-effective solution (esp. retrofitting of heavy-duty vehicles) that could accelerate the energy transition and reduce our carbon footprint. Retrofitting is a mechanical operation where the petrol/diesel engine and fuel tank are removed and replaced with an electric motor and battery, or a hydrogen fuel cell. 

    In recent years, multiple startups and innovative companies have emerged, offering tailored solutions to retrofit existing buses, trucks, and vans. According to North American firm Precedence Research, the global automotive retrofit electric vehicle powertrain market size accounted for USD 65.94 billion in 2024, and is predicted to surpass around USD 144.61 billion by 2034. 

    Substituting a traditional powertrain running on fossil energy with a powertrain with no tailpipe emissions provides immediate benefits in terms of air quality, and long-term benefit for the environment and climate. It extends the service life of the existing fleet, reducing both waste and carbon emissions from the manufacturing of new vehicles. 

    In France, where the national energy and environment agency ADEME estimated that electric retrofitting would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 61 and 87% compared with diesel, the government launched a national action plan in aid of retrofitting, providing  approximately 100 million euros to decarbonize transport.  

    Furthermore, retrofitting is mentioned in the European Commission’s industry action plan for the automotive sector and it will be particularly relevant for low- and middle-income countries that are importing ever growing amounts of used ICE vehicles and that need to accelerate the decarbonization of their vehicle fleets. 

    While hydrogen-powered vehicles are still in the early stages of deployment compared to those powered by electric batteries, their future could be promising if green hydrogen (H2) prices decline as projected. A price of 5 to 7 euros per kg of H2 is considered a critical threshold. 

    Against this background, the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and its Working Party on Pollution and Energy (GRPE) has launched a new informal working group to develop globally harmonized provisions for electric vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell retrofit systems. Such harmonized regulatory framework would ensure minimum requirements for retrofit systems, provide robust performance requirements for converted vehicles and support the deployment of retrofit systems that could be installed on many vehicles in the countries that adopt the developed requirements.  

    Activities undertaken by the new informal working group will focus on all vehicle categories, from two- and three-wheelers to heavy duty vehicles, with initial emphasis on technological readiness and economic viability. This work is led by France and Spain, with support from Sweden, Germany, UK, Japan and the European Commission. 

    The new UNECE informal working group is expected to deliver on harmonized requirements for targeted vehicle categories and powertrain types by 2027. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 26 March 2025 Living with scoliosis: the story of Yeliza

    Source: World Health Organisation

    At 15, Yeliza Natali began to notice a deformation in her spine, but no one around her paid much attention since she was too thin, and some bones protruded more than others. Growing up in rural Colombia, her constant back pain was attributed to hard work in the fields. Over the years, the discomfort became a barrier to her daily life, even forcing to change her job as a waitress to a lower-paying one, that was less physical.  

    At the age of 24, her reality changed when she was diagnosed with scoliosis. The medical recommendation was blunt: surgery. The possibility of undergoing surgery on her spine generated fear and uncertainty. However, before reaching that point, she was recommended to do rehabilitation with a physiotherapist to strengthen the muscles surrounding her spine. Thus began a long process of transformation.  

    The key to her recovery was her rehabilitation through a physical therapist, Marcela Bustamante, who accompanied her through every stage of the treatment, both physically and psychologically. In the beginning, the sessions were uncomfortable and challenging, but Yeliza stuck to the idea of avoiding surgery. As time passed, the results were evident: her posture improved, her pain decreased, and her mobility increased significantly. When she finally returned to the neurosurgeon’s office, the news was startling: her recovery had been so effective that surgery was no longer necessary.  

    But her road to a pain-free life did not end there. In total, her rehabilitation program spanned three years.  

    Access to therapy was not easy. The lack of a specialized center in her town forced her to travel six hours to Medellín, bearing the cost of transportation, lodging and per diems. Although the so-called Colombian Health Promoting Entities (EPS) covered the physiotherapy sessions, the long waits for appointments with specialists and the lack of resources in her community complicated her recovery. 

    Despite all the challenges faced, Yeliza was able to transform her life. Today, free of pain, she has her own catering business and enjoys activities that once seemed unthinkable. Her story is a testament to the power of rehabilitation.  

    “If I hadn’t undergone rehabilitation, I wouldn’t even be able to walk today without help,” she says. Her call to the authorities is clear: investing in rehabilitation is urgent. “Health is the most valuable thing we have.”  

    Yeliza’s story highlights Colombia’s lack of access to rehabilitation services, especially in rural areas. As long as rehabilitation services are not available in small towns, many people will continue to face economic and logistical barriers to receiving the treatment that can change their lives.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 26 March 2025 Departmental update WHO Launches Online Training to Strengthen Filovirus Outbreak Response

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO Launches Online Training to Strengthen Filovirus Outbreak Response

    The World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva has introduced FiloTREAT, a new online training program designed to help countries manage outbreaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses. Developed according to WHO’s rigorous training standards, the course is available in English and French and aims to equip healthcare providers and policymakers with essential outbreak preparedness and response skills.

    Participants will learn about filovirus history, transmission dynamics, infection control measures, and the critical components of a safe and efficient treatment center. The course also covers optimized supportive care for infected patients, including recognizing and managing common complications.

    Enroll now:

    FiloTREAT (English)

    FiloTREAT (French)

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message to the Inaugural Global Conference on “AI, Security and Ethics”, organized by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    I send greetings to this inaugural Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics.

    Artificial Intelligence is profoundly reshaping how we live, work and communicate. It can help drive progress and prosperity for all of humanity.
    But unregulated AI also presents unprecedented risks – from disinformation to cyberattacks to mass surveillance.

    Nowhere are these dangers more acute than in the military domain. Recent conflicts have become alarming testing grounds, with AI applications that defy international humanitarian law and harm civilians.

    Life-and-death situations must never be left to chance, code, or corporate interest. Humans must always retain control over decision-making functions – guided by international law, human rights and universal ethical principles.

    While several initiatives have explored the security dimensions of AI, the conversation has now come to the United Nations. In the Pact for the Future, States committed to assessing the existing and potential risks and opportunities of AI in military applications.

    The recent UN General Assembly resolution 79/239 is an important first step to turning these commitments into action. The views of Member States and my forthcoming report in response to the resolution will help us move forward in addressing AI’s impact, including in the military domain.

    Let us work together to build an AI for good – with human rights, human dignity, and human agency front and centre.

    I wish you a successful conference.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Hunger looms again in Gaza as WFP food stocks begin to run out

    Source: World Food Programme

    GAZA, Palestine – Hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are again at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition as humanitarian food stocks in the Strip dwindle and borders remain closed to aid. Meanwhile, the expansion of military activity in Gaza is severely disrupting food assistance operations and putting the lives of aid workers at risk every day.

    Here are the latest updates on food security and WFP operations in Gaza.

    • WFP and partners from the food security sector have been unable to bring new food supplies into Gaza for more than three weeks. The closure of border crossings is blocking the entry of any commodities — humanitarian or commercial.
    • WFP has approximately 5,700 tons of food stocks left in Gaza – enough to support WFP operations for a maximum of two weeks.
    • With the deteriorating security situation, rapid displacement of people, and growing needs, WFP has decided to distribute as much food as possible, as quickly as possible in Gaza.
    • WFP operations currently support bakeries to produce bread, kitchens cooking hot meals, and the distribution of food parcels directly to families – each facing record low stocks inside Gaza:
       
      • Food parcels: WFP is reducing food parcel rations to reach as many people as possible. WFP plans to distribute food parcels to half a million people; the reduced size parcel will feed a family for roughly one week. 
      • Bakeries: Wheat flour supplies are sufficient to support bread production for 800,000 people for five days only. Currently 19 of 25 WFP-supported bakeries remain operational, and many struggle with severe crowd control issues as fear of bread shortages spreads throughout the Strip. Functioning bakeries are ramping up production, working 20 percent over capacity to respond to increased needs caused by renewed displacement of people.
      • Hot meals: WFP has supplies to support 37 kitchens across Gaza cooking 500,000 hot meals per day for the next two weeks. Two WFP-supported hot meal kitchens are currently inactive due to evacuation orders and general insecurity. 
      • Fortified biscuits: WFP has emergency stocks of fortified biscuits – enough for 415,000 people – which can be used as a last resort if all other food stocks are exhausted.   
    • WFP and partners from the food security sector have positioned more than 85,000 tons of food commodities outside Gaza, ready to be brought in if border crossings are opened.
    • WFP needs 30,000 tons of food per month to meet the basic needs of around 1.1 million people.
    • Food prices have soared inside Gaza. The price of a 25kg bag of wheat flour sells for up to US$50, a 400 percent increase compared to pre-March 18 prices; cooking gas prices have increased by 300 percent compared to February. 
    • Security incidents affecting UN staff are escalating, and movement is severely restricted, resulting in significant disruptions to food assistance operations.
    • WFP urges all parties to prioritize the needs of civilians, the protection of humanitarian workers and UN personnel, and access for aid to enter Gaza immediately. 
    • WFP requires US$265 million in funding over the next six months to support life-saving operations that will assist 1.5 million people in Gaza and the West Bank.

    #                 #                   #

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

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Conflict and rising food prices drive Congolese into one of the world’s worst food crises according to new IPC data

    Source: World Food Programme

    Photo: WFP/Michael Castofas. In Bulengo camp, displaced families face a dire and uncertain future as M23 authorities instruct them to dismantle their makeshift shelters. Goma, DRC.

    2.5m more people have been pushed into acute food insecurity, as UN agencies grapple with increasing needs

    KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced that new data from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis reveals the highest number ever recorded of acutely food insecure populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

    An alarming 28 million people in DRC are now facing acute hunger (IPC Phase 3 and above) – a number that has grown by 2.5 million since the most recent outbreak of violence in December; included in this group are 3.9 million people who are experiencing emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4). 

    Over the past six months, a worsening food crisis has been gripping the people of DRC, where conflict, economic instability and surging food prices have put millions at risk.

    Internally displaced people escaping violence remain among the most vulnerable, bearing the brunt of the worsening food crisis. According to the latest analysis, more than two million displaced people are experiencing acute hunger, with an alarming 738,000 in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4). 

    “The humanitarian situation in the DRC is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Families who were already struggling to feed themselves are now facing an even harsher reality,” said Eric Perdison, WFP’s Regional Director for Southern Africa and ad interim WFP DRC Country Director. “We have resumed operations in parts of North and South Kivu, and we are committed to do more to support those at risk, but we urgently need more resources.”

    A DEADLY COMBINATION OF CONFLICT, ECONOMIC TURMOIL AND HIGH PRICES

    The situation is particularly dire in the conflict-affected eastern provinces of DRC, where families have lost access to their livestock and livelihoods. More than ten million people are facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above), including 2.3 million in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4) in the eastern part of the country.

    In North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, violence has uprooted tens of thousands of people, cutting them off from food supplies and humanitarian assistance. Armed clashes continue to disrupt food production, and trade routes, while humanitarian access remains limited, as security risks hinder the ability to deliver essential assistance.

    The sharp depreciation of the Congolese franc, shuttered banks, and lost incomes have made it increasingly difficult for families to afford even the staples. At the same time, inflation and disrupted supply chains have contributed to a rise in food prices. Basic foods such as maize flour, palm oil, and cassava flour are seeing price increases of up to 37 percent compared to pre-crisis levels (December 2024).

    WFP AND FAO RAMPING UP TO MEET NEEDS OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

    WFP and FAO are working together to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance while strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities. 

    To-date this year, 464,000 people have received WFP food, cash for food, and nutrition treatment in accessible areas of eastern DRC; WFP has managed to reach 237,000 people in Bunia alone.

    Beyond emergency food assistance in eastern DRC, FAO and WFP have invested in resilience activities in North and South Kivu provinces to build skills and capacity amongst communities to improve their long-term food security. 

    “The current situation is dire for the population, as harvests are lost, food prices soar, millions of people face acute food insecurity and are increasingly vulnerable,” said Athman Mravili, FAO Representative ad interim. “FAO needs more resources to provide emergency assistance to support sustainable livelihoods for displaced populations. We are aiming to assist 1.6 million people in North and South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika provinces with emergency food production support.” 

    In 2025, WFP plans to reach 6.4 million people in DRC with food and nutrition assistance while also investing in long-term solutions. US$ 399 million is urgently needed to sustain operations and meet growing humanitarian needs over the next six months.

     

    WFP and FAO call on the international community to step up funding and humanitarian access to prevent a full-scale catastrophe. Without urgent support, hunger levels will continue to rise, pushing the most vulnerable into further destitution.

    Note to Editor 

    Key Figures:

    High resolution photo package is available here

    Broadcast quality Footage is available here 

    More information about the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scales

                                             #                           #                            #

    About WFP

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

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @WFPDRC on Instagram, WFP DRC on Facebook  

    About FAO

    The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. It aims to transform agrifood systems, making them more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @FAOnews, @FAOAfrica and @FAORDCongo.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 27 March 2025 Departmental update A unified call for One Health: driving implementation, science, policy and investment for global impact

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Issued at the Third Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting, 25–27 March 2025, WOAH headquarters, Paris

    As global leaders in human, animal and environmental health, the Quadripartite collaboration comprising the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing the One Health approach. This integrated approach is essential to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems and to address health risks at the human-animal-environment interface. Meeting at WOAH headquarters in Paris for the Third Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting, we call for urgent, strategic and sustained support and investments to scale up One Health implementation worldwide.

    Advancing the One Health agenda

    Since its establishment in March 2022, the Quadripartite has made significant progress in four strategic priority areas.

    1. Implementation of the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA). Over the past year, the Quadripartite has strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration through regional and sub-regional One Health workshops in Europe, central Asia, and Pacific islands, leading to increased adoption of the OH JPA at the national level. Capacity-building efforts have expanded, with multiple country-level workshops focusing on workforce development, joint risk assessments and multisectoral coordination mechanisms. Additionally, key implementation tools have been translated into multiple languages, increasing their accessibility and adoption.
    2. Strengthening One Health science and evidence. The second term of the Quadripartite One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) has been established, broadening its expertise to include social sciences, economics and governance. Key scientific deliverables will include mapping international legal and policy instruments that have a bearing on One Health and analysing barriers and enablers of One Health implementation. The Quadripartite One Health Knowledge Nexus serves as an interactive space for collective knowledge generation and co-learning. Under this platform, a joint Community of Practice was launched in November 2023 on the return on investment for One Health. A new community of practice on One Health governance is planned to be launched in 2025. In 2024, the Quadripartite contributed actively to the 8th World One Health Congress and several other international scientific fora to strengthen partnerships with the scientific community.
    3. Enhancing political engagement and advocacy. The Quadripartite played a significant role in global political processes, advocating for the inclusion of One Health in major discussions and declarations. This includes supporting the adoption of a UN General Assembly political declaration on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and advocating for One Health integration in G20 health ministerial discussions and declarations. Additionally, the Quadripartite contributed to the adoption of a Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health at the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) and hosted a high-level One Health event at UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) to promote climate-health policy integration.
    4. Mobilizing investments for One Health. The Quadripartite is developing a Joint Offer – a unified advocacy document for targeted One Health investments. This effort will be bolstered by structured outreach to funding partners through roundtable discussions and high-level dialogues. The Quadripartite continues to advocate for embedding One Health in existing financial mechanisms, and strengthening regional and national One Health investment planning to catalyse broader financial commitments, ensuring sustainable investments at national and global levels.

    Investing in One Health now

    The complexity of today’s health challenges – ranging from AMR and zoonotic diseases to food safety risks and climate-related health threats, amongst others – demands an integrated and well-resourced One Health response. Investing in One Health is not an option; it is an imperative. It is a strategic and cost-effective approach to preventing future health crises, reducing economic losses, strengthening global health security and promoting sustainable development.

    The Quadripartite underscores that investing in One Health today is an investment in a safer, healthier and more resilient future. The world cannot afford to wait. We call on policymakers, donors and global leaders to act decisively, turning commitments into concrete actions and ensuring that One Health is effectively implemented, leaving no one behind.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNMISS calls for immediate recommitment to peace at pivotal moment for South Sudan

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    Following reports tonight of the detention of First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, calls on all Parties to exercise restraint and uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement.“Tonight, the country’s leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict or taking the country forward towards peace, recovery and democracy in the spirit of the consensus that was reached in 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a Revitalized Peace Agreement,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom.“Unilateral amendments by Parties to that agreement that jeopardize the hard-won gains of the past seven years risk returning the country back into a state of war. This will not only devastate South Sudan but also affect the entire region.”UNMISS again urges the Parties to immediately cease hostilities and engage in constructive dialogue that puts the best interests of their people at the forefront of this pivotal moment for the world’s newest nation. –Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson at unmiss-spokesperson@un.org

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Natural Hazards Commission – Toka Tū Ake (New Zealand)

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake is New Zealand’s Government’s response to the country’s unique geographical environment.

    Created to provide support and financial assistance to New Zealanders after a natural hazard event, the Commission is committed to reducing the impact of natural hazards on people, property, and our communities.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    The Max Planck Society is an internationally recognized, autonomous science organization with a longstanding tradition.

    “Insight must precede application” – the guiding principle of the Max Planck Society are words spoken by the physicist that our organization was named after. Excellent minds, a high degree of freedom and outstanding work conditions create the foundation for basic research at the very highest level. And thus 20 Nobel Prize Laureates are among the ranks of the Max Planck Society to date. The Max Planck Society with its 86 Max Planck Institutes and facilities is the international flagship for German science: in addition to five foreign institutions, it operates another 20 Max Planck Centers with research institutions such as the Princeton University in the USA, the Paris University Science Po in France, the University College London in UK, and the University of Tokyo in Japan. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Yokahu

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    Yokahu is a fully automated insurance intermediary. Yokahu develops parametric insurance products that are based on provable events rather than resulting losses.

    As soon as a defined parameter is met – wind speeds reach 74 miles per hour in your set location for example – your customer’s policy pays a predetermined amount automatically, within hours.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s video message to the Opening of the Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G) [scroll down for English version]

    Source: United Nations

    Download the video:
    (French),
    https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+07+March+25/3347691_MSG+SG+NUTRITION+FOR+GROWTH+07+MAR+25.mp4
     
    English sub-title,
    https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+07+March+25/MSG+SG+NUTRITION+FOR+GROWTH+07+MAR+25+EN.mp4

    En 2015, les dirigeants du monde ont fait une promesse à l’humanité :

    Éliminer la faim d’ici à 2030.

    Hélas, à moins de cinq ans de l’échéance, nous sommes loin du compte.

    Aujourd’hui, une personne sur 11 souffre de la faim.

    En Afrique, c’est une personne sur cinq.

    Chez les enfants, la malnutrition représente une tragédie – et une faillite morale.

    Dans le même temps, des millions de personnes sont en surpoids, à cause d’une alimentation transformées – riche en sucre et graisses saturées, mais pauvre en nutriments essentiels.

    Cette double menace fragilise nos systèmes de santé, creuse les inégalités et freine le développement durable.

    La lutte contre la faim est un défi mondial qui demande l’engagement de chacun, à tous les niveaux – et une mobilisation politique et financière sans précédent pour transformer durablement nos systèmes alimentaires.

    C’est l’objectif de l’Alliance mondiale contre la faim, qui vise à mobiliser des fonds et des solutions concrètes pour aider les pays dans cette transformation.

    En juillet, le deuxième bilan du sommet des Nations unies sur les systèmes alimentaires à Addis-Abeba, devra aboutir à des engagements concrets – en particulier financiers.

    Ainsi, seul un tiers des pays à faible revenu et à revenu intermédiaire dispose de financements adéquats pour la nutrition. 

    Et trop souvent, les pays vulnérables sont laissés pour compte face aux crises économiques, conflits prolongés, et catastrophes climatiques.
     
    Le Pacte pour l’avenir appelle à une réforme de l’architecture financière internationale… 

    Il comprend un engagement à mettre en place un plan de relance des Objectifs de développement durable…
     
    Augmenter la capacité de prêt des banques multilatérales de développement…

    À alléger le fardeau des pays croulant sous les dettes…

    Et mobiliser davantage de ressources internationales et nationales, publiques et privées, pour des investissements vitaux – notamment en matière de sécurité alimentaire.

    Excellences,

    Un monde sans faim n’est pas une utopie.

    C’est un choix.

    Nous avons les ressources, les connaissances et les outils nécessaires.

    Et votre Sommet représente une opportunité importante de mobiliser des actions concrètes en faveur d’une nutrition saine pour tous.

    Alors agissons ensemble pour tenir notre promesse et faire malnutrition une histoire du passé.

    Je vous remercie.

    ***
    In 2015, world leaders made a pledge to humanity:

    To eradicate hunger by 2030.

    Sadly, with less than five years to go, we are far off track.

    Today, one in eleven people suffers from hunger.

    In Africa, it is one in five.

    Among children, malnutrition is a tragedy – and a moral failure.

    Meanwhile, millions of people struggle with obesity due to a processed diet – high in sugar and saturated fats, but low in essential nutrients.

    This dual threat strains our healthcare systems, widens inequalities and hinders sustainable development.

    Combating hunger demands a global effort at every level – and unprecedented political and financial engagement to sustainably transform our food systems.

    The Global Alliance against Hunger aims to mobilize funds and concrete solutions to support countries in this transformation.

    In July, the second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa must result in tangible commitments – notably financial ones.

    Only a third of low- and middle-income countries have adequate funding for nutrition.

    Too often, vulnerable countries are left on their own – facing economic crises, protracted conflicts and climate disasters.
     
    The Pact for the Future calls for reforming the international financial architecture.

    It includes a commitment to advance an SDG Stimulus.
     
    To increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks;

    To alleviate the burden of countries drowning in debt;

    And to mobilize more international and domestic resources, public and private, for vital investments – particularly in food security.

    Excellencies,

    A world without hunger is not a utopia.

    It is a choice.

    We have the necessary resources, knowledge and tools.

    And your Summit represents a key opportunity to drive concrete action for a healthy nutrition for all.

    So let us work together to keep our promise and make malnutrition a thing of the past.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE guidelines on subjective poverty open new avenue for holistic measurement

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Recognizing and addressing poverty under all its dimensions, beyond traditional income or consumption-based thresholds, is essential to design more inclusive and effective policies. Subjective poverty, which reflects individuals’ perceptions of their financial well-being based on personal views and experiences, is increasingly being incorporated into poverty assessment tools alongside objective measures. This holistic approach helps capture the complexities of poverty and ensures that the voices of the poorest are heard, complementing objective measures in important ways.   

    Thanks to new guidelines for methodologies used in subjective poverty measurement published by UNECE, international and domestic policymakers will have additional means to support targeted measures to improve well-being and social stability, especially for disadvantaged populations. The document also recommends subjective poverty indicators that could be used for international comparisons. 

    Drawing on prior subjective poverty data collection strategies, namely the EU-SILC, and experience from Armenia, Austria, Mexico, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, the Task Force summarizes qualitative and quantitative approaches to subjective poverty measurement and analysis. Qualitative approach offers an analysis of poverty beyond the realm of specific income thresholds.  These questions include asking participants about their perceptions regarding their current financial situation and whether they consider their household poor or feeling at risk of poverty. The second group of qualitative categorical questioning focuses on specific perceptions of their own income in respect to ability to make ends meet, satisfaction, or adequacy of consumption (e.g. Deleeck question). Finally, the quantitative approach builds on money metric questions, asking respondents to provide a specific amount they consider necessary to pay usual necessary expenses (minimum income question).    

    Providing organizations with a methodological toolkit that is adaptable to independent resource constraints and research objectives, the guidelines outline procedures on defining sample populations, conducting surveys, hosting focus groups, and collecting information from administrative and registry data. Such procedures aid in eliminating sample biases and ensuring data validity and reliability errors related to responsiveness and representativeness, question wording, and plausible receipt of social transfers in-kind, differences in geographic prices, within household sharing, and cultural differentiation.  

    The guidelines were prepared by the UNECE Task Force on Subjective Poverty Measures under the Conference of European Statisticians. This follows in the footsteps of prior guidance developed by UNECE task teams, including the Guide on Poverty Measurement and the Poverty Measurement: Guide to Data Disaggregation. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Apply Now: UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples Supports Participation at 47th World Heritage Committee Session

    Source: United Nations

    The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples (UNVFIP) has extended its mandate to support the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives in the World Heritage Committee, starting with the 47th session to be held at UNESCO Headquarters from 6 to 16 July 2025.

    This is a significant development that marks a milestone in the ongoing engagement of Indigenous Peoples with the World Heritage Convention and enhances their role in shaping the dialogue on the future of heritage conservation at the global level.

    Many cultural and natural World Heritage sites are home to Indigenous Peoples, who have long been at the forefront of cultural and natural heritage protection. Their diverse knowledge systems and cultural practices have ensured the sustainable management of cultural and natural resources over generations. In the World Heritage context, the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in the identification, conservation and promotion of World Heritage has been increasingly recognized as part of an evolving interpretation of the World Heritage Convention. The extension of the UNVFIP to the statutory meetings of the World Heritage Convention builds on these initiatives and opens a new chapter in ensuring the participation of Indigenous Peoples in World Heritage discussions that concern them.

    The extended mandate of the UNVFIP will enable Indigenous representatives and organizations with expertise in World Heritage to apply for grants to cover travel, accommodation, and other expenses associated with participating in the Committee’s proceedings. This funding is made possible through the generous support of the government of Australia.

    Indigenous representatives and organizations wishing to apply can find further details and the online application form. They are invited to do so by 20 April 2025.

    This historic decision by the United Nations General Assembly to extend its support for Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the statutory meetings of World Heritage Convention underscores the increasing recognition of Indigenous knowledge, stewardship and governance systems and sets a promising precedent for the future of heritage policy at the global level.

    About the UNVFIP

    The UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples offers financial support in the form of grants which aim to help representatives of Indigenous communities and organizations to participate in UN mechanisms and processes most relevant to Indigenous Peoples.

    The Fund is financed by means of voluntary contributions from Governments, non-governmental organizations and other private or public entities. In order to respond to increasing operational demands and to fulfil its mandate in a satisfactory manner, the Fund needs support on a regular basis.

    For information on how to contribute, please contact the secretariat of the Fund.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Activation of TIR system in Iraq to boost connectivity and trade across Central Asia, Middle East and Europe

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    With its 78 Contracting Parties and electronic procedure (eTIR), the UNECE-serviced TIR Convention is a flagship international agreement that establishes an international customs transit system that facilitates speedy and secure border crossing of goods. 

    Iraq will become the 66th country to operationalize the TIR system as of 1 April 2025, making the transport of goods more efficient, streamlined and reliable, and opening up prospects for efficient transit routes to, from and through the Islamic Republic of Iran, Türkiye, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria, and further to the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, all of which are also TIR operational. 

    “The activation of the TIR system in Iraq will open up routes across the Middle East and make almost the entire Eurasian landmass – from China through Central Asia to Europe – TIR operational,” noted UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean. “Most importantly, by ensuring greater connectivity between regional and international markets, it will help to boost trade and development.” 

    Throughout the years, the application of the TIR Convention has enabled more than 34,000 transport and logistics companies in its 78 Contracting Parties to reduce cross-border transport time by up to 80% and costs by up to 38%.    

    Launched in 2021, eTIR can reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector by eliminating the need for physical TIR carnets and the associated logistics and paper production, including the queueing and waiting times at borders.   

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: First Recorded Drop in Sudan Displacement, Yet Humanitarian Crisis Persists

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Port Sudan/ Geneva, 27 March 2025 – The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sudan has declined by 2.4 per cent in the last three months, marking the first decline since the crisis erupted nearly two years ago, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This decrease is primarily due to people returning to their place of origin.  However, those who are going back are returning to areas with very little in the way of adequate shelter, food, infrastructure, education and other basic services.

    Since December 2024, 396,738 people have returned to their places of origin across Aj Jazirah, Sennar, and Khartoum states. This movement reflects a cautious but hopeful shift as communities seek to reclaim their homes and resume their lives after months of intense conflict. However, displacement from North Darfur and White Nile states has increased due to heightened insecurity, and across Sudan, the need for increased humanitarian assistance remains extremely high.

    “While many people are eager to return home, the conditions for safe and sustainable return and integration are not yet in place”, noted Mohamed Refaat, Chief of Mission of IOM Sudan. “Basic services including healthcare, protection, education, and food are scarce, and the lack of functional infrastructure and financial capacity will make it difficult for families to rebuild their lives.”

    According to the latest IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) update, Sudan currently hosts an estimated 11,301,340 internally displaced persons (IDPs), including those displaced both before and after the start of the conflict. The majority of IDPs were displaced from Khartoum, South and North Darfur.  Almost four million people crossed into neighbouring countries, with the majority crossing into Egypt, South Sudan, and Chad.

    Most IDPs are living in dire humanitarian conditions, with limited access to basic services. More than half of those displaced are children, with 27 per cent under the age of five. Girls under 18 years old constitute approximately 28 per cent of the IDP population, the report reveals.

    “Nearly two years of relentless conflict in Sudan have inflicted immense suffering, triggering the world’s largest and most devastating humanitarian crisis, with over 30.4 million people – more than half of the population – in need of humanitarian assistance, including 16 million children. Recent cuts in international humanitarian aid budgets are compounding the crisis and deepening the suffering”, said IOM’s Refaat.

    The IOM Sudan Response Plan seeks  USD 250 million to assist 1.7 million people in need. However, the response plan remains drastically underfunded, with only six per cent of the required funds covered as of February 2025.

    IOM has been implementing emergency response activities since the crisis began, providing immediate life-saving aid to an estimated 3.8 million people in Sudan and neighbouring countries to date.

    Humanitarian support is critical to ensure safe returns and provide immediate relief, such as food, shelter, healthcare, and protection, and access to basic services to help these populations recover and rebuild their lives.

    For more information, please contact:

    In Port Sudan: Lisa George, lgeorge@iom.int     
    In Cairo: Joe Lowry, jlowry@iom.int
    In Geneva: Kennedy Okoth, kokoth@iom.int

    MIL OSI United Nations News –