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Category: United Nations

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Can renewable energy survive climate change?

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    The race towards renewable energy is accelerating, and for all the looming challenges of the climate crisis, signs of progress are there: Solar panels are beginning to blanket deserts, wind turbines dot coastlines, and hydropower dams are harnessing powerful rivers to churn out clean electricity.

    Yet, even as the push for renewables gains momentum – driven by cheaper technology and an urgent need to slash carbon emissions – experts are waving cautionary flags: Because renewable energy sources depend on weather conditions, climate change is increasingly dictating, and jeopardizing, renewable energy production.

    This trend became more pronounced in 2023, marked by a volatility that disrupted renewable energy generation globally. Temperatures soared 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels, and the shift from La Niña to El Niño altered rainfall, wind patterns, and solar radiation.

    Hamid Bastani, a climate and energy expert with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), provided a stark example of this impact. “In Sudan and Namibia, hydropower output dropped by more than 50 per cent due to unusually low rainfall,” he said in an interview with UN News.

    In Sudan, rainfall totaled just 100 millimeters (less than four inches) in 2023—less than half the national long-term average.

    “This is a country where hydropower makes up around 60 per cent of the electricity mix. These reductions could have significant implications,” Mr. Bastani explained, noting that the power system supports a large and rapidly growing population of about 48 million.

    These shifts were not limited to hydropower. Wind energy, too, showed signs of stress under changing climate conditions.

    China, which accounts for 40 per cent of global onshore wind capacity, saw only a modest 4 to 8 per cent increase in output in 2023, as wind anomalies disrupted generation. In India, production declined amid weaker monsoon winds, while some regions in Africa experienced even sharper losses, with wind output falling by as much as 20 to 30 per cent.

    South America, meanwhile, saw the scale tip in the other direction. Clear skies and elevated solar radiation boosted solar panel performance, particularly in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia.

    As such, the region saw a four to six per cent increase in solar generation – a climate-driven bump that translated to roughly three terawatt-hours of additional electricity, enough to power over two million homes for a year at average consumption rates.

    “This is a good example of how climate variability can sometimes create opportunity,” explains Roberta Boscolo, who leads WMO’s New York Office and formerly the agency’s climate and energy work. “In Europe, too, we are seeing more days with high solar radiation, meaning solar power is becoming more efficient over time.”

    Ms. Boscolo and Mr. Bastani are among the contributors to a recent WMO–IRENA study examining how climate conditions in 2023, shaped by El Niño, global warming, and regional extremes, affected both renewable energy generation and energy demand worldwide.

    ADB/Patarapol Tularak

    Solar power accounted for over 73 percent of all new renewable capacity added globally in 2023, making it the fastest-growing source of energy worldwide.​

    Systems built on stability, in a world that is anything but

    Ms. Boscolo, who has spent years working at the intersection of climate science and energy policy, is quick to point out the vulnerability of renewable energy infrastructure. Dams, solar farms, and wind turbines are all designed based on past climate patterns, making them susceptible to the changing climate.

    Take hydropower. Dams rely on predictable seasonal flows, often fed by snowmelt or glacial runoff. “There will be a short-term boost in hydropower as glaciers melt,” she said. “But once those glaciers are gone, so is the water. And that is irreversible – at least on human timescales.”

    This pattern is already unfolding in regions like the Andes and the Himalayas. If the meltwater disappears, countries will need to replace the way they generate power or face long-term energy deficits.

    A recent report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), for example, pointed out that rising sea levels and stronger storms pose growing risks to energy production facilities, including solar farms located near coastlines.

    Similarly, increasingly intense and frequent wildfires can also take down power lines and black out entire regions, while extreme heat can reduce the efficiency of solar panels and strain grid infrastructure—just as demand for cooling peaks.

    Nuclear power plants are also at risk in the changing climate.

    “We have seen nuclear power plants that could not operate because of the lack of water… for cooling,” Ms. Boscolo said. As heatwaves become more frequent and river levels drop, some older nuclear facilities may no longer be viable in their current locations.

    “This is another thing that should be looked at with different eyes in the future . When we design, when we build, when we project power generation infrastructure, we really need to think about what the climate of the future will be, not what was the climate of the past”.

    IMF/Crispin Rodwell

    Global renewable electricity capacity grew by nearly 50 percent in 2023—the largest annual increase in two decades—with most additions coming from solar and wind.​

    Adapting to the future through data, AI and technology

    The expert underscores that one thing is certain: Our planet is heading towards a future in which electricity, especially from renewable sources, will be central.

    “Our transport is going to be electric; our cooking is going to be electric; our heating is going to be electric. So, if we do not have a reliable electricity system, everything is going to collapse. We will need to have this climate intelligence when we think about how to change our energy systems and the reliability and the resilience of our energy system in the future.”

    Indeed, to adapt, both experts emphasized a need to embrace what they call climate intelligence – the integration of climate forecasts, data, and science into every level of energy planning.

    “In the past, energy planners worked with historical averages,” Mr. Bastani explained. “But the past is no longer a reliable guide. We need to know what the wind will be doing next season, what rainfall will look like next year – not just what it looked like a decade ago.”

    In Chile, for instance, hydropower generation surged by as much as 80 per cent in November 2023, due to unusually high rainfall. While this increase was climate-driven, experts say advanced seasonal forecasting could help dam operators better anticipate such events in the future and manage reservoirs to store water more effectively.

    Similarly, wind farm workers can use forecasts to schedule maintenance during low-wind periods – minimizing downtime and avoiding losses. Grid operators, too, can plan for energy spikes during heatwaves or droughts.

    “We now have forecasts that span from a few seconds ahead to several months,” Mr. Bastani said. “Each one has a specific application – from immediate grid balancing to long-term investment decisions.”

    WMO/Sandro Puncet

    Improved climate forecasting can help energy systems plan days to seasons ahead.

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is lending a hand: Machine learning models trained on climate and energy data can now predict resource fluctuations with higher resolution and accuracy. These tools could help optimize when to deploy battery storage or shift energy between regions, making the system more flexible and responsive.

    “These models can help operators better anticipate fluctuations in wind, rainfall, or solar radiation”, Mr. Bastain explained.

    For example, two recent WMO energy mini projects illustrated how artificial intelligence can be applied in real-world renewable energy planning. In Costa Rica, the agency worked with national energy authorities to develop and implement an AI-based model for short-term wind speed forecasting. The tool is now integrated into the Costa Rican Electricity Institute’s internal energy forecasting platform, helping optimize operations at selected wind farms.

    In Chile, another project focused on floating solar technology, using AI to estimate evaporation rates on reservoirs. The results, now incorporated into Chile’s official Solar Energy Explorer platform, showed that floating solar panels can reduce water evaporation by up to 85 per cent in summer, with a national average of 77 per cent.

    Indeed, the promise and challenge of climate-smart renewable planning are most evident in the Global South. Africa, for instance, boasts some of the best solar potential on the planet, yet only two per cent of the world’s installed renewable capacity is found on the continent.

    Why the gap? Ms. Boscolo points to a lack of data and investment.

    “In many parts of the Global South, there just is not enough observational data to create accurate forecasts or make energy projects bankable,” she said. “Investors need to see reliable long-term projections. Without that, the risk is too high.”

    WMO is working to improve weather and energy monitoring in underserved regions, but progress is uneven. The agency is calling for more funding for local data networks, cross-border energy planning, and climate services tailored to regional needs.

    “This is not just about climate mitigation,” Ms. Boscolo added. “It is a development opportunity. Renewable energy can bring electricity to communities, drive industrial growth, and create jobs if the systems are designed right.”

    Mr. Bastani sees a need for global data sharing between energy companies and climate scientists.

    “There is a huge untapped potential in the data collected by the private sector… integrating historical and real-time observations from power plants – solar, wind, hydropower, even nuclear – can significantly improve weather and climate models. This is a win-win.”

    IMF/Lisa Marie David

    Climate forecasting helps energy companies anticipate weather-driven changes in supply and demand, improving reliability and reducing risk.

    Diversifying the energy portfolio to adapt

    Another key action to guarantee clean energy in the near future is diversification. Relying too heavily on only one renewable source can expose countries to seasonal or long-term shifts in climate, Mr. Bastani explains.

    In Europe, for example, energy planners are increasingly concerned about something called “dunkelflaute”— a period of cloudy, windless weather in winter that undermines both solar power and wind generation. This phenomenon, linked to high-pressure systems known as anticyclonic gloom, has prompted calls for more energy storage and backup power.

    “A diversified mix that includes solar, wind, hydro, battery storage, and even low-carbon sources (like geothermal) is essential,” Mr. Bastani said. “Especially as extreme weather becomes more frequent.”

    Into the future

    As the world races towards a future powered by renewable energy, addressing the challenges posed by climate change is imperative. The volatility experienced in 2023 underscores the need for climate-smart planning and infrastructure that can withstand unpredictable shifts in weather patterns.

    For renewable energy to truly fulfill its promise, the world must invest not only in expanding capacity but also in building a system that is resilient, adaptable, and informed by the best available climate science.

    WMO experts Hamid Bastani and Roberta Boscolo emphasize the importance of integrating climate intelligence into energy systems to ensure their reliability and resilience. By leveraging advanced forecasting and artificial intelligence, we can better anticipate and adapt to these changes, optimizing renewable energy production and safeguarding our future.

    The future of energy is not just about more wind turbines and solar panels, but also about ensuring they can withstand the very forces they are meant to mitigate.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message on the 50th Anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention, the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. 

    Over the past five decades, the Convention has contributed towards collective efforts to reject the use of disease as a weapon. 

    However, we must remain vigilant. Recent advances in biology hold great promise but also potential risks. The Biological Weapons Convention helps to ensure that such advances are only used for peaceful purposes.

    I urge all States parties to engage actively in the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention, and for the Group to accelerate its work so that it can fulfil its mandate in this anniversary year.  These efforts reinforce the commitment in the Pact for the Future, adopted at the United Nations last year, for all countries to pursue a world free of biological weapons.  

    Fifty years after its entry into force, the Biological Weapons Convention now has 188 States parties. I call on the nine governments that have not yet joined the Convention to do so without delay. Together, let us stand united against biological weapons. 

    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Guterres urges Caribbean leaders to keep pushing for peace, climate action

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    Peace and Security

    In an address on Wednesday to Caribbean leaders meeting in Barbados, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced a potential plan to support an “effective force” in Haiti as armed gangs continue to terrorize the population. 

    Mr. Guterres was speaking during the opening of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting in the capital Bridgetown, where he called for unity to achieve progress in peace and security, climate and sustainable development.

    “A unified Caribbean is an unstoppable force,” he said. “I urge you to keep using that power to push the world to deliver on its promises.”

    ‘Trouble in paradise’

    The Secretary-General noted that the region’s “exquisite beauty is famed the world over, but there is trouble in paradise.”

    He told leaders that “wave after wave of crisis is pounding your people and your islands – with no time to catch your breath before the next disaster strikes.”

    Caribbean countries are experiencing uncertainty fuelled by geopolitical tensions, along with the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring debt and interest rates, and a surge in the cost of living. 

    Global solutions exist

    These are all happening “amidst a deadly swell of climate disasters – ripping development gains to shreds, and blowing holes through your national budgets,” and as countries “remain locked-out of many international institutions – one of the many legacies of colonialism today.”

    The UN chief insisted that “the cure for these ills is global,” and the world needs to deliver on hard-won global commitments to address the immense challenges the international community is facing.

    He listed three key areas “where, together, we must drive progress.” 

    Peace in Haiti

    Mr. Guterres called for unity for peace and security, “particularly to address the appalling situation in Haiti – where gangs are inflicting intolerable suffering on a desperate and frightened people.”

    He said CARICOM and its Eminent Persons Group have provided invaluable support in this regard. 

    “We must keep working for a political process – owned and led by the Haitians – that restores democratic institutions through elections,” he said.

    Security and stability

    A Security Council-backed Multinational Security Support Mission is currently on the ground to assist the Haitian National Police.

    The Secretary-General said he will soon report to the Council on the situation in the country, including proposals on the role the UN can play to both support stability and security, and address the root causes of the crisis.

    He intends to present a proposal similar to the one for Somalia, in which the UN assumes responsibility for the structural and logistical expenditures necessary to put the force in place. Salaries are paid through a trust fund that already exists.

    “If the Security Council will accept this proposal, we will have the conditions to finally have an effective force to defeat the gangs in Haiti and create the conditions for democracy to thrive,” he said, drawing applause.

    © WFP/Fedel Mansour

    Hurricane Beryl last July caused devastation on Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

    Climate crisis opportunity

    His second point – unity on the climate crisis – underlined “a deplorable injustice” as Caribbean countries “have done next to nothing” to create it. Moreover, they have “fought tooth and nail for the global commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.”

    Mr. Guterres said countries must deliver new national climate plans ahead of the COP30 UN climate conference later this year.  The plans must align with the 1.5 goal, with the G20 group of industrial nations leading the way.

    “This is a chance for the world to get a grip on emissions,” he said. “And it’s a chance for the Caribbean to seize the benefits of clean power, to tap your vast renewables potential, and to turn your back on costly fossil fuel imports.”

    As finance is required, he underscored the need for confidence that the $1.3 trillion agreed at the previous COP will be mobilized. Developed countries also must honour their promises on adaptation finance and make meaningful contributions to the new Loss and Damage Fund.

    “When the Fund was created, the pledges made were equivalent to the new contract for just one baseball player in New York City,” he remarked.

    Finance for sustainable development

    Meanwhile, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “are starved of adequate finance, as debt servicing soaks-up funds, and international financial institutions remain underpowered.”

    The Secretary-General said Caribbean countries have been at the forefront of the fight for change, pioneering bold and creative solutions.  He said the Pact for the Future, together with the Bridgetown Initiative, marks significant progress.

    Mr. Guterres thanked Caribbean leaders for supporting the Pact, which UN Member States adopted last year. 

    Key deliverables include support for an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion annually and commitment to reform international financial institutions to allow greater participation by developing countries. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 25 March 2025 News release New WHO guidance calls for urgent transformation of mental health policies

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched new guidance to help all countries reform and strengthen mental health policies and systems. Mental health services worldwide remain underfunded, with major gaps in access and quality. In some countries, up to 90% of people with severe mental health conditions receive no care at all, while many existing services rely on outdated institutional models that fail to meet international human rights standards.

    The guidance provides a clear framework to transform mental health services in line with the latest evidence and international human rights standards, ensuring quality care is accessible to all.

    “Despite rising demand, quality mental health services remain out of reach for many people,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This new guidance gives all governments the tools to promote and protect mental health and build systems that serve everyone.”

    A blueprint for mental health care transformation

    While effective prevention and treatment interventions exist, most people living with mental health conditions do not have access to these. The new WHO guidance sets out concrete actions to help countries close these gaps and ensure mental health is promoted and protected, with a focus on:

    • protecting and upholding human rights, ensuring mental health policies and services are aligned with international human rights standards;
    • promoting holistic care with an emphasis on lifestyle and physical health, psychological, social, and economic interventions;
    • addressing social and economic factors that shape and affect mental health including employment, housing and education;
    • implementing prevention strategies and promote population-wide mental health and well-being; and
    • ensuring people with lived experience are empowered to participate in policy planning and design to ensure mental health policies and services are responsive to their needs.

    The guidance identifies five key policy areas requiring urgent reform: leadership and governance, service organization, workforce development, person-centred interventions, and addressing social and structural determinants of mental health.

    A tailored approach to strengthening mental health systems

    The WHO guidance serves as a critical tool for governments, policymakers, and stakeholders working to strengthen mental health systems and improve access to mental health care.

    By offering a menu of policy directives, strategies and actions to guide reform efforts, the guidance supports policy makers to prioritize and tailor policies to their specific national context, in line with their available resources and operational structures.

    “This new WHO guidance provides practical strategies for countries to build inclusive, responsive and resilient mental health systems. Designed to be flexible, it allows all countries – whether low- middle- or high-income – to adapt their approach to mental health care based on national context, needs, and priorities,” said Dr Michelle Funk, Unit Head, Policy, Law and Human Rights in the WHO Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

    Developing and implementing the guidance

    The guidance was developed in consultation with global experts, policymakers and individuals with lived experience. The policy guidance also builds on the resources, guidance and tools developed under the WHO QualityRights initiative, aiming to promote a person-centred, recovery-oriented and rights-based approach to mental health. WHO will support countries in implementing the guidance through technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Continues Debate on Peace Operations

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Migrant deaths in Asia hit record high in 2024, UN data reveals

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Migrants and Refugees

    The year 2024 marked the deadliest on record for migrants in Asia, with at least 2,514 lives lost along the region’s perilous migration routes, according to new data from the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).

    This represents a staggering 59 per cent increase from the 1,584 deaths recorded in 2023, highlighting the worsening dangers faced by people on the move.

    “No one should lose their life in pursuit of safety or a better future,” said Iori Kato, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

    “Every life lost on migration routes in Asia, or anywhere else, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for safe and regular migration pathways – these are preventable tragedies.”

    Source: IOM

    Migrant deaths in Asia since 2014; data for 2025 as of 15 March.

    Rohingya, Afghans most at risk

    The spike in migrant deaths was primarily linked to two of the region’s most vulnerable populations: the minority Muslim Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Afghans escaping conflict and instability.

    “The increase in deaths across Asia of people fleeing conflict and persecution in the region is of grave concern,” Mr. Kato said.

    In 2024, at least 1,517 Afghan migrants lost their lives while in transit – up 39 per cent from 2023.

    Deaths among Rohingya migrants more than doubled, reaching 889 compared to 436 the previous year.

    On 5 August 2024 alone, over 150 people were reportedly killed by artillery fire while attempting to cross the Naf River from Myanmar to Bangladesh.

    IOM also highlighted that the risks facing migrants extended beyond conflict-related violence. Many are vulnerable to perilous conditions en route, including overcrowded and unsafe boats, abuse by smugglers and extreme weather conditions.

    Crisis of missing migrants

    Lack of identification of migrants was also a major concern, with over 1,000 of those who died in 2024 unidentified. Among the documented deaths, 1,086 were men, 205 were women, and 217 children.

    “A lack of official reporting of data on missing migrants means we know our data do not fully capture the true number of lives lost during migration in Asia,” Mr. Kato said.

    “And even within the records we have, so few identifying details are known, meaning there are immeasurable effects on families searching for lost relatives,” he added.

    UNICEF/Patrick Brown

    A man helps a woman to the shore as a boat arrives with Rohingya refugees in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. (file)

    Asia’s deadly migration routes

    Migration in Asia is complex, driven by economic inequality, conflict and environmental factors, worsened by climate change. However, limited legal pathways have forced many to rely on irregular and highly dangerous routes.

    One of the deadliest corridors remains the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, where stateless Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants embark on treacherous sea journeys in search of refuge. Many pay smugglers for passage, only to find themselves trapped on overcrowded boats with insufficient food and water, facing violence from crew members and the risk of being turned away at their destination.

    Meanwhile, overland migration routes across South and Southeast Asia – such as those from Nepal to India, or from Afghanistan and Pakistan through Iran and Turkey – also pose serious risks. Migrants frequently endure extreme environmental conditions, exploitation by traffickers, and border violence.

    Sea crossings to Australia, once a significant migration route, have sharply declined in recent years due to strict border controls, according to IOM.

    While official data on boat interceptions remains scarce, the closure of this route has left many stranded in transit countries with little access to healthcare, education or legal protection, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: General Assembly Commemorates Slave Trade Remembrance, Adopts Resolutions on Conflict Diamonds, High-Level Talks on Rohingyas

    Source: United Nations 4

    Note: Full coverage of today’s meeting of the General Assembly will be available Wednesday, 26 March.

    The General Assembly today adopted resolutions on a range of topics, from the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict to a high-level conference on Rohingyas in Myanmar, while also holding a special event to pay tribute to the 15 million men, women and children from Africa who were trafficked into slavery.

    Conflict Diamonds

    The resolution on “The role of diamonds in fuelling conflict:  breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds and armed conflict as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflicts” (document A/79/L.63) was adopted without a vote, following the United States’ unsuccessful bid to remove four paragraphs that refer to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

    An overwhelming majority — 144 Member States — voted in favour of retaining those paragraphs, defeating two negative votes cast by the United States and Argentina.  Six delegations — Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Libya, Maldives, Panama and Paraguay — abstained on the vote.

    By its terms, the Assembly reaffirmed the importance of the tripartite nature of the Kimberley Process and stressed that the widest possible participation in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is essential.

    The Kimberley Process, an international certification scheme for rough diamonds, is open to all countries, and began when southern African diamond-producing States met in Kimberley, South Africa, in May 2000, to discuss ways to tackle the financing of violence by armed movements through the illicit diamond trade. 

    Introducing the text, the representative of the United Arab Emirates said the current resolution reflects a “shared commitment to fostering a sustainable and responsible diamond industry that benefits millions around the world”.  The representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer, voiced support for reforming the Kimberley Process.  Unfortunately, due to lack of consensus, “the definition of conflict diamonds remains very narrow”, she said, stressing the need to ensure the Process remains relevant and credible in a changing world.  The Russian Federation’s delegation, however, rejecting the pressure from Western countries to unilaterally filter the diamonds that are entering the main market, said this attempt by consumer countries to deliberately thwart tried and tested multilateral mechanisms is reckless and incompetent.

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Alarm over Türkiye detentions, Ukraine update, Sudan-Chad border emergency

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Peace and Security

    The UN human rights office (OHCHR) expressed major concern on Tuesday following the detention of at least 92 people by the Turkish authorities over the past week, including Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been charged with corruption and removed from office.

    “These detentions triggered country-wide demonstrations that were met with unlawful blanket bans on protests in three cities,” said OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell.

    More than 1,000 people have been detained during the protests, among them at least nine media workers.

    Türkiye has reportedly seen its largest street protests in more than a decade following the arrest of current Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, Mr. İmamoğlu.

    Legitimate right of protest

    Ms. Throssell said that all those detained “for the legitimate exercise of their rights must be released immediately and unconditionally.”

    Those facing charges should be treated with dignity, she added, and their rights to due process while their rights to a fair trial – including access to a lawyer of their own choice – must be fully ensured.

    “We urge the authorities to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are guaranteed, in line with international law, and that credible allegations of unlawful use of force against protesters are promptly and thoroughly investigated,” Ms. Throssell underscored.

    Ukraine: Dozens injured in Sumy attack; UN welcomes announcement of Black Sea ceasefire

    More than 80 civilians – including children – were injured following a Russian missile attack on the city of Sumy on Monday in Ukraine’s northeast, UN humanitarians have reported.

    Citing local authorities, more than 20 children were injured with two schools, a hospital and multiple homes suffering extensive damage in the attack, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

    “Complementing the efforts of the first responders, and immediately after the attack, humanitarian organizations provided first aid and helped transport the wounded to the hospitals. They also distributed shelter materials, blankets and other necessities.”

    UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Mattias Schmale, condemned the attack in Sumy and recent drone strikes in the cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv.

    Since the escalation of the war in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has verified more than 2,500 child casualties in that country, Mr. Dujarric maintained.

    It also noted an alarming increase in child casualties in 2024, caused by explosive weapons targeting territory inside Ukraine, due to intensified attacks along the frontline in the Donetsk Region and increased use of long-range missiles, drones and aerial bombing.

    Black Sea announcements

    The White House on Tuesday said that Russia and Ukraine had reached separate agreements following talks in Saudi Arabia with US negotiators, with both agreeing to a maritime ceasefire in the crucial Black Sea shipping corridor.

    The US said Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to the principal of safe navigation, eliminating the use of force and preventing the use of commercial vessels for military purposes.

    Asked for reaction from the Secretary-General, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told the regular noon briefing that the two announcements were a welcome development.

    “These issues, notably, on the freedom of navigation and Black Sea, are issues that the Secretary-General, his team, notably Rebeca Grynspan [head of trade and development body, UNCTAD] and others, have been working on since almost the start of the conflict. And there continues to be discussions on these issues.”

    Mr. Dujarric said the UN had played no part in discussions in Riyad but noted Ms. Grynspan had been in Moscow for talks Monday on resuming the Memorandum of Understanding between Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye and the United Nations under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Moscow pulled out of in July 2023.

    He confirmed talks had also taken place recently in Washington.

    The UN has been heavily invested in ensuring that Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea can happen safely, along with the transport of Russian food and fertilizer, to halt spiralling food prices worldwide and stave off famine in vulnerable countries.

    The UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative was agreed by Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye and the UN in Istanbul in July 2022. It allowed more than 30 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs to leave Ukraine’s ports and played an “indispensable role” in global food security, Mr. Guterres said at the time.

    Sudanese uprooted by conflict drag themselves across Chad’s border

    Finally, to the Sudan-Chad border, where UN teams have said that a humanitarian emergency is underway, with the number of people fleeing to eastern Chad expected to surpass one million by the end of the year.

    There are already 970,000 refugees in Chad today, the result of almost two years of heavy fighting in Sudan between rival militaries. Many have endured terrible violence and sexual abuse.

    The refugees are being housed in 18 refugee camps and other shelters, but this has added to pressures on already neglected communities in eastern Chad, according to the UN Development Programme, UNDP.

    To help, the UN agency’s Resident Representative in Chad, Francis James, said that a new centre for women should open in Adre next month. It’s an initiative of the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and its purpose is to strengthen ties between host and refugee communities, Mr. James said:

    “You have refugees coming over, literally crawling over and stumbling over the border, and you need social protection…but also you need to give them hope.”

    Other UN projects include supporting women and girls to go back to school.

    UNDP’s Mr. James explained that it was key that classrooms are built close to the refugee camps so that schoolgoers can avoid walking “for kilometres through dangerous zones” where they risk being assaulted.

    Continued attacks in Sudan

    Stéphane Dujarric said on Tuesday the UN was “gravely alarmed by continued attacks on civilians” inside Sudan.

    Dozens of casualties were reported on Monday night when an air strike hit a market around 40 kilometres north-west of Darfur’s main city of El Fasher – which remains besieged by the Rapid Support Forces militia who have been fighting Government troops for nearly two years for control of Sudan.

    “Our humanitarian colleagues are also deeply concerned about escalating attacks on populated areas in Khartoum,” Mr. Dujarric continued.

    There were reports of civilians killed and injured in eastern Khartoum on Monday when artillery struck a mosque during evening prayers. Civilian casualties were also reported on Sunday as a result of heavy shelling in Omdurman – Khartoum’s twin city across the Nile.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Amid Appalling Civilian Death Toll in Syria, Caretaker Authorities Must Signal ‘Era of Impunity’ Is Over, Special Envoy Tells Security Council

    Source: United Nations 4

    Several Speakers Urge Lifting Economic Sanctions on Damascus, Condemn Israel’s Ongoing Violations of Syria’s Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity

    Meeting today — 14 years after the start of the civil war in Syria, four months since the fall of the former regime and weeks removed from harrowing violence along the country’s coast — the Security Council heard of the need for accountability and economic recovery so that the country can move towards credible, inclusive transition.

    “The legacies of 14 years of war and conflict — and five decades of one-man rule — are huge,” said Geir O. Pedersen, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria.  “So are the immediate challenges facing the Syrians today,” he added. While many have rejoiced at their newfound ability to gather in public spaces without fear, many others have faced devastating violence on Syria’s coast.  On that, he said that “armed groups associated with the former regime” attacked and ambushed caretaker authority forces across that region on 6 March. “Serious armed confrontations ensued, resulting in significant numbers of casualties among the warring factions,” he reported.

    “But far more disturbing was the appalling civilian death toll,” he stressed, spotlighting “widespread footage of grave violations of a plainly sectarian and retaliatory nature”.  Detailing the broader context of fomenting insecurity, hate speech, sense of exclusion and pent-up grievance, he said that further investigation is needed to fully determine the perpetrators of the “shocking” violence against civilians.  For their part, the caretaker authorities have announced an independent investigative committee tasked with examining violations by all sides.  He underscored that findings must be made public and those responsible held accountable to clearly signal that “the era of impunity in Syria is in the past”.

    He went on to express concern over recent Israeli statements on the intention to stay in Syria “for the foreseeable future”, as well as demands for the “full demilitarization of southern Syria”, calling on the Council to “hold Israel to its commitment that this is a temporary presence”.  Additionally, he detailed the caretaker authorities’ actions to establish a transitional Government, a permanent Constitution and transitional justice. “Syrians need an economic future,” he added, welcoming humanitarian pledges made at the ninth Brussels Conference on 17 March to support Syria’s recovery.  However, observing that “more resources will be needed”, he also urged “fast and broad sanctions easing”.

    Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, cited progress on that front, with expanded cross-border deliveries from Türkiye, engagement with Member States to ease sanctions, the repair of infrastructure to restore access to water and the clearance of over 1,700 pieces of unexploded ordnance. Nevertheless, he underscored:  “We need more funding.”  The 2024 Humanitarian Appeal for Syria was only 35 per cent funded, and in 2025, almost half of organizations funded by the United States have received full or partial stop orders.

    Stating that $2 billion is needed to reach 8 million of the most vulnerable people through June, he noted that his office has only received $155 million to date — 13 per cent of what is needed.  Yet, 16 million people — nearly three quarters of the Syrian population — lack sufficient food, water, shelter and medicine.  While stating that there are real reasons for hope after 14 years of conflict and devastation, he stressed that “there is no time to spare”.  He therefore urged those present to be “problem-solvers, rather than problem-observers”.

    Next to brief was Joumana Seif, Co-founder of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement and Legal Adviser at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, who pointed out that Syrians endured “immense” suffering under the rule of Bashar al-Assad.  This led to sanctions, which affected not only the regime, but also ordinary citizens.  “Now that Assad is no longer in power, there is no justification for maintaining these sanctions,” she stressed, adding that “what Syrians need most” is the immediate lifting of these measures alongside investment, reconstruction and economic revitalization.

    Turning to the recent coastal violence, she underscored that this has “caused real concern for us Syrians”.  She stressed:  “We don’t want to build our new country on the back of a new massacre.”  Instead, Syrians must create a transparent and inclusive plan for transitional justice, which requires consultation with victims’ associations and civil society to ensure fair trials, truth commissions, moral and financial compensation for victims and safeguards to prevent future atrocities.  “All of this requires significant financial resources,” she observed.  Additionally, she underscored the need to form an inclusive Government that “truly represents everyone without exclusion”.

    As the floor opened, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Council President for March, spoke in his national capacity to underscore that the interim Government “must protect Syrians from all religious and ethnic backgrounds”.  He also underlined the need for an inclusive political transition. “Syrian society, in all its complexity and diversity, must be represented,” he urged.  And on the issue of sanctions, he noted that the European Union suspended several such measures in February “to send a very clear signal to the Syrian people of our support towards a better future”.

    Also underlining the European Union’s commitment to the Syrian people, the representative of France noted the suspension of certain restrictive measures to facilitate financial and bank transactions for the country’s reconstruction.  Slovenia’s representative added that the bloc will consider a further lifting of sanctions depending on developments on the ground.  The representative of Greece, meanwhile, emphasized that sanctions should be eased in a gradual, conditional and reversible manner to “ensure that our expectations are met” in terms of an inclusive transition and accountability for recent atrocities.

    Many Council members also spotlighted the recent Brussels Conference, during which donors pledged nearly $6.5 billion in aid to support Syria’s recovery.  The representative of the United Kingdom recalled that her country, at that event, promised up to $207 million in critical humanitarian assistance.  In parallel, the United Kingdom has relaxed some of its sanctions on Syria and revoked the asset freezes of 24 entities and institutions in the energy, transport and finance sectors.

    On the topic of assistance, Kang Insun, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, urged stronger international commitment to humanitarian aid and economic recovery in Syria to “overcome the pain and destruction of 14 years of conflict”.  For its part, Seoul has provided nearly $150 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and its neighbours over the past decade, and will continue to offer its support.  “As [the Republic of] Korea has pledged, 2,400 tons of Korean rice will be delivered to assist food-insecure populations in Syria,” she reported.  She also took “positive note” of recent developments regarding the suspension of certain sanctions.

    Many Council members, echoing warnings of Syria’s dire economic and humanitarian situation, called for the lifting of unilateral sanctions on the country.  Among them were the representatives of Panama and Pakistan — the latter of whom stressed that lifting sanctions is “imperative to facilitating reconstruction and aid efforts”.  Algeria’s representative — also speaking for Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia — stressed: “Without rapid economic recovery, it will be difficult to envision a safe and prosperous future for Syrians.” Therefore, the swift lifting of unilateral sanctions is essential.

    Additionally, he — like many other Council members today — expressed concern over “alarming” statements by Israeli officials regarding the “indefinite” presence of their forces in Syrian territory and their intention to establish a “demilitarized area” in the country’s south.  Condemning these “irresponsible” statements — “which will only exacerbate regional instability” — he also joined others in calling for full respect for the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, including its provisions regarding the area of separation.

    Similarly, the representative of the Russian Federation pointed to the “destructive role” played by Israeli air strikes against — and continued occupation of — Syrian territory.  Condemning recent attacks by the Israel Defense Forces, he called on Israel to withdraw its units from areas taken since December 2023.  Additionally, he expressed concern over the issue of foreign terrorist fighters still present in Syria — a point echoed by China’s representative, who urged the interim authorities to fulfil their counter-terrorism obligations and take decisive measures to combat all Council-listed terrorist organizations.

    The representative of the United States also underscored that all foreign fighters “need to be removed from their posts immediately”. She also stressed that the interim authorities must embark on a political process that includes Kurdish, Druze, Alawite and Christian communities — “something they have not meaningfully done to date”.  There must also be expansive representation of Syrian voices in the drafting of a permanent Constitution.  Otherwise, she stressed, Syria will “remain in the sectarian shadow of the Assad regime, increasing the likelihood of a new civil war”.

    For his part, the representative of Syria reported that, in the wake of recent violence, the Syrian leadership “affirmed that the new Syria will be a State of law and that the law will apply to all”.  Further, such authorities have emphasized that shedding “the blood of the innocent will not go unpunished — regardless of the identity of the perpetrators”.  Additionally, he urged the “full lifting of sanctions imposed on the Syrian people”. And pointing to an Israeli attack on the province of Daraa today, he called on the Council to “compel Israel to cease its ongoing aggression”.

    Several of Syria’s neighbours also took the floor, with Iran’s representative condemning Israel’s ongoing violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.  So, too, did the representative of Qatar, who additionally called for the lifting of economic sanctions against Syria as “that raison d’être is no longer there”. Jordan’s representative echoed that call, adding that countries hosting Syrian refugees cannot bear that burden alone. Therefore, the international community must provide financial and technical support in this regard.

    The representative of Türkiye, meanwhile, welcomed a “new era” in Syria as the interim authorities work towards political transition.  However, he voiced concern over provocations in Latakia and surrounding areas, which are aimed at undermining a smooth transition process.  “These attacks should not be mischaracterized as a sectarian conflict between Damascus and the Alawite community,” he stressed, as “the international community must recognize that these were coordinated efforts, supported by certain regional actors, to destabilize Syria”.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Niger: Mosque attack which killed 44 should be ‘wake-up call’, says rights chief

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday condemned the recent attack on a mosque in Kokorou village, in western Niger, in which at least 44 worshippers were killed and 20 injured.

    On 21 March, assailants from the so-called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) – an ISIL affiliate – surrounded Fambita Mosque and randomly shot at worshippers, according to a statement from Niger’s defence ministry. They then reportedly set a market and several homes on fire.

    “The egregious attack on the Fambita Mosque – during Friday prayers in the last 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – was clearly intended to cause as many civilian casualties as possible”, said Mr Türk.

    This is “in stark violation of international human rights law and humanitarian law,” he emphasised, adding that an impartial investigation should be instituted to bring those responsible to justice.

    Regional insecurity

    The attack came in the context of a general deterioration in the security situation in the wider Sahel region.

    In recent years, the Sahel has seen a major uptick in violence, following the expansion of armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL terrorist groups which took over territory in north Mali following the 2012 Tuareg rebellion there.

    Since then, the violence has spread into neighbouring countries, Niger and Burkina Faso, and more recently into some other coastal West African nations.

    UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed characterised the Sahel as “ground zero” for one of the most brutal security crises in the world.

    Despite efforts by Member States, terrorism-related deaths in the region have reportedly soared past 6,000 for three consecutive years, making up more than half of all global fatalities.

    ‘A wake-up call’

    Mr. Türk said the “calculated assault” on Fambita Mosque should be a wake-up call to all – including the international community – “as to the seriousness of the situation and the widening risks faced by civilians in Niger.”

    Governments in the region have continued to struggle with restoring security. This contributed to two military coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger between 2020 and 2023 – all remain under military rule despite regional and international pressure to hold elections.

    The High Commissioner called on the Nigerien authorities to take “concrete and meaningful steps” to improve security for civilians and called on them to take effective measures to uphold human rights and the rule of law.

    He said it was essential that authorities involve the affected communities in efforts towards finding a durable solution to the ongoing human rights crisis in the country. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In Dialogue with Malta, Experts of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances Ask about Efforts to Establish a Stand-Alone Law on Enforced Disappearance and Prevent Disappearances of Migrants

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    Committee Experts Commemorate the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice in Argentina and the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

    The Committee on Enforced Disappearances today concluded its consideration of the initial report of Malta on its implementation of the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.  Committee Experts asked questions on the State’s efforts to establish a stand-alone law on enforced disappearance and a national human rights institution, and to prevent disappearances of migrants.

    Several experts raised concerns that the State party did not have a stand-alone crime of enforced disappearance.  Fidelis Kanyongolo, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked about steps taken to establish an autonomous offence of enforced disappearance with appropriate penalties.

    Barbara Lochbihler, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the human rights and equality commission bill, which would establish a national human rights institution, had not yet been enacted.  What parts of the bill were under review and what was the timeline for its adoption?

    Ms. Lochbihler also cited reports of tactics of non-assistance to migrants and refugees in distress at sea, as well as pushbacks to Libya, leading to deaths and disappearances.  Refugees in Libya were reportedly kept in appalling conditions, and exposed to abuse, extortion, abduction and human trafficking.  What measures had the State party taken to prevent disappearances of migrants and dangerous pushbacks at sea?

    Introducing the report, Fiorella Fenech Vella, Office of the State Advocate of Malta and head of the delegation, said Malta had consistently recognised that enforced disappearance was a crime under customary international law, and the State had classified enforced disappearances as inhumane acts under its umbrella provision of crimes against humanity since its independence in 1964.

    The delegation added that Malta had no reported cases of enforced disappearance and the State party criminalised all elements of the crime of enforced disappearance, though it did not have a stand-alone crime of enforced disappearance or plans to create one.

    The establishment of an independent national human rights institution remained a high priority for Malta, Ms. Fenech Vella said.  The equality and human rights commission bill had been previously presented to Parliament; however, the legislative process was halted due to the dissolution of Parliament for the 2022 general elections.  Since then, efforts had been made to develop the bill to ensure full compliance with the Paris Principles and relevant European Union directives.  The delegation could not provide a timeline for its adoption, however.

    The delegation said Malta had saved several migrants at sea.  Maltese authorities acted on distress calls at sea in accordance with relevant international laws and had not engaged in any pushbacks to Libya. The Government signed a memorandum of understanding with Libya in 2020 on setting up coordination centres in Tripoli and Malta to improve the reception of migrants and combat trafficking in the region.

    In concluding remarks, Ms. Fenech Vella said the dialogue was an essential component for further strengthening Malta’s implementation of the Convention and for strengthening protections for rights holders in the State.  The State party would carefully analyse and take into account the Committee’s recommendations in its development of laws and policies.

    Olivier de Frouville, Committee Chair, in concluding remarks, said the State party and the Committee’s common goal was to ensure the implementation of the Convention.  Mr. de Frouville called on Malta and other States that had ratified the Convention to petition States that had not ratified to do so.  The Committee looked forward to continuing to work with Malta in future.

    The delegation of Malta consisted of representatives of the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment; Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism; Office of the State Advocate; Office of the Attorney General; Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction Industry; and the Permanent Mission of Malta to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    At the end of the first day of the dialogue, the Committee heard statements marking the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice in Argentina and the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.

    Horacio Ravenna, Committee Vice-Chair, recounted that 49 years ago, the armed forces in Argentina initiated a coup against the State’s leadership and imposed a military dictatorship.  In this era, when many political dissidents were subjected to enforced disappearance, the exiled mothers of victims led the fight and bravely spoke out.  On this day, the Committee honoured persons who had passed away and continued to raise public awareness for the next generations, so that the horrendous crime could be eradicated forever.

    Mr. de Frouville, Committee Chair, said all needed to remember the courageous struggle of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, whose actions had led to the development of the Convention.

    The Committee will issue its concluding observations on the report of Malta at the end of its twenty-eighth session, which concludes on 4 April.  Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.  The programme of work and other documents related to the session can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public on Friday, 4 April at 5 p.m. to close its twenty-eighth session.

    Report

    The Committee has before it the initial report of Malta (CED/C/MLT/1).

    Presentation of Report

    FIORELLA FENECH VELLA, Office of the State Advocate of Malta and head of the delegation, said the dialogue was an opportunity to reaffirm Malta’s unwavering commitment to the Convention and its unwavering support to the United Nations human rights treaty bodies.  Malta had consistently recognised that enforced disappearance was a crime under customary international law amounting to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment.  The State had classified enforced disappearances as inhumane acts under its umbrella provision of crimes against humanity since its independence in 1964. It also signed in February of last year the Ljubljana-Hague Convention on prosecuting war crimes and genocide, which would help deliver justice to victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, facilitating effective international cooperation in domestic investigations and prosecutions.

    Malta’s 1964 Constitution and Bill of Rights, adopted upon Malta’s establishment as a State, enshrined key rights, including the right to life; protection against arbitrary arrest or detention, and inhuman treatment; the right to a fair hearing; and the prohibition of deportation, among others.  The Constitution stipulated that detention could only occur under lawful conditions.  The International Criminal Court Act incorporated international crimes, including enforced disappearances categorised as crimes against humanity, into the State’s law.  Malta had ratified several international treaties aimed at preventing enforced disappearances and protecting human rights, including the European Convention on Human Rights; had ratified several United Nations human rights treaties and their protocols; and had accepted communications procedures under a number of these.  It was constantly reviewing the Committee’s communications procedure and would keep it updated on any developments.

    Combatting trafficking in persons remained a priority for the State.  Malta had launched a national strategy and action plan on combatting trafficking in human beings in Malta (2024-2030), which aimed to strengthen the necessary national framework required to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute offenders of this crime.  Anti-trafficking actions were being developed to address root causes, risks, threats, new methods used by traffickers, and demand.  The strategy took a human rights-focused, gender-sensitive, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral approach.  The Police, via the Vulnerable Victims Unit, conducted investigations into human trafficking and collaborated closely with the Financial Crime Investigation Department to effectively target traffickers and prevent them from reaping financial gains from their criminal activities.  In 2024, Malta initiated two prosecutions which combined human trafficking charges with money laundering charges, with legal proceedings currently underway.

    Victims of human rights violations – including heirs of individuals subjected to enforced disappearances – were entitled to initiate court proceedings against the State Advocate in the First Hall of Malta’s Civil Court.  An individual could only be presumed dead when their absence had lasted for a continuous period exceeding 10 years.  The Constitutional Court could issue orders to safeguard affected individuals’ rights and ensure that any law, entity or individual, including all State officials, in breach of fundamental human rights were held accountable.  Even the President could face legal action for acts committed outside the scope of functions of the Office. 

    Malta had incorporated effective remedies for victims of human rights violations in its legislation. The State was in full compliance with article 17(3) of the Convention, which mandated that official registers of individuals deprived of liberty were maintained by the appropriate authorities and updated as necessary.

    The establishment of an independent national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles remained a high priority for Malta.  The equality and human rights commission bill had been previously presented to Parliament; however, the legislative process was halted due to the dissolution of Parliament for the 2022 general elections. Since then, efforts were ongoing to further develop the bill to ensure full compliance with the Paris Principles and European Union directives that established minimum standards for equality bodies’ independence, resources and powers.  The proposed institution was conceived to function as an independent, well-resourced, and effective entity to be endowed with the necessary legal mandate to promote and protect human rights fervently.

    Malta was resolutely committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, including related to enforced disappearances, and ensuring justice and accountability.  The State party’s efforts reflected its moral commitment to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the human rights and equality commission bill, which would establish a national human rights institution, had not yet been enacted.  What parts of the bill were under review and what was the timeline for its adoption? Why had the State party not yet accepted the Committee’s competence to receive individual and inter-State communications?  Had any national courts directly invoked the Convention?  Why had the State party not consulted with civil society organizations in preparing the report?

    FIDELIS KANYONGOLO, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the emergency powers act empowered the President to make necessary regulations for public safety, health and the defence of Malta in states of emergency.  Had the President ever exercised this power?  Which legal provisions specifically guaranteed non-derogation from legislation stipulating the right of every person to be protected from enforced disappearances during states of emergency?

    Was State legislation in line with article two of the Convention?  What steps had been taken to establish an autonomous offence of enforced disappearance with penalties commensurate to the seriousness of the offence in State legislation?  Did the State party have a law which established its jurisdiction over the offence of enforced disappearance committed outside of Malta when the alleged offender was present in the country, including in cases where the alleged offender was not subject to military law and when the crime was not a crime against humanity?

    There was no up-to-date statistical information available on the number of disappeared persons or persons involved in enforced disappearances in Malta.  What challenges was the State party facing in this regard?  What plans did it have to systematically collect data on enforced disappearances in future?  How many cases of enforced disappearance had been investigated by the State?  What measures had been taken to ensure the impartiality of such investigations and that public officers allegedly involved in the crime did not take part in the proceedings?

    Malta’s whistleblower act offered some degree of protection to whistleblowers and witnesses.  However, it did not extend its protection to members of a “disciplined force”, the Security Service or persons employed in the foreign, consular or diplomatic service of the Government.  What measures were in place to protect such internal whistleblowers and witnesses, as well as relatives of victims and defence counsel? Did the Code of Ethics of Police Officers provide protection to police officers who witnessed acts of violence, inhumane or offensive treatment?

    Had the State party concluded any extradition agreement with other State parties?  Had it participated in mutual legal assistance and cooperation with other States in respect to offences of enforced disappearances and abduction? Were there any inter-country procedures in place to govern the search for and release of disappeared persons, and the identification and return of their remains in case of death?

    A Committee Expert asked whether the Convention could be directly enforced in Malta.  The State party did not have a stand-alone crime of enforced disappearance.  What mechanisms were in place to harmonise domestic law with the Convention?

    Another Committee Expert asked about plans to involve civil society in the development of State party reports.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Malta had no reported cases of enforced disappearance and the State maintained a robust legal framework to prevent occurrences of enforced disappearance. The Criminal Code classified enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity.  It was in line with article two of the Convention.  All cases of suspected enforced disappearance and missing persons were treated with the highest priority by the police and promptly investigated.  Authorities immediately checked detention records after reports of missing persons. Investigations utilised a range of forensic techniques and legal electronic surveillance tools.  In cases of cross-border activities, the State party engaged with Interpol in investigations.  The police compiled a centralised system containing all reports of missing persons and disappearances, which was used to track searches and investigations.

    Several oversight mechanisms were in place to investigate alleged human rights violations by State officials, including the police’s internal investigation unit.  The police conducted regular human rights training, which addressed the prohibition of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention. Early warning mechanisms were in place to identify arbitrary detentions at an early stage.  All persons in police custody needed to be registered in the police detention registry.  The maximum period of police detention, which was 48 hours, could be extended for an equivalent period for serious offences when permitted by a magistrate.

    The Criminal Code stated that detained persons had the right to a lawyer and to communicate with consular authorities if they were foreigners.  When detained persons required an interpreter, one needed to be provided without delay.  Police officers were required to follow the Police Code of Ethics, considering the potential effects of their actions.  They were required to take immediate action to protect people and private property from violence.

    Persons subjected to extradition proceedings had the right to engage with lawyers and to appeal extradition decisions.  Malta had the competence to try cases of enforced disappearance that were crimes against humanity committed inside and outside of Malta.  When unable to extradite a person accused of enforced disappearance, the State had the competence to prosecute the person domestically.  Malta had colonial-era extradition agreements with the United States, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt.  It was bound by the European Convention on Extradition, which superseded any provisions implemented by bilateral agreements.  There had been no cases of extradition of persons accused of enforced disappearance, but there were cases related to abduction and trafficking in persons.

    Detention services had a central registry of detentions.  All immigration detentions and involuntary admissions to psychiatric institutions were registered.  Persons under arrest could challenge the lawfulness of their detention at any time. The detention of persons in places that were not classified as prisons was an offence.  Police investigations into trafficking cases checked for enforced disappearance.  Persons who had conspired to commit enforced disappearance were prosecuted.  All public officers accused of enforced disappearance or abductions were immediately suspended and were not involved in searches or investigations.

    Maltese law was derogable; Parliament had the power to change national laws, except for the Constitution.  All directives given by the President needed to be in line with the Constitution, which prevailed in cases where domestic legislation conflicted with it.  Parliament could not make amendments to laws without reaching a two-thirds majority, meaning that the ruling party could not impose laws on its own.

    The bill establishing the national human rights institution had been suspended in 2022 due to the general election and assessment of it had started afresh.  Malta was not able to provide a date for the enactment of the bill. There were no civil society organizations active in the field of enforced disappearance in Malta.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    FIDELIS KANYONGOLO, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked about the State party’s jurisdiction over enforced disappearances that did not amount to crimes against humanity.  Suspensions could be imposed by the heads of government departments in cases of allegations against inferiors.  Were there provisions that ensured that heads of departments exercised this discretion from the beginning of investigations and for their entire duration?  To what extent did domestic legislation address concealment of the fate or whereabouts of disappeared persons?  To what extent was the State obliged to investigate when enforced disappearance was perpetrated by non-State actors?  Was the right to be protected from enforced disappearance derogable in Malta?  Could persons be extradited to places where they could be subjected to enforced disappearance?  Were police officers who reported enforced disappearances to persons other than their superior officers protected under whistle-blower legislation?

    BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said enforced disappearances related to issues such as trafficking in persons and migration. Why were civil society organizations that dealt with these issues not involved in preparing the State party’s report?

    Another Committee Expert asked if State legislation addressed the act of aiding and abetting the crime of trafficking in persons.  There were barriers to enforced disappearance being invoked as grounds for an extradition in Malta due to the principle of double jeopardy, which required both the extraditing and receiving States to have the same laws on the crime.  How would the State party address this issue?

    A Committee Expert asked if the Executive, the Attorney General, non-governmental organizations or private individuals had the power to develop legal norms that could be assessed and approved by the legislature.

    One Committee Expert said the Committee was delighted that Malta had never recorded cases of enforced disappearances, but the Convention required that the State party set up legal mechanisms, including a stand-alone offence of enforced disappearance, that would allow it to deal with enforced disappearances that could occur on national territory in future.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the State party criminalised all elements of the crime of enforced disappearance, though it did not have a stand-alone crime of enforced disappearance or plans to create one. The State party could prosecute all cases of enforced disappearance occurring on its territory.  The emergency powers of the President had never been applied.  The delegation was unable to provide a timeline for the adoption of the bill establishing the national human rights institution.

    There were no bilateral agreements that Malta had concluded that addressed enforced disappearances.  Acts that constituted offences to the laws of Malta were extraditable offences.  Double criminality was adopted in most extradition cases.  When offences listed as grounds for extradition in a foreign State’s extradition request were not included in Malta’s laws, the State party was obliged to indicate an applicable domestic law.  How certain countries interpreted trafficking in persons crimes could differ, which could lead to complications.  The State party needed to do its best to find common ground between jurisdictions in cases of this kind.

    Comprehensive witness protection measures were in place.  Witnesses whose safety was at risk were entitled to identity changes and relocation measures.  Punishments could be mitigated based on witnesses’ cooperation.

    When there were allegations against a police officer, the officer involved was immediately suspended.  When a civil servant under suspicion of having committed a crime was suspended, they could appeal their suspension with the civil service complaints authority.

    Malta was a Westminster democracy, so the Executive could not submit draft laws for consideration, but citizens could.

    State laws addressed aiding and abetting crimes of human trafficking and abduction, including financing and supporting the crime and making use of products obtained through the crime of trafficking in persons.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked about mechanisms applied prior to an extradition to assess whether persons could be at risk of enforced disappearance.  Did registers of detained persons include all the details required by the Convention? Were registers regularly updated? Had the State party revised its legal definition of “places of deprivation of liberty” in line with the recommendation of the Sub-Committee for the Prevention of Torture

    Malta’s policies and practices reportedly increased the risk of enforced disappearances of migrants and victims of trafficking.  Tactics of non-assistance or delay in assistance to migrants and refugees in distress at sea, as well as pushbacks to Libya, violating the non-refoulement principle, had led to deaths and disappearances of migrants at sea.  The widespread use of immigration detention and alleged episodes of violence in pre-removal detention centres also continued to be a human rights concern in Malta.  The State party had been called on to stop pushbacks at sea to Libya, which could not be considered a safe space.  Refugees in Libya were reportedly kept in appalling conditions, and exposed to abuse, extortion, abduction and human trafficking.  What measures had the State party taken to prevent disappearances of migrants and dangerous pushbacks at sea?  Malta had had a Memorandum of Understanding with Libya since 2020 that included the funding of two coordination centres in Libya.  What were the contents of this memorandum and how did it prevent migrant pushbacks? 

    Open centres for migrants in Malta reportedly lacked space, forcing the State party to place migrants in detention centres.  Could the delegation update the Committee on this practice?  Were there migration detention facilities that were not operated by the detention service?  What progress had been made in establishing a central register for detained migrants? How long was the maximum and minimum period of migrant detention?  Could data on the nationality of detained migrants be provided?  What was the timeline for extending the mandate of the national preventive mechanism?

    Did the content of training activities referred to in the reply to the list of issues address the Convention? Was the State party planning on providing human rights training to medical personnel in prisons, members of the judiciary, immigration personnel and social workers?  Would training address illegal intercountry adoptions?

    Did national laws place a time limit on access by victims of enforced disappearance and their relatives to reparation?  Did laws address victims’ relatives’ rights to information and property?

    What policies and measures had been taken to protect children, particularly unaccompanied minors, from enforced disappearances in the context of migration and trafficking?  Could the delegation provide figures on trafficking of children?  How had the State party’s policies on illegal intercountry adoption developed, taking into account international norms on the practice?

    FIDELIS KANYONGOLO, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the State party’s obligations under the Convention still existed, although there were no recorded cases of enforced disappearance in the State.  Were there plans to expand the definition of “victims” in Malta’s victims of crime act to align it with article 24 of the Convention, particularly to include family members of individuals who had suffered harm as a result of enforced disappearances that had not directly caused deaths?  What measures were in place to provide victims’ relatives the right to know the progress of investigations and the fate of disappeared persons, and the right to be returned remains in cases of death?  Did relatives have the right to various forms of reparation, including restitution, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition?  Were there laws that obliged the State to continue the investigation of cases until the fate of the disappeared person had been clarified?  Had measures been taken in law and practice to guarantee the right of people in Malta to establish and participate freely in associations attempting to establish the fate of disappeared persons and to assist victims and relatives?

    Another Committee Expert asked how detained persons were informed of their rights, including their right to counsel? How were women and children protected in cases of enforced disappearance?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said no person was to be subjected to inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment during extradition proceedings.  Persons were not to be returned if they could be subjected to inhumane treatment or other human rights violations.  Under European arrest warrant laws, the State was bound by a 10-day surrender period, during which time persons subjected to extradition proceedings could appeal the extradition.  Last year, a judgement was made by the Court of Criminal Appeal deciding to prevent the extradition of a person to Romania due to deficiencies in prison conditions in that State.

    Malta was in the process of amending the whistleblowers act so that whistleblowers who were members of the disciplinary forces and other persons would be protected under the act.

    Malta’s laws on trafficking in persons were in line with international norms and ensured protection for vulnerable groups, including women and children.  The victims of crime act ensured that victims had access to legal aid, psychological support and shelter, and granted them the right to be informed about the progress of legal proceedings. The Malta police had a unit for investigating trafficking and non-governmental organizations provided shelters and support for victims.  Training was provided to police on identifying victims of trafficking.  The State party had ratified several international norms on trafficking, including the Palermo Protocol.

    Records of immigration detention were kept in an online database that relevant State authorities could access.  Data was recorded upon admission to migrant facilities.  Many police officers had participated in training courses addressing human rights, investigating missing persons, and victim and witness protection.

    The judiciary had received training on the rights of victims, including to access compensation and justice.  The definition in the victims of crime act was not the only definition of a “victim” in State legislation.  Victims had the right to be understood, and were informed about the protection and legal aid measures they were entitled to and methods of accessing compensation. There were many avenues to compensation under Malta’s legislation, including provisions in the Criminal Code addressing compensation and a process for obtaining compensation for civil cases. Agencies had been established to ensure victims received timely individual assessments regarding the support measures they were entitled to.  The State party prioritised the protection of vulnerable victims and victims of serious crimes, guarding against intimidation and reprisals against victims.  Child victims testified to magistrates in separate rooms to trial rooms to prevent traumatisation.

    Migration remained a challenge for Malta, as the State was located on a major migration route. It had saved several migrants at sea over the past 20 years.  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had assisted the State party to improve its asylum system and to establish services such as migrant health services and return counselling.  The State party was dedicated to meeting its human rights obligations regarding migrants, to providing protection to those who needed it, and to returning other migrants in a safe and humane manner.  Maltese authorities acted on distress calls at sea in accordance with relevant international laws. 

    Malta had not engaged in any pushbacks to Libya and there had been no occurrences of collective expulsions.  The Government signed a memorandum of understanding with Libya in 2020 on setting up coordination centres in Tripoli and Malta to improve reception of migrants and combat trafficking in the region.  Libyan authorities needed to be given the necessary resources to combat migrant smuggling.  The memorandum of understanding had led to reduced loss of life in the Mediterranean region.

    The detention of migrants was enforced on clear legal grounds.  Detention orders were issued following individual assessments and only as a last resort.  Such orders were subject to an automatic review and subsequent reviews every 14 days. Migrants were notified of removal decisions verbally and in writing.  Removal orders provided explanations of the reasons for the order and options for voluntary removals.  All return activities were monitored by an independent monitoring board. Free legal aid and interpretation services were provided in legal proceedings on removals.

    All unaccompanied minors were protected by care orders issued by the courts.  They were cared for by the agency for the welfare of asylum seekers, which collaborated with the police force and reported signs of trafficking and risks of minors leaving the country without consent.

    Overcrowding in detention and open centres had not been a problem since 2021.  Malta’s open centre was closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The centre was reopened in 2021 and an additional centre was constructed, resolving the problem.  The current occupancy rate in detention centres was less than 30 per cent. Violence in detention centres was not an issue.  Independent correctional centre monitoring boards had been appointed as the State’s national preventive mechanism.  These boards submitted regular reports to the State regarding conditions in detention centres.

    The legal status of victims of enforced disappearance was defined in the Civil Code, which specified that the assets of such persons were managed by curators who were appointed by the courts.  There were safeguards on victims’ assets.  Courts ensured the protection and supervision of unattended children. The directorate for child protection services operated a children’s house and had powers to carry out and request investigations into cases of violations of children’s rights.

    The Constitution provided for freedom of association.  Any person was entitled to associate regarding issues of enforced disappearance.  No legislation could restrict the freedom of association of any person.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the State party had formed a further memorandum of understanding with Libya in 2024.  Did it address the prevention of enforced disappearance?  Some persons employed by the Libyan Coastguard were reportedly themselves involved in trafficking in persons.  How did the State party respond to these reports?  How did it respond to reports that Maltese authorities had failed to rescue over 200 migrants whose vessel sank in the Mediterranean in 2013?  Did migrants deprived of liberty have the right to a lawyer?  Did the State party address the situation of potentially disappeared persons in its work on locating missing migrants?  Had the State party referenced the Committee’s general comment on illegal intercountry adoptions in its regulations on the practice?

    FIDELIS KANYONGOLO, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked about amendments being contemplated for the whistleblowers act and the potential timeline for their adoption.  Did registers of persons deprived of liberty include all details stipulated in article 17 (3) of the Convention?  Were the State’s registers interconnected and interoperable?  Did the State’s various definitions of “victims” reflect the breadth of the definition of victims in article 24 of the Convention?  Were victims entitled to compensation and remedies as broadly defined in article 24 (5)?  Mr. Kanyongolo appreciated the details provided by the delegation regarding Malta’s legislation.

    Another Committee Expert said the State party had proceedings to declare absences and deaths. What procedure was used to declare disappearances?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that when a person was charged with a criminal offence, victims could participate in criminal proceedings and could file a petition to claim compensation. The Criminal Code included a compensation scheme.  Under Maltese law, victims could also file actions against the Government before the Civil Court requesting damages.  Damages were timebound and could be renewed after certain periods.  In cases where breaches of human rights were found, courts could grant pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages.  Victims also had the right to file applications for reparation with the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

    Adoptions were regulated by State laws and there was an authority that oversaw adoptions, including intercountry adoptions, to ensure that they were legal.

    Migrants were granted the same rights as other individuals in criminal proceedings, including the right to a lawyer, the right to contact family members, and the right to medical assistance as required.  They were given information on their rights upon detainment in a language that they understood.

    The memorandum of understanding with Libya had been renewed in 2024 with the same terms and conditions of the previous one.  It aimed to dismantle trafficking activities and prevent the loss of life of migrants at sea.  When the State party received requests for information on missing migrants at sea, responsible authorities conducted necessary investigations.  Malta abided by its international obligations and had never relinquished a search case for migrants in distress at sea.

    Amendments to the whistleblower act were still in the drafting stage and the delegation could not provide a timeline for its adoption.

    Malta was in full compliance with article 17 (3) of the Convention.  Registers of detained persons were maintained by authorities and updated as necessary.  They included the detainees’ personal details, and the time of and reason for arrest, among other details.  Registers were regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with domestic and international norms.

    The Civil Code defined the process for declaring absences.  Disappeared persons could be declared as absentees.  Presumptive heirs of absentees could file petitions to courts to obtain their assets.  The will of the absentee was opened after 10 years of absence, and courts determined who received assets in cases where the absentee had not made a will.

    Closing Remarks

    OLIVIER DE FROUVILLE, Committee Chair, thanked the delegation for the dialogue.  The Committee would prepare concluding observations based on the topics discussed and call on the State party to report on implementation of these concluding observations after a certain period.  The Committee would decide whether or not to hold a follow-up dialogue with Malta based on its assessment of this report.  The State party and the Committee’s common goal was to ensure the implementation of the Convention.  Mr. de Frouville called on Malta and other States that had ratified the Convention to petition States that had not ratified to do so.  The Committee looked forward to continuing to work with Malta in future.

    FIORELLA FENECH VELLA, Office of the State Advocate of Malta and head of the delegation, said the delegation had engaged fully with the Committee in the dialogue.  The Committee had posed pertinent questions related to the implementation of the Convention.  The dialogue was an essential component for further strengthening Malta’s implementation and for strengthening protections for rights holders in the State.  Malta had never implemented policies that had amounted to enforced disappearance, a reflection of its dedication to promoting human rights principles.  The State party would carefully analyse and take into account the Committee’s recommendations in its development of laws and policies.

    Statements Marking the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice in Argentina and the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

    At the end of the first day of the dialogue, HORACIO RAVENNA, Committee Vice-Chairperson, said that 24 March was a special day in Argentina, the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice. Forty-nine years ago today, the armed forces in Argentina initiated a coup against the State’s leadership and imposed a dictatorship.  Several similar coups were also carried out in other countries in South and Latin America. Many political dissidents were killed, arbitrarily detained and subjected to enforced disappearance in this era as part of Operation Condor, and legislation in many countries did not sufficiently address the phenomenon of enforced disappearance.  In this context, the exiled mothers of victims of enforced disappearance led the fight and bravely spoke out, meeting in Paris to discuss the issue, and these discussions led to the development of the Convention, which had been in force for 14 years.  Today, the Committee honoured persons who had passed away and continued to raise public awareness for the next generations, so that the horrendous crime could be eradicated forever.

    OLIVIER DE FROUVILLE, Committee Chair, said today was also, in addition to being the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. All needed to remember the courageous struggle of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, whose actions had led to the development of the Convention.  They had spoken the truth bravely to combat dictatorships.

     

     

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

     

     

     

    CED25.007E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Global Cities Hub

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    The Global Cities Hub (GCH) connects cities and local and regional governments (LRGs) to International Geneva’s ecosystem, which includes the United Nations (UN), other international organizations, representatives of States, and a wide range of academic and civil society actors.

    The GCH envisages a world in which LRGs are recognized as full-fledged actors in multilateral governance and actively strengthen its overall effectiveness to respond more effectively to global challenges.

    The GCH’s mission is twofold:

    contribute to a more inclusive and effective multilateralism, by strengthening LRG’s influence in Geneva-based multilateral processes
    promote the “urban” on the agenda of International Geneva, by providing it with a space to discuss urban issues. 
    3 core objectives lie at the heart of the GCH’s work:

    becoming the main platform for international urban diplomacy;
    increasing LRG’s influence at the international level;
    identifying future international trends that matter for cities.
    To realize these objectives, the GCH runs activities following the 4Cs: Convening, Connecting, Championing, Capacity-building:

    Convening events to promote the development of a more inclusive and effective multilateralism and to raise awareness about the urban dimension of global challenges
    Connecting LRGs and city networks to the international community. To do so, the GCH identifies entry points into multilateral processes where LRGs can contribute and provides policy advice to that effect
    Championing the role and perspectives of LRGs in multilateral processes, by encouraging States to better acknowledge LRGs and formalize their participation at the international level.
    Supporting Capacity-building for LRGs, by serving as an information hub on key urban topics and actors. The GCH does so through its Mapping, Directory of International City Networks, policy work and its broad network of contacts within International Geneva.
    In terms of thematic engagement, the GCH focuses on the local dimension of specific topics, including:  human rights, urban health, environment and climate change, sustainable urban development and smart cities. In doing so, the GCH engages with selected multilateral bodies, such as the UN Forum of Mayors, the UN Human Rights Council or the UN Environment Assembly.

    By taking part in diverse multilateral initiatives and building effective partnerships and alliances, the GCH builds the foundations to achieve its long-term objective: a dedicated role for LRGs in multilateralism, including a new status for them to take part in the UN in their own capacity.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: BRIEFING: Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction for Cities, Subnational and Regional Governments

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Date: 8 April 2025 (Tuesday)
    Time: 12:00 – 13:00 CEST
    Workshop Language: English

    The issue of disaster risk reduction will be at the heart of the 8th session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR), in Geneva, on 2-6 June 2025. 

    Under the theme “Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience Today”, the GPDRR will feature a wide range of sessions and activities, including several events of relevance to cities and regions on local risk governance, local financing, urban resilience, and localizing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

    This event, co-organized with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and Making Cities Resilient 2030, aims to brief local and regional governments on the upcoming session of the GPDRR. It will be structured around three central topics: 

    • the important discussions relating to cities and urban disaster risk reduction;
    •  the participation of local and regional governments; and 
    • the potential outcomes of the session.

     

    Speakers

    • Elina Palm, Senior Coordination Officer, UNDRR
    • Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of Office, UNDRR ONEA & GETI and Global Secretariat, Making Cities Resilient 2030
    • Marie Brüning, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Switzerland (co-chair of the GPDRR)
    • Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network and Co-chair, Making Cities Resilient 2030

    Moderated by Anh Thu Duong, Co-director, Global Cities Hub

    Attachments

    Event Flyer 1.9 MB, PDF, English

    Document links last validated on: 25 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: BMC Emergency Medicine

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    BMC Emergency Medicine is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all urgent and emergency aspects of medicine, in both practice and basic research. In addition, the journal covers aspects of disaster medicine and medicine in special locations, such as conflict areas and military medicine, together with articles concerning healthcare services in the emergency departments.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Aid operations stretched to the limit in Burundi by ongoing DR Congo crisis

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    With thousands fleeing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) across the border into Burundi, aid operations are stretched to the limit, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.

    The UN agency has swiftly mobilized additional resources to address but the sharp rise in refugee numbers has put immense pressure on all assistance operations in the region.

    Since the beginning of the year nearly 70,000 individuals – primarily women, children, and the elderly – have crossed into Burundi seeking refuge from the intensifying conflict in DRC.

    Many have made perilous river crossings and embarked on long journeys to escape violence.

    As refugee numbers continue to swell, this marks one of the largest influxes into Burundi in decades, with more arrivals each day. According to reports, many are arriving with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

    The movement of refugees has also increased across DRC’s border with Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, in less than three months, the number of Congolese fleeing has surged to over 100,000.

    This trend is exacerbating food insecurity throughout the region, further complicating efforts to provide adequate support. Critical funding gaps are severely hampering humanitarian efforts.

    Food rations reduced

    Underlining that the number of refugees has doubled in just a few weeks, WFP’s Deputy Regional Director for eastern Africa, Dragica Pajevic, said “available resources are stretched beyond capacity”, and the team had to “reduce rations to reach as many people as possible”.

    Aid efforts intensified

    Among the 70,000 new arrivals, 60,000 have been registered for food assistance, pushing WFP’s total refugee caseload in Burundi to 120,000.

    These refugees are currently living in overcrowded temporary shelters, such as transit camps, schools, churches, and sports stadiums.

    In response, WFP has been providing hot meals. Existing refugees, however, are receiving reduced food rations.

    In March, WFP had to cut rations for the ongoing refugee population from 75 per cent to 50 per cent of the full food entitlement, due to limited resources.

    Funding is key

    WFP said it only has sufficient funds to support 120,000 refugees through June 2025 which means food assistance may have to be suspended as early as July.

    To maintain key support, WFP said it urgently requires $19.8 million to ensure food assistance continues through the end of the year.

    Violence escalates in DRC

    The UN aid coordination office (OCHA) on Tuesday expressed alarm over escalating violence in Ituri province in eastern DRC.

    Armed groups attacked the Loda displacement site in Djugu Territory, killing six displaced people and injuring many others.

    OCHA is deeply concerned about the proliferation of armed groups and violence in Ituri, where over 200 civilians have been killed and more than 100,000 people have fled their homes this year.

    In North and South Kivu provinces, hostilities are also continuing.

    Local civil society groups reported the abduction and rape of three girls by armed men in Kalehe Territory, South Kivu, highlighting a surge in sexual violence and rights violations.

    The UN is calling on all parties to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians, and ensure safe access to essential services.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Slave Trade ‘Indelible Stain’ on Humanity’s Conscience, Says Secretary-General at Remembrance Event

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the General Assembly event to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, in New York today:

    The transatlantic slave trade is an indelible stain on the conscience of humanity.  For more than four centuries, enslaved Africans were kidnapped and trafficked, dehumanized, abused and exploited.

    The depth and scale of the cruelty, inhumanity, and depravity of this practice is incomprehensible.  So, too, is the suffering, fear, pain and misery endured by those millions of people exploited for profit.

    Today, we reflect on families ripped apart and communities decimated.  We remember the women, children, and men forced to work in agonizing conditions, savagely punished, and deprived of their dignity and human rights.

    And we take strength in their resistance and demands for justice:  From revolution in Haiti, to the underground railroad in the United States, to countless individual acts of courage and defiance.

    I deeply regret that several countries — including my own — were engaged in this immoral trade.  A trade driven by greed and built on lies — particularly the lie of white supremacy.  A trade enabled by insurers, bankers, shipping companies, legal systems and more that saw individuals, institutions and corporations amass unimaginable wealth on the back of human suffering.  When slavery was officially abolished, it was not the enslaved who were compensated, but the enslavers — receiving reparations equivalent to billions of dollars in today’s money.

    In an even crueller twist, some slaves were forced to pay compensation.  Haiti had to fund payouts to those who had profited from its suffering — all in the name of securing its independence.

    Today is not only a day of remembrance.  It is also a day to reflect on the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism and to strengthen our resolve to combat those evils today.

    The obscene profits derived from chattel slavery and the racist ideologies that underpinned the trade are still with us.  Systemic racism has been embedded into institutions, cultures, and social systems.

    And deeply rooted exclusion, racial discrimination and violence continue to undermine the ability of many people of African descent to thrive and achieve their full potential.

    For too long, the crimes of the transatlantic slave trade — and their ongoing impact — have remained unacknowledged, unspoken and unaddressed.

    Links to slavery were buried, histories were rewritten, minimized or overlooked, ongoing harms were excused or dismissed and perpetrators seemed to hope their actions would be lost to the past.

    They were wrong.  Thanks to the tireless work of affected leaders and communities, calls to acknowledge and repair the past can no longer be ignored.

    This year, at both the African Union Summit and the Caribbean Community Heads of Government Meeting, I heard leader after leader make a powerful case for reparatory justice.

    Some institutions and States are taking steps to acknowledge and address their pasts; museums and public spaces are commemorating the resistance of people of African descent and celebrating their vast contribution to societies.  This is a start.

    But we need much more.  The horrors of the transatlantic slave trade are an undeniable fact.  Acknowledging this truth is not only necessary, it is vital for addressing past wrongs, healing the present, and building a future of dignity and justice for all.

    It is also important that reparatory justice frameworks are grounded in international human rights law, developed with the participation of affected communities and acknowledge the terrible harms caused.

    I urge everyone to play their part in building inclusive societies free from the evils of racism.

    That means countries complying with their international obligations — including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and becoming parties to the Convention if they are not already.

    It means business leaders promoting equality and combating racism.  And it means civil society and everyday people continuing to push for justice and taking a stand against racism wherever and whenever it appears.

    This mission is at the heart of the United Nations.  The human dignity of every person is our founding creed.  We must stand with everyone, everywhere, to combat racial discrimination and hate and to defend the human rights and dignity of all.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Fragility and hope’ mark new era in Syria amid ongoing violence and aid struggles

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen briefed the Security Council on Tuesday, pointing to the devastating violence on the coast earlier this month, which marked a grim new chapter in Syria’s fragile transition to a lasting peace.

    On 6 March, armed groups linked to the deposed Assad regime ambushed forces of the caretaker administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, targeting military and internal security forces as well as several hospitals.

    Mr. Pedersen described the violence as “sectarian and retaliatory,” with reports of entire families executed and widespread fear among the civilian population.

    “The coordinated attack on the caretaker authority, the heavy counterattacks against this, and the mass killings of civilians all came against a background of already-fomenting insecurity,” said Mr. Pedersen.

    The Special Envoy noted the “great hopes and huge fears” that have emerged since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.

    Calling for transparent, independent and public investigations into the violence, he urged for those responsible to be held accountable, “with a clear signal that the era of impunity in Syria is in the past.”

    Meanwhile, humanitarian efforts by UN agencies and partners continue, amid a mixture of progress and setbacks.

    UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher underscored the work being done by the international community.

    “We are making progress,” he stated, noting expanded routes for cross-border deliveries and increased support for vulnerable communities. One recent success saw the Atareb Water Station in Aleppo resume operations, bringing water to 40,000 people.

    The Syrian Ambassador also expressed gratitude to Qatar and Jordan, alongside the UN Development Programme (UNDP), for the initiative to supply Syria with gas through Jordan and the ability to generate 400 megawatts of electricity.

    Meanwhile, the European Union has committed nearly €2.5 billion for 2025 and 2026, having raised an overall of €5.8 billion towards Syria’s recovery.

    But despite pledges of support, the humanitarian response remains critically underfunded, Mr. Fletcher explained.

    “Last year’s appeal was only 35 per cent funded – causing us to reduce our humanitarian response by more than half,” he stated.

    On a more hopeful note, Mr. Pedersen highlighted the recent agreement between caretaker authorities and the mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which speaks to the future integration of civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria.

    “We will continue and deepen engagement in support of the process,” he said, expressing cautious optimism, warning that the road ahead would not be easy.

    “The issue of foreign fighters in the senior ranks of the new armed forces, as well as individuals associated with violations, remains a key concern,” he added.

    Echoing this sentiment, representative of Syrian civil society and legal adviser, Joumana Seif,  emphasised: “We don’t want to build our new country on the back of new massacres.”

    “Syria stands at a historic crossroads, with a rare chance to unite and transition to democracy,” she said, calling for the lifting of sanctions on the Syrian government.

    In response, some ambassadors in the chamber noted that they had already relaxed unilateral sanctions on Syria, including an end to asset freezes.

    Both Mr. Pedersen and Mr. Fletcher concluded their statements with calls for urgent action.

    Mr. Fletcher underscored that humanitarians cannot make the “toughest choices” alone, urging the international community to provide additional resources.

    “The cost of hesitation is greater than the risk of decisive action,” he warned.

    Finally, Mr. Pedersen highlighted the choice Syria faces: either a return to violence and instability or a path toward a peaceful, inclusive future.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Crimes of the transatlantic slave trade ‘unacknowledged, unspoken and unaddressed’

    Source: United Nations 2

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Human Rights

    The transatlantic slave trade may have ended centuries ago but its legacy is ever present, the UN Secretary-General said on Tuesday, marking the International Day of Remembrance for its victims.

    Addressing the General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that systemic racism, economic exclusion and racial violence continue to deny people of African descent the opportunity to thrive.

    He called on governments to acknowledge the truth and finally honour the trade’s legacy by taking action.  

    “For too long, the crimes of the transatlantic slave trade – and their ongoing impact – have remained unacknowledged, unspoken and unaddressed,” he said, denouncing erasure of history, rewriting of narratives and dismissal of slavery’s intrinsic harm.

    “The obscene profits derived from chattel slavery and the racist ideologies that underpinned the trade are still with us,” he added.

    Four centuries of abuse

    For over four centuries, an estimated 25 to 30 million Africans – nearly a third of the continent’s population at the time – were forcibly taken from their homelands. Many did not survive the brutal journey across the Atlantic.

    The exploitation and suffering – families torn apart, entire communities decimated and generations condemned to bondage – was driven by greed and sustained by racist ideologies, which remain today.

    Honouring and remembering those who suffered, the UN in 2007 designated March 25 as the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

    The date marks the passage of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in the United Kingdom in 1807, three years after the Haitian Revolution. The revolution led to the establishment of the Republic of Haiti – the first country to gain independence based on the actions of enslaved men and women.

    Forced to pay for their freedom

    Even after slavery was abolished, the UN chief noted, its victims were not compensated and, in many cases, formerly enslaved people were forced to pay for their freedom.

    Haiti, for instance, had to make massive payouts to those who profited from its suffering, a financial burden that set the young nation on a path of enduring economic hardship.

    “Today is not only a day of remembrance. It is also a day to reflect on the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism and to strengthen our resolve to combat those evils today,” Mr. Guterres said.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the General Assembly meeting to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance.

    Move forward with resolve

    Mr. Guterres urged governments, businesses and civil society to take decisive action against racism and discrimination, urging nations to fully implement the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to comply with their human rights obligations.

    “Acknowledging this truth is not only necessary – it is vital for addressing past wrongs, healing the present and building a future of dignity and justice for all,” he stressed.

    Stains not easily erased

    The President of the General Assembly, Philémon Yang, echoed the Secretary-General’s concerns, stating that while slavery was formally abolished, its legacy persists in racial inequalities that span generations.

    “The stains of injustice are not easily erased,” he said, pointing to ongoing disparities in housing, employment, healthcare, education and criminal justice systems.

    He stressed that addressing these injustices requires not only acknowledgment but concrete policy changes that ensure equity and inclusion.

    Mr. Yang also underscored the importance of education in confronting these painful legacies. He called for a global effort to integrate comprehensive histories of slavery and its aftermath into school curricula, emphasising that an informed society is better equipped to challenge prejudice and foster empathy.

    The Ark of Return

    This year’s commemoration also marked the tenth anniversary of the Ark of Return, the permanent memorial at the UN Headquarters in New York to honour the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, located at UN Headquarters in New York.  

    Standing solemnly against the backdrop of the East River, the Ark of Return greets world leaders, government officials and the public as they enter UN Headquarters – a white-marble monument to the resilience and resistance of those who endured the horrors of slavery.

    Designed by Haitian-American architect Rodney Leon, it also educates future generations about the ongoing dangers of racism and exclusion.

    Ark of Return: The Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

    Click here to read UN News’ interview with Mr. Leon

    A living monument to memory and justice

    Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka (Literature, 1986) also address the commemoration in New York, having paid his respects at the Ark of Return.

    Acknowledging the significance of the monument and its prominence at UN Headquarters, Mr. Soyinka urged world leaders to go further by transforming static monuments into living, evolving spaces that not only honour the past but propel humanity toward justice.

    “It is impossible to quantify reparations for such a global atrocity,” he said, emphasising the power of symbolism.

    He proposed another expression of remembrance dubbed the “Heritage Voyage of Return”, which would trace the paths of the transatlantic ships, stopping at historic ports of enslavement along the West African coast and beyond.

    This Voyage, he suggested, could serve as a living exposition – housing repatriated African artifacts, hosting cultural exhibitions and creating spaces for education, dialogue and artistic expression.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    Wole Soyinka, playwright, poet and Nobel Laureate, delivers a keynote address to the commemorative meeting of the General Assembly to mark the International Day of Remembrance.

    Turn the tide, flip the phrase

    Salome Agbaroji, a young poet from the United States also spoke at the Commemoration, urging people of African descent to tell their “full and true” stories.

    “Turn the tide, flip the phrase to reclaim our personhood and our narratives…your value goes far beyond the human labour you provide but lies in the vibrancy of your culture and innovations,” she said.

    Echoing Secretary-General António Guterres’ emphasis on the need to acknowledge the horrors or slavery and dispel false narratives, she called for greater support for educational programmes to inform and empower young people.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the General Assembly to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The transatlantic slave trade is an indelible stain on the conscience of humanity.

    For more than four centuries, enslaved Africans were kidnapped and trafficked; dehumanized, abused and exploited.

    The depth and scale of the cruelty, inhumanity, and depravity of this practice is incomprehensible.

    So, too, is the suffering, fear, pain and misery endured by those millions of people exploited for profit. 

    Today, we reflect on families ripped apart and communities decimated.

    We remember the women, children, and men forced to work in agonizing conditions, savagely punished, and deprived of their dignity and human rights. 

    And we take strength in their resistance and demands for justice:

    From revolution in Haiti, to the underground railroad in the United States, to countless individual acts of courage and defiance.

    I deeply regret that several countries – including my own – were engaged in this immoral trade… 

    A trade driven by greed and built on lies – particularly the lie of white supremacy…

    A trade enabled by insurers, bankers, shipping companies, legal systems and more…

    That saw individuals, institutions and corporations amass unimaginable wealth on the back of human suffering.

    When slavery was officially abolished, it was not the enslaved who were compensated, but the enslavers – receiving reparations equivalent to billions of dollars in today’s money.

    In an even crueler twist, some slaves were forced to pay compensation.

    Haiti had to fund payouts to those who had profited from its suffering – all in the name of securing its independence. 

    Dear Friends,

    Today is not only a day of remembrance.

    It is also a day to reflect on the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism and to strengthen our resolve to combat those evils today.

    The obscene profits derived from chattel slavery and the racist ideologies that underpinned the trade are still with us. 

    Systemic racism has been embedded into institutions, cultures, and social systems.

    And deeply rooted exclusion, racial discrimination and violence continue to undermine the ability of many people of African descent to thrive and achieve their full potential.

    For too long, the crimes of the transatlantic slave trade – and their ongoing impact – have remained unacknowledged, unspoken, and unaddressed:

    Links to slavery were buried…

    Histories were rewritten, minimized or overlooked…

    Ongoing harms were excused or dismissed…

    And perpetrators seemed to hope their actions would be lost to the past.

    Dear Friends,

    They were wrong.

    Thanks to the tireless work of affected leaders and communities, calls to acknowledge and repair the past can no longer be ignored.

    This year, at both the African Union Summit and the Caribbean Community Heads of Government Meeting, I heard leader after leader make a powerful case for reparatory justice.

    Some institutions and states are taking steps to acknowledge and address their pasts…

    Museums and public spaces are commemorating the resistance of people of African descent, and celebrating their vast contribution to societies.

    This is a start.

    But we need much more.

    The horrors of the transatlantic slave trade are an undeniable fact.

    Acknowledging this truth is not only necessary – it is vital for addressing past wrongs, healing the present, and building a future of dignity and justice for all. 

    It is also important that reparatory justice frameworks are grounded in international human rights law….

    Developed with the participation of affected communities… 

    And acknowledge the terrible harms caused.

    I urge everyone to play their part in building inclusive societies free from the evils of racism:

    That means countries complying with their international obligations – including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…

    Implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination…

    And becoming Parties to the Convention if they are not already.

    It means business leaders promoting equality and combatting racism.  

    And it means civil society, and everyday people continuing to push for justice, and taking a stand against racism wherever and whenever it appears.

    Excellencies,

    This mission is at the heart of the United Nations.

    The human dignity of every person is our founding creed.

    We must stand with everyone, everywhere to combat racial discrimination and hate, and to defend the human rights and dignity of all.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Mozambique Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    (Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    The new Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations, Domingos Estêvão Fernandes, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    Prior to his appointment, Mr. Fernandes served as his country’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a role he assumed in 2022.  From 2015 to 2022, he was both his country’s High Commissioner to Botswana and Permanent Representative to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

    He also was his country’s Ambassador to Angola from 2011 to 2015, and to São Tomé and Principe — as well as Gabon — from 2013 to 2015.  Additionally, he was Director for Regional and Continental Integration from 2005 to 2011 and Director for Africa and the Middle East from 2009 to 2010, both in his country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

    His other positions include Chairperson of the SADC Committees of Senior Officials for Inter-State Politics and Diplomacy and for Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation from 2009 to 2010. He also served as Deputy Director of the Directorate for Economic and Multilateral Relations at his country’s Foreign Ministry from 2001 to 2005.

    Mr. Fernandes holds degrees in development studies and international relations and diplomacy, and is fluent in Portuguese, English and French.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Dominican Republic Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations 4

    (Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    The new Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations, Wellington Bencosme, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    Prior to his appointment, Mr. Bencosme served as his country’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados from 2021 to 2025. 

    From 2018 to 2020, he was Minister Counsellor at his country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, during its term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.  Before that, from 2015 to 2018, he served as Minister Counsellor and Director of Relations with the United States and Canada at the Dominican Republic’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Between 2007 and 2013, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission at his country’s embassy in Washington, D.C., as well as Minister Counsellor between 2004 to 2007.  He has also worked as an economist, consultant and academic, specializing in international trade.

     Mr. Bencosme holds a Master of Science in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in economics, with a concentration in finance, from the University of Massachusetts, both in the United States.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Yemen: One in two children severely malnourished after 10 years of war

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    In Yemen, a decade of conflict has proved catastrophic for the country’s children living under the threat of airstrikes and staggeringly high malnutrition rates, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

    “We need to move fast,” said UNICEF representative in the country Peter Hawkins. “I was in Hudaydah over the past three days…I went through the western lowlands, where there are people on the streets, on the side of the roads, begging and looking for assistance. They have given up. We cannot give up.”

    Speaking from Yemen’s capital Sana’a, Mr. Hawkins told reporters that the “manmade” disaster has decimated Yemen’s economy, healthcare system and infrastructure.

    “Even during periods of reduced violence, the structural consequences of the conflict, especially for girls and boys, have remained severe,” he said, underscoring that more than half of the country’s population of close to 40 million people relies on humanitarian assistance.

    Aid lifeline under threat

    UNICEF supports life-saving health facilities and malnutrition treatment across the country, but its activities are only 25 per cent funded this year. The agency will not be able to sustain even minimal services without urgent action from donors, Mr. Hawkins warned.

    Houthi rebels – formally known as Ansar Allah – have been battling Government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition for more than a decade and overthrew the country’s President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi  in March 2015.

    While a resumption of large-scale ground military operations in Yemen has not occurred since the UN-mediated truce of April 2022, military activity continues. The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned on 6 March in a briefing to the Security Council that the cessation of hostilities is increasingly at risk. Earlier this month the United States launched multiple strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in the country, reportedly in retaliation for the Houthis’ targeting of merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

    Mr. Hawkins spoke of the damage he witnessed first-hand in the port city of Hudaydah and stressed that eight children died in the most recent airstrikes across northern Yemen.

    Food, medicines blocked

    “Critical ports and roads, lifelines for food and medicine, are damaged and blockaded,” Mr. Hawkins said. Food prices have soared over 300 per cent in the past decade, driving hunger and malnutrition.

    The UNICEF official said that one in two children under the age of five is malnourished in Yemen, “a statistic that is almost unparalleled across the world”.

    “Among them are over 540,000 girls and boys who are severely and acutely malnourished, a condition that is agonizing, life-threatening and entirely preventable,” he added.

    ‘Thousands will die’

    Mr. Hawkins highlighted the dangers facing children who cannot access treatment, as they are “away from service delivery in the most remote areas up on the mountains, and deep down in the in the valleys of northern Yemen…Malnutrition weakens immune systems, stunts growth and robs children of their potential.”

    Furthermore, some 1.4 million pregnant and lactating women are malnourished in Yemen – “a vicious circle of intergenerational suffering”, Mr. Hawkins said.

    In certain areas including the west of the country, severe and acute malnutrition rates of 33 per cent have been recorded.

    “It’s not a humanitarian crisis. It’s not an emergency. It is a catastrophe where thousands will die,” Mr. Hawkins insisted.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Decades of progress in reducing child deaths and stillbirths at risk, UN warns

    Source: United Nations 2

    Health

    The number of children around the world dying before their fifth birthday stands at a record low – but this achievement is under threat due to a chronic lack of investment in routine humanitarian work and interventions, the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said on Tuesday.

    The death toll for under-fives was 4.8 million in 2023 – a significant decline – with stillbirths falling marginally to around 1.9 million, data released by the UN shows.

    Despite this, decades of hard-won progress in child survival is under threat as a result of funding cuts, health system challenges and regional disparities, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) are warning alongside members of the interagency network IGME.

    “Millions of children are alive today because of the global commitment to proven interventions, such as vaccines, nutrition, and access to safe water and basic sanitation,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director.

    “Bringing preventable child deaths to a record low is a remarkable achievement. But without the right policy choices and adequate investment, we risk reversing these hard-earned gains, with millions more children dying from preventable causes. We cannot allow that to happen,” she emphasised. 

    Preventable causes of child deaths

    The data – contained in two reports – also showed that almost half of under-five deaths occurred within the first month of life, predominantly due to premature birth and complications during labour.

    For those who survived past infancy, infectious diseases – such as pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhoea – remained leading causes of preventable death.

    In addition, almost half of late stillbirths occur during labour, often due to maternal infections, prolonged or obstructed labour and lack of timely medical intervention.

    Experts stressed that improving access to high-quality maternal, newborn and child health care is critical to preventing these deaths.

    Source: IGME

    Under-five mortality rate.

    Regional disparities

    Where a child is born greatly influences their chances of survival. In low-income countries, essential services, vaccines and treatments are often inaccessible, contributing to disproportionately high mortality rates.

    The risk of death before turning five is 80 times higher in the highest-mortality country than the lowest-mortality country, the reports found. Within countries, the poorest children, those living in rural areas and those with less-educated mothers faced higher risks.

    Stillbirths followed similar patterns, with women in low-income countries eight times more likely to experience a stillbirth than those in high-income countries.

    Funding cuts

    Cuts in funding for lifesaving child survival programmes are worsening existing disparities.

    Reduction in resources have led to healthcare worker shortages, clinic closures, disruptions in vaccination campaigns and shortages of essential supplies such as malaria treatments.

    Countries affected by humanitarian crises, those with significant debt burdens or already facing high child mortality rates are particularly impacted.

    Call to action

    Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, underscored the need to urgently scale up collaboration to protect children’s lives and their health.

    “From tackling malaria to preventing stillbirths and ensuring evidence-based care for the tiniest babies, we can make a difference for millions of families,” he said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Culinary expert, Christian Abegan, named WFP Chef advocate in West and Central Africa

    Source: World Food Programme

    Photo: WFP/Evelyn Fey. Chef Christian Abegan becomes WFP’s Chef Advocate for Food Security, Nutrition, Sustainable Food Systems.

    DAKAR – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced Christian Abégan, -renowned culinary expert, author and TV Host, as its new Chef Advocate for food security, nutrition and sustainable food systems in West and Central Africa.

    A champion of sustainable food systems and healthy diets, Abégan has dedicated his career to elevating African gastronomy, advocating for food security and promoting the use of nutritious, locally sourced ingredients to fight hunger. Honoured with the Diplôme d’Honneur de l’Institut de la Gastronomie Française, laureate of the Afro-Caribbean Excellence Trophy and author, he brings a wealth of expertise and passion to WFP’s mission of fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

    In his new role as WFP’s Chef Advocate, Christian Abégan will collaborate with WFP to promote fortified foods, advocate for homegrown school meals, and mobilize decision-makers to support global food security efforts. Chef Abegan will also share his culinary knowledge and techniques, empowering people to access nutritious meals using available resources.

    “As a chef and a passionate advocate for nutritious and accessible food for all, I fully identify with WFP’s mission to fight hunger,” said Chef Christian Abégan. “Taking on this role is a great honour and a responsibility that I embrace with passion and determination.“ 

    For the past 35 years, Abégan has advocated for the power of food as a tool for better health, culture, community cohesion and growth. His expertise in African cuisine and sustainable food systems aligns with WFP’s efforts to promote nutrition, food security, support to smallholder farmers and education through its homegrown school feeding programme.

    “Chef Christian Abégan’s expertise and creativity bring a powerful synergy to WFP’s efforts in West and Central Africa, blending culinary innovation with social impact,” said Margot Van Der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa.  “WFP’s engagement with Chef Abégan exemplifies the powerful impact of partnerships in addressing hunger and improving food and nutrition security. Through culinary innovation, capacity building, advocacy, we will bring about positive change to communities around the world.” 

    Western Africa is in the grips of an acute food security and nutrition crisis with an estimated 52.7 million women, men and children projected to experience acute hunger by June 2025. This hunger crisis is mainly driven by conflict, displacement, economic crises and severe climate shocks, with devastating floods in 2024 affecting over six million people across the region. Moreover, 8 in 10 children under two lack access to dietary diversity in a region hosting 16 percent of the global burden of child stunting. 

    WFP has been instrumental in fostering local food solutions, delivering emergency assistance to those in   greatest need and enhancing access to affordable and nutritious diets. WFP’s response encompasses support for local agribusinesses, initiatives for the production of nutritious foods and efforts to connect farmers with school feeding programmes. 

    Over the last seven years, Chef Abégan has actively been supporting WFP, participating in campaigns and events, including the Healthy Not Hungry campaign in Burkina Faso, and WFP Fight Famine across the Sahel, raising awareness about the importance of healthy eating and sustainable food practices. His engaging presence and ability to connect with diverse audiences make him an effective advocate for WFP’s mission in West and Central Africa.

    #                 #                   #

    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, @wfp_media @wfp_wafrica @wfp_chad

    About Chef Christian Abégan:

    Chef Christian Abégan, a Cameroonian-born culinary expert and Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate, is a master of African cuisine. Based in Paris, he is dedicated to showcasing the richness of African gastronomy. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he launched L’Arche Culinaire Africain—a platform uniting African and Diaspora chefs to elevate local ingredients and promote nutrition-focused cuisine. In 2010, he received the Grand Diploma of Honor from the French Institute of Gastronomy, and in 2017, he was a finalist for the Archestrate Prize for his book Le Patrimoine Culinaire Africain (The African Culinary Heritage).  As a jury member on the Star Chef TV show from 2011 to 2016, he influenced culinary trends across 28 African countries. His ability to merge heritage and creativity earned him the Afro-Caribbean Excellence Trophy in 2009.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 25 March 2025 Statement Types of data requested to inform May 2025 COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition deliberations

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to closely monitor the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, and the performance of COVID-19 vaccines against circulating variants. Based on these evaluations, WHO advises vaccine manufacturers and regulatory authorities on the implications for future updates to COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. The next decision-making meeting of the TAG-CO-VAC is scheduled for May 2025, after which a statement on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition and an accompanying data annex will be published on the WHO website. These meetings are timed to balance the availability of the latest epidemiological, immunological, and virological data, with the kinetics of vaccine-induced protection and the lead time manufacturers need to update the antigen composition of authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

    The purpose of this statement is to guide the scientific community and vaccine manufacturers as to which data should be generated ahead of the May 2025 TAG-CO-VAC deliberations. It is an update to the previous statement on the types of data requested in October 2024.1

    To inform decisions on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition,2-6 the TAG-CO-VAC reviews data (see Table) on the genetic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the antigenic characteristics of previously and currently circulating variants. This includes the analysis of animal antisera following primary infection or vaccination in one-way and two-way neutralization tests, as well as immunogenicity data that assess the breadth and durability of immune responses, including neutralizing antibody responses, using sera from sequentially immunized or infected animals and pre-and post-vaccination human sera. The TAG-CO-VAC also considers vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates of currently approved COVID-19 vaccines, particularly those that control for time since vaccination and that provide variant-specific estimates across different vaccine platforms for protection against any infection, symptomatic disease, and severe disease. Further examples of published data reviewed by TAG-CO-VAC and used to inform decisions on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition can be found in the annexes accompanying each of the previous statements.2-6

    In addition, the TAG-CO-VAC reviews available data from vaccine manufacturers, including animal and human studies demonstrating the breadth and durability of immune responses elicited by currently authorized vaccines, as well as any vaccine candidates in development. For vaccine candidates in development, the TAG-CO-VAC highlights the utility of clinical immunogenicity data for decision-making on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. The TAG-CO-VAC also notes that comparable immunogenicity data (i.e. to the same variants) from previous vaccine compositions are especially useful. Vaccine manufacturers are also asked to provide observational epidemiological data that demonstrate the efficacy or effectiveness of their authorized COVID-19 vaccines, as well as any vaccine candidates in development.

    At this stage, the key antisera and antigens of interest for the May 2025 decision-making meeting for demonstrating breadth include antisera to: BA.2 (other historical reference viruses – e.g., index virus, Alpha, BA.1 – are also useful for determining antigenic relationships), XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antisera of interest are animal sera after single or sequential exposure and human sera after a boost with monovalent JN.1, KP.2 or XBB.1.5 vaccines. Both pre- and post-vaccination sera should be included and, for all antisera, neutralizing antibody titers should be analyzed against at least one variant that emerged after the vaccine antigen, where feasible. Analysis of these antisera against the same panel of virus antigens as well as other new emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants will provide insight into antigenic characteristics of previous and emerging variants. Emerging variants include the list of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants Under Monitoring (VUM) maintained on the WHO website. Relative VE estimates should be calculated during periods of circulation of XBB, JN.1, KP.3.1.1, XEC or other emerging variant(s) in human populations across age groups, with separate VE estimates for each of the following vaccine antigen compositions: monovalent JN.1, monovalent KP.2 or monovalent XBB.1.5. Where available, the underlying rates of disease outcomes used to derive the relative VE estimates should also be provided.

    In preparation for the May 2025 meeting, the TAG-CO-VAC encourages the scientific community and vaccine manufacturers to prioritize generating and sharing the data outlined in the Table below to ensure evidence-informed deliberations on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition; please contact the TAG-CO-VAC Secretariat: [tagcovac@who.int].

    Type of data Comments
    SARS-CoV-2 genetic evolution Key variants include the list of Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants Under Monitoring (VUM). This list is maintained on the WHO website.+
    Antigenic characterization of previous and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants Animal sera following primary infection or vaccination against each of the following variants: BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants* analyzed in one-way and two-way neutralization tests (pseudotype and live virus neutralization assays).
    Preliminary immunogenicity data on breadth and durability of immune responses following vaccination or infection with SARS-CoV-2 variant antigens. Neutralization of various representative viruses by non-naïve animal sera (e.g., sequentially immunized or infected), for each of the following antigens: BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2  and emerging variants;*
    Neutralization of various representative viruses (BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants*) by both pre- and post-vaccination human sera. Vaccinee sera should be analyzed in priority order: JN.1, KP.2, XBB.1.5;
    Neutralization of variants (BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants*) by sera from cohorts that are representative of recent population immunity.
    Vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates of currently approved vaccines Relative VE estimates during periods of circulation of XBB, JN.1, KP.3.1.1, XEC or emerging variant(s) * in human populations. Studies need to estimate relative VE by time since vaccination or at least provide a measure of time since vaccination, such as the mean or median. They should also provide variant-specific estimates and distinct estimates for each of the following vaccine antigen compositions across different vaccine platforms: monovalent JN.1, monovalent KP.2, or monovalent XBB.1.5. Studies should also provide relative VE for a range of outcomes beyond severe disease, including any infection or symptomatic disease. Severe disease should not be defined using generic hospital admission data, but rather with specific criteria such as oxygen use, ventilation, or admission to intensive care due to respiratory symptoms. Where available, underlying rates of disease outcomes used to estimate the relative VE should also be provided.
    Data from vaccine manufacturers Animal and human data that demonstrate the breadth and durability in immune responses elicited by vaccines in current portfolio, as well as any vaccine candidates in development, against BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2  and potentially emerging variants;*
    Observational epidemiological data that demonstrate the efficacy or effectiveness of any vaccines in current portfolio, as well as any vaccine candidates in development, against BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants.*

    + WHO website: https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants   

    * Key emerging variants that evolve and considered relevant for demonstrating breadth include the list of Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants Under Monitoring (VUM). This list is maintained on the WHO website: https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants   

    References

    1. World Health Organization. Types of data requested to inform December 2024 COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition deliberations. 7 October 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/07-10-2024-types-of-data-requested-to-inform-december-2024-covid-19-vaccine-antigen-composition-deliberations
    2. World Health Organization. Interim statement on the composition of current COVID-19 vaccines. 17 June 2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/17-06-2022-interim-statement-on–the-composition-of-current-COVID-19-vaccines.
    3. World Health Organization. Statement on the antigen composition of COVID-19 vaccines. 18 May 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/18-05-2023-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines.
    4. World Health Organization. Statement on the antigen composition of COVID-19 vaccines. 13 December 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/13-12-2023-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines.
    5. World Health Organization. Statement on the antigen composition of COVID-19 vaccines. 26 April 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/26-04-2024-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines.
    6. World Health Organization. Statement on the antigen composition of COVID-19 vaccines. 23 December 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/23-12-2024-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 25 March 2025 Departmental update Enhancing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surveillance in Mongolia

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects cells along the human respiratory tract, from the nose to the lungs. Each year globally RSV causes over 3.6 million hospitalizations and about 100 000 deaths in children under 5 years of age. Since 2017, Mongolia has participated in a WHO RSV surveillance project. From 2024 onwards, this surveillance was enhanced, with the aim to understand the incidence and risk factors of severe RSV infections, with technical support from WHO and partners. This article describes six training sessions for sentinel site staff that were held in October 2024, on surveillance practices. 

    RSV is a common respiratory pathogen that causes a wide spectrum of disease, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infections (in most cases) to lower respiratory tract infections, which can be life threatening. Young children, especially those under six months of age, are at the highest risk of severe RSV-associated hospitalizations and deaths. Most RSV-associated paediatric RSV deaths (97%) occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there is limited access to supportive medical care. More information can be found in the WHO RSV factsheet.

    Between 2016 and 2018, WHO piloted Phase 1 of an RSV surveillance project based on the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) network in 14 countries. The project expanded to include another 11 countries in 2019. Mongolia participated in Phase 1, and the preliminary data revealed RSV was the main virus detected among hospitalized children aged under 5 years. An enhanced RSV surveillance aiming to estimate four levels of disease burden, including incidence of RSV-associated hospitaizations among children aged under 2 years in Mongolia, was planned in 2024 with technical support from WHO and partners.

     The first two sessions included over 40 participants, including deputy heads of clinical management, doctors, nurses and epidemiologists from the sentinel units. During these sessions, participants were introduced to the enhanced RSV surveillance projects, the objectives, data collection, sample collection and storage, and data analyses. Participants discussed the application of extended Severe Acute Respiratory Infections case definitions and data collection forms. During the trainings, participants also provided valuable feedback on surveillance protocol revision. The subsequent four sessions were held at the respective sentinel units, targeting health-care workers and specialists who had not attended the initial training sessions, ensuring broader participation and understanding of the surveillance practices.  

    This enhanced RSV surveillance project was launched in January 2025 and will continue throughout the year. The Mongolia National Center for Communicable Diseases has been conducting intensive monitoring and supervision to the four sites since launching of the surveillance to ensure adherence to practices outlined in the surveillance protocol. The estimations of RSV-associated disease burden are expected before 2027. Results from this surveillance will lay evidence for the introduction of RSV prophylaxis products in Mongolia. WHO will continue supporting this process.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 25 March 2025 Departmental update Influenza surveillance in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Myanmar’s public health surveillance system for influenza and other respiratory pathogens has been significantly disrupted due to the ongoing humanitarian emergency. Safeguarding public health has required innovative solutions. WHO Country Office in Myanmar, in collaboration with health partners and with support from the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC), has implemented an Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) as a supplementary surveillance system in conflict-affected areas such as Kachin and Rakhine states. This system plays a vital role in strengthening pandemic preparedness within such a complex setting.

    Adapting surveillance to a challenging landscape

    Political instability has led to restricted access to health facilities, population displacement – including health-care workers – and a decline in disease reporting. Implemented through EWARS, sentinel surveillance for influenza-like Illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) is recognised as a crucial mechanism for enhancing the timely detection of influenza and other respiratory pathogens.  

    Respiratory syndromes are among the key health indicators monitored through the indicator-based and event-based components of this supplementary surveillance system. On average, in 2023 and 2024, more than 40 clusters of influenza-like illness were reported across the country through the system. However, no alerts of severe acute respiratory infection outbreaks were detected.

    Given the potential for seasonal influenza and other respiratory pathogens to evolve into large outbreaks, and the requirement to report non-seasonal influenza under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), the early identification of such events is crucial to inform outbreak response efforts.

    Despite restricted operational access and communication challenges, this surveillance approach has proven to be an adaptive and resilient solution in Myanmar’s evolving health crisis. In 2024, it provided real-time alerts and facilitated the mobilisation of response teams to mitigate the impact of outbreaks and epidemics of influenza and other respiratory pathogens. This practice demonstrated how early warning systems can function effectively, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.

    The success of this initiative has been made possible through the contribution of the PIP PC, along with other financial and technical resources. It has strengthened Myanmar’s ILI and SARI surveillance capacity as part of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), with the National Influenza Centre (NIC) leading efforts for virus sharing, genomic sequencing, and influenza data management.

    EWARS in Myanmar: a model for global health security

    This initiative offers valuable lessons for global health security and pandemic preparedness. The success of EWARS for infectious disease surveillance in Myanmar, particularly for influenza and other respiratory pathogens, demonstrates that even in conflict settings, a well-coordinated, multi-source surveillance system can provide a critical safety net for disease detection and response. The approach aligns with WHO’s initiatives such as the PIP Framework, Global Influenza Strategy 2019–2030, the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative, and the Mosaic Respiratory Surveillance Framework  for the surveillance of respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential.

    As the WHO Country Office in Myanmar and partners continue to refine and expand EWARS, this model serves as a proof of concept for global health actors seeking to implement adaptive surveillance strategies in other crisis-affected regions. By bridging surveillance gaps and ensuring early alerts for epidemic and pandemic threats, including influenza and other respiratory pathogens, the initiative contributes to protecting both national and regional health security as envisioned in the South-East Asia Regional Strategic Roadmap for Health Security and Health System Resilience for Emergencies 2023–2027.

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 25 March 2025 Departmental update Despite global influenza vaccine production remaining steady, production and distribution challenges remain

    Source: World Health Organisation

    A recent WHO-led study published in Vaccine provides updated estimates on the global production capacity of influenza vaccines, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in pandemic preparedness. As an activity tracked in the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework Partnership Contribution High-Level Implementation Plan III (2024-2030) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, this analysis estimates that annual seasonal influenza vaccine production remains stable, however the lack of manufacturing facilities in the African region and in low- and middle-income countries could lead to unequal access and distribution in the event of a pandemic.

    The study found that since the last survey in 2019, annual seasonal influenza vaccine production capacity has remained relatively stable at 1.53 billion doses. This could support a pandemic vaccine capacity of 4.13 billion doses in a moderate-case scenario and 8.26 billion doses in a best-case scenario. This estimate does not reflect potential mRNA production capacity as no seasonal or pandemic influenza mRNA vaccines are licensed at this time.

    The analysis documents that over 80% of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines rely on egg-based production, with inactivated influenza virus vaccines comprising the majority of supply. Reliance on embryonated eggs presents supply chain vulnerabilities, and access to other critical supplies may limit rapid scale-up during a pandemic. Expanding cell-based vaccines, including recombinant protein vaccine technologies, and investment in next-generation vaccines, such as mRNA-based influenza vaccines, could improve production speed and increase vaccine supply.

    The study also found that while vaccine manufacturing facilities exist in most WHO regions, the African Region remains without local production. Production capacity is concentrated in high income and upper-middle income countries. The authors recommend strengthening local vaccine manufacturing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to ensure equitable access.

    Seasonal influenza vaccination is important to prevent influenza and make illness less severe. It is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications and their carers. Promoting seasonal influenza vaccination also supports global manufacturing capacity and bolsters pandemic readiness. This is because, in the event of a pandemic, manufacturers of the seasonal influenza vaccine leverage existing production processes and manufacturing facilities to create pandemic vaccines.

    As the world prepares for future influenza pandemics, addressing these production and distribution challenges is critical. WHO continues to support efforts to expand access, innovate vaccine technologies, and strengthen global preparedness.

    For more details, the full study is available in Vaccine (2025).

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 25 March 2025 Departmental update Expanding the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System to include other respiratory viruses with epidemic or pandemic potential

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO has published updated guidance on the implementation of an integrated surveillance system for influenza and other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential. It includes surveillance standards and operational approaches essential for participating in an expanded global surveillance system (the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System or GISRS). The guidance aims to strengthen national sentinel surveillance capacities for respiratory viruses.

    Global influenza surveillance has been conducted through GISRS for over 70 years, since 1952. GISRS is a key WHO initiative, serving as the world’s network for monitoring influenza viruses, providing recommendations on seasonal vaccine compositions in both the northern and southern hemispheres, strengthening laboratory surveillance, and acting as a global alert mechanism for the emergence of viruses with pandemic potential. It encompasses a network of 160 laboratories in 130 countries.

    Over the past ten years GISRS capacities have been leveraged for the surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, GISRS quickly adapted to integrate the surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This guidance highlights practical considerations for the integration of SARS-CoV-2 and RSV surveillance into influenza surveillance system and at standards of GISRS surveillance for influenza. The implementation of the guidance helps countries move towards a broader respiratory disease surveillance strategy for better preparedness and response to future health emergencies.

    The document highlights the primary objectives of sentinel surveillance to monitor the epidemiology and characteristics of acute respiratory illnesses and respiratory viruses, and outlines the minimum standards required, along with any adjustments needed to support additional, secondary objectives.  Countries are recommended to adopt at least the minimum surveillance standards specific for each of the viruses to be integrated into the GISRS platform, based on national surveillance objectives. National level surveillance is very important as it provides an evidence base for regional and global public health actions. WHO will continue to support the strengthening of GISRS and making the system a robust asset for influenza and other respiratory viruses surveillance and response.

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: African Heritage Conservation in the Age of Development: A Regional Approach to Impact Assessments

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

    In an era of rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and tourism growth, World Heritage properties across Africa face unprecedented challenges in protecting and managing their outstanding values. The inherent demand for socio-economic transformation often places immense pressure on these heritage properties, highlighting the urgent need harmonize economic growth and heritage protection for sustainable development.

    In response to these pressing challenges, the Strategy for World Heritage in Africa, aligned with UNESCO’s Global Priority Africa is designed to empower African States Parties to adopt best conservation practices as a catalyst for sustainable development. To advance this goal, and with the support of the Kingdom of Netherlands and the Government of Norway, UNESCO, in collaboration with its Advisory Bodies ICCROM and IUCN, and in close coordination with the State Party of Malawi, organized a training on Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA), from 10 to 21 February 2025, at the Lake Malawi National Park World Heritage site, a property renowned for its rich biodiversity and historical significance. The training aimed to enhance the technical expertise of national and regional stakeholders in international standards for undertaking heritage impact assessments amid pressing development demands.

    © Aaron Khombe/Malawi Department of National Museums and Monuments

    The training brought together 32 participants from across southern Africa, including heritage professionals, government officials, environmental specialists, planning agencies, and local councils alongside regional authorities responsible for water, roads, tourism, and environmental assessments from  Malawi and other member states including, Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Okavango Delta, Botswana, and Maloti-Drakensberg Park, Lesotho and South Africa, and the United Republic of Tanzania. It was structured around a dynamic blend of lectures, interactive discussions, field visits, and group exercises, providing participants with a hands-on learning experience, focusing on international best practices, assessment methodologies, and case studies.

    © UNESCO/Esnath Mwaka

    Beyond capacity building, the training fostered a transformative shift in perspective, reinforcing the urgent need for policy reforms that institutionalize heritage into national impact assessment systems. The training also served as a platform for collaboration, establishing a network of empowered heritage professionals dedicated to championing sustainable conservation policies and practices across the region, ensuring that Africa’s World Heritage properties can continue to thrive for generations to come.

    © UNESCO

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