Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Mission
Environmental Research Communications is an open access journal for the rapid publication of high-quality research in all areas of environmental science.
All submissions are expected to meet a high standard of scientific rigour, and contribute to advancing knowledge in the field.
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Mission
Environmental Research: Health is a multidisciplinary, open access journal devoted to addressing important global challenges at the interface of the environment and public health in a way that bridges scientific progress and assessment with efforts relating to impact/future risks, resilience, mitigation, adaptation, security and solutions in the broadest sense.
All research methodologies are encouraged comprehensively covering qualitative, quantitative, experimental, theoretical and applied approaches; exposure assessments; implementation studies; and policy analysis.
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
The Liaison Group of the Biodiversity-related Conventions stresses the contribution of biodiversity to national economies, livelihoods, human health and food security.
The Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions, a long-standing network uniting the executive heads of the eight biodiversity-related conventions, met at FAO Headquarters in Rome, in advance of the resumed CBD COP16. The group reaffirmed their collective support to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
At the meeting, held on 21 February 2025 and hosted by the secretariats of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the group stressed the importance of investing in biodiversity to generate higher returns and mitigate the economic risks of biodiversity loss. The eight members highlighted how, by joining efforts under the respective mandates of the conventions, they can amplify the collective benefits to people and planet.
The Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions, established in 2004, represents an important forum to foster synergies, policy coherence and cooperation among the eight conventions, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Convention on Wetlands, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, IPPC, ITPGRFA and the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
At the meeting, the members of the Liaison Group provided updates on their respective processes and concrete actions taken in their contributions to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Group also reflected on their shared priorities as mandated by their respective contracting Parties and identified potential areas for joint.
The meeting included a session with the secretariat of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Office on Climate Change, Biodiversity and the Environment of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations which focused on the contribution of biodiversity to food production and the importance of aligning science with policy.
The Group will continue to coordinate and cooperate on key shared priorities and objectives to ensure the work of its members contributes to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and is well-aligned with the requests and expectations of their respective contracting Parties.
These may include, among others, communication, capacity-building, resource mobilization, monitoring, scientific research and integrated national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs). Such common priority areas support sharing best practices and working together to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, coherence and innovative approaches.
Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Farchana/ Geneva, 5 March 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) completed this week the expansion of the humanitarian hub in Farchana, Chad, in a move that will enable as many as 220,000 more people impacted by the escalating crisis in Sudan to receive help.
The expanded operational and accommodation capacity at the hub will strengthen cross-border interagency humanitarian operations for Sudan, the world’s worst displacement crisis. The expansion comes at a critical time, as the humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to worsen, with the urgent need for food, shelter, healthcare, and protection at an all-time high. According to recent figures, nearly nine million people in the Darfur region alone require immediate assistance.
“With the strengthened cross-border operations, IOM has already reached over 82,000 people in Darfur with critical humanitarian aid, and with the expansion of the Farchana hub, we are poised to provide life-saving assistance to an additional 220,000 people in the coming months,” said Pascal Reyntjens, IOM Chief of Mission in Chad. “The hub also enables greater collaboration between humanitarian actors, development agencies, and the government, which is essential for a comprehensive and sustainable response.”
Since April 2023, more than 11.5 million people have been displaced within Sudan, and an additional 3.5 million have fled across borders, including an estimated 930,000 people who have crossed from Sudan into Chad. The crisis has created unprecedented humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighbouring countries, and the inter-agency humanitarian hub in Farchana, established jointly by IOM and IHP, plays a critical role in coordinating and supporting these cross-border efforts.
The expansion includes office space, accommodations and other infrastructure that will help increase the operational capabilities of humanitarian organisations working in hard-to-reach field locations in Sudan. These enhancements enable international and national Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and UN agencies to further scale up cross-border operations from Chad into Darfur, where humanitarian needs are rapidly escalating.
“Establishing a functional compound in eastern Chad was no small feat. The harsh climate, logistical constraints, and remote location pushed our team to its limits,” said Bram Krieps, IHP team leader during the 2024 operation. “But through the strength of IHP’s partnership and the determination of our experts, we turned a challenging environment into a secure and operational base that supports humanitarian cross-border efforts on the ground.”
Note to editor
The Farchana humanitarian hub, established in February 2024 with generous support from the governments of Luxembourg, Sweden and Germany through the IHP mechanism, serves as a vital coordination centre for 26 international and national NGOs and UN agencies facilitating cross-border aid delivery into the Darfur region of Sudan. Since its inception, the hub has supported 13 UN agencies, 31 international NGOs, one national NGO, and a government partner in their efforts to reach those most in need.
Managed by IOM, the expanded humanitarian hub is part of a network of 17 inter-agency humanitarian hubs. These hubs, located across four countries, provide essential office, warehousing and accommodation space for over 1,660 humanitarian personnel, playing a crucial role in facilitating coordinated responses to humanitarian crises worldwide.
For further information, please contact:
From IOM:
In Chad: Christina van Hooreweghe, iomchadpublicinfo@iom.int
In Sudan: Lisa George, lgeorge@iom.int
In Cairo: Joe Lowry, jlowry@iom.int
In Geneve: Kennedy Okoth, kokoth@iom.int
From IHP:
Max Steffen, max.steffen@cgdsi.lu
Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Chipata – Zambia, a nation at the heart of Southern Africa, is a crossroads for countless migrants seeking hope and safety. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has been instrumental in addressing the health needs of these vulnerable populations through the SRHR-HIV Knows No Borders (KNB) Programme.
During the 2025 Ncwala Traditional Ceremony in Chipata, Eastern Province, IOM’s presence was both impactful and transformative. The ceremony, known for its vibrant Ngoni dances and cultural significance, provided a unique platform for IOM to engage with the community on critical health issues. Chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni speaking people of Kasenengwa District praised IOM’s efforts, noting, “My subjects have benefited immensely from the SRHR programmes. We’ve seen a significant reduction in teenage pregnancies and child marriages.” However, he also highlighted ongoing challenges such as the restrictive age of consent when a young person under the age of 16 wishes to access SRH services and commodities.”
Gift (pseudonym), a 20-year-old migrant sex worker from Malawi, shared her positive experience, “Since arriving in December 2024, I regularly visit Mchenjeza health post in Vubwi District to access male condoms for protection and contraception.” Her story underscores the importance of accessible reproductive health services for all, regardless of migration status. Akuya Sobana, Nurse In-Charge at Chikoma Rural Health Centre, emphasized the programme’s impact, stating, “Since 2021, the KNB programme has benefited over 6,000 clients, including migrants, sex workers, and young vulnerable people.” She noted that all 14 health facilities in Vubwi district now offer essential services to targeted clients, including those from neighboring countries.
During the three-day Ncwala ceremony, IOM reached out to 9,119 clients with key health messages, distributed 58,840 male condoms, and referred 4,267 clients to health centers. Additionally, 3,267 individuals received various services, including family planning, HIV testing, and STI screening. Gracious Mulenga, an ART Nurse and Adolescent Focal Point Person from Chipata District Hospital, observed, “IOM’s participation in the Ncwala ceremony yielded a remarkable response, particularly from male attendees. Many men eagerly accepted condoms, demonstrating a growing awareness of safe sexual practices.”
The statistics from the event are telling: 357 family planning strips of tablets were given to female clients, 54 individuals received Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PreP), 2,900 were screened for Hematocrit (HCT), 20 females were counseled for Gender-Based Violence, and 15 received mental health and psychosocial support. IOM’s engagement at the Ncwala ceremony not only highlighted the Organization’s commitment to promoting sexual and reproductive health but also fostered a deeper understanding of the socio-economic dynamics related to migration. By integrating cultural heritage with health initiatives, IOM is making significant strides in empowering marginalized communities and ensuring access to essential healthcare services.
Emmanuel Sinkala, Migration, Health and Gender Assistant at IOM, remarked, “N’cwala aligns well with IOM’s mission to support communities affected by migration and to foster understanding of the socio-economic dynamics related to migration.” Through its unwavering commitment, the Knows No Borders programme continues to transcend migration status and geographical boundaries, empowering communities and promoting a comprehensive approach to health and well-being.
Source: United Nations secretary general
Humanity’s future depends on investing in the machinery of peace, not the machinery of war.
Yet global tensions are increasing, the nuclear threat is rising, and guardrails are eroding. Meanwhile, small arms and light weapons are proliferating, and rapidly evolving technologies like Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing are deepening the dangers.
On this International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, I urge leaders to strengthen the systems and tools that prevent the proliferation, testing and use of deadly weapons and live up to their disarmament obligations.
I also call for a concerted effort in meeting the disarmament commitments contained in the recently adopted Pact for the Future. These commitments include working towards a world free of nuclear weapons, and new strategies to prevent the use of chemical and biological weapons, and to address the weaponization of outer space and the use of lethal autonomous weapons.
It’s time for leaders to put words into action, and invest in disarmament solutions and the peaceful future every person deserves.
*****
L’avenir de l’humanité repose sur l’investissement dans les rouages de la paix, et non dans les rouages de la guerre.
Pourtant, les tensions mondiales augmentent, la menace nucléaire grandit et les garde-fous s’érodent. Parallèlement, les armes légères et de petit calibre prolifèrent et les technologies qui évoluent rapidement, telles que l’intelligence artificielle et l’informatique quantique, aggravent les dangers existants.
En cette Journée internationale de sensibilisation au désarmement et à la non-prolifération, j’exhorte les dirigeants à renforcer les systèmes et les outils qui empêchent la prolifération, la mise à l’essai et l’emploi d’armes létales et à respecter leurs obligations en matière de désarmement.
Je demande également un effort concerté pour respecter les engagements en matière de désarmement contenus dans le Pacte pour l’avenir adopté récemment, notamment œuvrer en faveur d’un monde exempt d’armes nucléaires et adopter de nouvelles stratégies pour prévenir l’emploi d’armes chimiques et biologiques et lutter contre l’arsenalisation de l’espace et l’emploi d’armes létales autonomes.
Il est temps que les dirigeants passent des mots à l’action et investissent dans des solutions de désarmement et dans l’avenir pacifique que chaque personne mérite.
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
The General Assembly, over the course of two meetings today, adopted seven resolutions — some drawing more contention than others — and heard an address by the President of Poland.
First, the General Assembly took up the draft resolution titled “International Day for Judicial Well-being” (document A/79/L.52). Introducing the text, Lionel Rouwen Aingimea, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Nauru, stressed that — while the judiciary “serves as a cornerstone of justice” — challenges faced by judicial officers have long been overlooked.
However, the representative of the United States said that his delegation will request a recorded vote — and vote no — “because this resolution represents the internationalization of the self-care movement and the migration of it into domains where it does not belong”.
The Assembly then adopted the resolution by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 3 abstentions (Haiti, Madagascar, Syria). Through the text, the General Assembly decided to proclaim 25 July of each year the International Day for Judicial Well-being.
Next, the Assembly considered the draft resolution titled “Education for democracy” (document A/79/L.56). The representative of Mongolia introduced that text, emphasizing that an inclusive education system empowers individuals and strengthens governance institutions. The text therefore calls for investments in quality education and lifelong learning, also urging Member States to harness the potential of digital technologies to advance education for democracy, he said.
The representative of the United States said that his delegation will again call for a recorded vote — and vote no — on this draft “because much of the text violates United States policies”. Specifically, he said that its discussion of misinformation and disinformation is an “unequivocal red line for the United States”, as these terms are “intentionally nebulous and ill-defined so they can be wielded as tools of censorship”.
The Assembly then adopted the resolution by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 8 abstentions (Argentina, Belarus, Fiji, Madagascar, Russian Federation, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Syria). Through the text, the Assembly strongly encouraged Member States and education authorities to integrate education for democracy — along with civic education and human-rights education, among others — into their education standards.
After the vote, the representative of the Russian Federation noted that “democracy does not have a universal definition or a single model”. She also disassociated from the text’s reference to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), stating that mention of the Office in a resolution about education is “unjustified” — a point echoed by Nicaragua’s representative.
Iran’s representative, meanwhile, said that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Education 2030 Incheon Declaration are “absolutely non-legally binding”. Disassociating from relevant paragraphs, he said that Iran’s national plans and programmes “will be our final source of action and reference”. Argentina’s representative also disassociated from several paragraphs, stressing that “every State, within its own sovereignty, has the right to participate [in the 2030 Agenda] — or not”.
The Assembly then turned to the draft resolution titled “United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan” (document A/79/L.57/Rev.1). Introducing that text, the representative of Kazakhstan said that the Centre aims to address the specific needs of Central Asian countries, which each possesses unique challenges and opportunities that are shaped by diverse socioeconomic contexts, cultural realities and environmental conditions.
The representative of the Russian Federation then noted that the countries of Central Asia are “unified by a shared history, similar geographic and social conditions and shared challenges in development”. Therefore, they must coordinate efforts and find shared regional solutions. “This, in turn, meets the current trends to regionalize efforts in the area of development,” he noted.
The Assembly then adopted the text without a vote, through which it decided to formalize the Centre in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Further, it requested the Secretary-General to appoint its Head and further decided that the costs of all its activities shall be met by voluntary contributions.
After the vote, several delegates expressed concern over the process by which this text was negotiated. Switzerland’s representative said that her delegation would have preferred more transparency and inclusivity, while the representative of Türkiye said that the wider membership was not sufficiently consulted during negotiations. Mexico’s representative expressed hope that “this way of carrying out multilateral negotiations will not be repeated in other processes”.
Meanwhile, the representative of the United States said that Kazakhstan “needs neither an expanded UN system nor the SDGs in order to prosper — it should instead make sovereign decisions for its people and cast aside the burden of soft global governance”. For her part, Australia’s representative — also speaking for Canada and New Zealand — welcomed the adoption.
The Assembly also considered the draft resolution titled “International Day of Peaceful Coexistence” (document A/79/L.53). Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister for Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain, introducing that text, said that it reaffirms the role of Member States and other stakeholders in promoting tolerance, respect for religious and cultural diversity and human rights.
The representative of the United States again said that his delegation will call for a recorded vote on this text — and vote no — expressing concern that the resolution “advances a programme of soft global governance that is inconsistent with US sovereignty”. He added: “Simply put, globalist endeavours like Agenda 2030 and the SDGs lost at the ballot box; therefore, the US rejects and denounces the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the SDGs.”
He also expressed concern that the resolution’s titular reference to “peaceful coexistence” could be “co-opted to imply the United Nations’ endorsement of China’s ‘Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence’”. Speaking in exercise of the right of reply, China’s representative said that such principles are “widely recognized by the international community and contained in many international instruments”.
Adopting the resolution by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 3 against (Argentina, Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions (Paraguay, Peru), the Assembly decided to proclaim 28 January as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, to be observed annually.
The Assembly then turned to the draft resolution titled “International Day of Hope” (document A/79/L.54). Introducing it, Kiribati’s representative said that hope is “a force that has carried humanity through the darkest of times and propelled us towards a future of possibility, resilience and renewal”. However, he expressed disappointment over the decision by the United States to force a vote.
On that, the delegate of the United States said that the text “contains references to diversity, equity and inclusion that conflict with US policies that seek to eliminate all forms of discrimination and create equal opportunities for all”. He added: “In a world that faces many challenges, funding and effort should be allocated to critical causes and crises, rather than International Days.”
The Assembly then adopted the text by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 4 abstentions (India, Paraguay, Peru, Türkiye), through which it decided to declare 12 July the International Day of Hope.
“What we’ve just seen this morning is a clear example of the lack of commitment by the United States to a culture of peace, to the United Nations as a whole and to multilateralism in general,” stressed the representative of Cuba, after the vote.
The Assembly also took up the draft resolution titled “Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction” (document A/79/L.55). Singapore’s representative, introducing the text, called on States to ratify the agreement. He also made an oral revision to replace “welcome” with “take note of” regarding signatures and ratifications of the agreement to date.
The Assembly then adopted that text, as orally revised, without a vote. By its terms, the Assembly called on all States and regional economic integration organizations that have not done so to consider signing, ratifying, approving or accepting the Agreement as soon as possible.
However, the representative of the Russian Federation disassociated from consensus, stating that mechanisms to establish marine protected areas without appropriate scientific research “run the risk of abuse and unsubstantiated restriction of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of States on the high seas”. His counterpart from the United States, meanwhile, said that her country is “currently reviewing its policies and does not take a position on this matter”.
The Assembly also adopted, without a vote, a text titled “Eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War” (document A/79/L.51), which requested the holding of a special meeting of the Assembly to commemorate all victims of the Second World War in the second week of May in 2025 and every five years thereafter.
The representative of the Russian Federation, introducing that text, said that 2025 marks the eightieth anniversary of the victory over Nazism, fascism and Japanese militarism. Paying tribute to the millions who were sacrificed for that victory — including 27 million from the Soviet Union — he said that the international community has a shared duty to honour that victory.
However, Ukraine’s representative underscored that it is the “height of cynicism” for a State engaged in an unprovoked war of aggression to attempt to unite nations around the memory of the Second World War. She added: “Despite the high price paid for peace, the promise of ‘never again’ remains unfulfilled — today, Europe is witnessing the most brutal war since Hitler.”
The representative of the United Kingdom, similarly, pointed to the “fundamental irony of Russia summoning us here today”, having presented a resolution “to mark the end of one war in Europe having started another”. Lithuania’s representative added: “Today, Russia instrumentalizes the memory of the Second World War to justify its own crimes, both past and present.” Poland’s representative, also speaking for a group of 34 other European States, spotlighted the Russian Federation’s “cynicism of using ‘de-Nazification’ to justify its illegal aggression and occupation of part of an independent UN Member State”.
“We have to say this — the sponsor of this resolution simply does not live by the words of the UN Charter,” stressed the representative of Canada, also speaking for Australia and New Zealand. “Russia’s aggression — and we must name it precisely — and its bid to expand its territory at the expense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other States is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter,” he said.
For his part, the representative of the United States said that the “Russia-Ukraine war has waged on for far too long”, urging that the “UN be guided by its original purpose and unite to end the bloodshed”. All Member States should recommit themselves to the “old vision of peace that propelled us out of the devastation and despair of World War II”, he added. Israel’s representative said: “It is our responsibility not only to remember but to ensure that future generations carry this memory forward to prevent history from repeating itself.”
Speaking in exercise of the right of reply, the delegate of the Russian Federation expressed concern about the politicized statements delivered by the delegates of Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania and the United Kingdom. It is the actions of European States, she said, that are hampering the settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
In other business, the Assembly decided, without a vote, to appoint Makiese Kinkela Augusto (Angola), Victor Moraru (Republic of Moldova), Jesús Miranda Hita (Spain) and Marcel Jullier (Switzerland) to the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system, for a five-year term beginning 1 January 2026 and expiring on 31 December 2030.
The General Assembly also heard an address by Andrzej Duda, President of Poland. Noting that recent years have demonstrated how fragile peace and security are, he spotlighted the resurgence of “Russian imperialism”. The 2014 attack on Ukraine marked “just the beginning of an effort to violently destroy the international order”, he said.
Detailing Poland’s security cooperation, he pointed to the United States missile base in Redzikowo — an example of the “American security umbrella over Europe” — as well as recent talks with United States President Donald J. Trump. Poland is also active in collective security systems and UN peacekeeping missions, and he also highlighted the Three Seas Initiative, which aims to improve connectivity among 13 countries across Central and Eastern Europe.
“Poland has never imposed its views on anyone” or colonized another country, he went on to say. Recalling his country’s long history, he invoked the construction of a powerful seventeenth-century State, gradual partitions, loss of independence, a 123-year-long independence struggle, the achievement of independence in 1918 and the destruction of that independence “by the two totalitarian regimes of the twentieth century: Russian communism and German Nazism”.
In the last 30 years of Poland’s history — after it broke free from the Russian Federation’s sphere of influence — it transformed from a backward, poor country with high unemployment into a highly developed State and the twenty-first largest economy in the world, he pointed out. “Only peace can provide optimal conditions for development,” he said, adding that it is necessary to defend peace with real force.
The representative of the Russian Federation, taking the floor under a point of order after the address, said that his delegation “had doubts” regarding the expediency of conducting today’s meeting. “The President of Poland spent a lot of time on debating our country,” he said, adding that — although the Council adopted a text calling for peace between the Russian Federation and Ukraine — one of Poland’s leaders “talked about the logic of military focus” and providing support to Ukraine.
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
The UN Special Envoy for Syria on Tuesday condemned ongoing Israeli attacks inside Syrian territory and continuing violations in and around the demilitarised zone created as part of a 1974 ceasefire agreement.
Geir Pedersen said in a statement that “such actions are unacceptable and risk further destabilising an already fragile situation, heightening regional tension and undermining efforts toward de-escalation and a sustainable political transition.”
The condemnation follows a recent wave of airstrikes and ground raids targeting southern Syria which the Israeli Government says are necessary for national security and to keep weapons out of the hands of armed groups hostile to Israel.
The latest Israeli raid occurred on Monday night targeting a weapons storage facility near the coastal city of Latakia. Several hours later Israeli forces conducted operations in two towns in southern Syria blowing up warehouses, before withdrawing, according to news reports.
A week ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the “complete demilitarisation” of swathes of southern Syria of the “forces of the new regime”, which ousted former dictator Bashar Assad in December.
In response, Syria’s transitional leader Ahmad al-Sharaa reportedly said at the meeting of Arab States in Cairo on Tuesday focused on Gaza reconstruction that Syria is committed to the ceasefire deal of 1974, accusing Israel of violating Syrians’ rights for decades.
Special envoy Pedersen called on Israel to “cease violations, uphold its international obligations and refrain from unilateral measures that exacerbate conflict.”
He called for all parties to conflict across the region to respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity.
“Constructive dialogue and strict adherence to international agreements and international law are essential for security,” he added.
Meanwhile, UN aid coordination office, OCHA, has welcomed the extension by the caretaker authorities for the UN to continue to deliver humanitarian assistance through the Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee crossing for an additional six months,
Bab Al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee provide direct routes to Aleppo, where some four million people need assistance, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Since the start of the year, more than 520 trucks carrying UN aid – including food, health and other critical supplies – have crossed from Türkiye through these two border points, as well as through Bab al-Hawa – a substantial increase compared to the same period last year.
“This afternoon, nearly two dozen trucks carrying 300 metric tons of WFP food – enough for 174,000 people – as well as agricultural supplies from the Food and Agriculture Organization, crossed from Türkiye to Syria through Bab Al-Hawa,” Mr. Dujarric said.
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) delegates today urged the Secretariat to ramp up efforts to boost managerial accountability and internal controls, emphasizing the tone-setting role of top leaders in fostering a more effective United Nations.
“A strong system of accountability is not just a bureaucratic requirement, it is the very foundation of the trust that binds this Organization to Member States and to the citizens of the world,” said Switzerland’s delegate, speaking also for Liechtenstein. “Far from being a simple administrative reform, accountability is a fundamental principle that reflects our commitment to the values of the United Nations: integrity, transparency and efficiency in the service of peace and sustainable development.”
While the Secretary-General’s report highlights significant progress, it also stresses the persistent challenges that require determination and commitment to overcome, he said. Exemplary leadership is essential for greater accountability as the UN Values and Behaviours Framework emphasizes inclusion, integrity, humility and humanity. “A culture of accountability can only be built if those who lead the Organization embody these values on a daily basis,” he said.
He said that other essential components for boosting accountability are the use of data and transparency, such as the UN Results Portal, which strengthens the trust of Member States. In addition, sexual exploitation and abuse are an unacceptable betrayal of the Organization’s fundamental values while undermining public confidence. His delegation welcomes the Secretary-General’s efforts to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms, including improving ClearCheck, a screening database, and the adoption of a victim-centred approach.
The representative of Iraq, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, underscored that accountability within the Organization requires managers and decision-makers at the highest levels to commit to the accountability system’s six components. He emphasized the importance of weaving more results-based steps — of both institutional and personal accountability — into future Secretariat progress reports. The Group also values the recommendations of the recent Joint Inspection Unit’s review of accountability frameworks in the United Nations system organizations.
He asked senior managers to keep improving the presentation of the proposed programme budget and ensure resources are clearly linked to a continuously improving results-based budgeting framework. “This should reflect existing mandates and the measures to achieve them,” he said. Noting the Organization’s ongoing financial constraints, the Group believes it is even more urgent for the Secretariat to keep strengthening internal controls and monitor effective expenditures to fully implement agreed mandates and programmes. The General Assembly has asked the Secretary-General to urge senior managers to meet the geographical targets contained in the senior managers’ compacts. The Group also wants to understand the appropriate accountability measures that will be taken when the targets stipulated in the compacts have not been met.
Israel’s delegate called accountability the cornerstone of effective management. “It must be treated with the significance it deserves,” she said. Her delegation welcomed progress on addressing misconduct and disciplinary issues, including the revision of policies on discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and the abuse of authority. “We call on the Secretariat to strengthen these efforts, ensuring a cultural shift where such misconduct is not only condemned in words, but eradicated in practice,” she said, adding that perpetrators must face real consequences, and every staff member must feel safe to report misconduct without a fear of retaliation.
The increased availability of data and information will enhance the transparency of activities, investigations and their outcomes. “Accountability is a principle that must be demonstrated from the very top of any organization,” she said, urging the UN leadership to “set the tone, ensuring that oversight is not only a bureaucratic exercise, but a force that safeguards the integrity of this Organization”.
Karen Lock, Director of the Business Transformation and Accountability Division of the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, presented the Secretary-General’s “Fourteenth progress report on accountability: strengthening accountability in the United Nations Secretariat” (document A/79/696). Noting that the Secretary-General’s management reforms have shifted the focus from process to results, she said the report recognized that this transformation can only happen over time and must be part of a process of continuous improvement. While progress has been made in some elements of an accountability system that holds staff accountable for financial and programme performance, more needs to be done.
Some of the detailed measures taken in 2024, laid out in Section II of the report, include improving the internal control process, such as using targeted workshops and guidance on deepening the integration of internal controls and risk management and enhancing enterprise risk management. At the Secretariat-wide level, risk treatment and response plans were developed for 14 critical risks with corporate risk owners monitoring the implementation of mitigation measures. Sixty-four entities completed their risk assessments and have dedicated risk-governance practices in place.
The Secretariat’s data protection and privacy policy, meant to guide the responsible handling of personal data, provides transparency and lays down necessary safeguards, she said. The Secretariat has also disseminated the Secretary-General’s bulletin on the United Nations Values and Behaviours Framework, which aims to inform human resources processes, such as workforce planning, recruitment, learning and performance management.
As the transparency of information lies at the core of accountability, the Secretariat has enhanced Member States’ portals, she said. For example, the results portal (https://results.un.org) now provides information on when planned targets were met, exceeded or not reached. The Workforce Portal now provides up-to-date information on staff and demographics. The compendium of disciplinary measures contains detailed information based on nearly 14 years of practice in disciplinary matters and is available online on the human resources portal (https://hr.un.org). “The report shows the Secretariat’s continued progress — not perfection — in reinforcing accountability as a central pillar of its management system,” Ms. Lock said. “It includes planned activities in 2025 and beyond to drive continuous improvement.”
Caroline Nalwanga, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), presented that body’s related report (document A/79/772). The Advisory Committee trusts the Secretary-General will use existing resources to develop a maturity model for the accountability system and lay out a clear road map and benchmarks so progress can be noted and areas for improvements can be identified.
Turning to the performance-appraisal system, ACABQ reiterates that the performance appraisal system must be strengthened and “that more efforts be made to ensure a link between high-level deliverables outlined by legislative bodies and individual staff workplans”. An enhanced performance-appraisal system could not only show how performance has delivered results, but could better assess staff compliance with regulations, rules and the responsible stewardship of funds and resources.
Regarding the review of the Organization’s system of internal controls, the Advisory Committee noted the Assembly’s request to review the first and second lines of defence in the accountability system, including human resources and asset management. The Advisory Committee backs a comprehensive review that includes financial and budget management, information communications technology and supply chain management. “The Advisory Committee trusts that the review will be followed by the strengthening of the exercise of second line of defence across different departments in the accountability framework,” she added.
Fifth Committee Chair Egriselda Aracely González López (El Salvador) opened the meeting by thanking delegates for their monumental efforts during their final session in December 2024. Their collective commitment allowed them to finalize a complex session within the established time frame. She encouraged delegates to maintain the same momentum and spirit of collaboration as they forge ahead in this session and the second part of the resumed session.
Source: United Nations 2
UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday that the continued closure of key border crossings into Gaza is putting civilian lives at risk, just as they begin to recover from months of war, deprivation and hunger.
Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that the Kerem Shalom, Zikim and Erez crossings had remained closed for cargo for the third consecutive day, severely restricting the flow of humanitarian supplies into the devastated enclave.
“The Israeli authorities have rejected our attempts to collect humanitarian supplies that crossed the Kerem Shalom border crossing before its closure,” he said, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
“Given the huge needs in Gaza, keeping the crossings closed will have devastating consequences,” he added, underscoring that Member States and those with influence must use all available means to ensure the ceasefire holds.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), warned on Tuesday that Israel’s decision to halt aid should be reversed.
“Humanitarian aid must continue to flow at scale similar to what we have seen over the past six weeks when the ceasefire began. This brought respite and relief to people in need,” he said in a post on the platform X.
He noted that the vast majority of the people in Gaza rely on aid for their “sheer survival”, adding that water, medical care and electricity were essential to complement basic food assistance.
“Aid and these basic services are non-negotiable. They must never be used as weapons of war,” Mr. Lazzarini stated.
Despite the restrictions, UN agencies and humanitarian partners on the ground are working to sustain aid operations across the Gaza Strip, Mr. Dujarric said.
On Monday, the dialysis unit at Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital in Gaza City resumed services on Tuesday, alongside a 25-bed in-patient unit. Paediatric services also resumed at the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 29 child patients, along with 43 companions, were evacuated from Gaza to Jordan via Israel for specialized medical treatment. This marked the first WHO-supported medical evacuation to Jordan since the ceasefire began in January.
Inside Gaza, WHO has also provided hygiene and sanitation supplies to thousands of women and girls, warning that the lack of access to clean water and sanitation could worsen mental health conditions for those who have been displaced.
In the West Bank, Israeli military operations in Jenin have escalated, leading to more displacement and destruction, Mr. Dujarric reported.
Israeli forces ordered residents in one part of Jenin city to evacuate their homes, displacing about 30 families “including at least three, who had been displaced previously,” he said.
He added that Israeli forces used bulldozers, damaging infrastructure and causing power outages, while intensified access and movement restrictions to and from the city were also observed.
Source: United Nations 2
“The time to step up is now” for the people of Somalia, where drought threatens 1.7 million young children at risk of acute malnutrition, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.
The East African country faced famine in 2022, but a scale-up in humanitarian assistance helped to avert catastrophe.
Today, food insecurity on the increase once again, with 3.4 million people already acutely food insecure. That number is projected to rise by a full million, to 4.4 million between April and June – nearly a quarter of the population.
According to the international food security classification system IPC, acute hunger is level three on a scale of one to five, with level five denoting famine and level four, severe acute malnutrition.
WFP believes that about 1.26 million children under the age of five need immediate support. Of that number, 466,000 will likely be severely acutely malnourished this year and at risk of death.
“We have learned in Somalia from past experience that that delays can be deadly, and we need resources to provide support to these very vulnerable groups,” said WFP spokesperson Jean-Martin Bauer, speaking from Rome.
He called on donors and partners to increase funding to the country of 19 million people.
Two consecutive failed crop seasons last year resulted in harvests 45 per cent below-average yields, Mr. Bauer said.
This is linked to consecutive climate shocks in Somalia, where poor rainfall depleted water sources and led to livestock losses.
Weather forecasters predict another drought from April to June, while humanitarians warn that malnutrition is likely to worsen due to disease outbreaks and reduced food access.
WFP has yet to factor in the impact of any funding cuts from the United States but chronic underfunding has forced it to cut back assistance to 820,000 people, down from 2.2 million in 2022.
The agency has also had to downsize its school feeding programme, which was suspended in some states including the South West and Somaliland.
Just 12 per cent of the $1.4 billion overall appeal for Somalia has been funded so far, Mr. Bauer said.
The WFP provides up to 90 per cent of food assistance in Somalia, making it an essential lifeline for thousands of people, including many internally displaced by conflict.
A combination of in-kind food assistance and cash-based transfers is needed to mitigate the worst effects of the crisis, Mr. Bauer stressed, referring to aid coming in the form of goods or services like food packages, shelter and blankets.
“When you are facing a crisis like the one we are worried about in Somalia, we need all types of resources to be put at play to avert the worst,” he said.
Soundcloud
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Mission
As part of a 12 university network launched by the UNESCO in 1957, the Latin American Faculty for Social Sciences at Quito (FLACSO) is a postgraduate institution dedicated to research and teaching at Masters and Doctoral levels.
FLACSO currently offers around 20 careers throughout 11 departments, including a Doctor Degree in Economics and in Political Studies.
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Mission
The University of Valle (Spanish: Universidad del Valle), also called Univalle, is a public, departmental, coeducational, research university based primarily in the city of Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. It is the largest higher education institution by student population in the southwest of the country, and the third in Colombia, with more than 30,000 students.
Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Anthony Ngororano of Rwanda as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Madagascar, with the host Government’s approval, on 1 March 2025.
Mr. Ngororano has over 20 years of experience in sustainable development in leadership roles across the UN system and prior to this in the private sector. Most recently, he served as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Kenya. Prior to that, he served as UNDP Resident Representative to Mauritania.
Before his role in Mauritania, Mr. Ngororano served as Chief of the Executive Board Branch in the Office of the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York and he held several posts in UN-Women, including Country Representative in Haiti and Chief of the Africa Section in New York.
He served as the Senior Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Rwanda with the rank of Permanent Secretary and prior to that he held diverse positions with UNDP including Country Adviser in the Regional Bureau for Africa in New York, and in a range of policy, planning and programme roles in Nigeria, Zambia, and Rwanda.
He also worked as an investment banker with Citigroup N.A in Kenya and Tanzania after starting his career as an economist in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Uganda.
Mr. Ngororano holds masters’ degrees in development economics and international relations from the University of East Anglia and the University of Sussex respectively. He also holds a Master of Arts degree with honours in economics from the University of Edinburgh.
Source: United Nations 4
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the Extraordinary Arab League Summit on the Situation in the Middle East/Gaza today:
President El-Sisi, thank you for convening leaders from across the Arab world to unite at this Extraordinary Arab Summit dedicated to Palestine.
Since the horrific attacks by Hamas in Israel on 7 October, the ensuing Israeli military operations have unleashed an unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza, generating an immense trauma. Palestinians in Gaza have suffered beyond measure. And the risk of even greater devastation looms.
This Summit is an important signal that the world has a collective responsibility to support efforts to end this war, relieve profound human suffering and secure lasting peace. In the last few weeks, we have witnessed a meaningful improvement with the ceasefire and the hostage deal.
Since the start of the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire, Palestinian civilians in Gaza have experienced reprieve. Hostages were released and humanitarian aid dramatically increased. I urge the parties to uphold their commitments and implement them in full, and Member States to use all the leverage they have to support this, especially as we start the holy month of Ramadan.
We must avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities that would plunge the millions back into an abyss of suffering and further destabilize the region. And simultaneously, the territorial integrity of Lebanon and Syria must be respected.
Serious negotiations for the ceasefire in all its facets must be resumed without delay. All hostages must be released — immediately, unconditionally and in a dignified manner.
The release of Palestinian detainees must be carried out per the terms of the deal and also in a dignified way. The parties must ensure humane treatment for all those held under their power. And all obstacles to the effective delivery of life-saving aid must be removed.
Humanitarian aid is not negotiable. It must flow without impediment. The response needs to be adequately funded, and civilians — including humanitarians — must be protected.
The United Nations has proven, together with our partners, namely the Egyptian Red Crescent, with access, the UN-coordinated response can deliver aid that people need.
Ending the immediate crisis is not enough. We need a clear political framework that lays the foundation for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability. That framework must be based on principles and respect for international law.
Israel’s legitimate security concerns must be addressed, but that should not be through long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza. And I want to once again salute the dedication of UN staff and all other humanitarian workers — particularly, Palestinian colleagues — who have suffered so much and are working under near-impossible conditions. I appeal for the urgent and full support of UNRWA’s [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] work, including financial support.
Finally, as we widen the lens beyond Gaza, we see an alarming situation unfolding in the West Bank. Israeli security forces have launched large-scale operations, including air strikes and also the deployment of tanks for the first time in over two decades.
Over 40,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in the last month — the largest displacement in the West Bank in decades. Meanwhile, demolitions, evictions and settlement expansions continue, with settler violence on the rise. All of this is further weakening the Palestinian Authority at a time when its role is more crucial than ever.
I call for urgent de-escalation. Unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation, must stop. The attacks and mounting violence must end. Israel, as the occupying Power, must comply with all its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. And the Palestinian Authority must be supported to govern effectively, and to do so in compliance with its own obligations under international law.
The true foundation of recovery in Gaza will be more than concrete and steel. It will be dignity, self-determination and security. This means staying true to the bedrock of international law. It means rejecting any form of ethnic cleansing. And it means forging a political solution.
There is no sustainable future for Gaza that is not part of a viable Palestinian State. There can be no recovery without an end to the occupation. No justice without accountability for violations of international law. And no sustainable reconstruction without a clear and principled political horizon.
The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, to chart their own future, and to live on their land in freedom and security. There must be irreversible steps now toward the realization of the two-State solution — before it’s too late.
The only path to lasting peace is one where two States — Israel and Palestine — live side by side in peace and security, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. The United Nations stands with you in this essential effort.
Source: United Nations secretary general
The Secretary-General met on Monday, 3 March with H.E. Mr. António Costa, President of the European Council. They discussed cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union on various issues of global importance. The Secretary-General and the President of the European Council also exchanged views on the situations in the Middle East, in Africa and in Ukraine.
Source: United Nations 2
In a series of meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed spearheaded discussions on fortifying global food systems and advancing sustainable development, setting the stage for the upcoming fourth UN Food Systems Summit.
Ms. Mohammed’ s high-level meetings, which took place between 22 and 25 February, aimed at addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time: the transformation of global food systems.
These discussions are a precursor to the much-anticipated UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4), scheduled for July 28-30, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and co-hosted by the governments of Ethiopia and Italy.
Ms. Mohammed emphasized the critical need for a holistic approach to food systems. “Transforming our food systems is essential to driving progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and delivering for everyone, everywhere,” she stated.
Her words resonated deeply with the diverse group of stakeholders present, including government officials, private sector leaders, and representatives from civil society.
The meetings in Nairobi were not just about dialogue; they were a call to action. Ms. Mohammed highlighted the importance of public-private-community partnerships in achieving sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems. “We need all hands on deck to reach food systems transformations with the impact to advance on the 2030 Agenda,” she urged.
One of the key themes of the discussions was the urgent need to enhance financial mechanisms to support food systems transformation. The UN deputy chief underscored the significance of securing concessional finance, investments, budget support, and debt restructuring. She pointed to the proposed SDG Stimulus of $500 billion a year as a potential game-changer, offering fiscal space and resources to drive this transformation.
Ms. Mohammed also addressed the challenges posed by rising living costs, social inequalities, climate change, and geopolitical tensions. She stressed that these global issues require a coordinated and comprehensive response. “Our efforts must be integrated and inclusive, ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.
During her visit, Ms. Mohammed engaged with member states, private sector leaders, and National Convenors of Food Systems Pathways from 27 countries, both in person and virtually. These sessions, held over two days, emphasized the urgency of collective action to transform food systems.
As part of her engagements in Nairobi, the Deputy Secretary-General visited Giga Kitchen, an initiative by Food4Education led by Wawira Njiru, the UN in Kenya Person of the Year in 2021.
Food4Education has demonstrated the power of innovation and collaboration in tackling food insecurity. In just two years, the organization has scaled up from feeding 10,000 children per day to 500,000, proving that community-driven initiatives, when supported by strategic partnerships, can achieve transformative impact at scale.
By leveraging technology, efficient supply chains, and innovative community engagement, Food4Education has not only expanded access to nutritious meals but also created a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both children and small-scale farmers. Through direct sourcing from smallholder farmers, the initiative has ensured a consistent market for local producers, strengthening food systems while promoting economic empowerment.
This model highlights how innovative, community-driven solutions can effectively and sustainably address food insecurity when integrated with government support and multi-stakeholder collaboration. By rethinking traditional approaches and embracing scalable, technology-driven solutions, initiatives like Food4Education set a precedent for sustainable development in food security and nutrition.
© UNEP/Ahmed Nayim Yussuf
Looking ahead to the UNFSS+4, Ms. Mohammed expressed optimism about the potential for meaningful progress. “We have the opportunity to reshape the global narrative around food systems, making them a key lever to accelerate and reinforce SDG progress,” she remarked.
The summit, she noted, will build on the momentum generated by previous efforts and set the stage for a new era of food systems transformation.
In concluding her mission, the Deputy Secretary-General convened a kick-off meeting hosted at AGRA Headquarters in Nairobi to launch the preparatory process for the UNFSS+4.
AGRA, an agency driving a food system-inspired inclusive agricultural transformation across Africa, brought together the UN Food Systems Advisory Group, high-level experts, and thought leaders to define the vision, strategy, and roadmap for the Summit. National convenors in participation shared insights on breakthroughs, priority needs, and expectations, shaping the direction of the UNFSS+4 programme.
While still at AGRA, Ms. Mohammed engaged with more than 200 staff members, commending them for their commitment to transforming African agriculture. She acknowledged AGRA’s African-led approach, which has been instrumental in scaling agricultural innovations to improve the lives of smallholder farmers.
“AGRA stands as a beacon of innovation and resilience, offering uniquely African solutions to the challenges faced by smallholder farmers,” she remarked. “Your work is not just about increasing agricultural productivity – it is about empowering communities, ensuring food security, and building sustainable livelihoods.”
Reflecting on AGRA’s achievements since its inception in 2006, she noted that its proven solutions have played a pivotal role in strengthening African food systems, improving farmer incomes, and fostering economic growth. She urged continued innovation, investment, and collaboration to accelerate progress toward sustainable agriculture and food security across the continent.
As the world faces increasing challenges in food security, UNFSS+4 represents a critical opportunity to rally global action, foster innovation, and strengthen partnerships to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems for the future.
Source: United Nations 2
As conflict rages across Sudan, armed men are raping and sexually assaulting children, including some infants as young as one, according to the UN children’s agency (UNICEF).
Data from gender-based violence service providers in Sudan reveals the scale of the horror: more than 220 reported cases of child rape since the start of 2024.
“Children as young as one being raped by armed men should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
But these figures only scratch the surface, as survivors and their families often remain silent due to stigma, lack of services and fear of retribution from armed groups.
Sexual violence is being weaponised in Sudan’s conflict, putting millions of children at risk.
The brutal reality of this violence, and the fear of falling victim to it, is pushing women and girls to leave their homes and families, only to face further dangers.
UNICEF reports that girls often end up in informal displacement sites with scarce resources, where the risk of sexual violence is high. Of the reported child rape survivors, 66 per cent are girls.
Meanwhile, boys face their own difficulties. With deep-seated stigma, reporting sexual assault presents its challenges, making it harder to seek help and access services.
Shockingly, 16 of the survivors were under five years old, including four one-year-olds.
“This is an abhorrent violation of international law and could constitute a war crime,” Ms. Russell underscored. “It must stop.”
UNICEF is working with partners to establish safe spaces that provide gender-based violence services for survivors.
The agency is training frontline workers, including social workers and psychologists to provide community-based services across Sudan as well as address harmful social norms and practices.
UNICEF is calling on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international law, protect civilians – especially children – and ensure humanitarian workers can safely deliver aid.
Stronger data systems are deemed critical, both to improve the humanitarian response and to hold perpetrators accountable.
“Widespread sexual violence in Sudan has instilled terror in people, especially children,” Ms. Russell warned. “These scars of war are immeasurable and long-lasting.”
Without urgent action, Sudan’s sexual violence crisis will only deepen, leaving a lasting and devastating legacy.
Source: United Nations secretary general
The Secretary-General met with H.E. General Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon. They discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, the situation in the region and the importance of the full implementation of Security Council resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) to strengthen peace and security. They reiterated the significance of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in maintaining stability and the need to respect the safety and security of peacekeepers. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for Lebanon’s generosity in hosting refugees, while underscoring efforts to find durable solutions for voluntary, safe and dignified returns.
The Secretary-General reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to Lebanon’s stability and support to the Government of Lebanon in efforts to address the pressing needs of Lebanon’s population, including through recovery and reconstruction and the implementation of reforms.
Source: World Food Programme
This a summary of what was said by WFP’s Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis, Jean-Martin Bauer at the Geneva Palais Briefing.
Alarming new data from Somalia shows that one million more people could be pushed into crisis levels of food insecurity in the coming months as drought conditions, conflict and high food prices threaten to disrupt farming, restrict market access and increase humanitarian needs.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis shows that 3.4 million people are already experiencing crisis-levels of hunger or worse (IPC3+). This number is projected to rise to 4.4 million (almost one in every four people in Somalia) between April and June 2025, when below-average rains are forecast, potentially creating drought conditions.
Just three years ago – in late 2022 – Somalia was brought to the brink of famine by the longest drought in recorded history as back-to-back failed rainy seasons devasted the country. A massive scale up of humanitarian assistance from WFP and partners averted famine in late 2022. Now hunger is rising again as another drought looms.
The IPC findings confirm that the erratic rainy season from October to December 2024 led to low crop yields, rapid depletion of pasture and water sources. Meanwhile earlier in the year flooding damaged crops and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Food production in 2024 was 45 per cent below the long-term average. These are all factors that have contributed towards families’ rising vulnerability and add to WFP’s concern about what the coming months will bring for Somalia.
Around 1.7 million children under the age of five are expected to face acute malnutrition through December 2025. Of those, 466,000 face severe acute malnutrition. Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of the total malnutrition burden is concentrated in southern Somalia, where drought conditions and insecurity are the worst.
The hardest-hit households include those with low agricultural yields who have depleted their food stocks, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and pastoralists with limited livestock and below-average earnings from livestock sales.
As humanitarian needs grow, limited funding is resulting in life-saving programmes being reduced or cut altogether. From April, WFP will support 820,000 vulnerable people per month with food and cash assistance – down from a peak of 2.2 million reached monthly in 2024.
Funding shortfalls have also forced WFP to halve the number of students it supports with school meals. In Southwest State, Banadir and Somaliland, school meals have been entirely suspended.
Today, the 2025 Somalia Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan calling for $1.42 billion is only 12.4 per cent funded. WFP alone has a funding gap of $297 million for the next six months and without additional funding, critical WFP operations in Somalia will face pipeline breaks by mid-year.
Early action is critical to avert a crisis in Somalia. Funding is urgently required to scale up food assistance, nutrition support, water and sanitation services, as well as livelihood initiatives to mitigate the impacts of the expected drought in Somalia.
Without this, Somalia could once again face deepening hunger.
ENDS
Source: World Health Organisation
Therncountry has already taken some bold moves to transform the food system, enablernequitable access to healthy food and physical activity and provide healthyrnmeals to children through the National School Nutrition Programme. rnSpecifically, as part of efforts to create healthier food environments, arnsugar-sweetened beverage tax, introduced in 2018, has helped reduce sugaryrndrink purchases, and regulations to reduce salt in processed foods has reducedrnsalt intake.
Obesityrnchronic care programs now need to be scaled up across all levels of thernhealth system with a focus on community and primary care and referral and backrnreferral to secondary and tertiary care. “The task is now to replan, reorganizernand reorient health services and train health-care providers to expand accessrnto all those in need and offer services where people are, with an impetus neverrnseen before,” said Professor Francois Venter, Director of Ezintsha atrnthe University of the Witwatersrand. “And there are many lessons from ourrnexperience in implementing large scale HIV programmes that are highly relevant,”rnhe added.
Asrnwith the HIV response in the early 2000s, the voices of health advocates andrnresearchers are critical to ensuring a person-centred, rights-based response tornaddressing obesity in South Africa. Robust civil society is a strength of SouthrnAfrican society that can be leveraged to combat obesity. A key player, thernDesmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF), expanded the HIV focus of its researchrnand advocacy to cover HIV within the broader health context of NCDs and mentalrnhealth in 2020. “Obesity is the new South African epidemic, with many parallelsrnto HIV. Both require lifelong care and impact every part of society. The samernlevers that drove South Africa’s HIV response – advocacy, community engagement,rncollaboration and long-term commitment – are just as crucial for tacklingrnobesity and sustained action beyond World Obesity Day,” noted DrrnNomathemba Chandiwana, Chief Scientific Officer at DTHF.
Onrnthe same line, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has been runningrneducational campaigns on healthy living for decades. As well as educating thernpublic and enabling research, CANSA strives to influence policymakers on cancerrncontrol issues and advocates to protect people’s right to health care.
© WHO / Barry Christianson
Torntackle obesity, action is needed across different areas of governmentrnincluding, among others, health, social services, finance, education, trade andrnurban planning. Government efforts can be amplified by collaboration withrnresearchers who can help with problem solving and filling knowledge gaps withrntargeted research. At the same time, supportive non-governmental organizationsrn(NGOs) and community groups – joining forces with the government and scientistsrn– can call for robust, rights-based public health action.
Byrnharnessing the superpower of joint government, civil society and academiarnaction, and building on the hard-won success of HIV programmes, South Africa isrnleading the way and delivering the change that is needed to respond to thernobesity challenge.
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Source: World Health Organisation
Opened in December 2024, the WHO Academy is moving ahead with it ambition to become the global centre for lifelong learning in health. Last month, it held its inaugural conference in Lyon, France, where learning and health experts from around the world gathered to discuss the role of quality in health learning, training and capacity building.
Currently, there are no widely accepted global standards for high-quality learning courses in health. Building on the World Health Organization’s 75 years of expertise in setting global norms and standards, the WHO Academy aims to promote quality assurance standards in developing, implementing and evaluating learning materials.
“Quality is essential, and it is a key word for the entire operation of the Academy. Providing health and care workers with continuous access to upscaling and rescaling learning is crucial to achieving health for all,” explained Dr David Atchoarena, WHO Academy Executive Director, who also highlighted the Academy’s commitment to bringing together global expertise on learning in public health.
In her keynote address, Professor Asha Kanwar from Beijing Normal University stressed the urgent need to address the projected global shortfall of 11 million healthcare workers by 2030. She also advocated for integrating technology into lifelong learning, including AI-generated and interactive content.
A round table discussion featured global learning and health experts who shared best practices and success stories on improving learning opportunities and implementing online and blended courses. Through a series of in-person workshops in the afternoon, participants shared their inputs on the localization of learning content, the potential of team-based learning and assessments, and what learning recognition of WHO Academy courses could look like to ensure they are well-received by ministries of health or public accreditation bodies in their own contexts.
“It is necessary to construct a shared vision for lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is a right for health workers. Health workers are committed to their training, so we have to take advantage of that. We need to make lifelong learning more relevant for their careers and ensure their training is more relevant. It is not a personal possession but a collective good,” explained conference participant Isabel Dure.
Professor Janusz Janczukowicz from the Medical University of Lodz, Chair of the WHO Academy Quality Committee, concluded the conference by reiterating the importance of interprofessional and team-based learning in providing inclusive and high-quality patient care.
The WHO Academy will promote the incorporation of best practices in learning in the design and delivery of training across WHO to optimize the impact of lifelong learning. The insights from the conference will inform the WHO Academy Quality Standards and Criteria for Learning Programmes, which will be published in 2025.
The WHO Academy offers a range of free courses on its global online platform, open to anyone who would like to register at whoacademy.org.
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday stressed that the “true foundation” of recovery and reconstruction in Gaza must be based on a clear and agreed political framework, not just bricks and mortar.
Speaking at the emergency summit of Arab nations on the situation in the Middle East and Gaza reconstruction in Cairo, António Guterres welcomed Arab-led efforts to mobilize support for Gaza’s recovery.
He stressed that rebuilding the war-ravaged territory must be guided by principles that respect international law and prevent further cycles of violence.
“The true foundation of recovery in Gaza will be more than concrete and steel,” he said.
“It will be dignity, self-determination and security. This means staying true to the bedrock of international law. It means rejecting any form of ethnic cleansing. And it means forging a political solution.”
Mr. Guterres highlighted that reconstruction efforts cannot be separated from the broader political situation.
“Ending the immediate crisis is not enough. We need a clear political framework that lays the foundation for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability,” he said.
Acknowledging Israel’s security concerns, he added that there should not be a long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza.
The war in Gaza has left an unprecedented level of destruction, with an estimated 51 million tons of rubble blanketing the landscape where bustling neighborhoods once thrived.
According to a new UN damage and needs assessment report, over 60 per cent of homes – amounting to some 292,000 – and 65 per cent of roads have been destroyed, across the approximately 360 square kilometre enclave.
Working with Palestinian authorities, UN development and environmental agencies and non-governmental organizations are looking at how to safely clear the rubble so that families can rebuild. UN teams are drawing on similar experiences in Mosul, Iraq, and the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Latakia, all decimated by war.
UN agencies along with partners, including the World Bank, estimate that $53 billion will be needed for recovery and reconstruction.
With humanitarian conditions still dire, Mr. Guterres warned that renewed hostilities would plunge millions back into suffering and further destabilize the region.
“We must avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities,” he urged, calling on both parties to uphold their commitments under the ceasefire and hostage deal, and to resume negotiations without delay.
“All hostages must be released – immediately, unconditionally and in a dignified manner,” he said, adding that the release of Palestinian detainees must be carried out per the terms of the deal and also in a dignified way.
“The parties must ensure humane treatment for all those held under their power.”
The Secretary-General highlighted that importance of humanitarian aid for civilians in need in Gaza, calling for the removal of all obstacles to aid delivery.
“Humanitarian aid is not negotiable. It must flow without impediment,” he said, urging also donors to ensure adequate funding.
He applauded the dedication of UN staff and all other humanitarian workers in providing essential services under the most difficult circumstances, appealing for the urgent and full support of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)’s work, including financial support.
Beyond Gaza, Mr. Guterres expressed alarm at rising violence in the West Bank, where Israeli security forces have launched large-scale operations, including airstrikes and also the deployment of tanks.
“Over 40,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in the last month — the largest displacement in the West Bank in decades. Meanwhile, demolitions, evictions and settlement expansions continue, with settler violence is on the rise,” he noted.
He called for an urgent de-escalation of the situation, and the stopping of unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation.
“Israel, as the occupying power, must comply with all its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law,” Mr. Guterres said.
In addition, the Palestinian Authority must be supported to govern effectively, and “do so in compliance with its own obligations under international law.”
The UN chief reiterated that a two-State solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace.
“The only path to lasting peace is one where two states – Israel and Palestine – live side-by-side in peace and security, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states,” he said.
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Tokyo Conference, held in Tokyo today:
I am pleased to send warm greetings to the Tokyo Conference. This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the founding of the United Nations.
This milestone is a crucial opportunity to reaffirm enduring principles that emerged from one of humanity’s darkest hours: Peace through dialogue. Respect for human rights and international law. The promotion of social progress and sustainable development.
Japan is a leader in advancing these values and a pillar of multilateralism. Your commitment to international cooperation stands as a powerful example of how nations can transform historical legacies into positive change.
As we look to our world today, we are confronted with myriad challenges — from multiplying conflicts to the raging climate crisis, from rampant inequalities to artificial intelligence (AI) without sufficient guardrails.
Your conference’s theme this year reminds us that global challenges demand global solutions. In September, Member States of the United Nations adopted the Pact for the Future. The Pact charts a bold course for reforming multilateral institutions for the twenty-first century;
It calls for reforming the Security Council and the international financial architecture — so every nation, large and small, has a voice in shaping our collective future.
It seeks to prioritize prevention, mediation and peacebuilding; enhance coordination with regional organizations; and develop innovative approaches to emerging security challenges.
The Pact includes new strategies to end the use of chemical and biological weapons, the first global agreement on the international regulation of AI and the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade.
As we prepare to mark the eightieth anniversary of the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we will continue to be guided by the inspiring example and vision of the hibakusha for a world free of nuclear weapons.
By bringing together government leaders and diverse voices from around the world, the Tokyo Conference offers an important platform to advance the Pact’s objectives and drive multilateralism into the future.
Let us seize this moment to strengthen the foundations of trust, solidarity and cooperation and write a new chapter in our shared journey towards lasting peace, dignity and progress.
Source: United Nations secretary general
Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, Excellencies, all protocols observed.
President El-Sisi, thank you for convening leaders from across the Arab world to unite at this Extraordinary Arab Summit dedicated to Palestine.
Since the horrific attacks by Hamas in Israel on October 7, the ensuing Israeli military operations have unleashed an unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza, generating an immense trauma.
Palestinians in Gaza have suffered beyond measure.
And the risk of even greater devastation looms.
This Summit is an important signal that the world has a collective responsibility to support efforts to end this war, relieve profound human suffering and secure lasting peace.
In the last few weeks, we have witnessed a meaningful improvement with the ceasefire and the hostage deal.
Since the start of the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire, Palestinian civilians in Gaza have experienced reprieve. Hostages were released and humanitarian aid dramatically increased.
I urge the parties to uphold their commitments and implement them in full, and Member States to use all the leverage they have to support this, especially as we start the Holy Month of Ramadan.
We must avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities that would plunge the millions back into an abyss of suffering and further destabilize the region. And simultaneously, the territorial integrity of Lebanon and Syria must be respected.
Serious negotiations for the ceasefire in all its facets must be resumed without delay.
All hostages must be released — immediately, unconditionally and in a dignified manner.
The release of Palestinian detainees must be carried out per the terms of the deal and also in a dignified way.
The parties must ensure humane treatment for all those held under their power.
And all obstacles to the effective delivery of lifesaving aid must be removed.
Humanitarian aid is not negotiable. It must flow without impediment. The response needs to be adequately funded, and civilians — including humanitarians — must be protected.
The United Nations has proven, together with our partners, namely the Egyptian Red Crescent, with access, the UN-coordinated response can deliver aid that people need.
Your Majesties, Your Highnesses,
Excellencies,
Ending the immediate crisis is not enough.
We need a clear political framework that lays the foundation for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability.
That framework must be based on principles and respect for international law.
Israel’s legitimate security concerns must be addressed, but that should not be through long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza.
And I want to once again salute the dedication of UN staff and all other humanitarian workers — particularly, Palestinian colleagues — who have suffered so much and are working under near-impossible conditions.
I appeal for the urgent and full support of UNRWA’s work, including financial support.
Excellencies,
Finally, as we widen the lens beyond Gaza, we see an alarming situation unfolding in the West Bank.
Israeli security forces have launched large-scale operations, including airstrikes and also the deployment of tanks for the first time in over two decades.
Over 40,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in the last month — the largest displacement in the West Bank in decades.
Meanwhile, demolitions, evictions and settlement expansions continue, with settler violence is on the rise.
All of this is further weakening the Palestinian Authority at a time when its role is more crucial than ever.
I call for urgent de-escalation.
Unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation, must stop.
The attacks and mounting violence must end.
Israel, as the occupying power, must comply with all its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.
And the Palestinian Authority must be supported to govern effectively, and to do so in compliance with its own obligations under international law.
Excellencies,
The true foundation of recovery in Gaza will be more than concrete and steel.
It will be dignity, self-determination and security.
This means staying true to the bedrock of international law.
It means rejecting any form of ethnic cleansing.
And it means forging a political solution.
There is no sustainable future for Gaza that is not part of a viable Palestinian State.
There can be no recovery without an end to the occupation.
No justice without accountability for violations of international law.
And no sustainable reconstruction without a clear and principled political horizon.
The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, to chart their own future, and to live on their land in freedom and security.
There must be irreversible steps now toward the realization of the two-State solution — before it’s too late.
The only path to lasting peace is one where two states — Israel and Palestine — live side-by-side in peace and security, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
The United Nations stands with you in this essential effort.
Thank you.
***
فمنذ الهجمات المروعة التي شنتها حماس في إسرائيل في 7 تشرين الأول/أكتوبر، أحدثت العمليات العسكرية الإسرائيلية التي أعقبت ذلك مستوى غير مسبوق من الموت والدمار في غزة.
ولقد عانى الفلسطينيون في غزة معاناةً تفوق الوصف.
وهم مهددون الآن بالتعرض لمستوى أفدح من الدمار.
إن انعقاد هذه القمة يمثل دلالة هامة على أن على العالم تقع مسؤولية جماعية لدعم الجهود الرامية إلى إنهاء هذه الحرب وتخفيف المعاناة الإنسانية الهائلة والتوصل إلى سلام دائم.
لقد شهدنا في الأسابيع القليلة الماضية تحسناً ملموساً مع وقف إطلاق النار وصفقة الرهائن.
فمنذ بدء تنفيذ المرحلة الأولى من وقف إطلاق النار، شهد المدنيون الفلسطينيون في غزة انفراجاً في الأوضاع. وتم الإفراج عن رهائن وزادت المساعدات الإنسانية بشكل كبير.
وأحث الأطراف على التمسك بالتزاماتها وتنفيذها بالكامل، كما أحث الدول الأعضاء على استخدام كل ما لديها من نفوذ لدعم ذلك، خاصةً ونحن نستهل شهر رمضان المبارك.
ويجب علينا أن نتجنب بأي ثمن استئناف الأعمال العدائية التي من شأنها أن تغرق الملايين مرة أخرى في هاوية المعاناة وتزيد من زعزعة الاستقرار في المنطقة. وفي الوقت نفسه، يجب احترام وحدة أراضي لبنان وسوريا.
ويجب استئناف المفاوضات الجادة لوقف إطلاق النار بجميع جوانبه دون تأخير.
ويجب إطلاق سراح جميع الرهائن – فورا ودون شروط وبطريقة كريمة.
يجب أن يتم الإفراج عن المعتقلين الفلسطينيين وفقا لشروط الصفقة وبطريقة كريمة أيضا.
ويجب على الأطراف ضمان المعاملة الإنسانية لجميع المحتجزين الخاضعين لسلطتهم.
ويجب إزالة جميع العقبات التي تحول دون إيصال المساعدات المنقذة للحياة بشكل فعال.
المساعدات الإنسانية غير قابلة للتفاوض. يجب أن تتدفق دون عوائق. ويجب تمويل الاستجابة بشكل كافٍ، ويجب حماية المدنيين – بمن فيهم العاملون في المجال الإنساني.
ولقد أثبتت الأمم المتحدة، بالتعاون مع شركائها وعلى وجه الخصوص الهلال الأحمر الفلسطيني، أن الاستجابة التي تتم بتنسيق منها يمكنها، إذا أتيح لها الوصول، أن توفر المساعدة التي يحتاجها الناس.
أصحاب الجلالة والسمو والفخامة والمعالي،
إن إنهاء الأزمة الحالية لا يكفي.
فنحن بحاجة إلى إطار سياسي واضح يرسي الأساس لتعافي غزة وإعادة إعمارها واستقرارها الدائم.
ويجب أن يستند هذا الإطار إلى مبادئ القانون الدولي واحترامه.
يجب معالجة مخاوف إسرائيل الأمنية المشروعة، لكن لا ينبغي أن يكون ذلك عبر وجود عسكري إسرائيلي طويل الأمد في غزة.
ويجب أن تظل غزة جزءاً لا يتجزأ من دولة فلسطينية مستقلة وديمقراطية وذات سيادة – دون أي تقليص لأراضيها أو ترحيل قسري لسكانها.
ويجب أن تكون غزة والضفة الغربية – بما فيها القدس الشرقية – موحدة سياسياً واقتصادياً وإدارياً من قبل السلطة الفلسطينية التي تحظى بقبول الشعب الفلسطيني ودعمه.
ويجب أن تكون أي ترتيبات انتقالية مصممة لتحقيق حكم فلسطيني موحد ضمن إطار زمني محدود ومتفق عليه.
أصحاب الجلالة والسمو والفخامة والمعالي،
إني أرحب بالجهود التي يقودها العرب لحشد الدعم لإعادة إعمار غزة وأؤيد تلك الجهود بقوة، والتي تم التعبير عنها بوضوح في هذه القمة.
وتقف الأمم المتحدة على أهبة الاستعداد للتعاون الكامل في هذا المسعى.
ونحن ندرك أن إعادة الإعمار تتطلب حوكمة وترتيبات أمنية يمكن أن تساعد في ضمان مستقبل أكثر إشراقاً واستقراراً للفلسطينيين والإسرائيليين على حد سواء.
وندرك أيضا الدور الحاسم الذي تقوم به الأونروا التي تواصل تقديم خدماتها في أحلك الظروف.
وأود مرة أخرى أن أحيي تفاني موظفي الأمم المتحدة وجميع العاملين في المجال الإنساني – وخاصة الزملاء الفلسطينيين – الذين عانوا كثيرا ويعملون في ظروف شبه مستحيلة.
إنني أدعو إلى تقديم الدعم العاجل والكامل لعمل الأونروا، بما في ذلك الدعم المالي.
أصحاب الجلالة والسمو والفخامة والمعالي،
وأخيراً، فإننا إذا ما وسعنا نطاق البصر إلى ما هو أبعد من غزة، نرى وضعاً مثيرا للجزع يتكشف في الضفة الغربية.
فقد شنت قوات الأمن الإسرائيلية عمليات واسعة النطاق، بما في ذلك الغارات الجوية فضلا عن نشر الدبابات لأول مرة منذ أكثر من عقدين من الزمن.
وتم تهجير أكثر من 40،000 فلسطيني قسراً خلال الشهر الماضي – وهي أكبر عملية تهجير تتم في الضفة الغربية منذ عقود.
وفي الوقت نفسه، تتواصل عمليات الهدم والإخلاء والتوسع الاستيطاني، بينما عنف المستوطنين في تزايد.
كل هذا يزيد من إضعاف السلطة الفلسطينية في وقت أصبح فيه دورها أكثر أهمية منه في أي وقت مضى.
إنني أدعو إلى التعجيل بخفض التصعيد.
ويجب أن تتوقف الأعمال أحادية الجانب، بما في ذلك التوسع الاستيطاني والتهديدات بضم الأراضي.
ويجب أن تنتهي الهجمات والعنف المتصاعد.
ويجب على إسرائيل، بصفتها سلطة قائمة بالاحتلال، أن تتقيد على نحو صارم بجميع التزاماتها بموجب القانون الدولي، بما في ذلك القانون الدولي الإنساني.
ويجب دعم السلطة الفلسطينية لكي تباشر مهام الحكم بفعالية، ولكي تقوم بذلك وفقاً لالتزاماتها بموجب القانون الدولي.
أصحاب الجلالة والسمو والفخامة والمعالي،
إن الأساس الحقيقي للتعافي في غزة أكبر من الخرسانة والفولاذ.
إنه الكرامة وتقرير المصير والأمن.
وهذا يعني الالتزام بأساس القانون الدولي.
ويعني رفض أي شكل من أشكال التطهير العرقي.
ويعني بلورة حل سياسي.
فلن يكون هناك مستقبل مستدام لغزة إلا كجزء من دولة فلسطينية قابلة للحياة.
ولن يكون هناك تعافٍ إلا إذا انتهى الاحتلال.
ولن تكون هناك عدالة إلا إذا جرت المساءلة عن انتهاكات القانون الدولي.
ولن تكون هناك إعادة إعمار مستدامة إلا مع أفق سياسي واضح ومحكوم بمبادئ.
يجب أن يكون للشعب الفلسطيني الحق في أن يحكم نفسه بنفسه، وأن يرسم مستقبله بنفسه، وأن يعيش على أرضه في حرية وأمان.
ويجب القيام الآن بخطوات لا رجعة فيها نحو تحقيق حل الدولتين – قبل فوات الأوان.
إن الطريق الوحيد للسلام الدائم هو ذلك الذي فيه تعيش دولتان – إسرائيل وفلسطين – جنباً إلى جنب في سلام وأمن، بما يتماشى مع القانون الدولي وقرارات الأمم المتحدة ذات الصلة، وتكون فيه القدس عاصمةً للدولتين كلتيهما.
وأُعلن وقوف الأمم المتحدة إلى جانبكم في هذا الجهد الأساسي.
شكراً لكم.
Source: United Nations secretary general
The Secretary-General met with Mr. Ahmad Hussein al-Sharaa of Syria. They exchanged views about the historic opportunity to chart a new course for Syria as well as the challenges facing the country.
The Secretary-General took note of the important steps taken on the path of a political transition in Syria. He stressed the need for an inclusive transition, in the spirit of the key principles of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
The Secretary-General pledged UN support to the country’s recovery and to the people of Syria to meet their humanitarian needs.
The Secretary-General expressed concern about violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Source: United Nations 2
In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), insecurity and horrific sexual violence have left tens of thousands fleeing across borders with no sign of the exodus stopping, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday.
“Near the frontlines, sexual violence and human rights abuses remain rampant, as is the looting and destruction of civilian homes and businesses,” said Patrick Eba, Deputy Director of UNHCR’s Division of International Protection.
Speaking in Geneva, Mr. Eba told journalists that that North and South Kivu provinces remain unstable, with “hundreds of thousands of people on the move”.
Close to 80,000 people have fled armed clashes between Congolese Government forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels into neighbouring countries and some 61,000 have arrived in Burundi since January, Mr. Eba stressed.
A staggering 895 cases of rape were reported to humanitarian actors in the last two weeks of February alone, the UN refugee agency official continued – an average of more than 60 a day.
The UNHCR official highlighted other risks faced by civilians, including the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war to children and farmers trying to tend their fields. On Monday, the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) reported that armed men had raided at least two hospitals in North Kivu’s capital Goma, abducting dozens of patients.
The fighting has also impeded humanitarian access to people on the move. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has had to pause its aid operations in conflict-affected areas but was resuming emergency food assistance “in some parts of North Kivu” according to a post on social media platform X on Tuesday morning, aiming to reach over 210,000 people.
Inside North and South Kivu, “significant” population movements have continued, in line with reported M23 orders issued to internally displaced people (IDPs) to leave the camps around Goma, UNHCR’s Mr. Eba said.
“Today, only around 17,000 people are left residing in IDP sites, schools and churches around Goma, while an estimated 414,000 of their neighbours have been on the move for the past four weeks, encouraged by the de facto authorities to return to their villages of origin,” he explained.
Given the widespread insecurity in eastern DRC, “many more” people may need to cross borders in search of safety, Mr. Eba warned.
UNHCR’s position regarding returns to the area is that “Congolese nationals fleeing the conflict, as well as those who are outside the country, who originate from the areas affected by the conflict, may need refugee protection under international and regional legal frameworks,” he said.
The UNHCR official emphasized the importance of “informed decision-making” for any voluntary returns to conflict-affected areas.
Asked about the impact of the United States’ humanitarian funding freeze on operations in the country, UNHCR spokesperson Eujin Byun confirmed that the agency had received a waiver lifting the 90-day suspension for “a few emergency countries, including DRC”.
Assistance for the current crisis that was spawned by a decades-long conflict in the mineral-rich region had “always been underfunded”, she said, expressing hope that UNHCR will be able to “continue to support this emergency”.
There are over one million Congolese refugees across Africa, mainly in neighbouring countries. Uganda hosts more than half of that total, while Burundi has seen most new arrivals since January’s flash M23 offensive. Prior to the current crisis, some 6.7 million people were internally displaced within the DRC.
Source: United Nations secretary general
Download the vídeo: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+07+Feb+25/3336951_MSG+SG+TOKYO+CONFERENCE+2025+07+FEB+25.mp4
Excellencies, Dear Friends,
I am pleased to send warm greetings to the Tokyo Conference.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the founding of the United Nations.
This milestone is a crucial opportunity to reaffirm enduring principles that emerged from one of humanity’s darkest hours:
Peace through dialogue. Respect for human rights and international law. The promotion of social progress and sustainable development.
Japan is a leader in advancing these values and a pillar of multilateralism.
Your commitment to international cooperation stands as a powerful example of how nations can transform historical legacies into positive change.
As we look to our world today, we are confronted with myriad challenges – from multiplying conflicts to the raging climate crisis, from rampant inequalities to Artificial Intelligence without sufficient guardrails.
Your conference’s theme this year reminds us that global challenges demand global solutions.
In September, Member States of the United Nations adopted the Pact for the Future.
The Pact charts a bold course for reforming multilateral institutions for the 21st century;
It calls for reforming the Security Council and the international financial architecture – so every nation, large and small, has a voice in shaping our collective future.
It seeks to prioritize prevention, mediation and peacebuilding;
Enhance coordination with regional organizations;
And develop innovative approaches to emerging security challenges.
The Pact includes new strategies to end the use of chemical and biological weapons, the first global agreement on the international regulation of AI, and the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade.
As we prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we will continue to be guided by the inspiring example and vision of the hibakusha for a world free of nuclear weapons.
Excellencies,
By bringing together government leaders and diverse voices from around the world, the Tokyo Conference offers an important platform to advance the Pact’s objectives and drive multilateralism into the future.
Let us seize this moment to strengthen the foundations of trust, solidarity and cooperation and write a new chapter in our shared journey towards lasting peace, dignity and progress.
Thank you.
Source: United Nations MIL OSI
The country of Georgia has been certified malaria-free following a nearly century-long fight to combat the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday.
It now joins 45 countries and one territory that have achieved this milestone.
“Today we congratulate the people of Georgia for their decades of targeted and sustained actions to eliminate malaria, one of the world’s leading killers,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General.
Malaria is spread by some types of mosquitoes and is mostly found in tropical countries. The infection is caused by a parasite and does not spread from person to person. The disease is both preventable and curable.
Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening, Mild symptoms are fever, chills and headache, while severe ones include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
WHO certifies a country as malaria-free after it has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that transmission has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years.
Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said Georgia’s achievement “is a huge milestone worth marking” as it brings Europe another step closer to being certified as the first malaria-free region in the world.
“This doesn’t happen in a vacuum, this was made possible thanks to sustained investment, dedication of the health workforce and targeted efforts in prevention, early detection and effective treatment of all malaria cases,” he said.
Malaria has plagued Georgia since ancient times, WHO noted.
Before the introduction of systematic control efforts in the early 1900s, at least three malaria parasite species – P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. vivax – were endemic there. In the 1920s, roughly 30 per cent of the population suffered from malaria caused by the P. vivax malaria species.
By 1940, large-scale mosquito control programmes had helped reduce malaria cases significantly through improved access to diagnostic and treatment facilities. However, the Second World War caused cases to surge again due to population movement and the strain on health facilities.
During the post-war period, Georgia launched an intensive programme focused on eliminating malaria, using newer medicines, insecticide spraying and robust entomological surveillance. The campaign successfully interrupted the transmission of P. falciparum by 1953, P. malariae by 1960 and P. vivax by 1970.
The country remained malaria-free for 25 years, but by 2002 the disease had reemerged, with 474 cases reported.
In 2005, Georgia and nine other countries in the WHO European Region signed the Tashkent Declaration, reaffirming its pledge to eliminate malaria.
The intensified interventions that followed significantly reduced malaria incidence in Georgia, with the last indigenous case recorded in 2009. By 2015, all 53 countries of the WHO European Region, including Georgia, reported zero indigenous cases.
To prevent further re-establishment of malaria transmission in the region, the original signatories of the Tashkent Declaration issued the Ashgabat Statement in 2017, committing to take all efforts to remain malaria-free.
Türkiye is the only country in the WHO European Region still to be certified.
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
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