Category: Глобальная политика

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October 16, 2025 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Secretary-General on the change of government in Madagascar, clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, World Food Day.

The situation in Gaza

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Deputy Secretary-General Tom Fletcher, while traveling from Cairo to Rafah, emphasized the importance of this route for delivering essential aid to Gaza. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes that while the Rafah crossing is closed, organizations are forced to make a lengthy detour to deliver supplies from Egypt and undergo security checks on the Israeli side at the Kerem Shalom crossing. Fletcher emphasized the need to open all crossings, which, according to him, will allow for an expansion of the scale of aid and facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies.

Instability in Madagascar

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Strongly condemned the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and called for the restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law in the country. The UN chief called on all parties, including youth, to join forces to address the root causes of instability. He reaffirmed the Organization's commitment to supporting efforts to achieve this goal and noted the African Union's decision to immediately suspend Madagascar from all its bodies and institutions until constitutional order is restored.

Afghanistan and Pakistan

The UN Secretary-General is concerned by reports of armed clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. António Guterres welcomes the announcement temporary suspension of fire, and calls on the parties to agree on a lasting cessation of hostilities and engage in dialogue to protect civilians and prevent further casualties. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported receiving credible reports of more than 30 civilian deaths and hundreds of casualties, including women and children.

Food Day

In his address on the occasion of World Food DayOn World Food Day, celebrated on October 16, the UN Secretary-General called for international solidarity in the fight against hunger and strengthening food security. According to the UN chief, despite significant progress achieved over the past eight decades, 673 million people worldwide go to bed hungry. Even more live in insecurity due to food shortages. Progress in the fight against hunger has slowed, and in some regions, we are seeing setbacks.

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October 16, 2025 Humanitarian aid

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher headed to Rafah after his visit to Cairo. He noted the importance of this route for delivering aid to the Gaza Strip.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which Fletcher leads, reports that supplies from Egypt are still arriving via a bypass route and are being inspected on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. Opening the Rafah crossing will ensure more timely delivery of aid. Fletcher emphasized the need to open all crossings to expand humanitarian operations.

Speaking to reporters in Cairo yesterday, he stressed that humanitarian organizations had been preparing for this moment and now need full access to deliver the necessary volumes of aid.

The humanitarian community will not be able to provide assistance on the scale required without cooperation with international NGOs, the UN also stated.

"The Israeli authorities are currently denying visas to a number of international NGOs and preventing many of them from sending supplies to the Gaza Strip. At the same time, humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip continue to make the most of the opportunities afforded them by the ceasefire," UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said at a press briefing in New York.

On Tuesday alone, UN partners distributed nearly 960,000 meals through 175 canteens, and UN-supported bakeries produced over 200,000 kilograms of bread. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) provided families in Gaza with over a million diapers. And three World Health Organization (WHO) trucks delivered medical supplies, including surgical ones, from their warehouse in Deir el-Balah to Gaza City.

Read also:

The Middle East: A Moment of Great, but Fragile, Hope

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that these will be donated to Al-Shifa Hospital and used to treat 10,000 people. WHO also deployed an international emergency medical team to strengthen orthopedic surgery and trauma care in Gaza. WHO teams have opened two new operating rooms in Gaza and plan to add an additional 120 beds to Al-Shifa Hospital.

OCHA reports that teams from various UN agencies have completed clearing the main roads leading to the Erez and Zikim crossings in the north of the Strip.

"Today our teams are checking the Salah ad-Din road, which has not been used for several months," Dujarric said.

The UN also continues to deliver supplies, including flour, food parcels and personal hygiene items, to the Kisufim and Kerem Shalom crossings.

Staff from several UN agencies visited the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, which was severely damaged by the recent military operation. Residents are attempting to return to their homes and clearing debris.

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October 16, 2025 Peace and security

The United Nations on Thursday called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to completely end armed clashes and ensure the protection of civilians.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) issued a statement welcoming a ceasefire announced Wednesday after a week of violent border clashes and airstrikes in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Afghanistan has been under Taliban rule since 2021, and relations between the neighboring countries have deteriorated since then. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who carry out attacks on its territory, something the de facto authorities deny.

Stop the violence

UNAMA reported that it had received credible reports of significant civilian casualties, including women and children, as a result of the violence.

The highest death toll was recorded in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, where fierce fighting took place between Taliban security forces and Pakistani troops on Wednesday.

While the UN mission is still confirming the exact number of casualties, preliminary information indicates that at least 17 people have been killed and another 346 injured in the area.

At least one civilian was killed and 15 others injured in earlier border clashes in Paktika, Paktia, Kunar and Helmand provinces.

"UNAMA calls on all parties to fully cease hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further casualties," the statement said.

The parties were also reminded of their obligations to respect the fundamental principles of distinction between targets of attack, proportionality and precautions to prevent civilian casualties in accordance with international law.

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October 16, 2025 Humanitarian aid

More than 212,000 children in Afghanistan are at risk of contracting acute watery diarrhea and other dangerous waterborne diseases, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The increased risk of infection outbreaks is linked to consequences of the earthquake, which occurred on August 31 in eastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan.

The tremors destroyed water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in the affected areas.

"The earthquake destroyed homes and claimed many lives, and now threatens to take even more through disease," said UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Tajudeen Oyewale.

He noted that children in the affected areas live in overcrowded camps or temporary shelters without access to toilets and safe water.

"These are 'perfect' conditions for an impending health disaster," Oyewale stressed.

Diseases that can be prevented

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acute watery diarrhea is one of the three leading causes of death among children under five years of age, claiming the lives of more than 400,000 children each year.

At the same time, as the WHO notes, the disease can be prevented with clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene products – these are the basic conditions now thousands of families in Afghanistan are displaced.

According to UNICEF, the earthquake destroyed 132 water sources, leaving many families without access to handwashing or safe water. In 80 percent of communities, people are forced to relieve themselves outdoors, as most toilets were also destroyed. The lack of soap and other hygiene products increases the risk of infection.

Health facilities are already reporting an increase in cases of dehydration and skin diseases, UNICEF warns.

Funding is urgently needed

UNICEF supports communities in over 60 countries, helping prevent diseases and improve sanitation. In affected areas of Afghanistan, the agency installs temporary latrines, distributes hygiene kits, and delivers drinking water by tanker truck, while simultaneously rebuilding damaged water systems.

However, according to the organization, donors have only provided half of the $21.6 million needed for the emergency response. UNICEF is calling on international partners to provide funds quickly.

The World Food Programme (WFP) also is experiencing a funding shortage – amounting to $622 million over the next six months. WFP operations are at risk not only in Afghanistan, but also in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Currently, less than 10 percent of the millions of Afghans in need receive WFP food assistance.

UNICEF and its partners warn that without urgent investment, efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe will be on the brink of collapse.

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October 16, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Nearly 14 million people could face acute food insecurity by the end of the year, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned. This is due to a sharp reduction in humanitarian funding. Six of WFP's most critical operations are at risk.

This concerns aid programs in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, where the organization's work is already being disrupted and the situation will only worsen.

“Every cut in rations means a child goes to bed hungry, a mother goes without food, and a family loses the support they need to survive,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

Record hunger levels

The current crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of record levels of global hunger319 million people worldwide face acute food insecurity, with 44 million of them on the brink of starvation. Sudan and Gaza have already registered full-scale famine.

This year, WFP will receive 40 percent less funding than last year, with a projected budget of $6.4 billion compared to $10 billion in 2024.

"We risk losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger," McCain stressed.

“Even hard-won gains – such as in the Sahel region, where 500,000 people have been lifted off humanitarian aid through integrated food support and sustainable development programmes – could be undone without the necessary funding,” she added.

Critical operations are at risk

Funding cuts could push 13.7 million people currently receiving food assistance into emergency situations, according to a new WFP report.

In Afghanistan, less than 10 percent of those in need receive food, despite rising malnutrition rates.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, famine has reached record levels: a quarter of the country's population—28 million people—are experiencing food insecurity. This month, 2.3 million people were supposed to be fed, but due to resource shortages, only 600,000 will receive aid, and by February, supplies may cease altogether.

Read also:

The UN Secretary-General called for global unity in the fight against hunger.

In Haiti, hot meal programs have already been suspended, and families are receiving only half the standard monthly ration.

In Somalia, 2.2 million people received support last year, but in November only 350,000 people in need will receive it.

In South Sudan, WFP is currently distributing reduced rations, and domestic stocks of some foods are running low.

In Sudan, where civil war is raging, WFP provides assistance to 4 million people every month, but 25 million – half the country's population – suffer from acute food insecurity.

Lack of reserves

The organization notes that the cuts have even impacted preparedness efforts. For the first time in nearly a decade, Haiti lacks reserve stocks for the hurricane season, while in Afghanistan, food supplies could not be stocked in warehouses ahead of the onset of winter.

“The devastating impact of food aid cuts not only threatens lives, but also undermines stability, leads to displacement, and could trigger broader social and economic disruption,” McCain warned.

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October 16, 2025 Peace and security

In his message on World Food Day, celebrated on 16 October, the UN Secretary-General called for international solidarity in the fight against hunger and strengthening food security.

This year's theme, "Hand in Hand for Better Nutrition and a Better Future," reflects the need for collaborative efforts at all levels, from governments to local communities.

According to the UN chief, despite significant progress achieved over the past eight decades, 673 million people worldwide go to bed hungry. Even more live in insecurity due to food shortages. Progress in the fight against hunger has slowed, and in some regions, progress is being reversed.

Other challenges include rising obesity, climate change, and the use of hunger as a weapon in armed conflict. "It is a shameful and horrifying reality that in times of war, people are starved en masse," the Secretary-General noted.

The UN chief emphasized that humanity has everything it needs—knowledge, technology, and resources—to end hunger. "We only need one thing: unity," he declared.

In closing his address, the Secretary-General called on the global community to take decisive action: “Let us unite once again to build food systems that feed people and protect the planet.”

Read also:

EXPLAIN | Why are more than 670 million people in the world hungry?

In 2025, they also celebrate 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), established in 1945 to combat hunger and ensure food availability throughout the world.

Global challenges require joint solutions

Modern agricultural and food systems are facing unprecedented challenges. Conflicts, the impacts of extreme climate events, economic shocks, and inequality are undermining access to food and the sustainability of supplies.

“The lands we farm, the water we depend on, and the biodiversity we depend on for life are under increasing pressure,” FAO notes.

While the agri-food sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, it can also play a key role in combating climate change by changing the way we produce, store, and distribute food.

FAO emphasizes that achieving food security requires the combined efforts of governments, organizations, the private sector, and civil society. Only by working hand in hand—across borders, sectors, and generations—can humanity transform agricultural and food systems so that everyone has access to healthy food and can live in harmony with nature.

Events in Rome and around the world

Home ceremony to mark World Food Day takes place on October 16 at FAO headquarters in Rome, where a new Museum of Food and AgricultureThe museum's interactive exhibition will explore a world where everyone has the right to food, through the language of cuisine, art, science, and innovation. The museum will be available for both in-person and online visitors.

In the afternoon, an international discussion on "The Future of Food: Conversations for a Fairer World" will bring together FAO leaders, chefs, activists, thought leaders, and representatives from other organizations. Participants will discuss how to connect local initiatives with global action to reform food systems.

Particular attention is paid to youth. On October 17, an interactive event for schoolchildren aged 9-14 will take place, featuring young activists, athletes, musicians, and innovators. The program includes discussions about the future of food, creative performances, art projects, and musical numbers.

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Dina Neskorozhana

October 15, 2025 International law

Imagine visiting the website of a familiar hardware store. Everything looks familiar—same design, same brand name, same interface. You calmly place your order, pay—and only then notice a small change: just one letter in the website address has changed.

It's easy to fall into the trap of online scammers. It's fortunate if the amount was small and the bank acted quickly—returning the money and reissuing the card. But not everyone is so lucky: in some countries, recovering stolen funds is virtually impossible.

When you can lose everything with one click

A bankruptcy lawyer told UN News Service that more and more people are being forced to file for bankruptcy after losing money to cybercrime.

Any one of us can become a victim of a cyberattack, no matter where we live, and everyone deserves protection and support.

While some countries still don't clearly define cybercrime as a criminal offense, lack international legal assistance, and have varying approaches to investigating such cases, cybercrime itself is rapidly evolving. It has evolved from isolated attacks by lone hackers into large-scale operations by criminal networks. The internet and new technologies, including artificial intelligence, allow criminals to act faster, reach victims worldwide, and commit crimes with virtually no human intervention.

From autonomous cyberattacks and deepfake images to AI-optimized malware and phishing campaigns, the abuse of new technologies is challenging traditional cybercrime investigation and prevention systems.

Phishing is the leader in digital crime.

The most common cybercrime today is phishing, where victims are tricked into revealing passwords or financial information through fake websites or emails.

Even inexperienced attackers can now use ready-made "phishing kits" to instantly create realistic clones of major brand websites and send convincing fraudulent messages.

In recent years, billions of stolen login and password combinations have appeared on the dark web. This data is used for so-called brute-force attacks—automated attempts to log in to thousands of websites simultaneously.

New line of defense

This chapter of digital history may soon be turned. In December 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime—the first international criminal justice treaty in over twenty years.

The adoption of the document was the result of five years of negotiations by UN member states with the participation of experts, representatives of civil society, academia, and the private sector. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the adoption of the Convention a "decisive step" in global efforts to protect online privacy. Next week, the Convention will be opened for signature at an official ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam. It will enter into force 90 days after ratification by forty states.

When the rules are the same

The new document creates a common international framework for combating cybercrime. It introduces uniform definitions, investigative standards, and victim assistance mechanisms, including compensation, reparations, and the removal of illegal content.

States will implement these measures in accordance with their own laws, but within the framework of agreed-upon international principles. And perhaps this Convention will usher in a new era, when one extra letter in a website's address will no longer cost you everything.

Read more about the significance of the Convention on Cybercrime in our article.

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October 15, 2025 Humanitarian aid

In recent days, military action has resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, across Ukraine. UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric stated this at a press briefing on Wednesday.

"On October 13, a hospital in Kharkiv sustained serious damage, injuring seven patients, forcing an evacuation," Dujarric reported, adding that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the hospital's roof was destroyed, windows were broken, and medical equipment was damaged. Nearly 100 patients had to be transferred to other facilities.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, which visited the scene, reported that approximately 120 patients and 10 medical workers were in the hospital when the glide bomb fell. UN humanitarian agencies and their partners helped organize the evacuation of patients and provided hot meals to the injured.

Citing humanitarian agencies, Dujarric noted that the conflict has had a devastating impact on Ukraine's healthcare system. "The country accounts for almost half of all confirmed attacks on healthcare facilities globally this year. The WHO recorded 448 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine in 2025—out of 1,070 globally," Dujarric said.

Evacuation from the Kupyansk district

Meanwhile, amid the escalation of hostilities, authorities announced the mandatory evacuation of families with children from 40 villages in the Kupyansk district of the Kharkiv region. In total, more than 600 children are expected to be relocated. "Humanitarian organizations are supporting the evacuation by providing safe transportation and assistance at transit points and collective accommodation centers," the press secretary reported.

Dujarric also recalled that UN humanitarian agencies and their partners continue to support the response across the country. Between January and August of this year, 3.2 million people received support in areas such as water, heating, sanitation, and hygiene. This included repairing water systems serving 1.3 million people and providing emergency water supplies to 800,000 people.

During the cold season, water is needed not only for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene, but also for heating, the UN emphasizes.

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October 15, 2025 UN

UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented a package of proposals aimed at enhancing the Organization's effectiveness and improving coordination in three key areas: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

Speaking at the General Assembly meeting on UN80 reform, Guterres stressed the need for structural changes and programmatic review across the UN system.

“My vision for the UN system is clear: it must work as one to achieve better results by overcoming fragmentation, eliminating duplication of functions, improving funding models and strengthening synergies,” the Secretary-General said.

He noted that the UN needs a more coordinated, flexible and cost-effective approach "to ensure that the resources entrusted to us bring maximum benefit to the people for whom we exist."

A new team to implement reforms

As part of the reforms, Guterres announced the creation of a special team to implement the UN80 initiative, which will submit proposals to intergovernmental bodies for consideration and implement them within the authority of the Secretary-General.

"The final direction of the UN80 initiative depends on you, the Member States of the United Nations," Guterres told country representatives.

The UN80 initiative, marking the organization's 80th anniversary, aims to optimize the Organization's work, increase its effectiveness, and reaffirm the relevance of the UN mission in a rapidly changing world.

Three directions of reform

Strengthening the UN's effectiveness is the third of three areas created to guide the reform process.

The first focus is on modernizing management processes and improving the efficiency of the Secretariat and the entire UN system, including by consolidating administrative platforms, relocating some offices to more cost-effective regions, and reducing real estate costs while maintaining key programs. The first proposals have already been included in the revised 2026 budget estimates, which are being considered by the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. Decisions are expected by December 2025.

The second area is a review of the full life cycle of UN mandates with the aim of enhancing coherence, accountability, and effectiveness. The relevant recommendations are currently under consideration by an informal working group of the General Assembly, co-chaired by Jamaica and New Zealand. This review phase will also continue until the end of 2025.

Changes in structure and approaches

The UN chief's proposals include consolidating and restructuring peace and security teams at UN headquarters in New York, as well as transforming special political missions in Yemen, Cyprus, and Central Africa.

A possible merger of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is also being considered, which Guterres said would “create a more powerful engine for sustainable development with greater reach and potential.”

Another proposal concerns the merger of UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to form “a unified and more powerful voice for gender equality and the rights of women and girls.”

"Reforms in the name of serving the people"

Before the Secretary-General's report, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock addressed Member States. She emphasized that the reforms proposed in the report require the active participation of all countries.

Calling UN reform "more than just cost-cutting," Baerbock described it as "a project to improve efficiency, flexibility, and the use of advanced technology."

At the same time, she warned that, despite the difficult financial situation, Member States must not forget their responsibility to the people for whom the UN exists.

"We cannot sacrifice the principles of this organization for the sake of 'financial balance,'" Baerbock said.

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October 15, 2025 Humanitarian aid

According to the UN, more than eight percent of the global population—approximately 673 million people—suffer from hunger. Yet, the world has enough food to feed more than 8 billion people.

Conflict, climate change, inequality and other factors play a role in this imbalance.

Ahead of World Food Day, celebrated on October 16, we share five key facts about why people continue to go hungry.

1. Conflicts and political instability

Armed conflicts in hotspots such as Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza are disrupting food production, supply chains, and access to markets. This also leads to the displacement of people, exacerbating acute food shortages.

In Haiti, an estimated 5.7 million people – about half the population, many of whom have fled their homes because of violence – are facing food shortages, and 1.9 million are already in a state of emergency.

© VRR/T. Berkbeck

WFP is distributing food to residents of the gang-hit Cité Soleil district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

In conflict zones, the UN, primarily through the World Food Programme (WFP), provides emergency food assistance to populations. Affected communities also receive seeds, livestock, and farming tools so they can grow their own food and not rely on aid.

2. Climate change and extreme weather conditions

Increasing climate instability, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, is seriously disrupting farmers' livelihoods and undermining agricultural productivity. As a result, food is becoming less accessible, especially in the most vulnerable regions.

Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, and Ethiopia are facing severe food insecurity caused by a combination of conflict, drought, floods, and desertification. Somalia, for example, is experiencing its worst drought in four decades, in addition to years of conflict and mass displacement.

© UNICEF/Z.Sevunet

A boy rolls a container of water in Dollow, near the Somali-Ethiopian border.

The UN is promotingclimate-resilient agricultural practicesto mitigate the impact of environmental shocks and adapt to new weather conditions.

3. Economic shocks and inflation

Global and regional economic downturns, rising food and energy prices, and inflation have reduced purchasing power and availability of nutritious foods, particularly in low-income countries.

Pandemic COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and climate change all contributed to rising food prices between 2020 and 2024.

At the same time, as a result of falling real wages and rising inflation, people, especially in low-income countries, are increasingly unable to afford nutritious food and are eating fewer meals per day.

During periods of economic shock and inflation, the UN expands the distribution of food rations and nutritional supplements, and provides cash transfers to help families buy food locally, supporting both nutrition and the local economy.

4. Structural poverty and inequality

Deeply rooted poverty and social inequality limit people's access to food and resources, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.

Low incomes, poor infrastructure and limited local services often mean that vulnerable groups – such as women and indigenous peoples – lack access to adequate food supplies.

According to the UN, nearly 700 million people worldwide live in extreme poverty, with two-thirds of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

© WFP/Arete/D. Onafuwa

A two-year-old girl receives nutritional supplements at a health centre in northern Nigeria.

UN agencies are working to strengthen social protection systems and shift from crisis-focused humanitarian aid to a model in which low-income countries build their own inclusive and resilient systems. This approach enables communities to reduce hunger, develop local capacities, and improve long-term food security.

5. Trading disruptions and market volatility

Export restrictions, tariffs, and volatile commodity prices can destabilize food markets, making food less available and too expensive.

For example, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are struggling with food price volatility and debt crises. These problems are exacerbated by trade policy uncertainty, particularly global tariffs and inflation. Ultimately, this limits people's access to affordable food.

© IFSD/G.Akash

In Bangladesh, farmers are growing crops that are more resilient to climate change.

Brazil and Mexico have seen their economic growth forecasts revised downwards due to trade tensions and inflation. This is straining consumer finances, particularly among the poorest communities, who are losing access to food.

The UN is providing support to affected countries by monitoring global prices, providing policy advice, and coordinating international efforts to help countries cope with interconnected crises in food, energy, and finance. These efforts are aimed at stabilizing markets and protecting vulnerable populations.

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