Category: Глобальная политика

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October 8, 2025 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: 83 percent of buildings in Gaza City were damaged, the Secretary-General spoke about the violence in Madagascar, more than 3 million children in Haiti need aid, and the detention of UN employees in Yemen.

The Gaza crisis

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that Israeli military operations are continuing in Gaza City, making the already dire humanitarian situation even more dangerous. The UN Satellite Centre published a preliminary analysis on Wednesday, according to which 83 percent of all structures in the city have been damaged, including approximately 81,000 housing units. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies on the ground warn that many people are unable to leave the northern enclave due to security conditions.

Protests in Madagascar

Secretary General Antonio Guterres The UN Secretary-General's press service stated today that he is closely monitoring the situation in Madagascar. Guterres is deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction that have occurred since the youth protests in the country began on September 25. He expresses his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and calls on the authorities to uphold international human rights standards. The Secretary-General also emphasizes that protests must proceed peacefully, with respect for human life, property, and the rule of law. The UN chief called for dialogue to develop a constructive path forward.

Children of Haiti

The number of children forced from their homes by violence in Haiti has nearly doubled in the past year. Currently, 680,000 young people are internally displaced, according to a new report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). A total of 3.3 million children—the highest number ever recorded—require humanitarian assistance. Cases of acute malnutrition, underage recruitment by armed groups, gender-based violence, and other child rights violations have increased.

UN staff in Yemen

UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric announced today at a press briefing in New York that, following the confirmation of another UN employee's detention in Yemen the previous day, the country announced his release today. According to the UN, the total number of UN staff members currently detained by the Houthis stands at 53. Some of them have been held since 2021.

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October 8, 2025 Peace and security

Two years after his son was taken hostage in a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, Yehuda Cohen continues to fight tirelessly for his release and for a lasting political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On October 7, 2023, Corporal Nimrod Cohen was guarding an area near Kibbutz Nirim, near the Gaza border, when his tank malfunctioned. Nimrod was captured, and his unit comrades were killed. His father received reliable information, including from some of the freed hostages, that his son was still alive and in Gaza. He was last seen in the Khan Yunis area.

"An Ordinary Boy"

"Nimrod is an ordinary boy," Yehuda told the United Nations News Service.

"We're not talking about Nimrod because he's a rock star, a pop star, or a sports star. He's an ordinary guy who did his duty to his country and served in the army, and he was unlucky," he adds.

The attackers killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign citizens. More than 250 people were taken hostage, including women, children, and the elderly. Eyewitnesses to the events of October 7 described rape, sexual torture, and inhumane treatment.

"The Hamas attack was not carried out to liberate any territory or to do anything for the benefit of the Palestinian people. It was a vile attack aimed at breaking Israeli morale," Cohen said.

After the incident, Yehuda, his wife Vicky, and son Yotam joined the families of other hostages. They called on international leaders to pressure Hamas and the Israeli government to reach a ceasefire and release the hostages. The Cohen family met with the UN Secretary-General. Antonio Guterresand other high-ranking UN officials in New York and Geneva. The hostages' families also appealed to countries such as France and the United States.

Two-state solution

Cohen stated that it was a constant struggle: marches, rallies, demonstrations on the streets of Israel, appearances in local and international media. All aimed at reaching out to world leaders and telling them that "pressure must be applied to both sides" of the conflict—the Israeli government and the militants.

“I even talk to the Palestinians,” he continued, emphasizing that the release of the hostages and the end of the conflict would benefit both Israel and the entire Middle East.

Israelis and Palestinians alike aspire to a normal life, which is not consistent with the extremist views of some members of the Israeli government or Hamas, he added.

"We want to live a normal life side by side, and the only way to achieve that is by reaching an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians so that in the future we can say 'Israel and Palestine'; that's a two-state solution. There is no other way," Cohen added.

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October 8, 2025 Economic development

Millions of people in Europe continue to face housing problems: according to a new study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), more than a third of the poorest families spend over 30 percent – and many spend as much as 45 percent – of their income on housing. Young families, the elderly, migrants, and single parents are particularly vulnerable.

More than 30 ministers and high-ranking officials from countries in the region, gathered in Geneva for the 86th session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing, and Land Management, intend to address these challenges. Participants reaffirmed that housing is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right, and committed to taking concrete steps to improve its affordability and sustainability.

"Affordable and sustainable housing are fundamental priorities," emphasized UNECE Executive Secretary Tatyana Molchan. "Our region is united in its commitment to addressing these issues through international cooperation, evidence-based policies, and, above all, equity and inclusiveness."

Martin Tschirren, Swiss Secretary of State and Director General of the Federal Housing Agency and chair of the meeting, added: “Without universal access to high-quality and affordable housing, social and economic problems arise that affect education, health, transport and the environment.”

Investments, new models and fair land policy

The ministers agreed to increase public investment in housing construction and expand social, cooperative, and public housing funds. Plans call for more active private financing through green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, community land trusts, and hybrid financial instruments.

Particular attention will be paid to regulating short-term tourist rentals to reduce speculation in the market, as well as to reforming land taxation to ensure a more equitable land policy.

Local government support and new approaches to construction

Reaffirming the commitments made this week at the 5th UN Forum of Mayors, ministers emphasized the need to strengthen the role of local authorities, which are at the forefront of addressing housing challenges. They must be provided with greater legal, political, and financial support to implement climate-resilient and affordable housing policies.

Particular attention will be paid to the modernization of existing housing stock, the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized urban areas, and new construction models that combine energy efficiency, innovative technologies, and climate change adaptation measures.

Transparency and accountability

To better understand the situation, countries in the region intend to more actively collect and share geospatial data, including 3D models of the built environment. The ministers reaffirmed that housing must remain an international priority – both within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Geneva Charter on Sustainable Housing.

The UNECE Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Land Management will report annually on progress achieved and agree on further steps.

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October 8, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Two years after the start of the war in Gaza, the World Health Organization is preparing for the "day after the conflict" and already has a "clear vision of where and how to move forward." This was stated by WHO Regional Director Hanan Balkhi, speaking to reporters on the eve of the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to Balkhi, amid the diplomatic efforts in Gaza, "there is finally a glimmer of hope that the end of the war is near."

The system is on the verge of collapse

According to the WHO, of the 36 hospitals in the sector, only 14 are functioning – and even then only partially, due to a lack of electricity, water, medicines, and damaged infrastructure.

The WHO, which provides all fuel supplies for hospitals and ambulances, has already delivered 17 million liters. However, as Balkhi emphasized, "much more is needed."

There is also an urgent need to deliver vital medications, from antibiotics to bandages.

Hunger and exhaustion

The situation is exacerbated by hunger and malnutrition. According to Palestinian authorities, 455 people have died of malnutrition since January, including 151 children, mostly under five. More than half a million residents are living in "famine-like conditions," and over a million more suffer from severe food shortages.

"Seven out of 10 pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, one in five babies is born underweight or premature, and infectious diseases are on the rise," Balkhi warned.

WHO and its partners are supporting specialized stabilization centers for treating severely malnourished children and are working to open additional facilities. However, as the organization's representative noted, long-term recovery requires "restoring food systems, water supply, and sanitation—the foundations of public health."

Destroyed clinics and exhausted medical staff

Of the 176 primary health centers, "only a third remain partially functional." The WHO regional director called for the urgent restoration of these facilities to restore "vaccinations, obstetric care, pharmacies, and psychosocial services" to the enclave's residents.

"Gaza's doctors, nurses, and paramedics are stretched to the limit, and they are also suffering losses. More than 1,700 healthcare workers have died since October 2023. Those who continue to work need protection, wages, and psychological support," Balkhi said.

"Better than before"

The WHO estimates that restoring the health sector will cost over $7 billion. These funds should be allocated to both the "humanitarian response and early recovery" and "long-term needs."

"This is a necessary investment in the peace and stability that health brings," Balkhi stressed, calling on donors to provide "flexible, predictable, and multi-year funding" that will allow Palestinian institutions to lead the process.

"When we carry out reconstruction work, we must work with the principle of 'building back better,'" the regional director noted. "Gaza's healthcare system must be more resilient and equitable than it was before the war."

She said hospitals should be equipped with renewable energy sources, clinics with clean water systems, and health information networks should be modernized to help "track disease outbreaks and plan further actions."

The WHO "remained and operated in Gaza throughout every bombing and power outage," Balkhi emphasized. The agency "became the primary provider of medicines and equipment," providing over 22 million treatment courses and surgeries, as well as arranging the evacuation of over 7,800 critically ill patients.

“We stood by Gaza’s medical workers when they had nothing left but courage – and we will stand by them now,” concluded the WHO regional director.

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October 8, 2025 Economic development

Seafood is one of the most in-demand food commodities on the planet. Per capita consumption has doubled since the 1960s, and this figure is projected to double again by 2050.

Rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, they play a key role in food security and provide a source of income for millions of people. However, behind the scenes of this thriving market lurks a disturbing trend: seafood adulteration.

Substituting expensive fish for cheaper ones, mislabeling origin, and selling defrosted fish as fresh—these are all examples of fraud that can occur at any stage of the supply chain. Such actions not only mislead consumers but also pose health risks, ranging from allergens and toxins to parasites and pathogens. Furthermore, mislabeling can conceal the fact that fish were caught in polluted areas or that endangered species were illegally harvested. In a globalized world of trade and increasingly complex supply chains, identifying such fraud is becoming increasingly difficult.

Coordinated Research Project

To counter this threat, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with the FAO, is launching a five-year coordinated research project (CRP). Its goal is to help countries strengthen food control systems and implement advanced analytical methods, including nuclear technology, to detect and prevent seafood fraud.

As part of the project, the IAEA proposes using a range of scientific approaches, starting with the analysis of stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen, which reflect the ecological conditions of the fish's habitat. This allows for the determination of the product's geographic origin and confirmation of its wild-caught origin. Combined with methods such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scientists can identify additives, differentiate species, and debunk attempts to pass off frozen fish as fresh.

Particular attention is being paid to proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics—techniques that allow the study of proteins, small molecules, and fats. This data helps not only with labeling verification but also in identifying food safety hazards. All collected characteristics will be included in reference databases, which will form the basis for digital traceability and control systems.

The CPI project builds on previous food authenticity verification initiatives and focuses on supporting low- and middle-income countries. It includes the development of standardized sampling and preparation protocols, the validation of analytical methods, and addressing knowledge gaps. A key part of the program will be training specialists, technology transfer, and the harmonization of national labeling regulations with international Codex Alimentarius standards.

Sustainable support for the industry

According to Debashish Mazumder, Project Manager for Food Origin Verification at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, this initiative offers a unique opportunity for countries to join forces to combat fraud and build trust in supply chains. Nuclear-derived seafood origin information can not only promote fair trade but also support the sustainable development of the industry.

Over the next five years, the IAEA plans to publish scientific reports and share the results with regulators and industry representatives. In the long term, the project aims not only to ensure the authenticity of seafood but also to support small-scale fisheries, combat illegal fishing, and strengthen fairness in global food chains.

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October 8, 2025 Refugees and migrants

"I saw people leaving, and I joined them," says 88-year-old Yuri, recalling the day he left Ukraine. "I came to Moldova alone, without family or children to turn to," he adds.

Yuri spends most of his time in the courtyard of the Mental Health Center in Chisinau, the largest in the country. The center receives support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency.

Here, the retiree participates in therapeutic sessions that help him cope with his feelings and maintain mental balance. Yuri feels very lonely, but socializing with others at the center brings him relief. "I feel good here, but everything in Moldova is new to me," he says. "Sometimes it's fun at the center. I socialize with people, but I don't have many friends. Maybe it's because I'm getting old."

One of Yuriy's neighbors in the center is 73-year-old Ana, who often sits next to her 79-year-old friend Alla. Ana is originally from Moldova, but before the war she lived in Odessa, where she worked as a cleaner at the university.

"I liked cleaning," she says. "When I was a kid, I always helped my mom because she needed help, and I had a younger brother."

When full-scale war broke out, Ana's family persuaded her to return to Chisinau. Despite being reunited with her relatives, she felt anxious and depressed. She reluctantly agreed to see a psychologist.

© IOM/R. Severi

Ana (center) in a therapy session.

“I was in a really bad place,” she says. “At first, I didn’t want to go to this center, but in the end, I’m here.”

Ana was hospitalized in July 2023 with severe anxiety and insomnia. In the first weeks, she attended individual and group counseling sessions, art therapy, went for outdoor walks, and played team games. Gradually, her strength returned. She became more sociable, her sleep improved, and her mood lifted.

“I found my home here,” Ana says. “Now I’m not afraid anymore.”

25-year-old Margarita, known to her friends as Margo, is also undergoing therapy at the center. Originally from Ukraine, she moved to Moldova about a year ago. She has struggled with eating disorders since the age of 15.

A few months ago, her condition worsened, she realized that she could no longer cope on her own and sought help.

Back home, Margot was a mathematics teacher and analyst. The war left her unemployed and living far from her family. Every day was filled with a sense of uncertainty and insecurity.

"I never wanted to ask my family for help because I thought I was strong," she says. "I was wrong. When I came here, I realized there are people ready to support me. Never be afraid to ask for help," Margot adds.

In the first days of the war in February 2022, thousands of people crossed the Ukrainian-Moldovan border in search of safety.

"The authorities have mobilized various sectors to coordinate the response, including preparing psychological support measures," said Arkady Astrakhan, director of the Chisinau Mental Health Center, in anticipation of World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 10.

© IOM/R. Severi

IOM experts help elderly Ukrainians get the help they need.

Since 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, has been supporting the center, expanding its range of specialized mental health and psychosocial support services for refugees from Ukraine. These include mobile teams, psychiatric and psychological counseling, social activities, art therapy, housing for the elderly and people with disabilities, and a drug addiction rehabilitation program.

Currently, IOM provides nearly 90 percent of the center's services and helps train staff, including in managing complex cases. Patients with chronic or severe mental disorders still face significant challenges in accessing care.

"IOM has played a vital role in addressing these gaps," says Astrakhan. "Supporting people with such needs can be challenging, but at the same time, incredibly important."

Just an hour's drive from Chisinau, in Orhei, lies the Community Mental Health Center, renovated by IOM teams. There, the organization's experts work with people with severe mental disorders.

Since the beginning of the war, 1,080 Ukrainians have received specialized psychological support through IOM programs in Moldova. Peer-to-peer initiatives have become a key element of this support. Ukrainians with medical training or relevant life experience assist their compatriots.

In Moldova's community centers, support takes many forms. For Yuri, the most important thing is communication, which helps him feel less alone. For others, it's therapy sessions or even just the knowledge that help is nearby. Their stories remind us that even in the shadow of war, healing is possible.

*This article was prepared based on materials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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October 7, 2025 Climate and environment

Amid rising clean energy trends, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for countries to accelerate the transition away from global warming-causing fossil fuels. His remarks came after the publication of two reports on Tuesday confirming that the "renewable energy revolution" is advancing at an unprecedented pace.

For the first time in history, renewable energy sources have generated more electricity than coal, according to a new report from Ember, a think tank that focuses on accelerating the transition to clean energy.

Energy Transition in Action

In the first half of this year, solar and wind power output outpaced global electricity demand growth, leading to a slight decline in coal and gas's share compared to the same period in 2024.

This was a "key turning point," said Ember senior energy analyst Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka.

"Solar and wind power are now growing fast enough to meet the growing global demand for electricity. This marks the beginning of a phase where clean energy is keeping pace with demand growth," she said.

Solar energy is the engine of growth

In another report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said that installed renewable energy capacity continues to grow and will double by 2030.

The agency forecasts that global renewable energy capacity will increase by 4,600 gigawatts – “roughly the same as the combined installed capacity of China, the European Union, and Japan.”

The growth is driven primarily by rapid advances in solar photovoltaic technology, which converts sunlight into energy: it will account for about 80 percent of the increase, followed by wind, hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal energy.

"A better future for all"

Commenting on this news, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote on social media: “The future of clean energy is no longer a distant promise – it is already here.”

He called on the global community to “seize this historic opportunity and inject new momentum into the global transition to a better future for all.”

The reports echo the findings of the Secretary-General's report presented in July. "Moment of Opportunity".

They also reflect the statements of world leaders on Climate summit, which took place in September as part of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP30), which will be held in Brazil in November of this year.

However, the UN chief has repeatedly emphasized that, despite the progress achieved, the energy transition is not yet happening fast enough and is not proceeding under fair enough conditions.

Efforts must therefore be stepped up if the world is to achieve the goal of keeping global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.

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October 7, 2025 Peace and security

Renewed fighting in Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique has forced 22,000 people to flee their homes in just one week, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday.

The conflict in Cabo Delgado began in 2017. It is waged by armed groups known locally as al-Shabaab, which is unrelated to the Somali movement of the same name. The violence has led to a severe crisis, exacerbated by recurring cyclones, floods, and droughts.

For the first time since the fighting began, all 17 districts of Cabo Delgado were affected. In 2025, more than 100,000 local residents were forced to flee their homes. In total, according to UNHCR, more than 1.3 million people have been displaced, many of whom have fled their homes multiple times. Some of those who previously hosted displaced people are now forced to flee themselves.

Civilians continue to be targeted, with reports of killings, abductions and sexual violence, and children face the risk of forced recruitment to fight.

Women and girls at greatest risk

Women and girls are particularly vulnerable, for example when collecting water or firewood, while people with disabilities and older people are often unable to escape danger. Many have experienced severe trauma and urgently need psychosocial support, UNHCR added.

Violence has increased sharply this year, with more than 500 incidents recorded by August – more than during peak periods in 2022. Violence has included assaults, kidnappings, and destruction of homes and infrastructure.

The healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.

The humanitarian consequences of the crisis are compounded by the virtual collapse of the healthcare system in the north of the country. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 60 percent of healthcare facilities in the worst-hit areas are non-functional due to insecurity, looting, and the displacement of staff.

Vital services, including maternity care, HIV treatment and emergency services, have been critically disrupted.

In the city of Mocimboa da Praia, the only hospital has less than 10 percent of its staff – mostly volunteers trying to keep the emergency department and maternity ward open.

Humanitarian organizations are warning of a growing threat of disease spread, with the onset of the rainy season expected to see an increase in cases of malaria and cholera.

Acute lack of funding

This year's health sector response plan is only 11 percent funded, leading to critical shortages of essential medicines.

UNHCR also faces a significant funding shortfall: of the $352 million needed, the agency has received only $66 million. This severely limits its response capacity, while needs are only growing.

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October 7, 2025 Economic development

Economic growth in Europe and Central Asia has slowed, but the region remains resilient despite global and domestic challenges, according to a new World Bank report.

In 2025, the region's economic growth is likely to be 2.4 percent, down from 3.7 percent in 2024. The main reason is the slowdown in Russia, which accounts for approximately 40 percent of the region's output. Excluding Russia, growth will remain stable at approximately 3.3 percent this year and next.

According to Antonella Bassani, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, countries need to implement reforms to boost productivity, create more jobs, and adapt to population changes. To do this, it's important to develop private enterprise, improve education, and strengthen ties with other countries. It's also essential to attract more private investment and transform low-wage positions into full-time, sustainable jobs.

The report emphasizes that investments in infrastructure, education and training, and support for entrepreneurship are the foundation for accelerating economic growth. To create more and better jobs, countries need to invest in human development and improving working conditions. Unleashing the underutilized potential of women and youth is particularly important. This will help offset the expected decline in the labor force—projected to fall by 17 million in the coming decades, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe and the Western Balkans.

At the same time, the number of people of working age will grow in Central Asia and Turkey, creating other challenges—for example, the need to provide employment for everyone. However, development is hampered by issues such as weak competition, small businesses that rarely grow, a lack of funding, outdated education systems, and the large number of state-owned companies that hinder business development.

Ivaylo Izvorski, the World Bank's Chief Economist for the region, believes that each country can find its own path by leveraging its strengths—its people, infrastructure, and natural resources. Focusing on job creation and skills development will help countries achieve sustainable economic growth.

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October 7, 2025 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: the second anniversary of the attacks on Israel, new detentions of UN staff in Yemen, a rise in climate change-related litigation, World Cotton Day.

Anniversary of the attacks on Israel

October 7 marks two years since the attacks on Israel by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. On this occasion, the UN Secretary-General made a statement, in which he honored the memory of the victims, expressed solidarity with the victims and once again demanded the immediate release of all hostages and an end to the bloodshed. According to Antonio GuterresThe events of that day will forever remain etched in people's memories: the attackers brutally murdered more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign citizens. More than 250 people, including women, children, and the elderly, were taken hostage and taken to the Gaza Strip. These events were followed by military action, which led to a humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave.

Detention of UN staff in Yemen

The UN reported new cases of arbitrary detention of UN staff in Yemen by Houthi forces, bringing the total number of detained UN personnel to 54. Some have been in detention since 2021. UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned these actions, as well as the illegal seizure of UN premises and property in Houthi-controlled areas. The statement noted that such actions hinder the work of humanitarian services and threaten the safety of staff. The whereabouts of the detainees are unknown, and the de facto Houthi authorities continue to deny access to them, despite repeated requests from the UN.

Climate litigation

Number climate-related litigation, is growing rapidly, and they are affecting an increasing number of countries. This trend is noted by the authors of a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University. Among the most significant decisions highlighted in the document is the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which affirms the obligations of states to combat climate change. In total, as of June 30, 2025, according to the report, 3,099 climate-related cases were registered worldwide – in 55 countries and 24 international or regional judicial and quasi-judicial bodies. This is significantly more than in 2022 (2,180 cases) and in 2017 (884 cases).

Cotton Day

October 7th – World Cotton DayThis year, the Day focuses on the vast opportunities offered by the cotton sector, including its crucial contribution to international trade and inclusive economic growth. Cotton plays a vital role in the global economy, social sustainability, and international trade. It provides livelihoods for over 100 million families worldwide and helps address key sustainable development challenges. The cotton industry creates jobs, particularly in rural areas, empowers women and youth, and promotes local processing.

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