Category: Объединенные Нации

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March 7, 2026 Peace and security

The UN expresses serious concern about the sharp deterioration of the situation in Lebanon following the resumption of hostilities and calls on the parties to immediately de-escalate and comply Security Council resolution 1701.

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert stated that just a week ago, the country was showing signs of gradual progress. The Lebanese army was consolidating state control, preparations for parliamentary elections were underway, reforms were being discussed, and a World Bank loan was expected to support reconstruction.

"That progress has now come to a screeching halt," she noted.

According to a UN representative, the country was once again plunged into a wave of violence and instability on Monday morning. People who had only recently returned to their homes are once again left homeless, and tensions continue to mount.

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EXPLAINING | Security Council Resolution 1701, the Blue Line, and UNIFIL

"The question is crystal clear: continue the path of destruction and loss of life, or choose restraint, engagement and dialogue," Hennis-Plasschaert said.

She said Security Council Resolution 1701 remains the internationally recognized framework for ending the cycles of violence between Lebanon and Israel, but it has not been fully implemented.

Attack on UN peacekeepers

Amid rising tensions, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He also condemned the shelling of a UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) position in the southwest of the country on March 6, which wounded three Ghanaian peacekeepers.

The Secretary-General wished the victims a speedy and full recovery.

The statement stressed that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be respected at all times, and that those responsible for such incidents must be held accountable.

The UN reiterated its call on all parties to immediately de-escalate and fully comply with their obligations under Security Council Resolution 1701.

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March 6, 2026 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: the Secretary-General warned of the danger of uncontrolled escalation in the Middle East, a UNOPS tanker was damaged by an attack, Anne Hathaway will speak at the UN on International Women's Day, and average food prices rose for the first time in five months.

Escalation in the Middle East

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern today about the ongoing escalation of violence in the Middle East, emphasizing that "unlawful attacks" are causing enormous suffering to civilians. He stated that such actions pose a serious threat to the global economy, particularly to the most vulnerable populations. The Secretary-General warned that the situation could spiral out of control if the escalation continues. He called on the parties to immediately cease hostilities and move to serious negotiations, emphasizing that the stakes are extremely high.

Attack on UN ship

The head of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva, called for an investigation following the attack yesterday on an agency tanker en route to collect fuel for humanitarian operations in Gaza. The vessel was struck from the sea and damaged, but no one was injured. The UNOPS chief reiterated that humanitarian workers take risks every day to deliver aid to those in need. He called for a stable supply of fuel to Gaza, noting that it is essential for the functioning of hospitals, water supply systems, sanitation, and other critical infrastructure.

Women's Day

An event dedicated to International Women's Day 2026The UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Anne Hathaway will speak at the UN Headquarters in New York City on Monday. The event will highlight the power of women and girls across generations, cultures, and social movements. The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the largest annual forum on gender equality, will also open at UN Headquarters. The session will run from March 9 to 19.

FAO Index

World food prices in February showed growth for the first time in five monthsAccording to the updated Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) index, higher quotations for wheat, most vegetable oils, and some meats outweighed lower prices for cheese and sugar. The FAO also released a preliminary forecast for wheat production in 2026. The global harvest is expected to decline by approximately three percent to around 810 million tonnes, remaining above the five-year average.

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March 6, 2026 Economic development

Global food prices rose in February for the first time in five months. According to the updated index from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), higher prices for wheat, most vegetable oils, and some meats outweighed lower prices for cheese and sugar.

The FAO index, which tracks international prices of key commodities, reached 125.3 points, up 0.9 percent from January but still one percent below last year's level.

Price dynamics for major product groups

In February, global grain prices increased by 1.1 percent on average. The rise in global wheat prices was driven by reports of frosts in Europe and the United States, as well as ongoing logistical disruptions in Russia and the Black Sea region. International corn prices also rose slightly, and the rice index increased by 0.4 percent, thanks to robust demand for basmati and Japanese rice.

Vegetable oils rose 3.3 percent, reaching their highest level since June 2022. Palm oil prices rose due to strong global demand and a seasonal decline in production in Southeast Asia. Soybean oil prices rose on expectations of new biofuel support measures in the US, while rapeseed oil prices rose on forecasts of increased Canadian imports. Sunflower oil, on the other hand, fell slightly due to increased exports from Argentina.

Meat prices increased by 0.8 percent. Lamb prices reached a record high, while beef prices increased due to strong demand from China and the United States. Pork and poultry also showed slight increases.

Dairy prices fell by 1.2 percent, primarily due to lower cheese prices. Meanwhile, skim and whole milk powder prices rose due to strong demand in North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Butter prices rose for the first time since their record high in June 2025.

Sugar prices fell 4.1 percent month-on-month and 27.3 percent compared to February 2025, reflecting expectations of ample global supplies this season.

Forecasts for 2026: Decline in wheat crops

The FAO also released a preliminary forecast for wheat production in 2026. The global harvest is expected to decline by about three percent to around 810 million tonnes, while remaining above the five-year average.

In the European Union, Russia, and the United States, farmers are reducing their winter wheat acreage due to lower prices. In India, by contrast, the outlook is favorable: record sowings are spurred by government support measures. Positive expectations are also being noted in Pakistan and China generally.

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March 6, 2026 Peace and security

Violence in the Middle East is escalating, with several countries in the region reporting attacks and retaliatory strikes, raising concerns about the conflict's expansion, deepening instability, and worsening humanitarian conditions. UN agencies warn that the crisis is affecting at least 16 countries, with increasing civilian casualties, displacement, and damage to vital infrastructure.

Children are the main victims of the conflict

Amid ongoing strikes in Iran, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported dire consequences for children. According to available data, approximately 180 children in Iran have been killed, and many more have been injured. Among the dead are dozens of schoolgirls who were attending classes at the primary school in Minab, which was hit by the attack.

UNICEF also documented damage to at least 20 schools and 10 hospitals across the country. The organization reiterates that children, schools, and medical facilities are protected by international humanitarian law and calls on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for a "prompt, transparent, and impartial" investigation into the attack on a primary school in southern Iran. Speaking to journalists in Geneva, he emphasized the need for immediate verification of the facts and for those responsible to be held accountable. According to Türk, the lack of access to the scene and the internet shutdown are seriously hampering information gathering.

Türk noted that respect for international law is key to preventing further escalation and protecting civilians, especially children, who are already suffering disproportionate losses. The High Commissioner called for de-escalation of the conflict, which, he said, is spreading "like wildfire."

Escalation of the situation in Lebanon

The situation in Lebanon is rapidly deteriorating following a series of intense airstrikes and widespread Israeli evacuation orders affecting much of the country's south. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Israeli forces have ordered residents of areas south of the Litani River, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and parts of the Bekaa Valley to immediately vacate their homes.

These orders triggered large-scale displacement, with families fleeing amid heavy traffic, taking only the bare necessities. Nearly 100,000 people are currently housed in collective centers, while others are seeking refuge with relatives or heading to safer areas in northern Lebanon. Schools, universities, and sports facilities are serving as temporary shelters. Humanitarian organizations are stepping up their assistance to Lebanese in need.

Disruptions to shipping

The IOM warns that disruptions to maritime routes caused by the escalating crisis in the Middle East have already led to increased shipping costs and delays for humanitarian cargo. Anne-Kathrin Schäfer, IOM Deputy Director for Humanitarian Response and Recovery, reported that instability in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea is forcing shipping companies to impose "emergency surcharges" of approximately $3,000 per container.

These additional costs and delays are impacting the delivery of critical supplies – from tents to solar lamps – to humanitarian operations in the region and beyond.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's key maritime corridors, handling nearly a fifth of global oil trade and significant volumes of commercial cargo daily. Any disruption to shipping in this narrow passageway immediately impacts energy markets and global supply chains, increasing transportation and insurance costs.

For humanitarian organizations dependent on fuel and shipping, instability in the Strait of Hormuz – coupled with tensions along the Red Sea shipping routes – means slower delivery of vital aid and higher costs for operations around the world.

Lack of funding

Amid growing needs, UN humanitarian agencies are facing a serious funding shortfall. IOM Representative in Lebanon Matthieu Luciano emphasized that funding is "dramatically inadequate" compared to the scale of needs on the ground.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recalls that even before the war began, it estimated its humanitarian needs for this year in Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan at $454 million. To date, only 15 percent of this amount has been raised.

Humanitarian consequences

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher also warned that the widening conflict in the Middle East threatens serious humanitarian consequences far beyond the region.

According to him, there are disruptions on key sea routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, could lead to higher food prices, increase the burden on health systems and hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters in New York on Friday, Fletcher noted that huge resources were being diverted to fighting the war while international aid budgets were being cut.

"We need de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities, genuine dialogue and negotiations in accordance with the United Nations Charter. Common sense must prevail," he said.

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March 6, 2026 Women

Despite gradual progress, women still hold only slightly more than a quarter of seats in national parliaments worldwide. This is the second consecutive year of growth in representation. remain the slowest since 2017. According to a new report from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), as of January 1, 2026, women held 27.5 percent of parliamentary seats worldwide – slightly up from 27.2 percent the previous year.

The report is based on data from 49 countries where parliamentary renewals took place in 62 chambers in 2025.

The greatest progress

The largest increase in women's representation last year was recorded in Kyrgyzstan. The share of women in the country's parliament increased by 12.9 percentage points. It was followed by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (12.3 points) and the upper house of Saint Lucia's parliament (9.1 points).

Despite slow global progress, some countries have achieved record-breaking results. In Australia, women will hold 46 percent of parliamentary seats after the 2025 elections—the highest percentage in the country's history. In the Czech Republic, the proportion of women in the lower house increased from 25 percent to one-third of members. In Ecuador, women held a record 45 percent of seats in the National Assembly.

The year also marked a historic milestone for Japan: for the first time in the country's history, a woman became prime minister. Following the July elections, the proportion of women in the upper house of parliament reached a record 29.4 percent.

Reduction in the number of female speakers

At the same time, the proportion of women holding parliamentary speaker positions has significantly declined globally. Currently, it stands at 19.9 percent (54 speakers), compared to 23.7 percent a year earlier.

Of the 75 new speakers elected or appointed in 2025, only 12 are women.

Regional differences

The highest level of women's representation remains in the Americas. In 2025, women accounted for 36.1 percent of the members elected to 20 parliamentary chambers in 13 countries in the region. Overall, as of the beginning of 2026, women held 35.6 percent of parliamentary seats in the Americas.

The region is also home to four of the world's seven countries that have achieved gender parity, or have more women than men in parliament: Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Mexico. Elsewhere, Rwanda, Andorra, and the United Arab Emirates have achieved this level of representation.

The lowest level of women's representation remains in the Middle East and North Africa, where women hold an average of only 16.2 percent of parliamentary seats.

In three countries – Oman, Tuvalu and Yemen – there are no women members of parliament at all in the lower houses of parliament or unicameral parliaments.

The role of quotas

The report shows that quotas remain one of the most effective tools for increasing women's representation.

In 2025, women held an average of 30.9 percent of seats in parliaments with legislative or voluntary quotas. In parliaments without quotas, this figure was 23.3 percent.

Pressure and violence

Violence and pressure against female politicians remains a serious obstacle. An IPU study found that 76 percent of female parliamentarians in the Asia-Pacific region have experienced psychological violence.

Women deputies more often become targets of threats and intimidation from society—both online and offline. Seventy-six percent of women and 68 percent of men surveyed reported this experience.

Experts warn that threats could deter women from participating in politics and slow progress towards gender equality in representative bodies.

Some countries are already taking steps to combat this phenomenon. For example, the Philippine Electoral Commission intervened after male candidates made derogatory remarks about female politicians, and the Colombian parliament passed a law aimed at preventing and punishing violence against women in politics.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a global organization of national parliaments, founded in 1889. Today, it comprises 183 national parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary organizations. The IPU promotes democracy and protects the rights of parliamentarians worldwide.

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March 5, 2026 Peace and security

The meeting, opened by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, was a key gathering for the United States, which holds the presidency of the Security Council for March. A concept note circulated by the American side among Security Council members calls for the Council to examine the impact of resource competition on global security.

Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said the rapidly growing demand for key 21st century resources is creating unique opportunities for development, but is also increasing geopolitical tensions.

According to her, minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements have become the foundation of the digital economy and the energy transition. In 2023, global trade in raw and semi-processed minerals reached $2.5 trillion, accounting for over 10 percent of global trade. Forecasts indicate that demand could triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040.

DiCarlo emphasized that this growth opens up enormous opportunities for producer countries, from job creation to economic diversification. At the same time, it intensifies competition for resources, fuels human rights violations, and harms the environment.

The relationship between conflict and resource extraction

The Deputy Secretary-General recalled that the production of critical minerals is geographically concentrated in a few locations, and many key producers are facing instability. More than 70 percent of global cobalt production comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar remains one of the largest sources of rare earth elements, and Ukraine has significant reserves of titanium and lithium. In the context of wars and conflicts, DiCarlo noted, unregulated mining undermines governance, fuels shadow economies, and funds armed groups.

The Security Council has repeatedly recognized the link between natural resources and conflict, imposing sanctions against the illicit trade in raw materials in the DRC, Libya, and the Islamist group al-Shabaab. UN experts help identify violations, trace supply chains, and prevent illegal exploitation.

Particular attention is being paid to the African Great Lakes region, where control over mineral deposits directly influences conflict dynamics. According to the UN, the AFC/M23 rebel coalition in the Democratic Republic of Congo earns over a million dollars a month from illegal mineral extraction and smuggling. Together with the DRC authorities and regional partners, UN peacekeepers are working to reduce the influence of armed groups in mining areas, and the Secretary-General's special envoy is promoting the strengthening of mechanisms for transparency and joint resource management.

Three priority areas

DiCarlo outlined three areas that she believes should be prioritized to ensure that countries experiencing conflict can harness the potential of critical minerals for their own benefit and that of the international community.

First, she said, extraction must produce fair and equitable results, which requires strengthening state institutions, improving regulation, and enhancing the ability of states to negotiate beneficial agreements. Second, international and regional efforts are needed to strengthen governance systems, increase the transparency and resilience of supply chains, and foster dialogue between producer and consumer countries. Third, diplomatic tools must be used to prevent and resolve resource disputes.

Concluding her speech, DiCarlo emphasized that the responsible and equitable use of critical minerals has the potential to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and become a force for peace, not conflict. This, she said, requires concerted action by governments, businesses, civil society, and the entire UN system.

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March 5, 2026 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: violence in the Middle East continues, dozens of suspects in the sexual exploitation of children have been arrested with the support of the UNODC, inequality issues were discussed at the Human Rights Council, and the UN celebrates the International Day of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness.

Escalation in the Middle East

Military action in the Middle East have been going on for six days nowAccording to media reports, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and several Persian Gulf countries are suffering from drone, missile, and air strikes. NATO forces reportedly intercepted a missile fired from Iran at Turkey, though Tehran denies these claims. A new wave of displacement in Lebanon has forced more than 58,000 people to flee their homes in just two days. Many are sheltering in overcrowded public schools. Attacks on medical facilities have increased. Over the past week, the World Health Organization has confirmed 13 attacks on medical facilities in Iran and one in Lebanon.

Global inequality

Inequality is becoming one of the main factors determining the lives of millions around the world. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk saidSpeaking Thursday at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he said that over the past two decades, the richest one percent of the population has received 41 percent of the world's new wealth, while the poorest half of the population has received only about one percent. Debt burdens remain a major driver of inequality between countries. In 2024, developing countries will pay a record $415 billion in debt interest – more than double what they paid ten years ago. The UN is calling for changes to the financial system, which exacerbates inequality.

Sexual exploitation of children

As a result of the international operation, 60 people were arrested on charges in sexual crimes against children, and the identities of 65 minor victims were established, who were released and provided assistance. The operation, conducted under the auspices of Interpol and with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was the culmination of months of efforts by law enforcement agencies in nine countries in Central and North America and the Caribbean. It was aimed at combating the production and distribution of materials derived from the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

Disarmament and non-proliferation

Humanity's dream of peace is in danger, the UN Secretary-General warned. Antonio Guterres in his message on the occasion International Day of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, which is celebrated annually on March 5. According to the UN chief, the threat of nuclear weapons use has reached its highest level in decades, and military spending is astronomical. Meanwhile, new technologies are making conflicts even more bloody. "We must lower the temperature," Guterres said, calling on world leaders to "step back from the dangerous brink and stop waving the nuclear cudgel."

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March 5, 2026 Peace and security

The UN is "extremely concerned and disturbed by the drone attack on Azerbaijani territory," UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated in response to a reporter's question during a daily briefing.

He called the attack "yet another example of the widening of the conflict" and the involvement of another country. "This is a clear violation of Azerbaijan's sovereignty," the UN official emphasized. "We do not want to see further escalation and we want to see respect for international law."

According to a statement from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Iranian drones struck the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan on Thursday. The Nakhchivan airport building was damaged.

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March 5, 2026 Sustainable Development Goals

Why are private companies reaping superprofits while too many people lack access to food, housing, and healthcare? Inequality is becoming one of the main factors determining the lives of millions around the world. This was stated by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday.

According to him, today, one in four people in the world is at risk of being left without adequate food, and a third of the population lacks access to decent housing. More than half of workers are employed in the informal economy, without paid sick leave, maternity leave, or other forms of social protection. This is especially true for women: almost 60 percent of working women on the planet work in the informal sector.

Global inequality continues to grow. Over the past two decades, the richest one percent of the population has received 41 percent of the world's new wealth, while the share of the other half the poorest population accounted for only about one percent.

The economy must serve people

One of the causes of inequality between countries remains the debt burden. In 2024, developing countries paid a record $415 billion in debt interest – more than double the amount they paid ten years ago. These payments, according to Türk, reduce resources that could be allocated to education, healthcare, and social protection.

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Double whammy: Nearly 900 million people suffer from extreme poverty and climate threats

"We cannot accept a future in which only a few prosper and billions are left behind," Türk stressed.

The High Commissioner called for reform of the international financial system, a rethinking of debt policy, and expanded access to social protection. He also noted the need to move away from gross domestic product as the primary indicator of development. According to him, the true measure of progress should be human well-being and the equitable distribution of economic benefits.

Innovation with social benefit

The issue of making economic growth more equitable was also discussed at another event organized by the UN system this week. Mariana Mazzucato, an economist, professor at University College London, and founder of the Institute for Innovation and Public Value, speaking at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Innovation Day, emphasized that industrial policy should be aimed at achieving the public good.

According to Mazzucato, governments spend billions of dollars annually on subsidies, tax breaks, and public procurement, but such investments are often made without clear commitments from companies. She argues that if the private sector receives taxpayer funds, it must commit to improving working conditions, raising wages, using energy-efficient supply chains, and reinvesting profits.

Conditions for innovation

She cited the energy transition in Germany as an example. The state bank provided loans to the steel industry contingent on reducing material intensity in production and transitioning to resource recycling and reuse technologies. According to Mazzucato, these conditions helped spur the development of "green steel" in the country.

The economist emphasized that public procurement can also be a powerful tool for innovation. For example, school meal programs can be used not only to provide lunches but also to support sustainable agriculture, local production, and healthier diets for children.

She also pointed to the US experience in developing legislation to support the semiconductor industry. Companies receiving government subsidies were required to meet a number of conditions, including workforce training plans and providing affordable childcare for workers on major projects. According to her, such requirements help ensure that public investments deliver public benefits.

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March 5, 2026 Peace and security

An international operation resulted in the arrest of 60 individuals charged with child sex crimes, and the identification of 65 underage victims, who were released and provided with assistance. The operation, conducted under the auspices of Interpol and with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was the culmination of months of efforts by law enforcement agencies in nine countries across Central and North America and the Caribbean.

Operation Eclipse, which concluded in January 2026, targeted the production and distribution of child sexual exploitation and abuse materials. Particular attention was paid to identifying victims and reopening old, dead-end investigations.

Key cases

In Panama, authorities have identified a victim who remained unidentified in INTERPOL's Child Sexual Exploitation Database for over a decade. This breakthrough was made possible by the work of the Latin American and Caribbean Victim Identification Task Force, supported by the UNODC. This allowed police to gather crucial evidence for the trial, identify two additional victims, and provide protection and assistance services to the victim.

In the Dominican Republic, two suspects have been arrested in connection with a child sexual abuse case, including the production and possession of related materials. The victims, aged 10 to 13, are receiving necessary support. One parent of one victim is accused of aiding and abetting the crimes. The second suspect is a transnational criminal who lived with the victims. During the arrest, additional materials were discovered indicating further abuse.

In Costa Rica, police investigated a series of Interpol files dating back more than ten years. A specialized unit was able to confirm the identity of the victim, who was a teenager at the time of the crime. The perpetrator initially posed as a celebrity online, then used psychological pressure, sexual blackmail, and threats against the victim's family.

In a separate development, a bilateral meeting between Panama and the Dominican Republic led to the identification of two suspects wanted by Panamanian authorities on charges of sexual crimes. Both were located in the Dominican Republic, and extradition proceedings have been initiated.

Affected children

Most of the identified victims were between the ages of five and 13, with approximately 80 percent being girls. These data indicate a disproportionately high rate of violence against girls, although prevention and response measures must also take into account the needs of boys, UNODC emphasizes. All victims were minors at the time of the crimes; after their rescue, they received protection and assistance from national authorities.

The alleged perpetrators had various connections to their victims, including family members, acquaintances, neighbors, teachers, online criminals, and foreign tourists. According to the UNODC, this suggests that there is no single profile of the perpetrator of such crimes.

Bringing the guilty to justice

During the operation, law enforcement and judicial authorities from Latin American countries coordinated investigations, conducted targeted operations, and collected evidence through international cooperation. Interpol provided technical support, real-time intelligence sharing, and strategic guidance. The UN Office, in turn, provided training and technical assistance to investigative and prosecutorial units.

Interpol's Acting Director of Police Services, Cyril Goute, stressed the importance of resolving old cases.

"Investigating long-standing cases is not only a matter of justice and protecting victims, but also of preventing new crimes. Operation Eclipse demonstrates that, thanks to international cooperation and specialized expertise, even years later, crimes can be solved and those responsible brought to justice," he noted.

As part of the operation, participating countries also reviewed 57 INTERPOL notices concerning individuals believed to be within their territories. These included "Red Notices" for internationally wanted criminals and "Blue Notices" aimed at gathering additional information about the identity, location, or activities of suspects. To date, 12 such individuals have been detained. Efforts to locate and extradite the remaining suspects are ongoing.

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