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October 28, 2025 Human rights

The abuse of national and public security laws in Russia to silence critics of the war against Ukraine has reached alarming levels, stated UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation Mariana Katsarova. She presented her new report to the UN General Assembly.

Politically motivated charges

"Over the past three years, thousands of people have been imprisoned on politically motivated charges of treason, espionage, extremism, and terrorism, often based on fabricated evidence and in closed trials, with children and the elderly among those detained," Katsarova said in the report.

"In myreport “There is a persistent trend of using national security and public safety laws as a weapon to criminalize dissent and narrow the space for civic activity,” the Special Rapporteur noted.

According to her, since 2022, the number of prosecutions for treason has increased sharply – from dozens of cases before 2020 to 760 convictions by mid-2025. Espionage, according to Katsarova, has become widely used as a tool with a broad definition, particularly in the context of the war against Ukraine.

According to her report, before the full-scale invasion, there were five cases involving defendants accused of espionage, and by mid-2025, there were 159 such cases involving 182 defendants. Often, espionage charges were combined with terrorism charges, which can lead to harsher sentences.

Initiation of cases of terrorism and extremism

In 2025, Russian courts will issue more than five terrorism-related verdicts per day, a record high. Meanwhile, the national "List of Terrorists and Extremists" has grown from 1,600 names in 2022 to over 18,000 in 2025. The list includes more than 150 children and hundreds of organizations, according to Katsarova's report.

On October 14, the Federal Security Service announced it had opened a terrorism case against 22 members of the exiled Anti-War Committee of Russia.

"This demonstrates the authorities' determination to extend repression beyond national borders," Katsarova warned.

According to her, those being persecuted include prominent opposition politicians, businessmen, journalists, lawyers, cultural figures, and academics who criticize the war against Ukraine.

The Special Rapporteur noted that on October 22, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office demanded that the Supreme Court recognize the Anti-Corruption Foundation of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny as a "terrorist organization."

According to Katsarova's report, "extremism" provisions, which have no basis in international law, are being used to persecute anti-war critics, independent journalists, and individuals associated with Navalny. The term "extremist" is also applied to members of religious and ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples, and the LGBT community. Hundreds of convictions for alleged "extremism" have been handed down, including over 100 in cases related to the activities of the LGBT community.

"Ukrainian prisoners are being tortured."

The report also details systematic torture and cruel treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians held in Russian custody. Most of the Ukrainian prisoners facing trial, Katsarova reports, are accused of espionage and terrorism and face lengthy prison sentences.

"Ukrainian prisoners are starved, deprived of medical care, and subjected to torture, including rape and electric shock," the Special Rapporteur said, stating that she had collected credible evidence of medical personnel's involvement in torture. "Thousands of Ukrainian civilians deported to Russia remain missing; information about their fate and whereabouts is unknown," the expert noted.

Katsarova called for the immediate release of all persons detained in Russia on political grounds, as well as for the immediate release of Ukrainian civilians in detention, including children, for accountability for torture and deaths in custody, and for an end to Russia's abuse of national and public security laws to suppress dissent and opposition to the war.

"Justice is impossible to achieve in Russia; those responsible for crimes enjoy complete impunity. When justice fails domestically, the international community must take action, including through universal jurisdiction, to bring perpetrators to justice and protect those at risk," the Special Rapporteur concluded.

Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to examine either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are members of special procedures Human Rights Council. Special procedures experts are not UN staff and are independent of any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.

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October 28, 2025 Human rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk welcomed the adoption by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) of a landmark regional declaration that affirms the right of people to live in a healthy environment. The document was approved on October 26 during 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Türk called the first regional recognition of this right in Southeast Asia a timely and crucial step forward. He said the decision demonstrates that environmental protection and human rights are inextricably linked, "especially in the face of multiple global crises, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss."

There is no time to delay.

"ASEAN countries now need to move from commitments to practical action as quickly as possible—enshrining the declaration's provisions into national laws, policies, and programs, including mechanisms for holding the private sector accountable for environmental damage. There is no time to waste, as environmental problems continue to worsen," the High Commissioner stated.

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The UN's top human rights defender emphasized the need for ASEAN countries to ensure coordinated leadership and prompt action to combat transboundary environmental damage, building on the adopted declaration and taking into account the views of the most affected groups, including women, youth, and indigenous peoples. He also called for respect for human rights defenders working on environmental issues.

Global recognition of environmental rights

The ASEAN Declaration was the latest document in the field of human rights and environmental protection agreed upon after the adoption resolution 76/300 The UN General Assembly, which recognizes the right of people throughout the world to a clean and healthy environment, as well as the recent adoption advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the responsibilities of states in connection with climate change.

Volker Türk emphasized that the UN Human Rights Office stands ready to support ASEAN and its member states in implementing the declaration, including through technical assistance, local capacity development, and the development of a regional action plan. He also called on countries in the region to continue advancing a human rights-based environmental agenda in line with rapidly evolving international standards in this area.

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October 27, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Since the ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip, more than 470,000 civilian displacements to the northern part of the enclave have been recorded, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Monday. Many families are returning to devastated areas, where they are threatened by collapsing buildings and unexploded ordnance.

"Water, food and essential services remain in short supply," OCHA said, noting that humanitarian organizations are struggling to meet growing demand as quickly as possible amid widespread destruction.

Humanitarian aid deliveries

Humanitarian aid continues to arrive in Gaza: more than 300 trucks carrying humanitarian aid arrived at the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing from Friday to Saturday. The supplies included flour, canned goods, rice, and ingredients for hot meals, as well as medical equipment, tents, tarps, and winter clothing.

According to the UN, hygiene kits, postnatal care kits, and shelter materials also arrived in the sector on Sunday. The UN Office for Project Services distributed approximately 329,000 liters of diesel fuel to support hospitals, communications, and food services.

Hot dishes and bread

Humanitarian partners, with the support of 170 community kitchens, have already provided over a million hot meals, primarily in southern and central Gaza. In Deir el-Balah, Khan Younis, and Gaza, 15 UN-supported bakeries produce bread daily, which is distributed free of charge to shelters and communities.

At the same time, efforts are underway to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance as people begin to return to their homes. Over the weekend, nearly 3,200 residents of central and southern Gaza received safety training. Since October 2023, according to OCHA, there have been 150 incidents involving explosive ordnance, including those involving children.

Violence in the West Bank

Violence related to the olive harvest season, which began on October 9, continues in the occupied West Bank. More than 85 settler attacks on Palestinian farmers and their lands have disrupted the harvest. More than 110 people have been injured, and over 3,000 trees in 50 villages have been damaged. Seventeen attacks were recorded last week alone, primarily in the Ramallah area.

“Such incidents disrupt livelihoods and increase fear in farming communities,” OCHA noted.

Despite the arrival of aid, the UN warns that many Gazans are still deprived of basic necessities. Food, water, and shelter are in short supply, yet people are risking their lives to return home.

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October 27, 2025 Peace and security

The Rapid Intervention Force (RIF) is committing serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur region, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has warned.

According to the Office, there are reports of civilians being shot at as they attempted to flee the city. There are indications that the killings are being committed along ethnic lines, and that former combatants who have laid down their arms are being executed. This is prohibited by international humanitarian law, the UN recalls.

Urgent measures

"The risk of further large-scale ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El Fasher is growing every day," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

He called for "urgent and concrete measures" to protect civilians and ensure safe passage for those trying to flee the fighting.

According to the OHCHR, hundreds of people, including a journalist, were detained while attempting to escape. There are also reports of civilian deaths, including local volunteers, as a result of artillery shelling last week.

Escalation of violence

On Monday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is based in Southeast Asia, called what is happening in Darfur a "horrible escalation" of the conflict and emphasized that the time has come to "directly call out the countries interfering in the war and supplying weapons" to the parties to the conflict. He reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire.

According to the UN chief, the problem is not only the clashes between the army and the RSF, but also the increasingly obvious external interference, which is undermining the prospects for a ceasefire and a political settlement.

Civilians are under threat

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Denise Brown, said civilians fleeing El Fasher are often kidnapped for ransom.

According to her, humanitarian organizations are helping adults and children who are “dehydrated, exhausted, some are injured, and all without exception are in a state of shock.”

According to OHCHR reports, five men were executed by SRF fighters for attempting to deliver food to the besieged city, which has been under siege for 18 months. Some of the victims were reportedly accused of supporting the Sudanese armed forces.

Brown emphasized that only 27 percent of the necessary funding for humanitarian response has been secured. This prevents the UN from fully assisting people who have "survived violence, rape, and starvation."

Humanitarian workers under threat

Since the conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, nearly 130 aid workers have been killed, including volunteers in El Fasher.

"These people are the backbone of the humanitarian response in the most difficult areas, and they are also protected by international humanitarian law," Brown emphasized.

Volker Türk, in turn, reiterated that RSF commanders are obliged, in accordance with international law, to protect civilians and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid.

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October 27, 2025 International law

Through coordinated actions such as drone strikes, deportations, and forced displacements, Russian authorities have driven Ukrainian civilians from their homes, according to a new report.Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which was presented to the UN General Assembly on Monday.

According to the report, short-range drone attacks carried out by Russian forces have spread over a wider area and have gone beyond the zone defined inCommission investigation of May 2025The area affected by the shelling extends along a line stretching for over 300 kilometers on the right bank of the Dnieper River in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions. According to the Commission, documented attacks indicate that Russian armed forces units deliberately targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure from the left bank of the Dnieper, operating under centralized command and using similar tactics.

Regular attacks by Russian armed forces on frontline areas The Commission's experts stated that these drone attacks resulted in the death and injury of civilians, large-scale destruction, and forced thousands of people to flee. They concluded that these drone attacks constitute crimes against humanity, including murder and forced displacement.

A coordinated attack pattern

The report states that for over a year, Russian armed forces have carried out drone strikes against a wide range of civilian targets. This, according to the authors, has resulted in civilian injuries and deaths, significant destruction, and spreading fear among the populationAccording to the investigation, attacks targeted residential buildings, medical facilities, and other civilian infrastructure, disrupting vital services. The commission reported instances of ambulances and fire brigades being targeted, despite their special protection under international humanitarian law.

Residents of the affected areas spoke about extremely difficult living conditionsOne woman reported: "Drones hit every car, attack every vehicle. No one comes here—not firefighters, not ambulances, no one at all."

The Commission emphasizes that many attacks followed a coordinated pattern, involving multiple drones or a single drone dropping multiple munitions in succession. Often, the first drone would punch a hole in the roof, and the second would drop explosives. These attacks often caused fires. Some drones used incendiary munitions. One witness remarked, "It's not just an explosion—the munition immediately bursts into flames, like a firework."

The commission identified the specific perpetrators of the attacks, the UAV units and associated military units, as well as the commanders stationed on the left bank of the Dnieper. According to the report, all of them belong to the Dnieper Group of Forces of the Russian Federation.

Forced displacement

The document also noted that Russian authorities carried out coordinated deportations and forced displacement of populations from areas of the Zaporizhzhia region under their control. The Commission members stated that such actions constitute war crimes.

Thus, the report states that in 2024–2025, Russian authorities deported Ukrainian civilians from the occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region to Georgia, citing Russian legislation on the legal status of certain categories of foreign citizens. Those responsible for the deportations brought the victims to the Russian-Georgian border and forced them to cross it.

In 2022–2023, Russian authorities transferred civilians to Ukrainian government-controlled territories, accusing them of committing acts against the Russian Federation. According to the Commission, the victims were taken to a checkpoint on the border with Russian-controlled territory. There, they were forced to cross a dangerous operational zone stretching 10 to 15 kilometers to reach a Ukrainian checkpoint.

Inhuman treatment

During deportations and forced displacements, victims were typically detained, their documents and personal belongings confiscated, and some were subjected to torture. Such actions, which cause severe physical and mental suffering, constitute war crimes of inhumane treatment and human rights violations, the Commission members emphasized.

According to them, the evidence collected demonstrates that Russian authorities, including senior officials, acted within the framework of a systematic and coordinated policy in the occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region. The perpetrators include the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs' Directorate for Migration, Federal Security Service (FSB) officers, and other government agencies.

The Commission also examined Russian authorities' allegations of drone attacks by Ukrainian armed forces on civilian targets in Russian-occupied territories. However, the investigation was unable to be completed due to lack of access to the territory, risks to witnesses' safety, and the lack of responses to the Commission's official inquiries sent to the Russian authorities.

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October 27, 2025 Humanitarian aid

UNICEF is supporting the repair of damaged civilian structures in Ukraine, but there is no guarantee they will not be destroyed again in future attacks. According to Kenan Madi, head of field operations for UNICEF Ukraine, the UN Children's Fund is doing everything possible to help millions of young Ukrainians living in war, constant shelling, and power outages.

"Families need basic necessities, like water. Children need a safe place to learn and interact with their peers, because in many cases they don't have that opportunity," Madi told UN News.

Life under fire

UNICEF's priority is to ensure access to water, education, and psychological support in the hardest-hit regions of Ukraine. In September alone, the organization helped restore water supply to 300,000 people, and since the beginning of the year, more than three million Ukrainians have received such support.

However, restoring infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult: attacks on energy and water facilities continue.

Psychological support

Much attention is being paid to psychological support. "Children living near the front lines are under enormous pressure. We have a mental health team that has supported approximately 16,000 children and 25,000 parents and guardians in the last month alone. Over the past year, more than 300,000 people have received psychological support," noted a UNICEF representative.

© UNICEF

Preparing for winter

The winter preparation campaign began in mid-September. "We've provided cash assistance to over 30,000 people, and the campaign continues. This is crucial—especially in frontline areas—for families who use these funds to purchase fuel, warm clothing, and other essentials before the winter season," Madi said.

He noted that due to shelling and the destruction of public utilities, people are left without heat and water: "UNICEF is mobilizing all resources to restore damaged facilities, such as water utilities and pumping stations. Unfortunately, these services are often targeted, and this directly impacts the lives of children in frontline areas."

Recent attacks have shown that humanitarian needs extend far beyond the frontlines. "Due to attacks in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, there have been power outages in the city. There are also reports of problems in Chernihiv, Sumy, and other regions. This is affecting water supplies, heating, and the well-being of children and people's daily lives," said a UNICEF representative.

Madi said his colleague recently returned from the Chernihiv region: "When I asked what the situation was like there, he replied, 'It's very dark, you can't see anything.' In some rural areas, it's pitch black. Families with children live in such conditions."

Education in times of war

UNICEF continues to support Ukraine's education system. According to Madi, in frontline regions, approximately 350,000 children have returned to class, but over 400,000 are studying in a blended format—in-person only one or two days a week—due to a lack of shelter space in schools. Meanwhile, approximately 280,000 children are studying exclusively online.

A UNICEF official noted that distance learning cannot replace regular lessons: "If children lose the opportunity to learn, it's difficult to make up for it later." Moreover, the consequences of disruptions to the educational process will be felt long-term.

© UNICEF/A. Filippov

Since 2022, UNICEF, with support from the Ukrainian government and donors including the EU, Germany, Korea, Norway, and Spain, has restored over 100 schools and kindergartens. "This year, another 42 are undergoing renovation. We are quickly assisting schools with repairs, but some are being damaged again due to strikes," Madi said.

Lack of funds and growing needs

UNICEF's response plan for Ukraine is 78 percent funded this year. "Globally, humanitarian funding is declining, but the needs of Ukrainians, unfortunately, are only increasing," Madi noted.

He emphasized that the destruction of infrastructure has a knock-on effect: hospitals need electricity to provide care to patients, and water utilities and heating systems also depend on electricity.

The story of a Kharkiv resident

"I was recently in Kharkiv," Madi said. "There I met a woman raising twins with autism. She's having a very difficult time. Lack of access to services has a profound impact on such families."

"UNICEF was able to help her with cash payments ahead of winter so she could buy essential items, including warm clothes and blankets," he added.

According to Madi, there are many such stories: "This is not an isolated incident. Many families struggle to survive day to day. Unfortunately, it gets harder and harder for them every year."

“Children deserve a better future,” the UNICEF representative emphasized.

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October 27, 2025 Human rights

Nils Muižnieks, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, expressed concern about the situation with workers' rights in that country, speaking today at the UN General Assembly.

"Despite the authorities' proclamations of commitment to economic and social rights, Belarus is not the workers' paradise they claim it is," Muižnieks said.

In his report He noted "pervasive discrimination and politically motivated persecution" in both the public and private sectors. He also found "unreasonable and politically motivated restrictions on access to professions, as well as the practice of punishing unjustly imprisoned individuals with hard, dangerous forced labor for little or no pay." Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur expressed concern about the erosion of trade union rights and detailed violations of workers' rights.

The report was prepared following two years of cooperation between the independent expert and the International Labour Organization, which has established enhanced oversight of Belarus under Article 33 of its Charter due to violations of trade union rights.

Muižnieks called on member states "not to be deceived" by the recent releases of political prisoners. He recalled that more than 1,100 people remain arbitrarily imprisoned in Belarus, and some of those released were deported and stripped of their passports, facing, according to the expert, the risk of statelessness and the fear of returning to Belarus.

Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are members of special procedures Human Rights Council. Special procedures experts serve on a voluntary basis; they are not UN employees and do not receive a salary for their work. They serve in their personal capacity and are independent of any government or organization, including the UN. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the UN.

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October 27, 2025 Climate and environment

The Caribbean region is bracing for the impact of powerful Hurricane Melissa, which has already reached Category 4 status and is expected to strengthen to Category 5. The storm brings torrential rains, hurricane-force winds, and the threat of widespread destruction. Children are particularly vulnerable: UNICEF estimates that at least 1.6 million minors are at risk.

The hurricane is slowly moving through the Caribbean Sea, with potential impacts in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Flooding, landslides, and disruptions to critical infrastructure are expected.

"Hurricane preparedness efforts are vital to minimizing damage and saving lives. Small island states are particularly vulnerable to extreme climate events," said Roberto Benes, UNICEF Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Emergency measures and humanitarian aid

UN agencies and humanitarian partners have stockpiled essential supplies in advance: hygiene kits, water purifiers, medical kits, and cash. In Haiti, 450 tons of food have been prepared; 9,500 families in the south of the country have already received cash assistance. Hygiene and medical kits, as well as shelters, have been prepared for tens of thousands of families.

In Jamaica, the Red Cross and local authorities have set up temporary shelters and prepared aid supplies for 165,000 people.

First consequences and alarming forecasts

Heavy rains and gusty winds have already been reported in several countries in the region. Forecasters warn that rainfall levels could exceed those of Hurricane Beryl, which struck the region 16 months ago and caused significant damage.

Low-lying and coastal areas are particularly at risk. Landslides are a high risk in mountainous areas. Disruptions to ports, airports, and other infrastructure could hamper rescue operations.

Casualties are already being reported. In Haiti, a landslide in western Port-au-Prince killed three people and seriously injured another. A fatality was also reported in the Dominican Republic.

A threat that has become the "norm"

According to UNICEF, natural disasters have affected about 11 million people annually in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past decade, including nearly four million children.

Amid the looming threat, authorities are urging residents to follow safety instructions, evacuate dangerous areas, and seek shelter. The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to coordinate efforts with national governments, focusing on protecting children and the most vulnerable populations.

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October 27, 2025 Women

The decline in foreign aid is undermining the work of organizations on the front lines of combating violence against women and girls, UN Women warns.

A new report from the agency, based on a global survey of 428 women's rights institutions and civil society organizations, shows that a third of them have been forced to suspend or close programs aimed at ending gender-based violence.

More than 40 percent reported decisions to reduce or discontinue vital services, including legal, psychosocial and health care, as well as crisis shelters, due to lack of funds.

The victims are left without support

Nearly 80 percent of organizations noted that survivors' access to the services they need had decreased, and 59 percent reported increased impunity and the normalization of violence.

“Women’s rights organizations are the backbone of progress in the fight against violence against women, but today they are on the brink of extinction,” said Kalliopi Mingeirou, head of UN Women’s End Violence against Women and Girls Unit.

"We cannot allow funding cuts to wipe out decades of progress. We call on governments and donors to consolidate and increase funding, making it more flexible. Without sustained investment, violence against women and girls will only increase," she added.

Earlier this year UN Women has already warnedthat many women's organizations operating in crisis conditions are on the verge of closure – fears that have now been confirmed.

Violence against women remains one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. According to a UN agency, approximately 736 million women worldwide—almost one in three—have experienced physical or sexual violence, most often at the hands of an intimate partner.

Grim prospects

Only 5 percent of respondents said they would be able to continue their work for more than two years. Meanwhile, 85 percent predict significant setbacks in legislation and the protection of women's and girls' rights. More than half of the institutions expressed serious concern about the growing threats to women human rights defenders.

This year we celebrate30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – a key international plan for achieving gender equality, with the elimination of violence against women at its core.

At the same time, the authors of the report warn that the financial crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of broader movement against women's rights, which is observed in one in four countries. As funds are depleted, many organizations are forced to focus on emergency aid, cutting back on long-term programs promoting systemic change.

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October 27, 2025 Economic development

At the 15th ASEAN-UN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the UN Secretary-General delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the strategic importance of the partnership between the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He called ASEAN a "beacon of cooperation" and noted that the spirit of regional unity has become even stronger with the accession of Timor-Leste.

The UN chief identified four key areas of cooperation: peace and conflict prevention, sustainable development and financial justice, climate action, and digital transformation and cybersecurity.

Peace and conflict prevention

The Secretary-General thanked ASEAN countries for their active participation in UN peacekeeping missions and particularly noted Malaysia's role in facilitating a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. He called for respect for international law in the South China Sea and expressed deep concern about the situation in Myanmar, where fighting continues, lives are being lost, millions are being displaced, and humanitarian needs are rapidly growing.

“I strongly condemn the bloodshed and call on all parties to cease hostilities, protect civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and begin an inclusive political process,” he said, stressing the need to release those arbitrarily detained, including democratically elected leaders.

Financial justice and sustainable development

The UN Secretary-General drew attention to growing inequality and the debt burden that is "suffocating" developing countries. Guterres called for urgent reform of the global financial architecture to ensure that international financial institutions reflect modern realities and ensure greater participation by developing countries, including ASEAN countries, which, he said, are "grossly underrepresented."

Climate action

Ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, the UN chief called on countries to submit ambitious nationally recognized contributions to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. He noted that ASEAN countries are facing floods, droughts, rising sea levels, and smog, which threaten food security, health, and the region's economy.

Digital transformation and the fight against cybercrime

The Secretary-General called artificial intelligence "a powerful tool for inclusive development." In this regard, he recalled the launch of two UN initiatives: the International Science Panel on AI and the annual Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which aim to bring together science, policy, and practice, giving every country a voice.

The UN chief stressed the need to combat transnational organized crime, including cyber fraud, assuring that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime will continue to support countries in the region.

In closing his speech, Guterres called on forum participants to continue to demonstrate through their actions that cooperation is the most powerful engine of peace and progress, both in Southeast Asia and throughout the world.

“The UN is proud to be your partner,” the Secretary-General said.

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