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December 13, 2025 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday strongly condemned drone attacks on a UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan state, which killed six peacekeepers and wounded eight others.

The attack, which took place on December 13, targeted members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving as part of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei. All the victims, according to the statement, were UN peacekeepers.

Antonio Guterres He expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh, as well as the families of the victims. He wished a speedy recovery to the wounded and noted that those awaiting evacuation are receiving the necessary assistance.

The UN chief stressed that attacks on UN peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law and reminded all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians.

He called the attack in South Kordofan "unjustified," stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.

The Secretary-General also expressed solidarity with the thousands of peacekeepers who continue to serve under the blue flag of the UN in dangerous conditions.

He reiterated his call on the warring parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities and resume negotiations to achieve a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive and inclusive political process led by the Sudanese themselves.

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December 13, 2025 UN

UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the resilience and determination of the Iraqi people on Friday while speaking at a ceremony marking the completion of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). He called the moment the end of one chapter in the relationship between Iraq and the United Nations and the beginning of a new one.

Speaking in Baghdad, the Secretary-General thanked the government and people of Iraq for their warm welcome, highlighting the country's rich historical heritage as the cradle of civilization and home to many cultures, religions and ethnic communities.

He said that today's event centers on the courage, resilience, and determination of the Iraqi people. He noted that Iraqis have overcome decades of violence, war, terrorism, sectarianism, and foreign interference without abandoning their desire to build a peaceful and inclusive society based on the rule of law and democratic institutions.

The Secretary-General recalled the key stages of this journey: the adoption of the Constitution, the holding of elections, the territorial defeat of ISIS (Daesh), and the strengthening of relations with neighboring states and the international community. For those who lived through the difficult years of transition, he said, today's Iraq has become unrecognizable – a country with a higher level of security and a clear focus on development.

Read also:

INTERVIEW | "Iraq is a success story" – Head of the UN Mission in the country, which is concluding its work

Speaking about UNAMI's work since its establishment in 2003, Guterres noted that the Mission has been privileged to stand alongside the Iraqi people, advising the government and parliament on judicial and legal reforms, supporting civic space for women, youth, and minorities, and promoting human rights. During the fight against ISIS (Daesh), the Mission helped mobilize international support to protect civilians and provide assistance to millions of displaced people, while promoting inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation.

He also highlighted the UN's contribution to the power-sharing dialogue in Kirkuk, support for the 2020 Sinjar Agreement, and efforts to ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons, including Yazidis who were victims of ISIS crimes.

The Secretary-General paid tribute to the UNAMI staff killed in the terrorist attack on 19 August 2003 at the Baghdad hotel housing the UN office, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, and recalled that 19 August is observed as World Humanitarian Day.

The conclusion of the Mission's work, he emphasized, does not mean the UN's withdrawal from Iraq. The Organization's agencies, funds, and programs will continue to operate in the country, supporting development, strengthening governance systems, and protecting human rights.

He called the decision to name a street in Baghdad after the UN a symbol of a strong partnership and the beginning of a new stage in relations between Iraq and the United Nations.

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December 12, 2025 Climate and environment

The seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) concluded on Friday in Nairobi, Kenya. Member States adopted 11 resolutions, three decisions, and a ministerial declaration aimed at advancing measures to improve environmental and climatic conditions on the planet.

The Assembly is the highest intergovernmental decision-making body on environmental issues. The week-long event, held at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was attended by over 6,000 people from 186 countries.

A wide range of solutions

The resolutions adopted cover topics such as the sustainable management of minerals and materials needed for the clean energy transition, international cooperation to combat forest fires, and strengthening the protection of coral reefs and glaciers.

In their declaration, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to proactive action to promote sustainable solutions, including supporting national and local waste reduction initiatives. The declaration also calls for fulfilling obligations under multilateral environmental agreements and strengthening equitable and inclusive community participation in all efforts.

"The beacon of environmental multilateral cooperation shines brighter"

In her closing remarks, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen recalled that government representatives had come to Nairobi to demonstrate the determination and solidarity needed to address environmental challenges that threaten economic and social development.

"You have succeeded," she told delegates. "The beacon of environmental multilateral cooperation, rising above the fog of geopolitical disagreements, shines a little brighter today."

She also noted that the Assembly endorsed UNEP's Medium-Term Strategy for the next four years. As states have granted the UN agency new mandates in addition to its existing ones, Andersen called on countries to fully fund the implementation of these commitments.

Friday also marked the tenth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, a key international agreement that set the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for increased action to achieve this goal.

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December 12, 2025 Sustainable Development Goals

Per capita availability of renewable water resources continues to decline, having fallen by another 7 percent over the past ten years, according to a new AQUASTAT database review published today by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

We are talking about freshwater resources that are renewed annually by the natural hydrological cycle. According to the FAO, Central Asia has lost 12 percent of its available renewable water resources per capita since 2015, one of the highest rates in the world.

To measure the level of water scarcity, FAO experts use an indicator called "water stress," or the level of pressure on water resources. It reflects the ratio of water withdrawal to available water. Central Asia faces water stress due to its water use patterns: agriculture accounts for 82 percent of all water withdrawals in Central Asia.

Despite this, according to FAO, positive trends in resource management have been recorded in the region. For example, total freshwater withdrawals decreased by 9 percent (from 123 million m³ in 2015 to 112 million m³ in 2022), and water stress levels decreased from 76.8 percent to 70.2 percent—a decrease of 8.6 percent.

Global indicators

A review of data shows that pressure on freshwater resources is increasing in all parts of the world.

In 2022, the global average water stress level reached 18 percent, but in some regions it is significantly higher:

North Africa – 121 percent; South Asia – 76.7 percent; Central Asia – 70.2 percent; West Asia – 65.1 percent.

High levels of stress mean that annual water withdrawals approach or exceed natural replenishment, threatening the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and economies.

Agriculture remains the largest consumer of water

FAO notes that agriculture remains the largest water-using sector in the world.

Europe and North America, however, use a relatively small share of water in agriculture – 34 percent – but are responsible for almost half of global industrial withdrawals (47 percent).

According to FAO estimates, improvements in water use efficiency are noticeable in several regions, including Central Asia. However, high levels of stress in most arid regions highlight the need for long-term adaptation and sustainable management.

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December 12, 2025 Peace and security

United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will complete its work On December 31, 2025, 22 years after its establishment, Mission Head Mohamed Al-Hassan spoke to UN News about the key achievements achieved over two decades and how the UN will continue to support the country.

According to the head of UNAMI, the decision to end its mission reflects new realities. "When this Mission began its work in 2003, Iraq was a very different country," Al-Hassan noted. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Iraqis themselves, as well as the support of the international community, he continued, Iraq is ready to move "to the next stage – strengthening its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The mission was successfully completed.

Members of the Security Council, which through its resolutions established UNAMI and repeatedly extended its work, highly praised the results of its activities, the Mission's representative noted.

He added that the successful completion of UNAMI's work is reflected in the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary-General to Baghdad. Antonio Guterres will travel there on Saturday, December 13, "to participate in a ceremony where Iraqis and the diplomatic community will say 'thank you' to the UN for the work it has done."

The head of UNAMI noted three key results: improved security, holding elections, and supporting human rights.

United Nations News Service

The UN mission, Al-Hassan explained, assessed the security situation and the performance of institutions during the 2024-2025 electoral processes, including elections in the Kurdistan Region and the parliamentary elections on November 11: “These were the fairest, freest and most peaceful elections [in the country’s history].”

In addition, he said, the UN, with the support of the international community and the coalition, helped Iraqis defeat ISIS (Daesh).

Another achievement is progress in human rights. In 2026, Iraq will become a member of the UN Human Rights Council – a move Al-Hassan called "a huge achievement for a country that survived the dictatorship and terror of ISIS."

There is progress, but problems remain

He also listed the remaining challenges: preventing child marriage and gender-based violence, and protecting minority rights.

The head of UNAMI noted that the UN was deliberately striving to ensure that the advancement of women's rights became an internal Iraqi process: "What comes from outside can be perceived as an imposition. We wanted Iraqis to advance these issues themselves."

UNAMI

Furthermore, one of the most problematic issues remains the situation of internally displaced persons, numbering over a million. The situation is particularly dire for the nearly 100,000 Yazidis who remain in camps.

Al-Hassan recalled that this community "survived horrors at the hands of ISIS: girls were sold, many survived kidnappings, rape, and forced marriages." He expressed hope that the government and international partners will help people "return to the homes from which they were driven, particularly in Sinjar."

The UN remains in Iraq

A UNAMI representative clarified that the Mission's closure does not mean the UN is leaving Iraq.

"All specialized UN agencies will remain: UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the Office of Human Rights, the UN Development Program… Even new offices are opening – the World Bank and the IMF," he noted.

The Head of Mission emphasized that Iraq has significant economic potential, including large oil fields, and therefore the country does not need charity, but the support and cooperation of the international community.

Success story

"Iraq is a success story," Al-Hassan said.

According to him, this country—the cradle of civilization—possesses unique cultural and religious diversity. He noted that Iraq is home to Christians, Shia and Sunni Muslims, Yazidis, Sabians, Zoroastrians, Jews, and representatives of many other communities.

"This is a country that can become a model for the Middle East—an example others can follow. Therefore, my message to the international community and neighboring states is: give Iraq and the Iraqis a chance to prove they deserve the freedom they paid a very high price for," the UNAMI chief emphasized.

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December 12, 2025 Peace and security

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is plunging into a profound crisis: both the security and humanitarian situations are deteriorating. This was stated by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix at a meeting of the UN Security Council.

The M23 offensive in South Kivu has revived fears of a wider regional escalation, as the rebel group's territorial expansion, the creation of parallel administrations and the weakening of the state presence lead to fragmentation in the east of the country.

"This development threatens not only the stability of eastern DRC, but also the stability of the entire Great Lakes region," Lacroix said.

Noting the diplomatic progress achieved through the Washington Agreements and the Doha process, Lacroix called for the implementation of resolution 2773 (2025).

The M23 offensive in South Kivu and the capture of the town of Uvira, allegedly with the support of the Rwandan Defence Forces, triggered a military escalation just days after the signing of the Washington Accords.

Congolese armed forces, supported by the Burundian armed forces and the pro-government Wazalendo militia, engaged in large-scale military operations using heavy artillery and airstrikes. These clashes resulted in casualties among military personnel and civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and significant displacement. Thousands fled across the border into Burundi and Rwanda.

Lacroix spoke about the dire humanitarian situation: there are approximately 5.35 million internally displaced persons registered in the country, and more than 24 million people are facing acute food shortages.

Doctors Without Borders head Javid Abdelmoneim reported the collapse of the healthcare system and a severe shortage of medicines. Medical facilities are being attacked.

He said both armed groups and state forces were committing serious violations, including killings, looting and sexual violence, with the vast majority of cases targeting civilians.

Lacroix stressed that the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) continues its vital work to protect the population, despite serious restrictions.

"MONUSCO will continue to carry out its mandate professionally and resolutely. With the support of the Security Council, it is ready to contribute fully to ongoing peace efforts," Lacroix said.

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December 12, 2025 Peace and security

Russia's intensified attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure puts civilians at serious risk as winter approaches, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said today in its monthly bulletin.

The mission's experts also noted the increased use of long-range weapons and a high number of civilian casualties. At least 226 civilians were killed and 952 wounded across Ukraine in November, with more than half of all deaths and injuries attributed to the use of powerful long-range missiles and drones by Russian forces in densely populated urban areas. Hundreds of drones and missiles were often used during nighttime attacks.

“The Russian Federation’s renewed campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is seriously disrupting the delivery of essential services on which civilians depend,” said Danielle Bell, Head of the HRMMU.

"Millions of families are now forced to live for long periods without electricity, heat and water, and these difficulties are exacerbated as the days get shorter and temperatures drop," she added.

In November, according to the mission, the Russian Federation carried out five large-scale, combined attacks on energy infrastructure. The attacks caused widespread power outages in most regions, lasting over 36 hours in some areas. Heating and water supplies were also disrupted in several locations.

Similar attacks continued in December. For example, on December 4, several long-range drones struck a substation in Odessa, leaving the city without power for several days.

Local residents told HRMMU staff that their neighbors, including elderly and disabled people, were unable to leave their apartments for several days during the power outages due to the outage of their elevators. Even after power was restored, the elevators remained unsafe due to power surges. Volunteers brought food and water to those who were unable to move. Many were forced to store food on their balconies because their refrigerators were not working.

Read also:

WHO is helping Ukrainian hospitals cope with heating and water supply disruptions.

Some buildings had no heating, as it relied on electricity. Temperatures in apartments where windows had been blown out were plummeting. One resident said, "It's 12 degrees Celsius in my apartment now, and it's dark because the windows were boarded up after the attack."

Following emergency power outages, most regions of Ukraine are experiencing long-term scheduled power outages, which currently last up to 16 hours a day.

A social worker in southern Ukraine told HRMMU staff about the serious difficulties her clients face, describing in particular the situation of an 87-year-old woman: "It's extremely difficult for her to survive now, as she's completely dependent on power outages. When the power comes on for a few hours during the day, she must make the most of this time to cook, eat hot food and stay warm, stock up on running water, do laundry, and do housework. For an elderly person living alone, this is impossible."

The increase in long-range strikes by the Russian Federation is also the primary cause of the rising civilian casualties documented by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2025. For example, between January and November 2024, drone and long-range missile strikes killed 509 civilians and injured 2,462. During the same period in 2025, civilian deaths from long-range weapons increased by 27 percent to 645, while the number of injured increased by 68 percent to 4,123.

Russia's combined attack on Ternopil on November 19, using missiles and long-range drones, killed at least 38 civilians, including 18 women, 12 men, four girls, and four boys, and wounded 99 others, including 17 children. This is the highest civilian casualty toll recorded in a single incident since the October 2023 strike on a café in the village of Groza in the Kharkiv region, where a funeral service was taking place.

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December 12, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Tens of thousands of people are believed to be trapped in the Sudanese city of El Fasher, cut off from vital supplies and services. However, UN humanitarian agencies report that they will soon be able to access the besieged capital of North Darfur.

Humanitarian officials say the situation in El Fasher is "beyond dire." "We know there could be between 70,000 and 100,000 people trapped inside the city," said Ross Smith, the World Food Programme (WFP)'s emergency director.

The Rapid Intervention Forces, which have been waging war against the Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023, captured El Fasher in October after a 500-day siege. During the siege, people were reduced to eating peanut husks and animal feed. warned earlier At the UN Human Rights Office, satellite images revealed the bloody remains of mass killings of civilians and ethnically motivated executions.

Access for humanitarian organizations

UN humanitarian agencies emphasize that access to El Fasher remains a top priority. Meanwhile, communications blackouts have effectively left residents without any means of contact with outsiders.

Sudanese who fled the city described "massacres, burned bodies and abandoned markets," Smith said.

Read also:

INTERVIEW | Sudan conflict: UN documents all violations to ensure justice is served

"As I understand it, following yesterday's discussions, we have reached an agreement in principle with the RSF regarding the minimum conditions for access to the city. Therefore, we expect to conduct an initial assessment and reconnoiter the situation soon. After more than a year and a half of siege, vital resources have been completely destroyed," he added.

Mass displacement

Smith noted that those who managed to escape from El Fasher had to risk their lives moving along roads littered with mines and unexploded ordnance.

Many reached Tawila, a once-small desert town now a "massive settlement" with over 650,000 people—comparable to the population of Luxembourg. Others found refuge in the town of El Debba in the Northern State.

According to Smith, humanitarian aid convoys supported by the WFP are “already on their way to Tawila with supplies enough for 700,000 people for the next month.”

"These families have endured months of famine and widespread violence. Now they live in overcrowded conditions and receive extremely limited aid. There are insufficient shelters, and many are forced to live in primitive structures made of grass and straw. Cholera and other diseases are widespread," he emphasized.

12 million people have fled their homes

Sudan continues to face the world's largest humanitarian crisis of forced displacement. More than 12 million people have fled their homes, either across borders or to other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported a deterioration since December 1. security situation in the Kordofan regionAfter a week of intense fighting, the SRF reportedly captured a Sudanese army base in Babanusa, West Kordofan.

In Southern Kordofan, civilians remain in besieged towns, including Kadugli and Dilling. Women, children, and the elderly are seeking refuge. "Men and young people often remain behind due to the heightened risks they face en route, including detention by armed groups on suspicion of affiliation with one side or the other," UNHCR stated.

The latest figures indicate that more than 40,000 people have fled the affected areas of Northern Kordofan since November 18. "UNHCR, with the support of partners, is providing emergency assistance to displaced people, but access remains difficult and resources are extremely limited," the agency emphasized.

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December 11, 2025 Healthcare

A World Health Organization (WHO) expert committee has reaffirmed that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The WHO made this statement following a new analysis of global scientific evidence.

At its meeting on November 27, the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety reviewed the results of 31 major studies published between 2010 and August 2025. The analysis covered data from multiple countries and included an assessment of both vaccines in general and products containing thiomersal, a preservative sometimes used to prevent contamination in multi-dose vials.

Vaccines are safe

The committee noted that the analysis confirmed the safety of the vaccines for children and pregnant women, as well as the absence of a causal link with autism spectrum disorders.

Experts also examined concerns regarding some vaccines that contain small amounts of aluminum salts, which boost the body's immune response. The assessment utilized studies published over more than two decades, as well as a large Danish study that included children born between 1997 and 2018.

The WHO committee concluded that available data do not establish a link between aluminum used in some vaccines and ASD. Aluminum salts have been used safely for many decades.

Following the review, the expert group confirmed previous findings made in 2002, 2004 and 2012: “Vaccines, including those containing thiomersal and/or aluminum, do not cause autism.”

The WHO has called on governments to ensure that vaccination policies are based on scientific evidence, noting that "global efforts to immunize children represent one of the greatest achievements in improving living conditions and societal well-being." The WHO estimates that vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years.

Debate in the US

On September 24, the WHO issued a statement amid renewed political debate over vaccination in the United States. At the time, the WHO cautioned against reviving theories linking vaccines to autism, emphasizing that "there is a robust and extensive evidence base that childhood vaccines do not cause autism."

Studies that claimed otherwise, the WHO said, were flawed and have long been disproven.

The organization reiterated that independent research over many years consistently leads to the same conclusion: vaccines are safe, effective, and crucial for public health. The WHO stated that it will continue to review new data and advise countries based on the best scientific evidence.

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