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February 23, 2026 Peace and security

Tuesday, February 24, marks four years since the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, UN Secretary-General António Guterres recalled in his statement marking the anniversary. He emphasized that the invasion violated the UN Charter and international law.

"This devastating war is a stain on our collective conscience and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security," the UN chief said in a statement.

"The longer the war goes on, the bloodier it becomes," Guterres noted.

In 2025, the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine was recorded during the entire war.

“I reiterate my call for an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace,” the Secretary-General said.

He added that for peace to be just, it must comply with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions. The UN chief also emphasized the need to respect Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The United Nations remains ready to contribute to all efforts aimed at achieving peace, Guterres said.

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February 23, 2026 Human rights

Delegates from more than 120 countries gathered in Geneva on Monday to mark the 20th anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council and reaffirm their shared commitment to international law – against a backdrop of rapidly growing global instability, wars and conflicts.

Recalling the geopolitical uncertainty associated with conflicts in the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, Ukraine, Sudan and other regions, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He called on the Council to uphold human rights. In the current situation, they are under threat worldwide, he emphasized.

Speaking about Ukraine, the UN chief recalled that Tuesday, February 24, marks four years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, which killed more than 15,000 civilians.

“It is high time to put an end to the bloodshed,” Guterres stressed.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for human rights and justice to be placed at the centre of any ceasefire or peace agreement.

"Silence has consequences"

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said that "silence is a choice… and it has consequences."

"History teaches us that great systems rarely collapse in a single, dramatic moment; they are eroded gradually, rule by rule, obligation by obligation, while those who are supposed to protect them choose to remain silent. And then, one day, what seemed eternal simply vanishes," Baerbock said.

She recalled the dire and ever-worsening situation of women in Afghanistan, including the Taliban's latest decree that allows husbands to beat their wives, as long as the beatings do not result in broken bones or open wounds.

"We must always remember that silence in the face of the most serious human rights violations never works," Baerbock said.

“We are seeing not only a sharp rollback in the area of women’s rights, but also in the area of human rights in general, as well as other rules and standards that were considered inviolable and are now openly questioned, rejected, or violated,” she added.

The President of the General Assembly also stated that “recognizing the abduction of Ukrainian children as a war crime” is the responsibility of every HRC member state.

The two-state solution is being dismantled

Speaking about the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settlement expansion continues, António Guterres warned that the two-state solution is being "dismantled."

"The international community cannot allow this to happen," he stressed.

"We live in a world where mass suffering is justified, where people are used as bargaining chips, where international law is treated as a nuisance," he emphasized.

AI exacerbates discrimination

Even technology – and above all artificial intelligence – is increasingly being used to “suppress rights, deepen inequalities and subject marginalized groups to new forms of discrimination,” the UN chief warned.

"Human rights are not a West or East, a North or a South issue. They are not a luxury or a bargaining chip. They are the foundation of a more peaceful and secure world. And states are bound by their obligations under the UN Charter and international law," Guterres said.

Volker Türk, in turn, emphasized that in a situation where some governments are weakening the multilateral system, violations of international law must be clearly and unambiguously assessed “regardless of who is at fault.”

The High Commissioner announced the upcoming launch of the Global Alliance for Human Rights, which will bring together states, businesses, cities, philanthropists, scientists, artists, youth and civil society.

“Our future depends on our shared commitment to protecting the rights of every person, always and everywhere,” Türk stressed.

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February 23, 2026 Peace and security

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has received credible reports of civilian casualties as a result of overnight airstrikes carried out by Pakistani forces in Afghanistan late on 21 February and in the early hours of 22 February.

According to available reports, between 11:45 PM on February 21 and 12:15 AM on February 22, Pakistani forces launched airstrikes in the Bihsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar Province. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 13 civilians were killed and seven others were wounded, including women and children.

Airstrikes were also reported in the Barmal and Urgun districts of Paktika Province. In the first case, at approximately 11:15 PM on February 21, an airstrike struck a madrassa and partially damaged a nearby mosque. In the second case, at approximately 11:30 PM, an airstrike damaged and partially destroyed an unoccupied private home. No civilian casualties have yet been reported in these two incidents.

The UN mission calls on all parties to cease hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further casualties. UNAMA reiterates the need for strict adherence to international law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautionary measures to prevent civilian casualties.

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February 23, 2026 Peace and security

Four years after the start of full-scale war, Ukraine's reconstruction over the next decade will require nearly $588 billion (over €500 billion), according to an updated joint damage and needs assessment prepared by the Ukrainian government, the World Bank, the European Commission, and the United Nations. This amount is almost three times the country's projected nominal GDP for 2025.

With the support of international partners, the Ukrainian authorities are already planning priority recovery projects for 2026. These include public investments and key assistance programs—rebuilding damaged housing, demining, and economic support—worth over $15 billion. Furthermore, since February 2022, at least $20 billion has already been allocated for immediate repairs to damaged facilities and recovery programs for projects in housing, energy, education, transportation, and other vital services.

We remain capable of recovering quickly and moving forward. I thank the World Bank, EU, and UN teams for supporting our efforts.

"Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion, the total cost of Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction is now estimated at nearly $588 billion over the next decade – nearly three times the country's projected nominal GDP for 2025," noted Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. "Despite unprecedented Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and residential buildings across Ukraine this winter, our people are demonstrating resilience, and businesses continue to operate. We remain capable of quickly recovering and moving forward. I thank the teams of the World Bank, the EU, and the UN for supporting our efforts. This assistance allows us to urgently repair critical infrastructure and continue systemic recovery, with a particular focus on energy and housing."

The report covers the period from February 2022 to December 2025 – nearly four years of war. According to it, direct damage has already exceeded $195 billion (€166 billion), compared to $176 billion a year earlier. Housing, transportation, and energy have been hit the hardest, particularly in frontline regions and large cities.

Energy infrastructure continues to be subject to intense attacks: the number of damaged or destroyed facilities has increased by approximately 21 percent compared to the previous estimate. In the transportation sector, needs have increased by approximately 24 percent due to attacks on railways and ports in 2025. By the end of 2025, 14 percent of the country's housing stock—that's more than three million households—has been damaged or destroyed.

"Despite the massive destruction that continues to wreak havoc on Ukraine's people, economy, and infrastructure, the entire country is demonstrating exceptional resilience and resolve," said Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director for Operations. "The World Bank Group is steadfastly committed to supporting Ukraine's recovery, helping create jobs, opportunity, and hope in a resilient, modern, and competitive economy."

The report's authors note that the private sector will play a key role in the recovery. However, further reforms are needed to attract investment, including improving the business climate, expanding access to finance, and adapting the economy to the European Union's environmental and digital standards.

The return of refugees, the reintegration of veterans and the participation of women in the labour market will determine the economic recovery as much as investment and infrastructure rehabilitation.

"Russia's war of aggression continues to have a devastating impact on Ukraine," stressed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. "The EU will continue to play a key role in supporting Ukraine's recovery, mobilizing private investment through the Investment Framework for Ukraine and promoting reforms through the Ukraine Action Plan that will help attract investment and bring the country closer to EU membership."

The largest long-term costs are associated with the transportation sector – over $96 billion. These are followed by energy (almost $91 billion), housing (almost $90 billion), trade and industry (over $63 billion), and agriculture (over $55 billion). Nearly $28 billion will be needed for demining and rubble removal.

"Recovery efforts are people-centered. Ukraine's greatest resource is its people. The return of refugees, the reintegration of veterans, and women's participation in the labor market will determine economic recovery as much as investment and infrastructure rehabilitation. Recovery must be people-centered and community-centered," said UN Regional Coordinator Matthias Schmale.

The report also emphasizes that the country's future economic strategy—"Economy of Ukraine's Future"—focuses on macro-financial stability, governance reforms, private sector development, infrastructure rehabilitation, and investment in human capital, which should strengthen investor confidence and accelerate Ukraine's rapprochement with the European Union.

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February 20, 2026 Sustainable Development Goals

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the key role of science in the global governance of artificial intelligence, speaking Friday at an event in New Delhi, India, on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit.

"By building on science, we can transform artificial intelligence from a source of uncertainty into a reliable driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," he said.

The Secretary-General called on the international community to build a future "in which policies are as smart as the technologies they are designed to guide."

New expert group

Guterres noted that "AI innovation is advancing at lightning speed, outpacing our collective ability to fully understand it, let alone manage it effectively." He argued that for AI to serve humanity, policies must not be based on guesswork. What's needed are "facts that can be trusted—and shared across countries and sectors."

That's why the UN is developing mechanisms that place science at the center of international cooperation in the field of AI. In particular, the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence was recently established, which includes40 leading experts were included.

The group aims to bridge the AI knowledge gap and assess the real-world economic and societal impacts of new technologies, so that governments can make decisions with an equally clear understanding of the situation, regardless of their own technological advancement.

Accelerating progress and preventing risks

"The Group will provide a common analytical framework, helping Member States move from philosophical discussions to technical coordination and evidence-based decision-making," the UN chief emphasized.

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In addition, the international community will be able to identify potential consequences of AI in advance, such as risks for children or the labour market, which will allow countries to “prepare, protect people and invest in their future.”

Risk of fragmentation

Guterres noted that international cooperation today is complicated by declining trust and increasing technological rivalry.

"Without a common framework, fragmentation takes over, with different regions operating under incompatible policies and technical standards," the UN chief warned. This, he said, only increases costs, reduces security, and deepens inequality.

The Secretary-General indicated that countries could agree on "technical benchmarks" based on the work of the International Panel and another UN initiative, the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which will be held in Geneva in May.

Human control

Concluding his speech, the UN chief emphasized that human control over AI must be "a technical reality, not a slogan."

This means the need for “real human oversight in high-stakes decisions – in justice, health care, lending,” and a clear accountability system so that responsibility “is never shifted to an algorithm.”

“People must understand how decisions are made, have the opportunity to challenge them and receive answers,” the Secretary-General concluded.

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Dominika Tomaszewska-Mortimer

February 20, 2026 Peace and security

Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion, millions of Ukrainians are facing numerous hardships, including interruptions in heat and electricity supplies. The crisis is particularly hard on women and vulnerable groups, UN humanitarian officials warned at a briefing in Geneva on Friday.

The status of women

Returning from a recent visit to the country, UN Women Humanitarian Programme Director Sophia Collthorpe spoke to journalists in Geneva about the suffering of Ukrainian families left without heat, electricity, or shelter amid extreme cold. Sixty-five percent of Ukraine's energy capacity, she said, was destroyed as a result of deliberate attacks.

"These power outages are more than just technical glitches," she said. "They directly undermine women's safety, security, and economic stability."

Many Ukrainian women work in the sectors where extended power outages have the most severe impact – education, healthcare, social services, and retail – and now these women are increasingly losing their jobs.

"In Kyiv, in a large heated tent set up to support people, I met Irina," Collthorpe said. "She told me, 'No electricity means no school for my children and no work for me. That means there's nothing to live on…'"

Last year was the deadliest year for women in the entire war, with more than 5,000 deaths and 14,000 injuries confirmed.

According to a recent study on the impact of aid cuts, one in three women's organizations in the country will likely not survive for more than six months.

"By the end of the year, they risk losing at least $53.9 million," said UN Women spokesperson Sabina Fraser-Güneş. "If this situation continues, approximately 63,000 Ukrainian women will lose access to critical services such as support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in 2026."

The crisis is draining both the most vulnerable and the most resilient.

Extended power outages pose a mortal threat to the most vulnerable: the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. The psychosocial consequences of the energy crisis are no less severe: darkness, isolation, and constant uncertainty exhaust even the most resilient. Jamie Wa, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, told reporters via video link from Kyiv.

Attacks on hospitals

The conflict's devastating impact on human health is compounded by persistent attacks on hospitals and clinics. Over the past four years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded more than 2,870 confirmed attacks, resulting in 233 deaths and 937 injuries, including both health workers and patients.

"Medical facilities are operating at the limit of their capacity, there is a shortage of personnel, and the infrastructure is damaged," warned World Health Organization representative Christian Lindmeier.

According to the WHO, the number of people with disabilities in Ukraine has increased by almost 390,000, or more than 10 percent, since February 2022. "Numbers are one thing. The stories behind them are much more," emphasized Christian Lindmeier.

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February 20, 2026 Human rights

The UN Human Rights Office has collected evidence of the situation of hundreds of thousands of victims of human trafficking who are forced to engage in fraud in major criminal hubs in Southeast Asia and other regions of the world.new reportCases of torture and ill-treatment, sexual violence and exploitation, forced abortions, food deprivation and solitary confinement have been documented.

The victims also spoke about assistance to the criminals from some border guards and about intimidation and extortion by the police.

Promises of legal work

According to satellite imagery and on-the-ground data, nearly three-quarters of such operations concentrated in the Mekong regionHowever, the activities of fraudulent centers have also spread to some Pacific island states, countries in South Asia, the Persian Gulf, West Africa, and the Americas.

The report is based on interviews with victims from Bangladesh, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, India, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and South Africa. They were trafficked to trafficking centers in Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates between 2021 and 2025. The study also interviewed representatives of the police, border agencies, and civil society.

Victims reported being lured in with promises of legitimate work, only to be coerced into participating in online scams ranging from telephone extortion to financial scams and "romantic" schemes.

Cruel punishments

Some of the victims described large gated communities of over 200 hectares, resembling autonomous cities, with multi-story fortified buildings, high walls topped with barbed wire, and armed guards.

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There are also reports of deaths during escape attempts – some fell from balconies and rooftops. Escape attempts were harshly punished. A Vietnamese survivor reported that her sister was beaten, shocked with a taser, and locked up without food for seven days.

Coercion to commit fraudulent activity

According to the report, recruiters often arranged video calls with victims' relatives, forcing them to watch the abuse in order to extract ransom payments.

Most victims received only a fraction of the promised wages: various fines and "expenses" were deducted from their earnings. One interviewee reported being forced to "earn" up to $9,500 daily as part of a fraudulent scheme, otherwise he faced beatings or being "resold" to another center with harsher conditions.

The inadmissibility of punishing victims of human trafficking

"The scale of abuse is both shocking and heartbreaking," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. He emphasized that victims often face mistrust, stigma, and even punishment instead of protection and rehabilitation.

According to Türk, effective measures must be based on human rights, including recognition of forced recruitment into criminal activity and the principle of non-punishment of victims of human trafficking.

The report also emphasizes the need for safe and timely release operations, respect for the principle of non-refoulement, and access to medical and psychological care for victims.

Fight against corruption

Researchers conducted a behavioral and systems analysis to examine the reasons why people continue to fall victim to such schemes. Proposed measures include expanding safe channels for labor migration, monitoring online job postings, and actively engaging civil society organizations and associations of victims themselves in prevention efforts.

The High Commissioner called on States to combat corruption associated with fraudulent networks and bring criminal syndicates to justice, and also to ensure the free operation of independent media and human rights defenders who combat human trafficking.

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February 20, 2026 Peace and security

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has called on governments and the aviation industry to expedite the creation and strengthening of support systems for victims and their families. The UN agency made this statement on International Day of Remembrance for Aircraft Crash Victims and Their Families.

ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Ohnuma noted that this day is an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives in air crashes and express solidarity with their loved ones. He stated that the international community bears a collective responsibility to ensure timely and effective support.

Help for victims

Last year, ICAO member states unanimously adopted a resolution committing countries to developing mechanisms to assist victims and the families of the deceased. The document calls for the establishment of clear procedures for informing relatives, respectful treatment, access to psychological and social support, and proper identification of the deceased.

Particular attention is given to the need for long-term assistance, as the effects of the tragedy could be felt for years. The resolution emphasizes that support must be enshrined in national legislation and comply with international standards.

Incident investigation

ICAO has also updated its requirements for aviation accident investigations. States must now promptly publish preliminary information on crashes, use clear language in reports, and consider the views of families during the investigation. These measures are aimed at increasing transparency and trust.

ICAO programs

The organization continues to help countries improve their national systems. To this end, it develops practical guidelines, conducts training workshops, and provides technical support. Particular attention is paid to high-risk regions and countries with limited resources.

ICAO also encourages wider ratification of the Montreal Convention (Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air) of 1999, which establishes uniform international principles for air carrier liability and compensation for victims. To date, 143 states have acceded to it.

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