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January 30, 2026 UN

The Winter Olympics begin in Italy on February 6. UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock called on all warring parties to agree to a "mutual ceasefire" during the sporting events, in accordance with the ancient principle of the Olympic Truce.

"The Olympic Truce proves that even in times of discord, humanity can still find common ground through sport," Baerbock said.

"I call on all parties involved in ongoing armed conflicts around the world to show resolve and agree to a genuine mutual ceasefire for the duration of the Olympic Truce," she added.

Baerbock recalled the ancient Greek tradition of ekecheiria, which translates as "Olympic truce." She called it "the sacred principle of the Olympic Games."

The former German Foreign Minister referred to General Assembly resolution, which calls on countries to observe a ceasefire from the seventh day before the start of the Winter Olympic Games until the seventh day after the end of the Winter Paralympic Games.

"Through friendly competition, we can overcome differences," Baerbock said.

She noted that the upcoming Games will be the most gender-balanced in history. The General Assembly President also added that the International Olympic Committee has decided to raise the UN flag at the Olympic stadium and in the Olympic villages as a symbol of peace.

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January 30, 2026 International law

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controlled the northeast of the country.

The need to comply with international law

"We welcome efforts to bring stability to the region and now hope for a complete cessation of hostilities," said commission chairman Paulo Pinheiro.

“In this regard, we also welcome the recent decree of the Syrian President recognizing the cultural, linguistic and civil rights of the Kurdish population of Syria,” he added.

The Commission called on all parties to ensure strict compliance with international humanitarian law and to protect civilians.

"We are alarmed by reports of the killing of fighters who laid down their arms and other civilians, as well as the desecration of the bodies of those killed," said commission spokesperson Monia Ammar. She noted that the commission is investigating the alleged violations.

Experts also stress the need to ensure unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population and allow civilians to move freely.

The situation of children

The commission is concerned about the situation of children in the region. Cold winter weather—combined with lack of access to electricity, water, food, and heating—could have catastrophic consequences for the population. The experts, in particular, recalled cases of infants dying of exposure in camps for displaced persons in northeastern Syria, including in Ain al-Arab (Kobani).

The situation of detainees, particularly children, amid the shift in control of detention facilities is also deeply concerning. After the Al-Aqtan prison near Raqqa, where individuals suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) were held, came under government control, the commission received reports that over 100 children were being held there arbitrarily and subjected to cruel treatment.

The experts also expressed concern about the situation of more than 17,000 children and young people arbitrarily detained in the Al-Hol and Al-Rauj camps and in “rehabilitation centers” such as Khuri and Urkesh.

The Commission calls on countries to repatriate children who are their citizens from northeastern Syria.

Regarding the detained alleged former ISIS fighters, the commission recalled the right of all detainees to a fair trial and called for prompt, effective, transparent and impartial investigations, particularly into those acts that may constitute war crimes.

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January 30, 2026 Climate and environment

Extreme heat, severe frosts, and torrential rains have made January 2026 a month of extreme weather conditions. This underscores the importance of accurate forecasts and investment in early warning systems, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated.

Natural phenomena causing serious human casualties, economic losses and environmental damage were recorded in all regions of the world.

"It's no surprise that extreme weather consistently ranks among the top risks in the World Economic Forum's annual Global Threats Report. The number of people affected by weather and climate disasters is growing year on year, and in January, we saw their tragic consequences literally every day," said WMO Director Celeste Saulo.

She recalled that in countries with effective early warning mechanisms, mortality from natural disasters is six times lower, which makes Early Warning Systems for All initiative particularly relevant.

Frosts and winter storms

Although the frequency of severe cold events has been declining globally since 1950, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), this does not preclude isolated severe cold snaps. A weakening of the polar vortex has facilitated the intrusion of Arctic air into mid-latitudes, causing severe frosts in North America, Europe, and Asia. This is a large area of cold air and strong winds that typically circulates around the Arctic in the upper atmosphere and sometimes weakens, allowing Arctic cold to spread southward.

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A powerful winter storm also struck Canada and the United States in late January, causing widespread power outages, flight cancellations, and loss of life. The US National Weather Service warned that by January 31, a new wave of Arctic cold would spread south through the Plains states, the Great Lakes region, and the southeastern and eastern regions of the country.

At the same time, some meteorological forecasts indicate that stratospheric warming over the Arctic could lead to a significant weakening of the polar vortex in early February, which, in turn, will create conditions for a new invasion of Arctic air into North America and Northern Europe in the second half of the month.

Heavy rains and floods

Europe experienced a series of storms with heavy rainfall, winds, and flooding, from Ireland and the UK to the Mediterranean. Meteorological services warned of continued increased rainfall in northwestern Europe and the Mediterranean.

The situation is particularly dire in southern Africa. According to Mozambique's national authorities, floods have affected at least 650 thousand peopleHundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes, and approximately 30,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. South Africa declared a national disaster after torrential rains claimed dozens of lives.

Heat and fires

Australia experienced two heatwaves in one month. In the city of Ceduna, the temperature reached 49.5 degrees Celsius – a record for the area. Scientists note that climate change intensified the January heatwave by approximately 1.6 degrees.

In Chile, wildfires have killed at least 21 people, and tens of thousands have been evacuated. Fires have also engulfed southern Argentina. According to the IPCC report, human-induced climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of heat waves since the mid-20th century.

The role of early warnings

WMO is stepping up its efforts to combat the impacts of extreme heat and other weather-related hazards, including through joint initiatives with the World Health Organization.

As experts emphasize, January 2026 became another reminder: investments in early warning, climate resilience and disaster preparedness save lives.

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January 30, 2026 Peace and security

The conflict in Ukraine continues to pose "the most serious threat to nuclear security in the world," IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated at the agency's Board of Governors meeting in Vienna on Friday.

Grossi said the IAEA had to coordinate four separate temporary ceasefires between Ukraine and Russia in recent months to allow for repairs to power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

A total of five such repairs were carried out. The last one was completed on January 19, when the plant was reconnected to its last backup line. It had been damaged since January 2—according to the agency, due to military activity. Before the backup line was restored, the Zaporizhzhya NPP depended on the only remaining main line, which supplied power to the cooling systems of the six shut-down reactors.

The IAEA, Grossi said, is closely monitoring how plant personnel cope with harsh winter conditions, including preventing water in the cooling pond and irrigation basins from freezing.

Attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure

The IAEA director noted that the safety of Ukrainian nuclear power plants directly depends on the operation of key substations. Damage to these substations "undermines nuclear safety and must be prevented," he emphasized.

An IAEA expert mission is working at all Ukrainian substations affected by the strikes. Specialists are assessing the condition of 10 facilities critical to the NPP's external power supply. Some of these were already inspected in December 2025, while others are being inspected for the first time.

The situation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

IAEA experts recorded military activity near other nuclear facilities, including the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, where several power lines were damaged. Although the plant continues to receive power through alternative sources, emergency diesel generators were activated due to power outages and voltage surges. All main power lines were subsequently restored.

Grossi reiterated that a cessation of hostilities is the only way to guarantee security and prevent a nuclear incident.

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January 29, 2026 Economic development

More than one-eighth of trade revenues come from information and communications technology (ICT), with 80 percent of these products manufactured in Asia. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), electronic components—microchips, circuit boards, and sensors—play a key role in the sector's rapid growth.

Electronic components are an unnoticed but critical part of our daily lives. They are found in smartphones, computers, network centers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. Their production generates significant added value and influences the economic development of countries. Companies that produce components create more highly skilled jobs and generate sustainable export revenues.

However, the benefits of digital trade are unevenly distributed. Developing countries often have limited capacity, producing only simple components or performing assembly. This prevents them from fully participating in the digital economy. Without investment in technology and skills development, such countries risk remaining on the periphery of global trade.

Trends in services

According to UNCTAD, global trade in information and communications technology services will reach $1.2 trillion in 2024. The sector has seen steady growth since 2017, with demand increasing significantly during the pandemic. COVID-19.

Europe leads the world in ICT services exports (e.g., telecommunications and computer services), accounting for approximately 57 percent of the total market, while Africa and Latin America combined account for less than 3 percent.

Digital products

Trade in goods that can be delivered remotely in digital format, including films, music and books, grew by 10 percent in 2024.

Developed countries accounted for about three-quarters of exports, amounting to approximately $3.8 trillion, while developing countries exported goods worth about $1.2 trillion.

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January 29, 2026 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation of violence in South Sudan, including most recently in Jonglei State, which has resulted in numerous casualties. 180,000 civilians in the state have been forced to flee their homes.

The UN chief is alarmed by inflammatory rhetoric targeting certain communities and the decision to expand military operations, which will only worsen the suffering of civilians.

The Secretary-General is also concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in the country. According to government data, 250,000 civilians fled their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the country in the first few weeks of 2026 alone.

Guterres calls on all parties to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. He also emphasized the need to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers.

"The Secretary-General calls on the Government of South Sudan and opposition forces to take immediate and decisive action to cease all military operations and de-escalate the situation through inclusive dialogue," said a statement issued on behalf of the UN chief by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

Guterres emphasized that the crisis in South Sudan requires a political, not a military, solution. He welcomed the efforts of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to resolve the conflict and called on neighboring countries to more actively support inclusive dialogue.

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January 29, 2026 UN

"The law of force defeats the force of law." This is how UN Secretary-General António Guterres characterized the current state of international relations while speaking to journalists in New York. He outlined the Organization's priorities for 2026, his final term as UN chief.

A period of chaos and uncertainty

According to Guterres, 2026 is already shaping up to be a period of chaos and uncertainty. The Secretary-General emphasized that the world is living in a situation where actions—especially reckless ones—cause dangerous reactions. This is exacerbated by geopolitical divisions and exacerbated by impunity, which undermines international stability.

He noted that international law is being violated, multilateral cooperation institutions are under attack, and impunity is thriving in the world.

“Impunity has become a driving force in today’s conflicts, fueling escalation, deepening mistrust and opening the door to powerful destructive forces,” Guterres said.

The world is changing rapidly

He paid particular attention to the humanitarian situation worldwide. The Secretary-General said cuts to humanitarian aid are triggering a "chain reaction" of despair, population displacement, and death.

At the same time, inequality is deepening globally, undermining societies. The climate crisis remains one of the most serious challenges of our time. And the lack of restrictions on the development of new technologies is leading to instability.

At the same time, mechanisms for solving global problems are outdated, Guterres noted, and the world is changing rapidly: the economic influence of developing countries is growing, and South-South trade is outpacing traditional North-North flows.

The need to develop multilateral institutions

The Secretary-General stated that global problems cannot be resolved by a single power or two competing powers attempting to divide the world into spheres of influence. He urged accelerated and targeted development of multipolarity based on partnership.

"However, multipolarity alone does not guarantee stability or peace. Europe was multipolar before the First World War. But the lack of effective multilateral institutions led to confrontation and war," Guterres said.

“For a multipolar world to ensure balance, prosperity and peace, we need strong multilateral institutions whose legitimacy is based on shared responsibility and common values,” he added.

UN Priorities

The Secretary-General said the Organization would continue to strive for a just and lasting peace.

One of the main priorities of his work in the final year will be the reform of the Security Council.

“We are making every effort to reform and strengthen the Security Council, the only body with the Charter-enshrined authority to act on behalf of all countries on matters of peace and security,” Guterres said.

He stressed that there can be no peace and stability without development and the UN will continue to do everything possible to achieve this. Sustainable Development Goals.

Combating climate change and creating a global governance system for artificial intelligence will also be key areas of work in 2026. He recalled that within the UN, created International Scientific Group on Artificial Intelligence.

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January 29, 2026 Sustainable Development Goals

A joint program between the Armenian government and several UN agencies aimed at accelerating the transition to sustainable, climate-smart, and affordable food systems has officially launched in Armenia. The initiative is being led by Françoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia.

The program aims to improve access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses in Armenia, develop climate-resilient production chains, and promote healthy nutrition. It is designed to increase productivity, reduce environmental impacts, and strengthen the country's food security.

"This program is an investment in people, in farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers," emphasized Françoise Jacob. According to her, joint efforts will make it possible to "make sustainable food systems a driver of inclusive growth."

The initiative is aligned with Armenia's national food security strategies and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It combines political support with practical investments, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and new economic opportunities for rural areas.

Raimund Jehle, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Armenia, noted that access to sustainable finance is a crucial factor: “This will enable farmers to implement climate-smart solutions and strengthen local food chains.”

Konstantin Sokulsky, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia, added that the program involves the introduction of innovative financing models, which “creates a new path for investment in sustainable and biodiverse food systems.”

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January 29, 2026 Human rights

Across Europe and Central Asia, millions of children are subjected to violent punishment—verbal or physical—by the people who are supposed to care for them. Although this is one of the most common forms of violence against children, it often goes unreported because the punishments occur behind closed doors.

According to a recent report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)Almost one in three children aged one to 14 in the region is subjected to corporal punishment by parents or guardians. Psychological aggression affects between 36 and 69 percent of children in 15 countries with available data. These forms of violent "discipline" are often used simultaneously.

As of 2025, 39 countries in Europe and Central Asia have banned corporal punishment in all circumstances. However, even with laws, political commitment, and a growing understanding of its harm, violent parenting methods remain widespread. They are often considered a "normal" part of parenting. However, data shows that over 90 percent of parents believe that physical punishment and psychological aggression are unnecessary, yet many still resort to them.

The risk of physical punishment changes with age

In countries that provided data, rates of physical punishment typically increase in early childhood and peak at ages three to four. Rates then decline, and in many countries, rates are significantly lower among children aged 10 to 14.

This points to a regional trend: early childhood is a period of particular vulnerability. Harsh discipline during this time can undermine a child's sense of security, impact brain development and learning, and increase the risk of emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Risk factors

In all countries with available data, boys are more likely to be physically punished than girls. The difference in psychological aggression is smaller, but boys are still slightly more likely to suffer. This suggests the influence of gender stereotypes: boys are more often seen as needing stricter control.

Furthermore, children with disabilities are more likely to be subjected to physical punishment than their peers without disabilities, highlighting the need for inclusive protections.

The role of the living environment

The risk of violent discipline can vary greatly within a single country. A striking example is children living in Roma settlements. In Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, Roma children are more likely to be subjected to physical punishment than the national average. This is due to poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to services. When families and communities receive sufficient support, these risks can be reduced.

A safe childhood for every child

Violent discipline leaves long-lasting emotional and psychological consequences. It teaches fear rather than understanding, and increases the risk of perpetuating the cycle of violence in the future.

Most parents, however, don't intend to cause harm—it's often a result of stress, harmful social norms, and a lack of support. This means violence is preventable.

Clear laws, resources for their implementation, effective monitoring, and, most importantly, prevention are needed. Work with parents, teachers, and specialists should be aimed at promoting non-violent parenting methods.

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