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UN Anti-Corruption Conference: AI as a Tool to Combat Economic Crime

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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December 15, 2025 International law

The world's largest anti-corruption conference kicked off today in Doha, Qatar, with a call to harness new technologies in the fight against corruption, with a particular focus on its links to organized crime and other types of illegal activities. At the 11th session of the Conference of States Parties UN Convention against Corruption More than 2,500 delegates from 170 countries are participating.

“Preventing and ultimately eradicating corruption is our shared responsibility,” UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said in a video message to the event’s participants.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in turn, emphasized that corruption is not a victimless crime.

"It fuels conflict, perpetuates inequality, and deprives the world of the resources needed to protect people and the planet," he noted. "Every dollar lost to economic crime is a dollar stolen from those striving for a better future."

According to the UN chief, new technologies, including artificial intelligence, can be used both by criminals and help identify and prevent violations.

“However, this requires regulation and accountability,” he stressed.

John Brandolino, Acting Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), noted that corruption creates "an illicit infrastructure that allows criminal groups to continue operating and profiting with impunity around the world." He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach, with agencies working across sectors and countries. Brandolino called on member states to fully utilize UNODC's anti-corruption initiatives and tools.

The draft resolutions before the participating States address, inter alia, the role of artificial intelligence in preventing and combating corruption, educating children and youth in the spirit of honesty and integrity, increasing the transparency of political party and election campaign financing, and analysing how corruption contributes to other violations, including illegal smuggling of migrants and crimes that damage the environment.

UN Convention against Corruption

The UN Convention against Corruption is the only legally binding international treaty in this area. It entered into force in December 2005. It has 192 states as parties, making it virtually universal.

Under the Convention, countries are obliged to prevent and prosecute corruption, develop international cooperation to combat it, ensure the return of stolen assets, and strengthen technical assistance and information exchange in the public and private sectors.

Thanks to the mechanisms provided by the agreement, 146 countries have updated or adopted anti-corruption laws and policies since 2010. UNODC helps countries implement specific reforms aimed at protecting public resources, increasing transparency, strengthening integrity, and promoting sustainable development.

The Conference of States Parties is the main decision-making forum under the Convention. It meets every two years to support the implementation of commitments and determine the direction of global anti-corruption policy.

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UN chief condemns attack on Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney

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December 15, 2025 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the "despicable" attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney, Australia, to celebrate Hanukkah.

“My heart is with the Jewish community around the world on this first day of Hanukkah, the holiday that celebrates the miracle of peace and light conquering darkness,” he wrote.

Two gunmen reportedly opened fire on Hanukkah celebrations on Bondi Beach in Sydney. At least 11 people were killed. Two of the victims were police officers. Authorities are calling the attack a terrorist act. One of the attackers was killed, and the other was detained.

The Secretary-General expressed solidarity with the people and Government of Australia, as well as with the Jewish community in the country and around the world.

He "unequivocally condemned anti-Semitism in all its forms" and said attacks on religious communities and peaceful assemblies undermined fundamental values such as tolerance, peaceful coexistence and human dignity.

When the attack occurred, the Secretary-General was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the World Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations was taking place.

This initiative was created 20 years ago to promote respect and understanding between cultures and religions.

Alliance High Representative Miguel Angel Moratinos said he was "shocked" by the attack.

“I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” he wrote on the X platform.

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December 15, 2025 Do you love to ride as much as bison do?

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Source: Ecology Foundation

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Do you love to ride as much as bison do?

In winter, we go sledding, skiing, or skating. Bison also have their favorite places to relax and have fun—slides. These are areas of meadows and forest edges where the animals regularly roll around on the ground. And here's the interesting thing: slides not only help get rid of parasites and speed up shedding. They literally transform the landscape.

When bison break up the turf and expose the soil, the meadow begins to regenerate. These areas become home to weakly competitive plants that wouldn't thrive in undisturbed areas. As a result, the meadows boast two to three times more diverse grasses and wildflowers than the surrounding areas. It turns out that the bison aren't just having fun; they're also supporting biodiversity. A noble pursuit!

In the Klyazminsko-Lukhsky Nature Reserve in the Vladimir Region, winter remains a challenging time for these relict giants. A shortage of food makes supplementary feeding vital. 430,454 rubles out of 927,600 rubles have already been raised to provide the bison with food for the entire winter season.

Even a small contribution makes a difference. Support the bison now!

Thank you for being there and helping!

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On December 15, 2025, Sochi hosted its first specialized seminar for employees of protected areas on oil spill prevention. Protected environment, protected nature

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Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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From December 8 to 11, 2025, the Nature Embassy Foundation held a comprehensive seminar, "Oil Spills: Impact, Consequence Management, and Psychological Preparation of Personnel," in Sochi and the Sirius Federal Territory. The event brought together 20 specialists from coastal nature reserves and national parks across the country, whose territories are most vulnerable to this man-made threat. The seminar was part of the new, large-scale "Living Black Sea" project, launched in November 2025 and implemented by the Nature Embassy Foundation with the support of JTI Russia.

The seminar program included lectures by leading scientists from the State Institute of Natural Sciences and the Institute of Oceanology of the Republic of Armenia, who have been studying this topic for many years, along with specialized practical workshops (for example, on providing veterinary care to injured animals), and training sessions to enhance the management and psychological competencies of protected area staff when working in emergency situations. Seminar topics included studying the impacts on ecosystems in specific areas, ensuring the safety of people and animals, monitoring and scientific research, and actions to restore ecosystems after emergency situations.

In particular, Sergey Zatsepa, a leading researcher at the State Oceanographic Institute, spoke about the use of modern technologies for scientific modeling and forecasting of oil spills, using the Kerch Strait and other waters as examples. Representatives of the Utrish Nature Reserve and the Anapa Peresyp Nature Park outlined key factors that must be considered when assessing the vulnerability and protecting specially protected natural areas. Vyacheslav Krylenko, a senior researcher at the Southern Branch of the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explained how to plan for emergency response based on an understanding of coastal ecosystems.

Tatyana Denisenko, Head of the Department of Virology and Microbiology at the K.I. Scriabin Moscow Veterinary Academy, dedicated her report to helping cetaceans and studying the impact of oil spills on the health of Black Sea dolphins. During a discussion moderated by Olga Pegova (Caucasian Nature Reserve), protected area staff discussed the risks to their natural areas and outlined elements of an oil spill response plan.

The program for the second and subsequent days was structured around the principle of "from on-site action to crisis management." The second day of the seminar began with a practical sea voyage on a vessel with the scientific director of the Delfa Dolphin Rescue Center. Participants were fortunate to encounter all three species of dolphins inhabiting the Black Sea. The focus then shifted to technology and rescue: experts presented the capabilities of satellite monitoring and their experience in oil spill response in the Arctic. A key section was a detailed algorithm for rescuing birds contaminated with oil products, from capture to setting up a rehabilitation center, presented by veterinarians from the Wildlife Hospital. The day concluded with a tour of the high-tech laboratories of the Sirius National Technical University, where participants were able to observe the development of a microbiological method for the disposal of oil products.

The third day was dedicated to developing "soft" skills, crucial during emergencies. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, participants explored external and internal communication strategies, volunteer management methods, and working with local communities. The culmination was a practical workshop, organized jointly with the press service of the Caucasus Nature Reserve, during which each participant recorded a mini-interview on a sensitive topic and received a professional on-camera analysis of their work.

The final day began with an inspiring excursion to the Caucasus National Park. Following this, professional psychologist Victoria Dmitrieva conducted a key training session on stress management, burnout prevention, and the ethics of interaction in emergency and crisis situations. The seminar concluded with a shared experience and a certificate presentation ceremony.

"The integrated approach used in designing this seminar not only allows us to provide specific instructions but also to develop a holistic understanding of the crisis and a course of action among protected area staff—from immediate shoreline interventions that preserve their own psychological resources to long-term measures that foster a trusting dialogue with the public. The Nature Embassy Foundation expresses its sincere gratitude to JTI Russia for supporting the project and the seminar, to all the experts and speakers for their invaluable knowledge and practical skills, to our colleagues from the Caucasus Nature Reserve for their assistance in organizing and conducting off-site events and workshops, and to the participants for their high level of engagement, willingness to engage in dialogue, and their inexhaustible motivation to protect Russia's nature. The tools we received and the professional connections we established are a significant contribution to improving the preparedness of the nature reserve system to respond quickly and effectively to environmental challenges," noted Polina Grigorieva, an expert at the Nature Embassy Foundation and director of the Living Black Sea project.

Sergey Zatsepa, Acting Head of the Marine Environment Modeling Laboratory and Leading Researcher at the N. N. Zubov State Oceanographic Institute, said: "The seminar, organized by the Zapovednoye Polustvo Foundation, allowed us to look at the Anapa oil spill from a new perspective. It was attended by biologists, geomorphologists, and representatives of specially protected natural areas whose mission is to preserve and study protected areas. I was incredibly impressed by their attention to the incident and their desire to do everything in their power to ensure that future incidents, should they arise, are dealt with as effectively as possible and with minimal impact on specially protected areas. The opinions of the seminar participants deserve to be summarized and disseminated so that an effective oil spill response system can be established in our country."

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Participants of the UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum reaffirmed their commitment to intercultural dialogue.

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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Rome Abas, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

December 14, 2025 Culture and education

Intercultural dialogue is not an optional extracurricular activity, but a strategy for human survival. This was the message addressed to the international community by participants at the XI Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, which opened Sunday in Riyadh.

Not an optional course, but a necessity

The conference delegates gathered in the capital of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation between representatives of different cultures and faiths. In an era of increasing polarization and conflict, they are convinced that dialogue remains the only path to life.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He rejected the notion that the Alliance's mission is unrealistic or, as critics claim, "too soft for our cruel world." Those who dismiss dialogue as naive, he warned, are mistaken. According to Guterres, diplomacy and cooperation are not optional, but essential.

Two decades have passed since then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, with the support of Spain and Turkey, launched the Alliance. While the geopolitical landscape has changed radically since then, the organization's core goal remains unchanged: countering extremism and intolerance and promoting dignified coexistence among people of diverse cultures and faiths.

The UN chief described the paradox of an era in which societies are increasingly interconnected and simultaneously fragmented. He outlined two directions for how this situation could develop: on one side, fear, walls of separation, and military escalation; on the other, a bridge between cultures.

Only the second path, he emphasized, leads to sustainable peace: "No more October 7ths. No destroyed Gaza Strip. No starving El Fashers. No communities massacred, displaced, or scapegoated."

The Secretary-General identified three forces capable of driving positive global change: youth, women and girls, and people of faith. He called on delegates to advance the Alliance's mission "with courage, clarity, and hope."

Riyadh Communiqué: A Call for Peaceful Coexistence

Forum delegates endorsed the Riyadh Communiqué, which identified the fight against all forms of religious intolerance as a global priority. The document emphasizes the key role of education in fostering dialogue, human rights, and peaceful societies, and reaffirms the Alliance's original goal: strengthening cooperation among representatives of different cultures and religions while promoting the principles of respect, mutual understanding, and inclusiveness.

Equal voices – shared responsibility

Opening the conference, High Representative Miguel Moratinos, who is also the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, emphasized that all cultures must have an equal voice in shaping the future of the world. No single community should dominate, he said.

Moratinos warned of the "return of hate speech" and called for vigilance amid rising discrimination. Quoting a verse from Surah Al-Hujurat in the Quran, he emphasized that diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division. He also noted that Islamophobia and anti-Semitism have no place in the modern world.

Saudi Arabia calls for dialogue

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, reaffirmed the Kingdom's "long-standing commitment to intercultural dialogue." He stated that Saudi Arabia's support for the Alliance reflects its firm belief that interaction between cultures and civilizations is essential for peace, cooperation, and conflict prevention.

He highlighted a number of Saudi initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and countering extremism, and warned of the growing spread of extremist movements motivated by religion and nationalism, as well as the spread of hate speech and Islamophobia over the past two decades.

These challenges, he said, should encourage states to strengthen – rather than reject – the values of dialogue and the idea of peaceful coexistence.

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The UN will celebrate World Day of Turkic Languages for the first time.

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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December 14, 2025 Culture and education

On December 15, the international community will celebrate the World Day of Turkic Languages for the first time. The decision was made at the UNESCO General Conference held in Samarkand in November. The organization considers this an important step toward recognizing linguistic diversity, which enriches our common human heritage.

The choice of date is symbolic and deeply meaningful. On December 15, 1983, Danish linguist Wilhelm Thomsen announced the successful decipherment of the Orkhon inscriptions, one of the oldest known written sources. The inscriptions were created by ancient Turks in the Orkhon Valley, in what is now Mongolia, in the 8th century CE and discovered in 1889.

Thomsen's achievement provided invaluable insight into the linguistic tradition that today links dozens of communities across Eurasia.

A language family that is spread across different continents

UNESCO emphasizes that languages belonging to the Turkic language family, such as Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkish, Turkmen and Uzbek, among others, are native to more than 200 million people in an area of approximately 12 million square kilometers.

A rich documentary heritage in Turkic languages, as well as vibrant oral traditions, is shared by more than 10 states.

Promoting multilingualism and cultural dialogue

The initiative to celebrate World Day was put forward by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. It was supported by 21 countries.

By declaring December 15 as World Day of Turkic Languages, UNESCO emphasizes the importance of linguistic cooperation, cultural rapprochement and dialogue among civilizations.

The initiative aims to strengthen international cooperation in linguistic research, education, and cultural exchange. UNESCO notes that this day will facilitate large-scale scientific research and promote global dialogue aimed at preserving Turkic languages.

Starting in 2025, World Turkic Language Day will feature a variety of cultural and academic events, including exhibitions dedicated to linguistic heritage, lectures and public discussions, and literary and poetry evenings.

World Day of Turkic Languages is an important step towards recognizing the linguistic diversity that enriches our common human heritage.

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UN chief condemns deadly attack on peacekeepers in Sudan

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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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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The UN Secretary-General spoke at a ceremony marking the completion of the United Nations Mission in Iraq.

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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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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The UN Environment Assembly concluded its work in Nairobi.

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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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The biometric payment service is now available at all metro and Moscow Central Circle turnstiles.

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Today, the capital completed a major phase of implementing biometric fare payment—the service became available at all turnstiles of the Moscow Metro and the Moscow Central Circle (MCC).

Briefly about the main thing:

The service is already available on Aeroexpress trains, at regular river electric transport berths, and at a number of Moscow Central Diameters stations.

– Due to the growing popularity of the service, it is planned to expand it to all MCD stations by the end of 2026.

– Connection to the service is carried out through the official Moscow Metro application.

Benefits and safety:

– Biometric payment eliminates the need to carry cards, phones or cash – just a glance at the camera.

The system was developed entirely in Russia and is owned by the Moscow Government. All user personal data is securely encrypted, the system is protected from external intrusion, and built with modern information security standards in mind.

– Thanks to its wide range of transport options, Moscow is a world leader in the number of transport services with biometric payment.

Usage statistics:

Since the service's launch in October 2021, nearly 700,000 users have already connected.

How to connect:

– To connect, open the Moscow Metro app and follow the instructions for registering a biometric profile.

Project value:

Biometric payment improves the convenience and speed of passenger travel, reduces security checkpoint times, and facilitates the digital transformation of urban transport infrastructure.

"The biometric fare payment service launched at all metro stations in 2021, following a request from Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Today, passengers make approximately 200,000 trips per weekday using facial recognition, and this number is steadily growing. I was one of the first users of the system and recommend everyone to join and try it. Our development complies with the strictest requirements of Russian law. All user data is encrypted and protected, and payment information is stored exclusively on the bank's side," assured Maxim Liksutov.