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October 16, 2025 Peace and security

In his message on World Food Day, celebrated on 16 October, the UN Secretary-General called for international solidarity in the fight against hunger and strengthening food security.

This year's theme, "Hand in Hand for Better Nutrition and a Better Future," reflects the need for collaborative efforts at all levels, from governments to local communities.

According to the UN chief, despite significant progress achieved over the past eight decades, 673 million people worldwide go to bed hungry. Even more live in insecurity due to food shortages. Progress in the fight against hunger has slowed, and in some regions, progress is being reversed.

Other challenges include rising obesity, climate change, and the use of hunger as a weapon in armed conflict. "It is a shameful and horrifying reality that in times of war, people are starved en masse," the Secretary-General noted.

The UN chief emphasized that humanity has everything it needs—knowledge, technology, and resources—to end hunger. "We only need one thing: unity," he declared.

In closing his address, the Secretary-General called on the global community to take decisive action: “Let us unite once again to build food systems that feed people and protect the planet.”

Read also:

EXPLAIN | Why are more than 670 million people in the world hungry?

In 2025, they also celebrate 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), established in 1945 to combat hunger and ensure food availability throughout the world.

Global challenges require joint solutions

Modern agricultural and food systems are facing unprecedented challenges. Conflicts, the impacts of extreme climate events, economic shocks, and inequality are undermining access to food and the sustainability of supplies.

“The lands we farm, the water we depend on, and the biodiversity we depend on for life are under increasing pressure,” FAO notes.

While the agri-food sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, it can also play a key role in combating climate change by changing the way we produce, store, and distribute food.

FAO emphasizes that achieving food security requires the combined efforts of governments, organizations, the private sector, and civil society. Only by working hand in hand—across borders, sectors, and generations—can humanity transform agricultural and food systems so that everyone has access to healthy food and can live in harmony with nature.

Events in Rome and around the world

Home ceremony to mark World Food Day takes place on October 16 at FAO headquarters in Rome, where a new Museum of Food and AgricultureThe museum's interactive exhibition will explore a world where everyone has the right to food, through the language of cuisine, art, science, and innovation. The museum will be available for both in-person and online visitors.

In the afternoon, an international discussion on "The Future of Food: Conversations for a Fairer World" will bring together FAO leaders, chefs, activists, thought leaders, and representatives from other organizations. Participants will discuss how to connect local initiatives with global action to reform food systems.

Particular attention is paid to youth. On October 17, an interactive event for schoolchildren aged 9-14 will take place, featuring young activists, athletes, musicians, and innovators. The program includes discussions about the future of food, creative performances, art projects, and musical numbers.

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Dina Neskorozhana

October 15, 2025 International law

Imagine visiting the website of a familiar hardware store. Everything looks familiar—same design, same brand name, same interface. You calmly place your order, pay—and only then notice a small change: just one letter in the website address has changed.

It's easy to fall into the trap of online scammers. It's fortunate if the amount was small and the bank acted quickly—returning the money and reissuing the card. But not everyone is so lucky: in some countries, recovering stolen funds is virtually impossible.

When you can lose everything with one click

A bankruptcy lawyer told UN News Service that more and more people are being forced to file for bankruptcy after losing money to cybercrime.

Any one of us can become a victim of a cyberattack, no matter where we live, and everyone deserves protection and support.

While some countries still don't clearly define cybercrime as a criminal offense, lack international legal assistance, and have varying approaches to investigating such cases, cybercrime itself is rapidly evolving. It has evolved from isolated attacks by lone hackers into large-scale operations by criminal networks. The internet and new technologies, including artificial intelligence, allow criminals to act faster, reach victims worldwide, and commit crimes with virtually no human intervention.

From autonomous cyberattacks and deepfake images to AI-optimized malware and phishing campaigns, the abuse of new technologies is challenging traditional cybercrime investigation and prevention systems.

Phishing is the leader in digital crime.

The most common cybercrime today is phishing, where victims are tricked into revealing passwords or financial information through fake websites or emails.

Even inexperienced attackers can now use ready-made "phishing kits" to instantly create realistic clones of major brand websites and send convincing fraudulent messages.

In recent years, billions of stolen login and password combinations have appeared on the dark web. This data is used for so-called brute-force attacks—automated attempts to log in to thousands of websites simultaneously.

New line of defense

This chapter of digital history may soon be turned. In December 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime—the first international criminal justice treaty in over twenty years.

The adoption of the document was the result of five years of negotiations by UN member states with the participation of experts, representatives of civil society, academia, and the private sector. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the adoption of the Convention a "decisive step" in global efforts to protect online privacy. Next week, the Convention will be opened for signature at an official ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam. It will enter into force 90 days after ratification by forty states.

When the rules are the same

The new document creates a common international framework for combating cybercrime. It introduces uniform definitions, investigative standards, and victim assistance mechanisms, including compensation, reparations, and the removal of illegal content.

States will implement these measures in accordance with their own laws, but within the framework of agreed-upon international principles. And perhaps this Convention will usher in a new era, when one extra letter in a website's address will no longer cost you everything.

Read more about the significance of the Convention on Cybercrime in our article.

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October 15, 2025 Humanitarian aid

In recent days, military action has resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, across Ukraine. UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric stated this at a press briefing on Wednesday.

"On October 13, a hospital in Kharkiv sustained serious damage, injuring seven patients, forcing an evacuation," Dujarric reported, adding that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the hospital's roof was destroyed, windows were broken, and medical equipment was damaged. Nearly 100 patients had to be transferred to other facilities.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, which visited the scene, reported that approximately 120 patients and 10 medical workers were in the hospital when the glide bomb fell. UN humanitarian agencies and their partners helped organize the evacuation of patients and provided hot meals to the injured.

Citing humanitarian agencies, Dujarric noted that the conflict has had a devastating impact on Ukraine's healthcare system. "The country accounts for almost half of all confirmed attacks on healthcare facilities globally this year. The WHO recorded 448 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine in 2025—out of 1,070 globally," Dujarric said.

Evacuation from the Kupyansk district

Meanwhile, amid the escalation of hostilities, authorities announced the mandatory evacuation of families with children from 40 villages in the Kupyansk district of the Kharkiv region. In total, more than 600 children are expected to be relocated. "Humanitarian organizations are supporting the evacuation by providing safe transportation and assistance at transit points and collective accommodation centers," the press secretary reported.

Dujarric also recalled that UN humanitarian agencies and their partners continue to support the response across the country. Between January and August of this year, 3.2 million people received support in areas such as water, heating, sanitation, and hygiene. This included repairing water systems serving 1.3 million people and providing emergency water supplies to 800,000 people.

During the cold season, water is needed not only for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene, but also for heating, the UN emphasizes.

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October 15, 2025 UN

UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented a package of proposals aimed at enhancing the Organization's effectiveness and improving coordination in three key areas: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

Speaking at the General Assembly meeting on UN80 reform, Guterres stressed the need for structural changes and programmatic review across the UN system.

“My vision for the UN system is clear: it must work as one to achieve better results by overcoming fragmentation, eliminating duplication of functions, improving funding models and strengthening synergies,” the Secretary-General said.

He noted that the UN needs a more coordinated, flexible and cost-effective approach "to ensure that the resources entrusted to us bring maximum benefit to the people for whom we exist."

A new team to implement reforms

As part of the reforms, Guterres announced the creation of a special team to implement the UN80 initiative, which will submit proposals to intergovernmental bodies for consideration and implement them within the authority of the Secretary-General.

"The final direction of the UN80 initiative depends on you, the Member States of the United Nations," Guterres told country representatives.

The UN80 initiative, marking the organization's 80th anniversary, aims to optimize the Organization's work, increase its effectiveness, and reaffirm the relevance of the UN mission in a rapidly changing world.

Three directions of reform

Strengthening the UN's effectiveness is the third of three areas created to guide the reform process.

The first focus is on modernizing management processes and improving the efficiency of the Secretariat and the entire UN system, including by consolidating administrative platforms, relocating some offices to more cost-effective regions, and reducing real estate costs while maintaining key programs. The first proposals have already been included in the revised 2026 budget estimates, which are being considered by the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. Decisions are expected by December 2025.

The second area is a review of the full life cycle of UN mandates with the aim of enhancing coherence, accountability, and effectiveness. The relevant recommendations are currently under consideration by an informal working group of the General Assembly, co-chaired by Jamaica and New Zealand. This review phase will also continue until the end of 2025.

Changes in structure and approaches

The UN chief's proposals include consolidating and restructuring peace and security teams at UN headquarters in New York, as well as transforming special political missions in Yemen, Cyprus, and Central Africa.

A possible merger of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is also being considered, which Guterres said would “create a more powerful engine for sustainable development with greater reach and potential.”

Another proposal concerns the merger of UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to form “a unified and more powerful voice for gender equality and the rights of women and girls.”

"Reforms in the name of serving the people"

Before the Secretary-General's report, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock addressed Member States. She emphasized that the reforms proposed in the report require the active participation of all countries.

Calling UN reform "more than just cost-cutting," Baerbock described it as "a project to improve efficiency, flexibility, and the use of advanced technology."

At the same time, she warned that, despite the difficult financial situation, Member States must not forget their responsibility to the people for whom the UN exists.

"We cannot sacrifice the principles of this organization for the sake of 'financial balance,'" Baerbock said.

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October 15, 2025 Humanitarian aid

According to the UN, more than eight percent of the global population—approximately 673 million people—suffer from hunger. Yet, the world has enough food to feed more than 8 billion people.

Conflict, climate change, inequality and other factors play a role in this imbalance.

Ahead of World Food Day, celebrated on October 16, we share five key facts about why people continue to go hungry.

1. Conflicts and political instability

Armed conflicts in hotspots such as Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza are disrupting food production, supply chains, and access to markets. This also leads to the displacement of people, exacerbating acute food shortages.

In Haiti, an estimated 5.7 million people – about half the population, many of whom have fled their homes because of violence – are facing food shortages, and 1.9 million are already in a state of emergency.

© VRR/T. Berkbeck

WFP is distributing food to residents of the gang-hit Cité Soleil district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

In conflict zones, the UN, primarily through the World Food Programme (WFP), provides emergency food assistance to populations. Affected communities also receive seeds, livestock, and farming tools so they can grow their own food and not rely on aid.

2. Climate change and extreme weather conditions

Increasing climate instability, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, is seriously disrupting farmers' livelihoods and undermining agricultural productivity. As a result, food is becoming less accessible, especially in the most vulnerable regions.

Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, and Ethiopia are facing severe food insecurity caused by a combination of conflict, drought, floods, and desertification. Somalia, for example, is experiencing its worst drought in four decades, in addition to years of conflict and mass displacement.

© UNICEF/Z.Sevunet

A boy rolls a container of water in Dollow, near the Somali-Ethiopian border.

The UN is promotingclimate-resilient agricultural practicesto mitigate the impact of environmental shocks and adapt to new weather conditions.

3. Economic shocks and inflation

Global and regional economic downturns, rising food and energy prices, and inflation have reduced purchasing power and availability of nutritious foods, particularly in low-income countries.

Pandemic COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and climate change all contributed to rising food prices between 2020 and 2024.

At the same time, as a result of falling real wages and rising inflation, people, especially in low-income countries, are increasingly unable to afford nutritious food and are eating fewer meals per day.

During periods of economic shock and inflation, the UN expands the distribution of food rations and nutritional supplements, and provides cash transfers to help families buy food locally, supporting both nutrition and the local economy.

4. Structural poverty and inequality

Deeply rooted poverty and social inequality limit people's access to food and resources, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.

Low incomes, poor infrastructure and limited local services often mean that vulnerable groups – such as women and indigenous peoples – lack access to adequate food supplies.

According to the UN, nearly 700 million people worldwide live in extreme poverty, with two-thirds of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

© WFP/Arete/D. Onafuwa

A two-year-old girl receives nutritional supplements at a health centre in northern Nigeria.

UN agencies are working to strengthen social protection systems and shift from crisis-focused humanitarian aid to a model in which low-income countries build their own inclusive and resilient systems. This approach enables communities to reduce hunger, develop local capacities, and improve long-term food security.

5. Trading disruptions and market volatility

Export restrictions, tariffs, and volatile commodity prices can destabilize food markets, making food less available and too expensive.

For example, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are struggling with food price volatility and debt crises. These problems are exacerbated by trade policy uncertainty, particularly global tariffs and inflation. Ultimately, this limits people's access to affordable food.

© IFSD/G.Akash

In Bangladesh, farmers are growing crops that are more resilient to climate change.

Brazil and Mexico have seen their economic growth forecasts revised downwards due to trade tensions and inflation. This is straining consumer finances, particularly among the poorest communities, who are losing access to food.

The UN is providing support to affected countries by monitoring global prices, providing policy advice, and coordinating international efforts to help countries cope with interconnected crises in food, energy, and finance. These efforts are aimed at stabilizing markets and protecting vulnerable populations.

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October 15, 2025 Humanitarian aid

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher on Wednesday called for seizing the opportunity to fully implement the agreements on the Middle East conflict. Recalling the summit of world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, during which a ceasefire agreement was signed in Gaza, Fletcher recounted his conversations with them.

"From my conversations with them, it's clear that this is a moment of great, yet fragile, hope. The public response to the progress made also clearly demonstrates that Palestinians, Israelis, and people across the region want peace," the Emergency Relief Coordinator said.

He recalled that earlier this week, UN humanitarian agencies began increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Food, medicine, fuel, water, cooking gas, and tents were delivered to the Strip. Some roads have been cleared, and a bakery has reopened.

"But yesterday we encountered new obstacles to implementing this initiative. Now we must ensure that these don't derail the progress that President Trump, the UN Secretary-General, and many other leaders are pushing for," Fletcher said.

He emphasized that Hamas must make every effort to immediately return the bodies of all deceased hostages. "I am also gravely concerned by the evidence of violence against civilians in Gaza," the Emergency Relief Coordinator stated.

He called on Israel – in accordance with the agreements – to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, “on which the lives of many people depend and on which the whole world insists.”

"We need to open more crossing points and develop a realistic, practical approach to addressing the remaining challenges. Throughout this crisis, we have insisted that aid to civilians is not a bargaining chip. Facilitating the delivery of aid is a legal obligation," Fletcher said.

He also noted that UN humanitarian agencies have developed a 60-day plan for delivering aid to Gaza. Fletcher is in the region this week, coordinating the plan's implementation. He emphasized that the agencies will deliver aid in a way that "ensures it reaches civilians, not armed groups."

"We will not tolerate any interference in the distribution of aid," Fletcher said.

No one expected "everything to be simple and easy," Fletcher said, adding that there could be more obstacles ahead.

"The world has failed so many times before – we must not fail this time," he concluded.

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October 15, 2025 Climate and environment

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere rose at a record pace in 2024, reaching new highs. This has intensified long-term trends of global warming and extreme weather events, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The rise in CO₂ levels has been driven by continued human emissions, increased wildfires, and the declining ability of land and oceans to absorb carbon dioxide. This phenomenon could trigger a new dangerous climate cycle, experts warn.

Growth three times faster than in the 1960s

According to the new edition of the WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the rate of increase in CO₂ concentrations is three times higher than in the 1960s: while the average annual increase was about 0.8 ppm then, it increased to 2.4 ppm per year between 2011 and 2020.

Moreover, between 2023 and 2024, the increase was a record 3.5 million parts per million – the highest figure since observations began in 1957.

The average concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere reached 423.9 ppm, compared to 377.1 ppm in 2004, when the first WMO bulletin was published.

Approximately half of all CO₂ emissions remain in the atmosphere, with the rest absorbed by land and oceans. However, this natural carbon dioxide "storage" is diminishing as the climate warms, the solubility of carbon dioxide in the oceans decreases, and droughts become more frequent.

"There are concerns that the ability of land and oceans to absorb CO₂ is declining, leading to accelerated global warming. Therefore, it is necessary to continually strengthen greenhouse gas monitoring to understand how these feedbacks are formed," noted WMO Senior Scientist Oksana Tarasova.

Record levels of other greenhouse gases

Other long-lived greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide, also set new highs.

Methane levels reached 1,942 ppb, 166 percent above pre-industrial levels, and nitrous oxide levels reached 338 ppb, 25 percent above previous levels.

"The heat trapped by CO₂ and other greenhouse gases amplifies the impact on our climate and leads to more extreme weather. Therefore, reducing emissions is important not only for our climate, but also for our economic security and the well-being of societies," emphasized WMO Deputy Secretary-General Co Barrett.

Monitoring and Action

The WMO report was published ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will take place in November in Belém, Brazil. The organization calls for stronger global monitoring of greenhouse gases to inform effective climate action.

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