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September 19, 2025 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: the murder of Israelis on the border with Jordan, the Security Council decision on the sanctions regime against Iran, the General Assembly resolution on the participation of Palestinian representatives, the agreement on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.

Attack on the Jordan-Israel border

The UN Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack at the border crossing between Israel and Jordan. Yesterday, two Israelis were killed by a Jordanian truck driver carrying humanitarian aid destined for Gaza. The UN chief emphasizes the need for humanitarian and impartial assistance efforts. He called on all parties to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian supplies along all routes, as well as to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.

Sanctions against Iran

UN Security Council could not pass the resolution, which proposed blocking the restoration of sanctions against Iran. If the international community fails to reach an agreement on this issue within the next ten days, sanctions will be reinstated on September 28. As a reminder, on August 28, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom sent a letter to the Security Council notifying the activation of the "rapid response mechanism" provided for in the 2015 nuclear deal. Sanctions are then to be reinstated within 30 days. Today's draft resolution was an attempt to block this scenario.

Participation of Palestine in the UN General Assembly

UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, concerning "the participation of the State of Palestine in the work of the 80th session." Specifically, Palestinian representatives are given the opportunity to speak via video link in the General Assembly hall or at any high-level event. The document was adopted with 145 votes in favor; five countries, including the United States, voted against, and six abstained. Previously, the United States, as the host country for UN bodies, revoked the visas of Palestinian officials before the opening of the 80th session of the General Assembly.

Marine biodiversity

Today, the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea reached the required number of ratifications for entry into force. The UN Secretary-General welcomed this historic achievement, noting that the agreement establishes binding rules for the conservation of marine biodiversity, the equitable sharing of benefits from it, the establishment of protected areas, and the advancement of science.

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September 19, 2025 International law

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Friday resolution, concerning the "participation of the State of Palestine in the work of the 80th session." Specifically, Palestinian representatives who were denied U.S. visas are given the opportunity to speak via video link in the General Assembly hall or at any high-level event. The document was adopted with 145 votes in favor; five countries, including the United States, voted against, and six abstained.

The US is against

Speaking before the vote, US Representative Jonathan Schreier said: "The US opposition to this resolution should come as no surprise. The Trump administration has made it clear: we must hold the PLO [Palestinian Liberation Organization] and the Palestinian Authority accountable for failing to fulfill their obligations under the Oslo Accords."

He stressed that the Palestinian side “is not a reliable partner in the peace process” and also called for an end to “attempts to internationalize the conflict through judicial campaigns, including appeals to the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, and efforts for unilateral recognition of a hypothetical Palestinian state."

China on "isolation of the United States"

China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, called the US position "unbalanced." "The United States has long maintained an unbalanced position on the Palestinian issue, consistently resisting efforts by the General Assembly and the Security Council to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and covering up the occupying power's flagrant violations of international law," the diplomat noted.

He recalled that the day before, the United States had once again blocked a Security Council resolution on Gaza, using its veto for the eighth time since the conflict began in October 2023. "Today's vote results once again exposed the United States' rude and unjustified decision and its isolation in the international community," the diplomat emphasized.

Palestine's reaction

Palestine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, thanked most countries for their "crystal clear position," drawing attention to the obligations of the host country under the UN Headquarters Agreement, in particular regarding the issuance of visas.

“Agreeing or disagreeing with the host country on individual issues does not give it the right to abuse its powers by depriving us of the opportunity to obtain visas and personally participate in work with other delegations on issues of importance to the international community, including the Palestinian issue,” Mansour said.

Visa situation

The vote took place amid a challenging visa situation: the United States, as the host country for UN agencies, revoked the visas of Palestinian officials before the opening of the 80th session of the General Assembly. The session's general debates, as a reminder, will take place on September 23–27 and September 29.

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September 19, 2025 Peace and security

On Friday morning, the UN Security Council failed to adopt a resolution that would have blocked the restoration of sanctions against Iran. If the international community fails to reach an agreement on this issue within the next ten days, sanctions will be reinstated on September 28.

The resolution proposing not to impose sanctions was supported by four delegations (Algeria, China, Pakistan and Russia), while nine countries (Denmark, France, Greece, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, the United Kingdom and the United States) were against it, and two – Guyana and South Korea – abstained.

As a reminder, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program was adopted in 2015 following lengthy negotiations involving China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, and Iran itself. The Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2231 (2015), endorsing the JCPOA.

The deal provided for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of previously imposed sanctions. The agreement included a so-called "rapid response mechanism" for sanctions should the parties deem Iran to be in default.

On August 28, the foreign ministers of three countries – France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – sent a letter to the Security Council notifying them of the activation of the "rapid response mechanism" provided for in the 2015 nuclear deal. Sanctions are then to be lifted within 30 days. Today's resolution, which the Security Council rejected, was an attempt to block this scenario.

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September 19, 2025 Peace and security

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is providing nuclear safety support at a Formula 1 race for the first time. The Grand Prix kicked off in Baku today, September 19.

IAEA experts previously visited the capital of Azerbaijan, where they, along with specialists from France and the UAE, consulted with the event organizers and discussed the use of more than 100 radiation monitoring devices.

"Major events are prime targets for criminals, including those potentially using nuclear and other radioactive materials," emphasized IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. "By expanding our nuclear security support to the fast-paced world of motorsport, we are expanding our vigilance, helping countries close critical gaps and ensure public safety."

Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA's Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, reiterated the agency's systematic work: "Over the past two decades, the IAEA has been at the forefront of integrating nuclear safety protocols into traditional public events—efforts that ensure the safety of millions of people," she said. "Behind the scenes, events like Formula 1 racing have a consistent approach that recognizes nuclear safety as a fundamental part of the overall package of measures before and during the events themselves."

The IAEA previously supported Azerbaijan at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) and will continue to cooperate with the country during the CIS Games in November and the World Urban Forum in 2026. Since 2004, the agency has supported the nuclear safety of 88 major events in 49 countries; in 2023, the Nuclear Safety Training and Demonstration Centre in Seibersdorf, Austria, opened.

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September 19, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Women and girls affected by the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan require additional support from the international community, UN Women announced on Friday.

“Although the aftershocks have mostly ended, without providing emergency assistance "Women in the affected areas will face a long-term crisis," Susan Ferguson, UN Women's special representative in Afghanistan, said at a briefing in Geneva.

The work of lifeguards

According to Ferguson, one of the rescuers supported by the agency described how she had to navigate mountain slopes, "dodging falling rocks every time there was an aftershock." Another woman who joined rescue teams with the organization's support noted that women in the affected areas had no other way to ask for help, as they were forbidden from speaking to men.

Rescuers had to traverse extremely difficult terrain, often on foot, to reach the most remote communities in Kunar province. At least 2,200 people died when homes built on steep slopes collapsed at midnight on August 31.

Large-scale losses

Following her meeting with women living in tents in central Kunar province, Ferguson noted that they will soon need more secure shelter as temperatures begin to drop.

These women left their village in the middle of the night when an earthquake occurred"After walking for hours to find temporary shelter," she said. "They told us they didn't know the fate of their loved ones, many of whom were still trapped under the rubble. They had lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their sources of income. As one woman put it, 'Now we have nothing.'"

The role of women in humanitarian efforts

Humanitarian response after disaster complicates ban by de facto authorities, which came into force on September 5, on the employment of Afghan female staff and contractors in UN offices in Kabul.

"Nevertheless, women and men involved in the humanitarian response can still work in earthquake-affected areas. And this is truly crucial, something that, incidentally, has been acknowledged as such by the de facto authorities themselves," explained a UN Women representative.

Read also:

The Night the Mountains Tremble: A Doctor's Story on the Front Lines in Afghanistan

Women and girls accounted for more than half of those killed and injured in the disaster. They also account for 60 percent of those missing. Many survivors continue to live in tents or outdoors.

Aid priorities

The priority for humanitarian agencies remains medical assistance to the victims, including finding a sufficient number of women who will be able to provide services to local residentsIn some areas, cultural norms meant women were reluctant to be touched by men, and men, in turn, were reluctant to touch women during rescue efforts, Ferguson said.

The destruction of basic infrastructure has increased the risk of violence, with women and girls forced to walk longer distances to find toilets or water, putting them at risk of attacks and landmines.

"In their everyday lives, in this cultural context, these women already face a difficult daily struggle to survive while trying to support their families," Ferguson emphasized. "Now, in the chaos of the earthquake, it will be even more difficult for them to feed their children and find a safe place to live."

According to satellite data analyzed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), more than 649,000 tons of debris still need to be removed—40,500 trucks would be needed to remove this volume of waste. An estimated 23,000 people have been displaced from their homes.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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September 19, 2025 UN

Ahead of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, the Secretary-General addressed world leaders, warning that the "global crisis" – by which he means war, climate change, inequality and technological risks – requires urgent and coordinated action.

“We are facing a global crisis: conflicts are multiplying, and geopolitical differences are preventing their effective resolution,” he said. Antonio Guterres in an interview with the United Nations News Service conducted by Melissa Fleming, Director of the Department of Global Communications.

There is a feeling of impunity – each country believes that it can do whatever it pleases

"A sense of impunity has emerged – every country believes it can do whatever it pleases," the UN chief noted. "Meanwhile, developing countries are facing enormous challenges. Many are drowning in debt, unable to access the soft financing needed for economic recovery. Inequality is growing."

The need for global cooperation

The Secretary-General stressed that the UN seeks to mobilise international cooperation across a range of areas.

"Climate change is unchecked," he said. "We are receiving multiple signals indicating that it will be extremely difficult for us to achieve the main goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (the threshold set by the 2015 Paris Agreement – editor's note)."

The Secretary-General warned that while emerging technologies have significant potential, they can increase polarisation in society and fuel hatred, so regulation is needed that "preserves human agency and makes technology a force for good."

António Guterres noted that the upcoming General Assembly session should lead to countries making commitments in key areas, including reducing emissions, reforming the international financial system and strengthening multilateralism.

The UN chief called on world leaders to "turn the tide" and support reform of the global financial architecture for greater justice and equality.

Focus on the Middle East

Peace and security issues will also be at the center of discussions at the General Assembly session. The Secretary-General expressed hope for clear international support for a two-state solution to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine, as well as for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The carnage taking place in Gaza must stop.

"The carnage taking place in Gaza must stop," he stressed. "We need an immediate ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages."

During the interview, António Guterres also drew attention to Sudan and other "forgotten conflicts," calling on the Security Council to stand united in preventing further suffering.

"I am determined"

Guterres assured that his commitment to combating climate change remains unchanged.

"Every country must present a new climate plan that includes drastic emissions reductions. This is necessary to avoid a state of irreversibility that would lead to a catastrophe of colossal proportions for people around the world," the Secretary-General said, noting that the most vulnerable countries, including small island states and Africa, face disproportionate risks.

“I’m neither an optimist nor a pessimist – I’m determined,” António Guterres said at the end of the interview. “We must remain hopeful and not give up until we achieve our goals.”

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September 18, 2025 Peace and security

The United States on Thursday vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution proposed by the 10 non-permanent members that would have demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of all hostages.

Amid growing hunger, the document also called for the lifting of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid and called on the occupying power to ensure the safe and unhindered distribution of aid to all those in need.

The material is being updated

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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September 18, 2025 Healthcare

Estonia has achieved a significant reduction premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and others. It was among the top ten countries in the WHO European Region to achieve the 2025 target of reducing NCD mortality by 25 percent. With limited resources, the country demonstrated that consistent policies and intersectoral collaboration can yield results.

Tobacco and alcohol

Since 2014, a national strategy has been in effect, including strict bans on flavored tobacco, remote sales, and tobacco advertising. These measures have reduced smoking rates. However, new problems have emerged, such as nicotine products for youth.

The authorities increased excise taxes on alcohol and restricted advertising and sales. Alcohol consumption declined, but increased again after taxes were relaxed in 2019. Excise taxes will be increased again starting in 2024.

Fighting obesity

IN fight against obesity Progress has been more modest: free school meals, physical activity programs, and "fruit initiatives" have only partially curbed the rise in obesity. Attempts to impose a tax on sugary drinks have failed, and instead, agreements are being reached with manufacturers to reduce sugar and salt content. However, as former Health Minister Riina Sikkut notes, "self-regulation is ineffective: about 70 percent of advertising directed at children violates agreements."

Primary health care

A strong primary care system with no co-pays has become key to reducing cardiovascular mortality. Treatment guidelines and affordable medications (such as statins) ensure equal access to therapy. In the future, there are plans to include dietitians in family physician teams.

The situation in the world

On September 18, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a new report, "Saving Lives, Spending Less," which found that an additional investment of just three dollars per person annually in tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) could generate economic benefits of up to one trillion dollars by 2030.

At the same time, WHO published a new analysis of countries' progress in reducing NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019. While 82 percent of countries achieved reductions during this period, the rate of progress slowed significantly in most regions, and in some countries, NCD mortality rates have begun to rise again.

Read also:

Kazakhstan's achievements in the fight against cardiovascular diseases and cancer are noted in a WHO report.

NCDs remain the leading cause of death in the world, with over a billion people living with mental health disorders. Particularly alarming is that nearly 75 percent of deaths related to NCDs and mental health occur in low- and middle-income countries, where 32 million people die from these causes annually.

In just a few days – on September 25, 2025 – heads of state and government will gather in New York for the Fourth High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and Promoting Mental Health and Well-being. The goal of the meeting is to adopt an ambitious Political Declaration that will accelerate global action and investment in these key areas of health and development.

“Noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers […],” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We have the tools to save lives and alleviate suffering. Countries like Denmark, the Republic of Korea, and Moldova are leading the way, while others are lagging behind. Investing in the fight against NCDs is not only sound economics, but also essential for societal prosperity.”

Lessons from Estonia

Experts from the WHO Regional Office for Europe are urging other countries in the region to take a closer look at Estonia's experience. Specifically, they are focusing on strengthening cooperation between various ministries and agencies, aligning national and European policies, taking into account political realities and engaging with public opinion, as well as relying on scientific data and ensuring transparency in this process.

Estonia faces many challenges along the way, but continues to implement effective measures. The country's experience shows that even a small country can achieve significant success in the fight against NCDs and serve as a role model for others.

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September 18, 2025 UN

Their work may seem invisible at first glance, but without them, not a single meeting of the General Assembly or Security Council, not a single conference or forum at the UN would be held. The High-Level Week, which begins on September 22, would also be impossible without them. Simultaneous interpreters help world leaders understand each other. Moreover, the interpreters themselves sometimes have to catch on quickly, as not all delegations submit speeches in advance.

Ahead of High-Level Week, Lyudmila Blagonravova spoke with translators Anna Kadysheva from the English booth and Sergey Gogin from the Russian booth about how they are preparing for the event and how they are using new tools, such as artificial intelligence, in their work.

Always be up to date

During the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, also known as the Week of General Policy Debates, there will be so many meetings and sessions that there won't be enough interpreters to cover all the events. Staff from other UN language services, such as translation and verbatim reporting specialists, will be called upon to handle the work. Among them are some who have previously provided simultaneous interpretation and are currently undergoing the necessary training.

"Our colleagues work with colleagues from other language services so they can help us when we have a particularly heavy workload," says Kadysheva.

"We will actively engage them. This work is very important. And, by the way, it will pay off handsomely during High-Level Week," says Gogin.

Photo from personal archive

Sergey Gogin

To prepare for general political debates at the individual level, it is crucial for interpreters to understand the context and stay up-to-date on the latest events and trends, as speeches from world leaders and other delegates are not always provided in advance, and sometimes they must be interpreted literally by ear.

"You can look at the list of speakers in advance and have a rough idea of who you'll be interpreting for, although your schedule may be disrupted. That's why we carefully familiarize ourselves with what's happening in a given country recently, looking at last year's speeches and the topics covered. You can listen to a specific speaker or head of state to get used to their delivery," explains Kadysheva.

"I think a general outlook is also very important. A translator must constantly follow the news. We must always be up-to-date with events, aware of what's going on," notes Gogin.

Artificial Intelligence – a Threat or a Working Tool?

Translation is one of those fields directly affected by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. There are dire predictions that translators—like many other professionals—will soon be completely out of work. However, our colleagues at the simultaneous interpretation service are optimistic. Artificial intelligence is still far from perfect, especially from replacing simultaneous interpreters.

"In a high-level context like the UN, where every word, every nuance is important, a specialized human translator is truly needed, human oversight is essential, especially since there are untranslatable wordplays, nuances, allegories, irony, and artificial intelligence isn't very good at handling all of that yet," explains Kadysheva.

"It will be, in my opinion, a symbiosis of man and machine. It's still impossible to hand over everything to artificial intelligence for various reasons. For example, there are strictly confidential closed meetings where, in principle, technical means are not used. Paper presentations are brought to us at the last minute, and then immediately withdrawn. There are negotiations on international conventions and treaties where UN member states would prefer not to see new technologies used," Gogin adds.

Virtual assistant

Today, simultaneous interpreters actively use AI to prepare for meetings or as a virtual assistant during them. Artificial intelligence, for example, can compile a glossary on any topic—even the most complex—in seconds, arming the interpreter with the necessary terminology.

Photo from personal archive

Anna Kadysheva

"A couple of months ago, I was translating at the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, and one of the experts said, 'I'm now going to give a short technical briefing on geochemistry as it applies to seafloor morphology.' I asked the AI to quickly create a glossary for me—the key terms in my working languages that might arise in this context. Without such technology, it would have been much more difficult to translate on the fly," says Kadysheva.

"AI greatly simplifies our preparatory work. So, as you can imagine, we no longer need to review all the documents. We can ask AI to prepare a summary or identify key points in a report or presentation," Gogin emphasizes.

Every second counts

Artificial intelligence can also help interpreters in situations where a speaker hasn't provided a transcript. This often happens during High-Level Week: there are many speakers, and the order of the speeches can change, leaving interpreters without the necessary materials.

"When you don't have a text, you can ask the AI what a particular member state's position is on a particular issue, or request a summary of the latest Security Council meeting on a particular topic to get context," Kadysheva explains.

In a world where much of the work has moved online since the pandemic began and new technologies are rapidly developing, the work of interpreters has become a little easier, she adds: "When speeches are provided in advance, we receive them immediately online. Printed copies are also distributed to our booths, but before, you had to wait for them to reach you. When someone is about to begin their presentation, those seconds can be incredibly valuable, so in this regard, it's become easier."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

September 18, 2025 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: the catastrophic situation in Gaza, the Security Council meeting on Syria, the report on UN activities, International Equal Pay Day.

The Gaza crisis

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is warning of the catastrophic situation facing civilians in Gaza City. In just five days, strikes have damaged 11 UNRWA facilities, sheltering approximately 11,000 people. According to the latest data, approximately 200,000 displacements from north to south of the enclave have been documented in the past month alone. The UN is reiterating its call for a ceasefire, increased supplies to Gaza, and the immediate and unconditional return of hostages and the release of those arbitrarily detained.

The situation in Syria

Success political transition in Syria Depends on the broad participation of all communities and population groups. This requirement was emphasized by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, speaking to the Security Council. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, in turn, recalled that more than 70 percent of Syrians require humanitarian support. Fletcher called on the members of the UN Security Council to maintain stability through continued engagement to prevent violence, to adequately fund humanitarian measures, and to facilitate the reconstruction of Syria.

Report of the UN Secretary-General

In a year when international crises are only intensifying, the United Nations has maintained its commitment to promoting peace and sustainable development. in the annual report of the Secretary-General, presented ahead of the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Thus, in 2024, the UN and its partners managed to mobilize $25 billion (50 percent of the target), which enabled them to provide assistance to 116 million people in need in nearly 80 countries. UN efforts also contributed to the protection of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the advancement of peace processes.

Equal pay

Women worldwide still earn, on average, 20 percent less than men. Gender equality is not fully achieved due to persistent historical and structural barriers that limit opportunities for women and girls. UN Women notes this. International Equal Pay Day, which is celebrated on September 18. The organization calls for coordinated action aimed at reducing the gender gap.

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