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November 19, 2025 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: more than 20 people were killed as a result of airstrikes in Ukraine, a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria, a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and one in three women worldwide has experienced partner violence or sexual assault.

Strikes against Ukraine

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemns the attacks carried out by the Russian Federation across several regions of Ukraine last nightThis was stated by the UN chief's spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric. At least twenty-five people, including children, were reportedly killed in the attack, and dozens were wounded. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated that he was particularly shocked by the number of civilian casualties in Ternopil in western Ukraine, located hundreds of kilometers from the front line. Meanwhile, UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo is visiting Kyiv. She said she was shocked by the attacks that took place last night.

UN Security Council on Syria

Lisa Doughten, a representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on behalf of UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, reported that more than 16 million people across the country require humanitarian support. The UN and partners are assisting 3.4 million people monthly – a 24 percent increase compared to last year. Efforts to vaccinate children, expand nutrition programs, and conduct the first national needs assessment are ongoing. However, funds to provide adequate assistance are insufficient: the current humanitarian operations plan is only 26 percent funded.

The situation in Gaza

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, despite the efforts of UN agencies and their partners. Humanitarian agencies continue to provide support to those affected by the heavy rains that battered the enclave last week. According to the latest data, more than 18,600 households have been affected, with thousands of people losing their homes and property. These figures are expected to rise as further assessments of the situation are conducted.

Violence against women

Almost every third woman in the world at least once in her life experienced partner violence or sexual violenceThis figure has remained virtually unchanged since 2000. Violence against women remains one of the most serious human rights issues, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners. The number of women who have experienced partner violence or sexual violence reaches 840 million. In the past 12 months alone, 316 million women—11 percent of all women over 15—experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner.

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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November 19, 2025 Climate and environment

Participants at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) taking place in Belém, Brazil, have moved closer to agreeing on a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. Ministers from Colombia, Germany, Kenya, the Marshall Islands, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, and several other countries expressed strong support for Brazil's proposal to raise this issue during the current round of climate negotiations.

The coalition called on delegations to strengthen language in the draft text on the transition away from fossil fuels. Their ultimate goal is to accelerate action and keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

"Fossil fuels are destroying dreams," youth activist Marcel Oliveira said at the conference, calling the move away from hydrocarbons "the most important step toward climate justice in this generation."

Protecting the future

Speaking to UN News, Marcele Oliveira stressed that children and young people must be at the centre of every discussion at COP30.

"We now have a ruling from the International Court of Justice that states' inaction on climate change constitutes an environmental crime. We need to systematically pressure countries to adopt more ambitious climate action," she said. "We must abandon fossil fuels, invest in forest protection, and support those who protect them. Recognizing the role of collective action by young people at the local level is crucial."

© RKIK/J. Jumares

Youth activist Marcel Oliveira.

The Decisive Battle

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He met with youth delegates in Belém. During the discussion, he acknowledged that past generations failed to contain the climate crisis—the latest scientific forecasts confirm that global temperatures will exceed the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold. The Secretary-General called on young people to form a united front in the "decisive battle" to make the transition beyond the established threshold as short as possible.

Guterres emphasized that the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is vital and requires confronting powerful lobby groups that "put profits above the well-being of the international community and the planet." In this regard, he added, the pressure from young people is difficult to overestimate.

"We just want to be kids!"

Sixteen-year-old João Victor da Silva from Brazil, at a meeting with the Secretary-General, said that today's young people did not intend to become activists; they simply wanted to remain ordinary children and teenagers, but, in his words, "adults, unfortunately, do not make the right decisions."

Niguel Maduro of Aruba said the beaches on his island where he once learned to swim are gradually disappearing. Negotiations, he warned, are progressing too slowly for his country, which is facing rising temperatures and sea levels.

The Secretary-General agreed that greater participation by young people—especially indigenous youth—will lead to better results. He supported calls for more direct, less bureaucratic funding for indigenous peoples and promised to create the conditions to make this possible.

© RKIK/K. Worth

Protests are a hallmark of the KS-30

Indigenous leader Thai Surui called the meeting with youth "one of the most encouraging moments of COP30." However, she warned that the Amazon is dangerously close to a "point of no return" that could lead to desertification of the rainforest.

"Protests are a hallmark of this conference," she said. "Some may not like them, but Brazil is a democratic country. Protests will help political leaders ultimately make pro-life decisions."

The activist noted that corporate lobbying is currently stronger than the pressure of all delegations combined, and certainly more powerful than the voices of indigenous peoples. Nevertheless, she sees growing recognition of the role of indigenous communities as stewards of nature.

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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November 19, 2025 Healthcare

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is rapidly expanding, but basic legal mechanisms to protect patients and healthcare workers are still lacking.

This is highlighted by a new report from the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). In European countries, AI technologies are already helping doctors identify diseases, reduce administrative burdens, and communicate with patients.

AI is changing the way we deliver healthcare, interpret data, and allocate resources. "But without clear policies, data protection, legal frameworks, and investment in AI literacy, we risk deepening inequalities rather than reducing them," said Hans Kluge, Director of WHO/Europe.

Transforming Healthcare Systems

The report is the first comprehensive assessment of how AI technologies are being implemented and regulated in the healthcare systems of countries in the region. Representatives from 50 of the 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia that are members of WHO/Europe participated in the survey.

While nearly all countries recognize the potential of AI—from diagnostics to surveillance and personalized healthcare—only four countries have a dedicated national strategy, and seven more are in the process of developing one.

Some countries are taking proactive steps. For example, in Estonia, electronic health records, insurance data, and demographic registries have been integrated into a single platform, enabling the use of AI tools.

Finland is investing in training medical professionals to use AI, while Spain is launching pilot projects to use AI for early disease detection in primary care.

Problems and limitations

Meanwhile, regulatory measures in most countries have not kept pace with technological progress. Forty-three countries in the region, or 86 percent, cite legal uncertainty as the main barrier to AI use. Another 39 countries, or 78 percent, cite financial constraints.

Less than 10 percent of countries have liability standards for the use of AI in healthcare – a critical element that determines who is responsible if errors or harm occur.

“Despite these challenges, there is broad consensus on policy measures that could facilitate the adoption of AI,” the report says.

Almost all countries believe that clear rules of liability for producers, operators, and users of AI systems are key. Similarly, to build trust, countries recognize the need for guidelines that ensure the transparency, verifiability, and explainability of AI decisions.

Acting in the interests of people

WHO has called on countries to develop AI strategies that align with public health goals.

Experts recommend that countries invest in staff training, strengthen legal and ethical frameworks, engage local communities in decision-making processes, and improve cross-border data management.

“AI has the potential to revolutionise healthcare, but its potential will only be realised if decision-makers put people, and especially patients, at their heart,” said Hans Kluge.

“The choices we make today will determine whether AI will help patients and healthcare workers – or leave them behind,” he added.

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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November 19, 2025 Healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday that gonorrhea, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide, is increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics. New data from the global EGASP program show that conventional treatments are losing their effectiveness, and the infection is spreading faster and more widely.

Growing Resilience and the Geography of the Problem

Between 2022 and 2024, resistance to key gonorrhea treatments—ceftriaxone and cefixime—increased severalfold. Previously, isolated cases were reported, but now the rates have reached five and 11 percent, respectively. Particularly alarming data has emerged from Cambodia and Vietnam, where the highest resistance rates are being recorded.

Global cooperation and new challenges

The WHO emphasizes that the expansion of the number of countries participating in the EGASP program in recent years is a positive step. This international initiative, launched by the WHO in 2015, collects laboratory and clinical data from surveillance centers worldwide for global analysis and the development of treatment recommendations.

In 2024, 12 countries, including Brazil, India, South Africa, and Sweden, provided their national data. These countries recorded more than 3,500 cases of gonorrhea, half of which were in the Western Pacific region.

Who is at risk?

The average age of patients was 27, but ranged from teenagers to the elderly. One in five cases involved men who have sex with men, and almost half of the patients reported multiple sexual partners in the past month. Additional risk factors included recent antibiotic use and international travel.

Why is this important?

The WHO warns that if antibiotic resistance continues to grow, the world could face a situation where conventional treatments no longer work. This would make gonorrhea one of the most dangerous infections of the 21st century. The organization calls on countries to strengthen surveillance, develop diagnostics, and ensure access to new treatments to stop the spread of the disease.

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November 19, 2025 Women

Almost one in three women worldwide has experienced partner violence or sexual assault at least once in their lifetime. This figure has remained virtually unchanged since 2000.

Violence against women remains one of the most serious human rights issues, according to a report published today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners.

Violence rates are declining very slowly

The number of women experiencing partner violence or sexual violence reaches 840 million. In the past 12 months alone, 316 million women—11 percent of all women over 15—experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. Progress in reducing such cases has been extremely slow: over the past 20 years, this rate has decreased by only 0.2 percent per year.

For the first time, the report includes figures for violence perpetrated by non-partners. According to the study, 263 million women over the age of 15 have experienced such violence. However, experts emphasize that the actual figures are significantly higher, as stigma and fear hinder the detection of such crimes.

"No society can consider itself just, safe, or healthy while half its population lives in fear. Ending violence is not just a matter of politics; it is a matter of dignity, equality, and human rights. Behind every number is a woman or girl whose life has been forever changed," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Women's empowerment is not an option, but a prerequisite for peace, development and health," he added.

Cuts in funding for anti-violence programs

A new report, published ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, celebrated on November 25, is the largest study yet on intimate partner violence and sexual violence. The document analyzes data from 168 countries for the period 2000–2023.

Despite growing evidence of the effectiveness of violence prevention programs, the report warns that funding for such initiatives is declining. Meanwhile, humanitarian crises, technological change, and socioeconomic inequality are increasing the risks for millions of women and girls. For example, in 2022, only 0.2 percent of all international development assistance was allocated to violence prevention programs, and funding will decline significantly in 2025.

UN Women / K. Rivera

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed on November 25. This day marks the launch of the annual "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign. Orange is the campaign's official color.

New technologies contribute to the spread of violence

UN Women, an organization that also contributed to the new report, notes that new technologies can contribute to the spread of violence against women.

One global study found that 38 percent of women had personally experienced online violence, and 85 percent of women had witnessed digital violence against others.

However, this is not just about online violence: technology is blurring the boundaries between virtual space and reality, and online violence can spill over into everyday life.

For example, the distribution of deepfake pornographic videos can negatively impact a woman's emotional well-being and career, while online harassment, insults, and the disclosure of a woman's personal information can lead to threats and bullying in real life.

The effects of violence are felt throughout life.

Intimate partner violence and sexual assault can result in serious injuries, unwanted pregnancies, infections, and depression. Sexual, reproductive, and mental health services play a vital role in supporting victims.

Violence exists in every country, but women in the least developed countries, as well as those affected by conflict and regularly experiencing natural disasters, suffer significantly more. For example, in Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), the prevalence rate of partner violence in the past year was 38 percent, more than triple the global average of 11 percent.

The problem can be solved

Today, more countries than ever before are collecting data to inform policy on violence against women, but significant gaps remain – particularly regarding non-partner sexual violence and data on marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, migrants, women with disabilities, and women living in fragile settings.

The report also highlights successful examples of women's protection programs. For example, Cambodia is implementing a project to update domestic violence legislation, improve the quality and accessibility of services for women, modernize shelters, and introduce digital solutions in schools to prevent violence, particularly among adolescents.

Ecuador, Liberia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uganda have developed national action plans. Legislative measures adopted in these countries have helped secure domestic financial resources to address the problem of violence.

The report calls on governments to fund proven prevention programmes and survivor-focused health, legal and social services, invest in data collection systems and ensure strict enforcement of laws that empower women and girls.

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.