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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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Felipe de Carvalho, Belém

November 14, 2025 Climate and environment

Representatives of the Manduruku people of the Amazon blocked the main entrance to the "Blue Zone" – the area designated for negotiators at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. Their demands include an end to projects in territories inhabited by indigenous peoples. The conference's director-general called the protests "legitimate" and stated that the government is listening to the demonstrators.

On Friday morning, approximately 90 representatives of the Manduruku indigenous people held a peaceful protest, blocking the main entrance to the conference's "blue zone." The "blue zone" is an area open only to negotiators and other accredited participants.

Access to the forum through the main entrance was blocked for approximately an hour, and an army patrol was called in to enhance security. The Manduruku people live in the Amazon, primarily in three Brazilian states: Amazonas, Mato Grosso, and Pará.

"Legitimate" protests

According to news agencies, the demonstrators were protesting against Brazilian government projects that could affect communities living in the Tapajós and Xingu river basins. They also demanded an end to mining in indigenous areas.

Speaking to reporters, COP30 Executive Director Ana Toni said the protesters' demands were related to national policy. They were sent to meet with Minister of Indigenous Affairs Sonia Guajajara and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Marina Silva.

Ana Toni called the demonstrations "legitimate" and emphasized that the government is ready to listen to the protesters. She noted that over 900 indigenous representatives have been accredited to COP30—a significant increase from the 300 participants at last year's conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Presence and responsibility

In an interview with the UN News Service, Amanda, a young participant from the Pankararu people (Pernambuco state), said COP30 offers an opportunity to highlight the issues of indigenous peoples. However, Amanda believes more representatives of indigenous peoples could have been invited to the conference.

"We could make a much greater contribution if more indigenous representatives were involved in these discussions," she said. "The demands [made by the protesters] are certainly justified. We demand that our right to land, our right to life, be respected. We are creating this protective barrier, and we want to be heard. Being here today, representing those who were unable to come, places a responsibility on us."

The most inclusive conference

The COP-30 President noted that many indigenous leaders said the meeting in Belém was the most inclusive they had ever attended.

Chilean indigenous youth activist Emiliano Medina said indigenous representatives discussed a declaration emphasizing their commitment to combating the climate crisis.

He noted that such protests are a form of activism that allows people to make demands and point out policy shortcomings. Medina added that similar protests are taking place around the world in communities affected by climate change.

CS in Amazonia

In a conversation with journalists, Ana Toni emphasized that Brazil has a "strong democracy," which allows for various forms of protest both inside and outside the conference.

She noted that the decision to hold the conference in the Amazon was made precisely to ensure broad participation of indigenous peoples – something that would have been difficult to achieve if the event had been held in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or Brasilia.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

November 14, 2025 Peace and security

A massive attack on Ukraine's capital, the Kyiv region and other parts of the country early Friday morning reportedly killed eight civilians and injured many more, including children.

The UN Secretary-General strongly condemned Russia's attack on civilian targets in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine. Antonio Guterres reiterated its call for a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace that fully respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, international law and UN resolutions.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, expressed deep regret over the new wave of drone and missile strikes that damaged residential buildings, medical facilities, and heating systems in the city.

"I condemn the continued widespread harm to civilians through strikes that destroy vital infrastructure as winter approaches," Shmale said in a statement posted on social media.

Airstrikes on Friday morning also reportedly caused damage to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv. In his statement on Friday, the UN Secretary-General reiterated the principle of the inviolability of diplomatic facilities.

Attacks on the energy system

Ukraine is facing increasing attacks on its power grid, according to a recent report by UN human rights experts.

"In October, several regions of Ukraine experienced emergency power outages caused by ongoing targeted attacks by the Russian Federation and the resumption of large-scale strikes on energy infrastructure," the document notes.

Children's suffering

According to media reports, at least six people were killed in the attack on Kyiv on Friday. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that two children, aged seven and ten, were among the wounded.

"Ukrainian children are experiencing increasingly frightening, sleepless, and cold nights. Attacks continue, affecting homes, power grids, and heating systems," the foundation said in a social media post.

UNICEF also shared the story of a boy named Vyacheslav, whose home was damaged by the strike and whose neighbors were reportedly killed.

"First there was a roar, it kept getting louder, and then everything exploded. Our windows were blown out," he recalls. "I was really scared."

UNICEF called for an end to the attacks and for the protection of children.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

November 14, 2025 Climate and environment

Over the past 33 years, natural disasters have caused $3.26 trillion in damage to global agriculture (US$99 billion annually), representing approximately four percent of global agricultural GDP. This is according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), "The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security."

The document represents the largest global study to date on the impacts of natural disasters—from droughts and floods to pest outbreaks and marine heatwaves. The report also demonstrates how digital technologies are helping to shift from crisis response to crisis prevention.

Losses and regional imbalances

From 1991 to 2023, 4.6 billion tons of grain, 2.8 billion tons of fruits and vegetables, and 900 million tons of meat and dairy products were lost due to natural disasters. This is equivalent to a reduction of 320 kilocalories in the human daily diet, or 13-16 percent of average energy needs.

The largest absolute losses were in Asia, at $1.53 trillion (47 percent of global losses), reflecting both the scale of production and the region's high vulnerability to floods, storms, and droughts.

North and South America collectively lost $713 billion (22 percent), primarily due to droughts, hurricanes and extreme temperatures.

Africa suffered losses of 611 billion, but it was here that the damage was the most significant in relative terms – 7.4 percent of agricultural GDP.

Small island states remain particularly vulnerable, with losses accounting for a disproportionately high share of agricultural GDP. Marine heatwaves caused $6.6 billion in losses, affecting 15 percent of the world's fisheries, yet losses in aquaculture remain underestimated – despite the industry providing livelihoods for 500 million people.

Digital revolution in the agricultural sector

The FAO emphasizes that digital technologies are becoming a key tool for risk reduction. Artificial intelligence, remote sensing, mobile communications, drones, and sensors provide localized data in real time, improving early warning, insurance, and preventative measures.

Successful solutions include the SoilFER platform for sustainable farming, the FAMEWS system for monitoring caterpillar infestations, and the Climate Risk Toolbox, which has been used in over 200 projects. More than nine million farmers already use digital platforms, and early warnings enable the evacuation of up to 90 percent of the population in risk areas.

Digitalization must be inclusive

Despite significant progress, more than 2.6 billion people worldwide remain digitally excluded, primarily in rural areas that are most vulnerable to disasters. The FAO emphasizes that technology must be people-centered and supported by skills development, institutional support, and policy reform.

The organization calls on governments, international partners and the private sector to invest massively in digital infrastructure, integrate innovation into national strategies and ensure greater access to digital technologies for smallholder farmers, women, youth and indigenous peoples.

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.