Category: Global Politics

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BK: For as long as I can remember, I've always been interested in astronomy. I watched the Apollo 11 moon landing, although I was about a year old at the time and don't remember it.

Space is one of the key areas of global economic growth. The figures are staggering. It is estimated that by 2035, the "space economy" will be worth approximately $2 trillion, an increase of $600–700 billion from today. Beyond its economic impact, space has always been a sphere that unites people.

The International Space Station is one of the places where we cooperate, because we want to. But also because we have to; after all, space isn't the property of any one country.

This is an area that can expand, that offers literally limitless possibilities, but it also obliges us to collaborate.

UN News Service: The idea of cooperation is very important. Is this one of the reasons you want to work with the UN?

BK: In my view, some endeavors require a global perspective. Space is certainly one of them.

It's pointless to talk about planetary defense, lunar exploration, asteroid mining, or expanding into the solar system at the level of individual countries. Nothing will come of it.

There are areas where we are forced to cooperate on a global level. And I think this is a good thing, because it forces us to address complex issues related to diplomacy and technical negotiations.

Some may see this as a problem, but I think a huge advantage of space is that we are forced to think as one world.

© NASA

UN News: What do you think you can personally change in your new role?

BK: It is imperative that we expand our work, economy and ambitions in space.

My specialty, besides being something of an amateur enthusiast, is trying to tell and explain to as wide an audience as possible why space is so important and beautiful.

And, by the way, this audience is not only the public, but also political leaders, industrial leaders who may not realize the potential of space.

Science is one of the foundations of our civilization, and if people aren't taught its benefits, they won't be able to participate in its strengthening and development. If there's a lack of understanding, optimal decisions won't be made.

If this all sounds a bit dry, we are also asking fundamental questions, such as, are we alone in the universe?

UN News: I think this is the question you get asked most often.

BK: That's a great question. I think we all ask ourselves that question. The answer is: we don't know.

Let's put it more scientifically: How far beyond Earth would we need to go to detect life?

We don't know the answer to this question at this time, but we are trying to answer it.

UN News: Are there any misconceptions about space that you would like to dispel?

BK: Of course, there are misconceptions about space, which I think stem simply from a lack of information. The main misconception is that space exploration is a luxury, and that the industrialization of near-Earth orbit and the exploration of the Moon and asteroids should be left for the future.

I often hear that we should solve our problems here on Earth first before worrying about space.

The truth is that space already plays a vital role in solving the problems we face on Earth.

An obvious example is understanding how our climate is changing.

Satellite data on the atmosphere, ocean temperatures, and other factors are critical to our understanding of climate change and to addressing the challenges we face today, challenges we created in the pre-space era.

© NASA

Global positioning, satellite navigation GPS, is crucial not only for determining your location using a phone, but also for air traffic control, supply chain management, optimizing the delivery of goods and materials across the planet, and so on.

There are numerous examples of how space is already having a positive impact on Earth, and more such examples will continue to emerge in the future.

UN News Service: How do you plan to advocate for the peaceful and inclusive use of outer space, and especially for the participation of developing countries?

BK: I hope that I can contribute to the democratization of space and advocate for its development to be carried out by more than just the big players.

The arguments for all countries having a say in the space economy are similar to the arguments for countries having a say in the economy that exists on the surface of the Earth and in the oceans.

In certain areas, we must act as one planet. Space is one of the best examples, but we could also add climate change, pandemic response, or managing artificial intelligence.

These phenomena do not recognize international borders, which is why organizations like the United Nations are needed.

Space is perhaps the most obvious example of an economic sector that does not recognize national borders, because there are none there.

UN News: How do you think developing countries can become more involved in the space economy?

BK: I think we're currently in a transformative phase when it comes to expanding beyond Earth, industrialization, and the use of space. This means that the rules that everyone will need to agree to are already being developed.

How do we manage space traffic? How do we ensure equal access [to space]? If we start building bases on the Moon, how do we manage them? How do we manage this the same way we manage access to Antarctica, for example?

Obviously, these are global issues. They concern everyone, every country.

All countries must join forces to develop a structure that will allow us to become a multi-planet civilization.

I would like us to become an interstellar civilization, but I will not live to see it.

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October 29, 2025 Peace and security

On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly adopted for the 33rd time a resolution calling on the United States to end the economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba. The resolution was approved by a majority vote: 165 countries voted in favor, 7 voted against, and 12 abstained.

Argentina, Hungary, Israel, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Ukraine, and the United States voted against. Those abstaining included Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, and Romania.

Resolutions with similar content accepted The General Assembly has adopted the resolution annually since 1992. Back then, 59 states supported the document, and in 2017, 191 did. Last year, 187 countries voted in favor of the resolution, two voted against (the United States and Israel), and one abstained (Moldova).

Poland, also speaking on behalf of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, explained its decision to abstain from voting by saying it reflected a "selective application of the UN Charter." The Polish representative cited Cuba's continued support for Russia amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, noting reports of Cuban citizens participating in the Russian forces.

Romania stated that it traditionally supported the resolution, but that "foreign participation in an illegal war of aggression is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law," and called on Cuba to withdraw its support for the invasion.

Although the resolution is not binding, its adoption again reflects broad international disapproval unilateral coercive measures. The General Assembly decided to reinsert the question of the US embargo against Cuba on the provisional agenda of the next session.

The document reiterates its call on all states to refrain from applying punitive laws with extraterritorial effect, such as the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which Cuba and a number of countries believe is contrary to international law and the UN Charter.

The General Assembly also noted the steps taken by the Obama administration in 2015–2016 to relax certain aspects of the embargo, "which contrast with steps taken since 2017 [under Donald Trump's first administration] to strengthen it." In 2016, the United States abstained for the first time, rather than voting against the draft resolution. However, in subsequent years, Washington returned to its previous position.

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October 29, 2025 Peace and security

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called reports that more than 100 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip last night "horrifying." The victims were reportedly mostly sheltering in homes, schools, and camps for internally displaced persons. The strikes followed the death of an Israeli soldier.

“The laws of war clearly indicate the paramount importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” Türk said. “Israel is obligated to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law and bears responsibility.” for any violations".

The High Commissioner stressed that these tragic events occurred at a time when the people of Gaza, who had endured two years of suffering, had hoped for an end to the violence.

The UN's top human rights official reiterated that parties to the conflict must act in good faith. to comply with the ceasefire conditionsHe also called on the international community, especially states with particular influence on the situation, to do everything possible to ensure compliance with the agreements.

"The last two years have brought untold suffering and destruction, leading to the near-total destruction of Gaza. We must not squander this chance for peace and the path to a more just and secure future," Türk added.

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October 29, 2025 International law

The World Health Organization (WHO) is shocked and appalled by reports of the tragic deaths of more than 460 patients and their caregivers in an attack on a maternity hospital in El Fasher, Sudan.

Prior to this attack, the WHO had recorded 185 attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan, killing 1,204 people and injuring 416 since the conflict began in April 2023. Forty-nine of these attacks occurred this year alone, killing 966 people, mostly healthcare workers and patients.

"All attacks on healthcare facilities must stop immediately and unconditionally. All patients, medical staff, and healthcare facilities must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

El Fasher was besieged for over 500 days. The Rapid Intervention Force reported the city's capture two days ago. Fierce fighting is currently underway there. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) previously reported that approximately 26,000 people fled El Fasher in the past two days.

However, tens of thousands of people remain in the city. They live in dire straits, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is concerned about the fate of the children there. "No child is safe," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

She noted that "the true scale of what's happening remains unclear due to widespread communication blackouts." There are approximately 130,000 children in El Fasher, all of whom are in grave danger. According to Russell, there are reports of abductions, murders, and sexual violence in the city. There are also reports of humanitarian workers being detained and killed.

UNICEF calls for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid flows, the protection of civilians, especially children, and the creation of safe evacuation options for families seeking refuge, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Those responsible for violations must be held accountable, the UNICEF statement states.

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October 29, 2025 Humanitarian aid

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply concerned about the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record. On Tuesday, the hurricane hit Jamaica, bringing with it torrential rain and strong winds.

According to the UN chief's press service, the storm is heading toward Cuba and the Bahamas. The Dominican Republic and Haiti are already experiencing widespread flooding.

The UN chief expresses solidarity with the governments and peoples of countries affected by the hurricane, conveys his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

UN assistance

The United Nations is providing comprehensive support to countries in the hurricane's path. Under the leadership of UN Resident Coordinators on the ground and in close collaboration with authorities and humanitarian partners, UN agencies are assessing needs, providing direct assistance to victims, and preparing for the hurricane's potential impacts in other parts of the region. UN teams are already working in the affected areas and are preparing to scale up their assistance.

The UN has allocated $4 million each to Haiti and Cuba from the Central Emergency Response Fund. The funds are intended to support hurricane preparedness and mitigation efforts under the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' (OCHA) prevention program.

Specifically, the World Food Programme (WFP) has deployed over 800 metric tons of food, enough to feed 86,000 people in Haiti for two weeks. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has pre-positioned hygiene kits for 14,500 people and special food for over 4,000 children. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has stockpiled reproductive health supplies for 5,000 people and hygiene kits for 4,000 people. Additionally, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a World Health Organization (WHO) organization, has provided health kits for 11,000 people.

The UN will also consider raising additional funds to finance the response to the natural disaster.

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October 29, 2025 Climate and environment

As global temperatures rise and the impacts of climate change intensify, the vast gap in adaptation funding for developing countries is putting lives, livelihoods, and entire economies at risk, according to the 2025 Climate Change Adaptation Report, titled "Running Out Fuel," prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

IN reportA report published ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will take place in November in Belém, Brazil, notes that despite improved adaptation planning and implementation, adaptation financing needs in developing countries will exceed $310 billion per year by 2035. This is 12 times higher than current levels of international public adaptation financing.

"The impacts of climate change are accelerating. However, adaptation funding has not kept pace, leaving the world's most vulnerable people suffering from rising sea levels, deadly storms, and scorching heat," the UN Secretary-General noted. Antonio Guterres in his message on the occasion of the report's release. "Adaptation is not an expense, it's a lifeline. Closing the adaptation gap is how we protect lives, ensure climate justice, and build a safer and more resilient world. There's no time to waste."

Adaptation is not an expense, it is a means of salvation

“Every person on this planet faces the impacts of climate change: wildfires, extreme heat, desertification, floods, rising prices, and much more,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “As action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions continues to lag, these impacts will only worsen, harming more people and causing significant economic losses. We need a global effort to increase adaptation funding—from both public and private sources—without increasing the debt burden of vulnerable countries. Even with limited budgets and competing priorities, the reality is simple: if we don’t start investing in adaptation now, we will face rising costs every year.”

Missing funds

The $310 billion estimate is based on modeled costs. If the estimates are based on extrapolated needs reflected in Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans, this figure rises to $365 billion. These figures are based on 2023 data and are not adjusted for inflation.

If we don't start investing in adaptation now, we will face increasing costs every year.

International public adaptation finance flows to developing countries will total $26 billion in 2023, down from $28 billion in the previous year. This leaves an adaptation finance gap of $284-339 billion per year, 12-14 times higher than current flows. UNEP's previous estimate amounted to 194-366 billion dollars.

If current funding trends do not change in the near future, the target of doubling international public funding for adaptation measures from 2019 levels to approximately $40 billion by 2025, as set out in Glasgow Climate Pact, will not be executed.

Planning and implementation of measures

Approximately 172 countries have at least one national adaptation policy or plan in place; only four countries have not yet begun developing a plan. However, in 36 of these 172 countries, the instruments are outdated or have not been updated for at least ten years. This must be taken into account to minimize the risk of maladaptation.

In the Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), which countries submit under the Paris Agreement to describe their progress in meeting their climate commitments, countries have reported on over 1,600 implemented adaptation measures, primarily in the areas of biodiversity, agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure. However, only a few countries report on the actual results and impacts needed to assess their effectiveness.

Meanwhile, support for new projects under the Adaptation Fund, Global Environment Facility, and Green Climate Fund has grown to nearly $920 million in 2024. This is 86 percent higher than the five-year average of $494 million from 2019 to 2023. However, this may prove to be only a temporary blip, as emerging financial constraints make the future uncertain.

Increasing public and private funding

The new collective climate finance target agreed at COP29 calls for developed countries to provide at least $300 billion per year to combat climate change in developing countries by 2035. This is insufficient to close the financing gap for two reasons.

First, if the inflation rate of the last decade persists until 2035, developing countries' adaptation financing needs will increase from $310-365 billion per year in 2023 prices to $440-520 billion per year. Second, the $300 billion target is intended for both mitigation and adaptation. This means that only a fraction of this amount will be allocated to adaptation.

The Baku-Belen roadmap for raising $1.3 trillion by 2035 could be of great importance, but care must be taken to avoid increasing the vulnerability of developing countries. Grants, concessional, and debt-free instruments are crucial to prevent debt buildup, which would hinder vulnerable countries' investment in adaptation.

For the roadmap to work, the international community must close the adaptation funding gap. This requires mitigating climate change, preventing maladaptation, and increasing funding through new donors, investors, and instruments. It is also necessary to engage more financial actors in integrating resilience issues into decision-making processes.

While the private sector must do more, the report estimates a realistic potential for private investment in public adaptation priorities at $50 billion per year. This compares to current private investment of approximately $5 billion per year. Reaching $50 billion will require targeted policy measures and a combination of financial solutions, with concessional public financing used to mitigate risks and increase private investment.

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October 29, 2025 Climate and environment

The climate crisis is no longer a future threat – it's already claiming lives. A new global report from the Lancet Countdown research project, prepared in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), warns that millions of people die each year due to the consequences of climate inaction.

A document published ahead of the opening of the UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Brazil shows that 12 of 20 key indicators tracking health threats from global warming have reached record levels.

"The climate crisis is a health crisis. Every fraction of a degree of warming costs lives," said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, a WHO spokesperson.

Mortality rates are rising

According to the report, heat-related deaths have increased by 23 percent since the 1990s, averaging 546,000 fatal incidents per year. In 2024, every person on Earth was exposed to dangerous heat for an average of 16 days, with infants and the elderly experiencing heat stress for more than 20 days.

Droughts and fires have led to increased food insecurity, with 124 million people facing food shortages in 2023. Economic losses from heat in 2024 were estimated at $1.09 trillion.

Last year, governments spent $956 billion on fossil fuel subsidies—three times more than they spent on aid to climate-vulnerable countries. In 15 countries, such subsidies exceeded the entire healthcare budget.

There is hope

The report not only warns of disaster but also cites positive examples. Reducing air pollution from coal-fired power generation between 2010 and 2022 prevented 160,000 premature deaths annually. Renewable energy reached 12 percent of the total energy sector, creating 16 million jobs. Two-thirds of medical students in 2024 received training in climate and health.

"The solutions already exist. Cities, communities, and local governments are demonstrating that progress is possible," says Dr. Marina Romanello, executive director of the Lancet Countdown. She claims that phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy and healthy diets will help save more than 10 million lives annually.

The healthcare sector is at the forefront

The health sector is demonstrating leadership: healthcare-related greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 16 percent in 2021–2022. Sixty percent of countries have completed national health system adaptation plans, and 58 percent have completed vulnerability assessments.

In the lead-up to the climate conference in Brazil, the Lancet Countdown report has become a key argument for urgent action. The WHO is preparing a special report that will form part of the Belém Action Plan, the summit's expected outcome.

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October 28, 2025 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: a report on "genocidal acts" in Gaza, the Caribbean region under attack by Hurricane Melissa, the death of migrants off the coast of Libya, the consequences of communication restrictions in Afghanistan.

Report on Palestine

Introducing new report of the UN Independent International Commission The UN Office of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, chairperson Navi Pillay, stated that Israel had committed "four genocidal acts" in Gaza, and that Israeli leaders had "incited genocide." Pillay described the situation in the enclave as "the most ruthless, sustained, and widespread assault on the Palestinian people in history." She called on UN member states to ensure justice and accountability.

Hurricane Melissa

Residents of Jamaica and other Caribbean countries found themselves in the area of the powerful hurricane MelissaIn recent days, the UN and its humanitarian partners have warned of a "critical" and "imminent" threat. The Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful to hit the planet this year. The lives of a million people are at risk, including families still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, which devastated the region 16 months ago. Thanks to pre-positioning supplies ahead of hurricane season, the World Food Programme has mobilized efforts to deliver humanitarian supplies from Barbados.

Death of migrants

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) expresses its condolences following the incident that occurred earlier today off the coast of Surman, Libya. A wooden boat carrying migrants from several countries capsized due to strong waves. Sixty-four people were rescued, but 18 tragically died. IOM is working with local partners to ensure those affected have access to medical and psychological care. The organization reiterated its call for strengthened regional cooperation, expanded safe and legal migration routes, and timely rescue operations.

Violations in Afghanistan

Internet and telecommunications were shut down in Afghanistan last month. aggravated the difficulties, which the country's population already faces. This is according to a report released today by the UN Human Rights Office and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The report's authors described a number of violations related to communications restrictions. These include a lack of access to medical care and emergency services, the disruption of humanitarian operations, and the intensification of existing discriminatory restrictions against women and girls.

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October 28, 2025 Human rights

The chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Navi Pillay, told a UN General Assembly committee on Tuesday that Israel had committed "four genocidal acts" in Gaza and that its political leaders had "incited the commission of genocide."

Introducing the commission's latest report, Pillay said the experts' findings were based on a legal analysis conducted in accordance with the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

"We concluded that the State of Israel was responsible for committing four genocidal acts in Gaza with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinian people in Gaza as such," she said. "The commission also found that the President, Prime Minister, and former Minister of Defense of Israel incited the commission of genocide."

Pillay, the former head of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the situation in Gaza as "the most brutal, sustained and widespread attack on the Palestinian people in history."

Irreparable losses

Pillay noted that while the ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners offer hope, it cannot reverse the damage already done: "The Gaza Strip lies in ruins and is virtually uninhabitable."

According to her, Israeli officials publicly supported plans for deportation, settlement construction, and territorial annexation. Although the ceasefire has put these plans on hold, "recent statements by Israeli officials make it clear that these goals remain valid."

Occupied West Bank

The commission found that in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli policy since October 2023 – along with explicit and implicit support for settler violence – “demonstrates a clear intent to forcibly transfer Palestinians, expand the presence of Israeli Jewish civilians, and annex most of the West Bank.”

The aim of this policy, according to Pillay, is “to prevent any possibility of Palestinian self-determination and statehood, and to maintain the indefinite occupation.”

Bringing to justice

Pillay called on UN member states to ensure justice and accountability by supporting International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations and using universal jurisdiction to prosecute suspects, including dual nationals.

"It pains me to realize that in this, my final speech as chair of this commission, I am forced to acknowledge that the post-war multilateral system failed to prevent this genocide," she said. "The international system has proven itself to be a failure."

In closing her remarks, Pillay called for "truth and reconciliation," adding that peace can only "take root and flourish" through justice.

Read also:

Gaza: Independent International Commission of Inquiry Accuses Israel of Genocide

Call for a permanent ceasefire

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, also addressed the General Assembly committee. In her speech, she emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Albanese called on Member States to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied territories and the dismantling of Israeli settlements. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur believes, countries must suspend all military, trade, and diplomatic ties with Israel "until it ends genocide, illegal occupation, and apartheid."

"This is how we will begin to honor the memory of those who perished. And if the Security Council is paralyzed, this Assembly must act in a spirit of unity for peace with greater resolve than ever before," she added.

Special Rapporteurs and other human rights experts appointed under the special procedures of the Human Rights Council are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They do not receive a salary for their work.

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October 28, 2025 Human rights

The 48-hour internet and telecommunications shutdown in Afghanistan last month exacerbated the hardships already facing the country's population, according to a report released today by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

The report is based on more than 100 interviews conducted after the nationwide communications blackout implemented by the de facto authorities from September 29 to October 1, 2025.

Implications for human rights

As noted in the document, the healthcare system, the banking sector, small businesses, and essential services cannot function without telecommunications.

The report's authors described a number of identified human rights violations related to communications restrictions. These include delays in medical care or lack of access to healthcare and emergency services, disruption of humanitarian operations, the escalation of existing discriminatory restrictions against women and girls, interference in the daily and family lives of citizens, and the shutdown of local businesses and the banking system.

The situation of women and girls

Women and girls in Afghanistan are already facing the strictest restrictions in the world. As evidence shows, their lives became even more difficult during the communication blackout.

Some women, for example, were unable to contact their male relatives—mahrams. In Afghanistan, women are prohibited from traveling more than 78 kilometers or driving without a mahram. In some areas, such men must accompany women even on their way to work, shopping, or doctor's appointments. One Afghan woman recounted, "I couldn't call my father to come pick me up. I had to walk home. I was terrified, but luckily, I got home within an hour."

For many Afghan women, online learning remains the only option for education, as de facto authorities banned education for women and girls after sixth grade. One student said, "Those were terrible days and nights. We were desperate and afraid we'd be thrown back to the Stone Age. It was unbearable."

Violations in the healthcare sector

Healthcare workers described deaths that could have been prevented with functioning communications. At a hospital in Laghman province, a pregnant woman with severe bleeding needed urgent transport to the regional hospital, but the local ambulance broke down, and no other service could be reached. The baby died, and the mother survived, but she has complications. A nurse said, "I'm trained to save lives, but without communication, I felt completely helpless."

Help for earthquake victims

Humanitarian organizations reported that the communication outage disrupted their work, resulting in the delay of vital aid to those in need. During the communications disruption, humanitarian missions provided support. victims of the earthquake on August 31 in the provinces of Nangarhar, Laghman and Kunar, and also carried out operations in connection with the mass return of Afghans from Pakistan.

The UN emphasizes that the communications blackout and other restrictions violate the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, contrary to Afghanistan's human rights obligations. The de facto authorities have not yet publicly explained the reasons for these restrictions.

As the report emphasizes, authorities are obliged to comply with international human rights standards, and any restrictions must be carried out within the law and in accordance with the principles of necessity and proportionality to the objectives pursued.

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