Category: Global Politics

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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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October 14, 2025 Climate and environment

Despite record growth in renewable energy use, the world is still far from meeting its climate commitments, according to a report released Tuesday by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

According to IRENA, 582 GW of new renewable energy capacity was commissioned in 2024, an all-time high. However, to reach the target agreed upon at the COP28 climate conference of 11.2 TW by 2030, the world needs to add more than 1,100 GW annually. The current rate is clearly insufficient, the report's authors conclude.

"The clean energy revolution is irreversible," said the UN Secretary-General. Antonio Guterres, commenting on the report. "Renewable energy is being deployed faster and more cheaply than fossil fuels, creating jobs, stimulating growth, and providing affordable electricity. But the window of opportunity for keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is rapidly closing. We must act faster."

IRENA emphasizes that developed countries must take the lead in transitioning away from coal and oil, increasing the share of renewable energy sources to 20 percent of global energy capacity by the end of the decade. This requires a sharp increase in investment in modernizing power grids, supply chains, and the production of clean technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and hydrogen systems.

The report's authors also note that the falling cost and increasing efficiency of renewable energy sources are one of the few positive developments in the otherwise bleak climate forecasts of recent years. However, without decisive action and financial support, the transition to sustainable energy may be too slow to prevent the catastrophic consequences of global warming.

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14 October 2025Experts have concluded that the following measures reduce alcohol consumption at the population level:• increasing taxes or setting minimum prices;• raising the minimum age for purchasing or drinking alcohol;• limiting the density of sales outlets, as well as the days and hours of sale;• strict bans on alcohol advertising;• a state monopoly on sales;• other comprehensive measures.• save lives – reducing consumption prevents disease and premature death;• save money – tax policy not only reduces consumption and harm, but also increases budget revenues that can be directed towards health care and rehabilitation;• produce a rapid effect – results are visible within 5 years, that is, within one political cycle;• rely on science – IARC assessments are based on independent and reliable data and serve as a global benchmark.

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October 14, 2025 Peace and security

Libyan political institutions continue to stall in implementing key stages of the roadmap developed with the assistance of the UN Mission in Libya. This was stated by the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, Hannah Tetteh, speaking at a Security Council meeting on Tuesday.

"Libya cannot afford further delays," Tetteh emphasized, calling on the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of State to engage constructively. She stated that the lack of agreement on the composition of the Electoral Commission and the legal framework for the elections jeopardizes the entire process of democratic renewal.

Amid political discord, the security situation in the country remains fragile, Tetteh said. She emphasized that sustainable peace depends on security sector reform, which the UN mission is currently discussing with Libya's Presidential Council. "We urgently need to move forward," she declared.

Local elections demonstrate citizens' desire for democratic participation. Voting took place in seven municipalities in Zawiya in August, and elections are expected to resume in another sixteen districts in the coming days.

Meanwhile, economic governance in the country remains woefully ineffective. The Central Bank of Libya discovered 6.5 billion dinars (approximately $1.2 billion) in unaccounted banknotes, not officially registered. The total amount of illicit funds uncovered this year has reached 10 billion dinars. Tetteh called the situation "deeply alarming" and welcomed the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategic Plan, emphasizing that its success depends on political will.

Tetteh placed particular emphasis on national reconciliation in her report. The UN continues to work with victims of enforced disappearances and mass graves. A draft law on missing persons, which must comply with international standards, is being developed.

In conclusion, Tetteh emphasized that if the Mission's current efforts fail to achieve consensus among the main political institutions, it will be forced to propose an alternative approach and seek support from the Security Council. "The Libyan people deserve stability, peace, and respect for human rights," she concluded.

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October 14, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Rebuilding Gaza and ensuring the safety of its residents after two years of war will require approximately $70 billion, UN development experts stated on Tuesday. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies report that the amount of aid received remains insufficient compared to Palestinian needs.

Almost no part of the enclave – just 41 kilometers long and two to five kilometers wide – escaped destruction as a result of constant Israeli bombing.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Special Representative for Palestine, Jako Silje, the rate of destruction in the enclave "is around 84 percent, and in some areas, such as Gaza City, up to 92 percent."

$20 billion in the next three years

Speaking from Jerusalem, a UNDP representative noted that according to a preliminary assessment by the UN, the European Union and the World Bank, damage is estimated at $70 billion.

To launch a massive reconstruction operation, $20 billion will be needed in the next three years alone, Silje told reporters in Geneva.

UNDP, together with humanitarian partners, is already providing emergency assistance to 2.1 million people in Gaza, including access to clean water and medicine, temporary employment, waste removal, and making homes and public spaces safer by clearing debris that could contain unexploded ordnance or missing persons.

"We've already removed around 81,000 tons of debris—that's roughly 3,100 truckloads," Silje explained. "The main goal of the clearance is to ensure humanitarian organizations have access to the affected areas so they can deliver much-needed aid. We're also clearing hospitals and other social institutions."

A UNDP representative noted "very positive signals" from potential donors, including Arab states, European countries and the United States, which have also expressed a willingness to participate in the early stages of recovery.

Urgent humanitarian aid

Meanwhile, UN humanitarian agencies have again called on Israeli authorities to open all crossings into Gaza after the The 20 remaining Israeli hostages were released and a number of Palestinian prisoners.

This came after the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which took place on Monday evening in Sharm el-Sheikh, brokered by US President Donald Trump and the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

On Tuesday, the international community's attention focused on the transfer of the bodies of the dead hostages. This process is being led by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

"At least we have a home."

Speaking from Gaza, UNICEF's Tess Ingram described a family forced to flee their home five times by the war: "I met Mustafa and Saida's family today, and they told me they considered themselves lucky because, as they were clearing rubble from the building, Mustafa said, 'At least we have a home.'"

Ingram said the family was relieved when the water truck arrived.

"But they live in fear that he won't arrive today or tomorrow. Saida can't get the medication she needs, and her sons had to travel a very long way to buy even enough to bake bread. The families are in dire need of everything right now. We need hundreds of truckloads of aid every day, as promised," she added.

Needs of the population

Aid workers say needs in Gaza remain "enormous" and constantly changing, with more than 300,000 Palestinians having begun their journey north towards Gaza City since Friday.

"The encouragement we've seen from the international community and people on the ground—hope that this is the beginning of the end of the suffering—hasn't yet been reflected on the ground. We're still not receiving enough humanitarian aid," noted UNICEF representative Ricardo Pires.

Israeli authorities have agreed to allow 190,000 tons of humanitarian aid. UN agencies are ramping up operations, but as representatives of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and partner organizations have repeatedly stated, this remains woefully insufficient.

"Of course, we are in discussions with everyone," said OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke. "We were also present in Sharm el-Sheikh yesterday, along with 22 heads of state and government, calling on everyone to do everything possible to get this process underway as quickly as possible."

Aid agencies say the practice of distributing aid in hard-to-reach areas, including non-UN distribution centres where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed or injured, must be abandoned.

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October 14, 2025 Humanitarian aid

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Matthias Schmale strongly condemned the attack on UN vehicles in the Kherson region. There were no casualties, but two trucks caught fire, according to a statement released by the UN Office in Ukraine on Tuesday.

Shelling of a humanitarian convoy

On Tuesday, an interagency humanitarian convoy of four trucks clearly marked with UN symbols, delivering aid to the town of Bilozerka in the Kherson region, was attacked by Russian armed forces.

The humanitarian mission included employees of the Ukrainian offices of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

They were tasked with delivering aid to people severely affected by the war and who had not received support for months. When the humanitarian workers arrived, intense shelling began, and later, during unloading, two World Food Programme (WFP) trucks, also clearly marked, were targeted by drones equipped with FPV systems (systems that allow the operator to receive real-time video – editor's note).

Fortunately, no aid workers were injured, but two trucks were damaged and caught fire.

WHO-Ukraine

Humanitarian law

"Such attacks are absolutely unacceptable. Humanitarian workers are protected by international humanitarian law and should never be targeted," Matthias Schmale emphasized.

He noted that civilians remaining in frontline areas are entirely dependent on humanitarian aid, and humanitarian workers must be able to deliver vital support in a safe environment.

“Deliberate attacks on humanitarian workers and humanitarian facilities constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes,” the Coordinator added.

Drones in the Kherson region

In recent weeks, the Kherson region has seen an increase in drone attacks, resulting in civilian casualties. "These attacks must stop. All measures must be taken to protect civilians and humanitarian workers. International humanitarian law must be respected," Shmale said.

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October 14, 2025 Healthcare

In a world of instability and uncertainty, protecting against future pandemics requires not just preparedness but a fundamental rethinking of approaches to combating them. On Tuesday, at the World Health Summit in Berlin, a global report was presented with a clear call to invest in primary health care, establish real-time risk monitoring, and strengthen international cooperation.

The 2025 report, entitled "The New Face of Pandemic Preparedness," was prepared by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB), an initiative created in the wake of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank. The GPMB monitors the world's preparedness for emerging health challenges.

"True preparedness is impossible without resilient and securely funded primary care systems," emphasized Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Co-Chair of the Council and former President of Croatia. "Such systems not only provide essential health services in times of peace, but also build trust, which is vital in times of crisis."

Five years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is rapidly changing: technology is opening up new horizons – from data analytics to rapid vaccine development – but at the same time, misinformation is growing, mistrust is escalating, and geopolitical tensions are undermining preparedness efforts.

In this context, the Council proposes to restructure the global health architecture by focusing on three key areas: care, analysis and collaboration.

Care means strengthening advanced health systems, investing in primary care, working closely with communities, and protecting health workers.

Analysis – creating a risk monitoring system that tracks threats, vulnerabilities, and preparedness in real time, integrating health, social, economic, and environmental data into understandable signals for policymakers.

Collaboration is a health architecture based on solidarity and equity. The report calls for the ratification and funding of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the implementation of a pathogen-sharing system, and continued implementation of the updated International Health Regulations.

The report is based on the Monitoring Framework, which was developed over two years and launched in 2023.

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October 13, 2025 Human rights

Nearly one in three children in Europe and Central Asia experiences physical punishment at home, and two-thirds of children experience psychological aggression. According to a new report published today by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), these are the most common forms of violence against children.

Data from the report "Where We Live and Learn: Violence Against Children in Europe and Central Asia" shows that physical punishment, including spanking, pinching, and hitting, is used against more than 30 percent of children in the region. Psychological aggression, including threats, humiliation, and verbal abuse, affects up to 69 percent of children in 15 countries and territories in the region for which data are available.

“Violence affects the lives of too many children in Europe and Central Asia, often at the hands of those who are supposed to protect and care for them,” said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. “And while prohibition of all forms of corporal punishment under all circumstances is an important step, governments must go beyond that and invest in parental education, strong protection systems and community-based services to prevent violence and respond to it when it occurs.”

The vicious circle of violence

Data shows that over 90 percent of parents believe that physical punishment and psychological aggression are unnecessary, yet many still resort to them. This is often due to their inability to control their own emotions and a lack of awareness of the long-term detrimental impact of violent discipline on children's development and behavior.

Read also:

WHO report: Corporal punishment widespread and harmful to children's health

Children exposed to physical or psychological abuse are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, struggle in school, and exhibit aggressive behavior. These consequences can continue into adulthood, increasing the likelihood of violence in their future families and communities. This perpetuates a vicious cycle of intergenerational violence.

Corporal punishment is currently prohibited in all settings, including the home, in 38 of the region's 55 countries and territories, but legislation must be supported by specific support for parents and caregivers, including parenting training programs and family support services.

Multidisciplinary support

The report also analyses the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence against children in schools:

Between 1 and 14 percent of women in 19 EU countries report experiencing sexual violence before the age of 15, although the actual figures are likely much higher. On average, 11 percent of children in the region report were bullied at school, 15 percent report having encountered cyberbullying, and 10 percent were involved in fights.

The global cost of violence against children, according to UNICEF, is estimated at $7 trillion per year, which is about 8 percent of global GDP.

Promising models such as Barnahus, which provides child survivors of violence with multidisciplinary, tailored support, demonstrate that coordinated services can help children overcome the effects of violence and achieve justice.

UNICEF offers six recommendations to accelerate progress:

Prohibit all forms of corporal punishment in all settings; invest in parenting training programmes and family support services that promote positive disciplinary measures; expand access to justice and child-sensitive social services; scale up the implementation of safe and inclusive learning environments free from peer and teacher violence; prioritize data collection and monitoring to track incidents of violence and assess progress; ensure that all children, including those with disabilities, on the move or in care, receive support.

Ending violence against children is a legal obligation under Convention on the Rights of the Child and a global commitment within the framework of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable DevelopmentHowever, the Europe and Central Asia region is not meeting the targets for achieving this goal.

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Elma Okic

October 13, 2025 Peace and security

Ramallah, located in the occupied Palestinian territory on the West Bank, is a bustling urban center surrounded by barriers and checkpoints that define every aspect of residents' lives. Speaking at the UN Forum of Mayors in Geneva, Ramallah Mayor Issa Kassis noted that the challenges facing city authorities are exacerbated by conflict and occupation.

For Cassis, housing isn't a privilege, but a matter of survival. "We resist," he says, "simply by remaining on our land. Occupation isn't just tanks and soldiers. It restricts not only your movement, but also your thoughts, plans, aspirations, and your vision of the future."

Providing basic services under occupation is also more difficult: "Our wells are located in Area C of the West Bank, where Israeli security is controlled. Israeli settlements are also located there, and settlers are attacking these water sources, undermining efforts to provide water, which is already among the lowest per capita in the world. Meanwhile, settlers enjoy their swimming pools."

To adapt, Ramallah is investing in wastewater treatment and irrigation projects, using recycled water to create green spaces. "When you see greenery, you see hope. And when you see hope, you strive for it," says the mayor.

Photo by UN

Cultivating resilience

The cost of occupation is measured not primarily in barriers and shortages, but in lost lives. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 2023, more than 200 of them children.

Local residents are constantly under pressure, especially for families with children. "We are a young society," explains Kassis. "More than 65 percent of Ramallah residents are under 40. Half of them are teenagers or children." He says parents want their children to live freely and enjoy life, but they constantly fear harassment and arbitrary arrests.

"Thousands of people are behind bars. Every day, people are detained without a court order and held for six months, with the possibility of extension. The goal is to crush our spirit," the mayor believes. Nevertheless, he emphasizes, resilience remains: "Look at Gaza. Look at the smiling children. For me, that's resilience. These people choose life, no matter what."

Cassis believes that resilience must be nurtured from childhood – through education, green spaces, and fostering pride in one's land. "We've built this through years of hard work and raising our children to appreciate life, the beauty of the city, love the land, and feel a sense of belonging. It's part of our DNA in the municipality," he notes.

Photo by UN

The way forward

The UN supports a two-state solution as the basis for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security. Key issues that remain to be resolved include borders, settlements, the status of Jerusalem, the refugee issue, and security arrangements.

Until that vision becomes reality, says Kassis, the people of Ramallah will continue to live in hope.

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