Category: Global Politics

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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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

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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

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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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September 18, 2025 Climate and environment

Water is the source of life on Earth, but today it is increasingly becoming the cause of natural disasters. According to a report released Thursday by the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), climate change is increasing pressure on the planet's water resources, triggering disasters affecting millions of people worldwide.

A year of record heat and devastating floods

Last year was the hottest in 175 years of record-keeping, with the average surface temperature of the Earth exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.55 degrees Celsius.

The anomaly directly affects the water cycle: warm air holds more moisture, leading to more intense precipitation and, as a result, devastating floods.

"Water disasters continue to take a heavy toll this year," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. "Flooding in Pakistan and South Sudan, and deadly downpours in Bali, are just part of the alarming picture. Unfortunately, there's no end in sight to this trend."

Storm Boris and the "centennial" floods

In September 2024, Central and Eastern Europe were hit by the powerful storm Boris, causing flash floods and the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. In the Czech Republic, river levels reached levels that, statistically, would only occur once in a century. As Stefan Uhlenbruck, Director of the WMO's Hydrology Division, notes, such "century-scale" events are becoming increasingly common.

Monsoons off schedule and drought in the Amazon

Water cycle instability is also evident in other regions. In India, the monsoon arrived earlier than usual this year, bringing heavy rains to the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Amazon basin, northwest Mexico, and southern Africa experienced severe drought, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon.

"El Niño certainly played a role, but scientific evidence shows that it is climate change and rising temperatures that lead to extreme events – both droughts and floods," Saulo explained.

Melting glaciers: a global threat

One of the most alarming trends on the planet is the rapid disappearance of glaciers. In 2024, they lost 450 gigatons of ice—a volume equivalent to 180 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. This added 1.2 mm to global sea levels, increasing the risk of coastal flooding.

Everything is interconnected: from the Arctic to Asia

The report emphasizes that the water cycle is a closed global system.

"We're not dealing with localized problems," says WMO researcher Sulagna Mishra. "Melting glaciers in the Arctic influence monsoons in Asia, and hurricanes in the Pacific influence weather patterns around the world."

Against the backdrop of global climate change, the World Meteorological Organization is calling for urgent action: improved monitoring, data sharing on water flows, groundwater and its quality, as well as international cooperation and urgent investment in early warning systems.

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September 18, 2025 Peace and security

The success of the political transition in Syria depends on the broad participation of all communities and population groups. This prerequisite was emphasized by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, in his address to the Security Council.

According to Pedersen, Syria urgently needs international assistance on a scale commensurate with its needs and ambitions. The return of the private sector to Syria is also essential, which requires political stability, regional and global support, and the easing of sanctions and export controls.

External intervention

The special envoy condemned ongoing external interference, including from Israel. He cited media reports of the killing of several Syrian soldiers, as well as the Israeli landing south of Damascus and further strikes in early September. "Such external interference is unacceptable and must end," Pedersen stated.

Relative stability

Speaking of situation in As-SuwaydaPedersen noted that the ceasefire announced on July 18 is generally holding. He welcomed the joint efforts of the United States, Jordan, and Syria, as enshrined in the September 16 statement. According to the Special Envoy, it is crucial that decisions simultaneously "guarantee the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria" and address "the legitimate concerns of the Druze community for their security, human rights, and political future."

Political transition

"The international community must support Syria and resolutely oppose foreign interference. But equally, the success of the transition will depend, first and foremost, on whether the state acts as a state for all, not only in words but also in deeds," the Special Envoy said.

He also added that Ahmed al-Sharaa will be the first Syrian president since 1967 to personally participate in debates during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.

"The United Nations stands ready to support efforts on all fronts," Pedersen reiterated.

Rebuilding the country

In turn, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher emphasized that more than 70 percent of Syrians need support, 9 million suffer from acute food shortages, about 7 million remain internally displaced, and more than 4 million are refugees in neighboring countries.

According to him, despite significant funding cuts, the UN and its partners provide vital humanitarian assistance to nearly 3.5 million people across Syria every month. However, donors have provided only 18 percent of the required funds, which is already leading to the closure of hospitals, women's and girls' centers, and the reduction of other programs.

He also stressed that millions of Syrians, returning to their native places After years of displacement, they need help to rebuild their communities.

Fletcher called on UN Security Council members to maintain stability through continued engagement to prevent violence, to adequately fund humanitarian efforts, and to support the reconstruction of Syria.

"Turn promises into concrete investments and expand support for major recovery, reconstruction, and development programs, creating livelihoods, rebuilding homes, and restoring essential services. Ultimately, this is restoring hope," he said.

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September 18, 2025 UN

In a year marked by intensifying international crises – from growing conflicts and economic hardship to rapid climate change – the United Nations remained committed to advancing peace and sustainable development.

This is stated in the annual report Secretary-General, presented ahead of the 80th High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly. The document assesses the Organization's efforts in the face of growing threats.

Antonio Guterres He emphasized the resilience of UN staff who continue to deliver aid to people around the world despite difficult conditions:

"This report shows that despite these difficult times – or rather, precisely because they are difficult – we can and must create a better world, and we know it is within our reach," the UN chief said.

In 2024, the UN and its partners mobilized $25 billion (50 percent of the target), reaching 116 million people in need in nearly 80 countries.

These funds supported programs in the Horn of Africa, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and in regions affected by natural disasters – the earthquake in Vanuatu, droughts in Southern and East Africa, and floods in Southeast Asia.

But 2024 became the most tragic year in history for UN and humanitarian personnel: 373 humanitarian workers died. Most of them were employees of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, who were working in Gaza under extremely dangerous conditions.

© UNRWA/M. Hinawi

The UN continues to provide support to the residents of Gaza.

Peace and security are at the center of the UN mission

Despite growing threats, peace diplomacy remained the core of the Organization's work. The UN's daily efforts contributed to the protection of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the advancement of peace processes.

In Syria, under UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015), the Organization continued to engage with all parties to de-escalate violence and protect civilians. In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the UN sought to end the violence and expand humanitarian operations. In Lebanon, efforts were undertaken in accordance with Resolution 1701 (2006), allowing civilians to return to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line.

The UN also supported peace negotiations, state-building processes, and the protection of citizens in Sudan and Abyei, where intercommunal violence was reduced. The UN Peacebuilding Fund allocated over $116 million to support national plans in more than 30 countries, with a particular focus on gender equality. Partnerships with regional organizations, such as the African Union, also played a vital role.

A New Vision of the Future

The 2024 Future Summit was a historic event in multilateralism. World leaders adopted the Pact for the Future—an agreement to revive international cooperation and find solutions for people and the planet. The document calls for strengthened diplomacy and conflict prevention, reform of the global financial system, accelerated action to combat climate change, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Pact's annexes endorsed the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. The former lays the foundations for a safe, open, and inclusive digital space, including bridging the digital divide and developing rules for the use of data and artificial intelligence. The latter, however, calls for taking into account the rights and interests of future generations when making decisions today.

These documents form the foundation of a renewed system of multilateral cooperation.

“By addressing the pressing challenges of our time, the United Nations is paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future where digital technologies serve all humanity,” the Secretary-General said.

Photo UN/L. Felipe

The Future Summit was held at the UN headquarters in New York in 2024.

Human rights and sustainable development

The UN continues to believe that human rights are the foundation of peace, justice, and development. In 2024, work was underway to eliminate violence against women and girls, empower rural and marginalized communities, and ensure women's participation in peace and constitutional processes.

Human rights have been integrated into approaches to conflict, migration, climate change and digital governance.

Sustainable development and climate were equally emphasized. The UN supported 170 countries in implementing national emission reduction plans and assisted developing countries in transitioning to low-carbon models. The organization also advocated for reform of the global financial system to reduce the SDG financing gap and give vulnerable countries a chance to achieve the Goals.

Loyalty to humanity

António Guterres commended the courage of UN personnel working in dangerous conditions. He condemned targeted attacks on civilians, hospitals, schools, and humanitarian workers as a violation of international law and an undermining of the UN Charter.

Despite everything, the Organization's employees continue to carry out their mission.

“We will work for peace, sustainable development and the protection of human rights for all humanity,” the Secretary-General emphasized.

These efforts, he noted, reflect the spirit of the Organization, which seeks not only to respond to the crises of today, but also to serve people around the world.

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September 17, 2025 Economic development

Amid rapid technological advances and growing competition for intellectual resources, post-Soviet countries continue to seek a balance between the legacy of the past and the challenges of the future. The Global Innovation Index 2025 report, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), offers a fresh look at how former Soviet states are addressing the challenge of building an innovation-driven economy.

Who's on top?

The top ten rankings are dominated by traditional heavyweights in the field of technological innovation:

1. Switzerland

2. Sweden

3. USA

4. South Korea

5. Singapore

6. UK

7. Finland

8. Netherlands

9. Denmark

10. China

The People's Republic of China entered the top ten for the first time, overtaking Germany and strengthening its position thanks to increased patent activity and generous investments.

Leading countries are actively and purposefully investing in science, technology, education, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Europe remains the most innovative region in the world, and China is the engine of development among emerging economies.

Leaders and followers in the post-Soviet space

Among the post-Soviet countries, Estonia achieved the greatest success, ranking 16th thanks to effective digital governance, startup development, and investment in education. Lithuania (33rd) and Latvia (41st) also demonstrated steady growth, particularly in life sciences and financial technology. Georgia (56th) is focusing on IT and the creative industries, gradually improving its position.

Despite its high scientific potential, Russia ranked 60th—below expectations. The report notes weak commercialization of research, limited access to venture capital, and insufficient integration into global innovation chains. "Russia has a strong academic base, but it needs to more actively transform knowledge into marketable products," the report states.

Ukraine ranked 66th, Moldova 74th, Belarus 85th, Azerbaijan 94th, Kyrgyzstan 96th, and Tajikistan 108th.

Problems of a similar nature

Many countries in the post-Soviet space face similar challenges: insufficient funding for scientific research, brain drain, and weak intellectual property protection. However, there are also positive examples. Uzbekistan (79th place) entered the index for the first time, demonstrating interest in digitalization and educational reform. Armenia (59th place) is actively developing technology parks and cooperation with the diaspora. Kazakhstan (81st place) is investing in infrastructure and international partnerships, particularly in green technologies.

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