Category: Global Politics

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September 15, 2025 Women

Women around the world 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 said ahead of International Equal Pay Day on 18 September.

Inequality persists

According to the UN, women are more likely than men to be unemployed. Only 28 percent of employed women worldwide have access to paid maternity leave. At the same time, women still do an average of three hours more unpaid work per day in housework and childcare and elder care than men.

The UN also notes that the gender pay gap is greater among national and racial minorities. In the US, black women earn 63.7 cents of every dollar earned by white men, indigenous women earn 59 cents, and Latinas earn 57 cents.

Women, especially migrant women, are much more likely to work in the informal sector, where wages are lower and working conditions are much worse. Motherhood exacerbates inequality: working mothers earn less than women without children.

Internationally enshrined law

UN Women recalls that equal pay for work of equal value is a fundamental right enshrined in the in one of the international conventions, which has already been ratified by 91 countries, and is a guarantee of socio-economic development.

The organization calls for coordinated action to reduce the gender wage gap.

“We continue to advance this agenda in partnership with governments, employers, workers’ organizations, international institutions and research organizations,” the statement said.

Governments, UN Women stresses, must create legal and policy frameworks to ensure equal pay. Employers must implement transparent pay practices and create gender-sensitive workplaces, and workers’ organizations must promote social dialogue and collective bargaining.

“With evidence and technical support from international institutions and research organizations, as well as the active participation of the private sector, civil society and academia, we can close the gender pay gap and ensure women’s full economic empowerment,” the statement said.

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September 9, 2025 UN

The main news of the day in the UN and around the world: more than 20 killed in an attack in the Donetsk region, an Israeli strike on the capital of Qatar, human rights violations in Sudan, global military spending reaches a record level.

Attack in Donetsk region

Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale condemnedtoday's attack in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. In turn, the head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country (HRMMU) Danielle Bell said that the Mission was “working to obtain additional information about the suspected Russian air strike that reportedly killed 24 people and injured 19 this morning” in the village of Yarovaya in Donetsk region, less than 8 kilometers from the front line. According to local authorities, most of those killed were elderly people who had come to collect their pensions.

Strike in Qatar

UN Secretary General condemned Israeli strike on Qatari capital as a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of that country. Speaking at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday, Antonio Guterres noted that Qatar was playing a "very positive role in achieving the ceasefire and freeing the hostages." According to media reports, Israel carried out several strikes in Doha, targeting the Hamas leadership, who had gathered there for a meeting.

War in Sudan

The Fact-Finding Mission to Sudan presented its latest report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday. The mission's chairman, Mohamed Chande Othman, stressed that both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Intervention Forces militia had committed crimes during the war. An independent investigation into human rights violations in the country found that civilians had been "deliberately targeted, forcibly displaced and starved." In addition, Othman said, girls as young as 12 were being forced into marriage, "sometimes under threat of the death of their loved ones."

Military expenditures

After a decade of military buildup, global military spending reached a record high in 2024, increasing by more than nine percent compared to 2023. This is stated in a new report by the UN Secretary-General. The head of the Organization emphasizes that the situation signals a departure from the principles of the UN Charter. Global military spending, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, reached $2.7 trillion last year. The report calls on UN member states to reconsider their security and development priorities.

General Assembly

The UN chief spoke at the closing of the 79th session of the General Assembly. He thanked outgoing General Assembly President Philemon Young and expressed hope for fruitful cooperation with President-elect Annalena Baerbock during the next session, which opens today at UN headquarters in New York.

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September 9, 2025 Culture and education

For Nelson Rodriguez, Education Specialist, UNICEF Ukraine, International Day of Protection from Attacks in Education – is not just another date on the UN calendar, but a reminder of the daily challenges that Ukrainian children face. Nelson travels widely around the country helping to implement UNICEF educational programs, and he has a lot to share with UN News Service readers.

"Children strive to learn under any circumstances"

What strikes Nelson most about the harsh realities of war is the desire of Ukrainian children to return to school, no matter what, to sit at a desk next to their classmates and feel the “normality” of the learning process. “I would definitely note the desire of children to study, to go to school, to communicate with friends, to learn something new. I think this is very important in the current conditions and deserves a special mention,” he says.

Many children, especially those forced to learn entirely online because of security concerns, struggle with social and emotional development. Nelson recalls a teacher who ran into her students at the supermarket — and they didn’t recognize her in real life, away from the computer screen. “Can you imagine a situation where kids don’t see their teacher as a real person at all?” he says.

A lesson interrupted by sirens

Where physical schools remain open, lessons are often interrupted by sirens. Air raid sirens force children and teachers to take shelter, sometimes several times a day.

Nelson recalls a school where a September 1 celebration – with flowers, balloons and a generally joyful atmosphere – was suddenly interrupted by an alarm. “Imagine being six years old, it’s your first day of school, you’re just starting to realize that you have a new life – and suddenly you have to run for cover,” he says.

Imagine: you are six years old, it is your first day of school, you are just beginning to realize that you now have a new life – and suddenly you have to run for shelter

According to Nelson, it is precisely these experiences that shape childhood in Ukraine today. “We tend to think of war primarily as the destruction of infrastructure – and indeed, 10 percent of educational institutions in the country have been destroyed or damaged. But protecting education also means minimizing the constant disruption of learning and uncertainty,” Nelson emphasizes.

In classrooms where children are returning after extended periods of online learning, there may be psychological challenges. “They’re not used to being physically seated next to another child who may be a complete stranger, because they were learning alone in a familiar home environment,” Nelson says.

© DRC Ukraine/S. Koval

UNICEF is helping Ukrainian schools and communities organize extra classes, preschool programs, and catch-up lessons. Shelters have been installed in 90 percent of the country’s schools, allowing more children to return to the classroom. But the emotional toll remains high.

“We need to understand how constant disruption and disruption are having a profound impact on children’s mental health and well-being, and we need to consider how we – UNICEF, our partners and the wider international community – can minimise this impact,” Nelson says.

© UNICEF/A. Filippov

Behind the statistics

For Nelson Rodriguez, the statistics – thousands of damaged schools, a third of students still learning fully or partially online – are just part of a much larger picture. His memory is now perhaps forever imprinted on the anxious faces of Ukrainian children in classrooms and shelters, their resilience in the face of constant danger and their desire for normal school life.

“Protecting education is not just about fixing buildings,” he says. “It’s about ensuring that children can continue to learn, thrive and feel safe, even when the world around them is full of uncertainty.”

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September 9, 2025 UN

Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was sworn in as President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. “Our task at this 80th session is to show 8 billion people why this organization still matters,” she said.

Before the opening of the new session, the closing ceremony of the 79th session of the General Assembly was also held at UN headquarters on Tuesday.

"The founders of this organization in 1945 recognized a fundamental fact. The strength of the United Nations comes from the desire of nations to look beyond their national interests and think about what we can achieve when we stand together. That truth is as important today as it was 80 years ago," the UN chief said. Antonio Guterres, speaking at the closing ceremony.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Baerbock placed her hand on the 1945 UN Charter and then received the iconic carving from the outgoing President, Philemon Young. hammer.

Speaking to reporters outside the General Assembly, she said: "Looking at Gaza and Ukraine, Sudan and Haiti reminds us how often we have failed to deliver on our promises of peace and security, human rights, justice and sustainable development."

"We are now at a crossroads. The UN is under financial and political pressure. That is why the 80th session is not an ordinary session. Our task, 80 years after the creation of the UN – when the world is divided – is to preserve the entire United Nations system, to strengthen it and make the UN fit for the 21st century," Baerbock said.

Asked about Israel's strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar, she stressed that, in accordance with the UN Charter, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all UN member states must be respected.

"What we need is not tension in the region, but an intensification of diplomatic efforts aimed at an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an improvement in the humanitarian situation for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip with the assistance of the Israeli government, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas," she said.

Baerbock was elected in June with the support of 167 member states. She takes office amid geopolitical tensions, with multiple conflicts continuing around the world. Elections for the next UN Secretary-General are scheduled for 2026.

Baerbock is the first woman from the Western European group and the fifth woman in history to hold the post of President of the General Assembly.

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September 9, 2025 Healthcare

Obesity has become the most common consequence of poor nutrition among school-age children and adolescents for the first time, surpassing underweight. Obesity affects one in ten – or 188 million – young people on the planet, according to a new report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Overweight and poor nutrition put children at risk of developing life-threatening diseases, UNICEF warns.

Global trends

The report, based on data from more than 190 countries, shows that the prevalence of underweight among children aged 5-19 has fallen from almost 13 percent in 2000 to 9.2 percent, while obesity has risen from 3 percent to 9.4 percent. Obesity now exceeds underweight rates in every region of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Several Pacific countries have the world's highest obesity rates: 38 percent of children and adolescents in Niue, 37 percent in the Cook Islands and 33 percent in Nauru. These rates have doubled since 2000, as the country shifts away from traditional foods to cheap, calorie-dense imports.

Rates also remain high in many high-income countries: 27 percent of children and adolescents aged 5–19 are obese in Chile, 21 percent in the United States and the same in the United Arab Emirates.

"Not just malnutrition"

"When we talk about malnutrition of children, it is no longer just a question of being underweight,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Obesity is a growing problem affecting children’s health and development. Increasingly, ultra-processed foods are replacing fruits, vegetables and proteins. And nutrition is especially important for a child’s growth, cognitive development and mental health.”

© UNICEF/V. Sorokin

While undernutrition, including wasting and stunting, remains a major problem among children under five in low- and middle-income countries, overweight and obesity are rapidly increasing among schoolchildren and adolescents.

According to the latest data, every fifth child and teenager aged 5–19 in the world – or 391 million – are overweight, and many of them are already classified as obese. Obesity is a severe form of excess weight that leads to an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, hypertension, and other dangerous diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.

The influence of the food industry

The UNICEF report notes that ultra-processed and fast foods – loaded with sugar, starch, salt, fat and additives – are shaping children’s habits. And this is happening because of an unhealthy environment, not through personal choice. Such products dominate stores and schools, and digital marketing gives the industry powerful channels to reach children.

In a global survey of 64,000 young people aged 13 to 24 in more than 170 countries last year, for example, 75 percent of respondents reported seeing advertisements for sugary drinks or fast food in the past week, and 60 percent said the ads had increased their desire to buy those products. Even in conflict-affected countries, 68 percent reported being impacted by such advertising.

The Economic Cost of Inaction

Without urgent action to prevent obesity, countries risk facing severe health and economic consequences. The global economic costs of obesity-related diseases are projected to exceed $4 trillion annually by 2035.

The report cites examples of successful measures. In Mexico, a country with high obesity rates where sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods make up 40 percent of children’s daily diet, authorities have banned the sale and distribution of such products in schools.

UNICEF calls on governments, civil society and partners to introduce measures to improve the food environment, including food labelling, marketing restrictions, taxes and subsidies, and support social and behavioural initiatives, ban the sale and advertising of ultra-processed foods in schools, protect political processes from industry influence, and strengthen social protection programmes for vulnerable families.

“In many countries, we see a double burden of malnutrition – stunting and obesity coexisting. This requires targeted interventions,” said Catherine Russell. “Nutritious, affordable food should be available to every child. We urgently need interventions that help parents and caregivers provide healthy food to their children.”

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September 10, 2025 Healthcare

Every year on September 10, many countries hold events to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, co-organized by the World Health Organization. The goal of the World Day is to raise awareness that suicide can be prevented.

Suicides kill more than 700,000 people each year. Many more attempt suicide.

Every suicide is a tragedy that impacts families, communities and entire countries, with long-term consequences for the loved ones of the deceased. Suicide occurs across all age groups and is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15–29.

Suicides do not only occur in high-income countries; the phenomenon is present in all regions of the world. In the first half of this decade, nearly three-quarters of the world's suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries.

Who is at risk?

In high-income countries, there is a strong correlation between suicide and mental disorders (especially depression and alcohol use disorders) and previous suicide attempts. However, many suicides are committed impulsively in times of crisis, when the person is unable to cope with stressful life situations, such as financial and interpersonal problems, and chronic illness.

In addition, suicidal behavior often occurs in situations of armed conflict, natural disasters, violence and cruelty, or due to loss of a loved one and feelings of loneliness. Suicide rates are also high among vulnerable groups that are discriminated against, such as refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, LGBTI people, and prisoners.

Prevention and suppression of suicides

A range of population, group and individual interventions can be used to prevent suicide. The WHO LIVE LIFE suicide prevention concept recommends the following effective and evidence-based interventions:

restricting access to means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, some medications); engaging with the media to ensure responsible reporting of suicide; developing social and emotional life skills in adolescents; promptly identifying and screening individuals with suicidal behavior.

Suicide prevention efforts must be coordinated and collaborative across different sectors of society, including health, education and the media. Given the multifaceted nature of the suicide problem, these efforts must be comprehensive and holistic.

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September 10, 2025 Humanitarian aid

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today unveiled a six-month, $22 million humanitarian response plan for Afghanistan to help 400,000 people, including more than 212,000 children, affected by the devastating earthquakes in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.

August 31 in these provinces an earthquake with a magnitude of over 6.0 occurred, followed by multiple strong aftershocks. The quakes killed more than 2,200 people, injured more than 3,000, and completely or partially destroyed at least 6,700 homes. Survivors – many in remote mountain areas with limited infrastructure – now face serious risks as winter approaches and temperatures drop.

Read also:

The Night the Mountains Tremble: A Doctor's Story on the Front Lines in Afghanistan

“Geographical isolation, poor infrastructure and deeply ingrained social norms make this one of the most challenging humanitarian operations we have ever faced,” said Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. “Despite the challenges, UNICEF and our partners have been working from the first days, providing health care, access to clean water, psychosocial support and life-saving supplies to children and their families. But this is not enough. We call on the international community to support these communities and help protect children before the harsh winter sets in.”

Priority areas of assistance

UNICEF’s six-month plan includes emergency medical assistance, rehabilitation of water systems and installation of temporary water points to prevent outbreaks of acute diarrhoea, repair of sanitation facilities in schools and health centres, distribution of hygiene products, and screening and treatment of children with signs of acute malnutrition. In addition, it plans to provide cash assistance to 13,200 families in greatest need.

Temporary classrooms will also be set up to hold classes until damaged schools are rebuilt. As part of its psychosocial support efforts, UNICEF plans to set up special spaces for children and support more social workers – including women.

Main challenges

The affected areas are among the most difficult to reach in Afghanistan. Mountainous terrain, limited roads, and traditional norms that restrict the movement of women and girls make the delivery of humanitarian aid very challenging. UNICEF is therefore focusing on engaging female health workers and social workers to ensure safe and equitable access to aid.

Many families have already moved to lower elevations where aid agencies can more effectively provide support – shelter, food, clean water and psychological support. However, with winter approaching, it is vital scale up humanitarian response.

UNICEF is calling on donors and partners to act urgently. Only with sufficient funding will the organization be able to meet both the immediate and long-term needs of children and families affected by the devastating disaster.

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September 11, 2025 UN

The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: local UN employees are not allowed to enter the Organization's premises in Afghanistan, the number of children diagnosed with malnutrition is growing in Gaza, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General is on a visit to Sudan, the Security Council held a meeting in connection with the Israeli strikes on Qatar.

UN Women in Afghanistan

The UN said on Thursday that de facto Afghan security forces had prevented local female UN staff from entering the country several days earlier. enter the territory of the UN complexes in Kabul. The restriction was soon extended to UN offices across the country, with the de facto authorities sending written notices or warning UN agencies verbally of their decision. Security forces are present at the entrances to UN offices in Kabul, Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif to ensure compliance with the new rule. The UN is calling for the restrictions to be lifted immediately and for women staff to be allowed to continue their work.

Children in Gaza

Share children with signs of acute malnutrition in the Gaza Strip reached 13.5 percent in August. In Gaza City, where famine was officially confirmed last month, the hospitalization rate for children with malnutrition reached 19 percent. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is working to expand food supplies and distribute them with partners at some 140 sites across the Strip. Following the partial resumption of commercial deliveries to Gaza, the range of products in markets has expanded and prices have begun to fall. However, many items remain unavailable or too expensive.

Secretary General's Envoy to Sudan

The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, is in East Africa. He met with Sudanese political leaders in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, and will now travel to Sudan for talks with the authorities and Sudanese society. During his visit, Lamamra will emphasize the need for constructive dialogue to achieve peace and discuss the protection of civilians. He also continues to work to coordinate international mediation efforts with the African Union, including preparations for a ministerial meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Security Council on Qatar

The UN Security Council held a meeting on the Israeli strike on Qatar. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo called it a worrying escalation, “especially given that the target was people who were reportedly gathered to discuss the latest US offer for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip.” She recalled that the UN chief condemned the strike as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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September 10, 2025 Refugees and migrants

It is the most vulnerable groups of the population that are most likely to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere, and their situation has worsened in recent years, according to a report released today by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Global Data Institute (GDI) and the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).

“This report is the first to show internal displacement around the world not just as dots on a map, but as human lives… It is about much more than just losing one’s home,” said IOM Deputy Director of Operations Ugochi Daniels.

"This reminds us that protecting the rights and dignity of displaced persons requires urgent action," he added.

The report presents the first global analysis of communities in areas where internal displacement has occurred. The study shows that 88 per cent of these communities have more children than the global average, 93 per cent have lower incomes, and more than 60 per cent have lower than average levels of education and shorter life expectancy.

The data also shows that the situation has worsened in recent years. In 2018, internal displacement occurred in areas where 28 percent of the population were children, and in 2024, this figure rose to 40 percent. The average annual income of the population in the affected areas has dropped sharply, from $11,800 in 2018 to $1,600 in 2024.

The study also highlights significant differences between communities affected by different causes. For example, populations displaced by drought, such as those in Ethiopia and Somalia, are predominantly young (18 years old on average) with low annual incomes ($2,400) and many children (43 percent). These communities have low levels of education (three years of schooling) and an average life expectancy of 61 years.

In contrast, those displaced by wildfires, mostly along the West Coast, are older (35.7 years old on average), have high levels of education (12.6 years of schooling on average), long life expectancies (80 years), and high annual incomes ($79,000). Nineteen percent of them have children.

The study also found that displacement due to storms and floods primarily affects agricultural populations, while displacement due to drought is more common among pastoralist communities. Displacement due to conflict and wildfires is most common in urban and semi-urban areas.

The analysis by IDMC and the International Organization for Migration combines location-based data representing 349 million cases of internal displacement or forced displacement of people worldwide between 2018 and 2024 with high-resolution global maps showing demographic and socio-economic variables.

The report comes amid a global decline in humanitarian funding. Governments and organisations need detailed, disaggregated information on people affected by displacement to tailor aid to the specific needs of communities. The findings offer a basis for both optimising humanitarian assistance and long-term development planning.

“Reliable data gives governments and partners the facts to identify who is most at risk and target resources where they are needed most,” said IDMC Director Alexandra Bilak.

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September 11, 2025 Peace and security

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo called Israel's strike on Qatar "an alarming escalation" given that "the strike targeted people who had reportedly gathered to discuss the latest US proposal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip."

The UN Security Council meeting on Thursday was requested by delegations from Algeria, Pakistan and Somalia in connection with the September 9 Israeli attack on leaders of the Palestinian group Hamas, who were in the Qatari capital Doha at the time. The initiative to hold the Security Council meeting was supported by France and Great Britain.

"Violation of sovereignty"

DiCarlo recalled that in his statement, the UN Secretary-General called the attack “a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar” and called on Member States to respect international law and the principles of the UN Charter. “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of any State, including Qatar, a valuable partner in peacekeeping efforts, must be respected,” the rapporteur emphasized.

The attack killed the son of Hamas's top negotiator, Khalil al-Hayi, his office manager and three other staff members, the group said. Hamas's leadership, they said, survived. Qatar reported the death of one security official and the wounding of several others.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry, DiCarlo noted, quickly condemned the attack, calling it a "criminal assault" and "a flagrant violation of all international norms and laws" that poses a "grave threat to the security and stability" of the country.

Israel claimed responsibility for the strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a "completely independent Israeli operation" in response to the September 8 attack in Jerusalem, which was claimed by Hamas.

Many countries and regional organizations, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, expressed concern and condemned Israel's actions.

The situation in Gaza and the entire region

“In a month, we will mark the second anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks that started the conflict in Gaza,” DiCarlo recalled. In the two years since, she said, tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed, and Gaza itself has been virtually destroyed. The situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, also continues to deteriorate. The escalation has also affected other countries in the region – Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.

Keep the door open for negotiations

“The Israeli attack on Doha could open a new and dangerous chapter in this devastating conflict,” DiCarlo warned, noting that Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, is playing a key role in mediating a ceasefire and the release of hostages. She thanked the country’s leadership for its “unwavering commitment and constructive diplomacy.”

“Any action that undermines mediation and dialogue weakens trust in conflict resolution mechanisms,” DiCarlo said. Maintaining the integrity of negotiation channels is critical to building trust between the parties and protecting the norms that underpin diplomacy and peacebuilding, she said.

“Lasting and just solutions to the crises in the Middle East cannot be achieved through violence and military action,” the Deputy Secretary-General emphasized.

The need for a ceasefire and the release of hostages

DiCarlo concluded her remarks by calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and recommit to diplomacy: “The urgency to reach a ceasefire and release the hostages in Gaza has never been greater. Make a deal. Free the hostages. End the suffering of the people of Gaza.”

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