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September 23, 2025 International law

Today, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report detailing the plight of thousands of civilians detained since Russia launched its full-scale military attack on Ukraine in 2022.

According to the report, Russian authorities systematically and widely use torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, against Ukrainian civilians detained in the occupied territories.

Violence and threats

Most of the 215 released civilians interviewed by the Office since June 2023 have provided consistent and detailed accounts of their detention conditions. They described brutal beatings, the use of electric shocks, mock executions, prolonged restraints in stress positions, death threats and violence against themselves or their loved ones, as well as instances of sexual violence. Interviewees described poor conditions, including insufficient food and inadequate medical care.

Violations of international law

The report notes that the Russian Federation applies its criminal law in the occupied territories, ignoring international humanitarian law, which requires respect for the laws of the occupied territory whenever possible. Frequent disregard for legal and procedural guarantees has led to widespread arbitrary detentions and raised serious concerns about enforced disappearances, the report's authors write. Families of those detained, according to their data, often have little or no information about the fate of their loved ones.

Atmosphere of fear

“The combined impact of these measures, coupled with the lack of accountability, has effectively deprived many Ukrainian civilians of legal protection while in detention and created an oppressive atmosphere and climate of fear in the occupied territories of Ukraine,” the report says.

According to Ukrainian authorities, as noted in the report, in May 2025, approximately 1,800 Ukrainian civilians continued to be held by the Russian Federation in the occupied territories for reasons related to the armed conflict, but the real figure is likely significantly higher.

"Our report reveals human rights violations against civilian detainees. People were arbitrarily seized from the streets of occupied territories, charged under constantly evolving legal provisions, and held for days, weeks, months, and even years, often with limited contact with their families," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

"It is vital that the human rights of civilian detainees, who have suffered gravely as a result of this terrible conflict, be prioritised in any peace negotiations," he stressed.

Detentions in Ukrainian-controlled territories

The report notes that in Ukrainian-controlled territory, mostly Ukrainian citizens are being detained on charges related to national security, including treason and sabotage.

Many criminal cases related to the conflict involve allegations of collaboration with the Russian occupation authorities. Individuals have been prosecuted for carrying out emergency rescue and construction work, providing humanitarian aid, and cleaning up trash during the occupation—activities that the occupation authorities are legally entitled to demand.

The rise in conflict-related detentions—approximately 2,258 people held in official pretrial detention facilities and correctional facilities in Ukraine as of July 21, 2025, along with 20,000 open criminal cases—has placed a significant strain on the Ukrainian justice system. The authorities are taking steps to strengthen procedural guarantees and improve detention conditions. However, the UN Office continues to document cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, and accountability for these violations remains limited.

Türk reiterated that civilians must always be treated humanely, and their detention can only be carried out on grounds provided for by international law. They must be released as soon as such grounds cease to exist.

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September 22, 2025 Women

Progress has been made, but many challenges remain—this was the leitmotif of the speeches delivered at the high-level meeting commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration on Women's Rights. Gender equality is at the center of attention for delegates arriving in New York to participate in the general policy debates of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

The General Assembly President stated that profound inequalities remain unresolved. "The expression 'she runs like a girl' is used as an insult," noted Annalena Baerbock. "Highly qualified female leaders are called 'symbols of diversity,' and a female world leader is criticized on social media not for a speech she gave, but for wearing inappropriate high heels. When all this happens, we realize how much further we still have to go."

"There's not a single country in the world where women are fully equal to men. And there are still too many places where even talking about women's rights can cost lives," she added.

One in three women worldwide will experience sexual violence at least once in their lifetime.

Baerbock cited alarming statistics on violence and reproductive rights. "One in three women worldwide will experience sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. One in three," she said. "Fulfilling the Beijing commitments, this revolutionary decision, also means that no male politician, judge, or religious leader should dare tell our girls what to do with their bodies, because they are people, not property. It's our body. Our choice."

She emphasized that achieving economic equality could take more than a century. "At the current rate, it would take 123 years," Baerbock said. "Closing the gender gap would increase global GDP by seven trillion dollars."

The UN Secretary-General called for accelerated progress.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He called the Beijing Declaration "the most ambitious global political commitment to women's rights in history." He said it had contributed to progress in education, maternal health, and legal protections. "However, this progress has been slow and uneven. And no country has achieved full equality for women and girls. Sustainable Development Goal 5—gender equality—is significantly behind schedule."

Read also:

30 Years of the Beijing Declaration on Women's Rights: Achievements, Obstacles, and the Way Forward

"Let's be clear: equal rights and opportunities are not a partisan issue," he emphasized. "They are a global necessity and the foundation of peace, prosperity, and progress."

Guterres recalled that this year, governments reaffirmed their commitment to the Beijing Platform. "The Commission on the Status of Women adopted a new Political Declaration, committing to accelerated and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action," he said. "Now all countries must fulfill these commitments. We need clear and unambiguous support at the highest level—and concrete plans backed by real investments."

Present your plans

The Secretary-General noted that eighty years ago the UN Charter enshrined the equal rights of men and women, and thirty years ago the Beijing Declaration enshrined women's rights as human rights.

"Today in this room, we must hear how you intend to turn these ambitions into reality: declare your commitments. Present your plans. Together, let us achieve equality for women and girls – the equality our world so desperately needs," António Guterres concluded.

Mechanisms for protecting women's rights are being destroyed

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bacchus warned that the systems created to protect women's rights are being weakened. "The very mechanisms that were supposed to promote and fund gender equality are being eroded—quietly but deliberately," she said. "This isn't just a setback. It's a retreat. But the future isn't predetermined. Another path is possible."

The 1995 Beijing Conference brought together representatives of 189 governments and thousands of participants, who adopted a Declaration and Platform for Action, outlining strategic objectives in 12 key areas – from education and health care to combating violence against women and girls. Thirty years later, UN leaders emphasized that the primary challenge remains turning these commitments into reality.

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September 22, 2025 Sustainable Development Goals

On September 22, the SDG Moment 2025 Special Event was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to mark High-Level Week 80th session of the General Assembly. The meeting participants reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reminded of the essence Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a document adopted in 2015: “to build a fairer world where people and planet thrive.” To achieve these objectives there are only five years left, and there is still a long way to go, the UN chief warned.

Challenges and Hopes

“You only have to look around to see why,” he said. “Conflicts are wreaking havoc. Development funds are drying up. And the climate crisis is dealing blow after blow. And yet, even in this moment of anxiety, we see signs of progress, hope and opportunity".

He noted that record numbers of girls are attending school, child and maternal mortality rates have declined, and HIV infections are declining. Electricity is now available to 92 percent of the world's population, and the Asia-Pacific region is moving toward universal access to energy.

"None of this happened by chance. It's the result of conscious decisions. These and many other examples demonstrate that investing in development pays off," Guterres emphasized.

Progress achieved

According to a concept note prepared for the event, significant progress has been made globally since 2015: over 100 million children and youth are receiving education, internet access has increased by 70 percent, and new HIV infections have decreased by nearly 40 percent. However, humanity still faces significant challenges: over 800 million people live in extreme poverty, hunger affects one in eleven people on the planet, and over a billion people live in slums or informal settlements.

The way forward

The SDG special event brought together global leaders, civil society representatives, youth, women, and activists to discuss how to accelerate action and exchange strategic ideas. As the UN notes, only the joint efforts of governments, businesses, local communities, and civil society will enable the SDG targets to be achieved.

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September 22, 2025 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: a Security Council meeting on the incident with Russian fighter jets in Estonia, a conference on the Palestinian issue, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, the opening of High-Level Week at the UN.

Fighters in Estonia

"Violations of the airspace of sovereign states are unacceptable." With this statement at a meeting of the UN Security Council Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča addressed the meeting. The meeting was prompted by an incident that occurred on September 19, when, according to Estonia, three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace. Jenča also drew attention to the ongoing strikes in Ukraine. He reiterated his call for a "complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire" and expressed the UN's readiness to support any meaningful efforts toward a "just, lasting, and comprehensive peace."

Middle East

On Monday, work resumed at the UN headquarters in New York under the co-chairmanship of France and Saudi Arabia. High-level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of a two-state solution. On September 21, ahead of the summit, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Portugal announced their recognition of the State of Palestine. And on September 22, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his recognition of Palestine during his speech at the conference.

Women's rights

Today the UN also held high-level meeting to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. It was then that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global political commitment to women's rights, was adopted. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres In his speech at the event, he emphasized that progress since then has been slow and uneven. He added that hard-won gains are now under threat, with a new wave of misogyny being observed around the world.

UN General Assembly

The general debate of the UN General Assembly begins tomorrow. As Secretary-General's spokesman Stéphane Dujarric announced today, 193 delegations are expected to participate, including 89 heads of state, five vice presidents, one crown prince, and 43 heads of government. More than 1,640 bilateral meetings are also scheduled at the General Assembly building during High-Level Week. UN Secretary-General António Guterres will address world leaders at the opening of the debate.

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September 22, 2025 UN

The General Assembly Hall in New York celebrated the anniversary on Monday. 80th anniversary of the creation of the UNThe event began with a musical performance by the youth choir Sing for Hope, singers from the Metropolitan Opera Chorus, and pianist David Watkins, conducted by Tilman Michael. However, as General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock stated in her address, "today is not a day of celebration," but "a moment to remember the lessons of history and find the courage to once again choose the path of hope."

Baerbock recalled the extremely difficult circumstances in which the Organization was created.

Choose the right path

"Countries lie in ruins. More than 70 million dead. Two world wars in a single generation. The unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust. And 72 territories are still colonized. This was our world 80 years ago," she said.

According to her, signing of the UN Charter June 26, 1945 was not just a formality, but a confirmation that humanity had learned lessons from the darkest pages of history.

"It was a commitment not to take us to heaven, but to never again allow the forces of hatred and unbridled ambition to drag us to hell," Baerbock said.

At the same time, she recalled, the world today faces new tragedies and challenges: “We see orphaned children in Gaza searching for food amid the destruction. The ongoing war in Ukraine. Sexual violence in Sudan. Gangs terrorize people in Haiti. The internet is overflowing with hate. Floods and droughts are sweeping the globe.”

"Today is not a holiday. Today is a moment to remember the lessons of history and find the courage to once again choose the path of hope instead of defeat," the General Assembly President emphasized.

Make the promise come true

The UN Secretary-General also delivered a speech. Antonio Guterres, which called for remembering the Organization's first employees, many of whom bore the "visible wounds of war."

"They saw the worst of what humanity is capable of—the horrors of death camps, the brutality of battles, cities razed to the ground. And that's why they chose to serve the cause of peace," he continued. And contrary to the misconception that the pursuit of peace is naive, "they knew: peace is the boldest, most practical, most necessary aspiration of all."

Photo UN/L. Felipe

The Secretary-General recalled that today, UN principles are being tested to unprecedented levels: civilians are under attack, international law is being flouted, poverty and hunger are on the rise, and climate chaos is causing natural disasters. Meanwhile, the global community is moving down a path of division.

"To meet these challenges, we must not just defend the United Nations, but strengthen it," the UN chief said.

"The only way forward is to act together. Let us prove ourselves worthy of this moment – with clarity, courage, and conviction. And let us make the promise of peace a reality," he concluded.

"Information Armageddon"

2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa focused her speech on the challenges of human rights and information in the digital age. She recalled that 80 years ago, the UN Charter was born as a promise to prevent a repeat of tragedies after "fascism manipulated information, destroyed truth, and dehumanized entire peoples to justify genocide and world war."

According to her, humanity is currently experiencing an "information Armageddon," where lies spread faster than facts, and algorithms are designed to evoke "outrage instead of empathy" and fuel "fear, anger, and hatred, overwhelming us with a toxic flow of information." Research shows that misinformation spreads six times faster than facts, and with the development of generative AI, the situation is only getting worse, Ressa warned.

She presented three solutions: ending impunity for digital giants and introducing international standards to protect the information environment; creating an alternative infrastructure of trust based on independent journalism; and investing in comprehensive initiatives, including strengthening democratic institutions and supporting the efforts of women, who play a key role in peacebuilding.

“Information integrity "This is the mother of all battles. Win this one, and we win the rest. Lose, and we lose everything," Ressa emphasized.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland also shared their views on the role of the UN at the meeting.

The meeting concluded with a poetic recitation by global peace advocate Maryam Bukar Hassan.

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September 22, 2025 Peace and security

"Violations of the airspace of sovereign states are unacceptable," Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča said at a UN Security Council meeting on Monday. The meeting was prompted by an incident that occurred on September 19, when, according to Estonia, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace.

According to the Estonian Ministry of Defense, the aircraft entered Estonian airspace without permission, with their transponders turned off and without flight plans, which could have posed a threat to other aircraft. In response, Italian F-35 fighter jets participating in the NATO air policing mission over Estonia were scrambled. Estonian authorities stated that this was the fifth violation of their airspace by Russia in 2025 and requested consultations with NATO allies.

The Russian Ministry of Defense, in turn, claims that the flight followed a strictly agreed-upon route over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, more than three kilometers from the island of Vaindloo, and did not violate Estonian airspace.

Jenča noted that the UN has no confirmation of these claims. He emphasized that the incident in Estonia is not an isolated incident. Earlier in September, violations of Polish and Romanian airspace by Russian drones were recorded.

In closing his remarks, Jenča drew the Security Council's attention to the ongoing attacks on Ukraine. According to Ukrainian authorities, over the past week, Russia has launched more than 1,500 kamikaze drones, 1,280 guided bombs, and 50 missiles of various types. Dozens of civilians have been killed and injured as a result of strikes in the Dnipro River and the Chernihiv and Khmelnytskyi regions. In Russia's Belgorod region, according to local authorities, two people were killed as a result of Ukrainian shelling.

Miroslav Jenča reiterated his call for a "complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire" and expressed the UN's readiness to support any meaningful efforts towards a "just, lasting and comprehensive peace."

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September 22, 2025 International law

Russian armed forces attacked civilians and civilian infrastructure using short-range unmanned aerial vehicles in populated areas located within a 300-kilometer zone along the right bank of the Dnieper. This was stated by experts from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine in their latest report to the Human Rights Council.

In May of this year, the Commission concluded that the drone attacks recorded in the Kherson region were large-scale and systematic and thus "qualify as crimes against humanity, amounting to murder," according to the Commission's press release. Available evidence confirms that similar strikes were carried out against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv regions.

The circumstances of the attacks in the three aforementioned areas indicate they were carried out with the intent to "kill, maim, and destroy," the Commission's experts stated. "Russian armed forces are conducting these attacks from positions located on the left bank of the Dnieper River, using drones equipped with surveillance and real-time target tracking systems. These drones often pursued their victims over long distances and dropped explosive devices on them, resulting in deaths and injuries," according to a press release published today. Furthermore, ambulances and other emergency service facilities were also targeted, preventing them from reaching their destinations.

The attacks have had a profound impact on the civilian populations of the affected areas. They have caused widespread destruction and rendered entire villages uninhabitable. Essential services have ceased functioning, and shops have closed. "The terror instilled in the population is forcing thousands to flee their homes," the Commission reports. A resident of the village of Antonovka, who fled after numerous attacks, told the experts: "Buses stopped running, shops closed, and drones were everywhere—if previously there were a few drones a day, by then there were three, four, five in the air every hour. It became impossible to go outside."

"Russian Telegram channels, either operated by the perpetrators of the attacks or by individuals associated with Russian drone units, have disseminated hundreds of videos depicting dead or wounded civilians, which amounts to a war crime—an affront to human dignity. These channels also published threatening posts, announcing further attacks and calling on the population to leave," the press release states.

Read also:

Ukraine: UNICEF helps population prepare for fourth winter amid full-scale war

According to the Commission, "the actions of the Russian armed forces may amount to a crime against humanity in the form of forced displacement of population." The Commission intends to return to this issue in its report to the General Assembly in October of this year.

However, the Commission was unable to complete its investigation into allegations by Russian authorities regarding drone attacks by Ukrainian armed forces due to a lack of access to the relevant territories, risks to the safety of witnesses, and the Russian Federation's failure to respond to the Commission's inquiries.

In addition, the Commission continues to investigate the practice of deportations and transfers of adult civilians from areas of the Zaporizhzhia region under Russian control.

Investigations into short-range drone attacks, as well as deportations and displacements, point to "coordinated and targeted actions by Russian authorities to further seize territory" and strengthen their position in areas of Ukraine under their control, forcing the local population to flee.

"The violations and crimes recorded have caused untold suffering and extreme hardship to the victims," said Commission Chair Eric Mese. Repeated attacks have gradually destroyed entire communities. Many of the victims have lost loved ones, their homes destroyed, and their living conditions uninhabitable. They describe themselves as "losing everything." Elderly people, many of whom are unable to flee, remain particularly vulnerable on the front lines.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate alleged human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine. The Commission consists of Eric Mese (Chair), Pablo de Greiff, and Vrinda Grover. The experts were appointed by the President of the UN Human Rights Council; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.

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September 22, 2025 Peace and security

On Monday, September 22, a world summit of heads of state and government, sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, opens at the UN headquarters in New York. The main goal of this political forum is to try to revive the stalled solution to the creation of two states: Israeli and Palestinian, coexisting within secure and internationally recognized borders.

In April, speaking to the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He warned that the Middle East peace process "is in danger of collapsing completely." He said the political will to achieve this goal "seems more distant than ever." However, in a recent conversation with reporters, the UN chief posed a rhetorical question: "Is there an alternative? A one-state solution in which the Palestinians are expelled or forced to live on their land without rights?"

The Secretary-General stressed that the international community's duty is to uphold the two-state solution and then create the conditions for its implementation.

Topic of discussion

The idea of two states – Jewish and Palestinian – living side by side in peace – arose even before the founding of the UN in 1945. Since then, it has been repeatedly revised and mentioned in dozens of Security Council resolutions, at various negotiating forums, and at the recently resumed tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly.

In 1947, Great Britain renounced its mandate for Palestine and referred the "Palestinian question" to the UN, which assumed responsibility for finding a just solution. The UN proposed dividing Palestine into two independent states—one Arab and one Jewish—and establishing Jerusalem as an international city. This proposal formed the basis for the two-state solution.

In 1991, a peace conference was held in Madrid with the aim of achieving a settlement through direct negotiations on two tracks: between Israel and the Arab States and between Israel and the Palestinians, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973).

In 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat signed the Oslo Accords, which laid out the principles for further negotiations and provided for the establishment of temporary Palestinian self-government in the West Bank and Gaza. However, subsequent permanent status negotiations, held in 2000 at Camp David and in 2001 in Taba, proved fruitless.

Three decades after the Oslo Accords, the UN's core purpose remains the same: to support Palestinians and Israelis in achieving a settlement and ending the occupation, in accordance with UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements, to realize the vision of two states – Israel and an independent, democratic, viable and sovereign Palestinian state – living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders based on the 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

What to expect from the summit on September 22?

The summit is taking place on the first day of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week – the annual gathering of world leaders – against the backdrop of a deeply troubling regional situation: escalating Israeli military operations that have claimed the lives of more than 60,000 people in Gaza since October 7, 2023; an officially confirmed famine in northern Gaza; Israeli strikes against Hamas representatives in Qatar on September 9; and the accelerated expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Despite the tense situation, the two-state solution is once again gaining diplomatic traction. Ten days ago, on September 12, the General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted the New York Declaration, which calls for "a just and lasting peace based on international law and a two-state solution." The declaration calls on Hamas to "cease its activities in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority." The United States and Israel, which boycotted the July conference, voted against the proposal.

On September 21, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada announced their recognition of the State of Palestine. Several other states had previously announced similar announcements. The summit's results could give new impetus to efforts to create a UN roadmap leading to the two-state solution.

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Victoria Fernandez

September 22, 2025 Women

In the three decades since the adoption Beijing Declaration on the Rights of WomenWhile significant progress has been made globally, women and girls continue to face unacceptable levels of violence and discrimination. At the current session of the General Assembly, UN delegates are taking stock of this achievement and highlighting the significant challenges that remain.

The assigned tasks are not being accomplished?

Ahead of a high-level meeting on gender equality, UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs warned that all gender equality targets may not be met by the deadline.

Their report, "Gender Outlook 2025," states that 10 percent of women live in extreme poverty, and 351 million women and girls could remain so in 2030. Approximately 708 million women are unemployed due to unpaid domestic and care work. Many of those who are employed work in low-wage sectors. Women in several countries lack access to land, financial services, and decent jobs—denying them the conditions they need to thrive.

Read also:

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According to the report, violence against women and girls persists: one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Furthermore, 676 million live within 50 kilometers of a conflict zone—the highest number since the 1990s. In some countries, hard-won rights are being curtailed, and civic space is shrinking.

However, it is important to remember the breakthrough that was the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995, and why it is considered one of the most important milestones in advancing gender equality.

It was then that it was adopted Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – a plan that includes measures in key areas such as poverty alleviation, education, violence, the situation of women in armed conflict and participation in decision-making.

The governments of 189 countries unanimously declared that equality between women and men is a matter of human rights and an indispensable condition for achieving social justice, as well as a necessary and fundamental condition for development and peace.

Today, the world has more extensive legal protections for women and girls: 193 countries have adopted 1,583 laws combating gender-based violence, compared to only 12 countries in 1995. Police in over 100 countries undergo special training to support women victims of violence.

In the workplace, laws prohibiting gender discrimination have expanded significantly, strengthening women's economic independence. New services have emerged to reduce the burden of unpaid housework, and gender gaps at all levels of education are narrowing.

In the area of peacebuilding, there are 112 national plans on Women, Peace and Security in force worldwide, compared to 19 in 2010.

The price of progress

At a high-level event on 22 September, representatives of Member States, civil society organisations, academic institutions and the private sector will discuss how to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and find resources for the necessary measures.

For UN Women, investing in women is investing in society as a whole: if governments take action now, extreme poverty among women could be reduced from 9.2 percent to 2.7 percent by 2050, generating $342 trillion for the global economy.

Read also:

30 years since the Beijing Declaration: Gender equality has not yet been achieved

However, the call for more resources to achieve equality comes at a time when countries are cutting funding for both these initiatives and data collection efforts. Only half of women's ministries and gender equality institutions have sufficient resources.

According to Sarah Hendricks of UN Women, it's a question of political will, where systems prioritize war over rights and equality. "We live in a world that spends $2.7 trillion a year on weapons, yet can't find $320 billion to advance and achieve gender equality and women's rights," she emphasized.

Another century of inequality?

A high-level meeting on gender equality opens Monday at UN headquarters under the chairmanship of Annalena Baerbock, who was elected President of the UN General Assembly in early September, becoming only the fifth woman to hold this post in the 80-year history of the Organization.

Following the high-level week, Baerbock will also chair the election of a candidate for the post of UN Secretary-General, who will take office in 2027. Despite increasing pressure from many countries and organizations, the post has never been held by a woman.

Globally, women remain excluded from power and decision-making: they hold only about 27 percent of parliamentary seats and 30 percent of leadership positions. 113 countries have never had a female head of state. If the pace of progress continues, achieving gender equality in leadership will take another century.

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September 21, 2025 Peace and security

The UN Secretary-General expressed deep alarm over the rapidly deteriorating situation in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. El Fasher has been under siege for over 500 days, and attacks on civilians have intensified in recent weeks. Most residents of the nearby Abu Shouk camp for displaced persons have reportedly fled after incessant shelling and raids.

"The fighting must stop immediately," he said. Antonio Guterres.

He also reiterated his call for the protection of civilians and for humanitarian organizations to have safe and unhindered access to people in need.

The UN chief stressed that it is also necessary to guarantee the safety of civilians who wish to leave the city voluntarily.

Guterres called on both sides to urgently engage in dialogue and return to negotiations on a long-term political solution.

As noted in the Secretary-General's statement, his personal envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, stands ready to support efforts to end the conflict and "build the inclusive political process that the people of Sudan demand."

Attack on the mosque

The Secretary General's warning came after an attack on a mosque in El Fasher on Friday, which reportedly left dozens of civilians dead during morning prayers.

The UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, said she was "deeply shocked" by the attack, stressing that international humanitarian law requires the protection of religious sites.

"Deliberate attacks on religious buildings also constitute a war crime. This attack, allegedly carried out by the Rapid Reaction Force, must be investigated and those responsible brought to justice," she said in a statement.

Humanitarian disaster

Civilians continue to suffer as a result of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Intervention Force (RIF), which has been ongoing since April 2023. The fighting has claimed thousands of lives and forced millions to flee their homes.

The situation in El Fasher and surrounding camps has only worsened since famine was recorded there last year, the UN notes.

The threat of ethnically motivated violence is growing as Rapid Action Force fighters advance deeper into the city.

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