Sustainable Development Goals: UN Secretary-General calls for fulfillment of pledge to "leave no one behind"

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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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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Top Stories of the Day | Monday: Estonia, Palestine, Women, General Assembly

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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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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Shanxi Province records record coalbed methane production

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

TAIYUAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) — North China's coal-rich Shanxi Province achieved a record coalbed methane production of 9.81 billion cubic meters in the first eight months of this year, accounting for 81.3 percent of the national total, the provincial statistics office reported.

As the department noted, this figure has already exceeded the total production volume for 2022.

Coalbed methane, an unconventional natural gas, is considered an environmentally friendly and strategically important energy resource. Its efficient use helps mitigate risks in the mining industry, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and alleviate gas shortages.

Shanxi Province has abundant coalbed methane reserves, which lie at depths of less than 2,000 meters and are estimated at 8.31 trillion cubic meters, accounting for nearly a third of the national total.

In recent years, Shanxi Province has become a leader in China in developing large coalbed methane production bases. While production in the province was less than 1.9 billion cubic meters in 2007, by 2024 it had grown to 13.43 billion cubic meters, or 80.6 percent of the national total. –0–

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Raw coal production has increased in Shanxi Province.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

TAIYUAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) — Raw coal production in North China's coal-rich Shanxi Province exceeded 862 million tons in the first eight months of 2025, up 5.2 percent year-on-year, local authorities reported.

Shanxi Province, China's largest coal-producing region, accounted for 27.3 percent of the country's total coal output during the period, helping meet high summer electricity demand, the regional statistics office said.

Shanxi has been continuously modernizing its coal industry for many years. By the end of 2024, 55 pilot and demonstration mines for clean coal mining had been built in the province. According to the provincial government's 2025 work report, 130 new smart coal mines are planned for construction this year.

According to a report published by China's Ministry of Natural Resources, as of the end of 2022, the country's total coal reserves reached 207 billion tons, of which about 48.3 billion tons were in Shanxi. –0–

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China's Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Launches First Arctic Route to Europe

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) — The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China's Zhejiang Province on Monday launched the first China-Europe express container route through the Arctic, expanding its route network to the Arctic Ocean for the first time.

The port administration stated that this step should provide strong support to foreign trade enterprises in developing new international logistics channels.

Sun Xuejun, Chairman of Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group Co., Ltd., said the new container route through the Arctic is specifically designed to serve cross-border e-commerce and the transportation of high-value-added goods.

The new route runs directly from the port of Zhoushan to the British port of Felixstowe via the Northern Sea Route, reducing cargo delivery time to 18 days. This is significantly faster than shipping along the China-Europe rail route (approximately 25 days), through the Suez Canal (approximately 40 days), or around the Cape of Good Hope (approximately 50 days).

The first Arctic voyage will arrive in Felixstowe on October 10. According to Ningbo customs authorities, the cargo includes not only everyday goods, clothing, and spare parts, but also high-value-added products such as energy storage cabinets and batteries. After arriving in Felixstowe, these goods will be transported throughout Europe.

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The first Chinese-Russian forum on legal theory and practice was held in the Chinese city of Heihe.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Beijing, September 22 (Xinhua) — The first China-Russia Forum on Legal Theory and Practice was held in Heihe on September 20, according to the Heihe Intermediate People's Court.

This forum, entitled “Current Issues in Legal Theory and Practice in China and Russia,” consists of three sections for papers covering private law theory, legal theory and practice, and dispute resolution.

More than 30 Chinese and Russian lawyers, scholars, and practitioners from the Higher People's Court of Heilongjiang Province, Amur State University (Russia), Heilongjiang University, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, East China University of Political Science and Law, and other institutions gathered to deepen theoretical consensus and strengthen practical cooperation on topics such as a comparative study of articles of laws regarding the free movement of goods, services, and funds between China and Russia, the current development of Russian private law, and a comparative study of special correctional education for minors in China and Russia.

As a key hub of the Belt and Road Initiative, Heihe is a melting pot of Eastern and Western civilizations. Thanks to its unique geographic advantages and increasingly close cross-border cooperation, Heihe has become an ideal venue for discussing the alignment of Chinese and Russian laws and regulations, as well as pragmatic cooperation.

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In just 18 days to Europe: The first China-Europe Arctic container route launched from the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Hangzhou, September 22 (Xinhua) — The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan today launched the first Arctic express container shipping route to Europe, expanding its cargo shipping route to the Arctic Ocean region for the first time, the port administration announced.

According to Sun Xuejun, Chairman of Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group Co., the new route is designed for cross-border e-commerce and high-value-added goods, while also serving as an important outcome of the construction of the "Ice Silk Road" as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

As announced, the new route passes through the Arctic's Northeast Passage, reducing travel time to 18 days to the British port of Felixstowe, compared to 25 days via the China-Europe freight train and 40 days via the Suez Canal. The first vessel traveling along the Arctic Express route to Felixstowe is scheduled to arrive in the British port on October 10. This will set a new record following the launch of the non-stop China-Europe Express sea freight service from Ningbo-Zhoushan to Wilhelmshaven, Germany, in 26 days, at the end of 2024.

According to Zhou Xiaoping, Deputy Head of Customs at the Daxie Marine Terminal, which reports to Ningbo Customs, the cargo on the first voyage included consumer goods, clothing, components, and other products, as well as items from the "new three" list—energy storage modules and traction batteries. Upon arrival at the Port of Felixstowe, the goods will be shipped to various locations in Europe.

“Reducing delivery time helps reduce logistics costs, and the temperature conditions are suitable for temperature-sensitive cargo,” said Li Xiaobin, Chief Operating Officer of Haijie Shipping Limited.

He also emphasized that the reduction in voyage duration also leads to a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to the Suez Canal route and a 50 percent reduction compared to the Cape of Good Hope route, which makes a positive contribution to mitigating the effects of global warming.

In 2018, China published its first White Paper on the country's Arctic policy, which stated China's readiness to jointly build an "Ice Silk Road" with all interested parties, based on the development and use of Arctic sea routes.

The Northeast Passage, which carries the Arctic express route for shipping containers to Europe, is one of the main routes of the Ice Silk Road and represents a new international maritime corridor linking East Asia and Europe. It is crucial for optimizing global supply chains and developing trade and economic cooperation.

Li Xiaobin stated that the company plans to commission additional icebreaking vessels by 2026, initially establishing fixed routes within the summer shipping zone. By developing its icebreaking container fleet, the company aims to ensure year-round service on this route.

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The second Chinese-Russian art exhibition opened in Sanya.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) — The Belt and Road Art Exhibition and the Second China-Russia Art Exhibition 2025 opened at the Cultural Relics Art Center in the Central Business District (CBD) of Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.

According to the Sanya City Government website, the event will run until September 28. Its goal is to deepen exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia in culture and art, strengthen friendship between the two peoples, build bridges between artists from both countries, and showcase their creative achievements.

The exhibition features 83 works by 26 Chinese and Russian artists. Visitors can admire the majestic snowy landscapes of Russia and feel the power of Chinese mountains and rivers through their subtle touches and rich color palette, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the two countries' way of life.

"This is not only a visual feast, but also a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange and mutual learning, which will give new impetus to the development of cultural and artistic affairs in Sanya and enhance the city's cultural taste," said one visitor.

"For me, visiting Hainan is not only an artistic journey, but also a return and cultural reunion. The construction of the free trade port in Hainan allowed me to experience not only the openness of politics and economic dynamism, but also the inclusiveness and innovation of culture. Here, tradition intertwines with modernity, the East engages in dialogue with the West, and art develops and merges in an unprecedented way," said Russian artist Sergey.

He also noted that this exhibition is not only an artistic event, but also a testament to the friendship between the two countries. -0-

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An agrotechnopark of the future will be built in Kazakhstan.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Almaty, September 22 (Xinhua) — Kazakhstan's first agro-technopark will open by the end of 2025. This was reported on Monday by a Kazakh media outlet, citing the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture.

The department clarified that the technology park is being created at the Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University. It will become the first network platform in the agro-industrial complex (AIC) for testing and implementing new developments.

The facility will initially focus on organic production and will later expand its range of activities.

As the ministry explained, the work of the Center for the Transfer and Commercialization of Agricultural Technologies, which attracts investment, facilitates the implementation of foreign technologies, and supports agricultural business projects, is being simultaneously reviewed.

Research is now reportedly focusing on the practical challenges faced by farmers and agricultural enterprises. To reduce barriers related to a lack of capital and specialists, farmers will have greater access to credit.

Long-term goals are enshrined in the Concept for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex for 2021–2030. By 2030, the share of applied scientific developments should reach 40 percent, and by 2025, the target figure is 22 percent. –0–

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Azerbaijan and the UAE will build a coastal zone in Baku.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Baku, September 22 (Xinhua) — Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates signed a $5 billion agreement on Monday to develop a modern coastal area around Lake Boyukshor in Baku, the AZERTAC news agency reported.

The document was signed by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy and Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding, a company specializing in real estate, investments and project management, at the 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum.

The project includes the construction of healthcare facilities, commercial, educational, and hotel complexes. Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov called it "a flagship project for the country's sustainable urban development."

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