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October 30, 2025 Peace and security

The situation in Sudan continues to rapidly deteriorate, UN Assistant Secretary-General for African Affairs Martha Pobi told the Security Council. She spoke, in particular, about new outbreaks of violence in the country.

After more than 500 days of siege, the town of El Fasher in North Darfur was captured by the Rapid Reaction Force. Only isolated pockets of resistance remained. This event, Pobi noted, marked a turning point that altered the balance of power in the region.

Fierce fighting and drone attacks

Other parts of the country are also suffering from ongoing fighting. In recent weeks, clashes have intensified in the Kordofan region, which the UN estimates could become a new arena for fierce fighting. Last week, the Rapid Intervention Force captured the town of Bara in Northern Kordofan, just 40 kilometers from the state capital, El Obeid.

Both sides are actively using drones, expanding the geography of the conflict. Strikes are being carried out in Blue Nile, Khartoum, Sennar, and South and West Kordofan. After the reopening of Khartoum Airport was announced, it immediately became the target of massive drone attacks.

"The consequences of drone attacks are clear – growing civilian casualties, increasing humanitarian needs, and further destruction of infrastructure," she stressed.

Mass crimes

The UN is documenting evidence of widespread crimes, ethnic violence, and violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in El Fasher, mass killings, executions, and attacks on civilians attempting to flee the city have occurred over the past week. Communication with El Fasher has been cut off, and the exact death toll is unknown.

Despite the parties' stated intention to protect civilians, the civilian population of El Fasher is in danger and there are no safe evacuation routes.

There are also reports of mass killings in the town of Bara, where the UN says at least 50 people have died, including five Red Crescent volunteers who were allegedly executed without trial.

The UN will continue to seek accountability. Pobi recalled the recent extension of the UN Fact-Finding Mission's mandate and the International Criminal Court's verdict in the case of Ali Mohammed Ali Abd al-Rahman (known as Ali Kushayb).

Put an end to the conflict

The UN Secretary-General reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations. "The time has come to take the first step toward lasting peace for the Sudanese people," Pobi said.

She also stressed that any outside interference in the conflict must stop, as the flow of weapons and mercenaries only fuels the war.

According to her, the Secretary-General's personal envoy for Sudan, Ramtan Lamamra, invited the parties to separately enter into negotiations with the UN, focusing on de-escalation and the protection of civilians.

Both sides have expressed their willingness to participate in this process, and the UN is counting on the support of states that have influence over them.

Pobi reported that an intra-Sudanese dialogue is being prepared under the auspices of the African Union within the Quartet mechanism (the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, and the UN). Consultations are underway with key Sudanese stakeholders on the timing and role of international organizations.

She added that coordination of international efforts is critical. The UN and the African Union plan to hold a ministerial meeting in Addis Ababa to coordinate mediation efforts and identify priorities.

In closing, Pobee called on the Security Council to show resolve: "We must play our part to end this devastating war. We must stand with the people of Sudan, who have suffered for too long."

Statement by the Security Council

Security Council members issued a statement today reaffirming their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan and calling on all states to support efforts to achieve peace.

“In this regard, the Security Council reiterated its opposition to the establishment of a parallel governing body in the territories controlled by the Rapid Reaction Force,” the statement said.

Humanitarian disaster

According to UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan is worsening. He stated that El Fasher, already a symbol of suffering, has "descended into an even darker hell" after the Rapid Reaction Force entered the city and began carrying out mass executions.

Fletcher emphasized that what happened did not come as a surprise: the international community knew about the impending disaster.

According to the UN, nearly 500 people—patients and their families—were killed at the Saudi Arabian Maternity Hospital. This is just one of numerous attacks on medical facilities, which Fletcher said is "yet another example of the brutality with which this war is being waged."

In recent weeks alone, tens of thousands of people have fled their homes to escape violence. Most of the refugees—women, children, and the elderly—are walking toward the already overcrowded city of Tawila. Those attempting to leave face extortion, violence, and the risk of being killed along the way.

Despite ongoing threats and restrictions, humanitarian organizations working in Sudan provided assistance to 13.5 million people between January and August. UN and international NGO teams continue to provide emergency medical care, treat children for malnutrition, distribute food, and combat cholera outbreaks.

Fletcher announced the release of an additional $20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to scale up assistance in Darfur and Kordofan. This funding complements funding from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, which is supporting local partners working in the affected areas.

In concluding his speech, Fletcher noted that the crisis in Sudan is a failure of the system for protecting civilians and international law: “We do not hear the cries, but as we sit here, the nightmare continues.

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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October 30, 2025 Human rights

On the night of October 29-30, Russian armed forces again launched a massive, combined attack on several regions of Ukraine, allegedly "targeting critical energy infrastructure." This was reported on Thursday by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

Civilians were killed and injured

The overnight raid was the third major combined attack in October targeting energy facilities, damaging civilian facilities and triggering emergency power outages in several regions of the country.

According to preliminary reports, at least two civilians were killed and 23 people were injured in Zaporizhzhia, including six children. The city was reportedly hit by more than eight ballistic missiles and twenty Shahed drones. Civilian casualties were also recorded in the Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions: a seven-year-old girl was killed and five people were injured.

One of the largest attacks on Ukraine

This was one of the largest attacks on Ukraine since February 2022, with 705 munitions reportedly used. Explosions rocked several regions, including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and the Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Vinnytsia regions.

"If attacks of this scale and frequency continue, there is a serious risk of dangerous consequences for civilians this winter, including prolonged disruptions to heating, electricity, and water supplies," said Mission Director Danielle Bell. "These disruptions will be particularly severe for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with young children, who are least able to cope with the loss of vital services in harsh winter conditions."

Visit to the Chernihiv region

Bell visited the Chernihiv region yesterday, where she met with regional government and civil society representatives to discuss the situation in the region, where conditions remain challenging due to ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure ahead of winter.

Restoration of damaged objects

Despite constant attacks, local authorities and energy workers across Ukraine are making significant efforts to restore damaged facilities, often working in dangerous conditions. In 2025, according to the mission, at least 11 energy workers were killed or injured while performing their duties, providing vital services to the civilian population.

Strikes on Russian territory

At the same time, Ukrainian armed forces reportedly responded to Russian long-range attacks with their own drone and missile strikes, hitting energy and industrial facilities in Russia, but the impact of these attacks on civilians could not be independently confirmed by the UN Mission.

Heating interruptions in winter conditions

"As winter approaches, attacks on energy infrastructure increase the risk of prolonged outages of heating, electricity, and other vital services across Ukraine. This will have serious consequences for the country's population, particularly in regions where critical infrastructure is under pressure," Bell noted.

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October 30, 2025 Sustainable Development Goals

According to UN estimates, by 2050, nearly 70 percent of the world's population will live in cities. Urbanization brings not only economic opportunities but also serious challenges: from increasing waste volumes and overburdened infrastructure to social vulnerability. Ahead of World Cities Day Sustainable development expert Nelya Rakhimova spoke to the UN News Service about the challenges facing modern settlements and what the city of the future might look like.

This year's World Cities Day, celebrated on October 31, is themed "People-Centred Smart Cities."

Cities and Sustainable Development

“There are numerous examples around the world of how cities can develop sustainably,” notes Rakhimova. “Especially now, when we are faced with the challenges of climate change, sustainable urban development is a solution we should all not only consider, but fully embrace.” implement into all processes".

Many megacities already include elements sustainable development In urban planning, they modernize transportation systems, develop digital infrastructure, and implement smart technologies to improve quality of life. It's important not to limit yourself to technological solutions, but also to support social justice, equal opportunity, and citizen engagement in decision-making, the expert believes.

Main challenges

Among the key environmental problems of modern cities in Russia, Rakhimova highlights air pollution, waste management – including waste sorting and the presence of landfills within the city – and adaptation to climate change. More frequent floods, hurricanes and extreme temperatures have already become a reality, and urban infrastructure is often not adapted to such loads. The number of affected by the effects of climate change, particularly among the elderly population.

Social challenges are no less pressing. Cities tend to have a concentration of vulnerable groups. These include homeless people, LGBT community, migrants, women experiencing domestic violenceCivil society plays a huge role in supporting these groups, Rakhimova emphasizes.

© IISD/K.Worth

Sustainability Analyst Nelya Rakhimova.

Speaking about economic challenges, she noted that Russia is characterized by uneven regional development. "The outflow of citizens from small towns and cities to larger ones continues, seeking opportunities, infrastructure, and cultural and recreational opportunities," she explained.

The expert singled out single-industry towns as examples requiring special attention. "If we were to adhere to the principles of sustainable development and aim for a just transition, we would need to restructure the economies of towns that were originally created for mineral extraction," she said.

Civil initiatives

According to Rakhimova, sustainable city development is impossible without citizen participation. People come together to solve local problems—from helping the homeless to protecting green spaces. waste separation organizations.

"There are numerous initiatives that organize waste sorting. Sometimes they can be very local in scale, but sometimes they operate at the level of large cities and empower citizens to consciously separate, sort, recycle, and recycle their waste," the expert noted. "There are also initiatives that come together, for example, when a park is being developed. This mobilizes the population, and people are able to advocate for their interests and protect green spaces or the historical heritage of their cities."

According to some data, the number of local volunteers in the urban environment continues to grow, she added. This suggests people have a need to actively participate in public life.

What should the city of the future be like?

According to Rakhimova, the ideal city of the future is people-centered. "It's low-rise buildings, a well-developed public transportation system that operates virtually 24/7, and infrastructure that doesn't break down or require constant repairs," she described.

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"Cities should be friendly to children, the elderly, and people with disabilities so that everyone feels like an equal citizen and member of society," concluded Rakhimova.

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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BK: For as long as I can remember, I've always been interested in astronomy. I watched the Apollo 11 moon landing, although I was about a year old at the time and don't remember it.

Space is one of the key areas of global economic growth. The figures are staggering. It is estimated that by 2035, the "space economy" will be worth approximately $2 trillion, an increase of $600–700 billion from today. Beyond its economic impact, space has always been a sphere that unites people.

The International Space Station is one of the places where we cooperate, because we want to. But also because we have to; after all, space isn't the property of any one country.

This is an area that can expand, that offers literally limitless possibilities, but it also obliges us to collaborate.

UN News Service: The idea of cooperation is very important. Is this one of the reasons you want to work with the UN?

BK: In my view, some endeavors require a global perspective. Space is certainly one of them.

It's pointless to talk about planetary defense, lunar exploration, asteroid mining, or expanding into the solar system at the level of individual countries. Nothing will come of it.

There are areas where we are forced to cooperate on a global level. And I think this is a good thing, because it forces us to address complex issues related to diplomacy and technical negotiations.

Some may see this as a problem, but I think a huge advantage of space is that we are forced to think as one world.

© NASA

UN News: What do you think you can personally change in your new role?

BK: It is imperative that we expand our work, economy and ambitions in space.

My specialty, besides being something of an amateur enthusiast, is trying to tell and explain to as wide an audience as possible why space is so important and beautiful.

And, by the way, this audience is not only the public, but also political leaders, industrial leaders who may not realize the potential of space.

Science is one of the foundations of our civilization, and if people aren't taught its benefits, they won't be able to participate in its strengthening and development. If there's a lack of understanding, optimal decisions won't be made.

If this all sounds a bit dry, we are also asking fundamental questions, such as, are we alone in the universe?

UN News: I think this is the question you get asked most often.

BK: That's a great question. I think we all ask ourselves that question. The answer is: we don't know.

Let's put it more scientifically: How far beyond Earth would we need to go to detect life?

We don't know the answer to this question at this time, but we are trying to answer it.

UN News: Are there any misconceptions about space that you would like to dispel?

BK: Of course, there are misconceptions about space, which I think stem simply from a lack of information. The main misconception is that space exploration is a luxury, and that the industrialization of near-Earth orbit and the exploration of the Moon and asteroids should be left for the future.

I often hear that we should solve our problems here on Earth first before worrying about space.

The truth is that space already plays a vital role in solving the problems we face on Earth.

An obvious example is understanding how our climate is changing.

Satellite data on the atmosphere, ocean temperatures, and other factors are critical to our understanding of climate change and to addressing the challenges we face today, challenges we created in the pre-space era.

© NASA

Global positioning, satellite navigation GPS, is crucial not only for determining your location using a phone, but also for air traffic control, supply chain management, optimizing the delivery of goods and materials across the planet, and so on.

There are numerous examples of how space is already having a positive impact on Earth, and more such examples will continue to emerge in the future.

UN News Service: How do you plan to advocate for the peaceful and inclusive use of outer space, and especially for the participation of developing countries?

BK: I hope that I can contribute to the democratization of space and advocate for its development to be carried out by more than just the big players.

The arguments for all countries having a say in the space economy are similar to the arguments for countries having a say in the economy that exists on the surface of the Earth and in the oceans.

In certain areas, we must act as one planet. Space is one of the best examples, but we could also add climate change, pandemic response, or managing artificial intelligence.

These phenomena do not recognize international borders, which is why organizations like the United Nations are needed.

Space is perhaps the most obvious example of an economic sector that does not recognize national borders, because there are none there.

UN News: How do you think developing countries can become more involved in the space economy?

BK: I think we're currently in a transformative phase when it comes to expanding beyond Earth, industrialization, and the use of space. This means that the rules that everyone will need to agree to are already being developed.

How do we manage space traffic? How do we ensure equal access [to space]? If we start building bases on the Moon, how do we manage them? How do we manage this the same way we manage access to Antarctica, for example?

Obviously, these are global issues. They concern everyone, every country.

All countries must join forces to develop a structure that will allow us to become a multi-planet civilization.

I would like us to become an interstellar civilization, but I will not live to see it.

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.