Category: United Nations

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February 18, 2026 Peace and security

The United Nations' top official warned the Security Council on Wednesday that the Middle East is at a defining moment: a fragile ceasefire in Gaza offers a rare window of opportunity for progress but remains under serious threat due to ongoing violence and a dire humanitarian situation.

Window of opportunity

Speaking at a meeting chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo stated that the coming weeks would be crucial in determining whether the region could move toward stabilization or face a renewed escalation of conflict. After years of destruction and immense human suffering, she noted, a "window of opportunity" for change has emerged, "but it is neither guaranteed nor indefinite."

Strengthening the ceasefire regime

The UN calls on all parties and Security Council members to focus on strengthening the ceasefire reached last October, as well as on concrete steps to restore and move toward a lasting peace. Key to these efforts remains the implementation of the next phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and progress toward resuming the political process leading to a two-state solution.

According to the rapporteur, these measures should include efforts to demilitarize the Strip – disarming Hamas and other Palestinian groups, as well as transferring powers to the National Committee for Gaza Governance.

Humanitarian access

According to DiCarlo, some progress has been made in expanding humanitarian access since the ceasefire took effect, including the opening of the Rafah crossing to pedestrian traffic in both directions on February 2. This allowed for the medical evacuation of patients and the return of hundreds of people. However, thousands of local residents still need medical treatment unavailable in Gaza.

Despite these advances, the humanitarian situation remains dire. The vast majority of the Gaza Strip's population remains unable to return to their homes and lives in extremely difficult conditions. Aid operations face severe restrictions, and a severe shortage of shelter materials, medical equipment, and educational supplies hampers humanitarian efforts.

Airstrikes on Gaza

"Gaza is still not at peace," DiCarlo emphasized, noting that in recent weeks, Israeli airstrikes have targeted densely populated areas, killing dozens of Palestinians, including women and children. Meanwhile, armed clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups have continued, highlighting the fragility of the ceasefire.

The situation in the West Bank

Meanwhile, the situation in the occupied West Bank is rapidly deteriorating. According to the UN, Israeli forces have escalated their operations, including raids, mass detentions, and an increasing number of displaced Palestinian families, particularly in the north. Continued settlement expansion, demolitions, and rising settler violence are further fueling tensions.

DiCarlo warned that recent decisions by Israeli authorities could expand Israel's civil authority over parts of the West Bank and accelerate settlement growth, raising serious concerns about possible forced population displacement and what she called a gradual "de facto annexation" of territory. The UN emphasizes that Israeli settlements have no legal standing under international law.

The economic crisis is also adding to the pressure: withholding tax revenues is exacerbating the Palestinian Authority's financial difficulties and leading to cuts in basic services.

Prospects for lasting peace

In conclusion, DiCarlo emphasized that at this "fragile stage," half-hearted measures are insufficient. She called for the full implementation of diplomatic initiatives, urgent de-escalation on the ground, and the resumption of a political process capable of leading to lasting peace and a viable two-state solution.

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February 18, 2026 Peace and security

Libya is facing a deepening political, economic, and institutional crisis that threatens the country's unity and stability, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, Hannah Tetteh, warned in her address to the Security Council on Wednesday. She called for urgent action to overcome the protracted political impasse.

The Special Representative stated that efforts to advance the UN-brokered political roadmap have stalled, despite months of consultations between Libyan parties. While structured dialogue on governance, security, economics, and national reconciliation has produced proposals aimed at creating conditions for national elections, key political institutions remain unable to agree on the key steps necessary to advance the process.

Political impasse

According to the Special Representative, disagreements between the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of State are undermining progress, and the unilateral actions of both bodies are further weakening public trust in the authorities. The failure to agree on electoral mechanisms prolongs political uncertainty and deepens public disillusionment with the institutions.

Despite the national political impasse, some positive developments have been noted at the local level. Over the past 14 months, local elections have been held in 119 municipalities, marking a significant step toward strengthening accountable local governance. The election of the country's second female mayor was particularly noted as a sign of increasing women's participation in politics.

At the same time, Tetteh warned of the dangerous deepening of institutional rifts, particularly in the judicial system. Competing constitutional courts in Tripoli and Benghazi are issuing contradictory rulings, effectively creating parallel legal systems, which threatens the effectiveness of governance, government accountability, and the political process itself. Maintaining the integrity of the judicial system, she emphasized, is key to preserving the integrity of the state.

Economic difficulties

The economic situation in Libya is also rapidly deteriorating. The devaluation of the national currency, rising prices, fuel shortages, and declining purchasing power are increasing pressure on the population. An estimated 30 percent of Libyans live below the poverty line, and the cost of food has risen significantly in recent years. The lack of a unified state budget and parallel government structures are contributing to financial instability and undermining confidence in the economy.

Security concerns

Security issues also remain a serious concern. Transnational criminal networks involved in drug, arms, and human trafficking continue to exploit weak state institutions and poorly controlled borders. Recent reports have documented serious human rights violations against migrants, including the discovery of mass graves and signs of torture among released individuals.

Despite numerous challenges, the UN mission is expanding its presence in Libya and strengthening its support for economic reform and the unification of security structures.

"The only way forward is a political solution that unites Libyans," Tetteh said, calling on the international community to continue supporting efforts to restore stability in the country.

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February 18, 2026 Culture and education

UNESCO has released a new edition of its global report documenting the rapid changes in the cultural sphere driven by digital transformation, artificial intelligence, new trade flows, and growing threats to artistic freedom. Based on data from over 120 countries, the study shows that without updated cultural policies, inequality among creative content creators will only worsen.

UNESCO Director-General Khaled Al-Anani noted that the report, which has been an international reference for over a decade, offers a "roadmap of more than 8,100 measures" to support cultural professionals in the face of rapid technological change.

The industry grows while remaining vulnerable

Although cultural and creative industries are increasingly serving as engines of economic growth and sustainable development, the infrastructure supporting them remains fragile. According to the report, 85 percent of countries include culture in their national development plans, but only 56 percent formulate specific goals in this area, highlighting a gap between declarations and action.

Global trade in cultural goods doubled in 2023 to $254 billion, with developing countries accounting for almost half of exports. However, their share of cultural services trade is only slightly over 20 percent, reflecting growing inequality amid the digitalization of markets.

Direct public funding for culture worldwide remains critically low—less than 0.6 percent of global GDP—and continues to decline. Limited artistic mobility remains an additional barrier: developed countries support the emigration of their creative professionals in 96 percent of cases, but only facilitate the entry of cultural figures from developing countries in 38 percent of cases.

The digital divide increases economic instability.

The report documents profound structural changes brought about by digitalization. The share of digital revenue in creators' earnings has grown from 17 percent in 2018 to 35 percent today, but income volatility and the risk of copyright infringement have also increased. The most alarming forecast concerns the impact of generative AI: by 2028, music creators could lose up to 24 percent of their income, and audiovisual content creators could lose up to 21 percent.

The digital skills gap remains significant: 67 percent of people in developed countries possess basic skills, compared to only 28 percent in developing countries. Increasing market concentration around a few large streaming platforms and opaque recommendation algorithms further marginalize lesser-known creators. Furthermore, only 48 percent of countries collect such statistics, complicating the development of effective policies.

Creative freedom under pressure

UNESCO also notes growing threats to artistic freedom. Only 61 percent of countries have independent mechanisms to monitor violations in this area. Political instability, conflict, and forced displacement increase the risks for cultural workers. Digital surveillance and algorithmic bias pose new challenges.

Gender inequality

Despite progress in women's representation in leadership positions in cultural institutions—rising from 31 percent in 2017 to 46 percent in 2024—the gap between countries remains significant. In developed countries, women hold 64 percent of leadership positions, while in developing countries, they hold only 30 percent. In many countries, women are still viewed primarily as consumers of culture rather than as creators and leaders.

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February 17, 2026 Refugees and migrants

As the war in Sudan approaches its fourth year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and 123 partner organizations on Tuesday appealed for $1.6 billion to support millions of people forced to flee the country in search of safety.

The 2026 regional response plan provides life-saving assistance to 5.9 million people in seven neighboring countries: the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda. The plan will continue to prioritize support for the approximately 470,000 new refugees expected to cross these countries' borders.

The world's biggest crisis

War in Sudan erupted in mid-April 2023, with the Armed Forces and the Rapid Intervention Forces locked in a bitter power struggle.

UNHCR Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Mamadou Diane Baldé said the need for the fourth annual humanitarian appeal for Sudan highlights the ongoing impact of the conflict on the population and the challenges facing the humanitarian system.

"Sudan remains the world's largest displacement crisis and gravest humanitarian crisis, unfolding against the backdrop of the most severe funding shortfall in decades," he told reporters in Geneva.

Host communities are at their limits

Some 4.3 million Sudanese refugees have found refuge within the region, most in Egypt and eastern Chad.

Host governments and local communities continue to show "amazing solidarity," Balde said, but their capacity is stretched to its limits.

"Due to severe funding cuts, UNHCR was forced to close two of its three registration centers in Egypt, limiting people's access to key protection mechanisms," he said. Furthermore, he said, funding per refugee per month has been reduced from $11 to $4.

In eastern Chad, more than 71,000 refugee families have not received housing assistance, meaning they lack safe and suitable housing. "Nearly 234,000 people are awaiting resettlement, living in extremely precarious conditions at the border," Baldé added.

Growing needs, shrinking resources

Balde emphasized that despite the limitations, the 2026 plan will continue to support host countries in providing basic services—food, shelter, medical care, and protection mechanisms—for new arrivals and the most vulnerable refugees. However, he warned that the growing gap between increasing needs and dwindling resources threatens to undermine both emergency responses and medium-term solutions.

UNHCR continues to call for increased international support to address the chronic underfunding of humanitarian operations in countries hosting people fleeing Sudan.

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February 17, 2026 Refugees and migrants

Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Libya face "merciless and systematic human rights violations," including killings, torture, sexual violence, and human trafficking, said Tamin Al-Khitan, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), presenting a new report in Geneva.

The document was prepared by OHCHR jointly with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and covers the period from January 2024 to December 2025.

Exploitation of vulnerable people

According to Al-Khitan, the report describes how migrants are "detained and abducted by criminal networks involved in human trafficking, often linked to the Libyan authorities and foreign criminal organizations." People are separated from their families, arrested, and held without due process, which effectively amounts to arbitrary detention.

“In places of detention, migrants are regularly subjected to appalling violations and abuses, including slavery, torture, ill-treatment, forced labor, forced prostitution and other forms of sexual violence, extortion and blackmail,” the UN representative said.

The report says an "exploitative model" has emerged that exploits the vulnerable position of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees and has become a "cruel and normalised reality".

Dangerous interceptions and forced returns

Migrants also spoke of "horrific attempts" cross the central Mediterranean SeaAccording to Al-Khitan, interceptions by Libyan authorities are often accompanied by threats, dangerous maneuvers, and excessive use of force, putting lives at risk. Those intercepted are often forcibly returned to Libya, where they once again face the same cycle of violence and exploitation.

Suki Nagra, a human rights expert with the UN Mission in Libya, joined the briefing remotely. She shared examples of testimonies documented in the report. Specifically, a Nigerian woman who became a victim of human trafficking in 2021 spent two years in Tripoli under forced sexual exploitation. After a police raid, she was transferred to a house in Zuwarah, where she found herself in a situation of domestic servitude, without freedom of movement or pay. In February 2025, she managed to leave Libya.

“There are no words to describe the endless nightmare these people are plunged into, only to fuel the growing greed of traffickers and those who profit from the system of exploitation,” Al-Khitan emphasized.

Collective expulsions

The report also condemns the frequent expulsion of migrants from Libya to other countries without consideration of their individual circumstances. This practice violates the prohibition on collective expulsions and deprives people of the right to apply for asylum, the authors of the document recall.

The UN Human Rights Office has called on the Libyan authorities to immediately release all persons arbitrarily detained in both formal and informal centres, to end dangerous interceptions at sea, and to decriminalise entry, stay, and exit without proper documentation.

In addition, the international community, including the European Union, is recommended to impose a moratorium on interceptions and returns to Libya until adequate human rights guarantees are ensured in that country.

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February 17, 2026 Peace and security

Today, only 5,000 children remain in Kherson out of the more than 60,000 who lived there before the war. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is helping ensure their safety by supporting efforts to build bomb shelters. There, deep underground, young Kherson residents spend their childhood. The head of UNICEF's Ukrainian office told reporters in Geneva this, joining via video link from one of these bomb shelters.

According to Munir Mammadzade, Kherson is subjected to daily artillery shelling, which leads to the destruction of houses and critical infrastructureHe recounted the fate of one family recently affected by a strike: "On that freezing night in late January, Kateryna pushed her two children into the hallway and ran out after them. The explosions were louder than usual, even by Kherson standards, and suddenly a powerful blow destroyed their home."

Life is under attack

Sixteen-year-old Darya and eight-year-old Artem were injured by shrapnel. Ekaterina required surgery, but fortunately, they all survived. A local mobile child protection team, supported by UNICEF, visited the family in the hospital that same day, providing psychosocial support, cash assistance, and essential items. "The family is currently recovering from their injuries, but the house they rent outside the city does not guarantee their safety in this brutal war," Mammadzade said.

Struggle for survival

However, he added, the tragedy is that four years after the start of full-scale war, there are almost no safe places left in Kherson. "In the city of Kherson and the region where I am today, the daily life of children and their families is a struggle for survival," the UNICEF representative said. "This frontline area is covered with anti-drone nets, and Kherson residents spend their childhoods literally underground."

Protection centers

Today, 5,000 of the 60,000 children who once lived peacefully with their families and friends until their childhoods changed forever on February 24, 2022, remain in Kherson. Today, they study, play, and sleep in basements to escape shelling, a UNICEF representative noted.

"At the UNICEF-supported child protection center, I spoke with families and staff, including psychologists and social workers. They all spoke of the extreme exhaustion of families forced to live in a 24-hour state of constant anxiety," he said. "The constant fear of attacks, the endless need to hide in basements, and isolation at home with limited social contact take a heavy toll on children and adolescents, affecting their mental and physical health."

Read also:

Without heat and light: UNICEF warns of worsening situation for Ukrainian families

At the same time, Mammadzade continued, such spaces offer a respite from the horrors happening above. "Here, you can sense an incredible determination to keep living. UNICEF helps children and families with precisely this," he emphasized.

Together with local authorities and partners, UNICEF supports seven child protection centers across the Kherson region, provides mobile teams with vital emergency assistance to victims, and strengthens alternative care systems for the most vulnerable children.

UNICEF has also created early childhood development and digital learning spaces in Kherson, as well as youth centers for skills development and social connections. Residents receive cash assistance, and local utility services support efforts to restore heating and water supplies. Similar assistance is being provided in other frontline areas.

Forced to flee

Mammadzade also drew attention to the fate of children forced to flee their homes. This concerns 2.6 million young Ukrainians. Approximately 1.8 million of them are living as refugees outside the country, and more than 791,000 are displaced within Ukraine.

The war, according to a UNICEF representative, is being felt most acutely in frontline areas, but people are suffering across the country: attacks on civilian areas continue, leading to the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. "For example, the number of child deaths and injuries in Kyiv and the Kyiv region last year was almost four times higher than in 2024," Mammadzade recalled. "A recent UNICEF study showed that one in three adolescents aged 15-19 had been forced to move at least twice, and the main reason for fleeing was the search for safety. Other important factors include the quality of education and opportunities for skill development."

"Children and young people haven't given up on their future—and neither will we," concluded the UNICEF representative. "UNICEF works across Ukraine and in neighboring refugee-hosting countries to support children affected by displacement and ongoing violence."

The International Organization for Migration is helping Ukrainians.

Arthur Erken, Regional Director for Europe at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), also spoke to journalists in Geneva about the assistance provided to Ukrainians. Speaking from Vienna, he stated that since the full-scale invasion, more than 4.4 million people have returned to their areas of origin.

Of the million people who returned to Ukraine from abroad, 372,000 were unable to return to their home countries and are considered internally displaced. IOM provides them with comprehensive support to prevent further waves of displacement.

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February 17, 2026 Culture and education

UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed Muslims around the world on the occasion of the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, emphasizing its significance as a time of spiritual reflection, prayer and the pursuit of peace.

According to the Secretary-General, Ramadan offers a "noble vision of hope and peace," but for millions of people it remains elusive. Guterres noted that from Afghanistan to Yemen, from Gaza to Sudan, and in other regions of the world, people continue to face conflict, famine, displacement, discrimination, and other dire challenges.

The UN chief called on the international community to heed the core message of Ramadan – to strive to overcome divisions, help those who suffer, and protect the rights and dignity of every person.

Guterres recalled that every year at the beginning of Ramadan, he makes it a personal tradition to visit a Muslim community and join in the fast as a sign of solidarity. "Every year, I return inspired by the message of peace and compassion that Ramadan brings," he said.

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February 17, 2026 Healthcare

Almost two-thirds of all maternal deaths worldwide occur in countries affected by conflict or political instability. The risk of pregnancy-related death and childbirth for women living in such countries is approximately five times higher per pregnancy than in stable countries.

This is stated in a new technical review prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction.

Crisis situations

In 2023 alone, an estimated 160,000 women died from preventable pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes in conflict and instability settings—that's six out of ten maternal deaths globally. Yet, these settings account for only about one-tenth of all live births.

According to the analysis, in countries classified as conflict-affected, the maternal mortality rate was 504 per 100,000 live births. In countries with significant institutional and social instability, it was 368 per 100,000. By comparison, in countries outside these categories, the rate was significantly lower – 99 per 100,000.

These data complement previously published global estimates for 2000–2023, which showed that progress in reducing maternal mortality has slowed, while in low-income countries and in crisis situations, the figures remain extremely high.

Inequality and weak systems

The authors emphasize that conflict and instability create conditions in which health systems are unable to routinely provide life-saving care to pregnant women. Furthermore, additional factors—gender, ethnicity, age, and migration status—can further increase the risks.

Inequality is particularly pronounced among adolescents. In 2023, one in 51 15-year-old girls living in a conflict-affected country faced a lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes. In countries with institutional instability, the risk was one in 79, while in relatively prosperous countries, it was only one in 593.

Practical solutions

The publication also provides examples of countries where health workers are struggling to provide maternal health services despite instability, including Colombia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Ukraine.

In Colombia, midwife training helps provide timely care in remote areas where access to health facilities is limited due to geography or insecurity.

Read also:

Pregnant women and newborns are suffering the most from the attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure.

In Ethiopia, the focus is on restoring continuity of care through mobile teams, renovating health facilities, and hiring additional midwives.

In Haiti, removing barriers plays a key role: women forced to flee their homes are provided with free or discounted services. Efforts are also being made to ensure a stable electricity supply in maternity hospitals.

Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Ukraine are demonstrating that even in protracted crises, maternal health can be protected through regional planning, improved quality and safety of maternity care, and reorganization of routes for patients who need to reach hospitals.

Action plan

By linking maternal mortality rates to levels of fragility, experts have a more precise tool for identifying countries where the most urgent action is needed.

This includes investing in primary health care, collecting data in hard-to-reach areas, and building health systems that can adapt to crises. The authors believe these measures will help more quickly reduce maternal mortality rates, even in the most challenging conditions.

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February 17, 2026 UN

UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated the people of countries celebrating the Lunar New Year and emphasized the symbolism of the upcoming Year of the Horse. He said the sign embodies energy, success, and courage—qualities the world especially needs amid ongoing conflicts, growing inequality, and the climate crisis.

The Lunar New Year is one of the most significant holidays in East Asia, celebrated according to the lunisolar calendar. It symbolizes renewal, family unity, and hope for prosperity in the new cycle.

Guterres noted that this period of renewal reminds us of the power of collective effort and humanity's ability to build a more secure and inclusive future. He called for continued work for peace, dignity, and sustainable development for all.

"May the spirit of the horse bring you health, happiness and prosperity," the UN Secretary-General said in his address.

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February 17, 2026 Climate and environment

Today, when the planet celebrates World Sustainable Tourism DayKyrgyzstan celebrates the snow leopard, or irbis, which has become a symbol of pristine nature, national pride, and a key to the development of environmentally and socially responsible tourism.

In many countries, including India, Mongolia, China, and Pakistan, snow leopard watching has become a popular ecotourism activity. Inspired by these examples, in 2023, the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), successfully implemented the project "Snow Leopard Tours: Key to Conserving Local Nature."

The project became the foundation for the development of ethical tourism in the Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve. It included training sessions for rangers and residents of nearby communities, as well as the purchase of necessary equipment: from tents and yurts to solar panels and pack bags. All this made it possible to create comfortable and environmentally friendly conditions for wildlife observation.

Today, such tours run from mid-autumn to late winter. In the two seasons since the project's completion, approximately 10-12 groups (approximately 60-70 people) have visited the reserve and adjacent areas, including the Zhangart and Ak-Shyirak tracts.

"Unlike other excursions, our snow leopard tours take into account the capacity of the reserve and the local environment. Groups are limited to six people, and the reserve is not visited by multiple groups at the same time," notes Zhumabay uulu Kubanychbek, Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan.

Starting in 2025, every tourist will contribute $100 to the local community's conservation fund. These funds support rangers, develop infrastructure, and promote conservation. With a steady flow of tourists, the contribution is expected to reach $7,000 per year—a significant benefit for remote regions of the country.

Each tour generates between three and four thousand dollars in revenue, with services provided exclusively by local residents: rangers, guides, cooks, and guesthouse owners.

It's important to note that this involves careful and unobtrusive observation of wild animals in their natural environment. On such excursions, tourists strive to capture rare glimpses of snow leopards, as well as other predators such as wolves, bears, Pallas's cats, and large scavenger birds. Predators such as wolves and foxes, previously considered "harmful" in this area, have become valuable and attractive sightings on these tours.

The excursions allowed the reserve to improve its infrastructure while simultaneously raising the level of service. Rangers and local guides have become more experienced, and statistics show that the likelihood of spotting a snow leopard during a tour has reached 90 percent—a figure that is unique even by global standards.

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