Category: United Nations

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January 23, 2026 UN

From humanitarian crises and youth unemployment to climate resilience and development finance, many of the key global issues of our time are on the agenda of one United Nations body, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

Established in 1945, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is mandated to ensure that peace and security are based on economic stability, social progress and international cooperation.

Eight decades after its first meeting in London in early 1946, ECOSOC remains a vital – though often overlooked – driver of the UN's work on sustainable development.

“The Council’s mandate was intense and grew more complex each year: to advance common solutions to the world’s most pressing economic, social and environmental problems,” said the UN Secretary-General. Antonio Guterres at an event at UN headquarters dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Council.

“Nevertheless, for eight decades, ECOSOC has been an engine of progress,” he added.

Wide field of activity

ECOSOC is the United Nations' primary forum for dialogue on global economic, social, and environmental policy. It brings together Member States, UN specialized agencies, and their partners to discuss priorities, share information, and coordinate collective action.

The Council's responsibilities include coordinating the work of regional economic and social commissions, expert bodies, and UN funds and programmes that provide development assistance and formulate policy recommendations that directly impact people's daily lives.

For those unfamiliar with the UN system, ECOSOC's defining feature is its practical influence. It helps shape the UN's response to natural disasters, supports countries recovering from crises, and coordinates international efforts to reduce poverty, create jobs, and protect the environment.

The Council is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the decisions of major UN conferences and summits, helping to ensure that commitments made by countries are honoured.

UN photo

Delegates to the second session of ECOSOC in May 1946.

The Council evolves with the changing world

Over time, ECOSOC has evolved in response to changes in the global environment. Its membership has expanded from 18 countries at its founding to 54 today. Council members are elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms.

General Assembly reforms over the past decade have strengthened ECOSOC's coordinating role within the UN system, enhancing its ability to identify emerging issues, promote innovation, and integrate the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of development.

"It [the Council] has adapted to a changing world by expanding its membership, strengthening its mandate and reforming the UN development system," Guterres stressed.

Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals

The key focus of the current ECOSOC work cycle is the implementation 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – the UN's global plan to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure shared prosperity.

ECOSOC provides political guidance and oversight for the implementation of this agenda through its annual programme of work, bringing together ministers, senior officials, civil society leaders, academics and private sector representatives around shared priorities.

“ECOSOC plays a central role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – our shared roadmap to a more peaceful, just and inclusive world,” said UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock at an event marking the Council’s 80th anniversary.

Still relevant

As ECOSOC celebrates its 80th anniversary on 23 January 2026, its core mission remains unchanged: to promote cooperation for shared economic and social progress.

In a world facing multiple crises – from climate change and inequality to humanitarian emergencies – the Council’s behind-the-scenes work continues to shape how the international community responds to these challenges.

“Today’s event is not only an opportunity to reflect on eight decades of progress, but also a reminder of the work that remains to be done,” said Annalena Baerbock.

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January 22, 2026 Peace and security

This week, Russian forces launched a new wave of strikes across Ukraine, leaving hundreds of thousands of families without electricity and heat amid frigid weather.

According to the UN Children's Fund, a 17-year-old boy was killed in a strike in the Odesa region on Wednesday. UNICEF called for "an end to attacks on civilian areas and the infrastructure on which children depend."

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the attacks on Kryvyi Rih, which began on Wednesday, resumed on Thursday.

"Our humanitarian teams have delivered materials to repair damaged homes and other assistance to affected communities," OCHA said on social media, noting that "cold weather is exacerbating needs and people require urgent assistance."

Russia continues to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure, depriving the population of heating, electricity, and water, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

"Civilians bear the brunt of these attacks. They can only be described as 'inhumane.' They must stop," he added.

Aid from WHO and Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian healthcare facilities continue to operate under challenging conditions, placing significant strain on the healthcare system.

To ensure the continuity of critical health services, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the King Saudi Arabia Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Support have delivered medical equipment to health facilities located near the front lines.

The latest shipment included 15 anesthesia machines, 8 modern defibrillator-monitors, 15 electrosurgical units, 15 blood warmers, 7 automatic biochemical analyzers, an automatic microbiological analyzer, and other vital equipment for medical institutions.

WHO experts are also training Ukrainian healthcare workers in the effective and safe use of new technologies in their daily work.

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January 22, 2026 UN

Speaking to the Danish parliament on Thursday, the UN Deputy Secretary-General said the world is experiencing a period of dangerous turbulence in which the foundations of the international order, enshrined in the UN Charter, are under threat.

Amina Mohammed stressed that states are increasingly undermining the institutions they built after World War II, warning of the risk of "eroding the foundations" that have underpinned decades of peace and development.

The Deputy Secretary-General thanked Denmark for its steadfast support of multilateralism, calling it a "humanitarian power" and one of the most staunch defenders of human rights. She noted that it is precisely such states that uphold the UN Charter today, when major powers increasingly act from a position of strength.

The Threat to International Law and the Rise of "Dangerous Nostalgia"

In her speech, Mohammed recalled that threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states have once again become a reality, and that some countries, "with a dangerous nostalgia," are attempting to redefine borders and rules by relying on force. She cited a speech by Kenyan Ambassador Martin Kimani, who warned of the risks of returning to the "logic of empires."

According to her, the UN Charter is "not a restaurant menu," and states cannot pick and choose which norms to adhere to and which to ignore. Mohammed emphasized that it is precisely small countries—such as South Africa and Gambia—that today demonstrate the greatest integrity in defending international law.

Development as an investment in the world

The second part of the UN Deputy Chief's speech was devoted to sustainable development. Mohammed recalled that the world has achieved significant progress in recent decades, from reducing poverty to lowering maternal mortality. However, geopolitical tensions and economic crises are leading to stagnation or even regression.

Mohammed pointed to a stark imbalance in global spending: in 2024, the total global military budget reached a record $2.7 trillion, while the annual funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals stands at $4.2 trillion. "The money is flowing in the wrong direction," she noted, adding that growing inequality threatens global stability.

UN Reform: Resetting the System

The third key point of Amina Mohammed's speech was the need to reform the United Nations itself. The Under-Secretary-General stated that "the apparatus of international cooperation is outdated," and its "software" is long overdue for a "reboot."

Mohammed spoke about the UN80 initiative, which the Secretary-General presented to Member States for discussion. This initiative calls for a comprehensive modernization of the UN system—from humanitarian affairs to peacekeeping and security—with the goal of making it more flexible and effective in the face of limited resources and growing challenges.

"Countries face challenges that don't fit neatly into separate categories. They are interconnected, and the solutions must be similar," she emphasized.

Concluding her speech, the Deputy Secretary-General drew a historical parallel with Christiansborg, the Danish parliament building that burned down twice and was rebuilt each time. "The UN, too, was born from the ashes to say 'never again,'" she emphasized.

Today, she said, the world once again faces a choice: allow the principle of "might makes right" to destroy the international order or demonstrate political will and renew the multilateral system.

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January 22, 2026 Peace and security

At the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, two key speeches were delivered on the political and humanitarian aspects of the current situation in Syria. In the second year since the fall of the Assad regime, the country is facing serious military upheaval and a massive humanitarian crisis, threatening to undermine the fragile gains of recent months.

Since the beginning of the year, the situation in northern and northeastern Syria has deteriorated sharply. According to UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari, negotiations between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are primarily Kurdish militias, reached an impasse again on January 4, following which fierce fighting broke out in Aleppo.

The clashes, which lasted several days, led to a mass exodus of civilians: tens of thousands of Syrians were forced to flee their homes, dozens were killed, and hundreds were injured. Ultimately, SDF forces retreated across the Euphrates River, and on January 17, government forces captured significant territories previously controlled by Kurdish forces.

Disrupted negotiations

The efforts of international mediators led to the announcement of the signing of the "Agreement on a Ceasefire and Full Integration," but the very next day, negotiations broke down and fighting resumed. It was only on January 20 that the parties announced they had reached a "mutual understanding" and arranged a four-day pause for consultations. Despite this, the situation remains extremely tense, with localized clashes continuing.

A hard winter

A report on the humanitarian situation in Syria, presented by Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), added alarming statistics to the political picture. In the city of Raqqa alone, more than 13,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in recent weeks. In Aleppo, Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor, infrastructure and communication lines have been destroyed, hospitals are closed, and children are unable to attend school.

The situation is exacerbated by the winter cold: in the camps for internally displaced persons in the north of the country, where approximately 160,000 people are concentrated, shelters have been destroyed and children have died from the cold. Meanwhile, the country's humanitarian support programs are only funded at a quarter of what is needed.

Political transformation

Despite existing challenges, the speakers noted important steps toward Syria's political transformation. Over the past year, nearly three million refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes. New institutions are being formed—the People's Assembly, the Constitutional Committee, and the Constitutional Court. The government is taking steps in the area of justice and the fight against impunity, although Syrian society expects more. Separately, they noted the decree on the linguistic, cultural, and civil rights of the Kurds—a step that could become the basis for deeper national reconciliation.

ISIS continues to pose a real threat to stabilization in Syria, especially amid the chaos in the northeast. Armed clashes and tensions among the Druze community continue in Sweida. Israeli operations in the south violate Syrian sovereignty. Uncleared mines are a major cause of civilian deaths and injuries.

There is hope, but people need peace

The speakers believe that stabilizing Syria depends on several key factors. First and foremost, a sustainable ceasefire and a resumption of political dialogue are essential, as without them, any gains will eventually be undone. Equally important is a significant increase in humanitarian and recovery funding: only a third of the required funds were received in 2025, preventing UN humanitarian agencies from assisting 10 million people in need. Finally, proactive diplomacy and international support for the transition are essential.

Edem Vosornu concluded her speech with the story of an Aleppo resident who lost her small business in the recent fighting. The woman said, "We've been through a lot and are very tired. All we want is peace and security." According to Vosornu, this statement reflects the general sentiment of millions of Syrians: there is hope, but people need peace, and the country as a whole needs the political will of its leaders and the financial support of the international community.

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January 22, 2026 Peace and security

Dozens of schools, kindergartens, and vocational schools in the Kharkiv region were destroyed or damaged by the fighting, forcing thousands of children to switch from in-person to online learning.

To expedite the return of children to a safe learning environment, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with financial support from the European Union, is implementing the "Restoring Schools in Ukraine" project.

As part of the €28 million project, 21 educational institutions in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region have already been restored—from kindergartens and schools to vocational schools. Most of these institutions are equipped with shelters where children and adults can safely and comfortably stay in the event of an emergency.

Thanks to this project, 65 facilities in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions of Ukraine have been restored.

In-person learning gives children a sense of stability and provides opportunities for social interaction. "That's why helping schools reopen and equip them with safe shelters remains a key priority for the European Union," said Representative Marianna Franco.

Each building underwent a detailed technical assessment to determine the extent of damage and the necessary repairs. The restoration work included replacing windows and doors, repairing roofs, insulating facades, upgrading heating systems, and renovating classrooms, gyms, hallways, and restrooms.

Thanks to shelters, some schools can now conduct classes in a safe environment, helping to normalize daily life.

"We are grateful to the European Union for its continued support in rebuilding educational infrastructure. This support goes far beyond rebuilding buildings – it's about restoring stability, predictability, and hope for thousands of families. It's about rebuilding lives and a future," said UNOPS representative Marysia Zapasnyk.

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January 22, 2026 International law

On Thursday, as President Donald Trump formally launched his Gaza Peace Council, independent UN human rights experts said they would continue to seek justice and accountability for crimes committed by all sides in the war between Hamas and Israel.

“The Peace Council was established in accordance with a plan submitted to the Security Council, which was put to a vote and adopted,” recalled Srinivasan Muralidhar, Chairman of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, which was established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021.

Accusations of genocide

Last September, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who was then serving as Chairperson of the Commission, stated that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This accusation relates to the military actions that began after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people. Israel has vehemently denied the accusation of genocide.

Muralidhar emphasized the Commission's obligation to investigate human rights violations committed by all parties to the conflict and in both territories. He also expressed hope that the experts' previous findings "will become part of some judicial mechanism" that will ensure justice for both peoples.

This year, the Commission plans to investigate "attacks by armed Palestinian groups," the chairman continued, emphasizing the independent nature of the group's work. Responding to questions about the Peace Council, he expressed hope that the plan being implemented "will take into account the interests of all people in the conflict zone."

The Commission Chairman also noted that due to a lack of funding, the experts were unable to investigate arms shipments and incidents of settler violence, despite this being within the commission's mandate.

Death of journalists

At a press conference in Geneva, the independent experts – who are not UN staff and are not remunerated for their work – also condemned the reported deaths of three Palestinian journalists in central Gaza in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday.

"When a journalist is killed, it means there is something to hide," said Commission member Florence Mumba.

The role of UNRWA

Experts also commenteddemolition of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem, highlighting the agency's key role in supporting Palestinians for decades.

"Israel should think very carefully before rejecting the work that UNRWA has done—important work that has absolved Israel of its obligations," Chris Sidoti said. "Of course, this will have implications for human rights… children have a right to education, all people have a right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health."

New composition of the Commission

Navi Pillay retired last October at the age of 83. Following her, her Commission colleagues Chris Sidoti and Miloon Kothari resigned.

In November, the Human Rights Council appointed a new Commission, reinstating Australian Chris Sidoti and lawyers Srinivasan Muralidhar of India and Florence Mumba of Zambia.

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A two-hour drive from Sudan lies a region of a fragmented country, virtually isolated from the outside world, still struggling to rebuild itself, constantly feeling the echoes of the conflict raging in its neighboring state.

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January 21, 2026 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: The President of the UN General Assembly in Davos called for the protection of the rules-based international order, the FAO will help restore agriculture in the Dnipropetrovsk region, reports have emerged from Gaza of another child dying from hypothermia, and the UN calls for children's interests to be taken into account in urban planning.

President of the General Assembly in Davos

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock called on representatives of states, businesses, and international institutions to create a cross-regional alliance to defend a rules-based international order. She stated that trust in the world is impossible without a commitment to shared principles. She recalled that the UN has always acted as a "facilitator" helping countries trust each other. Commenting on the situation surrounding Greenland, Baerbock emphasized that no geopolitical interests override the sovereign rights of its residents as citizens of Denmark and the EU.

Support for agriculture in the Dnipropetrovsk region

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from Germany, is launching a new €1 million project to help restore agricultural production in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region. The project aims to support families in villages where, due to the fighting, there is no work or resources to develop household plots and smallholder farms. Approximately 1,170 families will receive assistance in the form of vouchers and cash, enabling them, among other things, to rebuild livestock facilities, pay for feed, and pay for veterinary services.

Child dies from hypothermia in Gaza

Another child has died from hypothermia in Gaza, bringing the total number of cold-related deaths this season to nine. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is calling for urgent solutions, including approving the import of batteries, solar panels, and other heating equipment into the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has facilitated the evacuation of 21 patients to Jordan. However, more than 18,000 people, including 4,000 children, remain on the evacuation list. The WHO has urged countries to accept these patients.

Urban planning and children's interests

Several UN agencies, including WHO and UNICEF, have issued new recommendations urging governments and local authorities to consider children's needs in urban planning. Specifically, they recommend creating more playgrounds and parks. According to the UN, only 44 percent of city residents worldwide live near parks, playgrounds, promenades, and other open spaces, and in low- and middle-income countries, the figure is only about 30 percent. Because of this, many children are unable to play outdoors and develop fully.

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January 21, 2026 UN

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock called on representatives of governments, businesses, and international institutions to create a cross-regional alliance to defend a rules-based international order. She stated that trust in the world is impossible without a commitment to shared principles and respect for truth.

She recalled that in normal times, multilateral institutions acted as a “mediator” that helped countries trust each other, first of all the UNHowever, the diplomat continued, today the world is no longer living in "normal times."

The world is at a turning point

Baerbock noted that already at the opening of the 80th session of the General Assembly in September last year, it was clear that the world was standing "at a crossroads," facing a record number of conflicts, including "almost four years of aggression by a permanent member of the Security Council against its neighbor – a flagrant violation of the UN Charter."

"The UN is not just under pressure, it is under direct attack," she said.

Truth and rules as the basis of trust

Speaking about the need to combat disinformation, she quoted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa: "Without facts, there is no truth. Without truth, there is no trust." According to Baerbock, disinformation is being weaponized today, and artificial intelligence is increasingly blurring the line between truth and lies. She also noted that 96 percent of all deepfakes are pornographic and target women.

She also advocated for a rules-based world. In this context, she mentioned the situation surrounding Greenland, which the US is demanding control over. Baerbock emphasized that no geopolitical interests override the sovereign rights of its residents as citizens of Denmark, the EU, and NATO.

"You can't win a gold medal if you don't play by the rules. You'll be disqualified. And no investor will invest in a world where the rules are unpredictable," she said, recalling that a world without rules has already led to disaster.

Support for multilateralism

Defending the rules-based international order is not naivety, but “reasonable self-interest,” the General Assembly President emphasized.

Baerbock noted that trust is earned by those who defend principles even when it is difficult, who act despite the high cost, and who speak the truth when it would be easier to remain silent.

In conclusion, she called for the creation of an interregional alliance of states, businesses and economic leaders. in defense of international orderThe President of the General Assembly emphasized that the overwhelming majority of countries in the world remain committed to multilateralism: "193 states—minus a few—still represent a vast majority."

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January 21, 2026 Economic development

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows will grow by 14 percent in 2025, reaching $1.6 trillion, according to a preliminary report published Wednesday by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Growth has resumed after a two-year decline, but the report's authors emphasize that the impressive figures mask a fragile reality.

There is growth, but recovery is limited

A significant portion of the increase was attributed to transactions passing through global financial centers. More than $140 billion of the total increase was attributed to these "transit flows." Without them, real FDI volumes would have grown by only about five percent, indicating a weak recovery in underlying investment activity.

Key indicators of investor sentiment remained low. The volume of international mergers and acquisitions fell by 10 percent. Financing for international project initiatives fell by 16 percent in value and 12 percent in number of deals—this is the fourth consecutive year of decline, reaching 2019 levels. The number of announced greenfield projects—new greenfield investments—fell by 16 percent, with only a few megaprojects delivering strong overall performance.

The gap between developed and developing countries is growing

FDI flows to developed economies jumped 43 percent to $728 billion, driven by Europe and its financial hubs. In the European Union, growth was 56 percent, driven by large cross-border transactions and a recovery in economies such as Germany, France, and Italy.

In contrast, investment in developing countries fell by two percent to $877 billion. Least developed countries were particularly hard hit: in three-quarters of them, FDI inflows either stagnated or declined.

Money goes into technology, not sustainable development

The report documents a growing concentration of investment in capital-intensive and technology-based sectors. Data centers accounted for more than one-fifth of the global greenfield project value in 2025—over $270 billion. Demand was driven by the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure and digital networks. The largest host countries were France, the United States, and the Republic of Korea, with notable projects also emerging in Brazil, India, Thailand, and Malaysia.

New investment in semiconductor manufacturing increased by 35 percent. At the same time, the number of projects fell sharply – by 25 percent – in sectors dependent on global value chains and exposed to tariff risks, such as textiles, electronics, and mechanical engineering.

Experts note that despite the overall growth, such investments have a limited impact on the local economy. Policymakers are advised to more closely link digital infrastructure with the development of skills, innovation, and local added value.

Infrastructure and green energy under pressure

International infrastructure projects declined by 10 percent. The main reason was a sharp decline in investment in renewable energy amid a reassessment of profitability risks and regulatory uncertainty. Domestic investors have begun to play an increasingly important role, but this could widen the gap in countries dependent on external financing for large projects.

Forecast for 2026

As UNCTAD experts note, it is difficult to predict how events will unfold in 2026. With easing financial conditions and a revival of cross-border transactions, FDI could increase slightly. However, according to the report's authors, actual investment activity will be constrained by geopolitical tensions, policy uncertainty, and global economic fragmentation. Without coordinated measures, global investment risks becoming concentrated in just a few regions and sectors.

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