Category: United Nations

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January 20, 2026 Peace and security

The UN continues to closely monitor developments in north-east Syria following clashes between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) coalition, which reportedly resulted in the escape of dozens of ISIS fighters from detention centres.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN chief, said Tuesday at a briefing in New York that he is "watching with great concern" the ongoing violence.

The Secretary-General called on the parties to fully comply with international law and ensure the protection of civilians, emphasizing the need for reliable security in places of detention.

He also urged the parties to continue dialogue, act in good faith and work together to implement all agreements reached.

The situation of civilians

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) expressed "concern at reports of renewed fighting between the Syrian army and the SDF, despite the ceasefire agreement of 18 January," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.

Rolando Gomez, a representative of the UN Information Service in Geneva, described the overall situation as "alarming, especially given the damage to critical infrastructure." He expressed concern for families trapped in combat zones, as well as those forced to flee their homes in recent days.

Fragile transition period

Syria remains onan extremely fragile path of political transition after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024 and nearly 14 years of civil war.

The transitional government is regaining control over areas in the northeast of the country previously controlled by Kurdish forces. Fighting has been reported in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hasakah.

Syria's permanent representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, told reporters in New York that the government and the SDF had reached a "common understanding" on a number of issues concerning the future of Hasakah province.

According to him, the SDF has been given "four days to conduct internal consultations and prepare a detailed plan for practical mechanisms for integrating the region." Syrian troops, he noted, will not enter the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli and will remain on their outskirts until the plan is finalized.

Camps and prisons

Northeastern Syria is home to several prisons holding thousands of ISIS (Daesh) militants. This terrorist group previously controlled large swaths of Syria and Iraq, committing mass executions, rape, forced recruitment, and other serious crimes.

Tens of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, suspected of links to militants are being held in separate camps, including the infamous Al-Hol camp, where more than 30 thousand people live.

Ceasefire and new clashes

The ceasefire agreement of January 18 was reached after weeks of fierce fighting. It provides for the transfer of control over areas previously held by the SDF to the authorities and the integration of SDF forces into the national army.

However, the very next day after the ceasefire was announced, fighting resumed. According to media reports, approximately 120 ISIS militants escaped from a prison in the city of Ash-Shaddadi, although most were subsequently captured.

Shamdasani recalled that the OHCHR has repeatedly emphasized that any integration of armed forces, including SDF units, into Syrian state structures “must be carried out through a human rights-compliant vetting process to ensure that individuals involved in violations or abuses are not included in these structures.”

Humanitarian aid

Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance in the four affected provinces, including emergency medical and psychosocial services, as well as water and sanitation support, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

In the city of Deir ez-Zor, government services have been suspended and key transport routes have been temporarily closed, depriving civilians of access to healthcare and education. In Raqqa, damage to critical infrastructure has restricted movement between city districts and disrupted the main water supply.

According to OCHA, people continue to flee the cities of Raqqa and Tabqa, as well as the village of Tawrw, heading towards Hasakah and Qamishli. Hundreds of families remain trapped in Tabqa and are sheltering in public buildings.

An assessment of the population's needs is currently underway, while humanitarian organizations continue to call for sustainable and safe access to those affected.

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January 20, 2026 Human rights

In 2011, a human trafficker in Chile was sentenced to prison for recruiting Peruvian citizens and arranging their transportation to Chile, where they subsequently became victims of sexual exploitation.

A Chilean police officer serving at the border also participated in the criminal scheme: he facilitated its implementation by ensuring unhindered crossing of the checkpoint.

Human trafficking could not exist on a large scale without the involvement of border guards, government officials, and state agencies who turn a blind eye to it in exchange for money or sexual favors – or become targets of blackmail, according to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The report's authors analyzed more than 120 cases from nearly 80 countries. The study also draws on consultations with legislators, prosecutors, investigators, and independent experts from more than 30 countries and aims to uncover the "hidden links" between human trafficking and corruption.

Under the cover of corruption

Human trafficking can be carried out for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor or begging, organ harvesting, or even illegal adoption. The report shows how corruption facilitates these crimes at every stage.

During the recruitment stages, officials can assist, for example, with paperwork. At border crossings, they ensure the smooth passage of people across state borders.

Once a person is already being exploited, corrupt officials may cover up the criminals' activities and help them retain victims.

In addition, corruption in the police and judiciary hinders the investigation of crimes.

UN support

UNODC helps States combat corruption and human trafficking, including by promoting stronger penalties for officials and establishing safe complaint mechanisms for victims.

Other UN agencies are also joining these efforts. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), for example, is supporting projects in several countries aimed at collecting and analyzing passenger data. Similar programs are being implemented in Moldova, Norway, Luxembourg, Botswana, Georgia, Mongolia, and the Philippines.

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January 20, 2026 Economic development

According to this year's first World Tourism Barometer, the world is expected to welcome 1.52 billion international tourist arrivals in 2025, an increase of nearly 60 million or four percent over 2024.

These figures reflect a return to pre-pandemic growth trends, closer to the average annual growth of five percent recorded between 2009 and 2019. The results were driven by strong demand, the resilient dynamics of major markets, and the ongoing recovery of travel in Asia and the Pacific. The expansion of air connectivity and visa services also supported international travel in 2025.

Commenting on these data, Sheikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, noted that travel demand remained strong throughout 2025, despite high inflation in the tourism sector and uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions. "We expect this positive trend to continue into 2026, as the global economy is expected to remain stable and destinations still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels fully recover," she added.

Data by region

Europe, the world's largest destination region, is expected to receive 793 million international tourists in 2025, up four percent from 2024 and six percent from 2019.

Western Europe (up five percent) and the Mediterranean region (up three percent) demonstrated stable performance. Central and Eastern Europe (up six percent) are showing signs of growth, although arrivals are still nine percent below 2019 levels.

The Americas (218 million tourists) saw growth of 1 percent last year, with mixed results across subregions. After strong results in the first half of 2025, the region recorded a slight decline in the third and fourth quarters, partly due to weak performance in the United States.

South America (up seven percent) and Central America (up five percent) led this group of countries. Several Caribbean destinations were hit by Hurricane Melissa in the final quarter of the year.

In Africa (81 million tourists), arrivals increased by eight percent in 2025, with particularly strong results in North Africa (plus 11 percent).

The Middle East is expected to grow by three percent in 2025, 39 percent above pre-pandemic levels—the strongest result since 2019. The region is on track to reach 100 million international visitors in 2025.

Arrivals to Asia and the Pacific (331 million) grew by six percent last year, but this figure is still nine percent below 2019 levels. The region's performance continued to recover. Northeast Asia led the way with growth of 13 percent compared to 2024, while South Asia recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Data by country

Several countries that provided data for the twelve months to 2025 demonstrated double-digit growth in international arrivals. Leading the way were Brazil (37 percent), Egypt (20 percent), Morocco (14 percent), and the Seychelles (13 percent).

By November, Bhutan (30 percent), Iceland (29 percent), Guyana (24 percent), South Africa (19 percent) and Japan (17 percent) also showed strong growth.

Tourism revenues are breaking records

Tourism revenues reached a record $2.2 trillion in 2025. Sustained growth was seen in Morocco (19 percent), the Republic of Korea (18 percent), Egypt (17 percent), Mongolia (15 percent), Japan (14 percent), Latvia (11 percent), and Mauritius (10 percent).

Tourism revenues also grew in the UK, France, Spain and Turkey.

Forecast for 2026

International tourism is expected to grow by 3–4 percent in 2026 compared to 2025, assuming Asia and the Pacific continue to show signs of recovery, global economic conditions remain favorable, and geopolitical conflicts do not escalate. Uncertainty caused by current geopolitical tensions and conflicts increases risks for tourism in 2026.

Major international events such as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Canada, USA and Mexico) will also contribute to international travel.

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January 20, 2026 Humanitarian aid

Catastrophic floods have caused widespread destruction in Mozambique. Residents are left without access to food for themselves and their families, and face increased risks of disease outbreaks and even the threat of crocodiles in urban areas, UN humanitarian agencies warned on Tuesday.

Paola Emerson, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) office in Mozambique, told reporters in Geneva that floods caused by heavy rains in the first weeks of the new year have affected more than half a million people. The number of victims continues to rise.

Destroyed roads and hospitals

Among the worst-hit regions are Gaza Province, as well as the provinces of Maputo and Sofala.

Speaking from the city of Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza province, Emerson emphasized that 90 percent of the country's population lives in mud houses – "earth structures that literally melt after a few days of rain."

According to her, medical facilities, roads, and other critical infrastructure have been severely damaged. Around 5,000 kilometers of roads in nine provinces have been damaged, including the main highway connecting the capital, Maputo, with the rest of the country. This is causing significant disruptions to supply chains.

Risks of crocodile infestations

At the same time, dams continue to release water despite the weakening rains.

"The dam alone releases up to 10,000 cubic meters of water. That's about 25 times the volume of water that could fit in the press briefing room you're in right now," Emerson told reporters.

The Mozambican government declared a state of emergency and established an emergency response center in Gaza Province. The town of Xai-Xai, located near the Limpopo River, was flooded, forcing authorities to evacuate residents. Emerson said warnings have been issued in the city center, "including warnings about the risk of crocodiles in flooded areas."

"River levels are rising, and they're reaching urban and densely populated areas," she said. "Crocodiles living in the Limpopo River can enter populated areas that are now underwater."

Threats to children's health

Also speaking from Xai-Xai, UNICEF Mozambique's communications director, Guy Taylor, warned of "deadly threats" to children.

He said the combination of waterborne diseases and malnutrition "often proves fatal." He recalled that even before the floods, one in four children in Mozambique suffered from chronic malnutrition.

Their situation is now exacerbated by food shortages and limited access to healthcare. Taylor added that Mozambique is now entering its annual cyclone season, creating the risk of a double crisis.

"We can prevent illness, death and irreversible loss for children, but we need to act quickly," he stressed.

A UNICEF representative noted that Mozambique is a “country of children and youth,” with the average age of the population being 17 years.

"When floods and cyclones occur – as they have done repeatedly and with increasing frequency in recent years – it is children and young people who suffer the most," he concluded.

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January 20, 2026 International law

Reports of Israeli forces demolishing the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem early Tuesday morning have sparked a strong reaction from the United Nations.

Agency head Philippe Lazzarini called the incident an "unprecedented attack" on the UN, whose premises are protected by international law.

"The same thing could happen to any other organization or diplomatic mission, anywhere in the world," Lazzarini warned.

These concerns are shared by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who expressed "outrage" at the incident. The incident, he said, signals a sharp escalation of tensions between the Israeli authorities and UNRWA.

"This exacerbates what we have been seeing for some time: attacks on humanitarian organizations and UN agencies trying to provide assistance," said High Commissioner spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.

On January 14, Israeli forces entered the UNRWA medical center in East Jerusalem and ordered its closure. Water and electricity supplies to UNRWA facilities, including buildings used for medical and educational services, are scheduled to be cut off in the coming weeks.

"This is a direct consequence of the Israeli parliament's passage in December of legislation that strengthened existing laws targeting UNRWA and was approved in 2024," Lazzarini noted.

UNRWA facilities have previously been targeted for arson attacks amid a "massive disinformation campaign" by Israel, the head of UNRWA noted.

The UN also recalls the International Court of Justice's ruling last October. The Court ruled that Israel is obligated to "facilitate, not obstruct, UNRWA's activities" and confirmed that Israel has no jurisdiction over East Jerusalem.

"What is happening to UNRWA today could happen tomorrow to any other international organization or diplomatic mission, whether in the occupied Palestinian territory or anywhere else in the world," Lazzarini said.

According to him, international law may “lose its meaning in the absence of a response from states.”

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January 20, 2026 Human rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed his outrage at the Russian Federation's ongoing large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. He noted that the latest strikes, launched last night, resulted in heating and power outages in major cities, including Kyiv and Odesa.

“This is happening at a time when the residents of Ukraine suffer from extreme cold“,” the High Commissioner noted.

Consequences of large-scale attacks

"The civilian population is bearing the brunt of the blow. Brutal—that's the only way to describe these attacks. They must stop. Targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is a clear violation of the rules of war," he added.

As a result of overnight attacks using long-range weapons, emergency power and heat outages were reported in several regions. In Kyiv, according to the city's mayor, 5,635 multi-story residential buildings were without heat this morning, with nearly 80 percent of them only recently having their heating restored following similar attacks on January 9.

"This means that hundreds of thousands of families are once again left without heat, and in several districts, including a significant part of Kyiv, there is also no water supply," said Turk. "The most vulnerable groups—children, the elderly, and people with disabilities—are suffering the most."

Continuing strikes

According to the High Commissioner, the Russian Federation continues to carry out these large-scale attacks despite the well-known and documented information about their grave consequences for civilians.

Since October of last year, Russian armed forces have resumed systematic, large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Such incidents have been recorded in at least 20 regions of the country.

Like the 2024 strikes, these attacks severely disrupted Ukraine's entire energy system, leading to rolling blackouts in most regions of the country that lasted up to 18 hours a day in recent months.

"I call on the Russian authorities to immediately stop these attacks," Türk said. "It is horrific to see civilians suffering in this way."

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January 19, 2026 Healthcare

Lithuania has introduced an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, effective January 1, 2026. This will be an important step toward preventing disease and premature deaths associated with excessive sugar consumption.

Lithuania has thus joined a growing number of countries that use fiscal measures to encourage the consumption of healthier foods.

Why are sugar-sweetened drinks taxed?

"The introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is an important measure our government has taken to reduce the growing burden of chronic diseases. The number of overweight and obese people in Lithuania is growing: our children consume more sugar than recommended, and this significantly contributes to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases," said Lithuanian Health Minister Marija Jakubauskienė.

Sugar-sweetened beverages offer no nutritional value and significantly contribute to excess sugar consumption and excessive weight gain. Furthermore, high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity-related cancers, and tooth decay. As a result, governments incur billions of dollars in healthcare costs.

Scientific evidence also demonstrates the health risks associated with long-term consumption of sugar-free sweeteners: it has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. A well-thought-out tax policy that increases prices and incentivizes the industry to produce healthier products can play a significant role in improving diets as part of a broader set of measures.

"Given that a quarter of all deaths in Lithuania are due to diet-related risks, and that more than 10 percent of schoolchildren consume sugar-sweetened beverages daily, measures aimed at increasing the price of high-sugar foods and encouraging product reformulation could have real impact," said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

Measures to reduce the burden of disease

In Lithuania, diet-related risks such as high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, as well as other factors such as low fruit and vegetable intake and high salt intake, accounted for approximately 25 percent of all deaths in 2019 (compared to 17 percent for the European Union).

Recent data highlights the scale of the problem: in Lithuania, 11.3 percent of students in grades 5–9 consume sugar-sweetened beverages daily, indicating that the habit begins early in life. Furthermore, according to the State Statistics Agency, sales of soft drinks—defined as water with added sugar or other sweeteners and flavors, including mineral water and carbonated drinks—in 2024 increased by 11 percent, reaching €29.3 million. This product category is thus demonstrating steady growth in the Lithuanian market.

The new policy proposes a tiered excise tax system for beverages containing added sugar or sweeteners. Products with added sugar levels of 2.5–7.9 g per 100 ml and any sweetener content will be taxed at €7.40 per 100 liters, while products containing 8 g or more of sugar will be taxed at €21 per 100 liters.

Concentrated beverages will be taxed at €105 per 100 liters in liquid form or €4.3 per kilogram in other forms. This measure does not apply to food supplements, special medical foods, infant and toddler formulas, pharmaceutical products, nectars with added sugar, and drinkable dairy products.

A strategic step forward

Lithuania has long advocated for stricter tax policies on alcohol.

By extending fiscal policy measures to soft drinks, the country is promoting evidence-based tools to protect public health. The next stage will require careful monitoring, data collection, and enforcement, especially given the expected resistance from businesses.

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January 19, 2026 Humanitarian aid

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated today that the ceasefire in Gaza, now in effect for 100 days, must be maintained to save as many lives as possible. However, OCHA warns that the scaling up of humanitarian activities in the Strip continues to be hampered by Israeli restrictions and obstruction. Recent severe weather conditions have also reversed some of this progress.

In a statement released Monday, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains fragile, despite the agency reaching over a million people monthly with food parcels, bread rations, hot meals, and school meals. WFP called for the opening of additional safe humanitarian corridors from Egypt and Jordan, as well as along the Salah al-Din road within Gaza, to increase the volume of supplies.

The second stage of vaccination

The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have launched the second phase of a campaign to fill gaps in routine immunization in Gaza. This phase, which will last until next Thursday, aims to further protect children under three from vaccine-preventable diseases. The campaign is being carried out by 170 teams in 130 health facilities, with seven mobile teams deployed to hard-to-reach areas. The third and final phase is scheduled for April 2026.

The situation in the West Bank

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Monday that Israeli commanders have imposed a curfew on approximately 25,000 Palestinians in the city of Hebron, where a large-scale operation has begun. Initial reports indicate the deployment of snipers on rooftops and the deployment of military equipment, as well as the closure of six internal roads.

As a result of these actions, four bakeries and two stores, where approximately 4,000 people regularly received essential goods through UN vouchers, were forced to suspend operations. Education in more than 10 schools was also suspended, affecting thousands of students.

The OCHA added that the area had already been damaged over the weekend by damage to the local power station, resulting in a power outage. Efforts are currently underway, under curfew, to allow technicians into the area to restore power. Measures are also being taken to urgently evacuate hospital patients and facilitate distance learning for schoolchildren.

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January 19, 2026 Climate and environment

Kazakhstan has become the 30th country to join the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)-World Health Organization (WHO) Protocol on Water and Health, fulfilling a commitment made at the 2023 UN Water Conference.

Despite high levels of basic access to water and sanitation, Kazakhstan still faces challenges such as intermittent water supply and inadequate wastewater treatment. Climate change, deteriorating infrastructure, and persistent development disparities between urban and rural areas pose additional challenges.

Kazakhstan's Minister of Health, Akmaral Alnazarova, called her country's accession to the Protocol an important step in protecting public health and water resources. UNECE Executive Secretary Tatyana Molchan, in turn, emphasized that Kazakhstan's participation will strengthen regional efforts to ensure safe water and sanitation, and called on other Central Asian countries to follow suit.

Under the Protocol, Kazakhstan will continue to work towards achieving national goals in water resource protection, public health, and sanitation, and will regularly report on its progress. In 2026, the country will complete an assessment of equitable access to water and sanitation, which will serve as its contribution to preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Adopted in 1999, the Protocol aims to protect human health, sustainably manage water resources, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. For Kazakhstan, the Protocol will enter into force on April 5, 2026.

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January 19, 2026 Refugees and migrants

In the face of severe funding cuts, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continued to provide assistance in the world's most challenging humanitarian situations in 2025, including new emergency crises and the escalation of protracted conflicts that have forced millions of people from their homes, according to a UNHCR report published Monday.

Last year, the organization supported people fleeing renewed violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, provided assistance to refugees from South Sudan, and protected millions of Afghans returned or deported from Iran and Pakistan.

At the same time, protracted conflicts deepened: the ongoing war in Sudan, intensified attacks on Ukraine, and armed clashes in Colombia contributed to further displacement of populations, exacerbating the vulnerability of already affected people.

Emergency response

In 2025, UNHCR responded to 24 active emergencies in 16 countries, including 10 new crises. Seven of these were considered the largest and most complex, requiring urgent intervention in extremely challenging conditions – for example, in Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad.

UNHCR staff provided clean water to half a million people in Sudan, financially supported 500,000 Afghan and 120,000 Syrian returnees, and provided over a million services to displaced persons within Ukraine and in countries hosting Ukrainian refugees.

Looking to the Future: Challenges in 2026

In 2026, conflicts and instability in countries such as the DRC, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela are projected to lead to new waves of displacement and increase pressure on already vulnerable groups. These crises affect approximately 52 million internally displaced people and account for a third of UNHCR's global funding needs in 2026.

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