Category: United Nations

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October 27, 2025 Human rights

Nils Muižnieks, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, expressed concern about the situation with workers' rights in that country, speaking today at the UN General Assembly.

"Despite the authorities' proclamations of commitment to economic and social rights, Belarus is not the workers' paradise they claim it is," Muižnieks said.

In his report He noted "pervasive discrimination and politically motivated persecution" in both the public and private sectors. He also found "unreasonable and politically motivated restrictions on access to professions, as well as the practice of punishing unjustly imprisoned individuals with hard, dangerous forced labor for little or no pay." Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur expressed concern about the erosion of trade union rights and detailed violations of workers' rights.

The report was prepared following two years of cooperation between the independent expert and the International Labour Organization, which has established enhanced oversight of Belarus under Article 33 of its Charter due to violations of trade union rights.

Muižnieks called on member states "not to be deceived" by the recent releases of political prisoners. He recalled that more than 1,100 people remain arbitrarily imprisoned in Belarus, and some of those released were deported and stripped of their passports, facing, according to the expert, the risk of statelessness and the fear of returning to Belarus.

Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are members of special procedures Human Rights Council. Special procedures experts serve on a voluntary basis; they are not UN employees and do not receive a salary for their work. They serve in their personal capacity and are independent of any government or organization, including the UN. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the UN.

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October 27, 2025 Climate and environment

The Caribbean region is bracing for the impact of powerful Hurricane Melissa, which has already reached Category 4 status and is expected to strengthen to Category 5. The storm brings torrential rains, hurricane-force winds, and the threat of widespread destruction. Children are particularly vulnerable: UNICEF estimates that at least 1.6 million minors are at risk.

The hurricane is slowly moving through the Caribbean Sea, with potential impacts in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Flooding, landslides, and disruptions to critical infrastructure are expected.

"Hurricane preparedness efforts are vital to minimizing damage and saving lives. Small island states are particularly vulnerable to extreme climate events," said Roberto Benes, UNICEF Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Emergency measures and humanitarian aid

UN agencies and humanitarian partners have stockpiled essential supplies in advance: hygiene kits, water purifiers, medical kits, and cash. In Haiti, 450 tons of food have been prepared; 9,500 families in the south of the country have already received cash assistance. Hygiene and medical kits, as well as shelters, have been prepared for tens of thousands of families.

In Jamaica, the Red Cross and local authorities have set up temporary shelters and prepared aid supplies for 165,000 people.

First consequences and alarming forecasts

Heavy rains and gusty winds have already been reported in several countries in the region. Forecasters warn that rainfall levels could exceed those of Hurricane Beryl, which struck the region 16 months ago and caused significant damage.

Low-lying and coastal areas are particularly at risk. Landslides are a high risk in mountainous areas. Disruptions to ports, airports, and other infrastructure could hamper rescue operations.

Casualties are already being reported. In Haiti, a landslide in western Port-au-Prince killed three people and seriously injured another. A fatality was also reported in the Dominican Republic.

A threat that has become the "norm"

According to UNICEF, natural disasters have affected about 11 million people annually in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past decade, including nearly four million children.

Amid the looming threat, authorities are urging residents to follow safety instructions, evacuate dangerous areas, and seek shelter. The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to coordinate efforts with national governments, focusing on protecting children and the most vulnerable populations.

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October 27, 2025 Women

The decline in foreign aid is undermining the work of organizations on the front lines of combating violence against women and girls, UN Women warns.

A new report from the agency, based on a global survey of 428 women's rights institutions and civil society organizations, shows that a third of them have been forced to suspend or close programs aimed at ending gender-based violence.

More than 40 percent reported decisions to reduce or discontinue vital services, including legal, psychosocial and health care, as well as crisis shelters, due to lack of funds.

The victims are left without support

Nearly 80 percent of organizations noted that survivors' access to the services they need had decreased, and 59 percent reported increased impunity and the normalization of violence.

“Women’s rights organizations are the backbone of progress in the fight against violence against women, but today they are on the brink of extinction,” said Kalliopi Mingeirou, head of UN Women’s End Violence against Women and Girls Unit.

"We cannot allow funding cuts to wipe out decades of progress. We call on governments and donors to consolidate and increase funding, making it more flexible. Without sustained investment, violence against women and girls will only increase," she added.

Earlier this year UN Women has already warnedthat many women's organizations operating in crisis conditions are on the verge of closure – fears that have now been confirmed.

Violence against women remains one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. According to a UN agency, approximately 736 million women worldwide—almost one in three—have experienced physical or sexual violence, most often at the hands of an intimate partner.

Grim prospects

Only 5 percent of respondents said they would be able to continue their work for more than two years. Meanwhile, 85 percent predict significant setbacks in legislation and the protection of women's and girls' rights. More than half of the institutions expressed serious concern about the growing threats to women human rights defenders.

This year we celebrate30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – a key international plan for achieving gender equality, with the elimination of violence against women at its core.

At the same time, the authors of the report warn that the financial crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of broader movement against women's rights, which is observed in one in four countries. As funds are depleted, many organizations are forced to focus on emergency aid, cutting back on long-term programs promoting systemic change.

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October 27, 2025 Economic development

At the 15th ASEAN-UN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the UN Secretary-General delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the strategic importance of the partnership between the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He called ASEAN a "beacon of cooperation" and noted that the spirit of regional unity has become even stronger with the accession of Timor-Leste.

The UN chief identified four key areas of cooperation: peace and conflict prevention, sustainable development and financial justice, climate action, and digital transformation and cybersecurity.

Peace and conflict prevention

The Secretary-General thanked ASEAN countries for their active participation in UN peacekeeping missions and particularly noted Malaysia's role in facilitating a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. He called for respect for international law in the South China Sea and expressed deep concern about the situation in Myanmar, where fighting continues, lives are being lost, millions are being displaced, and humanitarian needs are rapidly growing.

“I strongly condemn the bloodshed and call on all parties to cease hostilities, protect civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and begin an inclusive political process,” he said, stressing the need to release those arbitrarily detained, including democratically elected leaders.

Financial justice and sustainable development

The UN Secretary-General drew attention to growing inequality and the debt burden that is "suffocating" developing countries. Guterres called for urgent reform of the global financial architecture to ensure that international financial institutions reflect modern realities and ensure greater participation by developing countries, including ASEAN countries, which, he said, are "grossly underrepresented."

Climate action

Ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, the UN chief called on countries to submit ambitious nationally recognized contributions to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. He noted that ASEAN countries are facing floods, droughts, rising sea levels, and smog, which threaten food security, health, and the region's economy.

Digital transformation and the fight against cybercrime

The Secretary-General called artificial intelligence "a powerful tool for inclusive development." In this regard, he recalled the launch of two UN initiatives: the International Science Panel on AI and the annual Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which aim to bring together science, policy, and practice, giving every country a voice.

The UN chief stressed the need to combat transnational organized crime, including cyber fraud, assuring that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime will continue to support countries in the region.

In closing his speech, Guterres called on forum participants to continue to demonstrate through their actions that cooperation is the most powerful engine of peace and progress, both in Southeast Asia and throughout the world.

“The UN is proud to be your partner,” the Secretary-General said.

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October 26, 2025 Humanitarian aid

The attacks on Kyiv over the past two nights have killed and injured civilians, including children. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported this on its X social media page.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), seven children were injured. The child casualty toll is rising amid ongoing "brutal attacks on populated areas across Ukraine," the fund notes.

“Protect the children. Stop the attacks,” UNICEF said.

The UNHCR also reports that residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged as a result of the attacks on Kyiv.

“Civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targets,” the Directorate emphasized.

With the onset of cold weather, the situation for the population of Ukraine is only worsening, the OCHA notes.

In Kherson, which was subjected to intense shelling, humanitarian teams provided affected civilians with essential supplies, materials for home repairs, and medical and psychological support.

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October 26, 2025 Culture and education

Every year on October 27, the world remembers and honors what is in danger of disappearing without a trace – our audiovisual heritage. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage The World Heritage Site was established by UNESCO in 2005. Its main goal is to draw attention to the fragility of these materials and the need to preserve them. Preserving audiovisual heritage means preserving our identity, our history, and the opportunity to learn from the past.

The United Nations collections are among the world's largest audiovisual archives. Since the UN's founding in 1945, they have housed thousands of hours of video and audio recordings and hundreds of thousands of photographs capturing key events in international diplomacy. This is more than just a chronicle of meetings—it is living testimony to an era in which global principles of peaceful coexistence, human rights, and international cooperation were shaped.

UN photo, 1948

The UN holds more than 37,000 records containing recordings of its meetings.

A special place in these archives is occupied by the speeches of the first people to conquer space – Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova – as well as Soviet politicians and diplomats who played a crucial role in the creation of the UN. Among them are speeches by Andrei Gromyko, Vyacheslav Molotov, and other Soviet representatives who participated in the 1945 San Francisco Conference and the first meetings of the General Assembly. Their voices, intonations, and arguments – all can be heard and seen thanks to the careful preservation and digitization of the materials.

Today these recordings are available online through the platform UN Audiovisual Library and are used by researchers, journalists, students, and anyone interested in the history of international relations. This is a striking example of how audiovisual heritage becomes not just an archive, but a living tool for education and dialogue between generations.

Read also:

What secrets do the UN audiovisual archives hold?

Fragile evidence of the past

While at the dawn of civilization people immortalized history in stone, capable of surviving millennia, as was the case with ancient Egyptian and Roman tablets, in modern times much more fragile materials are used to preserve memory.

Films, radio broadcasts, television programs, and musical works—everything that contains living emotions, voices, faces, and current events—are often preserved on film and vinyl. Film deteriorates, records scratch, cassettes demagnetize, and digital formats become obsolete. Without special efforts, we risk losing unique evidence of the past: chronicles, interviews, documentaries, and recordings of endangered and already extinct languages and cultures.

Once lost and found again

Humanity has managed to save much, but some is lost forever. After the 1973 military coup in Chile, thousands of hours of television broadcasts, interviews, and documentaries were destroyed. Some of the archives were saved thanks to the efforts of the National Library and international partners. Today, these recordings help younger generations understand what Chilean democracy looked like before the dictatorship.

Unique films of the Soviet Arctic, shot at polar stations between the 1950s and 1970s, were long considered lost. Some were later discovered in private collections and restored in digital format. These images not only have scientific value but also provide visual evidence of life in extreme conditions.

In Indonesia, scientists recorded interviews with speakers of rare languages that are now practically unused in everyday life. Without these audio files, entire cultures could have disappeared without a trace. They are now stored in a digital archive and are available to linguists worldwide.

Photo by UN

Relatively recently, the UN used such equipment to edit news footage.

The digital era – new challenges

On the one hand, digital technologies offer the opportunity to preserve more and for longer. On the other hand, they require constant updating and protection from data loss and cyberthreats. Therefore, preserving audiovisual heritage requires not only the painstaking work of archivists, but also the implementation of cutting-edge digital solutions, improved legislation on access rights and intellectual property, and extensive international cooperation.

The Mosfilm film library contains over 2,500 titles. Despite advanced preservation methods, film inevitably loses quality over time, so since the early 2000s, the studio has been actively engaged in digital restoration. Today, this process includes not only digitization but also the restoration of the author's original vision, image enhancement, and preservation of films in 4K format.

Many countries are celebrating October 27 with specialized events, including screenings of archival films, exhibitions, lectures, and digitization campaigns for old recordings. Museums, libraries, television companies, archives, universities, and individual enthusiasts are participating. UNESCO's "Digitalizing Our Shared History" project, for example, helps resource-poor countries preserve their audiovisual treasures. International organizations such as AMIA and the International Council on Archives are coordinating efforts worldwide.

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October 25, 2025 International law

The world's first international convention on preventing, addressing, and combating cybercrime opened for signature today in Hanoi, Vietnam. Sixty-five countries signed it on the first day.

Once signed, the document still needs to be ratified by each state in accordance with its own processes.

“The UN Convention against Cybercrime is a powerful, legally binding instrument designed to strengthen our collective defense against cybercrime,” the UN Secretary-General said. Antonio Guterres at the signing ceremony.

"This is a testament to the enduring power of multilateralism in finding solutions. And it's a promise that no country, regardless of its level of development, will be left defenseless against cybercrime," he added.

Convention against Cybercrime should help countries counter the growing threat of cybercrime in a context where the misuse of information and communications technologies facilitates crimes such as terrorism, human trafficking, financial crimes and drug smuggling.

The Convention aims to improve the effectiveness of cybercrime prevention measures by strengthening international cooperation in this area and promoting capacity building, particularly in developing countries.

The main provisions of the Convention include:

Establishment of the first global mechanism for the collection, exchange and use of electronic evidence in relation to all serious crimes (previously there were no uniform international standards in this area);

Introducing criminal liability for cybercrimes, as well as for offenses related to online fraud, sexual exploitation of children on the Internet, and the involvement of children in illegal activities on the Internet;

"Cybercrime is fundamentally changing the nature of organized crime, and the new UN Convention against Cybercrime will be an important tool to enable States to effectively counter this threat," said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

"We must now ensure the Convention enters into force as soon as possible," she added.

The UN Convention against Cybercrime was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024 and will enter into force 90 days after ratification by 40 member states.

Read also:

One Wrong Letter: How a New UN Convention Will Help Prevent Cybercrime

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October 24, 2025 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: United Nations Day, civilians in Ukraine suffered again as a result of attacks, devastating floods in South Sudan, the conclusion of the 16th UN Conference on Trade and Development.

UN Day

Today is celebrated United Nations DaySecretary General Antonio Guterres addressed the UN Security Council on this matter He spoke via video link from Hanoi, calling for urgent reform of the Security Council, which, he said, "shaped the course of history" and "prevented the chaos of a major war," but is now in dire need of change. In his speech, the UN chief placed particular emphasis on the need to expand the number of permanent members of the Security Council. António Guterres also supported initiatives by France and the United Kingdom to limit the use of the veto and called on the Security Council to "carefully consider them."

Strikes against Ukraine

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, civilians in Ukraine have suffered further casualties as a result of attacks over the past 24 hours. Authorities report that massive airstrikes have hit more than 30 villages in the Kherson region. Humanitarian agencies warn that with the onset of cold weather, power outages and damage to homes are making the situation even more difficult for civilians. The UN continues to facilitate evacuations from frontline areas of the Kharkiv region. With the support of the Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine, partner organizations are providing transportation, psychosocial, and rehabilitation assistance.

Floods in South Sudan

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that nearly 1 million people have been affected by devastating floods in South Sudan. Around 335,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. Last week, the World Health Organization reported more than 104,000 cases of malaria, including 16 deaths, across the country. South Sudan is suffering from ongoing conflict and acute food shortages, and the floods are worsening the already dire humanitarian situation.

Trade and Development

The 16th UN Conference on Trade and Development concluded in Geneva. Representatives from 170 countries participated, a record in the Conference's 60-year history. Delegates agreed on a declaration known as the "Geneva Consensus," reaffirming the central role of the UN agency in advancing multilateral cooperation. World leaders committed to reforming global systems for more equitable development.

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October 24, 2025 Climate and environment

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has recognized the potential of artificial intelligence to produce more accurate and accessible weather forecasts and improve early warning systems. The organization emphasizes the need to ensure that all countries can take advantage of this potential.

The Extraordinary World Meteorological Congress, held this week in Geneva, issued a call for the public, private, and academic sectors to collaborate on developing AI and machine learning technologies to protect people and economies from threats such as extreme heat and precipitation. The Congress also endorsed the integration of AI into the WMO's global observing, data processing, and forecasting system.

These decisions are part of a package of measures aimed at accelerating the achievement of the WMO's main goal of creating early warning systems accessible to all people on the planet by the end of 2027.

Speaking at the meeting, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He stated, "Early warnings are not an abstraction. They give farmers the opportunity to protect crops and livestock, allow families to evacuate safely, and protect entire communities from devastation."

He stressed that “mortality rates associated with natural disasters are at least six times lower in countries with effective early warning systems.”

Congress also approved new technical regulations for early warning services to strengthen the role of countries' meteorological and hydrological services in providing reliable and accurate forecasts.

The WMO emphasizes that AI should complement, not replace, existing scientific forecasting methods.

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October 24, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Two weeks after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect, the World Health Organization reports progress in the delivery of humanitarian aid. The WHO also emphasizes the need to increase the scale of medical evacuations and facilitate access for the delivery of medicines and equipment.

Speaking from Jerusalem to reporters in Geneva, WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territory Rick Piperkorn noted that the organization is actively increasing the volume of aid, but “it is necessary open all border crossingsto deliver a variety of food, shelter and essential supplies, especially as winter approaches."

According to a WHO representative, Gaza's healthcare system is devastated after two years of war: only about 2,100 hospital beds are available for the enclave's 2.1 million residents. Several major medical facilities are out of reach, as they are located outside the zone from which Israeli forces withdrew earlier in October.

Medical evacuations

More than 170,000 people have been injured during the conflict, and many patients are unable to receive the treatment they need. On Thursday, the WHO conducted its first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began – 41 patients and 145 accompanying persons were transported to various countries. The organization plans to increase the number of evacuations to 50 patients per day.

“It is especially important to resume referring patients for treatment to hospitals in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” Pieperkorn emphasized.

He also called for the Rafah crossing to be opened for daily medical evacuations to Egypt.

"We need more countries to accept patients," the WHO representative added. "Two evacuations are planned for next week, but we want them to happen every day."

Humanitarian supplies

Responding to a question about the first meetings of the Civil-Military Coordination Center, established by the US to implement the terms of the ceasefire, Pieperkorn expressed hope that the new mechanism will expedite the delivery of aid and, in the future, the supply of equipment for recovery and reconstruction.

He noted that the WHO has presented a consolidated list of drugs and medical products used in all hospitals worldwide and is seeking a unified authorization for their delivery, which will reduce delays.

“We understand that the road ahead will be long and challenging, with many obstacles,” the WHO representative said. “But we can only hope that this ceasefire will hold, and we let's come to peace and a political solution".

Preparing for the cold season

Meanwhile, since the ceasefire was declared on October 10, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has sent over 47,000 humanitarian aid items to Gaza. Of these, 31,000 are shelter items, including 2,500 tents, which will help displaced persons live in safer and more dignified conditions.

"The people of Gaza have suffered unimaginable losses," said IOM Director General Amy Pope. "They need assistance that reaches them quickly and safely, through every possible route. Shelter isn't a luxury; it's what allows families to stay warm and begin rebuilding their lives."

According to humanitarian agencies, about 90 percent of the population remains homeless, and 1.5 million people need emergency assistance.

IOM has prepared millions of emergency relief items for rapid deployment, including 28,000 tents to accommodate 168,000 people, as well as blankets, mattresses, hygiene kits, and 4.1 million winterization items.

Despite the ceasefire, customs delays, limited crossings, and ongoing instability continue to impede aid delivery. The organization is prepared to expand operations as quickly and extensively as conditions and access granted by the Israeli authorities allow, in accordance with humanitarian principles.

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