Category: United Nations

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October 24, 2025 UN

The United Nations Secretary-General addressed the UN Security Council via video link 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.

Speaking from Hanoi, the UN chief began with the story of the Security Council's very first vote in 1946. When the ballot box was inspected before the vote, a note from New York mechanic Paul Antonio—the designer of that very same box—was unexpectedly discovered. "May God be with every Member of the United Nations, and may your noble efforts bring lasting peace to the world," the Secretary-General quoted from the note.

“The Security Council exists for the sake of people,” he emphasized. Antonio Guterres"For the sake of parents who have lost children, refugees left homeless, soldiers who have lost limbs. In every corner of this hall are the shadows of the fallen. But next to them are the hopes of the living."

The Secretary-General noted the Security Council's key historical achievements: helping to stop genocide in Cambodia and dismantle the apartheid system in South Africa, implementing peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, Liberia and other countries, and creating a global counter-terrorism architecture.

However, according to Guterres, the Security Council's reputation "remains fragile." The Secretary-General condemned instances of Member States acting in violation of the UN Charter, which "undermines confidence in the entire system" and "threatens global security."

In his speech, the UN chief placed particular emphasis on the need to expand the number of permanent members of the Security Council. "Africa, a region where nearly half of all UN peacekeeping missions are deployed, lacks a permanent voice at this table," the Secretary-General noted, adding that Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific region are also underrepresented.

António Guterres supported initiatives by France and the UK to limit the use of the veto and called on the Security Council to "study them carefully."

Concluding his speech, the Secretary-General addressed the Security Council members: "Be worthy of the olive wreath of peace! The time has come to open the doors and let the light in. Without a Security Council fit for purpose, the world will be in danger."

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October 24, 2025 Healthcare

Over the past decades, the number of polio cases has been reduced by more than 99 percent. The World Health Organization (WHO) reminds us of this on World Polio Day, celebrated on October 24.

This impressive progress was achieved thanks to the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. The WHO European Region achieved polio-free status in 2002 and has maintained it since.

The risk of spread remains

However, with vaccination rates declining and variants of the virus being identified, experts warn that the risk of this dangerous disease spreading remains.

In 2024, more than 450,000 infants in the WHO European Region were not vaccinated against poliovirus. Since September 2024, the poliovirus variant type 2 has been detected during routine wastewater testing in six countries in the region: Finland, Germany, Israel, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The virus was last detected in Germany in September 2025. Thanks to high vaccination rates, there have been no cases of paralytic polio or community transmission.

Since February 2025, another variant of the virus, type 1, has been circulating in Israel. The WHO has recognized this as an outbreak, but no poliovirus has been detected in the country in the past two months.

"These isolated cases and the outbreak in Israel remind us of the importance of timely vaccination of all children in all areas," said Igor Pereginets, Director of Health Security and Regional Emergencies at the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

"Vaccination gaps leave children vulnerable and pose a threat to public health throughout the region and beyond. We must not return to the past, when polio constantly threatened lives and overwhelmed healthcare systems. WHO/Europe supports all countries and partner organizations in our shared goal of eliminating all forms of poliovirus worldwide as quickly as possible," he emphasized.

Complete liquidation is necessary

Polio is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily across large geographical areas. Until the late 1980s, polio paralyzed 350,000 children annually. In 2025, fewer than 50 cases of paralysis were recorded.

Until complete global elimination of the virus is achieved, all countries and every unvaccinated person will remain at risk, the WHO emphasizes.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe and its partners continue to support public health authorities in monitoring the situation, strengthening immunization programmes and responding rapidly to cases of the virus to prevent its spread.

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October 24, 2025 UN

On Friday, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Nations signed the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026–2030. The ceremony took place at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent.

The new UN Framework aims to promote human development, reduce inequalities, and ensure that everyone can benefit from progress. Over the next five years, the cooperation program will define the strategic directions of 25 UN agencies, funds, and programs to support the achievement of Uzbekistan's national development goals and priorities.

The cooperation program defines six key areas of interaction: effective governance and justice, decent work and social protection, quality healthcare and well-being, inclusive and equitable education, climate action and environmental sustainability, and the integrated development of the Aral Sea region.

UN Information Centre in Uzbekistan.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan noted that the new Framework places people at the center of the development process, aiming to ensure that everyone—including the most vulnerable groups—has the opportunity to realize their potential and contribute to the development of their communities. She emphasized that during the five-year partnership for 2026–2030, the joint efforts of Uzbekistan and the UN will be aimed at building a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient state by 2030.

The Framework Program places special emphasis on the Aral Sea region, supporting efforts to transform it into a center for sustainable development. These initiatives aim to improve the population's quality of life by raising education levels, creating new jobs, and ensuring access to clean drinking water.

The document was prepared jointly by the Government of Uzbekistan, under the coordination of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the UN Country Team in Uzbekistan as a result of comprehensive consultations with government agencies, local authorities, civil society, youth, the private sector, and international partners.

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October 24, 2025 UN

Millions of people around the world know that the work of the United Nations helps overcome difficulties, find hope, and change lives for the better. Some of these stories are part of the international exhibition "Common Life, Common Future," which opened at UN Headquarters in New York and is also being displayed in UN member states around the world.

The exhibition is dedicated to United Nations Day And 80th anniversary of the UN, includes more than 200 stories from 193 countries and territories. Photographs and personal testimonies tell how the UN impacts people's lives – through crisis relief, human rights protection, education support, rural development, and the fight for a sustainable future.

Read also:

80 Years Later: The UN Charter Remains a 'Living Miracle'

From Moldova to Afghanistan, from Ukraine to Kyrgyzstan, the stories of the exhibition's heroes show how the UN makes the world a fairer and more humane place.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan: The Sweet Taste of Sustainable Development

FAO/J. Gurbanov

The hero of the exhibition, beekeeper from Azerbaijan Iskandar.

Beekeeper Iskandar from Azerbaijan says that participation in the FAO youth employment programme changed his lifePreviously, he produced only a ton of honey per year, now – twice as much.

“The enthusiasm of young people for beekeeping makes me truly happy, and I want to help them love this work,” Iskandar said.

An FAO-Government of Azerbaijan project to enhance youth employment in agriculture is enabling young people to learn agribusiness and sustainable production.

UNDP-Uzbekistan/A.Kannazarov

Bakhtiyar, beekeeper from Uzbekistan.

In Uzbekistan, beekeeper Bakhtiyar, having lost his job at a honey factory, was able to start his own business: "With just 10 hives and UN assistance, I built a business and provided a stable income for my family."

With support from the UN and Japan, he expanded his apiary to 200 hives, opened a workshop, and trained over 70 people, many of them women. The project opened up new opportunities for self-employment and economic growth.

Kyrgyzstan: Guardians of Mountains and Wildlife

Baatyrbek, leader of the team of rangers, is participating in a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) project aimed at protecting nature and adapting to climate change: "We decided to become rangers because everything we have is under threat today. I want my children to be able to see this nature with their own eyes."

The project created a 200-kilometer ecological corridor connecting Kyrgyzstan's nature reserves and protecting populations of mountain sheep and goats.

© UNEP/A.L. Lopez

The hero of the exhibition is Baatyrbek Akmatov.

Moldova: A Chance for Roma Families

Galina and her family are part of the Roma community in Moldova, where trained community mediators work with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"I want my children to study, not struggle with difficulties like I did. Our mediator helped us with everything—with paperwork, getting the children into school, and vaccinations," she shared.

OHCHR/V. Tremo

Galina and her family in Moldova.

The program has increased education and vaccination rates, increased pregnancy care for women, and increased training and legal employment for adults.

Russia: The Power of Hope for Children

Photo from personal archive

Natalia, founder and president of the International Foundation "Children of Russia".

In Moscow, the exhibition "Common Life, Common Future" opened at the Bolshoi Theatre.

One of the exhibition’s heroines is Natalia, founder and president of the International Children of Russia Foundation.

“I am grateful to the United Nations for hosting the presentation of the fund and the opening of the exhibition of photographs of children suffering from blood diseases at the UN headquarters in New York,” she says.

The UNESCO-backed foundation helps children undergoing cancer treatment, organizes camps, rehabilitation programs, and training for palliative care physicians.

The story of Ruslan, a schoolboy battling cancer, shows how the UN's ideas can serve as a source of inspiration.

Thanks to the "UchimZnaem" hospital school project and participation in events dedicated to International Nelson Mandela DayRuslan learned about the outstanding human rights activist: “Mandela’s life inspires me and gives me strength to fight the disease.”

According to the UN Secretary-General, these photographs reflect three truths: that the UN helps the most vulnerable, that international norms touch every one of us, and that multilateralism makes our world a better place.

“These people in the pictures aren’t just posing – they’re asking the question: what more can be achieved if we put more effort into finding joint solutions?” he emphasized. Antonio Guterres.

Armenia: Girls are building the future

UNFPA/A. Dalyan

Exhibition participant, Neli from Armenia.

Neli, a student from Armenia and a youth ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), shared her dream of becoming a diplomat and helping achieve peace.

Through UNFPA, she manages projects to empower girls.

"Our dreams are worth pursuing," she said.

Today, she mentors other girls, helping them gain confidence and build their own futures.

In a world grappling with growing crises, deepening inequality, and eroding trust in global institutions, the United Nations is undertaking ambitious efforts to serve people around the world more effectively. The UN80 initiative presented in March by Secretary-General António Guterres, provides impetus to streamlining the operations of the entire UN system, strengthening its effectiveness and confirming the relevance of the Organization in a rapidly changing world.

Ukraine: Warmth That Brings Hope

Alena, a boiler plant dispatcher in Odessa, says, "UN support nourishes not only our boiler plant but also our hearts. It's crucial for Ukrainians to know we're not alone."

UNDP-Ukraine/A. Askerov

Alena, boiler room dispatcher in Odessa.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is helping Ukraine restore heating, water, and electricity services damaged by the destruction of critical infrastructure, strengthening and diversifying the country's energy system.

In Odessa, UNDP provided the necessary equipment to provide heat to approximately 250,000 residents.

Afghanistan: Women's Voices on Air

UNAMA/T. Osta

Radio journalist from Afghanistan Sunbul.

Sonbul, a radio journalist from Afghanistan, says, "With UN support, I led artificial intelligence classes, inspiring and empowering young women."

The UN supports Afghan women journalists, promoting press freedom and equal opportunity.

"This exhibition tells a remarkable story—a story of ambition and determination, collaboration and results. A story that the women and men of the United Nations continue to write today in communities around the world," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, opening the exhibition in New York.

How countries celebrate United Nations Day

In Uzbekistan, UN representatives launched an educational campaign about the Organization's activities and held information sessions and interviews for students and schoolchildren.

A youth dialogue dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the UN was held in Tajikistan International Year of Peace and TrustUN Resident Coordinator Parvathi Ramaswamy emphasized: "Youth are at the center of our future. Their ideas and determination are key to building peace and sustainability."

UN-Kazakhstan

Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the UN in Kazakhstan.

In Kazakhstan, the 80th anniversary was celebrated with a gala evening at the Kuanyshbayev Theatre, attended by over 600 guests. A concert by the Academic Symphony Orchestra was performed, and a commemorative UN-80 stamp, created jointly with Kazpost, was unveiled.

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October 23, 2025 Refugees and migrants

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported a major tragedy that occurred off the coast of Tunisia: a boat carrying 70 migrants bound for Europe capsized in the Mediterranean Sea. Forty people died, including nine women, 19 men, and 12 children under five.

According to the IOM, the incident occurred shortly after the vessel set sail near Mahdia, Tunisia. A nearby fishing boat raised the alarm, allowing the rescue of 30 people. The survivors included men, women, and children from Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea.

The IOM notes that this is one of the deadliest shipwrecks off the North African coast this year and emphasizes the need for coordinated action to prevent tragedies along the Central Mediterranean route, considered the most dangerous migration route in the world.

According to the IOM Missing Migrants project, nearly 1,000 people have died or gone missing on this route since the beginning of the year. Since 2014, the death toll has exceeded 25,000. At least 30 children drowned off the coast of Tunisia in 2025 alone – more than the entire previous year, when there were 22 such incidents.

IOM reiterated its commitment to supporting countries along key migration routes through search and rescue operations and the expansion of safe and legal migration routes. The organization expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

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October 23, 2025 Peace and security

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was successfully reconnected to the Ukrainian power grid today. The plant had been without external power for a month. Repairs were carried out under a local ceasefire agreed upon by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and monitored by its specialists on-site, said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

He described the restoration of external power supply to Europe's largest nuclear power plant as "a major positive step."

"Today is a rare, positive day for nuclear safety in Ukraine and beyond, although the overall situation, of course, remains extremely unstable. Exactly one month later… the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is once again receiving the external power needed to cool its six reactors and spent fuel," Grossi stated.

"Since the station's disconnection from the last external power line on September 23, we have been actively cooperating with the Russian Federation and Ukraine to create the necessary security conditions for repair work on both sides of the front line. Despite the war, both sides agreed on the need to restore external power and have been constructively cooperating with us on this matter," he said.

Grossi noted that regular power outages at the nuclear power plant had become "common" during the war. However, the latest incident was "the most serious."

"I would like to express special gratitude to the technicians on both sides of the front line who have worked diligently in recent days to restore power under extremely challenging conditions," Grossi said. He noted that IAEA teams monitored the plant's reconnection process.

Repairs to the Dneprovskaya and Ferrosplavnaya-1 transmission lines began last weekend, after temporary ceasefire zones were established. Prior to this, extensive demining operations had been carried out.

The IAEA continues to coordinate with both sides to pave the way for further repairs to the Ferrosplavnaya-1 line, where additional damage was discovered outside the ceasefire zone this week.

The plant's six reactors have been in cold shutdown mode and have not generated electricity for over three years, but they still require power to operate cooling pumps and other nuclear safety equipment. For the past month, the plant has been using emergency diesel generators.

"Much remains to be done to further reduce the risk of a nuclear accident. The next step is to complete repairs to the Ferrosplavnaya-1 power line and prevent potential future power outages," Grossi said.

He called for every effort to be made to ensure the security of the Zaporizhzhya NPP's external power supply.

"The IAEA will continue its indispensable work at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine until this devastating war ends," he stressed.

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A dire situation

Snow leopards, or irbis, are threatened by poaching, the decline of the ungulates they prey on, conflicts with humans, and habitat destruction due to infrastructure development and climate change. Poachers kill snow leopards for their valuable fur, and local residents may shoot them for attacking livestock, which occurs when predators lack wild prey.

October 23rd is International Snow Leopard Day. It was chosen to draw attention to the dwindling snow leopard population and to unite international efforts to conserve this rare animal.

Today, there are only 3,500 to 7,000 individuals left in the world. The species is officially classified as "vulnerable," just one step away from being considered "endangered."

Experts say the snow leopard's plight is emblematic of a larger wildlife crisis unfolding in the snow-capped mountains of Central Asia.

© UNEP/A.L. Lopez

But the situation in some areas offers hope. Among them is a section of the Tien Shan mountain range in Kyrgyzstan. A small group of volunteer rangers has taken on the task of patrolling 380 square kilometers of one of the harshest areas in Central Asia.

Braving the freezing cold, they try to protect the snow leopard and preserve its habitat.

Kyrgyzstan's Mountains: A Struggle for Survival

More than 90 percent of Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked country of 7 million people, is mountainous. The country's peaks are home to a variety of wildlife, including argali (a type of sheep known for its large, curled horns), Siberian ibex (one of the largest ibex in the world), and Tien Shan ibex (a type of deer). However, many of these animals are suffering from climate change and human activity.

For generations, Kyrgyzstan's vast plains and high-altitude meadows supported thriving livestock farming. However, according to locals, rising temperatures are drying up glacier-fed springs, and falling humidity is depriving lowland grasses of moisture. This is forcing herders to move higher into the mountains—to areas once home to snow leopards and their prey.

© UNEP/A.L. Lopez

The consequences for wildlife could be catastrophic, conservationists say. The habitats of many migratory animals, including snow leopards, are shrinking. Wild sheep, deer, and other herbivores are forced to compete with livestock for grazing land. Furthermore, many wild animals face an increasing risk of contracting livestock-borne diseases, to which they have little or no immunity.

UN support

Several conservation projects aim to counter these negative factors. Among them is a project implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with local partners, the non-governmental organizations CAMP Alatoo and the Ilbirs Foundation, with financial support from Germany. It aims to help rural communities adapt to a rapidly changing climate and protect the wildlife surrounding them.

Among other things, UNEP supported the creation of a 200-kilometer-wide ecological corridor connecting several nature reserves in Kyrgyzstan. This "wildlife superhighway," comprising 10,000 square kilometers of protected areas, allows species to migrate in a changing climate. It is considered critical for the survival of migratory animals such as argali and Siberian ibex, the snow leopard's primary prey.

See with my own eyes

Part of the corridor is patrolled by volunteer rangers like 51-year-old Baatyrbek Akmatov. He and five others are responsible for patrolling the 380-kilometer Baiboosun Public Nature Reserve in northern Kyrgyzstan. Many of the rangers are former hunters.

© UNEP/A.L. Lopez

They travel by car and even on horseback, tracking down both poachers and shepherds who bring their cattle into ecologically sensitive areas.

"We decided to start this project because otherwise we'll lose everything," Akmatov says, referring to the Jaeger Corps. "I don't want to show my children on my phone that we once had such nature, such animals. I want them to see it with their own eyes."

Dangerous work

The Kyrgyz government cannot pay rangers, but authorities have granted them the authority to manage the corridor and arrest poachers. A UNEP initiative, officially known as the "Adaptation of Mammals to Climate Change in Central Asia" project, provided equipment and training.

Patrols can sometimes last three days and take volunteers deep into the Tien Shan. It's dangerous work. Rangers often operate alone (by splitting up, they can cover more territory) and encounter landslides, flash floods, and severe thunderstorms. Sometimes they find themselves face-to-face with armed poachers.

At first, many local residents, including shepherds who feared being banned from grazing their livestock, were outraged by the patrols. But over time, the animals they hunt began to return to the mountains. The snow leopard population is also recovering. In recent months, 12 big cats have been spotted in and around Baiboosun.

New economic opportunities

Animals bring with them new economic opportunities, such as ecotourism.

"People's thinking is changing. They understand the importance of protecting their environment," says Akmatov.

Local partners of a UNEP-led project are training mountain residents in climate-adapted and environmentally friendly farming practices. In the village of Chon-Zhargylchak, women like Eliya Ismailova have been trained in beekeeping, cheesemaking, and greenhouse crop cultivation, increasing their income. Ismailova called this program "a real godsend for the village," which has long struggled with unemployment.

Experts are also working to raise public awareness of the role of wildlife. More than 200 Kyrgyz teachers have been trained in biodiversity. This knowledge is being passed on to students, who staged a play about the life of snow leopards in Chon-Zhargylchak.

© UNEP/A.L. Lopez

Preserve biodiversity

The UNEP-led project aims to support the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a landmark 2022 agreement designed to protect wildlife. Among other things, the pact calls on countries to expand protected areas and strengthen ecosystem connections.

Ismailova's husband, Talant Yusupov, leads a group of rangers from the village. He says the patrols are beginning to bear fruit. For the first time in nearly two decades, wild boar have returned to the area. Siberian ibex, previously virtually unknown, are now regularly sighted. Furthermore, deer antlers have been discovered in the mountains, a sign that they, too, may be making a comeback.

"I'm very optimistic," says Ismailova, who has five children. "We used to tell the children stories about how wild boars and fish once lived here. Now I'm happy they can see it."

*The article was prepared based on UNEP materials.

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Dina Neskorozhana

October 23, 2025 Peace and security

Many viruses and bacteria can be turned into weapons of mass destruction. Although virtually all countries have joined the Biological Weapons Convention, allegations of their use continue to surface, making the issue of verification, especially in light of the capabilities of new technologies, particularly important.

Deadly, silent, invisible

When we mention "biological weapons," many recall stories of ancient times, throwing blankets infested with lice or smallpox into enemy camps, or modern narratives of infected insects and secret laboratories. Another memorable scene: on February 5, 2003, US Secretary of State Colin Powell demonstrated a vial of supposedly anthrax at a UN Security Council meeting.

Many of these stories are controversial, and modern-day mutual accusations of biological weapons development between states are often not officially confirmed. However, behind the legends lies a sinister reality, as James Revill, head of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Space Security Programs at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), explains.

"Biological weapons are traditionally understood as agents that cause harm through infection. These can include viruses, such as smallpox, and bacteria, such as anthrax, along with a wide range of other biological agents. Biological weapons can affect humans, animals, and plants, causing consequences ranging from mass destruction to localized attacks, economic sabotage, or assassinations," Revill noted.

The danger of biological weapons lies in their ability to spread rapidly, yet silently and undetected, among the population. This is why, the expert added, such weapons are considered "unacceptable" and the international community has agreed to ban them completely.

Biological weapons typically consist of two components—an agent and a delivery vehicle, similar to the lice and blankets in the examples above. Agents such as aflatoxin, anthrax, botulinum toxin, foot-and-mouth disease, melioidosis, plague, Q fever, ricin, smallpox, and tularemia have been developed over the years. Delivery vehicles range from missiles and bombs to aerial sprayers and simple tools for stealth attacks.

When a disease outbreak begins, it's often impossible to determine whether it arose naturally, accidentally, or as a result of the deliberate use of a biological weapon. The true nature of biological weapons lies in their indiscriminate nature: they do not distinguish between friend and foe, inflicting equal cruelty on those who use them and those they target.

Biological Weapons Convention

Fearing the catastrophic consequences of biological warfare, the international community developed the Biological Weapons Convention (BTWC). This treaty prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling, and use of biological and toxin weapons.

The Convention opened for signature on April 10, 1972, and entered into force on March 26, 1975. Today, it has achieved near-universal application. The Convention expands on the provisions of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which prohibited only the use of biological weapons, by extending this prohibition to their development and storage.

Call from the US President

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in September 2025, US President Donald Trump highlighted the dangers posed by biological weapons and announced that his country would lead international efforts to develop an AI-based biosecurity verification system. He also called on the UN to play a constructive role in advancing these efforts.

"If we ever use biological weapons, the world could literally cease to exist," he said. "Then there would be no United Nations to talk about it."

The US President linked his warning to the lessons of the pandemic, which he blamed on "irresponsible experiments abroad," and announced plans for a new international initiative to strengthen the Convention, centered on a robust AI-based verification system. According to Trump, this would be one of the first global examples of how AI can strengthen collective security, rather than undermine it. Russia quickly supported this US initiative.

The UN's role in strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention

The UN has stated that it does not intend to shy away from disarmament challenges.

"Neither the United Nations itself nor the Office for Disarmament Affairs will escape the challenges of today," Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu emphasized at a meeting of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly. "On the contrary, current institutional challenges and trends in international security should inspire us to reaffirm the value of disarmament."

Commenting on Trump's initiative, James Revill of UNIDIR noted that, despite limited resources, the UN continues to play a key role in implementing and strengthening the Convention and the biocontrol system as a whole.

"A small four-person unit—the Secretariat for Supporting the Implementation of the Convention—coordinates discussions, assists the working group on strengthening the Convention, supports the implementation of commitments, and monitors confidence-building measures. Furthermore, the UN Secretary-General's mechanism for investigating cases of possible use of biological weapons remains accessible and effective, and work has recently been underway to modernize its capabilities," the expert explained.

Under Article 6 of the Convention, any State Party may file a complaint with the UN Security Council regarding a violation of its provisions. In such a case, the Security Council instructs the UN Secretary-General to examine allegations regarding the use or threat of use of biological weapons for validity.

Artificial Intelligence and Bioweapons Control

Today, the Convention remains an intergovernmental treaty, and even after half a century, states continue to disagree on how best to strengthen it. AI can help collect, standardize, and analyze data on biological activity across countries, creating a more accurate picture of compliance. However, according to Revill, technology alone is not enough: progress still requires institutions, political will, and financial resources.

New technologies can also be used by other parties. "Artificial intelligence, for example, could be used to create new biological agents or enable actors with less advanced resources to produce primitive forms of biological weapons. Furthermore, AI is increasingly being used to spread disinformation – whether through natural outbreaks or deliberate attacks," Reville emphasized.

The expert added that AI alone is not enough to create weapons; it requires a combination of technologies, equipment, and expertise. Advances in genome editing, the development of research projects, and new delivery systems—all of these, while being developed for peaceful purposes, can also be used for destructive purposes, requiring constant assessment of emerging threats.

Violations of the Convention

Revill noted that "over the past century, several states, including major powers, have had offensive biological weapons programs." There are also a few credible cases of bioterrorism by non-state actors, but information about these programs remains fragmentary. To verify the accusations countries make against each other, an effective verification system, backed by modern AI capabilities, is needed.

Renewed attention to the topic

The increased attention to the Biological Weapons Convention by the United States and other states is perceived as a long-awaited opportunity to strengthen its "verification mechanism," a UN News Service source emphasizes.

The coming years will tell whether artificial intelligence can become, as Trump put it, “a great force for good” – or, on the contrary, reinforce humanity’s old fears of invisible threats.

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Felipe de Carvalho

October 23, 2025 Culture and education

Professional chef and indigenous rights advocate Taina Marajoara will lead the kitchen at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. In an interview with the UN News Service, she explained that over 10 tons of organic food produced within fair food systems will be purchased for the summit.

Taina Marajoara, founder of the cultural and gastronomic collective Ponto de Cultura Alimentar Iacitatá, was chosen to serve the kitchen serving all conference participants. According to her, heads of state and government, ministers, and other forum participants will be offered food that "does not poison, does not pollute, and does not kill—either through disease or conflict."

"We'll serve canapira, a Marajoaran dish still made in my native families, and not just in indigenous communities," explains Taina. "After much debate, we agreed on a lot of acai. We'll serve manisoba, a traditional dish from the state of Pará. It's also an indigenous food. It's made from cassava leaves boiled for seven days with pork. There will be plenty of tucupi, jambu, and chili peppers. We'll serve tacacá, fish in tucupi, and piraruca. We plan to buy at least two tons of this fish."

© Agência Brasil/M. Camargo

Gastronomic message

"We want to show that living in peace is possible. We must live in peace," says Taina, speaking about the heritage of indigenous peoples. "COP30 will provide space for our ancestral diplomacy. We will make it clear that the connection between the lives of indigenous peoples and local communities and food sovereignty must be recognized. As long as ancestral lands continue to be exploited, and violence spreads across fields, waters, forests, deserts, and glaciers, we are being killed—and our cultures too."

Climate Justice Kitchen

Taina gave an interview to the UN News Service while in Rome, where she is participating in the World Food Forum, held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Photo by UN News Service

Taina says indigenous food systems are closely linked to traditional knowledge and spirituality, and she laments that this wisdom is often ignored or simply erased from generations' memories. For her, gastronomic magic is part of the "cultural diplomacy of our ancestors." She hopes this initiative will serve as a model for future international conferences.

"We will have a kitchen based on climate justice. This is the first UN Climate Change Conference with a kitchen run by community and family farmers, and that's very important," says Taina. "But it shouldn't begin or end at COP30. We want this to become a historic milestone and spread around the world, so that our example is applied at other UN meetings."

The key to climate protection

Taina emphasizes that food sovereignty is inseparable from indigenous self-determination and environmental protection. She hopes that the climate forum in Brazil will help advance the principle of legitimate recognition of indigenous peoples' traditional territories as a key element of global climate policy.

Taina believes the world is "in a state of collapse" and that there's no more time for endless negotiations. "Protecting the territories of indigenous peoples and local communities," she says, "is the real way to save our planet's climate."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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October 23, 2025 International law

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which reaffirms a number of Israel's fundamental obligations under international law.

The Court emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to provide the population of the Palestinian territory with basic necessities. In cases where the population is experiencing food shortages, as was the case in the Gaza Strip, Israel is obligated to accept and facilitate appropriate aid programs, including those of the United Nations.

The Court confirmed that, under international humanitarian law, Israel is obliged to protect relief personnel, to respect the prohibition of forced displacement and deportation of civilians and the prohibition of starvation as a method of warfare, and to respect the right of persons in detention to be visited by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The International Court also noted the role of the UN, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in providing humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip and supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and reaffirmed Israel's obligation as a Member State to cooperate with the UN and UNRWA.

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The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to provide humanitarian aid in the Palestinian territories.

"The Secretary-General urges Israel to comply with its obligations regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in accordance with the [Court's] advisory opinion," said a statement issued by his spokesman on behalf of the UN chief.

The UN chief emphasized that all parties must abide by their obligations under international law. He will transmit the advisory opinion to the General Assembly, which requested the document. This UN body will decide on further action on this matter. The Court's opinion will be crucial in improving the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip, the Secretary-General noted in his statement.

"Israel and all other States must abide by the law, as the Court's ruling makes clear, and act swiftly to significantly improve the appalling human rights and humanitarian situation on the ground," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

"Other parties to the conflict must also comply with their obligations under international law. This begins with saving lives, not putting them at serious risk," he added.

The United Nations will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the population of the occupied Palestinian territory, stressed Antonio GuterresThe Secretary-General reiterated his call for a credible political path to ending the occupation and leading to a two-State solution.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.