Category: United Nations

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December 16, 2025 Healthcare

Amid the early start of the flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, a new variant of the virus is spreading rapidly, with vaccination remaining the "most effective means of protection," the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday.

Influenza and other respiratory viruses are currently spreading rapidly, Wenqing Zhang, head of the Global Respiratory Threats Unit at the WHO's Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management, told reporters in Geneva. According to her, the current season is characterized by the emergence and rapid spread of a new AH3N2 variant. It was first detected in August in Australia and New Zealand and has since been identified in more than 30 countries, she noted.

Genetic transformation

"Available epidemiological data do not indicate an increase in disease severity, although this genetic shift represents a significant stage in the virus's evolution," Zhang said. Influenza viruses are constantly changing, she explained, which is why flu vaccines are regularly updated.

“WHO monitors these changes, assesses the associated public health risks, and develops vaccine composition recommendations twice a year through the long-standing Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) – in collaboration with other global experts,” Zhang emphasized.

The new variant was not included in vaccines produced for the current flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, the WHO expert clarified. However, "early data suggest that current seasonal vaccines continue to provide protection against severe illness and reduce the risk of hospitalization," she added.

According to WHO estimates, approximately one billion cases of seasonal influenza are registered worldwide each year, including up to five million cases of severe respiratory illness. Up to 650,000 deaths per year are associated with respiratory complications caused by seasonal influenza.

Recommendations for risk reduction

“Vaccination remains our most effective means of protection, including against ‘drifting’ strains, especially for high-risk groups and those caring for them,” Zhang emphasized.

She also shared the results of a preliminary evaluation of the vaccine's effectiveness against the new variant, published several weeks ago in the UK. "These data look very encouraging," the expert said, noting that the vaccine is approximately 75 percent effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalization in children and approximately 35 percent effective in adults.

Zhang warned that the upcoming holiday season could lead to a new surge in respiratory illnesses. "Advance planning and increased preparedness, including encouraging vaccination and strengthening healthcare system readiness, are strongly recommended," she said.

The WHO expert also recommended that countries strengthen laboratory diagnostics and year-round disease surveillance and participate in the GISRS network.

Global monitoring is necessary

The network includes influenza centers in 130 countries, as well as more than ten reference laboratories.

Asked whether the United States would remain a member of the network next year despite the country's decision to withdraw from the WHO effective January 22, 2026, Zhang said, "From an influenza, respiratory surveillance and preparedness perspective, it is absolutely essential that all countries around the world participate in surveillance, preparedness, and response to influenza and other respiratory viruses because we don't know when and where the next pandemic strain will emerge."

"And the time between its emergence, detection, characterization, and inclusion in vaccines could be critical to the number of lives saved," she concluded.

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On Monday, the Security Council held an open debate on "Leadership for Peace," focusing on the role of future United Nations leadership amid growing geopolitical confrontation, weakening multilateralism, and the crisis of the UN system itself. Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Fordham University Professor of International Politics Anjali Dayal spoke at the meeting.

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December 15, 2025 International law

The world's largest anti-corruption conference kicked off today in Doha, Qatar, with a call to harness new technologies in the fight against corruption, with a particular focus on its links to organized crime and other types of illegal activities. At the 11th session of the Conference of States Parties UN Convention against Corruption More than 2,500 delegates from 170 countries are participating.

“Preventing and ultimately eradicating corruption is our shared responsibility,” UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said in a video message to the event’s participants.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in turn, emphasized that corruption is not a victimless crime.

"It fuels conflict, perpetuates inequality, and deprives the world of the resources needed to protect people and the planet," he noted. "Every dollar lost to economic crime is a dollar stolen from those striving for a better future."

According to the UN chief, new technologies, including artificial intelligence, can be used both by criminals and help identify and prevent violations.

“However, this requires regulation and accountability,” he stressed.

John Brandolino, Acting Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), noted that corruption creates "an illicit infrastructure that allows criminal groups to continue operating and profiting with impunity around the world." He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach, with agencies working across sectors and countries. Brandolino called on member states to fully utilize UNODC's anti-corruption initiatives and tools.

The draft resolutions before the participating States address, inter alia, the role of artificial intelligence in preventing and combating corruption, educating children and youth in the spirit of honesty and integrity, increasing the transparency of political party and election campaign financing, and analysing how corruption contributes to other violations, including illegal smuggling of migrants and crimes that damage the environment.

UN Convention against Corruption

The UN Convention against Corruption is the only legally binding international treaty in this area. It entered into force in December 2005. It has 192 states as parties, making it virtually universal.

Under the Convention, countries are obliged to prevent and prosecute corruption, develop international cooperation to combat it, ensure the return of stolen assets, and strengthen technical assistance and information exchange in the public and private sectors.

Thanks to the mechanisms provided by the agreement, 146 countries have updated or adopted anti-corruption laws and policies since 2010. UNODC helps countries implement specific reforms aimed at protecting public resources, increasing transparency, strengthening integrity, and promoting sustainable development.

The Conference of States Parties is the main decision-making forum under the Convention. It meets every two years to support the implementation of commitments and determine the direction of global anti-corruption policy.

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December 15, 2025 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the "despicable" attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney, Australia, to celebrate Hanukkah.

“My heart is with the Jewish community around the world on this first day of Hanukkah, the holiday that celebrates the miracle of peace and light conquering darkness,” he wrote.

Two gunmen reportedly opened fire on Hanukkah celebrations on Bondi Beach in Sydney. At least 11 people were killed. Two of the victims were police officers. Authorities are calling the attack a terrorist act. One of the attackers was killed, and the other was detained.

The Secretary-General expressed solidarity with the people and Government of Australia, as well as with the Jewish community in the country and around the world.

He "unequivocally condemned anti-Semitism in all its forms" and said attacks on religious communities and peaceful assemblies undermined fundamental values such as tolerance, peaceful coexistence and human dignity.

When the attack occurred, the Secretary-General was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the World Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations was taking place.

This initiative was created 20 years ago to promote respect and understanding between cultures and religions.

Alliance High Representative Miguel Angel Moratinos said he was "shocked" by the attack.

“I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” he wrote on the X platform.

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Rome Abas, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

December 14, 2025 Culture and education

Intercultural dialogue is not an optional extracurricular activity, but a strategy for human survival. This was the message addressed to the international community by participants at the XI Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, which opened Sunday in Riyadh.

Not an optional course, but a necessity

The conference delegates gathered in the capital of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation between representatives of different cultures and faiths. In an era of increasing polarization and conflict, they are convinced that dialogue remains the only path to life.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He rejected the notion that the Alliance's mission is unrealistic or, as critics claim, "too soft for our cruel world." Those who dismiss dialogue as naive, he warned, are mistaken. According to Guterres, diplomacy and cooperation are not optional, but essential.

Two decades have passed since then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, with the support of Spain and Turkey, launched the Alliance. While the geopolitical landscape has changed radically since then, the organization's core goal remains unchanged: countering extremism and intolerance and promoting dignified coexistence among people of diverse cultures and faiths.

The UN chief described the paradox of an era in which societies are increasingly interconnected and simultaneously fragmented. He outlined two directions for how this situation could develop: on one side, fear, walls of separation, and military escalation; on the other, a bridge between cultures.

Only the second path, he emphasized, leads to sustainable peace: "No more October 7ths. No destroyed Gaza Strip. No starving El Fashers. No communities massacred, displaced, or scapegoated."

The Secretary-General identified three forces capable of driving positive global change: youth, women and girls, and people of faith. He called on delegates to advance the Alliance's mission "with courage, clarity, and hope."

Riyadh Communiqué: A Call for Peaceful Coexistence

Forum delegates endorsed the Riyadh Communiqué, which identified the fight against all forms of religious intolerance as a global priority. The document emphasizes the key role of education in fostering dialogue, human rights, and peaceful societies, and reaffirms the Alliance's original goal: strengthening cooperation among representatives of different cultures and religions while promoting the principles of respect, mutual understanding, and inclusiveness.

Equal voices – shared responsibility

Opening the conference, High Representative Miguel Moratinos, who is also the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, emphasized that all cultures must have an equal voice in shaping the future of the world. No single community should dominate, he said.

Moratinos warned of the "return of hate speech" and called for vigilance amid rising discrimination. Quoting a verse from Surah Al-Hujurat in the Quran, he emphasized that diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division. He also noted that Islamophobia and anti-Semitism have no place in the modern world.

Saudi Arabia calls for dialogue

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, reaffirmed the Kingdom's "long-standing commitment to intercultural dialogue." He stated that Saudi Arabia's support for the Alliance reflects its firm belief that interaction between cultures and civilizations is essential for peace, cooperation, and conflict prevention.

He highlighted a number of Saudi initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and countering extremism, and warned of the growing spread of extremist movements motivated by religion and nationalism, as well as the spread of hate speech and Islamophobia over the past two decades.

These challenges, he said, should encourage states to strengthen – rather than reject – the values of dialogue and the idea of peaceful coexistence.

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December 14, 2025 Culture and education

On December 15, the international community will celebrate the World Day of Turkic Languages for the first time. The decision was made at the UNESCO General Conference held in Samarkand in November. The organization considers this an important step toward recognizing linguistic diversity, which enriches our common human heritage.

The choice of date is symbolic and deeply meaningful. On December 15, 1983, Danish linguist Wilhelm Thomsen announced the successful decipherment of the Orkhon inscriptions, one of the oldest known written sources. The inscriptions were created by ancient Turks in the Orkhon Valley, in what is now Mongolia, in the 8th century CE and discovered in 1889.

Thomsen's achievement provided invaluable insight into the linguistic tradition that today links dozens of communities across Eurasia.

A language family that is spread across different continents

UNESCO emphasizes that languages belonging to the Turkic language family, such as Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkish, Turkmen and Uzbek, among others, are native to more than 200 million people in an area of approximately 12 million square kilometers.

A rich documentary heritage in Turkic languages, as well as vibrant oral traditions, is shared by more than 10 states.

Promoting multilingualism and cultural dialogue

The initiative to celebrate World Day was put forward by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. It was supported by 21 countries.

By declaring December 15 as World Day of Turkic Languages, UNESCO emphasizes the importance of linguistic cooperation, cultural rapprochement and dialogue among civilizations.

The initiative aims to strengthen international cooperation in linguistic research, education, and cultural exchange. UNESCO notes that this day will facilitate large-scale scientific research and promote global dialogue aimed at preserving Turkic languages.

Starting in 2025, World Turkic Language Day will feature a variety of cultural and academic events, including exhibitions dedicated to linguistic heritage, lectures and public discussions, and literary and poetry evenings.

World Day of Turkic Languages is an important step towards recognizing the linguistic diversity that enriches our common human heritage.

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December 13, 2025 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday strongly condemned drone attacks on a UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan state, which killed six peacekeepers and wounded eight others.

The attack, which took place on December 13, targeted members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving as part of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei. All the victims, according to the statement, were UN peacekeepers.

Antonio Guterres He expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh, as well as the families of the victims. He wished a speedy recovery to the wounded and noted that those awaiting evacuation are receiving the necessary assistance.

The UN chief stressed that attacks on UN peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law and reminded all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians.

He called the attack in South Kordofan "unjustified," stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.

The Secretary-General also expressed solidarity with the thousands of peacekeepers who continue to serve under the blue flag of the UN in dangerous conditions.

He reiterated his call on the warring parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities and resume negotiations to achieve a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive and inclusive political process led by the Sudanese themselves.

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December 13, 2025 UN

UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the resilience and determination of the Iraqi people on Friday while speaking at a ceremony marking the completion of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). He called the moment the end of one chapter in the relationship between Iraq and the United Nations and the beginning of a new one.

Speaking in Baghdad, the Secretary-General thanked the government and people of Iraq for their warm welcome, highlighting the country's rich historical heritage as the cradle of civilization and home to many cultures, religions and ethnic communities.

He said that today's event centers on the courage, resilience, and determination of the Iraqi people. He noted that Iraqis have overcome decades of violence, war, terrorism, sectarianism, and foreign interference without abandoning their desire to build a peaceful and inclusive society based on the rule of law and democratic institutions.

The Secretary-General recalled the key stages of this journey: the adoption of the Constitution, the holding of elections, the territorial defeat of ISIS (Daesh), and the strengthening of relations with neighboring states and the international community. For those who lived through the difficult years of transition, he said, today's Iraq has become unrecognizable – a country with a higher level of security and a clear focus on development.

Read also:

INTERVIEW | "Iraq is a success story" – Head of the UN Mission in the country, which is concluding its work

Speaking about UNAMI's work since its establishment in 2003, Guterres noted that the Mission has been privileged to stand alongside the Iraqi people, advising the government and parliament on judicial and legal reforms, supporting civic space for women, youth, and minorities, and promoting human rights. During the fight against ISIS (Daesh), the Mission helped mobilize international support to protect civilians and provide assistance to millions of displaced people, while promoting inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation.

He also highlighted the UN's contribution to the power-sharing dialogue in Kirkuk, support for the 2020 Sinjar Agreement, and efforts to ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons, including Yazidis who were victims of ISIS crimes.

The Secretary-General paid tribute to the UNAMI staff killed in the terrorist attack on 19 August 2003 at the Baghdad hotel housing the UN office, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, and recalled that 19 August is observed as World Humanitarian Day.

The conclusion of the Mission's work, he emphasized, does not mean the UN's withdrawal from Iraq. The Organization's agencies, funds, and programs will continue to operate in the country, supporting development, strengthening governance systems, and protecting human rights.

He called the decision to name a street in Baghdad after the UN a symbol of a strong partnership and the beginning of a new stage in relations between Iraq and the United Nations.

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December 12, 2025 Climate and environment

The seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) concluded on Friday in Nairobi, Kenya. Member States adopted 11 resolutions, three decisions, and a ministerial declaration aimed at advancing measures to improve environmental and climatic conditions on the planet.

The Assembly is the highest intergovernmental decision-making body on environmental issues. The week-long event, held at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was attended by over 6,000 people from 186 countries.

A wide range of solutions

The resolutions adopted cover topics such as the sustainable management of minerals and materials needed for the clean energy transition, international cooperation to combat forest fires, and strengthening the protection of coral reefs and glaciers.

In their declaration, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to proactive action to promote sustainable solutions, including supporting national and local waste reduction initiatives. The declaration also calls for fulfilling obligations under multilateral environmental agreements and strengthening equitable and inclusive community participation in all efforts.

"The beacon of environmental multilateral cooperation shines brighter"

In her closing remarks, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen recalled that government representatives had come to Nairobi to demonstrate the determination and solidarity needed to address environmental challenges that threaten economic and social development.

"You have succeeded," she told delegates. "The beacon of environmental multilateral cooperation, rising above the fog of geopolitical disagreements, shines a little brighter today."

She also noted that the Assembly endorsed UNEP's Medium-Term Strategy for the next four years. As states have granted the UN agency new mandates in addition to its existing ones, Andersen called on countries to fully fund the implementation of these commitments.

Friday also marked the tenth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, a key international agreement that set the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for increased action to achieve this goal.

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December 12, 2025 Sustainable Development Goals

Per capita availability of renewable water resources continues to decline, having fallen by another 7 percent over the past ten years, according to a new AQUASTAT database review published today by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

We are talking about freshwater resources that are renewed annually by the natural hydrological cycle. According to the FAO, Central Asia has lost 12 percent of its available renewable water resources per capita since 2015, one of the highest rates in the world.

To measure the level of water scarcity, FAO experts use an indicator called "water stress," or the level of pressure on water resources. It reflects the ratio of water withdrawal to available water. Central Asia faces water stress due to its water use patterns: agriculture accounts for 82 percent of all water withdrawals in Central Asia.

Despite this, according to FAO, positive trends in resource management have been recorded in the region. For example, total freshwater withdrawals decreased by 9 percent (from 123 million m³ in 2015 to 112 million m³ in 2022), and water stress levels decreased from 76.8 percent to 70.2 percent—a decrease of 8.6 percent.

Global indicators

A review of data shows that pressure on freshwater resources is increasing in all parts of the world.

In 2022, the global average water stress level reached 18 percent, but in some regions it is significantly higher:

North Africa – 121 percent; South Asia – 76.7 percent; Central Asia – 70.2 percent; West Asia – 65.1 percent.

High levels of stress mean that annual water withdrawals approach or exceed natural replenishment, threatening the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and economies.

Agriculture remains the largest consumer of water

FAO notes that agriculture remains the largest water-using sector in the world.

Europe and North America, however, use a relatively small share of water in agriculture – 34 percent – but are responsible for almost half of global industrial withdrawals (47 percent).

According to FAO estimates, improvements in water use efficiency are noticeable in several regions, including Central Asia. However, high levels of stress in most arid regions highlight the need for long-term adaptation and sustainable management.

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