Category: United Nations

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January 29, 2026 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation of violence in South Sudan, including most recently in Jonglei State, which has resulted in numerous casualties. 180,000 civilians in the state have been forced to flee their homes.

The UN chief is alarmed by inflammatory rhetoric targeting certain communities and the decision to expand military operations, which will only worsen the suffering of civilians.

The Secretary-General is also concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in the country. According to government data, 250,000 civilians fled their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the country in the first few weeks of 2026 alone.

Guterres calls on all parties to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. He also emphasized the need to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers.

"The Secretary-General calls on the Government of South Sudan and opposition forces to take immediate and decisive action to cease all military operations and de-escalate the situation through inclusive dialogue," said a statement issued on behalf of the UN chief by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

Guterres emphasized that the crisis in South Sudan requires a political, not a military, solution. He welcomed the efforts of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to resolve the conflict and called on neighboring countries to more actively support inclusive dialogue.

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January 29, 2026 UN

"The law of force defeats the force of law." This is how UN Secretary-General António Guterres characterized the current state of international relations while speaking to journalists in New York. He outlined the Organization's priorities for 2026, his final term as UN chief.

A period of chaos and uncertainty

According to Guterres, 2026 is already shaping up to be a period of chaos and uncertainty. The Secretary-General emphasized that the world is living in a situation where actions—especially reckless ones—cause dangerous reactions. This is exacerbated by geopolitical divisions and exacerbated by impunity, which undermines international stability.

He noted that international law is being violated, multilateral cooperation institutions are under attack, and impunity is thriving in the world.

“Impunity has become a driving force in today’s conflicts, fueling escalation, deepening mistrust and opening the door to powerful destructive forces,” Guterres said.

The world is changing rapidly

He paid particular attention to the humanitarian situation worldwide. The Secretary-General said cuts to humanitarian aid are triggering a "chain reaction" of despair, population displacement, and death.

At the same time, inequality is deepening globally, undermining societies. The climate crisis remains one of the most serious challenges of our time. And the lack of restrictions on the development of new technologies is leading to instability.

At the same time, mechanisms for solving global problems are outdated, Guterres noted, and the world is changing rapidly: the economic influence of developing countries is growing, and South-South trade is outpacing traditional North-North flows.

The need to develop multilateral institutions

The Secretary-General stated that global problems cannot be resolved by a single power or two competing powers attempting to divide the world into spheres of influence. He urged accelerated and targeted development of multipolarity based on partnership.

"However, multipolarity alone does not guarantee stability or peace. Europe was multipolar before the First World War. But the lack of effective multilateral institutions led to confrontation and war," Guterres said.

“For a multipolar world to ensure balance, prosperity and peace, we need strong multilateral institutions whose legitimacy is based on shared responsibility and common values,” he added.

UN Priorities

The Secretary-General said the Organization would continue to strive for a just and lasting peace.

One of the main priorities of his work in the final year will be the reform of the Security Council.

“We are making every effort to reform and strengthen the Security Council, the only body with the Charter-enshrined authority to act on behalf of all countries on matters of peace and security,” Guterres said.

He stressed that there can be no peace and stability without development and the UN will continue to do everything possible to achieve this. Sustainable Development Goals.

Combating climate change and creating a global governance system for artificial intelligence will also be key areas of work in 2026. He recalled that within the UN, created International Scientific Group on Artificial Intelligence.

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January 29, 2026 Sustainable Development Goals

A joint program between the Armenian government and several UN agencies aimed at accelerating the transition to sustainable, climate-smart, and affordable food systems has officially launched in Armenia. The initiative is being led by Françoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia.

The program aims to improve access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses in Armenia, develop climate-resilient production chains, and promote healthy nutrition. It is designed to increase productivity, reduce environmental impacts, and strengthen the country's food security.

"This program is an investment in people, in farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers," emphasized Françoise Jacob. According to her, joint efforts will make it possible to "make sustainable food systems a driver of inclusive growth."

The initiative is aligned with Armenia's national food security strategies and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It combines political support with practical investments, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and new economic opportunities for rural areas.

Raimund Jehle, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Armenia, noted that access to sustainable finance is a crucial factor: “This will enable farmers to implement climate-smart solutions and strengthen local food chains.”

Konstantin Sokulsky, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia, added that the program involves the introduction of innovative financing models, which “creates a new path for investment in sustainable and biodiverse food systems.”

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January 29, 2026 Human rights

Across Europe and Central Asia, millions of children are subjected to violent punishment—verbal or physical—by the people who are supposed to care for them. Although this is one of the most common forms of violence against children, it often goes unreported because the punishments occur behind closed doors.

According to a recent report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)Almost one in three children aged one to 14 in the region is subjected to corporal punishment by parents or guardians. Psychological aggression affects between 36 and 69 percent of children in 15 countries with available data. These forms of violent "discipline" are often used simultaneously.

As of 2025, 39 countries in Europe and Central Asia have banned corporal punishment in all circumstances. However, even with laws, political commitment, and a growing understanding of its harm, violent parenting methods remain widespread. They are often considered a "normal" part of parenting. However, data shows that over 90 percent of parents believe that physical punishment and psychological aggression are unnecessary, yet many still resort to them.

The risk of physical punishment changes with age

In countries that provided data, rates of physical punishment typically increase in early childhood and peak at ages three to four. Rates then decline, and in many countries, rates are significantly lower among children aged 10 to 14.

This points to a regional trend: early childhood is a period of particular vulnerability. Harsh discipline during this time can undermine a child's sense of security, impact brain development and learning, and increase the risk of emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Risk factors

In all countries with available data, boys are more likely to be physically punished than girls. The difference in psychological aggression is smaller, but boys are still slightly more likely to suffer. This suggests the influence of gender stereotypes: boys are more often seen as needing stricter control.

Furthermore, children with disabilities are more likely to be subjected to physical punishment than their peers without disabilities, highlighting the need for inclusive protections.

The role of the living environment

The risk of violent discipline can vary greatly within a single country. A striking example is children living in Roma settlements. In Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, Roma children are more likely to be subjected to physical punishment than the national average. This is due to poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to services. When families and communities receive sufficient support, these risks can be reduced.

A safe childhood for every child

Violent discipline leaves long-lasting emotional and psychological consequences. It teaches fear rather than understanding, and increases the risk of perpetuating the cycle of violence in the future.

Most parents, however, don't intend to cause harm—it's often a result of stress, harmful social norms, and a lack of support. This means violence is preventable.

Clear laws, resources for their implementation, effective monitoring, and, most importantly, prevention are needed. Work with parents, teachers, and specialists should be aimed at promoting non-violent parenting methods.

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January 29, 2026 Healthcare

More than 26 million children across Ethiopia have been vaccinated in the fourth round of the national polio vaccination campaign, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The campaign utilized a new oral poliovirus vaccine (nOPV2). In some areas of the country, vaccination was combined with the bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) to boost the population's immune defenses.

Ethiopia's Minister of Health, Mekdes Daba, reaffirmed the country's commitment to the eventual eradication of polio: "As a country certified free of wild poliovirus since 2017, we will work together to complete the final step toward polio eradication and fulfill our global commitments. No child will be left unvaccinated."

During the campaign, she said, health workers are monitoring cases of acute flaccid paralysis, identifying previously unvaccinated children, screening children for nutrition and growth, and monitoring for Marburg fever.

Speaking on behalf of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, Professor Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative in Ethiopia, welcomed the government's leadership, including the decision to combine bOPV and nOPV2 in priority districts. He emphasized that this will accelerate the interruption of poliovirus type 2 transmission and strengthen Ethiopia's ability to combat other variants of the virus.

Ethiopia conducted four rounds of nOPV2 immunization – one nationwide and three regionally. The campaigns were organized by the Ministry of Health and the Institute of Public Health with support from the WHO, UNICEF, and other partners.

These efforts aim to stop the circulation of the variant poliovirus (a mutated form of the wild poliovirus capable of spreading among underimmunized populations), address vaccination gaps, and strengthen surveillance systems. Ethiopia continues to strengthen monitoring of vaccine-preventable diseases, expand cross-border coordination and collaboration, and strengthen routine immunization programs. Initiative partners reaffirmed their commitment to continued support to ensure a polio-free world.

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January 28, 2026 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, an OCHA briefing on Gaza, a humanitarian plan for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and WHO recommendations on school feeding.

The situation in Sudan

The situation in Diling, the second-largest city in Sudan's South Kordofan state, remains extremely volatile. UN humanitarian workers on the ground reported today that access roads remain blocked, and the city's prolonged isolation has led to a crisis. Humanitarian operations are limited, and only a handful of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operate under severe restrictions. The International Organization for Migration estimates that more than 88,000 people were displaced by the ongoing conflict in Kordofan between late October and mid-January. In North Darfur state, drone strikes have reportedly killed and wounded civilians.

Briefing on Gaza

Olga Cherevko, a representative of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), held a briefing on Wednesday, informing journalists of the increasing scale of aid to the people of Gaza, despite numerous obstacles. Cherevko stated that since the ceasefire, nearly 200,000 tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered to the Strip. Food aid reaches over a million people monthly, and 1.6 million Gazans receive hot meals daily. Dozens of medical facilities have reopened, and hundreds of temporary educational spaces have been created. However, as the OCHA representative emphasized, these achievements remain fragile, and the gap between the needs of the population and the capacity for safe and sustainable aid delivery remains enormous.

Humanitarian plan for the Democratic Republic of Congo

The United Nations has launched the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, requesting $1.4 billion. The DRC is currently experiencing one of the world's most protracted and neglected humanitarian crises, driven by armed conflict, population displacement, climate shocks, and epidemics. Of the country's 113 million people, nearly 15 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, but due to a severe funding shortfall, the UN will be able to assist only 7.3 million of them this year. Last year, the Organization received less than a quarter of the $2.5 billion requested.

WHO recommendations for school feeding

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first global recommendations for healthy and balanced school meals. In its new guidelines, WHO emphasizes that healthy school meals help children develop lifelong healthy eating habits. WHO recommends increasing the availability of healthy foods and beverages for children while reducing unhealthy ones. This means reducing the amount of sugar, trans fats, and salt in foods while increasing the proportion of whole grains, fruits, nuts, and legumes.

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January 28, 2026 Healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first global recommendations for healthy and balanced meals in schools. In these new guidelines, WHO emphasizes that healthy meals in schools help children develop healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.

“The food children receive at school and the environment that shapes their eating behaviour can significantly impact the quality of their learning and have long-term consequences for their health and well-being,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Alarming global statistics

Rates of overweight and obesity among children are rising worldwide, while undernutrition remains a serious problem. In 2025, the global rate of childhood obesity exceeded the rate of underweight for the first time.

Last year, approximately one in ten school-aged children and adolescents was obese, and one in five—or 391 million—was overweight. Furthermore, a recent WHO report found that over 800 million people worldwide, as well as one in six pregnant women, suffer from diabetes.

As of October 2025, 104 WHO Member States had policies related to healthy school meals, but only 48 countries had introduced restrictions on the marketing of foods high in sugar, salt or unhealthy fats, the WHO notes.

For millions of children who spend a significant portion of their day at school, the school food environment shapes their future eating habits. "Proper nutrition at school is a key factor in preventing future diseases and developing a healthier adult population," the WHO chief emphasized.

More beans, less sugar

The WHO recommends increasing the availability of healthy foods and beverages for children while reducing unhealthy ones. This means reducing the amount of sugar, trans fats, and salt in foods while increasing the proportion of whole grains, fruits, nuts, and legumes.

To implement the new dietary guidelines, the World Health Organization will provide countries with technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and other forms of collaboration.

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January 28, 2026 Healthcare

In light of a sharp decline in financial revenue, the World Health Organization (WHO) is forced to reassess its operations to prioritize and preserve core programs. Specifically, the WHO has merged several departments, halved its senior management team at headquarters, and nearly halved the number of directors.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced this on Wednesday, speaking at a meeting of the organization's Executive Board Budget Committee. "Over the past 12 months, we have gone through a painful but necessary process of prioritization and reorientation," he noted.

Due to financial shortfalls, the 2026-2027 budget had to be revised several times. According to Ghebreyesus, this process succeeded in maintaining gender balance and regional presence, and the WHO's global team is now "a little younger than before."

He recalled that the reform process began back in 2017–2018, and that it was then that WHO's "excessive dependence on a few donors" was revealed. The organization took a number of measures to address the existing risks.

"We proposed—and the World Health Assembly approved in 2022—a plan to gradually increase assessed contributions to 50 percent of the base budget, up from just 14 percent at that time," the speaker noted. Furthermore, he added, the WHO Foundation was created to expand the donor base.

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Without these measures, the WHO would have been forced to lay off approximately 3,000 employees, according to estimates. Instead, 1,241 people left the organization, of whom 1,162 resigned or were planning to retire.

However, the financial problems are not over. The measures taken have enabled 85 percent of the budget for the current and next years to be met, but finding the remaining 15 percent, according to the head of the organization, will be difficult: the sum amounts to $660 million. Therefore, the WHO chief called on donors to provide the necessary funding.

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January 28, 2026 Humanitarian aid

Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), held a briefing on Wednesday, informing journalists that aid to the people of Gaza is increasing despite numerous obstacles.

According to Cherevko, nearly 200,000 tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered to the Strip since the ceasefire. Food aid reaches over a million people monthly, and 1.6 million Gazans receive hot meals daily.

Dozens of medical centers have reopened and hundreds of temporary teaching spaces have been created. However, as the OCHA representative emphasized, these achievements remain fragile, and the gap between the population's needs and the capacity to safely and sustainably deliver aid remains enormous.

Shelling and cold

The situation on the ground, she continued, remains extremely dire. Continued airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire are killing and wounding civilians. Harsh winter weather is claiming the lives of children.

Most Palestinians in Gaza live in conditions of forced displacement and extremely difficult living conditions. The approaching month of Ramadan, traditionally a time of joy and reflection for Muslims, will be marked by the consequences of the recent war for many residents of the Strip.

Restrictions on NGO activities

According to Cherevko, humanitarian organizations are facing serious restrictions in their operations. Essential supplies of medical supplies, tools and materials for housing repairs, equipment for rubble clearing, and spare parts remain strictly restricted. Communication disruptions complicate coordination and emergency response. Damage to roads, warehouses, water supply systems, and medical facilities limits the ability to store and distribute aid.

People in overcrowded shelters and makeshift tents are barely surviving, and further heavy rains threaten to destroy their shelters. According to Cherevko, the suffering could be alleviated more quickly and on a larger scale if current restrictions were lifted.

The OCHA representative emphasized that there is no need to create new aid mechanisms now; the obstacles hindering the work of humanitarian organizations must be removed. Among the key conditions, she cited safe access to the Strip, the lifting of restrictions on supplies, including dual-use goods, the establishment of secure travel routes within Gaza, sustainable funding, and support for early recovery.

"Don't be indifferent to pain"

Cherevko emphasized that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is not inevitable: aid can save countless lives, but only if obstacles to aid delivery are removed. Every delay, refusal, or interruption intensifies the suffering of civilians. She also called for "not indifference to the pain of those currently suffering" and to prevent Gaza from becoming a secondary concern amid other global crises.

"The aid is ready [for dispatch]. Supplies are available. Workers are on the ground. Every minute counts," the OCHA representative concluded.

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January 28, 2026 International law

"A potential turning point for Gaza" is how Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov described the current situation, speaking via video link to the Security Council on Wednesday.

"We are facing a potential turning point for Gaza, a genuine chance for a better future. But there is still much uncertainty. At the same time, we are seeing a continued deterioration in the situation in the occupied West Bank and a region engulfed in tension," Alakbarov said.

The UN will support the recovery process

He called the launch of the second phase of President Donald Trump's 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza and the establishment of the Peace Council's supporting structures, including the National Gaza Governance Committee and the Office of the High Representative for Gaza, an important step in consolidating the ceasefire in the Strip.

The Deputy Special Coordinator said he had recently returned from Cairo, where he had discussed with representatives of the Gaza National Governance Committee how the UN could support the provision of basic services, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and preparations for recovery in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2803.

"The United Nations stands ready to support the Committee and the Palestinians in Gaza as they begin the difficult work of rebuilding [the Strip]," Alakbarov said.

He stressed that the demilitarization of Gaza and reliable security mechanisms are key conditions for the National Committee's work.

The Deputy Special Coordinator welcomed the return of the remains of the last hostage from Gaza and expressed condolences to his family.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza

Commenting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Alakbarov noted that almost the entire population still needs assistance, and heavy rains and cold have worsened the situation for approximately 1.5 million displaced people who lack adequate housing.

He said humanitarian organizations are still unable to operate in Gaza on the scale required due to insecurity, restrictions on the entry of goods, delays at crossings, and limited routes.

Alakbarov also stated that, despite the current ceasefire, airstrikes, shelling, and firefights continue in Gaza. Civilians, including women and children, continue to die in the Strip. He called for the protection of civilians.

Israel's policies undermine prospects for peace

The Deputy Special Coordinator spoke about the situation in the West Bank, where violence, military raids, settlement expansion, home demolitions, and mass detentions of Palestinians continue.

Alakbarov announced a sharp increase in pressure on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), calling the actions of the Israeli authorities, including raids and demolitions of the agency's facilities, a gross violation of international law and UN privileges. He called on Israel to comply with the October 2025 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

He concluded by warning that Israel's policies, from settlement expansion to forced population displacement, undermine prospects for peace and a two-state solution.

"Implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan is crucial and will require our strong collective commitment. This is a real opportunity to lay the foundations for a more stable and secure future for Palestinians and Israelis," Alakbarov emphasized.

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