UN chief condemns latest Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping

UN chief condemns latest Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping

According to news reports, the Yemen-based rebel group – which has been battling the internationally-recognised Government for control of the country since the early 2010s – attacked the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated Eternity C on Monday and again on Tuesday, causing it to sink on Wednesday morning. Four crew members are reported to have died. With 15 […]

‘Cooperation is humanity’s greatest innovation,’ UN chief declares at BRICS summit

‘Cooperation is humanity’s greatest innovation,’ UN chief declares at BRICS summit

Speaking at the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he emphasised the human impact of environmental devastation and climate change.  And as environmental disasters increase, the sustainable development goals are also being left behind.   “Across the world, lives and livelihoods are being ripped apart, and sustainable development gains left in tatters as […]

UN chief condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine, warns of nuclear safety risk

UN chief condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine, warns of nuclear safety risk

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, António Guterres expressed alarm over the dangerous escalation and the rising toll on civilians. He reiterated that attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure are prohibited under international law and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. “These strikes disrupted the power supply to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, […]

UN chief ‘appalled’ by worsening Gaza crisis as civilians face displacement, aid blockades

UN chief ‘appalled’ by worsening Gaza crisis as civilians face displacement, aid blockades

Multiple attacks in recent days have killed and injured scores of Palestinians at sites hosting displaced people and others attempting to access essential supplies, according to a statement from UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Thursday. “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the loss of civilian life,” Mr. Dujarric said. On just one day this week, nearly 30,000 […]

Adhering to bans on mines only in peace time will not work: UN rights chief

Adhering to bans on mines only in peace time will not work: UN rights chief

Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine have taken or are considering steps to withdraw from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction – known also as the Ottawa Convention, after the Canadian city where the process was launched. “These weapons risk causing […]

Space is not the final frontier – it is the foundation of our future: UN deputy chief

Space is not the final frontier – it is the foundation of our future: UN deputy chief

Addressing delegates at a UN forum on peaceful uses of outer space, Amina Mohammed urged greater international cooperation as the world becomes increasingly reliant on satellites for everything from disaster response to climate monitoring. “Space is not the final frontier. It is the foundation of our present,” she said. “Without satellites orbiting overhead right now, […]

DR Congo: Conflict survivors ‘have been through hell,’ says UN aid chief

DR Congo: Conflict survivors ‘have been through hell,’ says UN aid chief

Speaking from the Goma region, whose main city was overrun by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in January, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher explained that people had suffered “decades of trauma”. The last few months have been “particularly horrific for so many”, he added, referring to the lawless fall-out from heavy fighting this year between the […]

Iran-Israel war: IAEA chief stresses need for strong new nuclear deal

Iran-Israel war: IAEA chief stresses need for strong new nuclear deal

“I welcome announcements on Iran situation. Resuming cooperation with [the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)] is key to a successful agreement,” said Rafael Grossi, Director General of the (IAEA). In a short online post on X, Mr. Grossi added that he had offered to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on working together, “stressing this […]

Bearing the brunt of war: UNICEF chief meets some of Sudan’s 700,000 child refugees crossing into Chad

Bearing the brunt of war: UNICEF chief meets some of Sudan’s 700,000 child refugees crossing into Chad

In neighbouring Chad, children make up 61 per cent of the 860,000 Sudanese refugees and a staggering 68 per cent of the 274,000 Chadian returnees – that’s over 700,000 young lives uprooted by violence. Chad, already one of the world’s poorest countries, has the fourth-highest child mortality rate in the world, despite significant progress in […]

Iran-Israel crisis: IAEA chief urges access to damaged nuclear sites

Iran-Israel crisis: IAEA chief urges access to damaged nuclear sites

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was addressing the agency’s Board of Governors, amid fresh reports of new Israeli missile strikes on Iranian military sites in Tehran and elsewhere earlier on Monday. Iranian weapons fire has also been reported across Israel.  Mr. Grossi – who also addressed an emergency meeting of […]

UN chief ‘gravely alarmed’ by US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites

UN chief ‘gravely alarmed’ by US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites

“I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today,” said the UN chief, reiterating that there is no military solution. “This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.” President Donald Trump delivered a televised […]

UN relief chief calls for solidarity, with humanitarians ‘literally under attack’

UN relief chief calls for solidarity, with humanitarians ‘literally under attack’

Tom Fletcher was speaking at the annual stock-take of his sector known as the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, which brings together UN Member States and organizations, humanitarian and development partners, as well as the private sector and affected communities. He said this year’s theme – renew global solidarity for humanity – “could not be more […]

Israel-Iran crisis: UN chief urges calm after overnight strikes

Israel-Iran crisis: UN chief urges calm after overnight strikes

Any military escalation in the Middle East should be censured, the UN chief said in a short statement issued by his spokesperson’s office. “He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway,” said Farhan Haq, […]