Towns and cities are home to more than half of the world’s population and responsible for around 70 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions driving the climate crisis, which is why urban planners in Brazil are leading a design revolution that could point the way to creating built-up areas with a dramatically smaller carbon footprint.
Three women in Jamaica whose lives were upended by the destructive force of a hurricane which battered the Caribbean island are looking to rebuild their future.
Right before Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica in late October 2025, Rose* took her two children to a friend’s sturdy concrete home to keep them safe. When they returned the next morning, everything had vanished.
“The house was gone,” she said. “I didn’t even see the roof, just a piece of lumber.”
A school serves a temporary shelter for people whose lives were upended by Hurricane Melissa.
Entire neighbourhoods were reduced to splinters by the hurricane which left 36 per cent of houses in the western part of the country either damaged or destroyed.
Schools became shelters overnight, turning classrooms into temporary homes. Roads disappeared under water, power outages spread, and thousands were cut off for days.
Nearly half a million people were left in precarious living conditions, facing profound uncertainty.
Among them are Rose, Sharon, and Sonia – three mothers whose lives changed overnight.
For nine years, Rose lived in her small wooden home, a donated structure that had become her family’s refuge.
Now, only the foundation remains. “I have a key to the house but no house,” she said. The air reeked of mud and decay. Nothing could be saved.
Sonia sits on a bed at a shelter for people who lost their homes due to Hurricane Melissa.
Before the storm, Rose worked as a cruise dispatcher in Negril, and her son as a hotel photographer. Both lost their jobs when the tourism industry shut down.
A few classrooms away, Sharon* faces a similar struggle. She arrived at the shelter with her two small children the same day her home, and her father’s collapsed.
Before the storm, she worked as a gas station supervisor, now her workplace is closed indefinitely. Her children sleep on desks in the sweltering heat.
Between the rows of desks and makeshift beds, families share what little they have: a meal, a blanket, a few words of comfort. Amid loss, small acts of kindness create fragile connections.
More than 1,100 people remain in 88 shelters in Jamaica, and over 120,000 households need urgent repairs after Melissa’s destruction.
Among them is Sonia*, who fled her coastal home carrying her grandson with a heart condition.
“I can’t swim, so I grabbed him and ran,” she recalled.
Since the start of the emergency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) teams have supported the Government of Jamaica and the wider UN response, delivering tarpaulins, shelter repair materials, hygiene kits, generators, and other essentials to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
For women like Rose, Sharon, and Sonia, each day is a test of endurance and solidarity. Their homes are gone, but the support of their communities helps them move forward.
Their lives, once far apart, are now linked by loss, uncertainty, and the slow process of rebuilding.
*Names changed to protect identities
“The Global Environment Outlook lays out a simple choice for humanity: continue down the road to a future devastated by climate change, dwindling nature, degraded land and polluted air, or change direction to secure a healthy planet, healthy people and healthy economies,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.
The report has input from 287 multi-disciplinary scientists from 82 countries and stretches to well over 1,000 pages.
The report makes a case for interconnected ‘whole-of-society’ and ‘whole-of-government’ approaches to transform economy and finance, materials and waste, energy, food and the environment.
Taking this path starts with moving beyond gross domestic product (GDP) as a measure of economic wellbeing and instead using inclusive indicators that also track the health of human and natural capital.
It continues with a transition to circular economy models; a rapid decarbonisation of the energy system; a shift towards sustainable diets, reduced waste and improved agricultural practices; and expanding protected areas and restoring degraded ecosystems – all backed by behavioural, social and cultural shifts that include Indigenous and local knowledge.
The report lays out a social and a technological pathway to transformation.
According to UNEP:
The agency called on countries to follow the whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches laid out in the report to achieve a sustainable future.
“This sounds like, and indeed is, a massive undertaking. But there is no technical reason why it cannot be done,” Ms. Andersen said.
António Guterres issued the call during the annual ceremony on the grounds of UN Headquarters in New York to ring the Peace Bell.
Pursuing the cause of peace is “the beating heart” of the Organization, “but today, peace is under siege,” he said.
“Conflicts are multiplying. Civilians are suffering. Human rights and international law are being trampled – leaving scenes that disgrace our common humanity.”
The ceremony comes ahead of the International Day of Peace on 21 September, and the theme this year is “Act Now for a Peaceful World”.
“We know that peace doesn’t happen by accident,” the Secretary-General said. “It is forged – through courage, compromise, and above all, action.”
He called for action “to silence the guns”, amplify diplomacy, protect civilians and uphold the UN Charter.
“We must act – to tackle the root causes of conflict – from inequality and exclusion, to hate speech, and climate chaos. We must act – to invest in prevention, dialogue and trust,” he continued.
“And we must act to support the peacebuilders – especially women and young people – who are on the frontlines of hope.”
The President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, also addressed the gathering.
Amid numerous conflicts worldwide, she questioned whether there would be less war without the United Nations, responding firmly that “definitely not.”
“This is not the moment to give up,” she said. “It’s a moment to try even harder.”
The Secretary-General said that “peace is the most powerful force for a better future,” insisting that “it is within our grasp – if we choose it.”
This is the message of the Peace Bell, he added, cast in 1952 from coins and medals donated by people from all the over the world, “united in their yearning for peace”.
“This Peace Bell reminds us that even the smallest contributions can forge something enduring,” he said.
“Even in a fractured world, we can come together to let peace ring. Let’s answer that call.”
The Japanese Peace Bell was presented as a gift to the United Nations from the UN Association of Japan on 8 June 1954.
On its side are eight Japanese characters that say, “Long live absolute world peace.”
It is housed in a wooden structure resembling a traditional Shinto shrine.
The bell is rung twice a year on the first day of Spring, at the vernal equinox, and to commemorate the International Day of Peace.
Governments and civil society organizations have so far submitted more than 60 contributions to a review process mandated under the Pact for the Future, agreed by Member States last year.
The UN has an 80-year legacy that includes deploying multidimensional peacekeeping operations that combine police, troop and civilian personnel; special political missions engaged in conflict prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding, and electoral support initiatives.
Peacekeeping is the largest and most visible activity in the field, with more than 60,000 men and women from 115 countries currently serving with 11 missions across the globe.
“Peacekeeping is not a luxury; it is a lifeline for millions who count on it for a future without fear,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.
He warned that today, “achieving lasting political solutions seems increasingly challenging.” Last year, 61 active conflicts raged across the planet, according to the Sweden-based Uppsala Conflict Data Program – the highest number since 1946.
“Conflicts have become protracted, involving more actors and often proxy forces, making negotiated solutions more difficult to achieve,” he said, indicating that the future will likely see more civilians who will require protection.
“It means the need for peace operations increases, potentially alongside other types of operations, including peace enforcement,” he added, and that “the contexts for deployment may be more uncertain and full success harder to achieve.”
Mr. Lacroix said the future requires “a UN that is capable and ready to respond through missions that are adaptable and tailored to the needs on the ground, guided by strong political strategies and leveraging the tools, capacities and expertise” of the UN and partners.
Peace operations must first have “clear and prioritised mandates” that should also reflect the voice of host states, troop and police contributing countries, regional actors, local communities and other stakeholders.
He called for harnessing “the capacities of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to support the analysis of data as well as to assess the effectiveness of our responses through time.”
Furthermore, pursuing political solutions to conflict should remain a priority, alongside protecting civilians, supporting the strengthening of government accountability.
Promotion and protection of human rights and the advancement of the women, peace and security agenda must also be prioritised.
Additionally, “sustained and uncompromising efforts to uphold the UN Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy on SEA (sexual exploitation and abuse)” must continue.
Mr. Lacroix stressed that while “the UN’s ability to deliver on the imperative to protect people is very often the benchmark by which we are judged,” peacekeeping is not meant to be indefinite.
“To advance durable political solutions that enable peacekeeping to withdraw without a relapse into conflict requires the strong, unified and ongoing support of this Council – through the adoption of clear, prioritized mandates, active political engagement and statements of support,” he said.
These actions must be matched by countries continuing to pay the dues they owe the UN “in full and on time,” he added.
Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, also commented on the current challenging environment.
She said that “conflicts have become more internationalised”, with influence from regional or global actors. Meanwhile, non-state armed groups continue to proliferate, with many using terrorist tactics with no clear political agenda.
“New technologies, from AI to drones, are being weaponized on an industrial scale, increasing both the lethality of violence and the likelihood of escalation. And transnational drivers, such as organized crime, are now a regular facet of the conflict landscape,” she said.
To inform the review, her office analysed the history of UN “special political missions” since the Organization’s establishment, identifying three priorities.
She noted that most missions today are deployed in the absence of a comprehensive peace agreement and often in politically volatile situations, even ongoing civil war.
“In such situations, the initial goals of our missions should be more limited – such as preventing a deterioration of violence, achieving a ceasefire, or helping a fragile incipient peace process get off the ground,” she said.
The second priority should be improving coordination between peace operations and UN country teams, while the third is to end mandates which attempt to provide a one-size-fits-all approach.
Ms. Di Carlo concluded by highlighting how the failure or weak implementation of mandates is often related to lack of political support, whether in countries where missions are deployed, or the wider region, or among Security Council members themselves.
“We will therefore need to engage with a laser-like focus on bringing the emphasis back to the political questions at the heart of each conflict and finding multilateral responses to them,” she said.
Their work, said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, is “the beating heart of education, the cornerstone of sustainable development, and the guardians of our future.”
Speaking Thursday at the opening of the UNESCO World Summit on Teachers in Santiago, Chile, Ms. Mohammed called for urgent global action to address the deepening teacher crisis.
“Let us honour their influence with the policies and the respect that teachers need, and future generations deserve,” she urged, laying out a five-point plan to support educators and strengthen education systems worldwide.
The deputy UN chief warned that the world is facing a “deepening teacher crisis” that threatens progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are failing our teachers,” she said, pointing to a global shortfall of 44 million educators needed to meet universal education targets by 2030.
She described the crisis as “a slow-burning emergency” that is undermining learning outcomes, widening inequalities, and weakening the social fabric of communities. “We must respond to those truths,” she said.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay also addressed the Summit, emphasizing the complexity of the challenge. “No single actor will be able to bridge the gaps we see, and that is what brings us together here in Santiago,” she said.
Ms. Azoulay highlighted the multiple causes behind the crisis: low and often delayed salaries, an aging teacher workforce, surging school enrolments without matching resources, and persistent gender inequalities – especially in STEM fields. Tackling these issues, she said, requires “level heads and clear thinking.”
To meet global education goals by 2030, the world must recruit 44 million teachers – more than double the population of Chile. Yet, instead of progress, gains are being reversed.
“Too many young teachers are leaving within their first years,” Ms. Mohammed said, citing low pay, heavy workloads, and lack of professional development. “Ultimately, we are asking the impossible of teachers: to build the future without the tools, trust and conditions they need.”
The cost of recruiting the teachers needed by 2030 is estimated at $120 billion annually. But education financing is falling short.
“More than 40 per cent of the world’s population lives in countries where governments spend more on debt interest payments than on education or health,” she warned.
Aid to education is projected to drop by 25 per cent between 2023 and 2027, with a 12 per cent fall already recorded last year.
Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed delivers remarks to the World Summit on Teachers in Santiago, Chile.
Ms. Mohammed laid out a five-point plan to tackle the global teacher crisis:
Ms. Mohammed urged leaders to turn the summit’s outcomes into concrete commitments ahead of the World Social Summit in Doha this November.
She proposed:
“Quality education is the foundation of everything we hope to achieve with the Sustainable Development Goals,” she concluded. “Without teachers, none of it is possible.”
At the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, a small child, Maryam Abu Alba, is crying in pain. “The neighbour’s house was bombed, and their home was hit,” says her grandmother.
“One of her legs had to be amputated, and metal plates had to be inserted into the other one, which was fractured. She is in severe pain.”
At the same hospital, young Mohammad Hassan looks down at his heavily bandaged left leg, and the stump where his foot used to be. “I was going to buy falafel,” he says. “On the way home, I looked up and saw a rocket heading towards me. I tried to run, but it was too fast. I found myself pinned to the wall, and my foot had been blown off. Then someone picked me up and took me to this hospital.”
Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees per capita of anywhere in the world.
Palestinian child Mohammad Hassan sitting on a hospital bed in Gaza after his left leg was amputated by a strike.
In May, GHF took over aid delivery in Gaza, bypassing established routes and dramatically scaling back the number of distribution points to a handful of fortified hubs, a policy that has been criticised by the UN and NGO partners.
We were told the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation had opened its doors to distribute aid. When I arrived…I was hit by an explosive bullet
On Monday, the UN human rights office described attempts to access these sites as “a deadly pursuit”. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed or injured since May while seeking food.
When GHF began operations, Ibrahim Abdel Nabi was one of the many Palestinians who headed to the hubs in the hope of finding desperately needed provisions for their families.
In his tent at a displacement site in the coastal Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, Mr. Nabi, surrounded by his wife and children, explains how the journey ended in disaster and life-changing injuries.
“We were told that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation had opened its doors to distribute aid. When I arrived at the Al-Alam area, west of Rafah, I was hit by an explosive bullet in my leg. I was bleeding for about an hour and a half, and no one came to help me. They were all trying to find food for their children.”
Eventually, a group of people came to his rescue and took him to the nearby Red Cross hospital.
“I stayed there for about a month and a half, undergoing about 12 operations. I became malnourished and lost a lot of blood. Infection spread, and more of my leg had to be amputated.”
Ibrahim Abdel Nabi, a Palestinian displaced in Gaza, sitting on a chair while his wife helps him wear the handmade prosthetic limb.
As Mr. Nabi was trying to recover, he was aware that his family were still in need of food. Despite the pain, he decided to make a simple prosthesis from materials he could find to allow him to get back on his feet and make fresh attempts to find food and water.
“The prosthesis injures my leg,” he said. “It causes inflammation and increases the pain. We don’t have medical care or supplies, but I will use it no matter how much it hurts.”
As he speaks, Mr. Nabi’s wife begins to cry. “God willing, we will live through this experience,” she says.
Mr. Nabi gets up on crutches and heads to a nearby tent, where his wife helps him to put on the crude prosthesis.
“Don’t strain yourself,” she repeats, over and over. “Take your time. Walk slowly.”
Observed each year on 12 August, the Day draws attention to the rights, contributions and challenges of young people everywhere.
This year’s theme, “Local youth action for the SDGs and beyond,” emphasises how grassroots youth engagement is vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and shaping more just, inclusive societies.
“Young people are bold innovators, resilient organizers and essential partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a message marking the day.
“They are driving sustainable development, building more inclusive communities, forging peace and demanding a fairer, greener and more just future.”
Mr. Guterres also had a direct message to young people worldwide.
“To every young person: your voice, ideas and leadership matter,” he said.
“Let us work together to support youth-led solutions and build a more just, peaceful and sustainable world, from the ground up.”
Today’s young people are coming of age at a moment of extraordinary global change.
According to UN data, half of the world’s population is 30 or younger, a number which is expected to rise to 57 per cent by 2030. Those under 25 today will make up over 90 per cent of the global prime-age workforce by 2050.
In addition, an international survey of over 27,000 respondents in 26 countries on challenges faced by people in public lives revealed that 67 per cent believe in a better future, with 15 to 17-year-olds expressing the most optimism.
Despite their immense potential for good, young people continue to face systemic challenges.
Young men from the Rohingya community receive electrician training at a refugee camp in southern Bangladesh.
Youth unemployment, although at a 15-year low, still stands at 13 per cent globally.
Among 10 to 19-year-olds, one in seven experience a mental health disorder. In low- and middle-income countries, nearly six in ten 10-year-olds cannot read and comprehend a simple paragraph.
International Youth Day 2025 aims to highlight not only the urgency of these issues, but also the solutions already being forged by youth themselves – in their communities, cities and countries.
As Mr. Guterres emphasised: “Global progress begins in communities. And in every corner of the world, young people are leading the way.”
This year’s official observance will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, organized in collaboration with UN-Habitat, the UN agency focused on sustainable urban development.
Tuesday’s event will bring together youth leaders, city officials, policymakers and UN officials to showcase solutions and strategies for strengthening youth engagement in local development.
International Youth Day was first proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1999, building on the World Programme of Action for Youth adopted in 1995.
Launched in June, the eight-week digital campaign draws on the enduring popularity of the beloved Smurfs to encourage young people – along with their parents and caregivers – to raise their voices on issues that matter to them.
The initiative is part of the UN’s ActNow effort for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to empower individuals, especially children, to speak out and take action in their communities.
Featuring Rihanna, Hannah Waddingham, Billie Lourd and Amy Sedaris – who voice various characters in an upcoming Smurfs film – the campaign includes vibrant public service announcements (PSAs) and colourful social media cards.
“The Smurfs know the importance of speaking up and speaking out because everyone, every child, has the right to be heard,” said Hannah Waddingham, who voices Jezebeth in the movie.
“The power to create change is already inside you. You just have to act,” added Billie Lourd (Worry Smurf).
Amy Sedaris (Jaunty) summed it up simply: “It’s easy if you follow the Smurfs’ blueprint. Small actions can add up to make a big difference.”
The videos, produced in multiple formats, direct viewers to a dedicated “Speak Up with the Smurfs” section on the ActNow platform, which offers child-friendly tools and resources.
To smurf things up a bit – campaign invites everyone to “smurf their voice” and help smurf a brighter future, one action at a time. Whether you’re five or fifty-five, there’s always a way to smurf positive change.
In Smurf-speak, “smurf” can mean just about anything – noun, verb, or adjective – but the message here is clear: smurf your voice, smurf your rights, smurf the future.
UNICEF’s involvement centres on ensuring the message reaches children everywhere – and that they are equipped to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives.
The campaign is being promoted across Paramount Global’s platforms – including CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, streaming services like Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and the free-to-air network Net 10 in Australia.
Smurf-themed content will also light up Times Square in New York City and appear in markets across Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Content is available in over a dozen languages, including Arabic, French, Spanish, Hindi, Kiswahili, and Japanese, to ensure broad accessibility.
First introduced in 1958, the Smurfs are small blue fictional characters known for their teamwork, mischief, and unique way of speaking.
Generations of children (like this author and his little ones) have followed their adventures, and their continued appeal has made them ideal messengers for values like cooperation, kindness and now, global citizenship.
By rallying a new generation to speak up – or smurf up – the campaign hopes to inspire meaningful, lasting change for children (and adults) everywhere.
However, this creates challenges by limiting land access for the next generation and diminishing their voice in agricultural policymaking. Without land assets, young people struggle to secure the resources needed to become agricultural producers themselves.
Between 2005 and 2021, the number of youth employed in agrifood jobs declined by 10 per cent, prompting concerns for food production worldwide.
This is the challenge, examined by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s inaugural report on youth in agrifood systems examines. Released on Thursday, the report offers insights into the status of youth producers and the challenges they face.
“Because youth are the next generation of producers, consumers, processors of food, service providers, it is really important to understand how they can benefit from and contribute to agrifood systems,” said Lauren Phillips, deputy director of rural transformation and gender equality at FAO.
With over 1.3 billion people worldwide between the ages of 15-24 – and 46 per cent of them living in rural areas – youth can be “key agents of change” for the agrifood sector, which is responsible for producing, processing and transporting the food that sustains the world.
Agrifood systems currently employ 44 per cent of working youth, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries where 85 per cent of the world’s youth in that age range reside.
However, over 20 per cent of youth are not in formal employment, education or training, meaning that their potential contribution agrifood and other economic sectors is underutilized.
Ending worldwide unemployment for these young people could generate $1.5 trillion for the global GDP, $670 billion of which would come from the agrifood sector alone.
“Young people can drive economic transformation and global prosperity,” said QU Dongyu, Director-General of FAO.
While youth are “key agents of change” for the agrifood sector and the global economy writ large according to the report, they also face many challenges in realizing this potential.
The next generation of agrifood producers will confront a growing global population requiring more food and increasing climate shocks threatening food supplies.
FAO estimates that 395 million youth live in rural areas expected to see declines in agricultural productivity due to climate impacts.
Despite large numbers employed in agrifood, most youth work in vulnerable jobs: 91 per cent of young women and 83 per cent of young men hold positions that often offer few benefits and are seasonal.
Low wages and hazardous conditions discourage continued employment and drive migration to urban centers.
“Policies really need to make sure that they invest in preparing young people with skills and education so that they can have decent jobs in agrifood systems,” Ms. Phillips said.
One major barrier for youth aspiring to become producers is lack of social and financial capital – policy makers often overlook youth voices, and young people struggle to access loans, banking services, and land deeds.
Youth involvement in policymaking can sometimes feel “tokenistic.” The report highlights that collective action—whether through informal networks or formal unions and cooperatives—can amplify youth voices.
It also calls for expanded training and restructuring financial systems to improve access for young people.
“FAO is unconditionally committed to stepping up its work with and for youth to ensure their voices are heard and that their participation in and contribution to sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems are fully harnessed,” FAO Director-General QU said.
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, global food systems would collapse within weeks. Emergency responders would lose their lifelines. Climate scientists would be flying blind. And our hopes of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would be out of reach,” she added.
For nearly seven decades, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space – the forum’s official name, has advanced international cooperation through five space treaties, sustainability guidelines and the Space 2030 Agenda.
Ms. Mohammed highlighted the UN’s efforts through the Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA), in helping make space more accessible – particularly for the more than half of UN Member States that still lack a satellite in orbit.
OOSA’s programmes are opening opportunities for youth and women in developing countries, cultivating a more inclusive new generation of space leaders.
It also supports countries in building their space capabilities through technical workshops and assistance for emerging programmes, having assisted Kenya, Guatemala, Moldova and Mauritius in launching their first satellites.
Similarly, it is helping countries like Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago and Ghana, use satellite data to create detailed digital models of entire cities, allowing faster disaster response and saving lives.
Fresh from the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, Spain, Ms. Mohammed stressed that the areas the UN defines as critical for sustainable development acceleration all depend on space technologies.
She also relayed a critical message from the conference: “In an era of constrained investment, we must align capital with high-impact solutions,” she said. “Space is one of them.”
“The view from space shows no countries, no borders – only one shared planet, one common home. Let that perspective guide you as you build the governance frameworks for space exploration and use,” she concluded.
“Let us make space a catalyst for achieving the SDGs.”
António Guterres issued his clarion call noting that sustainable development powered by international cooperation, is now facing “massive headwinds.”
Addressing the opening session of the 4th Financing for Development Conference (FFD4) in baking hot Sevilla, Spain – basking in record high June temperatures – the Secretary-General noted multilateralism itself is also feeling the heat, while trust between nations and institutions fray.
The world is on fire, shaken by inequalities, climate chaos and raging conflicts: “Financing is the engine of development and right now, this engine is sputtering,” he told the conference, attended by more than 50 world leaders, over 150 nations and around 15,000 delegates.
“As we meet, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – our global promise to transform our world for a better, fairer future – is in danger.”
Some two-thirds of the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets agreed in 2015 are significantly off track – hence the staggering $4 trillion investment needed to turn it around.
“We are here in Sevilla to change course. To repair and rev up the engine of development to accelerate investment at the scale and speed required,” said Mr. Guterres.
He described the outcome known as the Sevilla Commitment adopted on Monday – without the United States which pulled out of the process earlier this month – as a “global promise” to low-income nations to lift them up the development ladder.
The current crisis of affordability and stalled development is “a crisis of people,” he continued, which leaves families hungry, children unvaccinated, and girls left out of education.
“This conference is not about charity. It’s about restoring justice and to facilitate the ability of all people to live in dignity,” said Mr. Guterres.
“This conference is not about money – it’s about investments in the future we wish to build together.”
King Felipe of Spain spoke just ahead of the official opening, telling delegates the multicultural city of Sevilla welcomes the world “with open arms”.
He said a new roadmap would emerge that is based on what is “concrete and tangible and actionable”.
The conference must be a success, because cooperation is one of our fundamental pillars of the multilateral world and “the ultimate embodiment of the values that sustain it – especially at this particular point in history where many certainties are melting away and many fears and uncertainties are taking shape.”
Spain’s President Pedro Sánchez told delegates “our time is now and our place is here.” Millions of lives will depend on the choices made in Sevilla and going forward.
We must choose “ambition over paralysis, solidarity over indifference and courage over convenience,” he continued, adding that the eyes of world are on this hall, to see what we are ready to do together and in the face of this historic challenge we must prove our worth.”
Sevilla was “the New York of the 16th century” in diplomatic terms he told delegates – and a cradle of globalism – we must all do that legacy justice today.
Secretary-General of the conference, Li Junhua – who’s in charge of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) – said the week in Sevilla is key moment to mobilise the resources necessary to build a just, inclusive and sustainable future.
The UN effort to finance development has been anchored in multilateralism and solidarity – but today, the whole framework is under “profound stress.”
He said never has sustainable development been so tested but the pact made in Sevilla puts people back at the centre.
“Sevilla is not an end point, it is a launch pad for a new era of implementation, accountability and solidarity.” UNDESA is ready to support all nations to translate the commitment into international action, he underscored.
President of the UN General Assembly Philémon Yang told delegates above all, “we need leadership to guide the world forward into a brighter more prosperous future for everyone, everywhere.”
He said the Sevilla framework will renew global partnership for the decade ahead and provide a focus on a debt burden which is crippling the developing world.
President of the UN Economic and Social Council Bob Rae said trust between countries had to be strengthened, because its absence “creates chaos.”
“Most of all I want to congratulate states for bringing forward the ambition, deepening engagement between financial institutions.”
The week represents a real commitment to action, he said.
Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, told delegates ending poverty remains his key mission and the surge in population underway in developing countries requires resources “at an unprecedented scale and pace.”
He said everyone knew that governments, philanthropies and institutions are unable to meet every projection or promise – which is why the private sector is essential to the Sevilla Agreement so that capital can flow.
Mr. Banga added that the bank’s reforms of recent years are about being a better partner to the private sector and government clients.
Improving response time, boosting capital and systems of growth are key – but much more is needed to deliver for the next generation.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of World Trade Organization said the conference was gathering at a time of unprecedented difficulty.
After decades of positive contributions, the global trading system has now been “severely disrupted” leaving exports so hampered by unilateral tariff measures and policy uncertainty that the WTO has sharply downgraded growth forecasts.
Further tariff barriers on 9 July – the deadline set by the US administration – will only make the contraction in global trade worse.
She reminded that the WTO has argued for the least developed nations and Africa overall to be exempted from the tariffs, “so we can better integrate them into the world trading system, not further exclude them.”
She said the Sevilla Agreement rightly recognises international trade as an engine of development.
“We therefore need to bolster stability and predictability in global trade,” through action at many levels that can grow national resources through exports, she told delegates.
Nigel Clarke, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), called for broadening the tax base, building strong financial management systems, coordinating support and addressing debt more sustainably.
“Many countries continue to struggle with high interest costs,” he said, calling on the international community to improve debt restructuring processes.
Through its capacity development, the Fund is equipping members to chart their own paths and is also providing financial support when they need it most, he added.
From rising debt and shrinking investment, to the aid funding crisis and struggles to meet ambitious development goals, the global financial system is failing the people it’s supposed to serve: that’s the challenge facing world leaders gathered in Spain’s sweltering southern jewel of Sevilla this week, as the UN’s 4th International Conference on Financing for Development gets underway. Follow our live Meetings Coverage below; app users can catch all the action from the opening day here and you’ll find all related stories on our special dedicated page right here.
In the old town of Nice, the 98-meter-long, three-masted barque arrived last week at Port Lympia, where UNOC3 is now under way. Built in 1914 and owned by Norway since 1921, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl – named for former Norwegian minister Kristofer Lehmkuhl – was refitted last year with state-of-the-art ocean science instruments, transforming it into a floating university.
Now, more than a century after its construction, the vessel has become a cutting-edge research platform, bringing together scientists, students, and explorers to unravel the ocean’s secrets.
This transformation is central to the ship’s second One Ocean Expedition, launched on April 11 from Bergen, Norway, with a mission to bridge ocean science, education, and sustainability. The expedition aims to raise awareness and share knowledge about the ocean’s crucial role in a sustainable future for all. It is expected to return to Bergen a year from now.
As part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, a global initiative aimed at reversing the decline in ocean health, this expedition partnered with the ESA Advanced Training Course on ocean synergy remote sensing. Together, they assembled young talent from 28 countries to cross-reference ocean observations from space and sea, bridging the gap between satellite data and in-situ research.
Demonstration of ESA satellite remote sensing.
“Marrying … the science, oceanographic and sailing traditions is the best way to get inside the ocean from the surface,” said Craig Donlon, the ESA ocean scientist who led the expedition. He also told UN News that real-time satellite data is used to guide on-board research and point students towards areas that need more and better measurement.
Each day, the ESA transmits space-collected data to the ship, delivering it approximately three and a half hours after processing. “Then we come to the captain, and we upset him by saying, we’ve just discovered this new thing, can please we move here?” laughs Mr. Donlon.
Mr. Donlon said that cutting-edge oceanographic instruments, including an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) to measure water movement, hydrophone arrays to capture underwater soundscapes, and Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) sensors to analyze seawater properties, work together to decode the ocean’s hidden dynamics.
Leveraging these, the students can cross-pollinate between their findings in physics, biology, and air-sea interaction, working individually or in groups on projects including internal solitary waves, drifter trajectories and ocean biodiversity studies.
“It’s quite tough, because they have to work eight hours a day on deck, and the remaining time they have to eat and sleep, but they also find ways to work together,” Mr. Dolon explained. “They made a huge number of measurements […] it’s an amazing journey that they’ve made. We have nearly 15 terabytes of in-situ observations taken aboard this scientific vessel.”
He also spoke highly of the value of these works as evidence-based tools that can ensure the data sets sensibly underpin policies and promote ratification.
“It’s our one Ocean, and we must learn to live in harmony with its majesty because it’s beautiful but fragile. It’s not a global dumping ground. Our future ocean ambassadors, the students aboard this ship, will lead this endeavor,” he insisted.
Pablo Álvarez, an ESA training astronaut, talks to UN News.
Among these young explorers is Pablo Álvarez, an ESA training astronaut set to join the International Space Station before 2030. Before launching into orbit, he’s honing his skills and deepening his knowledge aboard this tall ship – trading the vastness of space for the mysteries of the sea.
He specializes in remote sensing of the ocean’s surface. By analyzing satellite imagery, such as patterns formed by sunlight reflecting off waves, known as ‘sun glitter’, he uncovers insights into surface roughness, wind behavior, and ocean dynamics. These key data points aid both marine scientists and astronauts studying Earth from afar, offering valuable clues that may help predict the ocean’s movement.
“In both fields [Ocean Science and Earth System Science] you’re moving the human knowledge a bit farther with everything you do,” added Mr. Álvarez, “I think it’s in our DNA to explore and to learn more about our environment, and the universe where we are living.”
Lena Schaffeld (second from the right) is among students presenting their studies on board.
Among the students aboard, Lena Schaffeld, from Germany, found the expedition particularly inspiring. She felt empowered knowing that female students outnumbered their male peers – a rare and meaningful shift in a field often dominated by men.
“I think we need a lot of women in science, especially ocean science. So, it’s quite nice to be one of them,” Ms. Schaffeld said proudly.
Focused on the increasing abundance and distribution of microplastic pollution in the ocean, Ms. Schaffeld went on to tell UN News that the journey has benefitted her studies as well. “We’ve been passing different seas. We’ve come from the Norwegian Sea and the Arctic Sea, towards the open Atlantic Ocean, and now into the Mediterranean,” she said.
The marine debris monitoring project is conducted by Lena Schaffeld with other two students.
Collecting data along the way, she said she has found more visible plastics in samples taken from the Mediterranean.
“Microplastics are pieces of plastic that are smaller than 5 millimeters, and most of them are invisible,” explained Ms. Schaffeld, who stressed that her work is just beginning and it’s too soon to draw any conclusions.
“Only after [the filtration process] and when I look under the microscope, which is going to happen at the end of this voyage, will we know how much plastic there actually is.”
Looking forward to further studying these samples, she said she will also try to explore ways to use satellite data to detect microplastics in the water, and to lay out a bigger picture about how plastic moves with the currents.
“The water is always moving and plastic on the surface moves along with these currents. So, we’re also going to be applying some numerical modeling to predict or even backtrack [to] where that plastic came from. It’s going to interesting,” she noted with hope.
Many students on board the Statsraad Lehmkuhl expressed their gratitude to take part in the training course and to be able to share their stories and experiences as part of UNOC3.
“Bringing the ocean to the people is a job that we’ve tasked our students with,” stressed Mr. Donlon. “They’ve engaged with Peter Thomson, the United Nations Special Envoy (for the ocean). He gave us a mandate to run this course, and we’ve followed that mandate.”
In Mr. Donlon’s eyes, “the UNOC3 is the place where we come together. We discuss the most relevant topics, and we bring a ministerial element to that, to ratify evidence-based decisions”.
He said that he is convinced that the science-based decisions and discussions taking place at the Conference “will make lives and societies stronger”, while at the same time help to protect the environment for future generations. “A sustainable ocean is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity. There can be no green unless we have a blue thriving ocean,” he reiterated.
The effects of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt. Around seven million people died, health systems were overwhelmed, and the global economy was practically driven to a standstill.
The global turmoil prompted a stunned international community to pursue an agreement aimed at preventing such a catastrophic event from happening again – and ensuring the world is far better prepared in the future.
The landmark decision was made at the World Health Assembly, the annual meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Although the formal adoption was on Tuesday, the WHO’s Member States overwhelmingly approved the agrement on Monday (124 votes in favour, 0 objections, 11 abstentions).
This meant that, rather than a nail-biting vote with last-minute surprises (ahead of the conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, only felt able to express “cautious optimism”), the adoption by consensus had a celebratory feel.
“The agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action,” declared Tedros. “It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats.
“It is also a recognition by the international community that our citizens, societies and economies must not be left vulnerable to again suffer losses like those endured during COVID-19.”
WHO Member States approved the first-ever Pandemic Agreement on 19 May 2025
The pandemic laid bare gross inequities between and within countries, when it came to diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines, and a core aim of the agreement is to plug gaps and treat any future pandemics in a fairer and more efficient way.
“Now that the Agreement has been brought to life, we must all act with the same urgency to implement its critical elements, including systems to ensure equitable access to life-saving pandemic-related health products,” announced Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Health, and President of this year’s World Health Assembly, who presided over the Agreement’s adoption.
“As COVID was a once-in-a-lifetime emergency, the WHO Pandemic Agreement offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build on lessons learned from that crisis and ensure people worldwide are better protected if a future pandemic emerges.”
The issue of national sovereignty has been raised several times during the process of negotiating the accord, a reflection of false online claims that WHO is somehow attempting to wrest control away from individual countries.
The accord is at pains to point out that this is not the case, stating that nothing contained within it gives WHO any authority to change or interfere with national laws, or force nations to take measures such as banning travellers, impose vaccinations or implement lockdowns.
WHO Member States approved the first-ever Pandemic Agreement on 19 May 2025
The adoption has been hailed as a groundbreaking step, but this is just the beginning of the process.
The next step is putting the agreement into practice, by launching a launching a process to draft and negotiate a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) through an Intergovernmental Working Group.
The result of this process will be considered at next year’s World Health Assembly.
Once the Assembly adopts the PABS annex, the agreement will then be open for signature and consideration of ratification, including by national legislative bodies. After 60 ratifications, it will enter into force.
Other provisions include a new financial mechanism for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and the creation of a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network to “enhance, facilitate, and work to remove barriers and ensure equitable, timely, rapid, safe, and affordable access to pandemic-related health products for countries in need during public health emergencies of international concern, including pandemic emergencies, and for prevention of such emergencies.”
In a statement, UNFPA said the move – which invokes a 1985 legal provision known as the Kemp-Kasten Amendment – is based on “unfounded claims” about the agency’s work in China. These allegations, it noted, have “long been disproven”, including by the US Government itself.
The Kemp-Kasten amendment states that no funds can go to any organization or programme which support any “coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization,” as determined by the US president.
The funding cut now in effect is in addition to termination notices already issued for more than 40 existing humanitarian projects, representing roughly $335 million in support.
UNFPA – formally the UN Population Fund – said the loss of US support will significantly undermine efforts to prevent maternal deaths, especially in conflict-affected and crisis-hit regions.
“It will cut essential support for millions of people living in humanitarian crises and for midwives preventing mothers from dying in childbirth – work that is a ‘best-buy’ in development, a cost-effective investment that generates positive returns over generations,” the agency stated.
The US, a founding and long-standing partner, has over the decades helped strengthen global health systems and save countless lives, UNFPA said.
“Over the past four years alone, with the US Government’s life-saving investments, we prevented more than 17,000 maternal deaths, nine million unintended pregnancies and nearly three million unsafe abortions by expanding access to voluntary family planning,” the agency added.
UNFPA urged Washington to reconsider its position and “reclaim its position as a leader in global public health, saving millions of lives.”
“Funding UNFPA – the only United Nations agency dedicated to reproductive health and rights – is the surest way of reducing the risk of coercive practices around the world,” the agency said.
It also emphasised its continued commitment to dialogue with the US Government through the UNFPA Executive Board, where the United States has been an active member for over 50 years.
The agency also vowed to continue to work tirelessly under its mandate to uphold the health, safety, and dignity of women and girls worldwide.
“This is a particularly timely meeting,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, at a press conference in New York on Thursday.
“It’s a unique opportunity to underline the added value of peacekeeping and ensure we remain ready, as a peacekeeping family, to respond with Member States to any new mission that may arise.”
The UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 is expected to draw around 1,000 delegates to the German capital next month, including foreign and defence ministers from across the globe. Their goal: to shape a peacekeeping model that is more agile, intelligent and resilient.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also due to attend the meeting taking place on 13 and 14 May.
As conflicts intensify from South Sudan to the Middle East and Kashmir, and as geopolitical divides weaken international consensus, this biennial conference is being called one of the most significant since its inception in 2014.
“We are facing more internal and inter-State conflicts than at any point since the Second World War,” Mr. Lacroix noted, pointing to the increasing complexity of modern warfare.
Additional challenges such as transnational crime, online disinformation, and climate change are also affecting missions – at a time when peacekeeping budgets continue to shrink.
Despite these pressures, ‘blue helmets’ continue to carry out their work under extremely difficult conditions. “They protect hundreds of thousands of people,” said the peacekeeping chief. “Very often, their presence is the difference between life and death.”
Germany, a key contributor to UN peacekeeping, is leading the organization of the upcoming meeting. “Peacekeeping is multilateralism in action,” said Nils Hilmer, Germany’s State Secretary for Defence. “We want to provide a platform for Member States to strengthen peacekeeping for the future.”
Sessions in Berlin will include pledging events, high-level debates, exhibitions, and a spotlight on Germany’s involvement in missions such as UNIFIL in Lebanon and UNMISS in South Sudan.
Katharina Stasch, Germany’s Director-General for International Order and Disarmament, highlighted the symbolic power of peacekeepers. “For many, the blue helmets are the face of the UN. Peacekeeping is at the heart of the organization.”
The meeting will also support progress on the UN’s Pact for the Future reform initiative, with topics including conflict prevention, digital innovation, regional partnerships and countering disinformation.
“The mission remains the same,” said Mr. Lacroix. “Helping host countries through their most turbulent times – despite tighter budgets.”
Bajaj Auto on Wednesday announced a 9% rise in net profit for the July-September quarter (Q2 FY25), posting a net income of Rs 2,005 crore, driven by robust performance in its green energy segment. The company’s electric vehicle (EV) sales surged, contributing significantly to its overall growth.
Adjusted for exceptional deferred tax provisions, Bajaj Auto’s profit after tax (PAT) reached Rs 2,216 crore, marking a 21% year-on-year increase. The company explained that the reported PAT of Rs 2,005 crore accounted for an additional provision of Rs 211 crore due to the impact of the Finance Act, 2024, which withdrew indexation and changed tax rates on investment income.
Revenue from operations grew 22% year-on-year, hitting Rs 13,000 crore for the quarter. Bajaj Auto’s stock responded positively, closing 0.88% higher at Rs 11,622.5 per share on Wednesday.
Electric Vehicles Lead the Charge
Bajaj Auto’s green energy portfolio hit new milestones, with the sale of 1 lakh electric vehicles (EVs) in September alone. Of these, 70,000 were Chetak electric scooters, which captured a 21% market share that month. The company’s portfolio of electric and CNG vehicles, spanning both two-wheelers (2W) and three-wheelers (3W), now contributes 40% of its total domestic revenues.
The company noted strong double-digit growth in its motorcycle and commercial vehicle segments, largely fueled by the near-tripling of electric scooter sales. The Pulsar brand continued to perform well, achieving its highest-ever quarterly sales of 1.1 lakh units.
Future Prospects
Bajaj Auto is also making strides in the electric three-wheeler (e3W) market, where it aims to replicate its dominance in the internal combustion engine (ICE) segment. The company reported that its market share in the e3W segment doubled from last year, reaching 35% by the end of the quarter.
The company remains in a strong financial position, with surplus cash reserves of Rs 16,392 crore at the end of Q2. This follows strategic investments of Rs 1,200 crore, primarily directed towards Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd. and EV-related capital expenditures, as well as a Rs 2,233 crore dividend payout in the first half of FY25.
With growing demand for electric vehicles and a strong financial base, Bajaj Auto is well-positioned to capitalize on the expanding green energy market and continue its upward trajectory.
Private equity firm Odyssey is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Honeywell’s face mask unit, a potential deal valued at around $1.5 billion. This acquisition marks a strategic move by Odyssey to capitalize on the surging demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), driven by the global pandemic. The deal would be a significant milestone in the PPE industry, as face masks have become an essential commodity worldwide.
The ongoing talks, initially reported by Bloomberg News, suggest Odyssey’s growing interest in expanding its investment portfolio within the PPE sector. Honeywell, a global conglomerate known for its diversified product offerings, including aerospace systems and engineering services, has played a key role in meeting the massive demand for PPE during the COVID-19 crisis.
While the reasons behind Odyssey’s interest in Honeywell’s face mask division remain unspecified, the acquisition is seen as a calculated effort to tap into the lucrative market. The surge in demand for PPE since the pandemic began has transformed the sector, making it an attractive investment opportunity for private equity firms.
PPE Market
If the deal proceeds, it could have broader implications for both companies and the PPE market. Honeywell’s face mask unit, known for its production capacity and established reputation, has been a leader in addressing global PPE needs. Odyssey’s acquisition could further shake up the competitive landscape as private equity firms continue to show interest in PPE-related assets.
This is not the first time a private equity firm has targeted the PPE industry. In 2016, Blackstone acquired a majority stake in Ansell Limited’s industrial and medical gloves business for $600 million, a deal that highlighted the profitability of the sector even before the pandemic. Odyssey’s potential acquisition of Honeywell’s unit could be viewed in a similar light, setting the stage for more deals as the industry continues to expand.
While the deal is still in its negotiation phase, the final terms could evolve as discussions progress. The outcome will not only impact Odyssey’s investment portfolio but also shape Honeywell’s future business strategy. Industry stakeholders are watching closely, as this acquisition could set a benchmark for future investments in the PPE market.
OpenAI has shattered records by securing a monumental $6.6 billion in funding, a move that could elevate its valuation to an eye-popping $157 billion. This latest round, fueled by a diverse group of investors, positions the AI powerhouse at the forefront of global tech innovation despite undergoing significant internal shifts.
The timing of this funding round is noteworthy, as it comes during a period of organizational restructuring and leadership changes. Notably, the sudden departure of Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati has not dampened investor enthusiasm.
In fact, investor confidence remains robust, with heavyweights such as Thrive Capital, Khosla Ventures, and Microsoft doubling down on their backing. Microsoft’s ongoing support further strengthens its partnership with OpenAI, while Nvidia’s entry as a new investor signals its increasing stake in the future of AI.
The $6.6 billion was raised through convertible notes, with conversion to equity contingent on a structural overhaul. This transformation would shift OpenAI from its original non-profit framework to a for-profit entity, eliminating the cap on investor returns and marking a significant departure from its foundational principles.
Despite these shifts, the appeal of OpenAI’s vision—pioneering artificial general intelligence (AGI)—keeps investors bullish.
OpenAI’s financial projections offer insight into why investor confidence remains high. The company anticipates generating $3.6 billion in revenue this year, with expectations of a sharp leap to $11.6 billion in 2025.
While the company currently faces operating losses exceeding $5 billion, these ambitious growth targets suggest that investors are betting on a long-term payoff as OpenAI continues to monetize its technological innovations.
To add further momentum, Thrive Capital has negotiated an additional $1 billion option for 2025, should OpenAI meet its revenue milestones, signaling even more future investment potential.
A diverse set of global investors has further bolstered OpenAI’s financial position. SoftBank, Fidelity, and Abu Dhabi’s MGX are all contributing to the company’s future growth. Additionally, OpenAI plans to launch a tender offer to allow employees to sell their shares—an internal move that could increase liquidity, following similar initiatives earlier this year when employees sold shares at an $86 billion valuation.
Apple, a notable tech giant, opted out of this funding round despite early talks. The reasons behind its decision remain unclear, but its absence stands in contrast to the enthusiasm from other tech heavyweights.
OpenAI’s long-term ambitions center on developing AGI, a form of artificial intelligence that would surpass human cognitive abilities. As the company edges closer to this goal, it is simultaneously scaling its revenue through commercialization, with its signature product, ChatGPT, now boasting 250 million weekly active users. OpenAI’s rapid rise in both valuation—from $14 billion in 2021 to a projected $157 billion—and revenue has outstripped even the most optimistic forecasts.
The next few years will be pivotal as OpenAI navigates its path to profitability while maintaining its bold pursuit of AGI. This dual strategy has resonated with investors, who view the company as a cornerstone of the future AI landscape, capable of reshaping industries from healthcare to finance.
OpenAI’s record-breaking funding round marks a significant chapter in its meteoric rise. While internal restructuring and personnel changes raise questions, they have not shaken investor confidence. The substantial capital injection highlights faith in the company’s vision and its ability to lead the AI revolution.
As OpenAI marches toward its ultimate goal of AGI and balances commercialization with groundbreaking research, all eyes will be on how it leverages its newfound funding to secure its place as a transformative force in global technology. The stakes are higher than ever, and OpenAI’s next steps could shape the future of artificial intelligence for years to come.
