World News in Brief: Deadly strikes in Sudan, health systems in South Sudan near the brink, Guterres calls for unity ahead of Ramadan.

Over the past week, North Kordofan state recorded more than a dozen attacks in and around the towns of El Obeid, Bara, Rahad and Um Rawaba.   In South Kordofan, suspected drone strikes hit health facilities in the state capital, Kadugli, and in Kuweik town, reportedly killing four medical workers, injuring more than 20 people.  Concerns over the conflict continue to deepen after a report today […]

Guterres condemns escalating violence in South Sudan as aid operations come under fire

Guterres condemns escalating violence in South Sudan as aid operations come under fire

In a statement issued by his Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq on Saturday, the UN chief said nearly 10 million people – “more than two thirds of the population” – now require life-saving humanitarian assistance and “continue to bear the brunt of the conflict”. He expressed grave concern over fighting, attacks and looting affecting humanitarian and […]

Pakistan: Guterres condemns deadly suicide bombing at Islamabad mosque

Pakistan: Guterres condemns deadly suicide bombing at Islamabad mosque

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres said he condemned the bombing “in the strongest terms.” Call for accountability “The Secretary-General reiterates that attacks against civilians and places of worship are unacceptable,” the statement said, stressing that those responsible “must be identified and brought to justice.” Mr. Guterres extended his condolences to […]

AI ‘moving at the speed of light’ warns Guterres, unveiling recommendations for UN expert panel

AI ‘moving at the speed of light’ warns Guterres, unveiling recommendations for UN expert panel

“AI is moving at the speed of light,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, underscoring the urgency of regulating the breakthrough technology. “We need shared understandings to build effective guardrails, unlock innovation for the common good, and foster cooperation. The Panel will help the world separate fact from fakes, and science from slop.” The roots of […]

‘Decisive battle’: Guterres calls for youth power in fight to phase out fossil fuels

On Tuesday in Belém, ministers from Colombia, Germany, Kenya, the Marshall Islands, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom and several other countries, voiced strong support for Brazil’s proposal to elevate the issue in this year’s round of UN climate negotiations. The coalition called on negotiators to reinforce language around the fossil fuel transition in the draft […]

‘The world is watching’: Guterres and Lula urge unity as COP30 talks near deadline

Amid reports of deadlocks on fossil fuels, climate finance and other key issues, both leaders urged negotiators to act decisively on phasing out fossil fuels and boosting adaptation finance, insisting that fairness and ambition must guide the final hours of COP30. Guterres: 1.5°C is the ‘non-negotiable red line’ Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Mr. Guterres […]

Jamaica: International support ‘crucial’ to hurricane recovery says Guterres

António Guterres spoke by phone to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness earlier in the day emphasising afterwards in a statement that “international support is crucial” as the country deals with the effects of the category 5 storm which brought rain, storm surges and catastrophic flooding. “He calls for the mobilisation of massive resources to deal […]

In Southeast Asia, Guterres presses the case for climate action

Addressing a joint summit between the UN and Southeast Asian nations in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Secretary-General António Guterres described the region as “a beacon of cooperation” and a vital pillar of global stability. With Timor-Leste’s accession, he said, the collective spirit of the regional organization known as ASEAN had “grown stronger,” making the bloc […]

Indirect disaster effects cost the world nearly $2 trillion per year, Guterres says on International Day

Most of the exorbitant costs of disaster are preventable with proper funding and planning —one of the main messages for this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, themed Fund Resilience, Not Disasters, observed on Monday. “Every dollar invested in resilience saves many more in avoided losses and protects the dignity of those most at […]

Guterres urges countries to ‘seize this historic opportunity’ as renewable energy use grows

The latest push follows the release of two reports on Tuesday which affirmed that the so-called “renewables revolution” is accelerating at unprecedented rates. For the first time ever, renewable energy has generated more power than coal, according to new analysis by Ember, a global think tank working to speed up the clean energy transition. Energy […]

France Joins UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal in Recognising Palestinian Statehood

France Joins UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal in Recognising Palestinian Statehood

France joins UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal in recognising Palestinian statehood at UN-backed conference United Nations/New York: UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday reiterated that nothing can justify the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, nor the “collective punishment” inflicted on the Palestinian people in their aftermath. Calling for an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza, he […]

UN’s Guterres condemns gang attack in Haiti that killed at least 40

UN’s Guterres condemns gang attack in Haiti that killed at least 40

The overnight assault on September 11 is the latest in a string of brutal incidents and ongoing gang violence that have plagued Haiti since last year.  In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Guterres expressed “condolences” to the victims’ families and urged Haitian authorities to pursue justice. “The Secretary-General is alarmed by the levels […]

‘Peace is the most powerful force for a better future’: Guterres

‘Peace is the most powerful force for a better future’: Guterres

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 […]

Ukraine: Guterres greatly concerned over reported Russian incursion into Polish airspace

Ukraine: Guterres greatly concerned over reported Russian incursion into Polish airspace

Speaking at the regular news briefing in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said António Guterres is following the ensuing diplomatic fallout across the NATO military alliance “with great concern” the incident, which reportedly occurred amid a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine. “There is an urgent need for a full, immediate and […]

Guterres condemns Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar as ‘flagrant violation’

Guterres condemns Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar as ‘flagrant violation’

In a statement, António Guterres spoke out against what he called a “flagrant violation” of Qatari sovereignty and territorial integrity. He insisted that all parties must focus on achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, “not (on) destroying it”. No senior leaders killed, claims Hamas Hamas reported that six people had been killed, including the son […]

Guterres strongly condemns terror attack in Jerusalem

Guterres strongly condemns terror attack in Jerusalem

UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the terror attack, his Spokesperson said in a statement. “He conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a full and speedy recovery to those who were wounded,” it said. The incident took place at a busy intersection in Ramot, located in the northern outskirts […]

World News in Brief: Afghanistan quake update, Guterres in Papua New Guinea, Ebola returns to DR Congo, UN condemns attack on peacekeepers in South Sudan

World News in Brief: Afghanistan quake update, Guterres in Papua New Guinea, Ebola returns to DR Congo, UN condemns attack on peacekeepers in South Sudan

Since the initial earthquake on Sunday in eastern Nangarhar province, landslides and several strong aftershocks have disrupted the work of rescue teams. In an update, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said that access routes remain blocked in various locations including the districts of Chawkay and Nurgal, both in Kunar province, although the authorities have deployed earth-moving […]

Guterres hails Papua New Guinea as an example of diversity, dialogue and climate action

Guterres hails Papua New Guinea as an example of diversity, dialogue and climate action

António Guterres is the first serving UN Secretary-General to visit the country, which is celebrating 50 years of independence. He praised its tremendous diversity, with over 800 languages spoken and countless traditions. Commitment to peace, dignity and progress “And yet, you have a shared commitment to speak with one voice – to having ‘one talk’ […]

Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit: Guterres calls for strengthening multilateralism

Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit: Guterres calls for strengthening multilateralism

The Eurasian bloc, comprising 10 member states, is the world’s largest regional organization by population and geography. Mr. Guterres told leaders that “we are moving towards a multipolar world”, which is both a reality and an opportunity. He said emerging economies are reshaping trade, diplomacy and development, but at the same time, injustices and divisions […]

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