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Increase in climate-driven wildfires calls for more investment in prevention

INTERNATIONAL, 16 January 2025 Climate and Environment - The deadly wildfires that have swept through the Los Angeles area, destroying whole communities and causing billions in damage, reveal why countries must invest more in stopping these devastating blazes before they start.
It’s much needed, as wildfires are rapidly increasing in intensity, frequency and duration due to the climate crisis and changes in land use, said Amy Duchelle of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 

“Historically there has been very strong attention on suppression but much more intention and investment need to be on prevention,” she told UN News’s Dianne Penn this week. 

FAO’s Senior Forestry Officer and Team Leader on Forests and Climate explained how the UN agency is helping countries to boost integrated fire management and why everyone must play a part.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Amy Duchelle: Wildfires basically require three ingredients - a fuel source, hot dry weather, and an ignition source – and the situation in Los Angeles had all three of those to a severe degree, including strong winds which made those fires continue to burn out of control. 

Fire is not something that’s new to humanity. Fires have been used by humans for millennia and in fact are a traditional and important land and farming management tool for small holders and indigenous peoples, especially in developing countries. 

Fire has also been part of the Earth system for hundreds of millions of years and occurs in every terrestrial vegetation biome and on every continent, except for Antarctica. But we see that patterns are now changing in terms of the intensity, frequency and duration of extreme wildfires. 

UN News: Do we know how much of the world is affected by wildfires, and what are some of the implications? 

Amy Duchelle: An estimated 340 to 370 million hectares of the Earth’s land surface is affected by fire annually, and that includes approximately 67 million hectares of forested areas. 

Oftentimes the public’s attention on wildfires is a situation like we have currently in Los Angeles, where the images of the devastation are absolutely horrifying. I think, and many are saying, that we are in a new era in terms of climate change-fuelled wildfires, catastrophic wildfires, and so the approach to dealing with these wildfires needs to be different. 

Historically, there has been very strong attention on suppression but much more intention and investment need to be on prevention, so really dealing with the wildfire issue before the fires even began to burn. Many of these aspects have been put into place by many countries, but much more work is needed. 

UN News: You mentioned the role of climate change in wildfires.  The UN's weather agency, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), just confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record. And, as you said, we're in a new era. 

Amy Duchelle: The projections show substantial increases in the intensity, frequency and scale of wildfires in in the coming years and it’s of enormous concern, also because wildfires are not only fuelled by these warmer conditions but they also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing further to the climate crisis, and then this actually becomes a vicious cycle that is tough to get out of. 

UN News: Tell us about FAO’s work on wildfires. 

Amy Duchelle: FAO has a long programme on promoting integrated fire management and we’re trying to do exactly what I was speaking to before: supporting countries in increasing their capacities for integrated fire management with a focus much more on prevention than on only suppression and response.  

We promote through what we call the five R's. The first is a review and analysis of the fire situation in a given country or place. The second is risk reduction, and that's really understanding how to reduce the risks of devastating wildfires. 

The third is readiness, so being prepared with protocols and procedures to deal with wildfires when they do happen. The fourth is response.  Wildfires will continue to burn, and there needs to be good firefighting, good response mechanisms, and teams in place. 

The fifth is recovery, not only of all of the infrastructure and devastation of urban areas, but also ecosystems. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which we're in now, is really a vehicle to also promote restoration post-fire. 

A firefighter battles a forest wildfire. (file)
Unsplash/Fabian Jones
A firefighter battles a forest wildfire. (file)

UN News: You mentioned firefighting. Does this mean that countries must change their ways of firefighting, for example putting focus on tracts of homes and land rather than just single houses or locations?

Amy Duchelle: I think the Los Angeles fire has really highlighted the limits to suppression of fires when they’re burning in that way out of control. You can have the best firefighting system in the world, and California is renowned for its firefighting capacities, but even in a context like that, there are limits to suppression of wildfires. 

That’s very much why we need to be shifting focus towards prevention, risk reduction and readiness. Also, much of the investment has gone into response and then recovery, and that’s extremely expensive. The damages and losses of these catastrophic fires are in the billions of dollars, and more financial investment in prevention could potentially lower the costs of dealing with actual response and recovery. 

UN News: What can the general public do to support prevention, risk reduction and readiness?

Amy Duchelle: This is a whole-of-society kind of issue, and everyone indeed has a role to play. I think something else that we’re beginning to understand is that the concept of fire seasons is changing and that this is an issue to be addressed year-round, even when those fires are not burning. 

Most fires have an initial human cause to them, so really understanding whether it’s by accident or carelessness or the way infrastructure is set up, and really understanding that there are ways to promote integrated fire management behaviour through education awareness; kind of an “all hands on deck” approach.  This is not just obviously a forestry issue. This is across sectors and across all levels of society.  

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UN human rights chief hails ‘signs of new beginnings’ in Lebanon and Syria

INTERNATIONAL, 16 January 2025 Human Rights - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Syria on Thursday, acknowledging the traumas both nations have endured over decades. 
“I arrived, I have to say, with a heavy heart, given the compounded traumas over decades in both countries, but I see signs of new beginnings,” said Volker Türk – speaking in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

On Wednesday, he was in Damascus for his first ever visit to Syria where he called for “urgent reconsideration” of sanctions following a constructive meeting with the head of the transitional authorities.

Hopes run high

Despite the immense challenges, he noted a sense of hope for Lebanon’s future. He highlighted the importance of the ongoing ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, which continues to hold.

“The critically important ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel continues broadly to hold, albeit with worrying reports of continued demolitions by Israeli forces in towns and villages in southern Lebanon,” he remarked.

The recent election of a new President and Prime Minister in Lebanon has ended a two-year political stalemate, opening the door for much-needed reforms.

Time for reform and renewal

“With the election of this new leadership, there is momentum for political stability, economic recovery, and long-overdue implementation of critical reforms to address the multiple socio-economic crises and gaping inequalities facing Lebanon,” the High Commissioner emphasized.

Lebanon’s active civil society has underscored the need for full respect for freedom of expression and association, combating discrimination, improving participation and representation of women, guaranteeing full gender equality, recognizing and including people with disabilities, and ensuring human rights protections for the most marginalized and at risk.

“Respect for human rights requires specific and continuing investment in the rule of law,” he noted.

Reckoning with the past

The High Commissioner also called for a resumption of the independent investigation into the Beirut port explosion in August 2020, which killed over 218 people and rendered hundreds of thousands homeless.

“I repeat that those responsible for that tragedy must be held to account and offer the support of my office in this regard,” he stated.

Lebanon is currently experiencing one of the worst economic declines in modern history, with severe currency devaluation and triple-digit inflation affecting basic necessities.

According to the World Bank, 44 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, with 2.5 million people in need of food assistance. “There is a need for a renewal of the social contract that rebuilds the social fabric, that restores confidence in the institutions of the State,” the High Commissioner urged.

The recent months of fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in the shadow of the Gaza war, have resulted in significant loss of life and displacement. More than 4,000 lives were reportedly lost, including over 1,100 women and children, and over 200 healthcare workers and journalists.

The ceasefire, which began in late November 2024, remains fragile but is holding despite violations.

“My office stands ready to strengthen our human rights work and to accompany the country as it moves forward,” the High Commissioner concluded, emphasizing the need for a durable peace and the safe return of civilians.

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UN stands with Ukrainians for the long-term, insists UN aid chief

INTERNATIONAL, 16 January 2025 Humanitarian Aid - The embattled people of Ukraine and those forced abroad need $3.32 billion in lifesaving and sustained humanitarian assistance to help them cope as a fourth year of war looms after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, UN aid chiefs said on Thursday. 

In a joint appeal from Kyiv, the UN’s emergency relief chief Tom Fletcher and Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said that millions of civilians inside Ukraine and abroad depend on the international community’s support, amid ongoing Russian attacks.

“The Ukrainian people have shown incredible courage over these years and we have to respond by showing a real, genuine, sustained international engagement, we have to respond with heart,” said Mr. Fletcher. “We will be here with the Ukrainian people for as long as it takes to meet these needs and to support them…We must not forget those Ukrainians who are in the occupied territories whose needs are extreme. And we must continue to be creative and brave about getting our support to those who most need it.”

Millions in need

The appeals are designed to support critical assistance to some six million people inside Ukraine - where overall needs are more than twice that number - and abroad, where more than 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees live.

Some $2.62 billion is designated for response teams inside the country, while UNHCR has requested $690 million in 2025 and $1.2 billion for 2025-2026 to assist governments hosting refugees in 11 countries.

“The objective, of course, is not to make sure that these people are refugees forever,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “The objective is for this to create the conditions for these people to return to Ukraine. This is what Ukraine needs and this is what the majority of the refugees want.”

Daily bombing

Speaking to journalists on his sixth visit to Ukraine, the refugee agency chief highlighted the unrelenting impact of bomb blasts on the frontline, day in, day out. Communities there continue to suffer destruction and deprivation in the cold of winter, he said.

“Here, Kyiv is a big city, but when you go out there in a small town, you see how people’s lives are completely devastated; almost everybody had to leave their houses.

“Very few people have access to heating in the bitter cold…This targeting by the Russian Federation of energy infrastructure, which is, of course, affecting civilian lives directly, is something that has to stop.”

Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, emphasized that national NGO partners and the UN continue to deliver aid and evacuate the most vulnerable individuals, wherever access allows: “Inevitably, a big part of the needs are along the frontline,” he said.

“We are supporting in particular people who have chosen to stay near the frontline and amongst those, particularly people with disabilities and older people who find it difficult to move.”

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Economic recovery is losing steam, warns UN labour agency

INTERNATIONAL, 16 January 2025 Economic Development - Geopolitical tensions, the rising costs of climate change and unresolved debt issues are putting labour markets under pressure, according to a new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) published on Thursday. 
The newly released World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025, sheds light on the deceleration of the global economy. This is impacting labour markets and stalling progress on recovery from previous economic downturns.

In 2024, global employment expanded in line with a growing labour force, keeping the unemployment rate steady, similar to the previous year.

On the other hand, young people continued to face much higher unemployment rates with few signs of improvements.

Informal work and those categorised as the working poor, returned to pre-pandemic levels, and low-income countries faced the most difficulties in creating decent jobs for their citizens.

Recovery challenges

In 2024, the global economy continued to expand at a moderate rate, slowing as the end of the year beckoned. This moderate growth is expected to continue through 2025 and over the medium term.

Although inflation rates came down, the economy has not fully caught up with the pandemic-related loss of earnings, in part because of weak employment growth.

Real wages, the report notes, have only increased in some advanced economies – and most countries are still recovering from the aftermath of the past crises.

Labour force participation in decline

Participation in the labour force has dropped in low-income countries while continuously increasing in high-income nations – mainly among older workers and women.

Still, gender gaps remain wide, with fewer women in the workforce, limiting progress in living standards.

Participation has fallen sharply among young men with many losing out on education, employment or training (NEET) programmes, leaving them vulnerable to economic challenges.

While this is especially pronounced in low-income countries, with a similar trend for young women, the pattern persisted worldwide.

The global jobs gap - the estimated number of people who want to work but do not have a job - reached 402 million in 2024.

This includes 186 million unemployed, 137 million who are temporarily unavailable to work and 79 million discouraged workers who have stopped looking for jobs.

Against a gradual decline in labour force participation, the jobs gap has continued its pre-pandemic downward trend but is expected to stabilise over the next two years.

New opportunities in green and digital sectors

The study identifies potential for job growth in green energy and digital technologies.

Renewable energy jobs have grown to 16.2 million worldwide, driven by investment in solar and hydrogen power. However, these jobs are unevenly distributed, with nearly half based in East Asia.

Digital technologies also offer opportunities, but the report notes that many countries lack the infrastructure and skills to fully benefit from these advancements.

Innovative solutions

The ILO Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo, stressed the urgent need for action.

“Decent work and productive employment are essential for achieving social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.

The report recommendations include boosting productivity by investing in skills training, expanding social protection and encouraging the use of private funds towards supporting local development in low-income countries.

“To avoid exacerbating already strained social cohesion, escalating climate impacts and surging debt, we must act now to tackle labour market challenges and create a fairer, more sustainable future,” concluded Mr. Houngbo.

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A decade of conflict: ‘Almost 40 million Yemenis have waited far too long’

INTERNATIONAL, 15 January 2025 Peace and Security - The UN’s Special Envoy for Yemen and a top aid official briefed the Security Council on Wednesday warning of the grave consequences that could follow if hostilities stemming from its long running civil conflict – which have now spilled across the entire region – continue into a second decade.
Special Envoy Hans Grundberg highlighted the alarming trend of escalation provoked by Yemen’s Houthi forces who began attacking international shipping in the Red Sea last year in support of Hamas operations in Gaza, provoking retaliatory strikes by multiple states, including the United States, United Kingdom and Israel.

These strikes, combined with attacks on Yemen’s Red Sea ports and Sana’a International Airport, have severely damaged civilian infrastructure and disrupted humanitarian operations in recent months. 

Such actions have far-reaching repercussions, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya underscored, noting that essential infrastructure that is crucial to humanitarian relief efforts “must be spared” as impairing their operations “causes direct and immense civilian hardship and suffering.”

Dire humanitarian consequences

The humanitarian impact of the conflict has left almost half of Yemen’s population – over 17 million people – unable to meet their basic food needs.

This is due in part to a severe decline in port operations. Yemenis rely on imports for over two-thirds of their food – mainly through Hudaydah on the Red Sea – and 90 per cent of their medical supplies.

Due to the uptick in fighting since the Houthis (formally known as Ansar Allah) became embroiled in the Gaza conflict, shipments via ports have dropped to 30 per cent of full capacity.

Meanwhile, Cholera outbreaks and malnutrition disproportionately affect women, children and marginalised groups.

Pathway to peace

Both senior officials emphasised the need for urgent and unified action. “Regional stability requires, in part, achieving peace in Yemen,” said Mr. Grundberg.

He stressed the importance of a nationwide ceasefire and tangible commitments from all parties to address Yemen’s economic challenges, including unifying the central bank and resuming oil exports.

His office has launched a series of political dialogues, prioritising the meaningful participation of women and youth, to build an inclusive vision for Yemen’s future.

“These efforts are critical in laying the foundation for a broader political process,” he stated. 

He also called for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained, underscoring the profound suffering of individuals and families involved. 

Calls for immediate action

Ms. Msuya urged the Security Council to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, protect critical infrastructure and fully fund humanitarian operations.

She expressed cautious optimism, reporting “modest but sustained progress” in facilitating humanitarian access, including the first crossing of frontlines in the contested southern city of Ta’iz since 2016. 

“The unity of this Council and its consistent messaging to the parties on the importance of a negotiated settlement will be pivotal in the months ahead,” Mr. Grundberg said. 

A lasting political resolution remains the most viable way to end the suffering in Yemen, the senior UN officials stressed.

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Guterres hails Gaza ceasefire deal as ‘critical first step’

INTERNATIONAL, 15 January 2025 Peace and Security - The UN Secretary-General has welcomed Wednesday’s announcement of a deal to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza following 15 months of war.
Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters, António Guterres commended mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States for their dedicated efforts in brokering the agreement.

“Their unwavering commitment to finding a diplomatic solution has been critical in achieving this breakthrough,” he said.

He called on all relevant parties to uphold their commitments to ensure that the deal is fully implemented.

Ease the suffering

Mr. Guterres noted that from the outset of the violence, he has called for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.  

Stressing that the priority must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by the conflict, he said the UN stands ready to support the implementation of the deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief.

“It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid across Gaza so that we can support a major increase in urgent lifesaving humanitarian support. The humanitarian situation is at catastrophic levels,” he warned.

Allow aid in

 The Secretary-General called on all parties to facilitate the rapid, unhindered, and safe humanitarian relief for all civilians in need. 

For its part, the UN “will do whatever is humanly possible, aware of the serious challenges and constraints that we will be facing”.  He expects that these efforts will be matched by humanitarian organizations, the private sector and bilateral initiatives.

‘Advance broader goals’

 “This deal is a critical first step, but we must mobilize all efforts to also advance broader goals, including the preservation of the unity, contiguity, and integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” he said.

Palestinian unity is essential for achieving lasting peace and stability, in this regard, and he emphasized that unified Palestinian governance must remain a top priority. 

“I urge the parties and all relevant partners to seize this opportunity to establish a credible political path to a better future for Palestinians, Israelis, and the broader region,” he continued.

He highlighted the need to end the occupation and achieve a negotiated two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

Remember lives lost

Before concluding his remarks, Mr. Guterres paid tribute to the civilians who have lost their lives in the conflict, including UN personnel and humanitarian workers. 

The war in Gaza recently entered a third year.

Israel launched the military campaign following the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on its territory. Some 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken as hostages, with around 100 still being held.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s health authorities. 

UNRWA threat looms

Gaza has a population of just over two million, and 1.9 million have been displaced, according to the UN Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA, which is housing hundreds of thousands in its schools-turned-shelters.

The Secretary-General has repeatedly referred to UNRWA as the “backbone” of relief efforts in the enclave.  The agency has suffered immense losses as 265 staff members have been killed and its facilities have come under attack.

The ceasefire announcement comes as two Israeli laws aimed at ending UNRWA ‘s operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are due to come into effect in mere weeks.

“The Agency’s collapse – whether immediate or gradual – will only compound the immense suffering in Gaza,” Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on Tuesday at a meeting in Oslo focused on the two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians. 

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UN rights chief in historic meeting in Syria’s with caretaker authority in Damascus

INTERNATIONAL, 15 January 2025 Human Rights - The UN human rights chief Volker Türk has described the unbearable suffering of former detainees under the deposed Assad regime and insisted that he stands with the people of the war-torn nation as they “rebuild a country that works for all Syrians”.
Speaking from Damascus after meeting the leader of the caretaker authorities, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Mr. Türk said that he had been “assured…of the importance of respect for human rights for all Syrians and all different components of Syrian society”.

Syria’s de facto leader - who spearheaded the lightning overthrow of Bashar Al Assad on 8 December at the head of opposition fighters Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) -  also underscored “the pursuit of healing, trust building and social cohesion, and the reform of institutions”, the High Commissioner said. 

Staggering needs 

“But the challenges are immense,” he continued, pointing to the “hundreds of thousands of lives” lost, the fact that much of the country lies in ruins”.

Today, nine in 10 Syrians are “mired in poverty, the health system is on its knees and many schools are closed,” Mr. Türk said. “Millions are still displaced both inside and outside the country. The rights to food, health, education and housing are fundamental human rights, and there must be prompt, collective and concerted efforts to guarantee them.”

Calling for “an urgent reconsideration” of ongoing sanctions on Syria “with a view to lifting them”, the UN rights chief said that considering their impact on the lives of the Syrian people was key. 

Sednaya horrors

Mr. Türk – whose visit to Syria is a first for any UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – said that he had heard harrowing testimony from numerous victims of torture. 

They included some jailed at the notorious Sednaya prison outside Damascus, where his Office documented violations “for years”.

The UN rights chief described prisoners telling him that “early in the morning, as they heard the guards at their door, trembling in fear, they retreated to the rear of the cell, fearing they would be hauled out again to be tortured, or even executed.”

Thousands died in prisons throughout Syria, the High Commissioner explained, as he went on to condemn the “apocalyptic wasteland” of the bombed-out residential neighbourhood of Jobar, in Damascus, which he visited.

Mass killing, destruction

“Not a single building in the area was spared bombardment in wave after wave of attacks,” Mr. Türk said, adding that it was “inconceivable that such mass killings and destruction” had happened. 

It was equally difficult to believe “that banned chemical weapons were used against civilians elsewhere in the country and not just once”, the UN rights chief said – a likely reference to several deadly chlorine gas attacks, including on two residential buldings in Douma in northeast Damascus by the Syrian air force on 7 April 2018.

It “says a lot about the extreme brutality of the tactics used by the former regime”, whose acts “constitute some of the most serious crimes under international humanitarian law.”

‘Real threats’ to Syria remain

Away from the immediate destruction and grief of war, the High Commissioner highlighted that the people of Syria “need every ounce of help they can get to rebuild a country that works for all Syrians”. 

The UN human rights office, OHCHR – which has had a dedicated Syria monitoring team since 2013 – “will continue to support inclusive, nationally owned and driven processes”, Mr. Türk said.

He warned of “very real threats” to Syria’s territorial integrity and independence. The country’s sovereignty “must be fully respected and rigorously upheld. The ongoing conflicts and hostilities must end,” the High Commissioner insisted, adding: “This is really a seminal moment for Syria after decades of repression. 

“My most fervent hope is for all Syrians to be able to thrive together, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity and to build a common future.” 

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Guterres highlights ‘hope through action’ for 2025, amid continuing turmoil

INTERNATIONAL, 15 January 2025 Peace and Security - The world continues to grapple with unprecedented challenges but there are reasons for cautious optimism in 2025 - on a long-awaited Gaza ceasefire, climate action, tackling inequaity and harnessing AI for the public good - Secretary-General António Guterres insisted on Wednesday.
In his traditional new year address to the General Assembly setting out his key priorities for the global organization, the UN chief acknowledged the “turmoil of our world” and conceded that “it is understandable to get overwhelmed”.

Nonetheless, Mr. Guterres urged delegates to “never lose sight of progress and potential”, highlighting the ceasefire in Lebanon which is “largely holding” and the country’s recent election of a President, after a two-year stalemate.

Away from the world’s battlefields, the UN chief underscored positive developments on climate action that reflect the commitment of the United Nations to combating global warming, as “the world now invests almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels…almost everywhere, solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of new electricity - and the fastest growing in history,” he said.

And as a measure of how much socio-economic progress has been made in line with UN values, Mr. Guterres noted that “in much of the world, girls have achieved parity in education. On health matters, moreover, “more children are surviving today than ever before,” he insisted, before adding that HIV infections “continue to dramatically decline, along with malaria mortality rates”.

He described the UN as “a force of construction” that is always strengthening how it works and delivers, proving the maxim that global problems need global solutions.

Pandora’s Box

But there can be no illusions that action or inaction has “unleashed a modern-day Pandora’s Box of ills,” he continued, highlighting protracted wars, inequality, the climate crisis and “out of control technology.”

Conflicts are multiplying with the full spectrum of human rights under increasing attack.

Mr. Guterres called for negotiators who are reportedly close to a deal on a Gaza ceasefire to finalise the deal. Throughout the whole Middle East “we must deny extremists a veto over a peaceful future,” he said.

He announced he would be travelling to Lebanon later in the day, emboldened by the positive developments there in recent weeks that could see Israelis and Lebanese forge a new and lasting era of peace and security.

He highlighted conflict in Ukraine, Sudan, the Sahel and Haiti.

Tackling inequality

“Inequalities can be beaten,” he said boldy, starting with accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through multilateral reform on all fronts.

He said the scourge of discrimination and hate speech was also fuelling inequality, demonstrating the need to strengthen “communities of belonging”: “This is even more crucial as guardrails around social media platforms are being dismantled, allowing disinformation and hate speech to run rampant.”

Climate crisis

Referencing the infernos engulfing the canyons of Los Angeles, the UN chief said everyday people worldwide are suffering the deadly effects of a warming planet and extreme weather.

But here too, there is a huge opportunity to reverse the damage and build on climate action such as renewable energy growth, a commitment to net zero and national plans to cut emissions.

The UN is assisting nearly 100 developing countries with their climate action plans ahead of the pivotal COP30 in Brazil later this year and he promised a special stocktaking event to keep the 1.5℃ target within reach.

Technology race

The Secretary-General said the technology revolution in 2025 also offers “unprecedented opportunities” but needs careful stewardship and a commitment to equal access for all.

Rapid and decisive action must be taken across the UN to ensure a level playing field including the setting up of an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI – without delay.

Secondly, governance of Artificial Intelligence must protect human rights while also promoting innovation. Third, developing countries must be supported so AI can be leveraged for sustainable development, he said.

“Humanity’s hand must be firmly in control” of the tech revolution, he added, with every nation helping to shape AI to advance human progress, equality and dignity.

Hope remains

In closing, he noted that the Pandora myth includes one often overlooked detail. After the box was opened unleashing its horrors, there was one thing left inside – hope.

“We must never lose sight of hope,” Mr. Guterres said. “And we will work to lift the lid on that hope through action. To make it real, to help it spread – sticking to principles, speaking the truth, never giving up.”

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US: UN rights expert welcomes court ruling reaffirming sex-based protections in education

INTERNATIONAL, 14 January 2025 Human Rights - The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls has welcomed a ruling by a federal district court in the United States that reaffirms sex-based protections in education.
Independent rights expert Reem Alsalem hailed the landmark 9 January decision by the Kentucky court declaring the US Department of Education’s regulations implementing the Title IX legislation as unlawful. The ruling extends nationwide. 

Title IX is a 1972 law to combat sex discrimination in education programmes or activities that receive federal funding. 

Last April, the Department of Education announced revisions that expand protection to include transgender and non-binary students, among others, on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.

‘A pivotal moment”

In the judgement, the court found that the regulations, which redefined the scope of sex discrimination under Title IX to include gender identity, exceeded its statutory authority and violated constitutional protections, Ms. Alsalem noted.

 “This is a pivotal moment in safeguarding the rights of women and girls to non-discrimination based on their sex and reasserting the obligations of the United States to protect this fundamental human right,” she said

 She further noted that the ruling clarified that “when Title IX is viewed in its entirety, it is abundantly clear that discrimination on the basis of sex means discrimination on the basis of being male and female.”

Safeguarding girls’ right to education

Ms. Alsalem said that Title IX has historically been the cornerstone for advancing gender equality in the US education system. 

She wrote to the Government last December, raising concerns about the human rights implications of the Department of Education’s then-proposed changes.

 “By preserving the original intent of Title IX, the Court has restored factual clarity and common sense to the design of policies that affect women and girls, reasserting their rights to access education under conditions of dignity, equality, and safety,” she said. 

 She urged the US Government to take careful note of the decision and reaffirm its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on specific country situations or thematic issues.

These experts are not UN staff and are independent of any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive payment for their work. 

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World News in Brief: North Gaza under siege, aid to millions in Syria, tensions in Mozambique

INTERNATIONAL, 14 January 2025 Peace and Security - The UN aid coordination office (OCHA) on Tuesday reported further attacks on displacement shelters in Gaza which have been ongoing since 9 January.
In his daily briefing in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists that there have been significant casualties reported in Jabalia al Balad and Khan Younis.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities continue to deny UN-led efforts to reach people with vital assistance, he told correspondents.

North Gaza

The Israeli siege of north Gaza continues, while two attempts by UN teams on Tuesday to reach the Al Awda and Indonesian hospitals to evacuate patients and deliver critical supplies were denied.

As critical shortages soar, access to Al Awda, the only hospital still partially functioning in the north, has been extremely limited, Mr. Dujarric continued.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Hospital remains out of service. Essential equipment has been destroyed, and the facility lacks necessities and adequate staff.

Mr. Dujarric noted that the last time UN partners were able to reach the hospital was in December.

Successful aid deliveries

Elsewhere in Gaza, five bakeries supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) are now operational after one reopened last week. However, due to a lack of fuel, they are functioning at half capacity.

UN partners have been distributing flour to some households, but they report that access constraints and supply shortages could jeopardise future deliveries. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) reached Al-Shifa Hospital earlier this week in Gaza City and delivered 9,700 litres of fuel, as well as blood and plasma units for distribution.

They also transferred three patients and eight companions for onward medical evacuation outside Gaza.

Meanwhile, UNICEF and the Palestinian Water Authority distributed more than 8,000 hygiene kits to some 50,000 people.

The UN and partners are doing everything possible to reach Palestinians in need with extremely limited resources, Mr. Dujarric said.

UN rights chief in Syria as UN and partners ramp up aid delivery

Mr. Dujarric reported that the High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is in Damascus as part of a wider visit to Syria and Lebanon.

The right chief is scheduled to meet officials, as well as representatives of civil society organizations, top diplomats in Damascus and UN colleagues.

Meanwhile, across the country, the UN and partners report that more than 2.4 million people have received bread supplies between the end of November and 12 January.

More than 380,000 people have received general food assistance, including hot meals.

OCHA says that the humanitarian response continues amid security and logistical challenges.

Fuel cost concerns

UN Children’s Fund UNICEF on Tuesday called for increased humanitarian demining efforts to rebuild communities facing the long road to recovery following 14 years of brutal war.

Meanwhile, OCHA has expressed concern over rising fuel costs which could complicate travel for people looking to reach safe areas and health facilities.

Increasing fuel prices are also affecting humanitarian operations due to the surging cost of running generators, vehicles and heating equipment, reported Mr. Dujarric.

Mozambique: OHCHR urges calm ahead of disputed inauguration

Deadly violence in Mozambique left dozens of people dead after the October elections in which the ruling party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo was declared the winner.

As the Presidential inauguration is set to happen on Wednesday, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) has expressed concern over similar events repeating.

The agency urged the country’s security forces to “refrain from further unnecessary or disproportionate use of force” against protesters who have contested the outcome of the October elections.

Into exile

Runner-up candidate Venancio Mondlane has reportedly fled the country after two of his aides were shot dead, while protesters have barricaded roads and clashed with police.

In a statement, OHCHR said it was critical “that freedom of peaceful assembly is upheld and facilitated,” adding that “all stakeholders must take steps to de-escalate tensions and to resolve any election disputes peacefully.”

The office also called on the Mozambican authorities to ensure all violations and abuses of human rights are effectively and independently investigated and those responsible brought to justice, emphasising that victims must be provided with effective reparations and remedies.

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