Free societies are good for business says UN rights chief, wrapping up visit to Kyrgyzstan
Speaking in the capital Bishkek, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights acknowledged the country’s recent economic growth but cautioned that narrowing space for civil society and press freedom could undermine progress. “For societies to thrive, they need to…
Afghanistan: Security Council renews UN mission as WHO warns of health catastrophe
Unanimously adopting resolution 2777 (2025), the 15-member council stressed the “critical importance” of a continued presence of UNAMA and other UN agencies across Afghanistan. The council also expressed appreciation for the UN’s long-term commitment to the country and its people,…
UN chief affirms solidarity with Bangladesh amid political transition
Speaking to the media on Saturday, the Secretary-General praised Bangladesh’s progress and highlighted the role of the international community in supporting the country’s future. “I am particularly pleased to be in Bangladesh at this important moment in your national journey,”…
In Bangladesh, UN chief vows to prevent Rohingya suffering as aid cuts loom
UN aid efforts are in jeopardy following funding reductions announced by major donors, including the United States and several European nations. Mr. Guterres described Cox’s Bazar as “ground zero” for the impact of these cuts, warning of a looming humanitarian…
UN chief hails Kyrgyz-Tajik border treaty breakthrough
The presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon, signed the agreement at a meeting in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, earlier today, according to media reports. Closed since 2021, two checkpoints on the nearly 1,000-km-long Tajik-Kyrgyz border have…
Bangladesh: Rohingya children’s acute hunger surges amid funding cuts
“Children in the world’s largest refugee camp are experiencing the worst levels of malnutrition since the massive displacement that occurred in 2017,” Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh, told journalists in Geneva, almost eight years since hundreds of thousands of…
Afghanistan: Top UN envoy calls for ‘a moment of realism’, as Taliban’s isolation grows
Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, warned that political engagement with the Taliban has yielded little progress, while frustration among international stakeholders is growing. “The space for engagement is narrowing,” she said,…
UN agencies condemn Thailand’s deportation of Uyghurs to China
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the forced return of the Uyghurs, who had been detained in Thailand for over 11 years, was deeply troubling. “This violates the principle of non-refoulement for which there is a complete…
UN chief calls for peace and justice as Ramadan begins
“In this Holy Month, let us all be uplifted by these values and embrace our common humanity to build a more just and peaceful world for all,” he said in a message. He also extended a special message of support…
Asia-Pacific falling behind on sustainable development and climate targets
The 2025 SDG Progress Report from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) launched on Tuesday, also revealed persistent data gaps which are limiting policymakers’ ability to address key challenges. “Without urgent action to accelerate…