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Gaza Water Crisis Worsens Amid New Displacement Orders

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July 2, 2025 — Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
A vital water reservoir in Khan Younis has become unreachable following new Israeli displacement orders, heightening fears of a total collapse in the local water distribution network and further deepening Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe.

The Al Satar reservoir, which plays a central role in distributing piped water from Israel, is now cut off after overnight evacuation notices were issued for two neighborhoods in southern Gaza. Up to 80,000 residents are affected, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

“If this reservoir is damaged or continues to be inaccessible, the city’s entire water system could break down,” warned UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.


Humanitarian Situation Reaching Breaking Point

The reservoir’s shutdown is the latest blow to Gaza’s collapsing infrastructure, already strained by fuel shortages, damaged supply chains, and widespread displacement.

🔻 85% of Gaza is now either under military control or designated evacuation zones.
🔻 Nearly 714,000 people have been forcibly displaced again since March.
🔻 29,000 were uprooted in just a single day earlier this week.

Overcrowded shelters are unable to cope. In most areas, people are sleeping outdoors without protection from the elements. A recent survey found that 97% of displacement sites lack proper shelter.

Nations Edge Closer to Historic Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution

Nice, France – June 12, 2025
As the Third UN Ocean Conference unfolded on the sun-soaked Mediterranean coast, a quieter but critical dialogue took place behind closed doors in Nice. Over 40 environment ministers from around the globe gathered to advance negotiations on a potentially landmark treaty to end plastic pollution — a global crisis now visible in every ecosystem and even within the human body.

The meeting, hosted by UN Environment Programme (UNEP) chief Inger Andersen, revealed growing momentum to finalize the world’s first legally binding treaty addressing plastic across its entire life cycle, from production to waste.

“We are choking on plastic,” said Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, the UN’s chief negotiator for the treaty process. “If we don’t act now, no ecosystem — land or sea — will remain untouched.”


Treaty in Sight: Final Talks Set for Geneva in August

The treaty’s development has moved at an unusually fast pace by UN standards. Since the 2022 mandate from the UN Environment Assembly, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) has convened five times, drafting a 22-page text that outlines its structure and legal components.

The final round of negotiations is scheduled for August 5–14 in Geneva, where delegates aim to wrap up the agreement ahead of a global diplomatic conference expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

“Countries are now negotiating article by article. We have a real treaty in the making,” Mathur-Filipp said.


What’s in the Treaty?

The draft treaty includes both mandatory and voluntary measures, making it adaptable to different national capacities. It proposes:

  • Rules to reduce plastic production.
  • Stronger waste management systems.
  • Global coordination on microplastics and marine pollution.
  • Implementation and compliance mechanisms.

Crucially, it recognizes the disproportionate impact on small island developing states, which often suffer the worst pollution despite contributing the least to the problem.


Why It Matters

According to UN data, without intervention, up to 37 million metric tons of plastic waste could enter the ocean annually by 2040. The economic damage from plastic-related harm could reach $281 trillion over the next two decades, harming tourism, fisheries, and coastal infrastructure.

“It’s costing us the economy, the environment, and our health,” said Mathur-Filipp.


The Road Ahead

The treaty’s success will hinge not just on its final text, but on whether it is ratified and enforced globally. This August’s meeting in Geneva is seen as a make-or-break moment.

“We’re running out of time,” said Mathur-Filipp. “But I believe the political will is finally catching up with the science.”

With the clock ticking and environmental costs mounting, the world is watching to see whether nations can come together — not just in words, but in legally binding action — to halt the plastic tide.

UN Ocean Summit Ends with Global Pledges to Protect the Seas

Nice, France – June 13, 2025
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) closed with a resounding message: global unity is possible — and urgently needed — to save our oceans. Over 170 nations, including more than 60 heads of state and government, joined forces on France’s Mediterranean coast to adopt a sweeping declaration and announce hundreds of new commitments.

From marine conservation to pollution reduction, the summit signaled what many are calling a turning point for global ocean governance.

“We leave Nice not only with hope, but with action,” said Li Junhua, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary-General of UNOC3.


A Blueprint for Ocean Action

The conference’s centerpiece outcome, dubbed the Nice Ocean Action Plan, includes both a global political declaration and over 800 voluntary pledges. These came from governments, scientific communities, civil society groups, and UN bodies, all focused on reversing ocean degradation and achieving the goals of SDG 14: Life Below Water.

Among the standout commitments:

  • European Commission pledged €1 billion for ocean conservation and sustainable fishing.
  • French Polynesia committed to creating the world’s largest marine protected area, spanning 5 million km².
  • Germany announced a €100 million initiative to remove old munitions from the Baltic and North Seas.
  • New Zealand invested $52 million into ocean governance across the Pacific.
  • Spain added five new marine protected areas.

An alliance of 37 nations, led by Panama and Canada, launched a “High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean” to address underwater noise pollution. Indonesia, with support from the World Bank, introduced a ‘Coral Bond’ to support reef conservation.


Push to Ratify the High Seas Treaty

A major focus in Nice was accelerating the ratification of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement), adopted in 2023 to protect marine life in international waters. Nineteen new countries ratified the accord during the week, bringing the total to 50 — just 10 shy of the 60 needed for it to enter into force.

“It’s a significant victory,” said France’s special envoy Olivier Poivre d’Arvor. “We’ve taken steps forward — and there’s no turning back.”


Not Just Talk — A Test of Global Will

While the summit delivered an optimistic vision, questions remain about implementation. Will countries follow through?

Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean, reminded delegates that 2028, the year of the next UN Ocean Conference (to be co-hosted by Chile and South Korea), will be a moment of accountability.

“What matters is what happens after the conference,” said Thomson. “We’ve raised ambition — now we need results.”


What’s Next?

The conference reaffirmed the goal to protect 30% of the world’s oceans and land by 2030, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework and climate goals from the International Maritime Organization.

However, concerns from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) about climate damage and calls for a deep-sea mining moratorium were not fully addressed in the final declaration.

Despite this, the declaration — titled “Our ocean, our future: united for urgent action” — represents a global consensus to act swiftly.


Final Thought

As the sun set over the port of Nice, ship horns echoed in tribute to a fragile but shared promise: to protect our ocean before it’s too late.

“The true measure of success,” said Mr. Li, “is not what we said in Nice, but what we do next.”

From Border Control to Belonging: How Refugees Can Strengthen Host Communities

As humanitarian funding shrinks and global displacement continues to rise, the international community is being urged to rethink its response to refugee crises. Rather than focusing solely on border security and short-term aid, new strategies are highlighting the benefits of integrating refugees into host societies.

At a recent high-level meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York, global leaders, including refugee experts and country representatives, called for more inclusive, long-term policies that serve both refugees and the communities that receive them.


A Crisis Growing in Complexity

In 2024, over 122 million people were forcibly displaced by war, climate change, hunger, and poverty. Most of them—around 70%—now reside in low- and middle-income countries, according to ECOSOC President Bob Rae.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasized that the current global focus on border control often comes at the expense of human rights, and urged for a shift in priorities.

“Inclusion means more than safety. It means access to healthcare, education, job opportunities, and documentation—tools that allow refugees to rebuild their lives and contribute to their new communities,” said Grandi.


Examples of Inclusive Refugee Policies

Two countries—Colombia and Mauritania—shared real-world success stories on how empowering refugees has benefited their nations.

Colombia: Legal Protections and Integration for Venezuelans

In 2021, Colombia introduced a Temporary Protection Status (TPS) program for Venezuelan refugees. This initiative gave 2.5 million Venezuelans legal documentation, allowing access to:

  • Public healthcare and education
  • Legal employment
  • Social services

Not only has TPS restored dignity and stability for refugees, but it has also helped Colombia better manage refugee flows, boosting both social integration and national security.

Mauritania: Embracing Refugees as Contributors

For more than a decade, Mauritania has welcomed refugees from Mali, upholding their rights to work, study, and access healthcare. The government treats refugees as equal partners in development, supporting both refugee and host communities through:

  • Investments in education and livelihoods
  • Enhanced social cohesion efforts
  • Local development initiatives that benefit all

A New Approach to Forced Displacement

Speakers at the ECOSOC event stressed that refugee integration should be seen as an opportunity—not a burden. While financial aid remains vital, the focus must now shift to building resilient communities that empower displaced people to contribute economically, socially, and culturally.

“We can no longer afford to separate refugee protection from development,” said ECOSOC President Rae. “By investing in both, we build stronger, more inclusive societies.”

UN Calls for Action to Confront the Legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz Details from the permanent memorial in acknowledgement of the tragedy and in consideration of the legacy of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The devastating impact of the transatlantic slave trade still reverberates through modern society, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said during a moving address at the General Assembly, marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Speaking on March 25, Mr. Guterres emphasized that systemic racism, economic exclusion, and racial violence continue to rob people of African descent of opportunities to thrive.

“For too long, the crimes of the transatlantic slave trade—and their ongoing impact—have remained unacknowledged, unspoken, and unaddressed,” the UN chief stated, calling on governments, institutions, and civil society to finally confront this enduring injustice.


Four Centuries of Suffering

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, an estimated 25 to 30 million Africans were forcibly taken from their homelands. Many perished during the horrific transatlantic journey. Families were shattered, communities destroyed, and generations condemned to slavery, all in the pursuit of profits fueled by racist ideologies.

While the transatlantic slave trade formally ended, its legacy persists, with racial inequalities and economic disparities stretching across centuries and continents.


The Financial Burden That Followed Freedom

Highlighting the injustices that continued even after abolition, Guterres reminded the Assembly that formerly enslaved people often received no compensation, and some—like Haiti—were forced to pay indemnities to those who once enslaved them.

Haiti’s crippling debt, imposed by former colonial powers, locked the young nation into generations of economic hardship, a burden still felt today.


A Call for Concrete Action

The Secretary-General urged:

  • Full implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
  • Active measures against racism, discrimination, and economic exclusion.
  • Honest education about the history and legacy of slavery in schools worldwide.

“Acknowledging this truth is essential for addressing past wrongs, healing the present, and building a future of dignity and justice for all,” Mr. Guterres stressed.


Echoes of Injustice Today

Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly, reinforced these concerns, warning that despite abolition, the scars of slavery endure through inequities in housing, employment, healthcare, and education.

He called for concrete policies, not just acknowledgments, to confront these disparities head-on.

Education plays a critical role, Yang added, urging that histories of slavery and its aftermath be incorporated into curricula globally to help fight ignorance and prejudice.


The Ark of Return: Honoring the Victims

This year’s observance also celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Ark of Return, a solemn white marble memorial at UN Headquarters in New York, designed by Haitian-American architect Rodney Leon.

The monument stands as a tribute to the resilience and resistance of those who suffered and serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against racism and injustice.


New Visions for Remembrance

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka called for remembrance to be more than symbolic. Proposing a “Heritage Voyage of Return”, Soyinka envisioned repurposed transatlantic routes as pathways for education, culture, and healing.

Meanwhile, young American poet Salome Agbaroji urged African descendants to reclaim their narratives:

“Turn the tide, flip the phrase, and reclaim our personhood and stories,” she declared.

She emphasized that the value of people of African descent extends far beyond the labor they provided under oppression, highlighting the vibrancy of their cultures, innovations, and achievements.


The United Nations’ message is clear: remembering the victims of slavery must lead to real change. Only through truth, education, justice, and action can the world begin to heal the wounds left by one of history’s greatest crimes.

Afghanistan’s Opium Prices Soar to Historic Highs, Fueling Organized Crime Networks

Afghanistan’s opium market is facing a dramatic transformation. Since the Taliban’s de facto authorities imposed a poppy cultivation ban in 2022, opium prices have skyrocketed tenfold, according to new data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

While opium production has sharply declined, the price for a kilogram of opium surged from $75 in 2021 to $750 in 2024, creating massive profit opportunities—primarily for high-level traffickers and organized crime groups.


A Shift in the Global Drug Trade

The UNODC reports that heroin and opium seizures have dropped by about 50% since 2021, reflecting a significant fall in production following the poppy ban. However, this has not weakened the opium economy.

“Despite the production decline, trafficking remains highly profitable,” said Ghada Waly, UNODC Executive Director. “Profits are flowing to transnational crime groups, further destabilizing Afghanistan and the broader region.”


Stockpiles Sustain the Trade

At the end of 2022, Afghanistan’s opiate stockpiles were estimated at 13,200 tonnes, enough to sustain demand until 2027.
Before the drop in cultivation, these reserves were valued between $4.6 billion and $5.9 billion, representing up to 29% of Afghanistan’s economy in 2023.

While these stockpiles may have provided a temporary economic cushion for ordinary Afghans amid the country’s financial collapse, most of the opium is controlled by large traders and exporters, leaving small-scale farmers in deep financial distress.


Farmers at Risk

Only about 30% of farmers held modest opium reserves in 2022. The majority, who previously depended on poppy cultivation for their livelihoods, now face severe economic hardship.
UNODC stresses the urgent need to create sustainable economic alternatives for Afghan farmers to prevent a potential return to poppy farming, especially as the current high prices make the crop extremely tempting.


A Dangerous Shift Toward Synthetic Drugs

Another looming concern is the potential shift from opium to even more dangerous synthetic drugs.
With opium increasingly scarce and expensive, traffickers and users may turn toward synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which are far more potent and deadly than heroin.

UNODC warns that without a coordinated global counter-narcotics strategy—one that not only targets trafficking networks but also supports viable livelihoods for Afghan farmers—the world could face a new, more dangerous drug crisis.

Historic Global Deal Reached to Slash Shipping Emissions

In a landmark achievement for climate action, countries have agreed on a new international framework to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions from the global shipping industry. After years of negotiations, the agreement was finalized during the latest session of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee.

The plan sets ambitious targets: achieving net-zero emissions from maritime shipping by 2050, with formal adoption expected in October 2025 and implementation starting in 2027.


Key Elements of the New Framework

The new measures, which will apply to large vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage (responsible for 85% of maritime CO₂ emissions), include:

  • Mandatory global fuel standards: Shipping companies must progressively lower the greenhouse gas intensity of their marine fuels.
  • Industry-wide carbon pricing: High-emission vessels will be required to purchase “remedial units” to offset their excess emissions, while ships using near-zero or zero-emission technologies will benefit from financial rewards.

This dual system is designed to create strong market incentives for the transition toward cleaner fuels and sustainable shipping practices.


Challenges and Breakthrough

Negotiations in London were intense. Some countries, including the United States, initially opposed the proposal. However, after a decisive vote, the framework passed, signaling a historic shift for the shipping industry.

“The approval of the net-zero framework is a major milestone,” said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, praising the global collaboration that made the agreement possible.
“This demonstrates the IMO’s commitment to modernizing shipping and addressing climate change.”


Supporting Developing Nations

A significant feature of the framework is the creation of the IMO Net-Zero Fund. Financed by revenues from the carbon pricing mechanism, this fund will:

  • Support innovation and infrastructure for greener shipping, especially in developing countries.
  • Mitigate the economic impact on vulnerable nations, such as small island developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs), which are disproportionately affected by climate change.

What’s Next?

  • Formal Adoption: Final ratification of the agreement is scheduled for October 2025 during the next IMO session.
  • Implementation: New standards and mechanisms will officially take effect in 2027, allowing the industry time to transition and invest in new technologies.

About the IMO

Founded in 1948 and based in London, the International Maritime Organization is the UN’s specialized agency tasked with ensuring the safety, security, and environmental sustainability of global shipping. It is behind key international treaties like SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and MARPOL (Prevention of Pollution from Ships).


This landmark decision is expected to reshape the future of global shipping, accelerating the sector’s transition toward sustainability while providing critical support to nations most at risk from the impacts of climate change.

The Chinamperos of Xochimilco: Can This Ancient Farming Tradition Survive?

In the heart of Mexico City, a centuries-old agricultural tradition is fighting for survival. The chinamperos of Xochimilco, farmers who cultivate crops on floating gardens called chinampas, have been sustaining the city for generations. But today, urban sprawl, environmental degradation, and climate change are threatening their ancestral way of life.

Ahead of the release of the 2025 Interconnected Disaster Risks report, a team from the United Nations University visited Xochimilco to hear firsthand how the chinamperos are working to preserve their heritage.


A Rich Agricultural Legacy

The practice of creating chinampas dates back to the Aztecs, who ingeniously layered mud, plants, and branches over shallow lake beds to form fertile floating islands. This system created a unique and sustainable method of farming, resulting in a sprawling network of nearly 180 kilometers of canals and gardens.

“I was born and raised in Xochimilco,” says Lauro Rivera, a 72-year-old beekeeper. “This place exists because of the hard work of our ancestors. They built the chinampas and anchored them with trees like the ahuejote. Their efforts still shape the land today.”


Modern Challenges for Ancient Traditions

While the chinampas once teemed with freshwater clams, fish, turtles, and axolotls, pollution and water scarcity have taken a toll.

“There were even freshwater clams here,” recalls Samuel Luna, a 67-year-old vegetable farmer. “Now we are trying to return to more eco-friendly farming methods with fewer pesticides. Maybe we can’t bring everything back, but we can preserve what remains.”

Today’s chinamperos, like Samuel’s grandson Eric Enríquez, are determined to continue the tradition, even as climate change makes farming unpredictable.

“You no longer know when it will rain or when it will be cold,” Eric explains. “Technology offers solutions, but not everyone can afford the necessary tools. Farming the chinampas is hard, beautiful work—and we can’t let it disappear.”


Preserving a Way of Life

The chinampa tradition is not only about food production but also about cultural identity. Mariana Cruz, a 29-year-old historian, highlights the vital role women have played in this heritage.

“My great-grandmother farmed the chinampas. She and many women worked alongside men to build this community,” Mariana shares. “There’s a stereotype that farming equals poverty, but we are proud to come from chinamperos. Their work is as vital as that of any doctor.”

She believes education is key to preserving Xochimilco’s importance, teaching others why protecting its canals, water systems, and agricultural legacy matters not just for locals but for the entire city’s future.


A Future in the Balance

The chinamperos stand at a crossroads. Without significant efforts to protect the environment, revitalize traditional farming, and attract new generations to agriculture, a vital part of Mexico City’s cultural and ecological heritage could vanish.

Their story is a reminder that sustainability, resilience, and respect for ancestral knowledge are critical—not just for the chinamperos, but for all communities facing the growing impacts of climate change.

Myanmar Earthquake Survivors Face Rising Health Crisis Amid Pre-Monsoon Rains

One month after the devastating earthquakes struck central Myanmar, tens of thousands of survivors are still living in fragile conditions, with destitution, disease, and despair stalking their daily lives, according to United Nations agencies on the ground.

With many families still sheltering under makeshift tents of plastic sheeting, vulnerable communities are now facing pre-monsoon storms, stagnant water, and increasing risks of waterborne diseases.


Living in Fear and Hardship

Describing the grim situation, Dr. Thushara Fernando, WHO Representative in Myanmar, said:

“When it rains, they can’t sleep. When the rain stops, they still can’t sleep because they fear the wind might blow their only shelter away.”

He warned that contaminated water sources, overwhelmed toilets, and the absence of basic protection like mosquito nets are exposing survivors to cholera, dengue, and acute watery diarrhoea. A cholera outbreak had already been reported in Mandalay prior to the earthquakes.


The Humanitarian Toll

The earthquakes, which struck on 28 March 2025, killed at least 3,700 people, injured 5,100, and left 114 still missing, though actual numbers are feared to be much higher due to underreporting.
Since the initial quake, survivors have endured over 140 aftershocks, some as strong as magnitude 5.9, adding to trauma and complicating relief efforts.


WHO and UNICEF Response Efforts

To meet the urgent needs:

  • WHO has delivered around 170 tonnes of emergency medical supplies, supporting 450,000 people for at least three months.
  • More than 220 emergency medical teams have been deployed to the earthquake-affected zones.
  • Dengue prevention initiatives are underway, with 4,500 rapid diagnostic kits and hundreds of insecticide-treated nets distributed.

Despite these efforts, services such as trauma care, mental health support, and maternal health services are operating at a very limited scale due to funding shortfalls.

“Without urgent, sustained funding, the risks of secondary health crises will erupt,” warned Dr. Fernando.

UNICEF also raised alarms about deteriorating conditions:

  • Access to food, healthcare, and clean water remains severely disrupted.
  • Early signs of acute watery diarrhoea are emerging.
  • Malnutrition rates are worsening, particularly among young children.
  • Low immunization coverage threatens to spark preventable disease outbreaks, particularly as monsoon rains approach.

Urgent Action Needed

As Myanmar’s earthquake survivors brace for even harsher conditions during the coming monsoon season, UN agencies are calling for immediate international support to prevent a full-scale humanitarian health disaster.

“Urgent action is needed to protect children and families already on the brink,” said Eliana Drakopoulos from UNICEF.

The situation remains critical—and without expanded funding and humanitarian access, Myanmar could soon face secondary health crises that would claim even more lives.

Global Inequality Deepens as Billions Struggle Amid Rising Insecurity, Warns New UN Report

A new United Nations report warns that economic uncertainty, conflict, and climate shocks are plunging billions of people into deeper insecurity, fueling a collapse of trust in governments and institutions worldwide.

According to the World Social Report 2025, launched Thursday, fear of job loss and financial instability is no longer confined to poorer regions—it’s now a global phenomenon impacting every corner of the world.

Despite historic gains in education, healthcare, and technology, many people today feel worse off than previous generations, with nearly 60% of surveyed individuals saying they are “struggling” and another 12% describing themselves as “suffering.”


Global Instability: A New Normal

The report highlights a growing sense of vulnerability across all income levels:

  • Even in high-income countries, gig work and the digital economy are creating jobs that offer flexibility at the cost of security, rights, and long-term stability.
  • Informal employment dominates in many low- and middle-income countries, leaving millions trapped in low-wage, precarious work without social protections.
  • More than 2.8 billion people live on less than $6.85 per day, where any minor economic shock can force families back into extreme poverty.

The challenges are made worse by the increasing impact of climate change, armed conflicts, and widening inequality, particularly across developing regions.


Trust in Freefall

As economic pressures mount, public trust in institutions is crumbling:

  • 57% of the global population now expresses low confidence in their governments.
  • Among younger generations, trust levels are even lower, sparking fears of long-term civic disengagement.
  • Fewer than 30% of people believe that most others can be trusted, eroding social cohesion and making collective action even harder.

The UN report also highlights the toxic role of misinformation spread through digital platforms, where algorithm-driven echo chambers amplify division and radicalize opinions.


A Call for Bold, People-Centered Policies

The World Social Report 2025 calls for urgent action to reverse these damaging trends:

  • Invest in public services: education, healthcare, housing, and social protection must be strengthened.
  • Rebuild trust: by creating inclusive, accountable institutions that genuinely represent and serve their people.
  • Address inequality: by ensuring wealth and power are distributed more fairly across societies.

These steps are essential not just for economic recovery, but for rebuilding public confidence and ensuring inclusive, sustainable growth.


The Path Forward: Global Unity Needed

In his foreword to the report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that today’s interconnected challenges can only be solved through collective action:

“Now more than ever, we must strengthen our resolve to come together and build a world that is more just, secure, resilient, and united for each and every one of us.”

As the world prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha this November, global leaders are being urged to prioritize solidarity, economic security, and renewed multilateral cooperation to build a better future for all.