Global economy slows sharply in 2025 – UNCTAD

Global economic growth is expected to drop to 2.6% in 2025, down from 2.9% in 2024, according to a new analysis by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The report warns that financial market volatility and geopolitical tensions are increasingly shaping global trade, placing developing economies under heavy strain.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan stressed that trade today is driven not only by supply chains but also by credit systems, currency markets, and capital flows.

Key pressures highlighted in the report:

• Developing countries face high borrowing costs, unstable financial conditions, and climate-related economic risks.
• States exposed to repeated climate shocks now pay an extra $20 billion annually in interest, due to increased risk perception.
• The US dollar’s dominance is intensifying: its use in SWIFT transactions rose from 39% to about 50% in five years.
• While this can provide stability during global shocks, it also deepens developing countries’ vulnerability to US financial cycles.

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Modern slavery reaches 50 million people worldwide

At the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (2 December), UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that slavery remains a global emergency, not a historical footnote.

Today:

• 50 million people are trapped in modern forms of slavery
• Forced labour generates $236 billion in global profits—effectively stolen wages
• Women and children remain disproportionately affected

Modern slavery includes human trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, child labour, and the recruitment of children in armed conflict.

Regional estimates:

• Asia & Pacific: 15.1 million
• Europe & Central Asia: 4.1 million
• Africa: 3.8 million
• Americas: 3.6 million
• Arab States: 0.9 million

Guterres urged governments to intensify efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable communities facing poverty, discrimination, conflict, or climate-driven displacement.

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80% of agricultural jobs in Latin America remain informal – ILO & FAO

A new joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that over 80% of agricultural employment in Latin America continues to be informal, leaving workers without legal protection or social security.

Key findings:

• 86.4% of women in agriculture work informally (vs. 78% of men)
• The sector accounts for 46% of all child labour in the region
• More than half of agricultural workers have low levels of education

Despite limited progress since 2019, informal employment remains widespread, especially among women, youth, and older rural workers.
ILO and FAO are urging the development of integrated policies that transform agriculture into a sector capable of delivering decent work, food security, and sustainable development.

The UN is sounding the alarm over Myanmar’s planned late-December elections, warning that the vote is being engineered under military control in an environment defined by fear, violence, and extreme political repression.

According to UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) spokesperson Jeremy Laurence, voting set for 28 December will take place under conditions “rife with threats and violence,” where genuine political participation is actively suppressed.
Since the 2021 coup, more than 30,000 political opponents, including elected leaders, parliamentarians, and activists, have been detained.

Rather than restoring democratic rule, OHCHR warns that the process will intensify insecurity, fear, and polarisation across the country. Their priority, they say, remains halting violence and ensuring humanitarian access—which the military continues to obstruct.

Civilians Trapped Between Pressure and Fear

Speaking from Bangkok, James Rodehaver, head of OHCHR’s Myanmar team, described an atmosphere where civilians are caught between military coercion to vote and armed opposition groups urging them not to participate.

The junta claims it has issued 4,000 pardons, but UN monitoring shows that fewer than 15% of those released have actually been seen leaving detention—and some were rearrested shortly after. Meanwhile, more than 100 new arrests have been made under new election-related “protection rules.”

OHCHR also verified cases such as three youths sentenced to 49 years simply for putting up posters depicting a ballot box pierced by a bullet.

AI Surveillance and Electronic-Only Voting

UN officials expressed deep concern about the military’s introduction of electronic-only voting, paired with expanded surveillance systems using AI and biometric tracking.
These measures, they warn, may further destroy public trust and increase risks for voters.

Humanitarian conditions are worsening as civilians are forced to return home to vote despite active conflict, while aid continues to be blocked in many regions. Nearly 23,000 detainees remain behind bars who “should never have been arrested,” OHCHR said.

Special Rapporteur: “A Charade Designed for Foreign Recognition”

In his October 2025 report to the UN General Assembly, UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews called the junta’s planned elections “a charade”, urging the international community to reject the process outright.

Key elements from his assessment include:

• Institutional changes by the junta are purely cosmetic.
• Power remains tightly concentrated within military leadership.
• Opposition leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, remain imprisoned.
• Over 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy (NLD), have been dissolved.
• New laws criminalise dissent, restrict online expression, and impose severe penalties for any perceived interference.
• Large parts of the country are still beyond military control, making a legitimate national election impossible.

According to Andrews, these elections aim not at winning public consent, but at securing international recognition for the junta’s rule.

The humanitarian situation in Sudan’s El Fasher has sharply worsened, with mass displacement, rising reports of trafficking, and severe restrictions on aid access following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of the city.

UN agencies warn that North Darfur and neighbouring Kordofan are experiencing accelerating displacement and escalating protection risks, especially for women and children. Independent human rights experts say the collapse of civilian protection after El Fasher’s fall has dramatically increased threats of sexual violence, exploitation, and child recruitment.

After 18 Months Under Siege

El Fasher, the last major government-held city in Darfur, fell to RSF on 26 October 2025, ending an 18-month siege that choked residents off from food, medical care, and essential supplies.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP):

• Families fleeing the fighting are now dispersed across five major areas, including Tawila.
• Others have reached as far as Dabbah in Northern State and Khartoum.
• Approximately 1,485 metric tons of food and nutrition supplies—enough for 130,000 people—are currently being transported toward Tawila through the Dabbah Crossing.

New Waves of Displacement in Kordofan

Meanwhile, fighting has intensified in both North and South Kordofan:

• South Kordofan: Over 1,800 people displaced in a single day (Tuesday).
• North Kordofan: Nearly 40,000 people displaced between 25 October and 18 November.

Sudan’s conflict, which began in April 2023 with a power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies, marked by famine, mass civilian displacement, and systematic abuses.

Alarming Spike in Trafficking and Sexual Violence

UN-appointed human rights experts say they have received credible reports of:

• Trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation
• Sexual slavery in RSF-controlled areas
• Child recruitment, especially boys
• Multiple cases of rape and sexual abuse, including the gang-rape of 25 women near El Fasher University

The experts warn:

“Women and girls have been abducted in RSF-controlled areas, and unaccompanied or separated children are at extreme risk of sexual violence and exploitation.”

Since May 2024, over 470,000 people have been displaced multiple times from camps such as Shagra, Zamzam, and Abu Shouk.
Across Sudan, nearly 12 million people—almost half of them children—are now internally displaced or have fled to neighbouring countries.

Urgent Diplomatic Efforts

The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, will travel to Port Sudan and Addis Ababa next week to renew efforts toward political dialogue. His mission will focus on:

• Civilian protection
• Unhindered humanitarian access
• Stabilizing Darfur and Kordofan

November 16, 2025 | Middle East | Peace and Security

A United Nations peacekeeping patrol in southern Lebanon narrowly avoided casualties after an Israeli tank shell landed just meters from their position on Sunday, escalating concerns over recent violations along the tense border area.

According to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), its foot patrol came under fire near the “Blue Line” – the UN-monitored demarcation separating Israel and Lebanon – when an Israeli Merkava tank positioned in Lebanese territory launched heavy artillery in their direction.

Shells Landed Just 5 Meters Away

UNIFIL reported that the incident occurred during routine operations and forced peacekeepers to retreat and seek shelter. A direct communication channel with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) was used to halt further shelling. The situation de-escalated approximately 30 minutes later when the tank withdrew.

“Fortunately, no injuries were reported,” UNIFIL confirmed. “However, this is a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”

Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, mandates a cessation of hostilities and the respect of Lebanese sovereignty following the war between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli military later claimed the attack was a result of “misidentification” due to poor visibility, stating the peacekeepers were mistakenly targeted and that there was no intention to harm them.

Third Incident in Three Months

This latest event marks the third such confrontation in recent months. On September 2, Israeli drones reportedly dropped grenades near UN troops attempting to clear roadblocks. Another incident on October 26 involved a grenade drop followed by direct tank fire targeting peacekeepers.

These repeated violations have drawn criticism and raise questions about the safety and neutrality of UN operations in volatile regions.

UN Mission Nears Completion

UNIFIL is currently set to complete its long-standing mission in Lebanon by the end of 2027. Initially deployed in 1978, the peacekeeping force now comprises over 10,000 personnel and has been central in maintaining fragile calm along the Israel–Lebanon border.

Following the 2006 war and renewed clashes in Autumn 2024, the UN expanded its mandate to include support for the Lebanese Army’s redeployment in southern regions where government control remains weak.

UN Calls for Restraint and Respect for International Law

“Once again, we urge the IDF to refrain from any aggressive actions or strikes near our peacekeeping units,” UNIFIL stated, emphasizing their role in preserving stability in a region both Israel and Lebanon claim to seek peace within.

As tensions simmer in the Middle East, UN officials stress the need for strict adherence to international law and protection of neutral peacekeeping personnel operating in conflict zones.

Kyiv, Ukraine – November 14, 2025

In the wake of a deadly missile and drone strike that shook Ukraine’s capital and surrounding regions, the United Nations has strongly condemned the continued targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure as winter sets in.

The early morning assault on Friday led to the deaths of multiple civilians and left many others wounded, including at least two children, according to preliminary reports. Residential areas, medical facilities, and heating networks in Kyiv suffered significant damage.

“Ongoing Civilian Harm is Unacceptable,” Says UN Coordinator

Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, issued a public statement condemning the strike:

“The relentless pattern of attacks on civilian targets must end. These strikes continue to devastate families, damage hospitals and homes, and threaten lives during one of the harshest seasons of the year.”

Children Caught in the Crossfire

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirmed that children were among those injured, including a 7- and a 10-year-old. As power and heating infrastructure are repeatedly targeted, humanitarian organizations warn of dangerous conditions for families, especially the youngest and most vulnerable.

A local boy named Viacheslav recounted the horror of the explosion to UN teams:

“There was a loud rumble, then the windows blew out. I was terrified,” he said, recalling the moment the strike hit his neighborhood.

Humanitarian Aid Struggles to Keep Up

The full-scale war, now entering its fourth year, has left deep scars on the Ukrainian population. Over 14,500 people have lost their lives since the conflict escalated, and nearly 13 million citizens are currently in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

Despite ongoing security threats and infrastructure breakdowns, 8.4 million people received aid last year, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Ukraine’s Energy Grid Under Attack

The UN also expressed deep concern over renewed attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. October saw emergency power cuts in multiple regions, further straining civilian access to heat, light, and essential services.

Call for Protection and Peace

UNICEF and other aid agencies have renewed calls for an immediate end to attacks that put civilians—especially children—at risk.
The UN continues to urge the protection of non-combatants and the safeguarding of critical infrastructure, in line with international humanitarian law.

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Why This Matters:
With winter approaching, the destruction of energy and heating facilities poses a life-threatening risk to millions in Ukraine. Continued attacks not only violate international laws but deepen the humanitarian crisis already gripping the nation.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – November 11, 2025

Alarming reports from Tanzania reveal a deepening human rights crisis in the wake of last month’s disputed elections, with hundreds feared dead and many more missing or detained, according to the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR).

The unrest erupted on October 29 when widespread protests broke out following the controversial re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Demonstrations quickly turned violent, and evidence has surfaced of a brutal crackdown by security forces.

Families Desperate for Answers
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed grave concern over disturbing accounts of families searching in vain for missing loved ones, making desperate rounds between hospitals and police stations.

“There are harrowing reports of bodies being removed from public areas and medical facilities, allegedly by security forces, and taken to unknown locations—possibly to conceal evidence,” Türk said, calling the situation “deeply troubling.”

Unverified Death Toll and Internet Blackout
While the true scale of the tragedy remains unclear due to an ongoing internet shutdown and a volatile security climate, OHCHR has received credible reports of extensive violence and a growing number of casualties.

Opposition party Chadema confirmed that several senior leaders were detained during the protests, with only a few granted bail in recent days. Over 150 individuals have reportedly been arrested since the vote, including minors. Alarmingly, many of those detained have been charged with treason—a serious accusation under Tanzanian law.

UN Calls for Accountability and Transparency
High Commissioner Türk has called on Tanzanian authorities to:

• Publicly disclose the whereabouts of missing individuals.
• Return the bodies of the deceased to their families for proper burials.
• Release all individuals arbitrarily detained, especially opposition figures and protestors.
• Guarantee due process in accordance with international human rights obligations.

Election Aftermath
President Hassan was declared the winner of the general election with an overwhelming 98% of the vote, a result rejected by opposition parties and sparking nationwide protests.

The global human rights community is now urging swift, transparent investigations and the protection of civil liberties in Tanzania to prevent further escalation.

The UN’s top human rights official, Volker Türk, has issued a stark warning that civilians trapped inside Sudan’s El Fasher may still be facing atrocities, despite reports that international mediators have helped broker a ceasefire proposal.

In a statement released Friday, the High Commissioner said that traumatised civilians are being prevented from leaving the city, raising fears that summary executions, rape, and ethnically motivated attacks continue inside El Fasher.

El Fasher, once the last major stronghold of Sudan’s military government in Darfur, fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on 23 October 2025, intensifying a conflict already marked by massive displacement, civilian targeting, and violations of international law.

Atrocities reported inside and outside the city

Türk emphasized that even those who managed to escape the city are encountering “unimaginable cruelty” along the exit routes, which have become hotspots for violence and abuse.

He said that civilian deaths, destruction, and widespread displacement have risen sharply since the RSF takeover. Developments on the ground, he warned, suggest “clear preparations for intensified hostilities,” putting already-suffering civilians at further risk.

Possible war crimes and crimes against humanity

UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Chaloka Beyani, told UN News that credible allegations point to:

• Massive violations of human rights law
• Direct attacks on civilians
• Serious breaches of international humanitarian law

On Friday, UN independent experts said they were “appalled” by reliable reports of ethnically targeted summary executions, along with “sadistic levels” of sexual violence in and around El Fasher.
They stressed that these acts constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity, calling for urgent, independent investigations.

Ceasefire talks overshadowed by renewed attacks

Media reports say the RSF agreed on Thursday to a ceasefire proposal backed by the United States and Arab countries.
However, Sudan’s national army has not endorsed the deal, and explosions were still being reported around government-held areas of Khartoum.

Arms embargo and urgent international action

Türk reiterated that the UN Security Council’s arms embargo is clear, stating that all military support enabling parties to commit violations must stop immediately.

He called for:

• An immediate end to violence in Darfur and Kordofan
• Bold and urgent international action
• Full accountability for perpetrators

The UN Human Rights Council is scheduled to hold a special session on 14 November to address the situation in and around El Fasher.

Date: 13 October 2025
Category: Economic Development

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The world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities are facing mounting pressure from trade instability, heavy debt burdens, and declining investment, according to a new warning from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The statement comes ahead of UNCTAD 16, the organization’s largest ministerial meeting in four years, which will take place from 20–24 October 2025 in Geneva. The high-level event will bring together ministers, economists, and industry leaders to explore concrete strategies to restore global economic stability, relieve debt distress, and redirect investment toward real human and sustainable development.

“We are witnessing a transformational shift in multilateral trade,” said Rebeca Grynspan, UNCTAD’s Secretary-General. “Decisions made during UNCTAD 16 will influence the direction of trade and development policy for years to come.”

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Restoring Predictability in Global Trade

Ms. Grynspan cautioned that policy uncertainty and rapid shifts in trade rules can be even more disruptive than tariffs — discouraging investment, eroding competitiveness, and eliminating jobs in developing economies.

Despite the geopolitical turbulence, she noted a degree of resilience in early 2025:

• Global trade grew by approximately $500 billion in the first half of the year.
• Goods trade increased by 5%, services by 6%, and South–South trade (excluding China) by 9%.

However, she warned that confidence must be restored if smaller economies are to plan and invest effectively in the years ahead.

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The Escalating Debt Crisis

The financial outlook remains deeply concerning.

“Around 3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on servicing their debt than on health and education,” Ms. Grynspan said.

She called for the creation of a fairer and more predictable financial system, highlighting several initiatives under discussion, including:

• Establishing a Borrowers’ Club to enhance the negotiating power of developing countries.
• Expanding access to affordable, long-term capital to support sustainable growth.
• Building on outcomes from the Financing for Development Conference held in July.

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Rethinking Investment Priorities

Ms. Grynspan also warned that foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing nations is not only declining but remains overly concentrated in a few traditional industries and regions.

“The goal is not just to attract investment, but to attract the right kind of investment,” she emphasized.

That means prioritizing sectors that create long-term social and environmental value, including:

• Sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy
• Healthcare, education, and clean water access
• Agriculture, food security, and digital transformation

She also pointed out that digital trade and data flows now underpin over 60% of global GDP growth, but warned that excessive market concentration in cloud computing and AI threatens to exclude developing nations unless inclusivity becomes a policy priority.

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UNCTAD 16: A Defining Moment for Global Cooperation

The Geneva conference will host around 100 countries, including 60 ministers and 40 vice-ministers, with 1,700 participants expected. Discussions will focus on trade, finance for development, investment flows, supply chains, and the role of emerging technologies — including AI — in building a more inclusive global economy.

The UN Secretary-General is also expected to deliver a special address during the conference.

“Trade, finance, investment, and technology are the four pillars of development,” Ms. Grynspan said. “We must address them together to ensure the global economy works for everyone — especially for those who are most vulnerable.”