For World Humanitarian Day, we look back at the legacy of Sadako Ogata, the first woman to serve as UN High Commissioner for Refugees. From the crises of Iraq and the Balkans to the Great Lakes region, Ogata put the protection, dignity and safety of people fleeing conflict at the heart of humanitarian action. Her pioneering work continues to resonate with humanitarian workers serving people in crisis today.
Comments to the media by Olara Otunnu, candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General, following his interactive dialogue for the position of the next Secretary-General.
Interactive dialogue with Ms. Ivonne A-Baki. Ms. A-Baki was nominated on 17 August 2026 by the Kingdom of Tonga.
The process for the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General has been formally initiated by the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council through a joint letter dated 25 November 2025. The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, has committed to guiding this process in a transparent and inclusive manner.
General Assembly resolution 79/327 on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly sets out the process for the selection and appointment in line with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations.
Article 97: "The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-General and such staff as the Organization may require. The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organization.".
More info: https://www.un.org/en/sg-selection-and-appointment
Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Last week, a decades-long nationwide marriage fraud scheme was DISMANTLED. This Department of Justice is rooting out fraud everywhere — including in our immigration system. Schemes like this will not be tolerated under this administration.
Highlights:
– World Humanitarian Day
– International Criminal Court
– West Bank/Settlements
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Lebanon
– Deputy Secretary-General/Trip Announcement
– Sudan
– Somalia
– Venezuela
– Financial Contribution
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
Let me start off with the issues surrounding the International Criminal Court. We have seen the announcement by the United States regarding the imposition of sanctions on the International Criminal Court President, Tomoko Akane, as well as a senior trial lawyer, Abdoulaye Seye. I can tell you that the Secretary-General expresses serious concern about this designation, as well as the ongoing designation of other International Criminal Court employees.
While the United Nations and the International Criminal Court are separate institutions, with separate and distinct mandates, as we often said, the United nations considers the ICC a key pillar of international criminal justice and the Secretary-General very much respects its work.
WEST BANK/SETTLEMENTS
Turning to the occupied West Bank. I can tell you that the Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the reports of new illegal Israeli settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, including new tenders, including for the E1 area.
He is particularly concerned about the developments related to the E1 settlement, which would effectively sever the connection between the northern and the southern West Bank. As such, it would have severe consequences for the territorial integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and present an existential threat to the two-State solution. The Secretary-General calls on Israel to refrain from taking any further steps in this regard and to act in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and in line with the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-08-19
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Thailand is preparing to host world leaders and policymakers in Bangkok for the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, a milestone that comes 35 years after the country last hosted the gathering.
Bank of Thailand Assistant Governor Chayawadee Chai-anant explains how Thailand’s New Horizons vision puts people and resilience at the heart of economic progress. She also shares the ambition to develop a “Bangkok Blueprint,” a practical framework that countries can use to strengthen digital finance safeguards.
Learn more about the Annual Meetings: https://www.imf.org/en/news/seminars/campaigns/2026/10/thailand-2026
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
AI is expected to affect 4 out of 10 jobs worldwide. Smart policies can help ensure the gains benefit everyone. Watch our latest Ask an Economist to learn what this means for the future of work.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa holds a bilateral meeting with The Right Honourable Mr Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, on the margins of the 46th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Durban.
