Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that UN bases in DRC ‘are places of refuge for those who feel in danger,’ representing ‘a form of direct protection’ as the government, the United Nations and the international community work to bring peace to the region.
Bintou Keita, la Représentante spéciale du Secrétaire général en République démocratique du Congo dit que les bases de l’ONU en RDC « sont des lieux de refuge pour ceux qui se sentent en danger », représentant « une forme de protection directe » alors que le gouvernement, les Nations Unies et la communauté internationale s’efforcent d’apporter la paix dans la région.
– Gaza/Israel
– Yemen
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– UNIFIL
– Security Council
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Chad
– Mozambique
– Briefings Tomorrow
GAZA/ISRAEL
The Secretary-General said that two years ago today, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched an abhorrent large-scale terror attack on Israel. On this day, he said, let us remember all those who were killed and suffered horrific violence.
Two years later, Mr. Guterres said, hostages remain captive in Gaza in deplorable conditions, adding that he has met with hostage families and survivors, who shared their unbearable pain with him. He said today, with even greater urgency: Release the hostages, unconditionally and immediately. End the suffering for all. Put an end to the hostilities in Gaza, in Israel and the region right now.
He said that the recent proposal by US President Donald J. Trump presents an opportunity that must be seized to bring this tragic conflict to an end. A permanent ceasefire and a credible political process are essential to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace.
His full statement is online, as are statements from the Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, and the UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and many others.
YEMEN
The Spokesman said we issued a statement last night on Yemen, regarding the most recent arbitrary detentions by the Houthis of nine additional UN personnel. Unfortunately, this morning our colleagues in Yemen told us of the detention of one more UN staff. This brings the total number of arbitrarily detained UN staff in Yemen to 54, and this goes back to 2021. The Secretary-General strongly condemns this arbitrary detention of UN personnel, as well as that of our partners, and the ongoing unlawful seizure of UN premises and assets in areas under Houthi control.
These actions hinder our ability to operate in Yemen and to deliver critical assistance to those who need it. And the Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the safety and security of our personnel in Yemen. As we have been telling you constantly, their whereabouts remain unknown and the Houthi de facto authorities have not permitted any physical access to any of them, despite repeated requests on our part.
The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all personnel from the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions. They must be respected and they must be protected in accordance with applicable international law.
The premises and assets of the United Nations are inviolable and must be protected at all times, consistent with the Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
We assure our colleagues that we will continue to work tirelessly, and through all available channels, to secure their safe and immediate release, as well as the return of UN agency offices and other assets. The Secretary-General remains steadfast in our commitment to support the people of Yemen and their aspirations for a just and lasting peace.
SECURITY COUNCIL
This morning the Security Council held a briefing on the cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union.
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to the African Union, highlighted the strong collaboration between the two organizations, reiterating, as the Secretary-General has said, that “the UN and the African Union have developed a unique partnership, rooted in the principles of complementarity, respect and African ownership – a partnership that has become a cornerstone of multilateralism.
Turning to peace and security challenges on the continent, he said security sector reform and governance remain a key element of the UN-AU partnership, particularly in addressing the root causes of conflict and consolidating peace.
For her part, Martha Pobee, the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, updated Council members on the implementation of resolution 2719, which was conceived as a means to address a longstanding gap in the African Union’s peace and security architecture to better respond to conflict on the African continent.
She said that as we reflect on the future of peace operations and seek efficiencies, it becomes even more evident that resolution 2719 meets the moment.
The resolution seeks to ensure that we leverage our respective advantages in keeping with the Pact of the Future, the New Agenda for Peace, and Silencing the Guns initiative.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=07%20October%202025
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
AI goods and frontloading lift world trade in 2025 but outlook dims for 2026: press conference announcing the WTO Global Trade Outlook and Statistics update
Global merchandise trade outpaced expectations in the first half of 2025, driven by increased spending on AI-related products, a surge in North American imports ahead of tariff hikes, and strong trade among the rest of the world. In response, WTO economists raised the 2025 merchandise trade growth forecast to 2.4% (up from 0.9% in August). However, the 2026 projection has been lowered to 0.5% (from 1.8%). Global services exports growth is expected to slow from 6.8% in 2024 to 4.6% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026.
Following today’s meeting of European Commissioners, Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič will give a press conference in Strasbourg, France. The Commissioners will present a proposal to address unfair trade impacts of global steel overcapacity.
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Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
How vulnerable is the world’s largest financial market to rising uncertainty and structural fragilities? The IMF’s October 2025 Global Financial Stability Report explores mounting risks in the foreign exchange market and their implications for developing economies. Join us on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET for the launch of our latest research, featuring IMF Financial Counsellor Tobias Adrian, Tomohiro Tsuruga, Andrea Deghi, and Harvard Business School’s Dr. Wenxin Du, moderated by the Brookings Institution’s Robin Brooks. Learn more: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/GFSR/Issues/2025/10/14/global-financial-stability-report-october-2025
Remarks by Ms. Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN-Women, on the Women and peace and security.
UN Women Executive Director, Sima Sami Bahous, said, “The record of the last twenty-five years is mixed: bold, admirable commitments have been followed too often by weak implementation and chronic under-investment.”
She also said, “Some conclude that the rise and normalization of misogyny currently poisoning our politics and fueling conflict is unstoppable. It is not. Those who oppose equality do not own the future, we do.”
She stated, “Whether mediating, brokering access to services, driving reconstruction and more, women’s leadership is the face of resilience – a force for peace.”
She warned, “Current financing trends are endangering the viability and safety of women-led organizations in conflict-affected countries. We believe there is no alternative but to change course and invest significantly in women’s organizations on the front lines of conflict.”
Remarks by Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, on the Women and peace and security.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Women are leaders of peace for all. The world does not need more reminders of that truth – it needs more results that reflect it.”
Addressing the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security, Guterres said, “Too often, we gather in rooms like this one – full of conviction and commitment – only to fall short when it comes to real change in the lives of women and girls caught in conflict. We speak of inclusion, yet far too frequently women remain absent from negotiating tables. We speak of protection, yet sexual violence persists with impunity. We speak of leadership, yet women peacebuilders are underfunded, under threat, and under-recognized. And we all lose.”
He reported, “Last year, 676 million women lived within 50 kilometers of deadly conflict events – the highest number in decades. Sexual violence surged, with documented incidents against girls rising by 35 percent. In some places – alarmingly – girls accounted for nearly half of all victims.”
He also said, “In Afghanistan, the systematic erasure of women and girls from public life is in overdrive – with appalling restrictions in accessing education, employment, healthcare and justice – and surges in sexual violence and maternal mortality. In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Haiti, Myanmar and beyond, women and girls face grave risks and horrific levels of violence. And while women’s organizations remain lifelines for millions in crisis, they are being starved of resources.”
Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that UN bases in DRC ‘are places of refuge for those who feel in danger,’ representing ‘a form of direct protection’ as the government, the United Nations and the international community work to bring peace to the region.
Bintou Keita, la Représentante spéciale du Secrétaire général en République démocratique du Congo dit que les bases de l’ONU en RDC « sont des lieux de refuge pour ceux qui se sentent en danger », représentant « une forme de protection directe » alors que le gouvernement, les Nations Unies et la communauté internationale s’efforcent d’apporter la paix dans la région.
