The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 50 million people
worldwide live in modern slavery – 28 million in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriage. Children make up 12% of those in forced labour and more than half of them are in commercial sexual exploitation.
181 of the 187 ILO members have ratified the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 which aims to suppress forced labour. In 2014, a legally binding Protocol was adopted to strengthen global efforts to eliminate forced labour
Shortly after the Security Council renewed the mandate of the peacekeeping mission in the Central Arican Republic, MINUSCA, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix travelled to Bangui to reaffirm the UN’s commitment to peace and stability in the country amid global financial challenges.
What makes Antarctica a global symbol of peace and cooperation?
The Antarctic Treaty was signed on December 1, 1959 by 12 nations to ensure Antarctica remains dedicated to peaceful purposes and international scientific cooperation.
Today, 58 countries are signatories to the Treaty — showing how global collaboration has expanded over decades.
Because of the Treaty, Antarctica is protected from military activity and open to shared scientific research, offering one of the world’s strongest examples of international cooperation for the benefit of all humankind.
The Antarctic Treaty is more than an agreement—it is a model for international cooperation.
Musician George Harrison of The Beatles visited the United Nations in New York on 20 December 1974. He met UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim and briefed the press on his donation of proceeds from concerts to UNICEF.
Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar and the Chair of the Peacebuilding Fund’s Advisory Group, Ambassador Macharia Kamau on the Peacebuilding Fund’s recent activities.
The UN’s latest report warns that Haiti’s human rights situation remains dire. No human right is secure in Haiti. UN News interviews Arnaud Royer, OHCHR Representative in Haiti.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is following the situation in Guinea-Bissau with deep concern. He appeals to all national stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Guinea-Bissau
David Malone
Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ukraine
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Sustainable Transport Day
Financial Contribution
GUINEA-BISSAU
In response to questions about the situation in Guinea-Bissau, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General is following the situation with deep concern. He appeals to all national stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law. The Secretary-General will continue to closely follow the situation in the country as it unfolds.
DAVID MALONE
The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the passing of David Malone. His decade of service as Rector of the United Nations University marked the culmination of a distinguished career devoted to international cooperation and scholarship.
Under his leadership, UN University strengthened its role as a center for policy-relevant research, advanced gender parity, and forged trusted partnerships across the United Nations system. His vision and dedication contributed significantly to initiatives such as Our Common Agenda and to advancing digital transformation in the developing world.
Mr. Malone’s legacy will endure as an inspiration to all who work for a more just and sustainable future. The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
SUDAN
Turning to Sudan. The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra is preparing to travel to Port Sudan and Addis Ababa next week. He has been in regular contact with the parties and continues to encourage them to engage in a genuine dialogue to advance peace, he is also working closely with regional partners, including the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, otherwise known as IGAD, and the League of Arab States.
The urgent need for better protection of civilians in Sudan is and will be at the forefront of all of his discussions. Our humanitarian colleagues also continue to call for safe and unimpeded access to deliver assistance to people in need across Sudan, including Kordofan and Darfur.
On the ground, the situation in El-Fasher remains dire. Our colleagues at the World Food Programme are currently supporting families who have fled to five areas surrounding El Fasher, including Tawila.
Distributions are also ongoing for families who have arrived in more distant locations like Dabbah in Northern State and even as far as Khartoum. Currently, 1,485 metric tonnes of food and nutrition supplies, enough for about 130,000 people, are en route to Tawila via the Dabbah Crossing in Northern State.
This is in addition to the regular support that WFP has been providing to people who fled El Fasher or Zamzam earlier this year.
Meanwhile, fighting continues to drive large-scale displacement in the Kordofan areas.
Our colleagues with the International Organization for Migration tell us that on Tuesday in South Kordofan State, more than 1,800 people were displaced across multiple localities. And in North Kordofan, heightened insecurity there uprooted nearly 40,000 people from different parts of the state between October 25th and November 18th.
Despite the escalating hostilities and access challenges, humanitarians are doing everything they can to support people in need across Kordofan. In North Kordofan, the OCHA-managed Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) has released more than $5 million to support four international NGOs who are providing critical services including health, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as food production, shelter and protection.
Throughout the Kordofan region this year, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund has allocated $33 million to support projects that reach some 1.6 million people in the hardest-hit areas.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-26
Displaced families in the Gaza Strip are facing increasingly severe humanitarian conditions as the harsh winter season approaches. With a critical shortage of proper shelter infrastructure, thousands of people living in temporary camps and displacement centers are struggling to stay safe and warm.
In recent days, heavy rainfall and unstable weather have flooded makeshift tents, leaving children and families exposed to the cold and dangerous living conditions. As shelters collapse and flooding spreads, the risk to already vulnerable communities grows rapidly.
This video sheds light on the escalating winter crisis in Gaza, the urgent need for humanitarian aid, and the devastating impact on displaced families who have nowhere else to go.
