The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 will present global and regional economic outlooks for the year ahead, highlighting the need for global cooperation and policies to support growth and advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speakers:
Navid Hanif, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, UN DESA (on behalf of Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Mr. Li Junhua)
Shantanu Mukherjee, Director, Economic Analysis and Policy Division, UN DESA;
Ingo Pitterle, Senior Economist and Officer-in-Charge, Global Economic Monitoring Branch, Economic Analysis and Policy Division, UN DESA.
Jean-Martin Bauer was just a teenager when a visit to his uncle’s Haitian rice farm planted the seed of his life-long passion for food security. Now Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis at the World Food Programme (WFP) he works to feed hungry people worldwide.
“Even now, even during these dark times … there are opportunities to sow seeds for a better future.”
The world faces a global hunger crisis, with a record 319 million people currently not getting enough to eat. The author of a recent book on hunger in the Twenty-First Century, Jean-Martin Bauer reflects in this episode on the human cost of famine in Gaza and Sudan, the impact of funding cuts on the most vulnerable, and explains why the best solutions are those closest to home.
[00:00] Introduction
[01:18] Haiti, Home and Heritage
[06:00] Planting the seed to fight hunger
[11:06] Hunger in a world of plenty
[13:19] What keeps Jean-Martin awake at night for Haiti
[17:47] Building food security even in crisis
[22:18] When desperation turns dangerous
[26:42] How shrinking budgets reshape humanitarian work
[28:04] The growing reality of famine worldwide
[30:31] Hunger is more than a statistic
[32:29] Making hunger visible and personal
[35:12] Can the world end hunger?
[36:28] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #UnitedNations #awakeatnight #WFP #hunger
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
-Venezuela
-Sudan
-Lebanon / Israel
-Syria
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Democratic Republic of the Congo
-Noon Briefing Guest
-Bernard Robinson
VENEZUELA
The UN Humanitarian Country Team, bringing together the UN and other humanitarian partners, is continuing to support people in need in Venezuela.
Teams from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA) continue to monitor developments, together with our humanitarian partners. Psychosocial support hotlines are in place and mapping is being carried out to ensure essential services reach the most vulnerable people.
For their part, the World Food Programme (WFP) says that WFP activities, such as general food distribution and emergency response to people impacted by flooding in Venezuela continues. The World Food Programme’s school meal programme also continues to be on schedule and will resume after school break.
SUDAN
In Sudan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that escalating violence, particularly across the Kordofan region, continues to put civilians at extreme risk and drive new waves of displacement. The UN humanitarian team on the ground notes that according to the Sudan Doctors Network, a drone attack today in the city of El Obeid, in North Kordofan State, allegedly claimed the lives of 13 civilians, including children.
In South Kordofan State, displacement has increased sharply in recent days. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that between December 31st and January 4th, violence drove nearly 1,000 people to flee in Quoz locality, Kadugli town and Berdab village.
Yesterday, another 2,000 people were uprooted from Um Dam Haj Ahmed locality, also in North Kordofan State.
In total, between October 25th and December 30th, some 65,000 individuals were displaced from multiple locations across the Kordofan region.
Once again, the UN reiterates its urgent call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians. The UN also reiterates the need for rapid, safe, sustained humanitarian access, so aid can reach those in need.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-01-06
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Website: https://www.un.org/sg/en/spokesperson
‘The Secretary-General regrets the announcement by the White House regarding the United States’ decision to withdraw from a number of United Nations entities,’ says Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric at Thursday’s press briefing.
The European Commission outlines key actions to support European farmers and strengthen the EU agri-food sector.
The discussion with EU agricultural ministers focused on safeguarding farmers’ income through the Common Agricultural Policy, reducing production costs, particularly fertilisers, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring fair trade through stronger reciprocity and import controls.
The message is clear: agriculture is a strategic sector for Europe’s sovereignty, and the EU remains committed to delivering concrete solutions for farmers and rural communities.
Briefing by Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), on the situation in Syria and the Middle East, including the report of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock is a new face at the United Nations. Sworn in as President of the General Assembly in September, she brings experience and energy at a time of challenges and new beginnings – including the selection of the next Secretary-General.
“We need this place where countries, big and small, rich and poor, are coming together and have an equal say and an equal vote.”
Shaped by her nation’s turbulent past and successful reunification Annalena Baerbock entered politics at a young age. In this episode, she reflects on the importance of female pioneers, the impact of online harassment and shares why the UN Charter can still move her to tears.
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
The House of Lords pressed the government on tackling computer generated non-consensual images and child sexual abuse material in a question on Wednesday 7 January.
📺 Watch the question in full and hear from other members at https://parliamentlive.tv/
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
In this session the Public Accounts Committee hears oral evidence on the BBC World Service from Tim Davie CBE – Director General at BBC, Jonathan Munro – Interim CEO of News and Current Affairs at BBC, and Fiona Crack – Interim Global News Director, Director of the World Service at BBC.
