Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Join IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas and team for the October 2025 World Economic Outlook on Tuesday, October 14 at 9:00 AM ET.
UK Baroness Manningham-Buller: Lord Speaker’s Corner | House of Lords | Episode 33
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
Former head of MI5 Baroness Manningham-Buller joins Lord Speaker’s Corner to discuss the relationship between MI5 and MI6, reading upside down, meeting Vladimir Putin and whether Russia is at war with the West.
Eliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller, served in MI5 for 34 years, becoming Director General in 2002 before retiring in 2007. In this episode, she speaks to Lord McFall of Alcluith about her career, including how she joined MI5, her family connection with espionage and leading the Service in the aftermath of the July 7 bombings:
“I had learnt something from the military called ‘battle rhythm’, and I expected us to be flat out for some time on this, our role being to help the police in understanding this crime, this atrocity, this horror, and therefore I wanted people to come into work fresh.”
She also dispels a common misconception of the relationship between MI5 and MI6:
“The ‘Le Carré’ view that the two organisations are constantly at each other’s throats is entirely fictional. We both help each other, as we do with GCHQ. It’s a close-knit community. The other very important partner for MI5 is the police.”
Baroness Manningham-Buller later explains she thinks it might be right to agree with foreign policy expert Dr Fiona Hill’s assertion that Russia is already at war with the UK and the West:
“Since the invasion of Ukraine, and the various things I read that the Russians have been doing here, sabotage, intelligence collection, attacking people, and so on… Fiona Hill may be right in saying we’re already at war with Russia. It’s a different sort of war, but the hostility, the cyber-attacks, the physical attacks, intelligence work is extensive.”
She also shares her experience of meeting the Russian President 20 years ago following the G8 meeting in Gleneagles:
“We all hoped that the past history of Russia wouldn’t prevail, and, at the end of the Soviet Union, we would have a potential partner, and that was one of the reasons why Putin was with us for the G8 in 2005… I met him when he came back to London. But actually we were wrong in that, because Russia is extremely hostile to the West and we’ve seen it in all sorts of ways… I didn’t anticipate that within a year, he’d be ordering the murder on London streets of [Russian dissident Alexander] Litvinenko.”
Watch the full episode to find out more.
See more from the series https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/
#HouseOfLords #UKParliament #LordSpeakersCorner #LordsMembers
W1251BJETI7BCZQT
Inflation: Drivers and Dynamics Conference 2025
Source: European Central Bank (video statements)
This annual conference, hosted by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Center for Inflation Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, brings together top researchers and policymakers from academia, central banks, and other policy institutions to present research findings related to inflation.
Who Trusts the Machines?
Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)
In 2024, 72% of Chinese consumers expressed trust in AI and 90% considered autonomous driving beneficial, while only 32% of US consumers reported trust in AI and acceptance rates for autonomous driving remained lower in Germany, the US and Japan than in China.
What factors are driving these regional differences and how might they shape the speed and approach to deploying autonomous robots?
Speakers:
Zhu Qiuguo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Deep Robotics
Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Innovation of Rwanda
Kishor Patil, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, KPIT Technologies
Eleanor Olcott, China Technology Correspondent, The Financial Times
This is the full audio from a session at the AMNC25 in Tianjin, China on 25 June, 2025.
Watch it here: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/annual-meeting-of-the-new-champions-2025/sessions/who-trusts-the-machines/
Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts (http://wef.ch/podcasts) :
YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts) – https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts
Radio Davos (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1504682164) : https://pod.link/1504682164
Meet the Leader (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1534915560) : https://pod.link/1534915560
Agenda Dialogues (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/agenda-dialogues) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1574956552) : https://pod.link/1574956552
Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub
‘Lies Spread Faster Than Facts’—Maria Ressa at the UN #UNGA80 | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa warns that Big Tech and AI are fueling disinformation, eroding truth and threatening democracy. From manipulated elections to the collapse of journalism, she explains why information integrity is the mother of all battles—and how we can fight back.
The video features a discussion at the United Nations Headquarters, addressing concerns around AI ethics and the potential AI risk. The interview by UN News chief, Ben Malor, covers artificial intelligence safety and the importance of addressing AI dangers to ensure a secure future.
‘Lies Spread Faster Than Facts’—Maria Ressa at the UN #unga80
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa warns that Big Tech and AI are fueling disinformation, eroding truth and threatening democracy. From manipulated elections to the collapse of journalism, she explains why information integrity is the mother of all battles—and how we can fight back.
The video features a discussion at the United Nations Headquarters, addressing concerns around AI ethics and the potential AI risk. The interview by UN News chief, Ben Malor, covers artificial intelligence safety and the importance of addressing AI dangers to ensure a secure future.
UNRWA: Annual Ministerial Meeting – Press Conference | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Hybrid press briefing by Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA; along with H.E. Ayman H. Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; H.E. José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain; and H.E. Mauro Luiz Iecker Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil following the annual ministerial meeting on UNRWA.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said, “If ultimately, we want to get rid of the Agency, it’s important that we genuinely and truly invest in peace.”
Today (25 Sep), Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), addressed the press along with Ayman H. Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain.
Lazzarini said, “We had a week ago, last week, the Commission of Inquiry, which came to its conclusion, describing it as a genocide. It added, in fact, its conclusion to many other, I would say, scholars or NGOs, including Israeli NGOs, who basically concluded to the same. And it is true that Gaza today, people are experiencing hell in all its possible facets.”
He continued, “So, I think it’s very important to keep, you know, expressing total outrage on what’s going on, and of course, what part of our frustration is that this outrage has not yet been translated into meaningful action.”
He also said, “I also regularly remind this absurd or obscene reality where, on one hand, we have a fabricated famine, manmade famine in Gaza, and we have tons of goods waiting outside of Gaza. Only UNRWA as an agency, we have available the equivalent of three months of food covering the need of the population.”
About UNRWA’s financial situation, he said, “My call to the member states is to breach the situation between now and the end of the first quarter next year. Why is the first quarter next year? Because traditionally, we used to receive in January the US contribution and funding, which allowed the agency to start the year with a deficit. But now this won’t be possible, and the need for new money, in fact, is right now, $200 million.”
He added, “We also need now that we restore the humanitarian response as it was at the time of the ceasefire. It’s grotesque that it has been replaced by a system for which the main objective is to support, in fact, military and political objective – here I refer to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.”
He highlighted, “But if ultimately, we want to get rid of the Agency, it’s important that we genuinely and truly invest in peace, because the only alternative to an agency like ours are functioning, empowered, capacitated, future Palestinian institutions within a two state solutions.”
Answering a question, he said, “If we talk about the Gaza Humanitarian form, you know, we went from hundreds of distribution points to four located in the south, nearby military position, forcing, in fact, people to move from where they are. This is not the kind of impartial, independent type of humanitarian assessment based on the notion of humanity being provided to the most vulnerable one.”
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares Bueno stressed, “Mobilization of much needed funds is right now the priority for all of us. We cannot allow – We cannot afford – UNRWA to collapse.”
Ayman H. Safadi, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said, “If we care about humanity, our humanity, we have to support on UNRWA, because nobody will be able to help Palestinians like on UNRWA will be able to. UNRWA now is facing tremendous challenges. On the ground, its staff is being hunted. It has no money to continue its operations, and that is why we are here to call on all member states of the United Nations to translate their political support for UNRWA expressed so articulately in the renewal of its mandate, to translate that support into action.”
He also said, “Nobody has been allowed in terms of journalists to go to Gaza and see what is going on there. But once journalists are allowed to go into Gaza, once they see how much destruction there is, once they see how many children have nobody to go to, once they realize the impact of 600,000 Palestinian kids not going to school for two years in a row, they’ll realize how much we UNRWA.”
Russian Foreign Minister’s Press Conference | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
“We have nothing to hide. We never attack civilian infrastructure,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists. “Incidents happen, but we never conduct targeted fire against them.”
Speaking during his press conference on the sidelines of the General Assembly, Lavrov described what he called a “deep transformation” in global affairs. He said this reflected a clash between “an objective and historically driven process of shaping of the multipolar world” and “those who would like to maintain unipolarity.”
Lavrov said Russia does not target European countries with drones or missiles. He added that Moscow had proposed talks with Poland after recent incidents, but “no one wants to discuss facts.”
On the Middle East, Lavrov referred to discussions at a recent Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit. He said the meetings had addressed “the atrocities that are being perpetrated on the Gaza Strip,” adding that “collective punishment targeting the Palestinian people” was prohibited under international law. Russia, he said, was ready to join efforts aimed at stopping the violence.
Turning to Iran, Lavrov said Western policies amounted to “a deliberate operation aimed at coming to the next level of choking the Islamic Republic of Iran in terms of economy and finance.”
Lavrov also commented on U.S. policy, saying, “we don’t see that the US is withdrawing from the policy of holding an open and honest dialogue.”
Asked about Ukraine, he rejected the idea of restoring the country’s 2022 borders, saying such expectations would be “political blindness.” He said Russia was acting to uphold “our legitimate interests” and those of people whom, he claimed, were marginalized by the authorities in Kyiv.
“There’s no discussion of the 2022 borders,” Lavrov said. “We’re talking about the borders which are enshrined in Russian constitution.”
He further alleged that drones were being modified to make it appear as if they were launched from Russia. While acknowledging that “serious capitals” understood the situation, he said Western elites remained “committed to the goal of suppressing Russia.”
Lavrov warned that any military steps against Russian territory would bring consequences. “A response to things like that… they will seriously regret it,” he said. “Our president has said time and time again that we will not allow for any violation of our territory, our airspace on the part of those in Europe who are openly prepared to go to war with us.”
🇵🇭 Philippines – Second Right of Reply, United Nations General Debate, 80th Session | #UNGA
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Second Right of Reply by the Philippines at the General Debate of the 80th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 23 – 29 September 2025).
World leaders will gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, "Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights".
The General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly is the opportunity for Heads of State and Government to come together at the UN Headquarters and discuss world issues. Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
—————————————-
مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
请在联合国网络电视（UN Web TV）观看中文版视频
Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
Vean este video en español en UN Web TV
Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV
https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1zfg7ib7g
Screenshot credit: UNTV
#UNGA #UnitedNations
🇪🇹 Ethiopia – Second Right of Reply, United Nations General Debate, 80th Session | #UNGA
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Second Right of Reply by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at the General Debate of the 80th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 23 – 29 September 2025).
World leaders will gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, "Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights".
The General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly is the opportunity for Heads of State and Government to come together at the UN Headquarters and discuss world issues. Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
—————————————-
مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
请在联合国网络电视（UN Web TV）观看中文版视频
Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
Vean este video en español en UN Web TV
Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV
https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1o/k1ozg6219q
Screenshot credit: UN WebTV
#UNGA #UnitedNations