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Working for peace in the DR Congo, with Vivian van de Perre | UN ‘Awake at Night’ podcast tease
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Vivian van de Perre’s calling is to help nations transition from conflict to peace. Now the deputy head of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she leads a life-saving operation in the rebel-held city of Goma.
“It’s tragic and it’s unimaginable, but at the same time, people live their lives and they do the best they can, and they remain generous and warm, despite the circumstances that they live in. You go to these places and you see the worst and you see the best, and it’s all in one package, and it is just something that really, really touches you. It’s not like a regular job.”
A recent peace accord has raised hopes of an end to the violence that has plagued eastern DRC for the past three decades. In this episode, recorded before the peace agreement, Vivian van de Perre reflects on the impact of funding cuts on active war zones, on peacekeeping as a delicate balancing act, and shares why she falls for every place she serves.
The politics might change, but the science is clearer than ever. The planet is warming – and even faster than predicted – due to the emission of greenhouse gases. Faced with the facts, where do businesses, policymakers, and the rest of us go from here?
We get the latest in climate science from Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and hear from Sumant Sinha, the head of India-based renewable energy company ReNew, on the outlook for business.
The episode is co-hosted by Pim Valdre, head of the World Economic Forum’s Climate Ambition Initiative and leader of the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders.
To watch the video-podcast, head to: https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts
Links:
Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders: https://initiatives.weforum.org/alliance-of-ceo-climate-leaders/
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research: https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/home
ReNew: https://www.renew.com/
Related podcasts:
Can climate action survive geopolitical upheaval?
Humans rely on the ocean. Here’s how both can thrive
Breathe! The cities working together on air pollution and climate change
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The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
Remarks by Ambassador Samuel Moncada, Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the United Nations, at the Security Council Stakeout on the United States.
The UN peacekeeping mission which patrols the so-called Blue Line of separation between Israel and Lebanon received the unanimous support of the Security Council on Thursday to extend a final time through 31 December 2026.
Russia’s latest strike in Kyiv damaged the EU delegation building, but all staff are safe. The attack was deadly for civilians — and the EU’s message is clear: our support for Ukraine is unshakeable. Work continues to use Russian frozen assets to fund Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
GAZA
The Secretary-General, in remarks this morning, said that Israel’s initial steps to militarily take over Gaza City signals a new and dangerous phase. Expanded military operations in Gaza City will have devastating consequences, he warned.
Mr. Guterres said that the levels of death and destruction in Gaza are without parallel in recent times. Famine is no longer a looming possibility — it is a present-day catastrophe, he added.
The Secretary-General said that starvation of the civilian population must never be used as a method of warfare.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deeply concerned about the risk of a looming Israeli offensive on additional parts of Gaza city. Some neighbourhoods have already seen deadly attacks in recent days. OCHA says the impact of a full-blown offensive would be beyond catastrophic – not only for those in the city but for the entire Gaza Strip.
Our colleagues tracking population movements report that about 1,300 people have fled from northern to southern Gaza yesterday and today. That brings the total number of north-south movements since 14 August – the day the offensive on Gaza City was announced – to 20,000. Displacement is also happening within the north itself. Altogether, since 14 August, some 60,000 displacements originating from Gaza City have been recorded.
Across the Gaza Strip, hundreds of thousands of families continue to live in overcrowded, undignified and unsafe conditions at displacement sites. Today, the World Food Programme’s Executive Director Cindy McCain called for faster approvals to move supplies into and within Gaza, as well as for safety for people to reach aid, and for humanitarian workers to reach those who need support. Ms. McCain made this statement after visiting the Gaza Strip, where she saw the destruction and desperation firsthand.
With famine now confirmed in Gaza governorate, Ms. McCain called for the right conditions to be put in place so WFP can reinstate its vast network of 200 food distribution points, community kitchens and bakeries.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=28%20August%202025
