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.
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
From #Rwanda to the world: digital trade is unlocking markets, but only if we close the gaps.
Meet WTO’s #YoungTradeLeader Olexa Heshima, as she champions solutions to help MSMEs access global markets.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Minister Pemmy Majodina visited the Katse Dam and its associated infrastructure on the second day of the oversight visit to the Lesotho
Highlands Water Project.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, told journalists in New York that “the UN is not leaving Iraq,” and said its presence in in the country “is shifting from a more mission-led and also political orientation to more development focus.”
As the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI’s) concludes its work in the country, Isaczai noted that 25 UN agencies operate “to support Iraq’s development needs.”
He pointed out that Iraq recently signed a UN cooperation framework for the next five years, focusing “on four key pillars of economic reform, social protection and service delivery, environment and climate change, and also governance, human rights, and rule of law.”
Isaczai said, “Iraq has really done well in the last two years to maintain a balanced policy in terms of its relationship, both in the region but also with the West. And I think a lot of credit goes again to Iraq to not entangle itself in the regional tension. And I think they’ve done a good job.”
UNAMI, he said, “did what it could to help Iraq where it is,” adding that “the responsibility is now shifting to the government, in most cases, and also to the UN when it comes to residual humanitarian needs and development.”
The Resident Coordinator said, “we just have to prioritise now our engagement based on the government’s national priorities.”
Asked about the situation of the Yazidis displaced from northern Iraq, he said “we continue to advocate for the return of all IDPs,” adding that the government “needs to do more to facilitate the voluntary return.”
Isaczai expressed hope that “as Iraq is forming a new government, the new government will take this issue seriously.”
The UN, he said, “will continue to advocate for their return to their places of origin or solutions that will be more dignified and get them out of the current difficult situation they’re in.”
VENEZUELA
The Secretary-General met with the Permanent Representative of Venezuela, Ambassador Samuel Moncada.
During the meeting, the Secretary-General reiterated his publicly-stated position on the US military action in Venezuela.
He also expressed the availability of his good offices to support a possible inclusive national dialogue in Venezuela.
SYRIA
Turning to Syria, and in particular the developments in the northeast. The Secretary-General is alarmed by reports of civilian deaths and injuries following hostilities in Aleppo, Syria.
The United Nations reiterates that all parties have a clear obligation, under international humanitarian law, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
We call on all actors to immediately de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint, and take all measures to prevent further harm to civilians.
The United Nations encourages all parties to demonstrate flexibility and goodwill, on both the military and political tracks, and promptly resume negotiations in order to fully implement the 10 March agreement.
LEBANON/ISRAEL
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix continues his visit to the Middle East.
Today in Beirut, he met with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Rajji, and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri. Discussions focused on UNIFIL’s support to the Lebanese authorities in sustaining the cessation of hostilities.
Mr. Lacroix also met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, where they discussed the ongoing redeployment of the armed forces in the south and how UNIFIL can continue supporting implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.
Yesterday, Mr. Lacroix traveled to southern Lebanon, where he witnessed firsthand the extensive destruction left by the hostilities.
He urged all parties to respect the 2024 cessation of hostilities agreement, to enable civilians to return safely and allow UNIFIL to carry out its mandate.
And just to note that earlier this week, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis Plascheart, was in Israel, where she met with senior officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, as part of broader consultations related to the implementation of the November understanding and Security Council resolution 1701.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-01-07
