Home remains the deadliest place for women, with an average of 140 women and girls being killed each day by an intimate partner or family member in 2023, according to a report released on Monday by two U.N. agencies. The report, issued by UN Women and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, states that approximately 51,100 women and girls were killed by an intimate partner or family member worldwide in 2023, up from around 48,800 victims in 2022. The report, published on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, clarified that the increase in numbers was primarily due to improved data availability rather than a rise in killings. However, both agencies emphasised that this form of gender-based violence affects women and girls everywhere, with no region untouched. The report reaffirmed that "the home is the most dangerous place for women and girls." Africa recorded the highest number of intimate partner and family-related killings, with an estimated 21,700 victims in 2023. The continent also had the highest rate of such deaths relative to its population, with 2.9 victims per 100,000 people. The Americas and Oceania also had high rates, with 1.6 female victims per 100,000 in the Americas and 1.5 per 100,000 in Oceania. In contrast, Asia and Europe had significantly lower rates, at 0.8 and 0.6 victims per 100,000, respectively. Read: Families must be cautious to secure female child from harassments: Speakers The report highlighted that in Europe and the Americas, most women killed within the private sphere are victims of intimate partners, while male homicides tend to occur outside of homes and families. It further noted that while men and boys represent the majority of homicide victims overall, women and girls remain disproportionately affected by lethal violence within the family. Nearly 60% of all women intentionally killed in 2023 were victims of intimate partner or family member homicide, despite women making up only 20% of all homicide victims. Despite efforts to prevent violence against women, the report expressed concern that such killings continue to occur at "alarmingly high levels." The agencies stressed that these deaths are often the result of repeated gender-based violence and could be prevented through timely and effective interventions.

The United Nations and other international organizations are bracing for four more years of Donald Trump, who famously tweeted before becoming president the first time that the 193-member U.N. was “just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.” In his first term, Trump suspended funding for the U.N. health and family planning agencies, withdrew from its cultural organization and top human rights body, and jacked up tariffs on China and even longtime U.S. allies by flaunting the World Trade Organization’s rulebook. The United States is the biggest single donor to the United Nations, paying 22% of its regular budget. Trump’s take this time on the world body began taking shape this week with his choice of Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York for U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Stefanik, the fourth-ranking House member, called last month for a “complete reassessment” of U.S. funding for the United Nations and urged a halt to support for its agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA. President Joe Biden paused the funding after UNRWA fired several staffers in Gaza suspected of taking part in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas. Here’s a look at what Trump 2.0 could mean for global organizations: ‘A theater’ for a conservative agenda Speculation about Trump’s future policies has already become a parlor game among wags in Washington and beyond, and reading the signals on issues important to the U.N. isn’t always easy. For example, Trump once called climate change a hoax and has supported the fossil fuel industry but has sidled up to the environmentally minded Elon Musk. His first administration funded breakneck efforts to find a COVID-19 vaccine, but he has allied with anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “The funny thing is that Trump does not really have a fixed view of the U.N.,” said Richard Gowan, U.N. director for the International Crisis Group think tank. Gowan expects that Trump won’t view the world body “as a place to transact serious political business but will instead exploit it as a theater to pursue a conservative global social agenda.” There are clues from his first term. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 Paris climate accord and is likely to do it again after President Joe Biden rejoined. Trump also had the U.S. leave the cultural and educational agency UNESCO and the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, claiming they were biased against Israel. Biden went back to both before recently opting not to seek a second consecutive term on the council. Trump cut funding for the U.N. population agency for reproductive health services, claiming it was funding abortions. UNFPA says it doesn’t take a position on abortion rights, and the U.S. rejoined. He had no interest in multilateralism — countries working together to address global challenges — in his first term. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls it “the cornerstone” of the United Nations.

Freedom of expression has been threatened more seriously in Gaza than in any recent conflict, with journalists targeted in the war-torn territory and Palestinian supporters targeted in many countries, a United Nations expert said Friday. Irene Khan, the U.N. independent investigator on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, pointed to attacks on the media and the targeted killings and arbitrary detention of dozens of journalists in Gaza. UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon staying put despite Israeli warnings to move “The banning of Al Jazeera, the tightening of censorship within Israel and in the occupied territories, seem to indicate a strategy of the Israeli authorities to silence critical journalism and obstruct the documentation of possible international crimes,” she said. Khan also sharply criticized the “discrimination and double standards” that have seen restrictions and suppression of pro-Palestinian protests and speech. She cited bans in Germany and other European countries, protests that were “crushed harshly” on U.S. college campuses, and Palestinian national symbols and slogans prohibited and even criminalized in some countries. The U.N. special rapporteur also pointed to “the silencing and sidelining of dissenting voices in academia and the arts,” with some of the best academic institutions in the world failing to protect all members of their community, “whether Jewish, Palestinian, Israeli, Arab, Muslim, or otherwise.” While social media platforms have been a lifeline for communications to and from Gaza, Khan said, they have seen an upsurge in disinformation, misinformation and hate speech — with Arabs, Jews, Israelis and Palestinians all targeted online. She stressed that Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its decades of occupation of Palestinian territories are matters of public interest, scrutiny and criticism. Khan earlier presented her report on “the global crisis of freedom of expression arising from the conflict in Gaza” to the General Assembly’s human rights committee. She said Israel responded to it, explained the country’s laws, and “took the position that the conflict in Gaza was not really of global significance, and my mandate should not engage with it.” Israel’s U.N. mission declined to comment on her press briefing. The surprise attacks in southern Israel led by Hamas militants who controlled Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, killed about 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and led to the abduction of about 250 others, around 100 of whom are still hostages. Israel’s military offensive in retaliation has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority were women and children. Khan, a former secretary-general of Amnesty International, stressed that “no conflict in recent times has threatened freedom of expression so seriously or so far beyond its borders than Gaza.” She said attacks on the media “are an attack on the right to information of people around the world who want to know what is happening there.” Khan said she has called on the U.N. General Assembly and Security Council to take measures to strengthen the protection of journalists “as essential civilian workers.” “ Journalism should be seen as essential as humanitarian work,” she said. The information industry has changed, Khan said, and the issue of access to conflict situations by international media representatives — who have been banned from Gaza by Israel — must also be affirmed. “It has to be clarified that it is not okay to just deny access to international media,” she said. Without naming any countries, Khan asked why nations that pride themselves as champions of the media have been silent in the face of unprecedented attacks on journalists in Gaza and the West Bank. “My main message is that what is happening in Gaza is sending signals around the world that it is okay to do these things because it’s happening in Gaza and Israel is enjoying absolute impunity — and others around the world will believe that there will be absolute impunity, too,” Khan said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (August 01, 2024) said the United Nations and any country can send their experts for the proper investigation of every incident of the recent violence related to the quota reform movement. “I want everything to be investigated. Because, it needs to be found out what happened behind it and how these happened. I’ve appealed to the United Nations to send their experts. If any other country wants, they can send their experts too,” she said. The premier said this while addressing a voluntary blood donation programme, discussion and doa mahfil, arranged by Bangladesh Krishak League at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the city's Farmgate, on the occasion of the National Mourning Day. She said, “I want these incidents to be investigated properly. We’ll have to take action against the culprits no matter who they are.” The Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina, said she formed a one-member judicial enquiry committee, without waiting for any demand in this regard, in a bid to investigate the killings of six people in the violence initially. Later she upgraded it to a three-member committee to expand its scope when a larger number of incidents occurred, said the PM. She said her government has brought the status of a developing country for Bangladesh. “But today the image of Bangladesh worldwide is being tarnished by carrying out false propaganda and such militant acts. I’m leaving it to the people to judge it,” she added. PM Hasina visits Kurmitola Hospital to see the injured of recent violence Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said the father of the nation is no more today but her government has built the country following his ideals. But these developments were destroyed and the lives of people were snatched. "They (the perpetrators) would be tried one day. This is why I want it to be investigated internationally and a fair trial to be held,” she said. The prime minister said not a single militant incident occurred after the Holey Artisan attack in Bangladesh due to the vigilance of the law enforcement agencies. The law enforcers sacrificed their lives but freed Bangladesh from militancy, she said. “But today they showed ugly teeths of militancy in the banner of the quota movement,” she said. PM seeks public help to resist Jamaat-Shibir as militant organisation: The premier said there should be no place for militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh and their main strength is Jamaat-e Islami and Shibir. “They (Jamaat-Shibir) will be banned under the clause 18 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 so that they won’t have any social dignity,” she said. She said they would try to carry out destruction again as militants. “At that time, all will have to try to resist them as a militant organisation and save the people (from their hands). All will have to do it in unison,” she said. “There would be no room for militants in the land of Bangladesh. We all will have to stay vigilant in this regard. I seek cooperation from the people of the country to stay vigilant in this matter,” she went on. PM blasts intellectuals for supporting movement: It was like a terrorist attack to topple the govt: PM Hasina tells Indian envoy on quota violence Sheikh Hasina questioned what the rationale was for the continuation of movement when 100 percent demand was fulfilled. Noting different brutal incidents carried out in the name of movement, she also questioned what type of mayhem and movement it was. She criticised a section of intellectuals for supporting the movement. “Many of our knowleagble personalities, dignitaries and intellectuals continue giving their support to this movement. What support are they giving? The demand has already been fulfilled completely,” she said. She said conducting sabotages in this way in the name of a quota movement is nothing but acts of militancy. At the outset of the programme, one-minute silence was observed in memory of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabanddhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the 15th August 1975 carnage. In the event, a special prayer was conducted praying for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the 15th August 1975 carnage and the people who were killed in the recent mayhem centring the movement for quota reform in the public service jobs. AL advisory council member Advocate Yousuf Hossain Humaiyun and AL agriculture and cooperatives secretary Faridun Nahar Laily MP spoke on the occasion. Bangladesh Krishak League President Samir Chanda delivered the welcome speech in the event moderated by its general secretary Umme Kulsum. Six quota protest coordinators released from DB custody

Dr Jiaoqun Shi has joined as the new Representative for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Bangladesh. He submitted his credential to Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Dr Shi, a national of China, holds a Master of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Wuhan University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from the National Academy of Governance in China. British parliamentary delegation visits Beximco Industrial Park He joined FAO in 2019 as Senior Compliance Advisor to the Deputy Director-General at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy and since January 2021, he had been serving as Special Adviser at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand. Dr Jiaoqun Shi started his career in 1988 as Researcher in the Xiangfan Prefecture, Government of China, in Xiangfan, China, according to FAO. From 1996 to 2004, he served as Deputy Director of Personnel in the Appointment Division at the Ministry of Finance in Beijing, China. Bangladesh, Canada find many areas for potential collaboration Between 2007 and 2010, he was Director of the General Division at the Ministry of Finance in Beijing, China. In 2009, he worked as Deputy Prefecture Governor for the Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Government in Xiangxi, China. From 2010 to 2016, he served as Deputy Director-General of the General Office at the Ministry of Finance in Beijing, China.  ‘Ready to work with you closely’: UAE Foreign Minister writes to Hasan Mahmud Between 2016 and 2019, he was Deputy Representative at the Permanent Representation of the People’s Republic of China to the three United Nations Rome-based Agencies (RBAs) in Rome, Italy. Dr Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative in Bangladesh will lead the planning and implementation of FAO programmes in Bangladesh.

Aspire to Innovate (a2i) of the Cabinet Division and ICT Division, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is working to build a Smart Bangladesh and bringing smart services to the doorsteps of the citizens.During the year 2023, a2i has launched many smart projects while many of its initiatives and associated projects received over 17 national and international awards, demonstrating their commitment to technology-dependent services and innovation for Smart Bangladesh development.On December 12, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the ambitious goal of achieving a Smart Bangladesh by 2041 where four pillars of Smart Bangladesh were set.These are: Smart Citizen, Smart Economy, Smart Government and Smart Society.The journey from 2023 to 2041 spans 18 years, marking a dedicated pursuit of the Smart Bangladesh vision.An overview of a2i's year-long efforts to create Smart BangladeshNational and International Achievements:Apart from achieving many national awards, a2i was honoured with a number of international awards this year. It was conferred with the prestigious 'World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize-2023' for the 'COVID-19 Telehealth Center initiative. Besides, a2i's 'ekShop' platform was awarded the 'SDG Digital Game Changer Award' by the United Nations for its contribution to extending e-commerce while the a2i was recognized with the 'WITSA 2023 Global Innovation and Technology Excellence Awards' for its skill development and education excellence through online platforms like 'National Intelligence Employment and Entrepreneurship (NISE)' and 'MuktoPaath.'ISO certificate for Procurement Process:a2i's Procurement Management achieved the International Standards Organization (ISO) certificate for its outstanding contribution in improving buyer-supplier relationships and increasing efficiency in the private sector with a view to improving transparency and quality in the government procurement process.Accessibility Guidelines:As the a2i is at the forefront of ensuring digital services accessible to all including people with disabilities, the government has formulated the 'Digital Service and Web Designing Guideline for Inclusive Accessibility 2022', simplifying the way to achieve the goal.National Innovation Agency:The a2i is poised to be a full-fledged agency as the 'Agency to Innovate (a2i) Bill 2023' was passed in the parliament in July this year, ushering in a new era of technological innovation in the country. As an innovation intermediary, it will advance new, mission-driven policies while continuing its 'whole-of-government' approach to achieving the SDGs and achieving Smart Bangladesh.e-Quality Center for Inclusive Innovation:a2i was globally acclaimed for its proactive steps to reduce digital divide by establishing the 'e-Quality Center for Inclusive Innovation', envisioning a world with zero digital divide. This centre, a collaborative effort of a2i, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICT Division and the UNDP, was formally launched during the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25 this year. Earlier, a worldwide campaign named Zero Digital Divide (#ZeroDigitalDivide) was launched aimed at minimizing digital inequality across the globe.To attain the goal, the e-Quality Centre has introduced the International ICT Innovation (I-3) Matching Fund that has already provided financial assistance to five countries: Gambia, Uganda, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, and Ghana.DPI-AI International Conference:A two-day international conference Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) was organized under the auspicious initiative of the a2i this year with a view to creating an ecosystem to reach citizen services to individual level. It emphasized on creating an inclusive and digitally equitable world through the optimal use of DPI and artificial intelligence (AI). The conference was featured with the significant 'Dhaka Declaration 2023,' that outlined 10 point-action to reduce digital divide and strengthen DPI and AI.a2i for Innovation:As part of its regular activities to encourage building a culture of innovation in the country, a2i organized 'Rocketry Innovation Challenge-2022' and awarded innovators for innovative ideas like smart meters and sub-meters for water usage in households and industries, monitoring vital physical data during pregnancy using digital methods for pregnant women and creating customized letters for government office documents.International Consultation on Blended Education:As blended education has appeared as indispensable for shaping Smart Bangladesh, in May this year, the a2i in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Education Ministry organized an international consultation aimed at implementing an inclusive blended education system.a2i’s emergency response during Disaster:The national helpline 333 developed by the a2i stood by the people when the powerful cyclone 'Mocha' approached the country's coasts and provided 24-hour service. The toll-free helpline service provided information related to the cyclone, alert signals, weather updates, and emergency assistance. During this period, the helpline received 1.4 million calls related to 'Mocha,' and more than 34,000 calls were made for disaster assistance.

The United Nations has reiterated its hope for "free, fair and credible elections" in Bangladesh. "I haven’t seen the letter, and I would just refer you to what I’ve already said extensively on the elections in Bangladesh and our hopes for a free, fair, and credible elections," Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, told reporters during a regular briefing on December 8. Earlier in November, Bangladesh conveyed to the United Nations that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is “determined to hold a free and fair election” but will not tolerate burning of public and private properties and human lives in the name of demonstration that the opposition frequently perpetrates. Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi celebrates Armed Forces Day  “In the context of undue, unwarranted and vested political pressure that we are facing from different comers ahead of our upcoming National Parliamentary Election, we hope that United Nations system, including its Secretariat, agencies and country office, would play a constructive and collaborative role to assist Bangladesh to remain persistent in its development trajectory,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen wrote in his letter to the UN. The letter was written on November 19 and the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN transmitted it to the UN on November 20. ADB to provide $400 million to support climate priorities in Bangladesh Responding to a question, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesman said the UN does not send election observers without a specific mandate. A questioner said the United Nations is yet to take action to recognise the genocidal action committed by Pakistani occupying force in Bangladesh during the Liberation War in 1971 and sought comments from the spokesman. In reply, he said, “First of all, with all due respect to historical events and those who suffered during those historical events, I will not comment on things that happened that long ago. Second, as we’ve said here repeatedly over and over again, it is not for the Secretary-General to designate an event as genocide. It is up to competent judicial authorities.” Momen writes to UN, seeks its ‘constructive, collaborative’ role amid ‘unwarranted political pressure’ Every 9 December, the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide marks the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide – a crucial global commitment that was made at the founding of the United Nations, immediately preceding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Bangladesh has expressed its displeasure to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk over a recent letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a press note on the country “without waiting for fuller information and facts.” “We expect that human rights mechanisms would give themselves adequate time before jumping to conclusions without the benefit of full facts to avoid the risks of being influenced by rumors and unverified information,” according to Bangladesh’s response to Türk on November 10. The letter seen by UNB notes that the UN rights chief’s letter, dated November 1, 2023, addressed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been written “hastily without waiting for fuller information and facts” to emerge and without allowing sufficient time for reflection. The letter mentioned that a press note was also “hurriedly released” from Türk’s office on the same issue without consulting Bangladesh, and without taking into consideration the facts and figures the country provided along with “horrific images and video footage taken from neutral sources.” Guided by the obligations emanated from the constitution, Bangladesh side said that the government has been allowing and extending necessary cooperation to all political parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to arrange assemblies, protests, processions etc. Read: Bangladesh can be an ideal location for BRI, IPS cooperation: Prof Imtiaz In this spirit the government allowed mass assemblies convened by different political parties on October 28, 2023 on the streets of Dhaka despite the declared objective of a major opposition party – BNP – to create anarchy and disconnect Dhaka from other parts of Bangladesh as a pressure tactic, reads the letter. During its rally and strike on October 28-29, the unruly activists of BNP – “misguided” by the propaganda of its leaders – took recourse to indiscriminate street violence, arson, other forms of violent activities on the apolitical law enforcement agency members, police stations, CCTV cameras, the judiciary, media personnel, innocent civilians, state institutions, hospitals, ambulances, fire service vehicles and public properties, according to Bangladesh’s reply to Türk. A member of the police was beaten to death while more than 100 police officers were injured, a bus worker was burnt alive, residences of the chief justice of Bangladesh and other judges of the Supreme Court were attacked, it said. Read: Economy buffeted by political unrest amid declining forex reserves: Analysts On the following days, as BNP spread the “campaign of arson and terror” all over Bangladesh, a few more people were killed, reads the letter. “It is unfortunate that BNP unleashed its attacks on the on-duty media personnel. TV cameras were snatched away and at least 25 journalists were attacked, several of whom were admitted to hospitals. Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) condemned these attacks by the BNP activists,” according to Bangladesh’s response.  In the letter, Bangladesh said Türk’s office should conduct an unbiased assessment of BNP’s targeted attacks on the press impeding freedom of expression. “Let me reassure you that our law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are well-trained to apply minimal and optimal force as they seek to prevent destruction of property or lives. Our LEAs deserve appreciation for being reasonable and restrained despite a member of the Police being mercilessly beaten to death by BNP hoodlums,” reads the letter. The current government, as a democratically elected one, is committed to uphold the rule of law and ensure peace and security, it said. Every single arrest made following the incident of October 28, was based on specific allegations against the persons concerned, Bangladesh said. “There has been no arbitrary arrest and detention, and we assure them access to full legal recourse as allowed under domestic laws,” the letter said. Read: Uncertainty, tension grip students, parents amid raging political crisis In its reply, Bangladesh also mentioned that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was convicted on corruption charges in two cases while a few other cases are ongoing – all of which were filed during the 2007-08 caretaker administration. Considering her health condition, based on the application of her family members, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suspended her sentence under legal provision. “Begum Khaleda Zia was offered a release for a period of six months on conditions of (a) taking treatment in Bangladesh and (b) not leaving the country. She accepted the conditions under which she was released on 25 March 2020 and her release tenure was extended several times,” said the government of Bangladesh. Bangladesh in its reply mentioned that she has been receiving treatment of the highest standard at the Evercare Hospital, one of the best hospitals in Bangladesh, as per her choice. Recently, her family members and the leadership of BNP sought permission from the government to bring specialist doctors from the USA for her treatment. The government accorded its permission. Bangladesh appreciated engagement of Türk’s office with the government of Bangladesh on the recent developments. “As Bangladesh is constructively and consistently engaged with the UN mechanisms in promoting and protecting human rights, we expect our steadfast commitment would be reciprocated with the spirit of cooperation and proportionality,” reads the letter to the UN rights chief. Read EC to announce polls schedule in a couple of days: PM Hasina

Some 780 million people around the world are going hungry and almost fifty million children are at risk of death from severe wasting, said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Yet funding for this year’s global humanitarian appeal stands at just 32 percent,” he said in a message marking the World Food Day that falls on October 16. World Food Day 2023 comes during a global food crisis, with the world moving backwards on ending hunger and malnutrition. Brian Urquhart, early leader of United Nations, dies at 101 “This World Food Day, I call on governments, the private sector, civil society and academia to work together; to prioritize feeding the hungry; to bring ending this crisis to the top of the global agenda; and to invest in long-term solutions that provide everyone with enough to eat,” said the UN chief, noting that zero hunger is achievable. Guterres said in their world of plenty, it is outrageous that a person dies of hunger every few seconds, while the World Food Programme has been forced to cut its essential aid programmes.  Kofi Annan was the United Nations In 2015, after years of progress, governments set the goal of zero hunger by 2030. But eight years later, the number of people suffering from hunger has increased significantly. “This crisis demands action – first and foremost from national governments, which have a responsibility to make sure their people have enough to eat. But many governments lack the resources to do so, and so effective international solidarity is also essential,” said the UN chief. The long-term causes of the global food crisis include conflicts, climate extremes, inequality, and economic instability, he said. Dr Debapriya reappointed to United Nations CDP The UN system is addressing these root causes through our support for sustainable, equitable food systems that put people over profits. “That means massively scaling up investments in resilient agriculture, and aligning them with climate action. It means leveraging science and technology to improve the efficiency and reach of food systems,” Guterres said. This year’s theme for World Food Day focuses on water – a necessity for nutritious and healthy food. The sustainable management of water for agriculture and food production is essential to end hunger, achieve the SDGs, and preserve water for future generations, said the UN chief. 

The world leaders have stressed that building resilience and tackling the adverse impact of climate change should be an urgent priority for all as the planet grapples with chaotic weather patterns. At the UN General Assembly high-level debate on Thursday, more than a dozen heads of state and government spotlighted the need for concrete climate measures, as opposed to mere promises, calling for reforming global financial institutions and unlocking funds for developing countries to allow them to catch up on the path to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. They  also emphasised that the current exclusionary architecture, dominated by a few states, is failing to deliver the requisite resources, saying no meaningful climate action or development can take place in conditions of financial distress. Govt can't guarantee violence-free election without support from all: FM Momen Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, cited climate as the most pressing of all emergencies and  drew attention to the afforestation initiative that he undertook in his capacity as President of the Congo Basin Climate Commission.  Pointing out that arable land in Africa must be protected from the impacts of climate change, he called for effective technical and financial partnerships. José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste, proposed to accelerate energy transition in fragile developing States by unlocking finance through debt alleviation, streamlining international finance at the lowest interest rates and increasing development assistance.   Wesley Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, implored all parties to the Paris Agreement — particularly major emitters — to commit to emissions reductions of at least half by 2030 and peg their net-zero goals no later than 2050. Uzra Zeya discusses Bangladesh's upcoming national election with PM Hasina: US Embassy Han Zheng, Vice-President of China, stressed the importance of the Paris accord and the need to stop building new coal-fired power projects abroad, and to vigorously support developing countries to create more green energy projects.   For its part, he said, China will continue to prioritize ecological conservation and the advancement of green and low-carbon development.  “Through Chinese modernization and rejuvenation, the country seeks to achieve harmony between humanity and nature while promoting ethical material advancement.” Jessica Alupo, Vice-President of Uganda, called on developed countries to fulfil their commitment, in line with the Paris Agreement, to provide $100 billion — annually, through 2025 — to developing countries to assist with mitigation and adaptation.  Answering that call, Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy of Denmark, said his government is increasing grant-based climate finance to its highest level ever this year, doubling its contribution to the Green Climate Fund next year, and tripling its contribution to climate finance in developing countries by 2030.   Dhaka urges OIC members to contribute voluntary fund to bear legal expenses of Rohingya case “The world needs to better leverage the enormous potential of international financial institutions, and development banks must raise trillions of dollars for climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he insisted. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, said high temperatures resulting from global warming are driving threats of fires, heat waves and landslides in different countries. “While the world acts decisively on long-term mitigation, the international community is “collectively guilty in not placing enough emphasis on short-term adaptation” he said, calling for the creation of a global forum that can deliver access to new financing to drive such adaptation “before it is too late.” Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ in a video message to the ministerial meeting of the least developed countries, pushed for a Climate Solidarity Pact in which all countries make extra efforts to reduce emissions this decade. “Developed countries must also present a clear and credible road map to double adaptation finance by 2025.  The $100 billion goal must be met, and the Green Climate Fund must be fully capitalised,” he said.