Following Contentious Debate, Security Council Fails to Adopt Resolution to Extend UN Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara

The future of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara — according to Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal presented in 2007 — is in limbo after the Security Council failed today to adopt two draft resolutions.

UN Press

First Committee Recommends 13 Texts on Other Disarmament Measures, International Security for General Assembly Action

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved 12 draft resolutions and a decision related to other disarmament measures and international security, forwarding them to the General Assembly.

UN Press

‘More Weapons Do Not Mean More Peace’, Expert Warns Third Committee, Urging Shift from War Economies as Human Rights Council Faces Funding Crisis

As global military spending reaches $2.9 trillion amid record levels of conflict, a United Nations expert urged a shift from war economies to peace, while the Human Rights Council warned of funding shortages hampering its work.

UN Press

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated $3.5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support early action for the impact of El Niño in Eritrea.

UN Press

Security Council Renews Mandate of European Union-led Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adopting Resolution 2834 (2026)

The Security Council today unanimously adopted resolution 2834 (2026) (to be issued as document S/RES/2834(2026)), renewing for 12 months the authorization of the European Union-led multinational stabilization force (EUFOR-Althea) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The force is mandated to help implement t…

UN Press

Security Council Renews Mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya for One Year, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2835 (2026)

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for one year until 31 October 2027, reiterating its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the Mission, Hanna S. Tetteh, in her efforts to furt…

UN Press

Fourth Committee Approves Draft on Outer Space, Urging States to Prevent Arms Race in Realm, Strengthen capacity, Technology in Developing Countries

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today approved a draft resolution emphasizing the need to increase the benefit of space science and technology to contribute to economic growth and sustainable development, even as delegates expressed differences about the text’s reference…

UN Press

Activities of Secretry-General in Egypt, 24-26 October

The Secretary-General arrived in Cairo, Egypt on Saturday, 24 October. Later in the afternoon, he did an interview with Al-Ahram newspaper.

UN Press

Security Council Renews United Nations Colombia Mission, as Resolution 2833 (2026) Narrows Mandate to Security

The Security Council today unanimously adopted resolution 2833 (2026) (to be issued as document S/RES/2833(2026)), extending the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia until 31 October 2027, focusing on its primary function to support verification and monitoring of implement…

UN Press

UN Experts Sound Alarm over Continuing Devastation in Gaza, West Bank, at Palestinian Rights Committee Briefing

The United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People held its 431st meeting, with the theme “Human Dignity under Strain: The Humanitarian and Human Rights Consequences in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”, on 29 October 2026 at United Nations Headquarte…

UN Press

A gold medal can wait, but a human life cannot: Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie calls for stronger emergency care

A gold medal can wait, but a human life cannot: Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie calls for stronger emergency care gebremichaela@… Fri, 30/10/2026 - 14:05 30 October 2026

WHO

Keynote Address by OPCW Deputy Director-General H.E. Mrs Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus at Annual OPCW-Asser Training Programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Keynote Address by OPCW Deputy Director-General H.E. Mrs Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus at Annual OPCW-Asser Training Programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction ppuhm Fri 30/10/2026 - 13:58 Good morning, everyone. It is my pleasure to open this annual training programme…

DR Congo: Hunger deepens for millions amid conflict, Ebola and climate shocks

More than 28 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are not getting enough to eat and the number is expected to tick up in the coming months, according to the latest alert from the IPC global food security monitor.

UN News

Ukraine: Oleshky ceasefire offers ‘hope’ for civilians as attacks on aid vehicles continue

Each day the ceasefire in Oleshky holds means hope for civilians in the city, the UN’s top humanitarian official said, stressing that those wishing to leave must be able to do so safely and voluntarily.

UN News

Yemen war makes reaching assistance too dangerous for many

More than 280,000 people have now been displaced by fighting in Yemen and many vulnerable people are unable to access lifesaving relief because it is too dangerous to do so, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.

UN News

World News in Brief: 300,000 displaced in Lebanon, Türk ‘deeply concerned’ over Novaya Gazeta closure, $50 million refugee appeal, World Cities Day

More than 300,000 people displaced since early March remain internally displaced in Lebanon, where the humanitarian crisis is “far from over,” according to the UN’s aid coordination office (OCHA).

UN News

Niamey charts a path towards improved urban resilience

The City of Niamey and UNDRR organized a capacity-building assessment on disaster risk reduction from 8 to 10 August 2026, as part of MCR2030.

UNISDR

Renewed Austrian support strengthens the ICC Trust Fund for Victims

Renewed Austrian support strengthens the ICC Trust Fund for Victims armin.taslaman… Fri, 10/30/2026 - 12:23 Press Release Renewed Austrian support strengthens the ICC Trust Fund for Victims Image Photo: H. E. Engelbert Theuermann, Ambassador of Austria to the Kingdom of The Netherlands and Dr. Debo…

ICC

Opening of the Duterte trial on 30 November 2026: Practical information

Opening of the Duterte trial on 30 November 2026: Practical information armin.taslaman… Fri, 10/30/2026 - 12:06 Media Advisory Opening of the Duterte trial on 30 November 2026: Practical information Image Mr Duterte during the third status conference at the seat of the Court in The Hague (The Nethe…

ICC

Joint Press Statement of the Twenty-Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministers of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (26th AMAF Plus Three)

The Twenty-Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Plus Three (26th AMAF Plus Three) was held on 30 October 2026 in Singapore, hosted by the Government of Singapore. The Meeting was attended by the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministers of Agriculture…

ASEAN

Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers video message for the Philippine DRIVEN x ASUS National Event 2026

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, addressed the opening of DRIVEN (Developing Resilient, Innovative, Vibrant, and Efficient Smart Local Government Nationwide) x ASUS (ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy) National Event 2026, on 5 October 2026, through pre-recorded video message. In…

ASEAN

Let’s take charge of resilience. By working together we can be tsunami ready says UN Secretary-General António Guterres

On this World Tsunami Awareness Day, let’s take charge of resilience. By working together we can be tsunami ready – and save lives whenever the waves strike.

UNISDR

ADB Approves its First Strategic Business Outlook

ADB has approved its first Strategic Business Outlook, projecting $104.5 billion in financing commitments from 2027 to 2029 and setting out reforms to improve how it prepares and delivers projects across Asia and the Pacific.

Asian Development Bank

Global Review concludes with a declaration on partnerships for trade and development

Marking the 20th anniversary of the Aid for Trade Initiative, WTO members adopted a declaration on 30 October repositioning the initiative as "Aid for Trade: partnerships for trade and development". The declaration was adopted at a meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development, which wrapped up…

WTO

Speakers Spotlight Importance of Legal Clarity as Debate on International Law Commission Report Continues in Sixth Committee

The Sixth Committee (Legal) continued its discussion of the first cluster of topics from the International Law Commission’s annual report today, as speakers highlighted the importance of clarity when codifying or developing rules on topics ranging from the contours of official immunity to cooperati…

UN Press

As Technology Changes Rapidly, Maritime Threats Evolve, Speakers in Security Council Urge Strong Human Oversight of Innovative Tools Governing Global Navigation

Amid rapid technological change and evolving maritime threats, the international community must balance innovation with robust human oversight, strict adherence to international law, and enhanced cybersecurity standards, the Security Council heard today during its high-level open debate on emerging…

UN Press

‘Those Who Benefit Least’ Bear Greatest Burden of Toxic Pollution, Expert Warns Third Committee, Citing ‘Global-Scale Environmental Injustice’

Toxic pollution threatens human rights and ecosystems, while global temperatures are set to breach the critical 1.5°C threshold, United Nations experts warned the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, urging action to confront mounting environmental threats.

UN Press

Underscoring Importance of Independence for International Court of Justice, General Assembly Stresses Need for Adequate Resources, Law Over Power

As the International Court of Justice marks its eightieth anniversary amid a record caseload, the General Assembly heard today urgent calls to strengthen the Court’s independence, uphold its decisions and ensure that international law prevails over the use of force.

UN Press

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

In Haiti, nearly 14,000 people have fled their homes in Petite-Rivière-de-l’Artibonite since violence erupted on 19 October, according to the International Organization for Migration. The World Food Programme warns that acute hunger is on track to hit record levels, affecting 6.35 million people be…

UN Press

High Levels of Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Must End Now, Secretary-General Observance Message Demands, Urging Every Case Be Investigated, Prosecuted

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed on 2 November:

UN Press

Security Council Sanctions Committee Established Pursuant to Resolution 1988 (2011) Amends Five Names on Its Sanctions List

On 29 October 2026, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) enacted the amendments specified with strikethrough and/or underline in the entries below on its 1988 List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out…

UN Press

World News in Brief: 5 children killed in Sudan, Haiti hunger emergency, Yemen war update

At least five children were killed and two others injured in a drone attack on a market in Nyala, in Sudan’s South Darfur state, on Monday, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday.

UN News

Afghanistan opium production jumps fivefold as farmers find ways round Taliban ban

Opium production in Afghanistan has risen fivefold in a year. According to a UN survey released on Thursday, it’s the first significant increase since the Taliban banned poppy cultivation in 2022.

UN News

Nature is making a comeback, but the world must move faster to meet restoration targets – UN Report

FAO

COP17: FAO launches updated Guidelines to help countries manage competing demands for land, soil and water

FAO

Myanmar’s illicit economy fuels escalating violence, with civilians bearing the brunt

Myanmar’s human rights situation is “catastrophic”, the UN independent expert on the country warned at a press briefing Thursday, as the war spirals with no end in sight.

UN News

AI is changing the way we think. The question is whether we’ll notice in time

Artificial intelligence promises to make life easier. With a few keystrokes, it can write emails, summarize reports, generate ideas and answer complex questions in seconds. For many people, it feels like a technological leap on par with the arrival of the internet itself.

UN News

Generation Crossroads and the Road from Potential to Prosperity

UNDP

Joint Statement by the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus on Youth, Peace and Security

The Thirteenth ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (hereinafter referred to as the “ADMM-Plus”) convened in Cebu, Philippines on 29 October 2026; NOTING increasing threats to regional and international peace and stability, and that the youth account for many of those adversely affected by t The p…

ASEAN

COP31: The ICRC's call to strengthen climate action and finance to reach people in conflict settings

ICRC

Resilience, Adaptation and Inclusion in Nepal

RAIN is an FCDO-funded programme supporting Nepal’s climate adaptation, mitigation, disaster risk management, and shock-responsive social protection. RAIN TA SLU is implemented by a consortium led by Mott MacDonald.

UNISDR

ASEAN strengthens cooperation on labour market intelligence and future workforce preparedness

SINGAPORE, 29 October 2026 – ASEAN took a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation on labour market intelligence with the launch of the ASEAN Labour Statisticians Network (ALSN) in Singapore. The Network serves as a regional community of practice that brings together labour sta T…

ASEAN

Decisions on Recruitment, Promotion Must Be ‘Transparent, Bias-Free’, Secretary-General Says at Anti-Racism Event

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks for the event “Honouring Our Values at Home: Advancing Anti-racism and Women’s Rights in the United Nations”, in New York today:

UN Press

Activities of Secretary-General in Armenia, 15-17 October

UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Yerevan, Armenia, on Thursday, 15 October, to attend the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, known as COP17.

UN Press

General Assembly Adopts Resolution to Lift United States Embargo of Cuba

The General Assembly today adopted a resolution calling for an end to the 64-year-old economic restrictions imposed on Cuba by the United States.

UN Press

Green Climate Fund approves landmark projects supporting forest conservation, sustainable livestock production, land restoration and climate-resilient development

FAO

Ocean’s ability to absorb carbon is weakening as climate change intensifies, UN warns

The ocean absorbs around 30 per cent of human-caused carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and 90 per cent of excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases. But climate change has already reduced its capacity to absorb carbon by approximately six per cent, a new UN report warns ahead of the COP31 climate confer…

UN News

Record heat-related deaths in 2023, WHO-partnered report finds

Climate inaction continues to harm and kill people in all countries with a record 710,000 estimated deaths globally from heat in 2023, a UN-partnered report warned on Wednesday. For the first time, more than seven in 10 fatalities were attributable to human-caused climate change.

UN News

Ending conflict is ‘number one thing’ to reduce world hunger, new WFP chief says

Reducing conflict is the single most effective way to tackle global hunger, the new head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Luke Lindberg, said on Wednesday, noting that conflict drives two thirds of the acute food insecurity affecting 266 million people worldwide.

UN News

UN human rights chief urges better protection of civilians in conflicts

Youth-led protests against corruption and inequality in Serbia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Madagascar reflect a growing demand for reinforcing human rights around the world, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

UN News

Higher Ground: How New York is raising a park to hold back the sea

On 29 October 2012, Hurricane Sandy slammed into New York City, unleashing a devastating storm surge that flooded homes, subways and tunnels, knocked out power and sparked deadly fires.

UN News

UNDRR advances climate resilience, early warning systems, and risk-informed water management at Cairo Water Week 2026

At Cairo Water Week 2026, UNDRR promoted risk-informed water management, early warning systems, and climate resilience through regional cooperation.

UNISDR

ASEAN Launches the 2nd Edition of the ASEAN Employment Outlook to Support Long-Term Care Workforce and Protection of Care Workers

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, H.E. San Lwin, delivered remarks at the launch of the 2nd edition of the ASEAN Employment Outlook: “Advancing Long-Term Care Work for Ageing Societies: Labour Protection, Labour Mobility and Labour Migration of ASEAN Care Worke T…

ASEAN