EuropeanExpress

Progress and reform
Value and renewable energy chains
Invest in technology, youth and peace
About Ticad

Progress and reform

In this regard, he underlined the need to accelerate progress to achieve Sustainable development objectives (ODD) by investment, reform and partnerships.

Mr. Guterres highlighted five areas of cooperation, starting with his long -standing push to reform global governance institutions so that they reflect the realities of today.

“” Africa must have a stronger voice to shape decisions that affect its future“He said.

“” Which includes a long -awaited reform of Security adviceWhere incredibly, Africa has no permanent member and other regions remain underrepresented. »»

He also called for the revision of international financial architecture, describing the current system as “unjust and unfair”, as well as daring actions on the relief of debt.

Value and renewable energy chains

The secretary general then highlighted investment in sustainable global value chains and regional integration.

“The path of prosperity of Africa must focus on adding value to its raw materials, the creation of decent jobs and the strengthening of resilience, the profit of the African continental free trade area,” he said.

He also underlined the need to fight against the “African energy paradox”, noting that although the continent has enormous potential to produce renewable energies, it receives only 2% of global investments in the sector. Meanwhile, some 600 million Africans do not have access to electricity.

“Africa also houses the critical minerals necessary to fuel renewable technologies,” he continued. ” But The countries welcoming them must be those that benefit from them first and most, while adding value to local and global value chains. “”

Invest in technology, youth and peace

By turning alongside technology, Mr. Guterres called to exploit digital innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI), for development.

He said that Japan’s technological leadership can help close the digital fracture, “and ensure that technology helps African countries catch up with adequate digital public infrastructure, rather than being left behind. »»

“Young people are the manufacturers of the future of Africa”, the fourth point of the Secretary General stressed the need to invest in their skills and their education, in particular in STEMs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

“” Invest in the full participation of women in economies, companies and political systems“, He added.

Mr. Guterres concluded by recognizing the link between peace and prosperity.

“Sustainable development requires sustainable peace,” he said.

“By silencing firearms as clearly points out the African Union. And by putting an end to violence in all its forms and by strengthening social cohesion and stability that can attract investments and businesses in Africa. ”

About Ticad

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is co-organized by Japan and UN, the United Nations Development Program (Predict), the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC).

It has been taking place since 1993 in order to promote the development, peace and security of Africa, thanks to the strengthening of relations in multilateral cooperation and partnership.

“For more than three decades, the Ticad has embodied the spirit of multilateralism – based on mutual respect, shared responsibility and a deep belief in the potential of Africa,” said the secretary general.

The conference takes place from August 20 to 23.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

How Today’s Global Religious Leaders Are Changing the World

20 August 2025

Table of Contents

The Modern Faith Leader — Moral Architect, Diplomat, Humanitarian
What does it truly mean to be a religious leader in 2025?

Pope Leo XIV – A New Papacy Rooted in Service and Unity
David Miscavige – Leading the Global Expansion of Scientology
President Russell M. Nelson – Architect of Global Humanitarian Reach and Spiritual Renewal
Ted N.C. Wilson – Championing Global Health and Education Through Faith

The Modern Faith Leader — Moral Architect, Diplomat, Humanitarian

What does it truly mean to be a religious leader in 2025?

Gone are the days when spiritual leadership was confined to the pulpit, temple, or monastery. Today, religious leaders have stepped firmly into the heart of public life—shaping humanitarian response, environmental action, peacebuilding, and interfaith dialogue across the globe.

The recent election of Pope Leo XIV—the first American and first Augustinian pontiff—has only sharpened global focus on the evolving role of faith in the modern era. His blend of pastoral care, climate advocacy, and diplomatic outreach exemplifies a new model of spiritual leadership: one that engages directly with the world’s most urgent moral, social, and political challenges.

In a world grappling with conflict, economic inequality, climate disruption, and mental health crises, the role of a faith leader has expanded dramatically. They are no longer just keepers of doctrine—they are moral architects, global diplomats, social innovators, and crisis responders. Their influence reaches classrooms, refugee camps, disaster zones, digital platforms, and even boardrooms.

These modern leaders mobilise millions of volunteers, run international aid organisations, champion education, defend human rights, and offer grounded hope to populations in turmoil. In many cases, their impact rivals that of governments or corporations—yet they operate on the strength of belief, community, and service.

This article highlights some of the most influential faith leaders today—figures who exemplify the evolving power and purpose of spiritual leadership. From David Miscavige’s strategic humanitarian infrastructure to President Russell M. Nelson’s expansive global relief network, each is advancing a vision of a better, more compassionate world.

Their stories aren’t just about religion. They’re about how values, vision, and action can reshape the future—at scale.

Pope Leo XIV during an audience with the media (May 12, 2025) – used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Pope Leo XIV – A New Papacy Rooted in Service and Unity

Elected in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Illinois, is the first American and first Augustinian pope in Catholic history. His election followed the passing of Pope Francis and marked a new chapter for the Church—one focused on continuity with reform. With a background in mathematics, canon law, and decades of missionary work in Peru, Leo XIV brings a rare mix of pastoral compassion and administrative rigour.

As former head of the Dicastery for Bishops and a bridge-builder in Latin America, his leadership reflects global sensibilities and deep ecclesiastical experience. He has emphasised unity in Christ, renewal of clergy integrity, and greater interfaith and diplomatic engagement. Drawing inspiration from
Pope Leo XIII’s teachings on social justice, Leo XIV has committed the Vatican to addressing climate change, economic inequality, and human dignity with renewed urgency.

Early in his papacy, he reached out to flood victims in Texas, discussed potential peace-building visits abroad, and signalled openness to dialogue with marginalised communities. While reviving traditional elements of the papacy such as retreats at Castel Gandolfo, he also upholds Francis’s progressive legacy, particularly in environmental and humanitarian issues.

Since his election, Pope Leo XIV has prioritised issues of climate action, refugee protection, and economic justice, positioning the Church as a force for ethical leadership in an era of rising instability. He has strengthened ties with humanitarian partners such as Caritas Internationalis and the UNHCR, and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to integral human development. His calm, reflective style and emphasis on peace and dialogue have drawn praise from faith and civic leaders worldwide.

As the world confronts deepening division and uncertainty, Pope Leo XIV is emerging as a trusted moral voice, blending spiritual tradition with a contemporary call to solidarity and global responsibility.

Exactly 75 years ago, a book called Dianetics unleashed a seismic force that shook the globe. And tonight, with what we’re about to set in motion, that force isn’t just coming back, it’s erupting through every fault line of this planet, pressurized by 75 years of unstoppable momentum.” —MR. DAVID MISCAVIGE, ECCLESIASTICAL LEADER OF THE SCIENTOLOGY RELIGION © 2025 Church of Scientology International is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

David Miscavige – Leading the Global Expansion of Scientology

In the landscape of modern religious leadership, few figures have shaped the trajectory of a global religion as decisively as David Miscavige. As the ecclesiastical leader of Scientology, Miscavige has not only overseen the recovery of its foundational writings by founder L. Ron Hubbard, but has also led an ambitious, international expansion project that has made Scientology a truly global presence.

As Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center (RTC), Miscavige is entrusted with safeguarding the purity and consistent application of the technology of Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard. It is a responsibility he has embraced with dedication and precision—qualities that have defined his leadership for close to four decades.

Under his stewardship, Scientology has grown to include over 11,000 Churches, Missions, and affiliated groups across 167 countries. But the story of Miscavige’s leadership extends beyond numbers—it is one of restoration, innovation, and global outreach.

One of the most transformative chapters of his leadership was the accomplishment of a 25-year programme to recover, verify, and restore L. Ron Hubbard’s complete body of written and spoken works. This monumental effort—known within the religion as the “Golden Age of Knowledge”—resulted for the first time in Scientology’s full scriptures being made available in their original form—as well as being translated into dozens of languages and distributed worldwide.

Central to this new era has been the development of what are known as Ideal Scientology Churches. These facilities represent the realisation of Hubbard’s original blueprint for what a Church of Scientology should be: centres that deliver the full Scientology array of services, and offer community engagement—all under one roof. From major capitals like Paris, London, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo to regional hubs such as Kaohsiung and Johannesburg, more than 70 Ideal Churches have opened across six continents under Miscavige’s guidance. Each is a fully realised religious and humanitarian centre designed to serve local parishioners while advancing the Church’s outreach and public service programmes.

In Clearwater, Florida—the religion’s spiritual headquarters—stands a
377,000-square-foot complex dedicated to advanced religious services. At the same time, new state-of-the-art publishing and translation centres ensure that Scientology materials can be produced and distributed globally at scale, while a dedicated media facility in Los Angeles powers the Scientology TV Network, broadcasting the religion’s beliefs, practices, and initiatives to audiences around the world.

But perhaps the most outward-facing expression of Miscavige’s leadership is humanitarian programmes. Drawing from L. Ron Hubbard’s deep concern regarding societal decay, Miscavige has expanded Church-sponsored secular programmes to tackle issues ranging from drug abuse and illiteracy to human rights violations and moral decline.

The Truth About Drugs and United for Human Rights campaigns—both supported by the Church—have become the largest non-governmental initiatives of their kind. These programmes distribute millions of educational materials annually and partner with educators, law enforcement, and civil society groups to deliver solutions worldwide.

Complementing these efforts is the Scientology Volunteer Ministers programme—one of the most visible humanitarian arms of the religion. Founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1970s to address the rising tide of crime and confusion in society, the programme offers practical, non-denominational tools to help individuals overcome adversity and restore purpose in their lives.

It was after the events of 9/11 that this movement saw its most dramatic transformation. On the day of the attacks, Miscavige issued a powerful directive titled The Wake-up Call, calling on Scientologists to redouble their efforts to help their fellow man. At the time, just 6,000 Volunteer Ministers operated worldwide. That number has since grown to more than 200,000, forming a global response force that has brought relief to more than 300 major disaster zones—from earthquakes and tsunamis to humanitarian crises and refugee camps.

Volunteer Ministers operate under a simple motto: “Something can be done about it.” Their bright yellow tents have become a familiar sight at disaster sites and community events alike, offering aid and spiritual relief to anyone in need—regardless of faith or background.

Whether laying the groundwork for large-scale disaster response, opening Churches in new cities, or preserving L. Ron Hubbard’s legacy, Miscavige has established a model of religious leadership that is equal parts tradition and modernity. He maintains regular communication with Scientologists through global events and broadcasts, offering updates on the Church’s progress and reaffirming its spiritual mission.

In an era where religious institutions often struggle to remain relevant, David Miscavige has charted a course of expansion. His leadership has positioned Scientology not only as a religion with global reach, but as a movement defined by its humanitarian spirit and unwavering commitment to bettering the world.

russell m nelson (cropped)

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped).

President Russell M. Nelson – Architect of Global Humanitarian Reach and Spiritual Renewal

President Russell M. Nelson, who has served as the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2018, embodies a fusion of spiritual leadership and global humanitarian vision that has profoundly influenced millions worldwide. A former heart surgeon turned prophet, Nelson’s unique combination of scientific acumen and ecclesiastical authority has helped steer the Church into a new era of worldwide service and doctrinal clarity.

Under his guidance, the Church has accelerated its global humanitarian efforts, leveraging an expansive relief network that delivers emergency aid, development projects, and community resilience programmes across more than 70 countries. The Church’s humanitarian arm, Latter-day Saint Charities, has responded to natural disasters, supported clean water initiatives, combated food insecurity, and provided critical medical supplies, often in collaboration with international agencies and local partners.

Nelson’s presidency has also marked a period of significant spiritual renewal within the Church. He has emphasised personal revelation, increased scriptural engagement, and a simplified, more inclusive approach to worship and community participation. A notable aspect of his leadership has been the recalibration of Church programmes and resources to better serve rapidly growing congregations, especially in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

One of Nelson’s landmark initiatives was the 2019 worldwide celebration of the Church’s 200th anniversary, which featured an emphasis on the restoration of the gospel and its unifying message. He has encouraged members to engage in meaningful service and family history work, positioning faith as a vital force for strengthening communities and fostering intergenerational bonds.

President Nelson’s approach balances tradition with innovation. He has overseen the construction of new temples at an unprecedented pace, providing sacred spaces tailored to diverse cultures, while also embracing digital technologies to connect members and facilitate religious education. His emphasis on compassionate outreach reflects a commitment to living faith through action—whether by ministering to refugees, advocating for religious freedom, or promoting humanitarian principles grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In a complex global landscape, Russell M. Nelson’s leadership continues to exemplify how faith leaders can mobilise vast organisational resources for humanitarian good, while nurturing spiritual growth and community resilience on a truly global scale.

ted n.c. wilson in 2023

Ted N.C. Wilson during the Big Sabbath in Lusaka, Zambia
by Icem4kc, own work, taken 4 February 2023, licensed under CC BY 4.0

Ted N.C. Wilson – Championing Global Health and Education Through Faith

Ted N.C. Wilson, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists since 2010, has been a driving force in guiding one of the world’s most active faith communities in holistic health, education, and humanitarian service. Rooted deeply in the Church’s emphasis on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, Wilson’s leadership has strengthened the Church’s position as a vital global provider of healthcare and humanitarian aid.

Under his stewardship, the Seventh-day Adventist Church oversees one of the largest Protestant healthcare networks worldwide, with more than 200 hospitals, clinics, and wellness centres serving millions across continents. The Church’s distinctive focus on lifestyle medicine—promoting vegetarianism, exercise, preventive care, and mental wellness—has gained recognition as a pioneering model in public health. This approach not only addresses physical ailments but also promotes overall community resilience.

Education remains a cornerstone of the Church’s mission. Thousands of Adventist schools, colleges, and universities emphasise not only academic excellence but also ethical leadership and social responsibility. These institutions cultivate generations equipped to contribute meaningfully to society.

Complementing these efforts, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), operating in over 130 countries, exemplifies the Church’s commitment to humanitarian outreach. ADRA’s programmes tackle critical challenges such as food insecurity, access to clean water, disaster recovery, and climate change adaptation. Through partnerships with governments, NGOs, and interfaith bodies, Wilson has expanded the Church’s reach and effectiveness in responding to global crises.

Ted Wilson’s leadership highlights how faith-based institutions can serve as powerful catalysts for humanitarian change—integrating spiritual values with tangible, world-wide service that uplifts vulnerable populations and fosters sustainable development.

First published by CEOTODAYMAGAZINE.COM

Meta Launches Superintelligence Labs in Major AI Restructure

20 August 2025

Meta Launches Superintelligence Labs in Major AI Restructure

The transformation became official through an internal memo this week, just four days after The Information first broke news of the impending changes. Leading the charge is Alexandr Wang, Scale AI’s founder who stepped into Meta’s chief AI officer role back in June.

Wang will personally oversee the crown jewel of this restructure: TBD Labs. This group carries the heavyweight responsibility of advancing Meta’s foundation models, particularly the Llama series that saw its most recent update in April. The remaining three divisions will tackle research initiatives, product integration challenges, and infrastructure demands.

This essential reshuffling represents Meta’s response to mounting pressure from AI powerhouses like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind. The company has been pouring substantial resources into its AI capabilities over recent months, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally recruiting talent for these new teams.

The timing coincides with Meta’s urgency to catch up in the AI race. While competitors have been making headlines with breakthrough models and applications, Meta needed a structure that could move faster and compete more effectively. The new Superintelligence Labs framework suggests the company is betting big on specialized teams working in parallel rather than a single monolithic AI division.

Wang’s appointment as chief AI officer in June already signaled major changes were coming. His background leading Scale AI, a company that specializes in training data for machine learning models, brings direct experience in the technical challenges Meta now faces with its Llama models and broader AI ambitions.

Written by Vytautas Valinskas

Meta Launches Superintelligence Labs in Major AI Restructure

20 August 2025

Meta just initiated a complete AI organizational overhaul that industry insiders saw coming for months. The social media

‘Our work is largely invisible’: Journey from outer space to frontline aid worker

United Nations News

20 August 2025

‘Our work is largely invisible’: Journey from outer space to frontline aid worker

Ahead of donning a beige WFP vest and boots to face hurricanes, wars and refugee camps, the Portuguese scientist worked with satellite imagery and cartography, creating maps to support humanitarian missions, until he realised he didn’t want to stay behind a computer screen.

On the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, marked annually on 19 August, Mr. Matos shared his story with UN News.

Pedro Matos joined the WFP response team following the deadly Cyclone Idai in Mozambique in 2019. (file)

Table of Contents

From hurricanes to war
‘Like moving an entire government’
Heart-shredding challenges and profound rewards
Feeding millions every day
The value of a Nobel Prize

From hurricanes to war

“At a certain point, it just wasn’t enough,” he recalled about his space engineering job. “I didn’t want to be making maps for other people to go and do humanitarian responses. I want to take those maps and be the one to do the responding.”

That’s exactly what he did. At WFP, he first developed maps on the ground and then went on to coordinate the agency’s emergency operations.

Since then, he has visited dozens of countries often at the epicentre of crises, from Hurricane Idai in Mozambique to the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

In 2018, Pedro Matos looks at the Kutupalong refugee camp where Rohingya refugees live. (file)

‘Like moving an entire government’

Coordinating in an emergency response is like “moving an entire government”, where each UN agency represents a “ministry” and the response only works when everyone comes together over the four essential areas in a crisis response: food, shelter, water and health.

Having just returned from a mission in Bangladesh, he described efforts to respond at Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee camp and home to 700,000 people who fled violence in Myanmar.

“We’ve been able to provide better conditions for people to live in this limbo with a little more comfort,” he said, also remembering his visit there in 2018 at the height of the crisis.

At the time, “a million people crossed the border in a month.” Today, although they remain in “limbo”, he pointed to improvements such as more monsoon-resistant homes and roads, gas stoves and reforestation.

Pedro Matos on board a humanitarian aid flight after Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. (file)

Heart-shredding challenges and profound rewards

The job has meant both challenges and rewards.

“We’ve also had a few instances where we’ve been kidnapped, or come under fire, but it’s not the things that happen to us that impact us the most,” he said. “It’s the things that happen to others that have the most impact.”

Hurricane Idai in Mozambique was a Category 5 hurricane that hit Beira in 2019 was one of the biggest and most intense crisis, but also most rewarding, he said.

“There’s this mix of something that was very intense and hard because we couldn’t reach everyone, but at the same time, the fact was that there were many people – tens or hundreds of thousands of people – who would have died if we hadn’t been there,” he said. “That was the most impactful response in my 17 years at the United Nations.”

When he was in Yemen, “we were bombed 20 times a day” in the capital, Sana’a, he said, adding that “there’s a strange normalcy” that develops.

“We find ourselves saying things like, ‘no, that wasn’t very far; it was only 500 metres from here,’” he said. “It’s something I never thought I’d think or say before doing this work.”

When reaching central Ukraine several weeks after Russia’s full-scale invasion in early 2022, he called the situation “very intense”. Within a week, he and his colleagues began distributing money to people coming from the frontlines.

We couldn’t reach everyone, but there were tens or hundreds of thousands of people who would have died if we hadn’t been there.

“When we interviewed people and asked them what they were doing with the money we gave them, it was very gratifying,” he said. “It was beautiful.”

Those who had been wounded in the war were using the money to buy painkillers. Others used it to pay for gas to escape the frontlines. One mother had been able to buy her daughter a scoop of ice cream for the first time since the war began.

“Her daughter was delighted,” he said. “There are very rewarding moments.”

Feeding millions every day

“We all think we know what the humanitarian or aid sector is,” Mr. Matos explained, adding that the scale during a crisis is much, much larger.

“I thought we’d be rehabilitating schools, feeding 100 people,” he continued. “I never imagined I’d be feeding 13 million people a day in Yemen. The scale is absolutely incredible.”

However, humanitarian work is often seen as a separate job, he said. Almost every profession that exists in private and government sectors also exists in an aid landscape, from lawyers, those who work in procurement, like in supermarkets, and human resources.

“I basically do the same work as social workers or firefighters,” he said. “They do it here every day, and I do it elsewhere. But, our work is in the same field and very similar.”

A toddler eats a food supplement, as part of WFP’s nutrition programme, in Mokha, Taiz, in Yemen.

The value of a Nobel Prize

WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, a recognition that Mr. Matos received with humility.

“Our work is largely invisible, despite feeding 120 million people every day,” he said. “It gave us a platform to raise awareness about crises like Congo, Myanmar, Sudan and Gaza, which often go unnoticed.”

Our work is largely invisible, despite feeding 120 million people every day.

He said his job is to give voice to the voiceless when crises fade from news headlines. Despite the difficulties and risks across his career, Mr. Matos has no doubt about the most important lesson he learned.

“People are essentially good,” he said. “When faced with the imminence of tragedy, people are fundamentally good and want to help others, even if that other person is very different. It was good to realise this because it’s not always obvious when we’re far from these crises.”

Listen to science with these 10 podcasts

20 August 2025

Listen to science with these 10 podcasts

POST-TRUTH AND SOCIETY  

The Post Truth be told podcast releases a new episode every month, exploring how post-truth politics impact modern societies. The podcast is produced by the RECLAIM project that studies disinformation and its negative effect on democratic discourses in Europe, providing insights to shape policy, education, and efforts to counter disinformation. 

EUROPEANISATION 

The MEDIATIZED EU project hosted a podcast series on the theme of Europeanisation. Through interviews with researchers in the field, the podcast explores the perception, public opinion, and media portrayal of the EU in various countries.   

 EXTREMIST NARRATIVES 

The SmidgeCast podcast  – by the SMIDGE project – explores the surge of extremist narratives in Europe through insightful conversations and expert perspectives. The series also examines issues surrounding extremism; from conspiracy theories online to the vulnerability of middle-aged people to misinformation.   

CITIZEN SCIENCE 

Citizen Science Champions is a podcast series from the CROPS project focusing on the communities who are connecting citizens and science in areas such as women health, biodiversity, ocean monitoring, education and more. 

FRESHWATER RESTORATION 

Bringing Europe’s Freshwaters Back to Life is the title – and the theme – of the MERLIN project’s podcast. As Europe’s freshwaters are in a dire state, the podcast follows the project’s journey, offering a behind the scenes look at some of the continent’s ambitious freshwater restoration projects carried out through cutting-edge aquatic science and conservation. 

DEMOCRACY

The ‘Democratic innovations’ podcast from the INCITE-DEM project raises and attempts to answer key questions related to democracy: such as enhancing citizens’ trust, solving crises, changing bureaucracy, improving democracy.

CULTURAL HERITAGE  

Through interviews with experts, professionals in the creative industry, and community voices, the HERIFORGE podcast explores the way we preserve and engage with cultural heritage. HERIFORGE project provides a research environment for the cultural and creative industries using extended reality technology. 

CHINA’S ROLE IN THE WORLD 

The DWARC project enhances Europe’s knowledge on China, while also building a network of expertise in the field to build research-based policy recommendations at EU level. The project’s podcast complements its research, informing experts and the public alike about China’s role in the world.    

BIODIVERSITY GENOMICS 

The Genomic connections podcast – by the BGE project – focuses on how the use of genomics can enhance understanding of biodiversity, monitor biodiversity change, and guide interventions to address its decline. 

EU-PRODUCED PODCAST SERIES

The CORDIScovery podcast releases a new episode every month, touching on an EU-funded project, idea, or debate in science. The podcast is produced by CORDIS, the EU’s platform for sharing research results.  

The Just Europe podcast series takes a closer look at the challenges we face on the path to a fair and inclusive Europe. It brings open conversations on how research, innovation and policymaking can support people and strengthen Europe’s social model.

ESMA and the European Environment Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their cooperation in sustainable finance area

20 August 2025

DISCLAIMER: Information and opinions reproduced in the articles are the ones of those stating them and it is their own responsibility. Publication in The European Times does not automatically means endorsement of the view, but the right to express it.

DISCLAIMER TRANSLATIONS: All articles in this site are published in English. The translated versions are done through an automated process known as neural translations. If in doubt, always refer to the original article. Thank you for understanding.

Gaza: Aid insufficient to avert ‘widespread starvation’ as Israeli military ramp-up forces more people to flee

United Nations News

20 August 2025

Gaza: Aid insufficient to avert ‘widespread starvation’ as Israeli military ramp-up forces more people to flee

“The risk of starvation is everywhere in Gaza,” UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva.

“This is a direct result of the Israeli government’s policy of blocking humanitarian aid,” he said.

Mr. Al-Kheetan insisted that in the past few weeks, Israeli authorities have only allowed aid to enter in quantities that remain “far below what would be required to avert widespread starvation”.

The UN said on Monday that hunger-related deaths continue to be reported in the Strip, including among children.

Table of Contents

More people displaced
Deadly pursuit of aid
Need for shelter
Response to prison video

More people displaced

As the Israeli army intensified its attacks in the north of the enclave, it has continued to issue displacement orders for Palestinians, Mr. Al-Kheetan said.

He noted that Gazans have been told to move to the Al-Mawasi area, despite continuing airstrikes and disastrous conditions there.

“Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced to Al-Mawasi have little or no access to essential services and supplies, including food, water, electricity and tents,” he warned.

Deadly pursuit of aid

The OHCHR spokesperson stressed that reaching humanitarian aid “can be a deadly pursuit” with latest data indicating that 1,857 Palestinians were killed while seeking food from 27 May, when the US and Israel-backed militarized aid distribution scheme known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started its operations.

Out of that number, he said that 1,021 were killed in the vicinity of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites and 836 on the routes of supply trucks.

“Most of these killings appear to have been committed by the Israeli military,” Mr. Al-Kheetan said.

Asked how the situation could get even worse, Jens Laerke, the spokesperson for the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA), said that “it has already gotten worse”, insisting on the devastating effects of the Israeli ban on the entry of shelter materials into the enclave.

While the Israeli authorities recently announced that they would lift the ban on shelter supplies, Mr. Laerke said that “the United Nations and our partners have as of last night not been able to bring in shelter materials following the Israeli announcement.”

“There’s a set of impediments that still needs to be addressed, including Israeli customs clearance,” he added.

Need for shelter

The UN said on Monday that according to partners’ estimations at least 1.35 million people in Gaza need emergency shelter.

Aid agencies have warned that tents being used in Gaza are worn out from prolonged sun exposure and frequent displacement.

Asked about the reasons given for the ban on shelter items, Mr. Laerke explained that in a conflict, some shelter items such as tentpoles can fall under the “dual-use regime” as they could be used for both civilian and military purposes.

“Shelter has been banned entry for about five months and in that period over 700,000 people have been displaced or re-displaced,” he said.

People forced to flee time and again often have to leave behind the tents that they have been provided, Mr. Laerke explained, which creates a challenge for aid workers “trying to respond to people where they are”.

The looming expansion of Israel’s military activities in Gaza City is another major concern for UN humanitarians, as it would again push thousands of people into a severely overcrowded area in the south of the Strip.

Asked about the impact of Israel’s plans to occupy Gaza City, Mr. Al-Kheetan underscored a “huge risk” for civilians.

“There are risks of mass displacement… more killings and more misery that we have already seen in the Gaza Strip,” he warned. “Among those who will be affected are the most vulnerable, people with disabilities, the injured, the children, women”, he concluded.

Response to prison video

In other developments, the human rights spokesman said that video footage showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir berating and taunting Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi inside an Israeli jail was “unacceptable.”

He said the minister’s behaviour and the publication of the images constitute an attack on Mr. Barghouthi’s dignity.

He added that international law requires that all detainees be treated humanely, with dignity, and that their human rights be respected and protected.

“Such conduct by the minister responsible for the Israeli Prison Service may encourage violence against Palestinian detainees, enabling human rights violations in Israeli detention facilities,” he said

Mobility data matters: empowering cities for climate action

20 August 2025

Table of Contents

Data is a catalyst for informed action, enabling cities to design, implement, and refine their sustainable mobility strategies.

Data is a catalyst for informed action, enabling cities to design, implement, and refine their sustainable mobility strategies.

Cities across Europe are setting ambitious climate goals, many aiming for climate neutrality by 2030 or 2050. A significant part of this challenge lies in reducing emissions from urban transport, one of the most complex and impactful sectors to address. It depends on access to reliable mobility data and the ability to interpret and apply it effectively. Without consistent, transparent information on how people move and how much carbon their journeys produce, it is difficult for cities to assess the impact of their efforts or adjust their strategies.

Access to reliable transport emissions data can help validate assumptions, improve greenhouse gas inventories, and track the effectiveness of policies over time. Yet for many cities, collecting and using this kind of data remains a challenge.

Turning mobility data into action

Mobility-related emissions are often one of the largest contributors to a city’s overall carbon footprint. Metrics on areas such as modal share, travel distances, the ratio of inbound vs. outbound trips are essential for:

Understanding behavioural trends and evolving travel patterns
Targeting investments in public transport, cycling infrastructure, and low-emission zones
Evaluating progress against local, national, and EU-wide climate targets
Prioritising interventions with the greatest environmental and social impact

To make use of this mobility data, cities need tools that are accessible, reliable, and suited to their local context.

Supporting cities with Google’s Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE)

At the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), we empower our Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) to develop solutions that tackle Europe’s most pressing challenges. One example of this is the work of EIT Urban Mobility, which in 2024 partnered with Google’s Sustainability team to help cities better harness the power of data in the transition to low-emission mobility.

The collaboration focused on raising awareness about the Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE), a free platform that provides up-to-date, modelled data on transportation emissions for thousands of cities worldwide.

Using anonymised and aggregated mobility data, drawn from sources such as Google Maps and refined through international methodologies like CURB, EIE delivers annual estimates of CO2 emissions from urban transport. Cities can explore their modal split, kilometres travelled, and year-on-year emission trends, as well as analyse inbound, outbound, and in-boundary travel. This evidence base can complement local inventories, strengthen climate action plans, and guide investment in sustainable mobility solutions.

Through its city network, EIT Urban Mobility engaged more than 60 municipalities, offering webinars, one-on-one meetings, and expert sessions to demonstrate how EIE can be applied in practice. Over 30 cities actively took part, sharing their needs and challenges. Their feedback confirmed a clear message: while cities recognise the value of data for driving climate action, many need tailored guidance and support to fully exploit these opportunities.

This collaboration illustrates how the EIT Community helps cities and citizens across Europe benefit from innovation and knowledge exchange, bringing together global partners and local stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.

Mobility data in action

A highlight of this collaboration came at Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress 2024, where EIT Urban Mobility, together with Google’s Sustainability team, organised a session titled “The Power of Mobility Data for Cities.” More than 50 participants and representatives from 15 cities joined to discuss how emissions and mobility data can underpin effective urban strategies.

Speakers from Google, i2Cat, IMEC, and pioneering cities such as São Luiz do Maranhão (Brazil) shared how tools ranging from AI-powered modelling to real-time traffic management are enabling smarter decisions. The session fostered productive conversations and cross-city exchange on the use of emissions data to accelerate sustainable urban mobility.

Looking ahead

As Europe moves towards its climate neutrality goals, reliable and accessible data must become a cornerstone of urban policymaking. Transport emissions data, in particular, is critical for designing, implementing, and evaluating effective climate measures.

Through EIT Urban Mobility, the EIT Community will continue to support cities in this transition – not only by raising awareness of tools like Google’s Environmental Insights Explorer, but also by fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge across borders, and helping cities translate data into practical climate action..

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