Journalists – of which five worked for the Al Jazeera media network – were killed in an Israeli strike targeted in Gaza City the day before.

“” These last murders highlight the extreme risks that journalists continue to face when they cover the war in progress“, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said During his regular press conference in New York.

“The secretary general calls for an independent and impartial investigation into these last murders.”

Respect the press

Mr. Dujarric stressed that at least 242 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war almost three years ago.

“The Secretary General stresses that journalists and media workers must be respected, They must be protected and they must be allowed to do their work freelyExist of fear and without harassment, “he said.

Hungry children die

Meanwhile, the number of children in Gaza died of malnutrition since October 2023 exceeded 100, according to the health authorities of Gazan, the United Nations coordination office, Ochhasaid in an update.

More than a third of the population does not eat for days bothAccording to the United Nations World Food Population (Wfp). In addition, acute malnutrition is doping, with more than 300,000 children at severe risks.

It comes in the middle A recent warning by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (Fao) that only 1.5% of land cultivated in the enclave remain both accessible and in good condition, ” reporting an almost total collapse of local food production. “”

Help from trucks

In terms of aid, the UN and its partners collected foods of food and hygiene of the Kerem Shalom / Karem Abu Salem borders on Wednesday.

” However, The supplies were discharged directly from these trucks before reaching their destination, given the extreme despair omnipresent in Gaza today“Said Ocha.

The agency stressed that people there “need a foreseeable life buoy-not a help net-so they don’t feel that they need to take desperate measures to survive.”

PAM said that the simple fact of covering the basic needs of humanitarian food assistance, more than 62,000 metric tonnes are required to enter Gaza each month, and so far, humanitarian workers have not been allowed to provide enough supplies to support the population.

Fuel shortages continue

Humanitarians also collected fuel to Kerem Shalom Crossing on Wednesday. Israel allows, on average, the entrance of around 150,000 liters of fuel per day, which is still well below the required minimum. Consequently, vital operations continue to be in danger.

The Palestine Civil Defense Organization warned that more than half of their ambulances have ceased to operate through Gaza due to the shortage of fuel and spare parts.

“The Israeli authorities must allow the help of entering through all the level passages and via all the available corridors so that humanitarian workers can deliver – on a large scale, safe and worthy – to reach the most vulnerable, including women, children and the elderly,” said OCHA.

Keeping the marine roads in safety today while taking on emerging challenges was at the center of a debate in the UN Security advice Monday which was summoned by Panama, president for the month of August.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General International Maritime Organization (OMI), said to the Council that last year, a workforce of only 1.9 million sailors moved more than 12.3 billion tonnes of goods, “mainly maintained world trade.”

Security and security interruption

He said that the maritime sector turned out to be “remarkably resilient” in the face of geopolitical challenges.

” Again Resilience cannot raise the complacency“He warned.

“” Maritime sector security is fundamental for economic stabilitysustainable maritime development and livelihoods. »»

Multiple threats

There are many threats. Nearly 150 piracy and armed robbery incidents were reported in 2024 only. In some regions such as Southeast Asia, incidents are increasing, according to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

Beyond hacking, international ships exercising the Red Sea were also attacked in the context of the war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, traffic continues – including drugs, endangered fauna and protected wood – and organized crime groups operate criminal supply chains to move weapons, agents and illicit products to finance their operations.

A “network” under attack

The sea routes were “the first truly global network in the world”, Connecting the distant coasts for thousands of years, said Valdecy Urquiza, secretary general of the Interpol.

“Today, and more than ever, this same network is exploited by criminals that threaten navigation, trade, communication-and with them, world stability essential to sustainable development,” he told the Council.

He said that “poly-crime at sea” “makes criminals more resistant and more complex” as new and less visible dangers arise.

“As ports become digital – with automated ship management, freight monitoring and logistics – vulnerabilities emerge more quickly than they can be secure. The ports are faced with a cyber-intrudent targeting power, communication and logistics systems on which they count. »»

In addition, “cybercriminals can armed with artificial intelligence to attack with more speed, scale and precision.”

Global coordination, environmental action

In response to the situation, the OMI has developed binding compulsory requirements, for example to meet the international security of ships and ports as well as threats of cybersecurity.

The United Nations also supported projects to increase regional capacity, including sharing information. This is added to the creation of partnerships with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Unodc), Interpol, regional entities and donor states, aimed at strengthening national capacities and strengthening confidence.

“By approaching maritime security, we must not lose sight of our responsibility to protect the ocean,” said Dominguez.

“” Maritime security and security and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Support for countries to develop and improve response capacities to maritime pollution incidents, including oil spills, is underway. »»

Panama channel prospects

The Council also heard the agency responsible for the operation of the Panama Canal, one of the most important maritime corridors in the world.

Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, CEO of the authority of the Panama Canal, shared prospects for “one of the most emblematic channels of human cooperation”, highlighting the force of “neutrality based on principles”.

“” The Panama Canal is governed by an international treaty which guarantees equal access to all nations In peace or war time, “he said, speaking in Spanish.

“This promise, which is incorporated into our Constitution, has enabled a small country to contribute to the stability of world trade, protecting this infrastructure from geopolitical tensions which have also too often thwarted progress.”

Its remarks have also shown how the canal has been under the Panamanian administration for 25 years – a period which saw the completion of a third set of locks in 2016. Consequently, the volume of freight passing its waters increased by 50%, while maintaining the same annual transit of around 13,500.

Climate adaptation

Like the head of the OMI, Mr. Vásquez Morales also underlined the need to treat climate change. The Panama canal has experienced drought in the past two years and this “worldwakehold” has sparked water conservation efforts, logistical adjustments and the construction of an artificial lake.

“Today, the canal has technologies that strengthen climate resilience,” he said.

“It creates financial mechanisms and ensures the safety of water and the environment, while implementing effective governance to exploit the rapid progress of artificial intelligence and collaborate to strengthen cybersecurity on our roads and logistics systems.”

Commitment, peace and solidarity

By concluding his remarks, Mr. Vásquez Morales insisted that “the Panama canal is living proof that global public goods can be administered with equity, responsibilities and vision”.

“Thanks to sustained cooperation, a constant adaptation and a firm commitment to the principles of international law, the canal will remain a safe and effective route ready to serve not only this generation, but as many others to come,” he said.

“We hope that by working together, we will be able to stay open, not only of navigable waterways, but also canals of understanding peace and solidarity.”

Observed each year on August 12, the Day Attracts attention to the rights, contributions and challenges of young people around the world.

This year theme – Local action for young people for SDGs and beyond – underlines how the commitment of young people at the base is vital to carry out the Sustainable development objectives (ODD) and shape more fair and inclusive societies.

“” Young people are daring innovators, resilient organizers and essential partners to achieve sustainable development objectives,” A Secretary General António Guterres said in a message mark the day.

“They stimulate sustainable development, build more inclusive communities, forge peace and demand a fairer, greener and fairer future.”

Young -managed solutions operate

Mr. Guterres also had a direct message to young people around the world.

“” To each young person: your voice, your ideas and your leadership,He said.

“Let’s work together to support solutions led by young people and build a fairer, peaceful and lasting world, from scratch.”

A generation that believes …

Today’s young people mature at a time of extraordinary world change.

According to UN data, half of the world’s population is 30 years or less, which should reach 57% by 2030. Those under 25 will today represent more than 90% of the global labor of privileged age by 2050.

In addition, an international survey of more than 27,000 respondents in 26 countries in challenges that people in public life face, he revealed that 67% believe in a better future, with 15 to 17 years expressing the most optimism.

Despite their immense potential for good, young people continue to deal with systemic challenges.

Chronic job shortage

Young unemployment, although 15 years old, is still 13% in the world.

Among 10 to 19 to 19 years old, one in seven suffers from a mental health disorder. In low and intermediate income countries, almost six out of ten children cannot read and understand a simple paragraph.

International Youth Day 2025 aims to highlight not only the urgency of these problems, but also the solutions already forged by the young people themselves-in their communities, their cities and their countries.

As Mr. Guterres pointed out: “Global progress begins in communities. And in all corners of the world, young people open the way.“”

Nairobi to accommodate a global commemoration

This year’s official observation will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, organized in collaboration with Non-habitatThe United Nations agency has focused on sustainable urban development.

Tuesday’s event will bring together young leaders, city officials, decision -makers and UN officials to present solutions and strategies to strengthen young people’s commitment to local development.

International Youth Day was proclaimed for the first time by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, based on the World Action Program for young people adopted in 1995.

Four years after Taliban fighters took over the Kabul capital on August 15, 2021, gender equality agency United Nations warns that the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan is more and more untenable.

And without urgent action, this untenable reality will become standardized and women and girls will be fully excluded.

“” The Taliban is closer than ever to achieve their vision of a society that completely erases women in public life“Said UN women in a press release Monday.

A company that is against them

The edicts that the Taliban have adopted restricting the rights of women and girls interact together to create an essential cycle that relegates women to private spaces and increases their vulnerability.

In most cases, including for humanitarian workers, women are not allowed to move freely in public without being accompanied by a mahramOr a male tutor. The Taliban also banned women and girls in secondary and higher education.

Together, these two edicts have deep ramifications at all levels of society. From now on, not only is it functionally impossible for women to receive educational diplomas, but it is also unduly difficult for them to obtain a job and to conclude training programs.

Therefore, More than 78% of Afghan women are not in education, employment or training.

This means that almost half of the workforce does not contribute to the economy in a measurable manner, a huge problem for a country whose economy has been devastated by sanctions and climatic shocks.

An unhealthy cycle

But it is not only the suffering economy. In some cases, these edicts can literally be a question of life or death.

“The results are devastating. Women live a shorter and less healthy life“Said the United Nations Agency.

Take health care for example. If women are not allowed to enter higher education, they cannot become doctors. And if women are prohibited from receiving treatments from male doctors – that they are in certain regions – they cannot expect to live a healthy life.

UN women believe that obstacles to the reception of health care for women in Afghanistan will increase maternal mortality by 50% by 2026.

Children’s marriage also becomes more common and women are increasingly subject to violence, inside and outside their homes.

Solidarity in Afghanistan

It is not only in public that women ‘voices are excluded – 62% of women believe that they cannot even influence decisions at home.

UN women point out that despite the hopeful hope, Afghan women remain resilient. They continue to seek moments of solidarity and to hope for a different future.

A woman whose basic leadership organization has lost all of its funding in 2022 continuous Work to support women in smaller ways.

“I will continue to stay strong as a woman, supporting other Afghan women. I go to remote areas and collect [women’s] Stories, listen to their problems and that gives them hope. I do my best and it also gives me hope“She said.

A dangerous precedent

In total, since 2021, nearly 100 edicts that restrict how women and girls move in society have been instituted and applied. In four years, not a single one has been overthrown.

Susan Ferguson, UN women representative In Afghanistan, said that this lack of progress must be understood beyond the Afghan context.

“It is not only a question of rights – and the future – of Afghan women and girls. This is what we represent a global community, “said Ferguson.

“” If we allow Afghan women and girls to be reduced to silence, we send a message that the rights of women and girls everywhere are disposable. And it is an extremely dangerous precedent. »»