Inspired by the hibakushaThe survivors of atomic bombing at the end of the Second World War who transformed their suffering into a powerful appeal for peace, António Guterres renewed his call to a world without nuclear weapons in a video message at the 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace in Nagasaki.

United against nuclear weapons, the conference is an opportunity for mayors around the world to discuss and adopt key priorities in support of global denuclearization.

‘No place in our world’

“Nuclear weapons have no place in our world,” said Guterres in his video message, as They only offer “the illusion of security and the certainty of devastation“He said.

Calling for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, the secretary general urged all the participants in the conference to “continue to mobilize communities, to inspire young people and to build peace of zero”.

“I urge all states to mobilize nuclear disarmament,” he said.

A better world

“” I congratulate mayors for peace for your unwavering commitment to a better world“Said the secretary general, because the organization aims to create real momentum for the realization of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.

In honor of the Hibakusha, and in memory of the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Mr. Guterres made a passionate appeal to action to end the nuclear threat once and for all.

Learn more about the work of hibakusha here in the previous one UN News The cover, and listen to this extraordinary story of survival in our lid is on the podcast:

“The real challenge is still ahead of us,” Stephanie Loose, head of the program in Afghanistan, for journalists in Geneva on Friday.

“” We are talking about the reintegration of people who have lost their house, who have lost their assets and also their hope. »»

Millions in movement

Afghanistan is currently faced with an unprecedented return crisis.

Since September 2023, some three million Afghans living in Pakistan and Iran have been expelled or voluntarily repatriated, with more than two million arrives so far this year. For some, it is not a return but a new start.

“Many in Afghanistan do not have a place to go because they have never lived in Afghanistan,” said Ms. Lool.

“Sixty percent of those who come back now are less than 18 years old, so they have no social ties, they do not have networks and there is a real risk for them to take negative adaptation mechanisms.”

Concern for women and girls

Rapatrians come to a country under the domination of the Taliban and where about half of the population – 22.9 million people – requires humanitarian assistance in the midst of economic crises, human and climate rights.

Ms. Loose noted that Taliban edicts preventing women and girls from frequenting a secondary school, getting a job or going out without a male chaperon, presenting a serious challenge to returns.

“They are postponed in a country where there is no education for girls beyond 12 years, where they do not really know where to go, and where there is in fact specifically for women and girls without possibilities for social development and not economic,” she said.

“We also have households to the head of women who return to the country. So you can just imagine what it means for them. They cannot really leave their homes without being accompanied by a mahramA male goalkeeper, even if they want to go see a doctor.“”

Integration challenges

She added that integration is likely to be still complicated by the high level of needs in Afghanistan, given the fragile political, economic and social situation, linked to more than four decades of conflict.

Afghanistan is also among the first 10 countries affected by climate change, and droughts, floods and heat waves have wreaked havoc on rural livelihoods. They also threaten people living in informal colonies in urban areas which represent up to 80% of the population in these places.

Given the scale of Afghanistan needs, Ms. Loose stressed that the reconstruction of lives goes beyond emergency aid.

“” People need access to basic servicesin water, sanitation. And overall, they need subsistence opportunities … to lead their lives in dignity and support their families, “she said.

International call

The reintegration of a large number of displaced people will require enormous efforts from the international community and the Afghan authorities, she said.

“” It is a humanitarian crisis for individuals, but requires systemic and locally founded approachesAnd a solid investment in basic services, infrastructure, housing solutions and subsistence opportunities, “she said.

Ms. Lool urged the international community not to forget Afghanistan and its inhabitants, in particular women and girls, and to ensure adequate funding available so that they can live in dignity.

The announcement following a meeting of the Israeli cabinet “marks a dangerous escalation and risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, and could further endanger more lives, including the remaining hostages” he said.

The declaration noted that the Palestinians in Gaza continue to have a humanitarian disaster of horrible proportions.

More displacement, death and destruction

The UN chief warned that this new escalation would lead to an additional forced displacement, murders and massive destruction, aggravating the unimaginable suffering of the population.

He reiterated his urgent Call for a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

“The Secretary General urges the government of Israel once again to comply with its obligations under international law,” the statement continued.

Put an end to the occupation

Mr. Guterres recalled that in an advisory notice last July, the International Court of Justice (Icj) said that Israel was obliged to immediately stop all new settlement activities, to evacuate all the colonists from the occupied Palestinian territory and to put an end to its illegal presence as quickly as possible.

“There will be no lasting solution to this endless conflict for this illegal profession and the realization of a viable solution to two states,” concluded the declaration, stressing that “Gaza is and must remain an integral part of a Palestinian State”.

More to follow on this story …

Held under the theme Make progress thanks to partnershipsThe four -day forum known as the name LLDC3Has gathered the heads of state, senior United Nations, development partners and private sector leaders to meet the persistent challenges facing LLDC, including high commercial costs, inadequate infrastructure and vulnerability to climate change.

Anchored by the Awaza program of action for 2024-2034, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly last year, the new one ”Awaza declaration“Describe a unified strategy in five priority areas:

1. Structural economic transformation;
2. Trade and regional integration;
3. Transport and infrastructure;
4. Adaptation of climate change and reduction in disaster risks; And
5. Mobilize finance and partnerships.

“” Awaza’s declaration marks a turning point. It’s a plan for action, not just the words »» said Under-Secretary General Rabab Fatima.

“With targeted investments in infrastructure, facilitation of exchanges and climate resilience, we can unlock the potential of LLDCs and ensure that no one is left behind.”

Ms. Fatima, which also serves as a high -level representative of the United Nations for the least developed countries, developing countries without coast and the development states of small islands (No ohrlls), said that the conference would remain in memories as a decisive moment in the LLDC trip, inaugurating a new era of daring partnerships and decisive action.

“It is this spirit … of solidarity, partnership and shared goal that will make us move forward. A future where we are not divided by geography, but linked by ideas, trade and innovation, “she said.

“” Let us make the promise of “terrestrial connection” not only a sentence but a new way of life … The UN is ready to support this decade of delivery“, She added.

A call for investment and inclusion

The declaration requires an increase in investments in multilateral development banks, stronger cooperation South-South and a broader inclusion of LLDC interests in world trade and climate programs.

He also underlines the importance of monitoring the implementation and ensuring that the LLDC themselves lead the process, coordinated by UN-OHRLLS.

Turkmenistan initiatives

As host countries, Turkmenistan has presented several initiatives aligned on the objectives of the conference, including the Global Atlas for the connectivity of sustainable transport, the global Hydrogen Energy Transition Program and the Caspian environmental initiative.

“Awaza’s declaration reflects our common vision of partnership and progress,” said Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow, national chief of the Turkm people and president of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan.

“Together – Transit countries, development partners and the private sector – we can overcome geographic constraints and build sustainable prosperity for our peoples.”

What is the next step?

The Awaza Declaration represents a major step for the LLDC and a renewed symbol of global solidarity – transform a geographic drawback into a shared advantage.

The implementation will be followed by the United Nations General Assembly through annual ministerial meetings of the LLDC.

The main platforms to come to advance LLDC priorities include:

• The United Nations Climate Conference in 2025 in Brazil (COP30);
• The next meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); And
• The World Mountain Summit 2027 in Kyrgyzstan.

A mid-term examination of the Awaza action program is scheduled for 2030.

Cooperation begins with the neighbors

During an enveloping press briefing, Aksoltan Ataeva, permanent representative of Turkmenistan at the United Nations, said that for his country, “Accommodation LLDC3 is not only an important political event, but it also reflects the philosophy of the Turkmenistan foreign policy: being a bridge, not a barrier.“”

The UN resident coordinator in Turkmenistan Dmitry Shlapachenko said UN News The conference was particularly important for the region, bringing together several heads of state in Central Asia.

World partnerships are important – but real cooperation begins with neighbors.

Mr. Shlapachenko shared an example cited by the UN Secretary General during meetings with leaders of Central Asia:

“Before Portugal and Spain joined the European Union, trade between them was minimal. But once they have been part of the EU, 40% of all the goods exported by Portugal went to Spain. It really improved life to [the people of both countries]. I think it is very important to keep this in mind when we talk about Central Asia. »»

“” There is still a lot to do here, but we move in the right direction,He added.

The United Nations resident coordinator in Uzbekistan, Sabine Machl, noted that the UN countries in Central Asia are regularly meeting to coordinate their work. Uzbekistan, one of only two double coastal countries in the world (alongside Liechtenstein), faces unique challenges – but also opportunities.

“As a team of the United Nations countries in Uzbekistan, for the next five years, what we want to do is exploit the demographic dividend by investing in the inhabitants of Uzbekistan,” she said.

“This is our only strategic priority. Because Uzbekistan has a very young population – 60% of the population under 30. ”

In Lesotho, an African country without coastline, water is a major opportunity. UN resident coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukawashi said UN News May the country want to share its abundant water and other resources – but requires investments.

“Lesotho has water. It is one of its greatest natural assets; Lots of water flowing from Lesotho and saves lives in neighboring countries like Namibia, Botswana, etc., ”she said.

“What they are trying to do is looking for investments, developing infrastructure so that they can produce renewable energies, hydroelectricity.”

She added that Lesotho could use its wind and solar resources not only for its own industrial development, but for export to a region faced with challenges both in water and energy.

These ideas and others have been discussed on the touch of the conference and will continue to be put forward in future forums.

Goodbye to Awaza

Friday, Awaza – Nestated on the banks of the Caspian Sea, the largest interior body of water in the world – farewell to his guests with a ceremonial drop in UN and Turkmenistan flags, which had been raised at the start of the week.

“” Awaza will be remembered as a decisive moment for the travel of the LLDC-not only for the great success of the conference itself, but as the beginning of a new era of ambitious partnerships and decisive action,“Said Ms. Fatima, finishing the forum.

The third United Nations conference on the least developed countries opened its doors in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Tuesday, August 5.

UN News was on the ground in Awaza, bringing you all the strengths and the discussions. Find all our cover here.

“People told me several times that when they fled Zamzam [displacement camp]armed people would threaten them while they were in flight, saying of course, “Fouez, go there, run here, run there, we will follow you, we will find you”“Said Jocelyn Elizabeth Knight, a protection agent from the United Nations Agency for Refugees, Hcr.

Briefing journalists in Geneva, Ms. Knight, described addressing a traumatized child in a HCR refuge, whose experience reflects that of countless other young people across the country.

“A little boy said to me:You know, during the day, things are going well here, but I’m afraid of going to sleep at night in case the place where we live is attacked again. ”“”

Forced to put to misery

In Darfur in western Sudan, many people uprooted by violence meet in disused public buildings with few essentials to water and sanitation.

Meanwhile, new trips and attacks on civilians continue in Darfur and in the neighboring region of Kordofan, warned the UNHCR, in the communities “which are already devastated and have been subjected to unspeakable atrocities”.

The fighting in progress has also seriously limited humanitarian access and disrupted aid delivery for more than two years. With the current seasonal rains, many roads will be impassable for months, further complicating the delivery of the aid, noted the United Nations agency.

Persistent insecurity has also hampered agriculture, deepening deprivation in areas at risk of famine or already undergoes famine conditions.

The latest UNHCR data indicate that More than 873,000 Sudanese refugees fled the Darfur and crossed Chadwhich now houses the greatest number of Sudanese refugees recorded since the start of the conflict. One in three people in eastern Chad is now a refugee.

Mortal disease

In addition to the heavy fights between the Sudanese armed forces (SAF) and their former adversaries that have become allies – the paramilitaries Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – which started in April 2023Civilians are now faced with an epidemic of cholera with rapid and fatal distribution.

“” Cholera has swept away Sudan with all states signaling epidemics,“Said Dr. Ilham Nour, emergency responsible for the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).

She noted that since last July, nearly 100,000 cases have been reported.

Lives on the line

Very contagious disease spreads quickly under unsanitary conditions. At the beginning of August, 264 cases and 12 deaths were identified during the colony of refugees from Dougui in eastern Chad welcoming the Sudanese arrivals of Darfur.

The surrounding villages have also pointed out suspicious cases, while others emerged in the colony of Tregu, one of the many HCR camps in eastern Chad which host Sudanese refugees.

Help containing the disease is urgent, insisted that Dossou Patrice Ahouansou du HCR, principal coordinator in eastern Chad.

“We have more than 230,000 refugees on the border in a very difficult situation,” he said. “” Without urgent action, in particular the improvement of access to medical treatment, clean water, sanitation, hygiene and especially the resettlement of the border, many other lives are at stake.“”

As part of the response and to prevent new cases, the United Nations agency has suspended the relocation of refugees from border points.

HCR is Finding $ 130 million in flexible funding Provide vital aid to around 800,000 people in Darfur. In addition, the United Nations agency will respond to the cholera epidemic and will move 239,000 Sudanese refugees from the border of Chad-Sudan.

Unploded weapon alert

In the meantime, the UN Mine Action Service(UNMAS) confirmed the fears that the unploded ammunition of current battles kill and mutilate non-combatants who are not aware of the extent of the danger.

“” The sad reality of this current conflict is that this does not happen in rural areas, this occurs mainly in urban areas, in very populated areas“Said Mohammad Sediq Rashid, head of Sudan Unmas.

Last week, six minefields were confirmed in Khartoum and three of them contained anti-personnel terrestrial mines-the first time it was reported-he told journalists in Geneva.

“” Contamination is on the roads, in houses, in schools and landing breads, medical facilities, humanitarian bases,The UNMAS manager continued.

“” It’s a population [that] is widely ignored by the dangers that await them … This problem only grows every day.“”