Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the United Nations, stressed the need for unhindered rescue operations and a peaceful path outside the crisis.

“” The UN remains concerned by the current violence in Myanmar, including air bombings striking civilians and civil infrastructure,He said during the regular press briefing in New York.

“” Civilians and humanitarian workers should be protected.“”

His remarks then come that the monsoon rains and the floods – aggravated by the Wipha cyclone – have swept parts of the country, other regions tense already destabilized by the conflict and a devastating earthquake in March.

Millions forced to flee

The crisis left more than 3.3 million people displaced inside military coup In February 2021, according to to the last UN figures. In addition, more than 1.2 million – mainly members of the minority Muslim Rohingyas community – were forced to flee the country, motivated by waves of violence.

The biggest exodus took place in August 2017, when almost a million Rohingyas fled brutal violence and attacks by the security forces, compared a “Example of ethnic cleaning manualAt present, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

Floods, landslides stunning lives

In the areas affected by the floods of the States of Bago, Kayin and Mon, more than 85,000 people were affected, with destroyed houses, cut roads and emergency services have exceeded.

Rescue partners report significant shortages of food, drinking water and medical supplies. In the Taungoo district (Bago) alone, three deaths related to the floods were confirmed, while six other people were died in a landslide in the state of Shan.

The path of the deterioration situation in Myanmar requires an end of violence
-UN spokesperson Farhan Haq

“” The path of the deterioration situation in Myanmar requires an end of violence and unhindered access for help and supplies,Mr. Haq stressed, noting that health systems are also acute.

Disease epidemics increased

A humanitarian bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO) The health cluster drives warns that flood waters lead points in acute aqueous diarrhea, dengue and malaria.

There are profound concerns about epidemics of vaccine vaccination diseases such as measles, and polio increases due to the low immunization rates and poor hygiene conditions in overcrowded camps.

Which has checked 27 attacks on health establishments so far this year, other surveillance groups reporting more than 140 additional incidents.

Meanwhile, serious financing shortages-exacerbated by cuts in the financing of the United States-forced the suspension of services in 65 health establishments and 38 mobile clinics across Myanmar. Services in 28 other mobile clinics have been reduced.

The elections in the military cannot be credible

The political context remains dark. Since February 2021 military coup, which overthrew the elected government and imprisoned the main leaders Including the State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi, the Myanmar has experienced a constant escalation of armed conflicts and repression.

The plans of the election junta aroused a deep concern, especially the UN.

“” The secretary general reiterates his concern concerning the plan of the military to hold elections in the midst of conflicts and violations of the human rights in progress, and without conditions which would allow the people of Myanmar to exercise their political rights freely and peacefully,“Said Mr. Haq.

He recalled Security advice Resolution 2669, adopted in 2022, which called for the immediate release of all prisoners arbitrarily detained, including President Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi; Maintain democratic institutions and processes; And continue in a constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and the interests of the people of Myanmar.

Commitment to stay and deliver

Despite volatility and access constraints, UN agencies remain determined to reach affected populations.

In July, nearly 306,000 people had received health services in 59 cantons with earthquakes – only 67% of the target population, reflecting limited financing and security challenges facing workers.

“” The United Nations undertake to stay and deliver to Myanmar,“Mr. Haq said:”And work with all stakeholders, including Anase and other regional actors, to achieve lasting peace.“”

Supported by the new Awaza action program, the third United Nations conference on developing countries without coastal or LLDC3 will pressure for freer transit, smarter commercial corridors, stronger economic resilience and new funding to lift development prospects for 570 million people living in these countries.

For landlocked nations, geography has long dictated fate.

Trade costs are up to 74% higher than the global average and this can take twice as much time to move goods beyond borders compared to coastal countries. Consequently, landlocked nations are not found with only 1.2% of world trade.

And in the midst of global economic changes, these countries face the enormous risk of being left behind.

“” LLDC3 is a central occasion to reverse this trajectory“Said Rabab Fatima, a single UN representative for developing countries without coast.

“” In its heart, this conference concerns people – these are millions of children who lack internet or digital tools, farmers who cannot market their products due to bad roads and entrepreneurs whose dreams are retained by border delays and limited access to financing.“”

Broad commitment

The four -day event, from 5 to 8 years old, will include plenary sessions, five high -level round tables and a forum in the private sector have focused on creating partnerships and increasing investment.

Dedicated forums with parliamentarians, women leaders, a civil society and young people will make votes of all society at the heart of the discussions.

UN Secretary General António Guterres should assist, emphasizing the emergency of the agenda.

The Awaza action program

The Awaza action program for 2024-2034 is central, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December.

It presents five priority areas – structural transformation, infrastructure and connectivity, facilitation of exchanges, regional integration and strengthening of resilience – supported by five flagship initiatives.

These include:

• A global investment facility on infrastructure to fill the financing gaps.
• Regional agricultural research centers to stimulate food security.
• A UN high level panel on transit freedom, guaranteeing smoother cross -border flows.
• Digital connectivity initiatives to fill the digital divide.
• A commercial work program dedicated to developing countries without coastline at the WTO.

Turkmenistan

For Turkmenistan, LLDC3 accommodation is both a diplomatic step and a declaration of intention.

“” We are proud to welcome him to the Côte de la Mer Caspienne in Turkmenistan,“Said Aksoltan Ataeva, Ambassador and Permanent UN representative.

“” We can’t wait to welcome [everyone] In Awaza for a transformer conference and focusing on the action that puts landlocked countries at the heart of world partnerships.“”

The organizers promise advanced facilities, cultural windows and networking spaces designed to stimulate collaboration. The delegates will also experience the Turkmen heritage of first -hand, from local art to Caspian cuisine.

Overview

For landlocked developing countries, the challenges are existential.

These countries are among the most vulnerable to the climate, the least connected and the most distant from world value chains. Without daring action, progress on the 2030 agenda Because sustainable development will remain out of reach.

“” The fate of humanity is inseparably linked to the destiny of these countries,“Said Diego Pacheco, Bolivia ambassador, who currently chairs the LLDC group to the UN.

“” Together, we can unlock the potential of developing countries without coast – not only for the benefit of our nations, but for the common future of all humanity and mother earth.“”

While the countdown in Awaza begins, expectations are high – not if geography is important (it does), but if global solidarity can transcend its limits.

LLDC3 aims to prove that this can.

The team went In Sweida City, as well as two districts – Shahba and Salkhad – where they met representatives and partners of the local community, in addition to visiting travel sites and reception centers.

Members also carried out evaluations in the three districts of the governorate, where hundreds of people were killed, and some 175,000 displaced people, in recent sectarian violence in the middle of the current political transition from Syria since the fall of the Assad regime last December.

A senior United Nations officials said THE Security advice Earlier this week, a fragile ceasefire “holds largely”.

More help delivered

Ochha said that a fifth convoy of humanitarian aid organized by the Syrian Red Arab Croissant also arrived in Sweida on Thursday. It was the largest so far, with 40 trucks.

The convoy, which included assistance from the United Nations, delivered medical supplies, flour, fuel, preserves, hygiene kits and shelter equipment, among other assistance.

On Wednesday, the Syrian Arab Arab Croissant also delivered four tankers carrying more than 120,000 liters of fuel.

Haiti: armed groups broaden activities

The armed groups in Haiti expand their presence and their activities in the Artibonite region which has triggered displacement waves, according to the OCHA.

Last Monday, violence linked to armed groups broke out in the city of Liancourt, where a vehicle and several houses were burnt down. This followed a week of violent clashes.

On July 19, nearly 15,000 people were moved to four municipalities in Arbonite. They remain in the foster families, many of whom had trouble meeting the basic needs.

OCHA said the response efforts were underway, led by local humanitarian partners. They distributed hygiene kits to more than 500 displaced households and with reception communities, as well as hundreds of hot meals.

Lightning Flash 2017 in the United States Great Plains is a new world record

A flash in a notorious storm hotspot in the United States almost a decade ago was the longest ever recorded, the world meteorological organization (Wmo)) announcement THURSDAY.

Megaflash – an incredible 829 kilometers long (515 miles) – occurred during a major storm in the big plains in October 2017 and was about 61 kilometers more than the previous record, also established in the same region.

It has spread from eastern Texas to near Kansas City, equivalent to the distance between Paris and Venice in Europe: a trip that would take about eight to nine by car, or at least 90 minutes by plane.

Value of early alert systems

The flash was not identified in the original analysis of the 2017 storm, but was discovered by review.

The WMO weather and climate committee recognized the new record with the help of the latest satellite technologies and the results were published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

“Lightning is a source of wonder but also a major risk that claims many lives in the world each year and is therefore one of the priorities for the International warning of first warnings for all initiatives“Said the secretary general of the WMO, Celeste Saulo.

Launched in 2022, the initiative aims to guarantee that everyone on the planet is protected against dangerous times, water or climate via early alert systems by the end of 2027.

This assessment of the United Nations Trade and Development body, Trectacome an update Posted Thursday before the last series of talks to develop a legally binding international instrument against plastic pollution.

“Although plastics are directly linked to the triple planetary triple crisis – pollution, loss of biodiversity and climate change – there is still no complete international treaty governing their composition, design, production, trade and elimination,” said UNCTAD.

Pollute our oceans

In 2023, plastic production reached 436 million metric tonnes worldwide, the negotiated value exceeding $ 1.1 billion of dollars. It also represented 5% of the total trade in goods.

However, 75% of all plastics ever produced has become waste, most of which have been in the world’s oceans and ecosystems.

This pollution also threatens food systems and human well-being, especially in small islands and coastal developing countries with a limited capacity to cope.

Support for substitutes

UNCTAD pleads for tariff and non -tariff measures to support ecologically durable plastic substitutes which are often derived from natural sources such as minerals, plants or animals, and can be recycled or transformed into compost.

The global trade in these substitutes reached $ 485 billion in 2023, with an annual growth of 5.6% in developing economies.

The evolution will require measures to meet the challenges linked to tariff and non -tariff measures, limited market access and low regulatory incentives.

Tariff disparities

UNCTAD explained that a reduction in prices on plastic and rubber products in the past 30 years – from 34% to 7.2% – has made them “artificially cheap”. Meanwhile, alternatives such as paper, bamboo, natural fibers and algae are facing average tariffs of 14.4%

“These disparities in the way materials are treated discourage investment in alternative products and hinder innovation in developing countries which aim to export safer and more durable alternatives to plastics based on fossil fuel,” he said.

Currently, 98% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, which means that emissions and environmental damage should increase if they are without control. In response, many countries use non -tariff measures such as prohibitions, labeling requirements and product standards.

However, these regulations differ, resulting in fragmentation and an increase in compliance costs. In addition, small businesses and low -income exporters are fighting in the face of overlapping or inconsistent requirements, thus affecting the way they can both participate and benefit from sustainable trade.

Hope for treaty conferences

For UNCTAD, talks towards the plastic pollution treaty are promising. They started in 2022, the final round taking place next week at the UN in Geneva.

The treaty would cover the entire life cycle of plastics – production, consumption and waste – in a fair and complete setting.

The United Nations agency has declared that a successful treaty should include tariff and non -tariff measures to support sustainable plastic substitutes, investments in waste management and circular infrastructure, digital tools for traceability and customs compliance, as well as the coherence of policies through the executives achieved by the World Trade Organization (OMC); the United Nations climate secretariat, UNCCCC; The Basel Convention on hazardous waste and related regional measures.