(Humanitarian Aid-Gaza) Humanitarian assistance in Gaza is being delayed because aid cargo is routinely deprioritised in favour of commercial goods, the UN’s aid coordination office (OCHA) warned on Monday, as winter storms continue to worsen already dire living conditions for displaced families. – Aid deprioritised as commercial goods flow into Gaza, UN warns | UN News
(Peace and Security-Sudan) A solemn farewell ceremony was held on Monday at the headquarters of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to honour six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a drone attack on a UN logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan. Providing an update at the daily noon briefing, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told correspondents that the ‘blue helmets’ were killed, and nine others injured on Saturday when UNISFA’s logistics base was targeted in what the mission described as a “horrific drone attack.”. It is unclear at this stage who carried out the strike, he added. – Six peacekeepers laid to rest following deadly drone attack in Sudan | UN News
(SDGs-Africa) The 2025 Academic Conference on Africa at UN Headquarters earlier this month, brought together leading African scholars, ministers, and activists to examine why many on the continent feel their countries are on the wrong path – and what must change for Africa to claim its rightful place in a shifting global order. In an interview with UN News’s Ben Dotsei Malor, Ms. Duarte shared her top three takeaways from the thought-provoking gathering. She emphasised that transforming mindsets, reclaiming the continent’s deep reservoir of knowledge, and strengthening institutions, are essential steps toward true transformation. – ‘Africa’s biggest challenge is a mindset challenge’: UN Special Adviser | | UN News
(Peace and Security-UNSC) Gathered around the Security Council’s iconic horseshoe table, ambassadors were challenged on Monday to look backwards – when, despite deep rivalry and distrust, the body chose leaders capable of steering the world away from catastrophe towards active cooperation. That call came during an open debate on “Leadership for Peace,” where former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and academic Anjali Dayal pressed members to confront both the external crises facing the UN and internal constraints that have weakened its ability to act. Mr. Ban, now an emeritus member of The Elders group, warned that global conditions have worsened since he left office at the end of 2016, marked by deepening confrontation among major powers, eroding multilateralism and conflicts in which civilians continue to pay the highest price. “This deeply disappointing situation is characterized by confrontation rather than cooperation among major powers,” he told the Council, citing the war in Ukraine, mass civilian casualties in Gaza and weakening international cooperation – even as the global climate crisis accelerates. – Ex-UN chief Ban warns Security Council risks irrelevance without reform | UN News
(Law and Crime Prevention-Corruption) Last year, one in five people who dealt with a public official were asked to pay a bribe, according to a UN report. The world is doing something about it. Heads of State, civil society and private sector leaders will be discussing the most pressing issues surrounding corruption and how to tackle the scourge, at a UN anti-corruption conference (COSP11) this week in Doha, Qatar. “When corruption infects the legal system, cases are mishandled, justice is delayed or denied, and victims are silenced,” General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said at the opening of the conference. – Corruption costs lives and livelihoods: Why this week’s UN summit in Doha matters | UN News
