(Humanitarian Aid – Sudan) The UN Country Team in Sudan met in Khartoum on Monday – the first time it has convened in the capital since conflict erupted in April 2023. The 28 agencies, funds and programmes have maintained their presence and operations from the coastal city of Port Sudan amid the brutal fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). “This gradual move back to the capital marks an important step, signaling strengthened UN coordination and engagement on the ground,” the Secretary-General’s Spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said in New York. – Sudan: UN’s gradual move back to Khartoum ‘an important step’ | UN News
(Peace and Security – Gaza) The ceasefire in Gaza is largely holding but recent violence by Israel and Palestinian militants put the truce at risk, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told the Security Council on Monday. Ramiz Alakbarov briefed on conditions in the battered enclave and the occupied West Bank, before touching on developments in Lebanon and Syria. “Today we meet at a moment of renewed hope,” he said, speaking from Jerusalem. “While progress on the ground is fragile and deep uncertainty persists, we must seize the opportunity before us to chart a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the wider region.” – Security Council must seize ‘moment of renewed hope’ in Gaza | UN News
(Human Rights) The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, says major companies and fast-moving technologies are creating new challenges for tackling rights abuses – and that governments and businesses need to step up. Opening the 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva on Monday, he said that corporate power has become increasingly influential in terms of social change. He warned that without proper checks in place, new tools like generative artificial intelligence – or AI – could easily be misused. “When powerful tech giants introduce new technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, human rights can be the first casualty,” he said. “Generative AI holds tremendous promise, but its exploitation for purely political or economic benefit can manipulate, distort and distract.”. He stressed that rules, safeguards and independent oversight must keep pace with innovation. – UN rights chief: AI misuse and corporate influence present ‘clear and present’ challenge | UN News
(Economic Development) The UN Secretary-General says the world is shifting fast towards a multipolar system – where power is spread across several regions instead of concentrated in one or two. But António Guterres warns this shift will not guarantee stability. “Multipolarity alone is no guarantee of peace,” he said. Without strong cooperation, it can fuel rivalry rather than balance. Speaking at a summit between the African Union (AU) – the continent’s political and economic union – and the European Union (EU), the bloc of 27 European states, he argued that the two regions could form a “central axis” of a fairer global order. He said this could correct “historic injustices” and give countries long excluded from global decision-making a real voice. He outlined three areas where cooperation can drive change. – Africa and Europe can shape a fairer global system | UN News
(Economic Development) The UN’s Global Industry Summit underlined the benefits of partnerships for companies in the Global South on Monday, demonstrating ways that AI – if used responsibly – can provide solutions to some of the most intractable problems faced by business leaders. The “Green Revolution” is believed to have saved millions of lives in India during the 20th century, introducing new scientific techniques that led to a surge in yields, providing food and livelihoods. But the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides came at a huge cost, both to the environment and to health, leading to a growing interest in organic farming –pairing the latest science with traditional techniques to produce nutritious food without harming the soil. “It’s a win-win,” says Amit Singh, Head of Sustainability at Nature Bio Foods, referring to a business model that sees thousands of Indian farmers produce high quality and sustainable food for consumers, while getting well paid for doing so. – From organic farms to AI chips with a nose: UN summit showcases solutions for transforming the Global South | UN News
