(UN Affairs – US) The United States’ intention to withdraw from a host of UN bodies announced this week targets programmes and initiatives focusing on a wide range of crucial areas, including the climate crisis, trade, gender and development. When UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric briefed correspondents in New York on Thursday following the release of the White House Memorandum, he insisted that the Organization will continue to carry out its mandates from Member States “with determination.”. Wednesday’s memorandum states that the US administration is “ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.”. Several of the bodies listed in the memo are funded principally or partially by the regular UN budget, implying that voluntary funding will be impacted, although central funding will continue. However, the White House notes that its funding review of international organisations “remains ongoing,” and it is currently unclear what the impact of the announcement will be. Here’s a breakdown of the 31 UN entities mentioned in the memorandum, and how they are making a positive difference to people, communities and nations, worldwide. – What the US withdrawal from UN bodies could mean for climate, trade and development | UN News
(Human Rights – South Sudan) Despite reductions in the overall number of conflict-related incidents in South Sudan, a rise in abductions and sexual violence is concerning, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, UNMISS, said on Friday. UNMISS released its latest quarterly human rights brief, covering July to September 2025 – a period marked by a continued deterioration in the political and security situation. Factors included persistent inter/intra-communal violence involving community-based militias and/or civil defence groups; hostilities between the warring parties and other armed groups – including the alleged involvement of foreign forces – political tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, and ethnic polarisation. – South Sudan: Increase in abductions and sexual violence ‘unacceptable’ | UN News
(Human Rights – Iran) The UN human rights chief has called for an independent and transparent investigation into reports of deaths and widespread arrests during ongoing nationwide protests in Iran, amid mounting concerns over the use of force by security forces. In a statement issued on Friday, Volker Türk said he was “deeply disturbed” by the violence reported over nearly two weeks of demonstrations, stressing that those responsible for any violations must be held to account in line with international human rights standards. People took to the streets of the capital, Tehran, in the final days of December 2025 fueled by the country’s cost-of-living crisis. Rights groups have reported that nearly 50 have been killed and hundreds arrested. To prevent further escalation, Mr. Türk said it is essential to address underlying grievances through “inclusive and meaningful dialogue.” – Iran: UN human rights chief ‘deeply disturbed’ by protest-related violence | UN News
(Peace and Security – Sudan) Aid agencies marked 1,000 days of war in Sudan on Friday with a grim reminder that the conflict has created the world’s biggest hunger crisis and largest displacement emergency. Every day, civilians have been “paying the price for a war they did not choose”, said UN aid coordination office, OCHA. Latest UN data indicates that 9.3 million people have been uprooted by conflict across the country and more than 4.3 million have fled across borders, placing immense strain on neighbouring countries. More than 21 million people are also believed to be acutely food insecure across the country. Although many of those displaced have returned to the capital, Khartoum, massive challenges and dangers for civilians remain there, including from unexploded weapons. Elsewhere, fighting is continuing “across multiple fronts in Kordofan” further west, OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke said. Speaking to journalists in Geneva, he noted that sieges have cut off the towns of Kadugli – capital of South Kordofan state – and Dilling – a town to the north of Kadugli – restricting food, healthcare and access to farms and markets. – Sudan: After 1,000 days of war, millions of civilians still bearing brunt | UN News
(Peace and Security – Ukraine) UN agencies are supporting efforts on Friday to keep energy services up and running in Ukraine, and families warm amid freezing winter temperatures, following a large-scale overnight attack. Russian forces launched hundreds of drones and several missiles in the capital Kyiv and other cities, including one that can carry nuclear warheads, according to media reports. At least four people were killed in Kyiv, and roughly 25 others injured, while thousands of apartment buildings in the city were left without heat in the cold weather. The victims included a medic who was saving others as part of an emergency services team, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said in a tweet. Four healthcare workers were injured, and three ambulances were damaged. – Ukraine: Massive overnight attack leaves millions in the dark | UN News
