Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations has reported encouraging progress toward ending Libya’s prolonged political deadlock but warned that continued divisions among rival political institutions, economic difficulties and fragile security conditions threaten the country’s path toward national elections. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Libya and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), delivered the warning during a briefing to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, October 14.

Tetteh said an agreement signed in Tripoli on August 30 by participants in a smaller political dialogue marked an important step toward overcoming the country’s prolonged institutional stalemate. The agreement outlines a path toward parliamentary and presidential elections under a unified executive authority within two years.

However, she cautioned that the progress remains fragile, with disagreements among political stakeholders threatening to undermine efforts to establish stable and unified national institutions. The agreement has received support from several Libyan and international actors, but the High Council of State rejected it on October 5. The disagreement has raised concerns about whether the parties can reach the consensus needed to advance the political process.

Tetteh warned that inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation could further harden political positions, weaken the willingness to compromise and encourage unilateral actions that could undermine the agreement or trigger renewed violence. She called on Libyan political leaders to engage constructively, overcome their differences and support a credible, peaceful electoral process. She also urged the international community to continue supporting diplomatic efforts and hold those obstructing progress accountable.

The UN envoy also highlighted the country’s deteriorating economic conditions, warning that political divisions are contributing to declining living standards and growing public frustration. Despite Libya’s substantial oil resources, many citizens continue to face rising prices and declining purchasing power. Tetteh cited inflation of approximately 14%, alongside concerns about fuel subsidies, widespread fuel smuggling and disruptions to oil production.

She warned that the closure of oilfields and pipelines was causing significant financial losses and threatening energy supplies and electricity generation. Libya’s dependence on oil revenues makes the economy particularly vulnerable to disruptions in production and exports. Political disagreements over state institutions and public resources have further complicated efforts to improve economic management and ensure that oil wealth benefits the wider population.

The envoy also drew attention to protests and strikes in the education and healthcare sectors over delayed salary increases and unpaid allowances, underscoring the pressure on public services.

Despite continuing instability, Tetteh welcomed recent efforts by military leaders from eastern and western Libya to strengthen cooperation. She highlighted initiatives to establish joint information-sharing and border-security coordination centers in Tripoli and Benghazi. Such measures could help improve coordination between security institutions that have operated under competing authorities.

However, she stressed that the overall security environment remains fragile and that sustained cooperation will be necessary to prevent renewed confrontations and support broader political reconciliation. The UN also expressed concern about inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation targeting migrants, refugees, humanitarian workers and UN personnel. Tetteh called for a halt to executions and a review of judicial procedures to ensure compliance with fair-trial standards.

Libya has struggled to restore unified political authority since the 2011 uprising that ended Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. Rival power centers, competing institutions and disputes over the legal framework for elections have repeatedly obstructed efforts to establish a stable political system. The country’s national elections, originally scheduled for December 2021, were postponed indefinitely amid disagreements over electoral rules and the eligibility of candidates.

The latest agreement offers a possible route out of the stalemate, but its success will depend on whether the principal political actors accept the process and implement the necessary institutional reforms. Tetteh emphasized that progress toward elections cannot be separated from the need to strengthen the judiciary, unify state institutions and address broader security and economic challenges.

The UN is continuing consultations with Libyan stakeholders to build on the agreement and explore ways to make the political process more inclusive. The latest Security Council briefing underscored both the opportunity and the risks facing Libya: diplomatic progress has created renewed hope for a political settlement, but lasting stability will require compromise, institutional unity and sustained international support.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Bangladesh on Tuesday called for a strong international convention to prevent and punish crimes against humanity, urging special recognition and support for countries hosting victims of such atrocities.

Addressing the Sixth Committee of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh delegate Muhammad Nawshad Zamir proposed three key provisions for the convention: cooperation in preserving evidence and protecting witnesses in receiving States; support for survivors, including access to justice at national and international levels; and international solidarity in sharing the burden borne by host countries.

Citing Bangladesh’s experience sheltering over one million Rohingya forcibly displaced from Myanmar, Zamir stressed that countries receiving victims must be integral to international accountability mechanisms. Referring to Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising, he cited a UN report estimating that up to 1,400 people were killed including children and calling for investigations into possible crimes against humanity.

Bangladesh also advocated universal jurisdiction, stronger extradition mechanisms and an end to impunity, while emphasizing prevention and justice for women and children. Zamir urged that the convention complement the Rome Statute and uphold the International Criminal Court’s independence. “A convention diluted until it offends no one will protect no one,” he warned.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The number of people living in acute multidimensional poverty has risen to 1.2 billion for the first time since the global index was launched in 2010, according to a new United Nations report, highlighting the continuing struggle of millions of families to access basic necessities. The findings were published on October 12 in the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford.

The report estimates that 1.2 billion people across 108 developing countries are experiencing overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards. This represents 18.9 percent of the 6.3 billion people covered by the study. The number is 51.5 million higher than in the previous update on a comparable basis, marking the first increase recorded since the index was introduced in 2010.

Children account for more than half of those living in multidimensional poverty. The report estimates that approximately 617 million children are affected, while 83 percent of all people experiencing multidimensional poverty live in rural areas. The findings underscore how poverty extends beyond household income. Families may face several disadvantages simultaneously, including inadequate nutrition, limited access to education, unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and a lack of electricity.

UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo described the increase as a wake-up call for the international community, stressing that millions of people continue to endure hardships that reinforce one another. The report also highlights the importance of coordinated policies that address health, education and living conditions together rather than treating poverty as an income problem alone.

Despite the overall increase, the report points to examples of meaningful progress. Among 89 countries with data suitable for measuring trends, 33 reduced their multidimensional poverty index values by at least half in fewer than 15 years. The latest update also found mixed results among the 13 countries with newly updated estimates. Some countries recorded significant improvements, demonstrating that sustained policy efforts can reduce deprivation even in challenging circumstances.

The index uses household survey data to measure disadvantages across health, education and living standards. A person is classified as multidimensionally poor when their household experiences deprivation in at least one-third of the index’s weighted indicators. The findings reinforce the urgency of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of substantially reducing poverty in all its forms by 2030. The report calls attention to the need for targeted investment, stronger public services and coordinated action to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed he should have received the Nobel Peace Prize, calling the award “forever discredited” after former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay was named this year’s laureate. In a Truth Social post Friday following a rally in Syracuse, New York, Trump repeated his claim that he had “settled eight Wars” and said he was close to resolving two more conflicts involving Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“The United States of America, represented by me, as your President, should have received the Nobel Peace Prize, but didn’t,” Trump wrote. He also criticized Norway over the decision and questioned Pillay’s qualifications, accusing her of being hostile toward Israel.

Pillay, a South African jurist, previously served as a judge at the International Criminal Court and as the United Nations high commissioner for human rights. She also chaired a UN commission that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, a finding strongly rejected by the Israeli government.

Trump argued that international organizations had played no role in the conflicts he says he helped resolve. Pillay previously joked that she might share the prize with Trump after learning of the award.

Last year, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that presenting the physical medal does not transfer the award or laureate status to another person. The committee has emphasized that the Nobel Peace Prize remains officially linked to the individual or organization selected by the committee.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations has warned that global economic growth is expected to slow to 2.6% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025, as escalating tensions in the Middle East, rising energy costs and growing uncertainty in international trade put pressure on the world economy.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the latest economic outlook highlights the vulnerability of developing economies to geopolitical shocks and rising import costs. The agency cautions that the effects of the Middle East crisis are extending beyond the region, affecting energy markets, business confidence and the broader outlook for global trade.

The report comes at a time when governments and businesses are confronting a combination of geopolitical instability, inflationary pressures and changing international economic relationships.

The conflict in the Middle East has intensified concerns about global energy supplies, particularly as uncertainty surrounding oil production and shipping routes threatens to increase costs for businesses and consumers.

Higher energy prices can affect transportation, manufacturing, electricity generation and food distribution, creating additional pressure on household budgets and business operating expenses. Countries that rely heavily on imported fuel are particularly exposed, as rising import bills can weaken their financial positions and increase inflationary pressures.

UNCTAD’s assessment indicates that geopolitical instability is becoming an increasingly important factor in the global economic outlook. Continued uncertainty could discourage investment, disrupt supply chains and limit the ability of governments to support economic activity.

Developing Economies Face Growing Pressure
Developing countries are expected to experience uneven economic conditions as higher energy costs combine with existing financial challenges. Nations dependent on imported fuel and external borrowing could face greater difficulties financing infrastructure, public services and industrial development.

UNCTAD projects growth in developing economies at 4% in 2026, compared with 4.7% in 2025. Although the projected rate remains above the global average, the slowdown highlights the difficulties facing countries attempting to sustain economic expansion amid volatile international conditions.

The agency has also raised concerns about unequal access to investment, technology and higher-value industries. Economies with limited industrial capacity may struggle to capture the benefits of global trade and technological advances, widening existing development gaps.

International trade continues to provide opportunities for economic expansion, but shifting geopolitical relationships and changing supply chains are creating new challenges for businesses.

Demand for semiconductors, advanced computing equipment and artificial intelligence infrastructure has supported activity in parts of the global economy. However, UNCTAD warns that the benefits of technological investment remain concentrated in a relatively small number of economies and companies.

For countries seeking sustainable growth, strengthening domestic industries, improving access to technology and diversifying export markets will remain important priorities. The UN’s forecast underscores the uncertainty facing the world economy as policymakers respond to energy market volatility, geopolitical tensions and changing trade patterns.

The direction of oil prices, the security of major shipping routes and the progress of diplomatic efforts in the Middle East will be important factors influencing economic conditions in the coming months. While the global economy is still projected to expand in 2026, the lower growth forecast signals that countries may face a more difficult environment for investment, job creation and improvements in living standards.

The UNCTAD assessment reinforces the importance of international cooperation, resilient supply chains and policies that help vulnerable economies withstand external shocks.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Three Saudi citizens have been killed and several others injured in attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and a Saudia Airlines aircraft, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. The incident has heightened concerns over aviation security and the escalating conflict involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Saudi aviation authorities confirmed the fatalities in a statement issued Friday, following attacks on Thursday. The first incident targeted airport facilities in the Saudi capital, while the second struck an aircraft belonging to the kingdom’s national carrier.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels operating in neighboring Yemen claimed responsibility for targeting the airport with a ballistic missile. However, Saudi authorities had not officially identified the perpetrators in their initial statement, and the group’s account should be treated as a claim rather than independently verified fact.

The attacks caused material damage and left several people injured, some of whom required hospital treatment, according to Saudi aviation officials. Authorities said they were coordinating with relevant security agencies to assess the damage and implement measures to protect passengers, airport personnel and aviation infrastructure.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of major civilian transport hubs amid rising regional tensions. Riyadh is a central gateway for international travel, business and religious tourism, making disruptions to its airport potentially consequential for travelers and airlines.

The security situation has prompted several international airlines to suspend or adjust services to Riyadh. Lufthansa and multiple Indian carriers have announced temporary suspensions following the reported attacks, while flight cancellations have disrupted scheduled arrivals and departures.

Airlines are monitoring developments and reviewing operational risks as authorities assess the situation. Passengers traveling to or from Saudi Arabia should confirm their flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.

The scale and duration of the disruption will depend on subsequent security assessments and decisions by aviation authorities and individual carriers.

The attacks come amid renewed hostilities in Yemen, where Houthi forces are fighting Yemen’s internationally recognized government and its regional supporters. The conflict has increasingly threatened critical infrastructure and transport routes, raising concerns about wider regional instability.

Saudi Arabia has been involved in Yemen’s conflict since 2015, supporting the internationally recognized government against the Houthis. Renewed attacks on Saudi territory could further complicate efforts to contain the fighting and protect civilian infrastructure.

The latest incident also highlights the broader risks facing commercial aviation in a region affected by missile threats, military operations and shifting security conditions.

Travelers scheduled to fly through Riyadh should check directly with their airlines for cancellations, rescheduling options and updated airport guidance. Passengers should also follow official announcements from Saudi aviation authorities and their respective embassies.

At this stage, the full extent of the damage, the precise circumstances of the attacks and any further security measures remain subject to additional official updates.

The deaths of three Saudi citizens in attacks targeting Riyadh’s international airport and a Saudia aircraft mark a serious development in the region’s deteriorating security environment. With Houthi rebels claiming responsibility and international airlines reassessing operations, the incident is likely to keep aviation security and the Yemen conflict at the forefront of regional attention.

Further developments will depend on the findings of Saudi investigations, subsequent security decisions and any additional announcements from the parties involved.

Source: Associated Press reporting published October 9, 2026, citing Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and statements regarding the Houthi claim of responsibility.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain severe as shortages of medical supplies, damaged infrastructure and obstacles to reconstruction continue to challenge efforts to restore essential services.

The United Nations and its humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that Gaza’s health system remains under enormous pressure. In a UN Geneva briefing earlier this month, the World Health Organization said that no hospital in Gaza was fully functional, citing chronic shortages of medicines and medical equipment.

WHO said medical supplies can face lengthy approval procedures before entering Gaza. According to the agency, medical shipments had waited a median of 74 days for approval, while some equipment had been repeatedly rejected or delayed.

The consequences extend beyond hospitals. Without adequate diagnostic equipment and laboratory supplies, health authorities face greater difficulty identifying and responding to disease outbreaks. The humanitarian situation is also tied closely to the enormous scale of physical destruction.

A recent UN Trade and Development assessment estimated that Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction needs have reached approximately $71.5 billion. The assessment, based on work by the World Bank, European Union and United Nations, estimated physical infrastructure damage at $35.2 billion and economic and social losses at $22.7 billion as of early 2026.

Housing represents the largest category of damage and reconstruction needs. Educational and healthcare facilities have also suffered extensive damage, with more than half of hospitals and primary healthcare clinics reported as non-functional in the assessment.

Agriculture has been severely affected as well. UNCTAD reported that less than 1.5% of Gaza’s cropland remained accessible and undamaged, increasing dependence on humanitarian food assistance.

The humanitarian crisis is unfolding alongside continuing political disputes over Gaza’s future, security arrangements, disarmament and reconstruction.

A Washington Post report published Thursday said reconstruction remains largely stalled despite a U.S.-backed framework, citing disagreements over implementation and security arrangements. The report said hundreds of thousands of Palestinians continue to live amid extensive destruction and inadequate infrastructure.

For international aid agencies, the challenge is therefore twofold: providing immediate assistance while establishing conditions that allow Gaza’s basic infrastructure and economy to recover.

UNCTAD said large-scale international financial and technical assistance will be required for recovery. It identified rebuilding agriculture, industry, construction, energy and technology as important elements of longer-term economic recovery.

The UN’s humanitarian agencies continue to call for predictable and sufficient access for medical and humanitarian supplies, warning that the scale of need remains far greater than current response capacity.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Three years after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the killings and hostage-taking while calling for an end to the continuing suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.

In a message marking the anniversary, Guterres said more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed in the attacks, in which civilians were targeted in their homes, communities and at a music festival. Another 251 people were abducted and taken hostage in Gaza, according to the United Nations.

“Nothing can justify these atrocities,” Guterres said, recalling meetings with Israeli families whose lives were devastated by the attacks. He also cited reports of torture, sexual violence and other mistreatment of hostages, as well as deaths in captivity and during the subsequent fighting.

Guterres also highlighted the extensive Palestinian civilian toll from the war that followed. According to UN agencies, more than 70,000 Palestinians, including about 20,000 children, have been killed, while more than 100,000 have been wounded. Nearly all of Gaza’s estimated 2.1 million residents have been displaced, and large parts of the territory have been destroyed.

“Civilians continue to endure intolerable conditions,” Guterres said, adding that their suffering “demands an end – now.”

The secretary-general said the ceasefire reached in October 2025 had brought some relief but had not yet delivered lasting security, sufficient humanitarian assistance or a credible path toward recovery and peace.

He urged all parties to fulfill their commitments and proceed to the next phase of the ceasefire under UN Security Council Resolution 2803. He also called for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza on a large scale and for the ceasefire to become permanent.

The UN humanitarian office, OCHA, said Israeli authorities had suspended the entry of cargo into Gaza on Monday and announced another suspension for Wednesday, citing security concerns related to the anniversary.

Guterres said the anniversary should serve not only as a day of mourning but also as an opportunity to pursue a different future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live together with their rights, dignity and aspirations respected.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called for an end to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, urging all parties to step back from confrontation and return to diplomatic negotiations as the crisis continues to disrupt vital trade routes across the Middle East.

Speaking at a joint press appearance in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Guterres issued a direct appeal to the parties involved in the conflict.

“End the conflict. Return to diplomacy,” Guterres said, calling at the same time for the full restoration of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.

His remarks came at the beginning of a two-day official visit to Pakistan, where the UN chief is expected to discuss regional security, diplomacy, humanitarian issues and climate change.

The current crisis began in late February following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. Tehran responded with attacks against targets in Gulf countries and Jordan and moved to restrict transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime passages.

The waterway is a major route for international shipments of crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other commodities. Disruptions in the strait have created significant uncertainty for global shipping and energy markets.

Guterres said hundreds of ships and their crews have been stuck at sea for months as a result of the continuing crisis. The disruption has raised concerns well beyond the region, with the security of international shipping and the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies becoming central issues in the conflict.

The conflict has also contributed to fighting along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Iran-backed Houthi forces are engaged in fighting with Yemeni government troops supported by Saudi Arabia over control of the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. The waterway is a critical maritime passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider international shipping network. The developments have added another layer to an already complex regional crisis, with several strategic waterways now affected by military tensions.

Guterres used his visit to Pakistan to recognize Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran. He praised Pakistan’s role in helping establish conditions for negotiations and pointed specifically to the June 17 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire and the framework created for further talks.

The UN secretary-general described Pakistan’s role as significant and said the country’s efforts demonstrated the importance of mediation and diplomacy at a time of increasing international division.

“Every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role,” Guterres said. He also praised Pakistan as a country that has continued to support multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation.

Guterres also addressed the broader Middle East crisis, saying lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the political rights of the Palestinian people. He said the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination remains an important element of any long-term regional peace effort.

The UN chief expressed hope that the Middle East could move toward greater peace and prosperity through dialogue and cooperation. His comments come as the region continues to face overlapping conflicts and humanitarian challenges.

During his remarks, Guterres also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping. He paid tribute to more than 180 Pakistani peacekeepers who have died while serving in UN missions around the world. Guterres also referred to a recent Security Council resolution led by Pakistan and Denmark that strengthens accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers.

According to the secretary-general, the resolution received support from 153 countries, making it the most widely co-sponsored Security Council resolution in the organization’s history. He also acknowledged the heavy toll of terrorist attacks on Pakistan and expressed solidarity with those affected.

Pakistan’s role in hosting millions of Afghans displaced by conflict and instability was another issue raised during the visit. Guterres said the United Nations would continue working with Pakistan to ensure that the return of Afghan refugees is voluntary, safe and dignified.

The issue remains sensitive as Pakistan manages the long-term humanitarian and security consequences of decades of conflict in neighboring Afghanistan.

Guterres also used his visit to highlight Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. Recalling his previous visit to the country during the devastating 2022 floods, he said Pakistan remains on the front lines of climate-related disasters despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

He praised Pakistan’s involvement in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund and highlighted the country’s efforts to expand clean energy. The UN chief again urged developed countries to take the lead in significantly reducing global emissions during the current decade.

Guterres’ appeal comes as the United States-Iran conflict continues to create security and economic risks across the Middle East. The disruption of major maritime routes, the expansion of fighting into neighboring areas and the potential impact on global energy and trade have increased pressure for a diplomatic solution. From Islamabad, the UN secretary-general made clear that his preferred path forward is negotiation rather than further escalation.

“End the conflict. Return to diplomacy,” he said.

For Pakistan, meanwhile, the visit provides an opportunity to reinforce its role as a diplomatic channel between major powers while emphasizing its broader concerns over regional stability, humanitarian protection and climate security.

GENEVA — The United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday unanimously called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to repeal policies restricting the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls, warning that the country’s institutionalized discrimination has reached an alarming level.

The 47-member council adopted the resolution without a vote, expressing serious concern over what it described as the “grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression” of women and girls under Taliban rule.

The resolution condemned what the council called the Taliban’s institutionalization of discrimination, segregation and exclusion of women and girls, as well as restrictions affecting their dignity and participation in public life.

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 and subsequently introduced a series of measures based on its interpretation of Islamic law. The restrictions have particularly affected women and girls, including limits on employment, access to public spaces and education.

Girls have been barred from attending secondary schools beyond approximately the age of 12, while women have faced restrictions on employment and access to various public places, including parks.

The council said it was deeply concerned by what it described as the continuing and systematic erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan. It said the Taliban had imposed an expanding network of decrees and institutional controls that had affected many aspects of both public and private life.

According to the resolution, the measures have contributed to a society marked by what the council described as “ideological conformity, fear and exclusion.”

The council called on the Taliban to repeal policies and practices restricting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls, including their rights to education, employment, peaceful assembly and political participation.

It also urged the international community to take human rights and fundamental freedoms into account in its engagement with authorities and other stakeholders in Afghanistan.

The resolution condemned discrimination against women and girls and expressed concern over other alleged human rights abuses in the country, including sexual slavery of boys, child marriage and forced marriage.

The council also voiced concern over what it described as deeply entrenched impunity in Afghanistan and expressed sympathy for the suffering of the Afghan population.

The resolution was introduced by a group of 37 European countries, together with Canada and Chile. The council also voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations independent special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan for another year.

The resolution adds to continuing international pressure on the Taliban over its treatment of women and girls. While the Taliban authorities have sought greater international engagement since returning to power, their restrictions on women’s rights remain a major obstacle in relations with much of the international community.