Published on: 2026-04-15
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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Main news of the day at the UN and in the world: the Secretary-General’s statement on a serious undermining of international law in the world, economic consequences of the crisis in the Middle East, Security Council meeting on Yemen, Permanent UN Forum on Indigenous Issues of Africa.
UN Secretary-General – on the undermining of international law
UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio GuterresOn Tuesday, he warned of a serious undermining of international law in the world, particularly highlighting the situation in the Middle East. Speaking before journalists at the UN headquarters in New York, he stated that the rules of warfare and the use of force are increasingly being ignored, and the civilian population is suffering heavy losses. According to him, humanitarian obligations are being violated, and in some cases, even the guarantees of safety for UN personnel are not being observed.Guterres emphasized that “lawlessness breeds chaos, increases suffering, and leads to destruction,” and called on states not to retreat from international law, but rather to reaffirm their commitment to it.
Economic consequences of the crisis in the Middle East
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) warned on Tuesday that the consequences of the crisis in the Middle East extend far beyond its borders and, in particular, threaten many years of progress in development throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The rise in fuel prices and freight costs, caused by disruptions in shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, leads to increased prices for transport, electricity, food, and fertilizers across the entire region.According to estimates, the crisis is capable of condemning about 8.8 million people to poverty, and economic losses could reach 299 billion dollars, with the most severely affected being households with low income, workers in the informal sector, and migrants.
Yemen Security Council meeting
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned Security Council members on Tuesday that Yemen is at a dangerous crossroads, and that tensions in the region could nullify fragile progress towards peace. Amid rising fuel prices and financing shortages, the humanitarian situation has further deteriorated. Grundberg noted that Yemen has so far managed to avoid direct involvement in a wider Middle East conflict, despite recent attacks by the Ansar Allah movement militants, but risks remain high.The special envoy called on all parties to observe the ceasefire regime between the USA and Iran, and the Yemeni forces to refrain from actions that could lead to escalation.
Permanent UN Forum on Indigenous Issues
Speaking on Tuesday at the fifth session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highly appreciated the progress made in the field of racial justice and equality achieved over the past decades. In particular, Volker Türk mentioned the adoption of anti-discrimination laws, the creation of independent human rights and equality institutions, as well as steps towards the payment of reparations. However, according to him, the situation for indigenous peoples worldwide remains heterogeneous and unstable, and in some cases setbacks are observed.The head of the UN human rights agency pointed to everyday discrimination in very different situations – in workplaces, in hospitals, educational institutions, and during contacts with law enforcement agencies. These everyday realities, according to Thior, are “a direct legacy of colonialism and slavery”.
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