Published on: 2026-09-03
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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3 September 2026 UN
Top news of the day at the UN and worldwide: The Security Council discussed the situation with chemical weapons in Syria, the El Niño climate phenomenon is gaining strength, the General Assembly approved the merger of two UN structures, the investment boom bypasses developing countries.
Chemical weapons in Syria
The UN Security Council held a meeting on Thursday dedicated to the situation in Syria: several months ago previously undeclared chemical weapons stockpiles were discovered in the country. Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, informed the Council that cooperation between the new Syrian authorities and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has achieved significant progress in addressing issues related to residual elements of the former government’s chemical weapons program.
El Niño phenomenon
The El Niño climate phenomenon, fueled by abnormally warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, is rapidly gaining strength. According to the latest forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the phenomenon will peak by the end of the year and become “very strong.” The probability that El Niño will maintain its strength until the end of February is now close to 100 percent. The WMO has never before given such unequivocal forecasts. For the first time in its history, the World Meteorological Organization has launched a global mobilization of national hydrometeorological services. The goal is to maximize improvements in forecasts and strengthen early warning systems.
UN Structures Integration
The UN General Assembly approved the merger of two UN entities – the United Nations System Staff College and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the General Assembly’s decision, calling it “an important step forward” in implementing the “UN-80” initiative aimed at improving the Organization’s effectiveness. The merger of UNITAR and the Staff College became the first merger of UN entities approved by the General Assembly within this initiative.
Foreign investments
According to a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the investment boom in strategic sectors is bypassing developing countries. The volume of foreign direct investment grew by 6 percent last year — reaching $1.6 trillion. However, the inflow of funds to developing countries increased by only 2 percent. More than 80 percent of the total investment volume was accounted for by the 20 largest recipient countries. The gap is even more noticeable in sectors that stimulate economic growth, including artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductors, as well as mineral raw materials and technologies for the energy transition.
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