Published on: 2026-09-17
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 17, 2026 UN
The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: the visit of the Deputy Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations to Kyrgyzstan, deaths and injuries among civilians in Ukraine, the Global Conference on Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, the death of migrants on sea routes leading to Europe.
Lacroix’s visit to Kyrgyzstan
Deputy Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix paid a visit to Kyrgyzstan. He discussed peacekeeping issues with government representatives ahead of the country’s entry into the UN Security Council. Recall that in June, Kyrgyzstan was elected a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2027–2028. The country has long been actively involved in UN peacekeeping activities. Lacroix also visited China, where he took part in the 13th Xiangshan International Security Forum.
Victims among peaceful civilians in Ukraine
In the past day, civilians, including children, have been killed and injured in several regions of Ukraine. This was reported at a briefing in New York by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, citing UN humanitarian workers on the ground. Also, according to one of the partner organizations, on September 14, a vehicle transporting humanitarian aid was damaged as a result of a strike in Sloviansk. From January to July of the current year, almost 140 incidents affecting humanitarian personnel and humanitarian facilities have been recorded.
Hate speech
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that hate speech is rapidly spreading on digital platforms and is becoming an increasingly serious threat. Speaking at the Global Conference on Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, he noted that hate rhetoric destroys racial and religious harmony by normalizing racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination against Christian and other minorities. According to Guterres, addressing this issue requires eliminating its root causes, supporting victims, and ensuring accountability of technology companies.
Death of migrants
Since the beginning of 2026, about 60,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe by sea – 39 percent fewer than during the same period last year. This was reported on Thursday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Nearly 2,300 people have died or gone missing on sea routes, whereas a year earlier this figure was around 2,000. The increase in deaths against the backdrop of a sharp decrease in arrivals indicates that migrants are undertaking increasingly dangerous journeys, the organization notes.
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