June 2025
International Conference on Financing for Development opens with a renewed global framework to tackle sustainable development challenges (LINK) 30 June 2025
US skips global UN meeting aimed at raising trillions to combat poverty (LINK) 30 June 2025
— At the last preparatory meeting on June 17, the United States rejected the outcome document that had been negotiated for months by the U.N.'s 193 member nations and announced its withdrawal from the process and the Seville conference.
— The Seville Commitment document, approved by consensus, will be adopted by conference participants without changes. It says delegates have agreed to launch "an ambitious package of reforms and actions to close the financing gap with urgency."
— It calls for a minimum tax revenue of 15% of a country's gross domestic product to increase government resources, a tripling of lending by multilateral development banks and scaling up of private financing by providing incentives for investing in critical areas like infrastructure. It also calls for reforms to help countries deal with rising debt.
UN expert urges criminalizing fossil fuel disinformation, banning lobbying: Rapporteur calls for defossilization of economies and urgent reparations to avert 'catastrophic' rights and climate harms (LINK) 30 June 2025: Report in PDF — (LINK)
Iran can regain capability to enrich uranium for a bomb within months, IAEA chief says (LINK) — ground.news: 58 media reports (LINK) 28 June 2025
UNCTAD financing for development Sevilla 30 June-2 July 2025: draft outcome document from 17 June (LINK) 28 June 2025
WHO panel favors natural origin of COVID-19 virus but decries missing evidence: New report doesn't rule out that SARS-CoV-2 leaked from a lab in China, but says evidence for scenario remains "speculation" (LINK) 27 June 2025
— Panel dismissed theories, widely promoted by China, that imported frozen fish introduced it to that country. The report stresses that the panel "is not currently able to conclude exactly when, where and how SARS-CoV-2 first entered the human population".
This year's UN climate talks are already behind, 5 months before COP30 kicks off in Brazil: thorny questions about who will pay for global climate action derailed a climate summit in Bonn, Germany, this week. (LINK) 27 June 2025
WTO 6th Trade and Environment Week 30 June-4 July 2025 (LINK)
— The 2025 edition will feature 14 Member-organized side events, networking receptions and a display of sustainable products courtesy of the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR).
ITC: The future of online marketplaces: what's next for e-commerce entrepreneurs, particularly SMEs? (LINK) 27 June 2025
— Marketplace niches are getting deeper, and more profitable. Social commerce is blurring the lines between browsing and buying. AI-powered marketplaces are here, and they're smarter than ever. Sustainability is becoming a selling point. Cross-border trade is getting easier, and more inclusive: "digital platforms are key to unlocking intra-African trade, which is projected to grow by 50% over the next five years."
UN watchdog: Iran nuclear programme 'suffered enormous damage' (LINK) — ground.news: 13 media reports (LINK) 26 June 2025
— IAEA director Rafael Grossi says Iran's uranium enrichment plant at Fordow is "no longer operational" after a massive U.S. airstrike. "The attacks that began on June 13 caused very significant physical damage at three sites: Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, where Iran had concentrated most of its uranium enrichment and conversion abilities," he said. "There are other nuclear sites in Iran that have not been hit," he added. "I know there is much debate about the degree of annihilation, total destruction, etc. What I can tell you, and I think everyone agrees on this, is that very considerable damage has been caused." Grossi said his inspectors have not yet gained access to the damaged Iranian sites, but "we know these facilities inside out," so "we can draw fairly accurate conclusions by looking at satellite images and so on about the type of damage and the consequences of what happened." ..."Iran is a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and, therefore, must have an inspection system, and this can't be unilaterally suspended," he said.
RFK Jr. says US won't donate to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in a video address at its pledging summit (LINK) 25 June 2025
— "I call on Gavi today to re-earn the public trust and to justify the $8 billion that America has provided in funding since 2001," he said. "And I'll tell you how to start taking vaccine safety seriously: Consider the best science available, even when the science contradicts established paradigms. Until that happens, the United States won't contribute more to Gavi."
Global public debt hits a record $102 trillion in 2024, striking developing countries hardest (LINK) 26 June 2025
— Since 2010, developing countries' debt has grown at double the pace of advanced economies. Today, 3.4 billion people live in countries spending more on interest payments than on health or education.
Geneva becomes global hub for school connectivity with inauguration of Giga Connectivity Centre (LINK) 25 June 2025
— ITU-UNICEF initiative establishes new base for bringing every school online and promoting digital development: Located in Campus Biotech, the joint initiative's new headquarters serve as a space for collaboration and innovation, bringing together governments, the private sector, international organizations and other stakeholders.
Switzerland not Viet Nam to host UNCTAD16 in Geneva 20-23 October 2025: "not possible to finalize the agreement with Viet Nam within the timeframe required to hold the conference in October 2025" (LINK) 23 June 2025
— Geneva is the city where the 1st UN Conference on Trade and Development was held in 1964.
US digs heels in over China's bid to host ITU's World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027: the other contender, Rwanda, withdrew last week (LINK) 23 June 2025
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres quietly promoted a fellow Portuguese staffer to the rank of assistant secretary-general in March 2025 as other UN personnel, especially junior and midlevel workers with weak contracts, face uncertainty about their jobs and future in the organization. (LINK) 23 June 2025
— Miguel Graça, a director in the executive office of the secretary-general, was promoted to the position of assistant secretary-general, or ASG, in March 2025, the same month Guterres announced his UN80 initiative. The plan is meant to make the UN more efficient by shrinking agencies, funds and programs systemwide by 20 percent cuts this year.
Switzerland budgets CHF269 million for International Geneva (LINK) 20 June 2025
— The support measures envisaged by the Federal Council include a supplementary credit of CHF21.5 million for the current year. Secondly, the Federal Council is requesting a credit of CHF130.4 million for the years 2026–2029. This sum includes CHF21.5 million for the continuation of the urgent measures begun in 2025 in the coming year. The third pillar of the package concerns the real estate foundation for international organizations. On the one hand, the Federal Council is suspending the repayment of loans for certain organisations for the years 2025 and 2026. In addition, the Federal Council is requesting an interest-free loan of CHF78 million with a term of 50 years. The money will reportedly be used to renovate a third of its property portfolio.
UN: Violence against children in conflict reached 'unprecedented levels' in 2024, with Gaza worst (LINK) — ground.news: 99 media reports (LINK) 19 June 2025
UNCTAD World Investment Report: Global foreign direct investment fell by 11% to $1.5 trillion in 2024, second consecutive year of decline (LINK) 19 June 2025
— " Modest growth seemed possible at the start of the year, but escalating trade tensions, geopolitical fragmentation and economic volatility have led to sharp downward revisions of most FDI prospects. These include GDP growth, capital formation, trade flows, financial market stability and investor confidence. Early 2025 data show record-low deal and project activity."
Procurement and deployment of artificial intelligence must be aligned with human rights: UN experts (LINK) 19 June 2025
Political interference in US education undermines academic freedom and equitable access to education: UN expert (LINK) 19 June 2025
— "Recent developments, including the contested decision to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students, are part of a wider trend threatening academic freedom, student rights and democratic integrity."
Rapporteur's 2024 report — (LINK)
— "Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Farida Shaheed, visited the United States of America from 29 April to 10 May 2024: The growing privatization of education threatens the integrity of public schooling, while inadequate mental health support, teacher shortages and poor working conditions undermine student well-being and learning outcomes. Political interference, discriminatory censorship laws, book bans and other attacks on academic freedom further restrict access to diverse perspectives and critical inquiry, creating what has been identified as a chilling effect by a number of interlocuters. Student protests are increasingly met with criminalization, surveillance and disciplinary actions, stifling free expression and civic engagement. Without systemic reforms to funding, governance and assessment, these challenges will continue to erode equitable access and the broader role of education in fostering democracy and social progress."
Breakthrough for gig workers: ILO to develop first binding global standards (LINK) 18 June 2025
— the gig economy accounts for up 12% of the global labour force, with over 400 million workers.The standards aim to tackle misclassification, low pay, exclusion from social security benefits, and opaque algorithmic management systems.
— The decision received majority support from ILO member states and worker delegates, though employer delegates and several governments including the US, Switzerland, and India opposed the initiative. The final round of negotiations will take place in 2026.
UNHCR to cut around 3,500 jobs worldwide: hundreds of temporary contracts will also be cut (LINK) 16 June 2025
Human Rights Council opens amid more budget cuts (LINK) 16 June 2025
— PassBlue: "Shortened speaking slots and debates axed from the program are only the visible tip of a liquidity iceberg threatening to sink the entire system. Behind the scenes, the human rights mechanisms that underpin the council are struggling to stay afloat."
— Limiting speaking time and scrapping certain debates has shortened the session by two and a half days and saved roughly CHF 250,000 (about $370,000), according to Swiss Ambassador Jurg Lauber, the current chair of the body.
Trump seeks to shut down gender ideology at UNICEF: Europeans rattled (LINK) 13 June 2025
— As a result of pressure from the Trump administration, the draft of the new strategic plan no longer has language promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights for children that was controversially included in the previous plan. The draft also scaled back language promoting gender ideology.
UN Ocean Conference makes progress on protecting marine waters (LINK) 13 June 2025
— New countries committed to the high seas treaty, a moratorium on deep-sea mining and the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, while a huge group of nations pushed for a strong global plastics treaty. Several countries also moved to create marine protected areas (MPAs) and reserves, or strengthen existing ones, including the announcement of the world's largest MPA in French Polynesia. A wide range of groups announced other marine conservation initiatives.
Nicaragua breaks ties with UN Refugee Agency, the sixth agency from which it has withdrawn this year (LINK) 12 June 2025
— It accused the international body of presenting *biased and one-sided" information, and of "becoming an instrument of manipulation with a double standard, and of interfering in the internal affairs of the States".
Panama formally accepts WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies: 9 signatures to go for entry into force (LINK) 12 June 2025
California's Marine Protected Area Network joins IUCN Green List, more than doubling number of sites worldwide (LINK) 12 June 2025
— Four other new listings to its prestigious Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas: Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire; Taï National Park–N'Zo Complex, Côte d'Ivoire; Uruq Bani Ma'arid Protected Area, Saudi Arabia; Pin Supu Forest Reserve, Malaysia. First ecological network to be certified: 124 sites governed under a single, science-based, stakeholder-driven system spanning California's entire 1,770 km coastline and protecting 16% of state waters.
UN: International Day of Play: 2025 Theme: Choose Play Every Day (LINK) 11 June 2025
— A high-level event to promote the importance of play will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 11 June, co-hosted by UNICEF and UNESCO. Senior government representatives from Member States are expected to attend. It is estimated that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning. Only 1 in 4 children play out regularly on their street compared their grandparents generation where almost three-quarters said they played outside a few times a week. 41% of children had been told to stop playing out by either their parents or other adults such as neighbours.
National Review: The United Nations is protecting criminals — and worse (LINK) 11 June 2025
— "The U.N. is using its privileges to derail efforts to prosecute Hamas members, protect criminals, and shield rapists from justice."
Grim World Bank update warns Trump ushers in worst growth in 60 years: "trade tension is setting the stage for the weakest decade of growth since the 1960s. Economic development in many of the poorest parts of the world has come to a standstill" (LINK) 10 June 2025
High Seas Treaty gains momentum as 18 new countries pledge support bringing the total to 49 — 11 short of the 60 needed for the agreement to enter into force (LINK) 9 June 2025
High Seas Treaty: UN's Guterres warns of 'wild west' (LINK) 9 June 2025
UNOC: The mining industry's growing appetite for the ocean floor drives debate at UN ocean conference (LINK) 9 June 2025
As the UN Ocean Conference opens in France, a push to turn promises into protection (LINK) 9 June 2025
Scientists at United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health propose 'minerals trust' to power green energy, protect communities (LINK) 7 June 2025
UNCTAD Global Trade Update (June 2025): Sustainable ocean economy (LINK) 7 June 2025
— Between 1995 and 2020, the ocean economy grew 2.5 times, outpacing the 1.9-fold growth of the global economy. Developing countries drove much of this expansion. About 600 million people rely on the ocean economy. It supports 100 million jobs, mainly in fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. UNCTAD calls for "stronger ocean economic governance and better data collection." It also "urges investment in climate-adaptive and resilient marine infrastructure, more South-South trade, and scaled-up blue finance and sustainable marine-based innovations".
UN Ocean Conference: Tonga poised to be the first country to recognize rights of whales: "The time has come to recognize whales not merely as resources but as sentient beings with inherent rights" (LINK) 4 June 2025
— Tongan Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'ahos remarks were made during a speech she gave before the One Ocean Science Congress on 4 June, an event aimed at providing scientific insights about the ocean's health to global policymakers.
ILO chief ready to face up to necessary reforms (LINK) 2 June 2025
— At the start of the 113th International Labour Conference, Gilbert Houngbo called for a "more efficient" organization. He added that "firmness" was needed to reduce expenditure and make the institution more robust, with human beings at its centre.
Nations urged to make UN 9-13 June ocean summit a 'turning point' for oceans (LINK) 2 June 2025
— On Sunday hosts France are expecting about 70 heads of state and government to arrive in Nice for a pre-conference opening ceremony, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Nations present are expected to adopt a "Nice Declaration": a statement of support for greater ocean protection, coupled with voluntary additional commitments by individual governments. Greenpeace has slammed the text, agreed in months of negotiation, as "weak" and said it risked making Nice "a meaningless talking shop".
World coming up short on promised marine sanctuaries (LINK) 2 June 2025
— "With less than 10% of the ocean designated as MPAs (marine protected areas) and only 2.7% fully or highly protected, it is going to be difficult to reach the 30% target."
Nicaragua 101st WTO member to formally accept 2022 Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies: 10 more acceptances needed to enter into force (LINK) 2 June 2025
— Pact sets new, binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. The Agreement prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, for fishing overfished stocks, and for fishing on the unregulated high seas. It also establishes a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to help governments which have formally accepted the Agreement implement the new obligations. "WTO members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiating on remaining fisheries subsidies issues."
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