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Week in Review 7 June 2025

Catch up on this week's must-read stories We'll bring you plenty of coverage next week from the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. This week, we broke down what it all means and why it matters – and brought you the extraordinary story of Vincent Doumeizel who's convinced seaweed is "green gold" which might hold the answer to feeding the planet and transforming coastal economies in the years ahead. We brought you more coverage from Gaza where the humanitarian crisis worsens by the day. From the latest US veto in the Security Council to our Gaza correspondent's feature on what hunger is doing to families on the ground, we covered every angle. We published an original in-depth video and feature story on the mounting pressure to regulate AI-controlled "killer robots" like advanced drones, which are already a constant feature of a new kind of warfare being waged in the skies – and the deep ethical questions surrounding them. At UN Headquarters, as the General Assembly seeks to play a more influential role with the Security Council deadlocked on so many issues, we profiled newly-elected assembly president Annalena Baerbock who'll lead the body in September in a crunch year for the future of multilateralism. We continued our coverage of faltering recovery in Syria, conflict in Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine and the dire situation facing Haiti – and remembered the service and sacrifice of the 168 staffers who were killed in the line of duty last year. More UN personnel have died during the current Gaza conflict than any other humanitarian emergency in the organization's history.

The world's oceans are dying. Can a UN summit in Nice turn the tide? As coral reefs bleach, fish stocks collapse, and sea temperatures break records, world leaders are heading to the French Riviera — not for leisure, but for one of the most urgent diplomatic gatherings of the year. Read more Climate and Environment Green gold beneath the waves: How seaweed – and one man's obsession – could save the world As world leaders gear up for the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, one policy expert is making waves with an ancient marine organism he believes could help feed the planet, clean the air, and transform coastal economies.  Read more Climate and Environment International community prepares to tackle marine life extinction threat In this episode of The Lid Is On, experts discuss the urgent need to restore the Ocean, which is facing a host of threats that could drive millions of marine life species into extinction and even endanger humanity. The protection of marine biodiversity will be under discussion at the UN Ocean Conference in June, where advocates will join politicians and members of the private sector to share solutions, including legal protections for the high seas, which lie outside national waters. The guests are Peter Thompson, the Secretary General's Envoy for the Ocean, Alfredo Girón, Head of the Ocean Action Agenda at the World Economic Forum, and Minna Epps, who runs the Ocean Program at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Read more The Lid is On As AI evolves, pressure mounts to regulate 'killer robots' A world in which algorithms determine the fate of soldiers and civilians alike is no longer hypothetical. AI-driven drones are reshaping warfare, raising deep ethical questions about autonomy in combat. As international policymakers scramble to set ground rules, the race is on to rein in this rapidly-evolving technology. Read more Peace and Security AIDS still killing one person every minute as funding cuts stall progress AIDS-related deaths have dropped to their lowest level since 2004, but progress remains precarious, with the disease still claiming one life every minute. The impact of funding cuts is severe, causing widespread disruption to HIV services and threatening hard-won gains.  Read more Health UN chief urges world leaders to keep two-State solution 'alive' UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday urged world leaders to revive efforts toward a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, warning that there is no alternative. Read more Peace and Security Number of aid workers killed in Gaza conflict, highest in UN history: Guterres The United Nations paid tribute on Thursday to the 168 staff members who lost their lives in 2024. They include 126 personnel killed in Gaza, all but one of whom served with the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA.  Read more UN Affairs US vetoes Security Council resolution demanding permanent ceasefire in Gaza A draft resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza failed to pass in the UN Security Council on Wednesday after the United States cast its veto – blocking the initiative backed by all ten elected members of the Council. Read more Peace and Security INTERVIEW: UN offers best platform to address discrimination, envoy to combat Islamophobia says The recent appointment of a UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia reflects international commitment to address discrimination and hostility against Muslims, the first person to hold the position has said.  Read more Culture and Education 'Our worst held fears are being confirmed': Dozens of bodies discovered in Libya mass graves Dozens of bodies have been discovered at official and unofficial detention sites in Libya. The grim findings confirm deep concerns about abuse and torture at the facilities, according to the UN human rights chief Volker Türk.  Read more Human Rights 'It is an elephant': Ukraine's unexploded mine problem In Ukraine, overnight attacks continued into Thursday morning, resulting in 45 casualties and significant damage to civilian infrastructure, the UN has reported.  Read more Peace and Security UN hails new era of cooperation over Syria's chemical weapons stockpile – but concerns persist The UN's top disarmament official has welcomed signs of increased cooperation from Syria's interim authorities in efforts to eliminate the country's chemical weapons once and for all, as preparations move forward for a third round of inspections by international experts. Read more Peace and Security From summits to street art to schools: Here's how we're marking World Environment Day 5 June marks the 52nd World Environment Day, led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and hosted by Jeju, South Korea, under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.  Read more Climate and Environment

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