Focus On
UN Geneva Press Briefing: UNHCR, UNCTAD, WMO, OCHA, UNICEF, WHO - 20.10.26
🎥 Alarming humanitarian situation in Afghanistan ahead of the lean season; 🎥 Deteriorating situation in Taiz, Yemen; 🎥 Inequalities in non-communicable diseases; 🎥 Ninth World Investment Forum; 🎥 Announcements.
Press Conference: Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - 20.10.2026
Wildlife trade and conservation policy discussions at the 81st meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (SC81)Speakers: Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General, CITES Secretariat - Sofie Flensborg, Chief, Legal Unit, CITES Secretariat - Salehin Khan, Programme Officer, Outreach and Projects Unit, CITES Secretariat
UN Secretary-General António Guterres' Video Message for United Nations Day
United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
19.2 million projected to go hungry in #afghanistan this winter - 20.10.26
The number of people facing severe food insecurity this winter in Afghanistan is projected to rise to 19.2 million, of which 5 million will face emergency levels of hunger, despite food being available.
Happening at UN Geneva
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The CEDAW Committee consists of 23 experts on women's rights from around the world.
The CEDAW treaty is a tool that helps women around the world to bring about change in their daily life. In countries that have ratified the treaty, CEDAW has proved invaluable in opposing the effects of discrimination, which include violence, poverty, and lack of legal protections, along with the denial of inheritance, property rights, and access to credit.
Human Rights Committee (CCPR) - 146th Session
The Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its States parties.
The Committee's work promotes the enjoyment of civil and political rights, resulting in numerous changes of law, policy and practice. As such, it has improved the lives of individuals in all parts of the world. It continues to strive to ensure all the civil and political rights guaranteed by the Covenant can be enjoyed in full and without discrimination, by all people.
Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan
The Consultative Meetings are an important coordination mechanism, bringing together international stakeholders engaged in efforts to resolve the conflict in the Republic of the Sudan. Previous Consultative Meetings were held respectively in Cairo on 12 June 2024, in Djibouti on 24 July 2024, in Nouakchott on 18 December 2024, in Brussels on 26 June 2025, and in Cairo on 14 January 2026. Their main objectives are:
• Strengthen coordination among key international stakeholders and discuss concrete steps aimed at mutually reinforcing actions to foster complementarity, coordination and progress.
• Leverage comparative advantages to support and scale-up de-escalation efforts, including efforts which specifically further humanitarian access and strengthen efforts to promote respect for International Humanitarian Law.
• Align comparative advantages to support and strengthen ongoing efforts to advance an inclusive and credible political process.
