UN Daily Press Briefing: Palestine, Sudan, Plastic Pollution, and More (August 5, 2025)

Landlocked Developing Countries Conference

• 🌍 The UN Secretary-General opened the third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Turkmenistan, highlighting that LLDCs represent 7% of the world's population but only 1% of the global economy.
• 💡 The conference, focused on solutions and the "WAZA program of action," aims to unlock the development potential of LLDCs and foster a new era of cooperation in Central Asia.
• 🤝 Bilateral meetings were held with leaders from Uzbekistan and Iran, discussing cooperation and regional developments, including welcoming the ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations

• 📝 The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution opened in Geneva, aiming to finalize the treaty text by August 14th.
• ⚠️ The Secretary-General stressed the need for a fair deal tackling the full life-cycle of plastics, supporting a shift from fossil fuels, and aligning with the ICJ's Advisory Opinion on Climate Change.
• 📈 Inger Andersen of UNEP warned that plastic pollution is already in nature and our bodies, with leakage predicted to grow 50% by 2040, leading to dire consequences for planetary, economic, and human health.

Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territory (Gaza)

• 🆘 Humanitarian partners report that people in Gaza continue to struggle to survive, with starvation on the rise and insufficient supplies entering the territory.
• 🏥 Mass casualties, widespread destruction, and shortages overwhelm the healthcare system, with 71 kitchens providing over 270,000 hot meals, but this is far below the minimum required for over 2 million people.
• 💧 Access to clean water remains limited, with 96% of households facing moderate to severe challenges, and only three fuel tankers were delivered, barely allowing for minimum operations.
• 🧠 The World Health Organization noted 46 cases and two deaths of Guillain-Barré syndrome in July, exacerbated by compromised immune systems, poor nutrition, and hygiene issues.

Crisis in Sudan

• ⚠️ The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs warned that time is running out in Alfasir, North Darfur, with escalating needs driven by insecurity, disease, hunger, flooding, and displacement.
• 🌾 In El Faser, families face starvation due to cut trade routes and blocked supply lines, with food prices up to 460% higher than elsewhere in Sudan.
• 🤢 Kala continues to spread, with over 3,600 cases reported in North Darfur and suspected cases and deaths in South Darur, compounded by limited access to clean water, sanitation, and medical supplies.
• 📈 Global acute malnutrition rates are above emergency thresholds in North Darfur, underscoring an alarming deterioration requiring urgent funding for therapeutic services and stabilization centers.

Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

• 🇵🇰 The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) expressed concern over Pakistan's intention to forcibly return Afghan refugees holding proof of registration cards, calling it contrary to Pakistan's long-standing humanitarian approach and a potential violation of non-refoulement.
• ⚖️ UNHCR urged authorities to ensure any return of Afghans to Afghanistan is voluntary, safe, and dignified, particularly concerned about women and girls whose human rights may be at risk.

UN-India Partnership for SDGs

• 🇮🇳 India and the UN launched projects under a new partnership to advance Sustainable Development Goals through the UN India global capacity building initiative.
• 🌏 Selected projects will be implemented in the Caribbean, Laos, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia, focusing on enhancing digital health, food security, census preparedness, and vocational skills training.