“Cooperatives are a system that allows southern suddens to improve their livelihoods, but at the same time, also contributes to the economy … This is the only way for South Sudan to leave poverty,” said Louis Bagare Project Manager of food and agricultural cooperatives (Fao) In South Sudan.

He spoke before International Cooperative DayWho is celebrated every July 5, and who emphasizes how cooperatives allow people to provide for their basic needs in contexts where individuals working alone are insufficient.

A path to peace

In South Sudan, the potential of cooperatives extends beyond economic empowerment.

“Cooperatives are one of the avenues that can bring peace and stability to South Sudan,” said Mr. Bagare.

For more than a decade, South Sudan has been faced with many challenges that come across. After its independence in 2011, a civil war broke out, concluding in 2018 with a peace agreement. But this peace is more fragile that never.

Pillage and inter -municipal violence, mainly perpetrated by young people, continues to be an omnipresent concern for many communities which are already confronted food insecurity and continuous climatic shocks.

In this context, cooperatives provide a glimmer of hope.

“Cooperatives have really changed the state of mind of our people and brought stability to the country,” said Deng William Aachiek, director of rural producers from the Sudan Ministry of South South Agriculture and Food Security.

But what can cooperatives inaugurate lasting peace?

A voluntary and democratic group

Cooperatives are voluntary economic organizations in which members share risk, work and income.

“A cooperative is a democratic social association of people who, as an individual, cannot improve their status of life and social status … But once they meet in a cooperative, they can then increase the level of their lives,” said Oneil Yosia Damia, Director General of Cooperative Development in South Sudan.

FaoLouis Bagare believes that this type of democratic approach to governance at the local level will go to the national level and encourage more widespread adhesion to a democratic form of governance through South Sudan.

Income, no firearms

In addition to providing a model of democratic governance, cooperatives also allow economic growth and development, providing communities – especially young people – a viable and lasting alternative to looting.

“When, in particular young people, are engaged in productive activities that generate income, they will not have the point of choosing a firearm to go fight or to fly and loot,” said Bagare.

In South Sudan, communities that form cooperatives often do not have enough individual resources to maintain a sustainable livelihood, a reality that pushes young people to violent looting for survival.

” When [community members] Work together, when they bring together ideas, when they bring together resources, it is much easier for them to overcome their livelihoods, “said Bagare.

Bagare also explained that banks are more ready to invest in groups and that organizations like FAO are more likely to provide support for cooperatives. But in the end, the objective is that it will not be long term.

“The emphasis is placed on the strengthening of their capacity so that they can create lives,” said Bagare.

A historical structure in the youngest country in the world

In South Sudan, there are cooperatives of each shape and size. Massively, these cooperatives are agricultural, but some also produce soap, bread and textiles. The history of South Sudan is populated by examples of this type of work.

“Cooperatives are not something now. This is part of the culture of South Sudan, ”said Bagare.

Mr. Daima referred to “the golden era” of the cooperatives that existed before the civil war in 2011. He said that his office in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety works with diligence to return to that time.

“I want our cooperatives to be as busy as bees. It is the spirit of unity, of unity, ”said Mr. Daima.

Mr. Bagare hopes for a future in South Sudan where cooperatives are part of each economic sector – not just agriculture.

“If we are able to work together, we can become better people tomorrow. But when we continue to fight only, we will continue to destroy ourselves. ”

Climbing conflicts in Ukraine

In an oral update, il à Marques Kehris, Deputy Secretary General of the UN Human Rightsreported a strong escalation of hostilities in Ukraine.

Civil victims increased from April to June, seeing almost 50% dead and additional injuries compared to the same period in 2024.

“More than 90% of these victims took place in a territory controlled by Ukraine,” she said, attributing the point in part to the intensification of Russian drone and missile attacks.

Attacks using aerial warheads and repeated strikes in hospitals have instilled “terror and anxiety” among urban populations, she added. A night attack from June 16 to 17 in kyiv killed more civilians than any other assault in the past year.

While cease-fire negotiations have produced humanitarian gains-such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of deceased soldiers-Ms. Kehris stressed arduous conditions of detention.

More than 117 former Ukrainian prisoners of war interviewed by the United Nations Rights Office, Ohchrpointed out torture, including sexual violence, in Russian captivity. Although less widespread, similar abuses have also been documented in unofficial Ukrainian detention facilities, which caused calls to transparent investigations.

The report also noted continuous violations of human rights in the territories occupied by Russia, in particular restrictions on civic space and the exercise of freedom of expression.

“Peace is more imperative than ever,” said Kehris, reiterating calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in accordance with international law.

Structural racism and intersectionality

Ashwini KP, Special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racismpresented a thematic report focused on intersectionality as a tool for racial justice.

Based on the experiences of black feminists and extended by studies focused on the members of the Dalit, Indigenous, Muslims and Roma community, the concept of intersectionality was presented as essential to dismantle systemic discrimination.

“Women of African origin, the oppressed communities of caste, Roma, Arab and Muslim women and other marginalized groups are affected disproportionately due to forms of discrimination that are overlapping,” said Ashwini.

Its report has detailed how states can integrate an intersectional approach, emphasizing data disintegration, the development of participatory policies, legal recognition of multiple discrimination and historical responsibility.

Ashwini stressed the importance of restorative justice for the communities affected by colonialism and slavery and called for states – in particular those historically accomplices – to implement daring reforms.

Deepening of the crisis in Gaza

Francesca Albanese, Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967Also reported to the council, with a dark update on Gaza.

She described conditions as “apocalyptic” and reported more than 200,000 people killed or injured since October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked Israeli communities – killing at least 1,200 people and taking more than 250 as hostages.

“In Gaza, the Palestinians continue to suffer suffering beyond the imagination,” said Ms. Albanese, describing the Gaza humanitarian foundation supported by Israel as a “death trap-designed to kill or force the theft of a hungry, bombed and emaciated population marked for elimination”.

She also accused Israel of having used conflict as an opportunity to test new weapons and technologies against the population of the “without restraint” enclave.

“The occupation forever has provided optimal test fields for weapons manufacturers and large technologies with little surveillance and zero responsibility-while investors and private and public institutions have largely benefited,” she said.

“We have to reverse the tide,” said Ms. Albanese, calling on the Member States to impose a full embargo on arms in Israel, to suspend all trade agreements and investment relations and to apply responsibility, “ensure that corporate entities are faced with legal consequences for their involvement in serious violations of international law”.

Independent rights experts

Special rapporteurs are independent human rights experts appointed and mandated by the Human Rights Council – The UN’s highest intergovernmental forum on human rights.

Being part of his Special proceduresSpecial rapporteurs and other independent experts are mandated to monitor and assess the situation of rights in certain thematic situations or country.

They work in their individual quality, are not UN staff and do not receive wages.

In recent days, multiple days have killed and injured dozens of Palestinians on sites hosting displaced people and others trying to access essential supplies, according to a statement UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric Thursday.

“The secretary general firmly condemns the loss of civilian life,” said Dujarric.

Only one day this week, nearly 30,000 people were forced to flee under new Israeli relocation orders, without any safe place and clearly inadequate supplies of shelters, food, medication or water, he added.

Critical systems Stop

Without fuel having entered Gaza in more than 17 weeks, the United Nations is also “seriously concerned about the fact that the last lines of survival survival are cut”.

“Without an urgent influx of fuel, the incubators will stop, the ambulances will not be able to reach the wounded and the patients, and the water cannot be purified,” said Dujarric.

“Delivery by the United Nations and the partners of the little wild humanitarian aid is left in Gaza will also stop.”

The secretary general reiterated his call for safe and sustained humanitarian access so that help can reach people in desperate need.

“The UN has a clear and experienced plan, rooted in humanitarian principles, to obtain vital aid for civilians – safely and on a large scale, wherever they are,” said Dujarric.

The secretary general reiterated his call to an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all the hostages held by Hamas and other groups. He reminded of all the parties that international humanitarian law should be confirmed.

Continuous displacement

The displacement remains relentless. Wednesday, the Israeli authorities published a new evacuation order in certain parts of Gaza City, affecting some 40,000 people and including a travel site, a medical point and one of the few districts that had remained intact by these orders since before the ceasefire in March.

Since this ceasefire has collapsed, more than 50 orders of this type have been issued, now covering 78% of the Gaza territory.

“Add the Israeli-militarized areas and this percentage jumps at 85-leaving only 15% where civilians can really stay,” said Dujarric, informs journalists at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

These areas are overcrowded and seriously lack of appropriate services or infrastructure.

“Imagine having a little more than two million people in Manhattan-which is actually slightly larger-but instead of buildings, the area is dotted with rubble and bombed structures, without basic infrastructure or support,” said UN spokesperson.

“And in Gaza, these remaining areas are also fragmented and dangerous.”

“The human consequences of the increase in debt charges, climbing trade tensions and reductions in strong reductions in official development aid were highlighted this week,” she said to the closing session of the pivotal collection, in the middle of slicing temperatures in southern Spain.

Multilateralism at work

But in this context, the conference delivered a strong response – a Unifying result document solutions focused which reaffirms the addis Ababa commitments a decade ago, who seeks to “revive the sense of hope” through the Sustainable development objectives (ODD) and shows that multilateral cooperation is still counting and still works, said Mohammed.

She welcomed the host nation Spain’s commitment To help launch a new no Seville forum on debtThe appellant a crucial step to help countries better manage and coordinate debt restructuring efforts.

“Seville will not be recalled as an landing zone, but as a launch of the action, to improve the means of subsistence around the world,” said Carlos Cuerpo, host of the Minister of Finance of Spain, during the closing press conference.

“” Together, we have sent a strong message of engagement and confidence in multilateralism which can give tangible results To put sustainable development on the right track. »»

Li Junhua, under-secretary general of the United Nations for economic and social affairs and the secretary general of the conference, said that the week had proven The UN is “more than a simple space for dialogue; It is a powerful platform for solutions that transform lives ”.

“In Seville, we have demonstrated our collective desire to deal with the most urgent and complex funding challenges of our time,” said the DESA chief at the end.

Concrete action plan

Ms. Mohammed said that the press conference closing delegates had done “A serious attempt and long awaited to face the debt crisis“While aimed at filling the lack of massive funding for the 2030 sustainable development objectives (SDG).

She reiterated the three main areas of action for Seville’s commitment:

• An important investment push to fill the lake of financing of the SDGs
• Concrete steps to resolve unsustainable debt charges
• Greater votes for countries in development for global financial decision -making

In addition to this agreement, more than 100 new initiatives have been launched under the Sevilla platform for action. This is in particular a world center for debt exchanges, a “debt break” alliance and a solidarity levy on private jets and first -class flights to finance the objectives of climate and development.

“” This platform has sparked new partnerships, innovative solutions that will bring real change in people’s lives“Said Ms. Mohammed. They do not replace broader funding commitments, but a sign that creative thought will finally lose. “”

Grateful Critique of civil society groups Regarding the limited access to official discussions, she is committed to putting pressure for greater inclusion. “” We hear you, “she said, adding that” this confidence must be won. “”

Here is a summary of key commitments in the future of Seville:

Brush the debt charges:

• Spain and the World Bank will direct a Development debt swaps To increase debt transactions for development.
• Italy will convert 230 million euros in African debt to development in development.
• A Alliance of the debt break clause Development countries and banks suspend debt payments during crises.
• THE Seville forum on debt Will help countries coordinate debt management and restructuring efforts.

Mobilize the investment:

• A Global solidarity levies The coalition will tax private jets and premium flights to collect climate and SDD funds.
• THE ESCALATION The platform will expand mixed finances, supported by public and private partners.
• FX edge And Delta Will help increase loans in local currency through risk management tools.
• Brazil and Spain will carry out work on the equitable taxation of the rich.
• The new technical assistance hubs will support the preparation and delivery of the project.

Reinforcement of financial systems:

• The funding platforms led by the country will support national plans.
• The UK-Bridgetown coalition aims to extend the funding of disasters.

Role of the private sector:

During the International Business Forum, companies are committed to increasing impact investments, with $ 10 billion in projects presented.

On June 30, Chile and Argentina ranked among the coldest places on the earth, outside the polar regions.

Governments of the two countries have issued early warnings and cold weather alerts in response to “polar-anticylone origin” behind extreme conditions, Wmo said.

The cold snap in South America contrasts the pufficled heat in the Northern hemisphereIn particular in Europe, putting lives in danger and further emphasizing the worsening of the impacts of climate change.

Affected heating systems

In Mar del Plata, Argentina – about 380 kilometers (240 miles) south of Buenos Aires – where winters are “fresh” and temperatures rarely fall below freezing, the unusual cold snap affected the distribution of natural gas, mainly used for heating.

A member of UN staff in the city said that companies were invited to stay closed to keep the gas supply for houses. Schools and public buildings were also closed on Thursday and perhaps on Friday.

In a large part of the center and southern Argentina, the temperatures were from 10 ° C to 15 ° C – 50 ° F at 59 ° F – below seasonal averages.

Unusual weather conditions

The cold fate began on June 26 and culminated on June 30, bringing low records in large parts of the continent.

“Although the Andean mountains and Patagonia are not foreign to cold temperatures in winter, the severity of this event was exceptional and even affected the low zones,” WMO said in a press release.

The high pressure system has brought atmospheric stability, causing a clear sky and a generalized severe frost.

In the Chilean cities of Santiago, Rancagua and Talca, the standing cold air led to an accumulation of pollutants and the deterioration of air quality.

The national weather services in Chile and Argentina have declared low record temperatures in several weather stations.

Remarkably, the snow has covered parts of the Atacama desert – the driest place in the world – for the first time in more than a decade. Snow also fell into unusual places such as Mar del Plata, the Calamuchita valley in Cordoba and the hilly regions of northern Patagonia.

Large -scale impacts

The concerns are increasing on the broader societal and economic impacts of extreme cold.

Farmers in the center of Chile and northern Patagonia have reported damage to crops due to early frosts, threatening the fruits and winter harvests.

Meanwhile, transport and schooling have been disrupted in unusual cities at such a serious winter time.