‘We are human beings because we are cultural beings’: UNESCO director

Africa doesn’t have a million problems. It has one: a mindset problem, according to the UN Special Adviser on Africa Cristina Duarte.Research suggests that nearly two-thirds of Africans believe their countries are currently heading in the wrong direction.Speaking after the UN Academic Conference on Africa held earlier this month, Ms. Duarte emphasised that by transforming this mindset and recognising the value of African knowledge, the continent’s future could be completely reshaped.UN News’s Ben Malor sat down with Ms. Duarte and began by asking for her top three takeaways from the thought-provoking gathering.

After more than 22 years at the heart of Iraq’s political transition and post-war recovery, the UN will close its political mission in the country at the end of 2025.Established in 2003, the mission (UNAMI) has played a central role in supporting inclusive political dialogue, national reconciliation, credible elections and the protection of human rights.UN News’s Reem Abaza spoke to the mission chief and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Mohamed Al Hassan, about what’s been achieved – and the challenges ahead. 

Financing and climate solutions have become an increasingly important focus for the UN’s work worldwide. Taking place this year in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, the UN Environment Assembly is advancing sustainable solutions for all.Richard Munang, Africa climate change coordinator for UN Environment Programme, UNEP, spoke to UN News’s Stella Vuzo in Nairobi about financing in Africa and the significance of the 10th anniversary on Friday of the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change.With the continent warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, finding solutions to reduce carbon emissions is an urgent task, he told us.

Living heritage gives people a sense of meaning and belonging, connecting individuals and communities across generations.On Thursday, the UN culture agency, UNESCO’s committee which safeguards living cultural traditions worldwide, added 67 new living heritage elements to UNESCO’s extensive lists.UN News’s Anshu Sharma in the Indian capital, New Delhi, spoke to Tim Curtis, Director of the UNESCO office there and the agency’s Representative to India, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, about the significance of recognising and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

Latest available figures published on Tuesday show more than 272 million children around the world were out of school through 2023, underscoring a deepening global education crisis.That’s according to UN education and cultural organization, UNESCO, which says that despite lack of access, significant progress has been made in advancing gender parity and integrating emerging technologies in classrooms worldwide, including artificial intelligence.In an interview with UN News’s Cristina Silveiro, UNESCO policy and lifelong learning director, Borhene Chakroun, outlined the key findings from the agency’s new global report, on the eve of Human Rights Day.

Despite widespread suffering driven by escalating conflict, displacement and disasters, Myanmar’s humanitarian emergency has become all but “invisible” to the world, the top UN official in the country has warned.Gwyn Lewis, the UN’s interim Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar, issued the alert during a visit to UN Headquarters, where she has been urging Member States and diplomats to refocus attention on the crisis.She noted that 3.6 million people have been displaced, nearly 12 million face severe food insecurity, and one million of them are already living in emergency conditions.Speaking to UN News’ Vibhu Mishra, she called on the international community to increase support and funding to alleviate Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis.

For many survivors of human trafficking, support often ends too soon. With limited resources and systems that fail to provide long-term care, many are thrown out of the system — left without proper trauma support or recognition beyond their stories. Mother, activist, and human trafficking survivor Malaika Oringo is determined to change that. As the founder of Footprint to Freedom, a survivor-led non-profit dedicated to empowering and reintegrating trafficking survivors, she advocates for survivor voices to be at the heart of policymaking and government action.In a conversation with UN News, Ms. Oringo reflects on her personal journey — how she overcame trauma, reclaimed her voice, and continues to inspire change through her tireless advocacy. Charlotte Frantz began by asking her what drives the trafficking of people. 

More than two years of conflict in Sudan have brought mass displacement, widespread hunger, the destruction of entire cities, and an end to the rule-of-law.Despite limited access – especially to the killing fields of Darfur – UN human rights office, OHCHR, continues to document violations, support humanitarian response efforts, and amplify the voices of victims, women, youth, and those displaced.Ahead of Human Rights Day on 10 December, UN News’s Abdelmonem Makki spoke to the top OHCHR official in Sudan, Li Fung, who described a country enduring one of the world’s gravest humanitarian and human rights emergencies.

Syria is working hard to turn the page on its dismal human rights record under the former Assad regime – allowing the UN rights office (OHCHR) access to the country following years of freezing officials out.Though the country remains fragile, the resilience of its people – and the political will to change shown by transitional authorities – is helping society move on from decades of repression and 13 years of devastating conflict.The return of OHCHR to Damascus is “essential” to supporting a rights-based vision for a “new Syria”, said Mohammad Al Nsour, Chief of the Office’s Middle East and North Africa Section, speaking to UN News’s Ezzat El-Ferri. 

Thick toxic smog and air quality or AQI levels up to 35 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) limits are turning Delhi’s winters into a recurring health emergency.Balakrishna Pisupati, head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) office in India, warns that pollution is “almost reaching the level of a disaster.”In an interview with UN News, he cites vehicle emissions, crop burning, industrial activity, construction dust and stagnant winter air as key contributors.Despite programmes and investments, progress can feel like “running on a treadmill” due to policy gaps, weak enforcement and little change in behaviour.UN News’ Anshu Sharma spoke to Mr. Pisupati on how UNEP is addressing India’s air pollution challenge, and the urgent need for coordinated action on fossil fuels and forest conservation.