Interviews

More than two years into the conflict, Sudan is facing one of the world's most serious and complex health emergencies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The fighting, which began in April 2023, has forced millions of people from their homes, deepened hunger and left much of the country's health system barely functioning, said Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan, in an interview with UN News.  Disease outbreaks are spreading as access to health care continues to shrink. Cholera, dengue and malaria are widespread, while measles and polio are re-emerging as routine immunisation coverage falls to record lows.Speaking to UN News's Abdelmonem Makki, Dr Sahbani stressed the urgent need for sustained funding, safe humanitarian access and protection for health workers and facilities, as attacks on health care continue. Above all, he appealed to the international community not to forget Sudan. 

Created in 1966 to boost development within newly independent countries from the Global South, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has stayed true to its founding mission, in a world that has been transformed over the past six decades.At UNIDO's Global Industry Summit, held in Riyadh this November, the agency's Member States reaffirmed their commitment to help developing countries grow their economies sustainably, minimising harm to the environment and improving the lives of their citizens.Conor Lennon was in Riyadh for UN News and spoke to Fatou Haidara, UNIDO's ? Managing Director of Global Partnerships and External Relations, about the ways that the agency has adapted to the changing priorities of its Member States, and why it continues to be a central pillar of sustainable industrialisation.

Europe's influenza season has arrived earlier than expected this year, raising concerns about pressure on health systems as respiratory illnesses circulate during the winter months.  While the surge has prompted questions about vaccine effectiveness and vulnerable groups, health experts say the situation remains manageable – if people take the right precautions.Speaking with UN News's Vibhu Mishra, Marc-Alain Widdowson, who leads pandemic threat and communicable disease work at the World Health Organization's European Regional Office, explains what's driving this year's flu season, who is most at risk, and why it's still not too late to get vaccinated. 

For the second time since its launch in 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine took place in India, bringing attention to the role of natural and cultural remedies around the world, as well as the science behind them. On the sidelines of the summit in New Delhi, UN News's Anshu Sharma spoke with Sung Chol Kim of WHO's Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine unit, about advances in the field.Mr. Kim outlined what traditional medicine is, the WHO's role in advancing evidence-based traditional medicine, and the progress made so far.He also explained how traditional medicine differs from biomedicine. Its focus on prevention is just one of those ways.  

As the world debates how technology is shaping societies, actor and filmmaker Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been sharing why people and purpose must remain at the heart of the digital future.UN News' Vibhu Mishra spoke with him on the sidelines of a high-level UN meeting marking 20 years of global cooperation on the internet and digital technologies.Mr. Gordon-Levitt reflected on creativity, inclusion and the responsibility that comes with powerful digital tools, especially as technology becomes more embedded in everyday life.He said he was inspired by people working not just for profit, but to make the world better – even when the challenge feels like a “David and Goliath” battle.

Mass atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region show alarming indicators associated with the risk of genocide, according to the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Chaloka Beyani, who has completed a mission to Kenya.Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), alongside other armed groups, has plunged large parts of Sudan into a deepening humanitarian and protection crisis since April 2023.More than 11 million people are now internally displaced, while up to four million have fled to neighbouring countries and beyond.Mr. Beyani has completed a mission to Kenya and spoke to UN News's Stella Vuzo in Nairobi, where he met several Sudanese refugees. She began by asking about his main message to the Sudanese people. 

An independent journalist is warning against the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence (AI), comparing the public to “guinea pigs” in a global experiment.Atif Rashid, Editor in Chief of Analyst News – a non-profit international news website – was a panelist in the thematic session held during the UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 14-15 December.Speaking to UN News's Reem Abaza, he urged governments and tech companies to slow down, protect children, and treat AI with the same caution as they would untested medications.

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.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) may not have the same profile as some of the better know agencies within the system, but it is punching above its weight in terms of its impact on the economies of the developing world.At UNIDO's Global Industry Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, UN News's Khaled Mohamed spoke to Manuel Mattiat, the agency's Chief of Cabinet, about the crucial role his organization plays in helping industrialized countries to invest in emerging economies, raising living standards for all.

Reducing inequality in Nepal remains a major challenge, as the co untry continues to struggle to meet its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.Among those tackling this issue is Aishworya Shrestha, a young Nepali social worker recently named a UN Young Leader for the SDGs.Ms. Shrestha leads community-driven mental health and empowerment programmes in some of Nepal's most remote areas and works to engage young people around the world in advancing the SDGs.The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 aim to create a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable world.Each year, 17 Young Leaders are selected globally to help inspire action and accelerate progress toward these shared goals.UN News's Charlotte Frantz spoke with Ms. Shrestha about what this recognition means to her and how she plans to leverage the role to create meaningful change.

During his visit to Barcarena in the Amazon basin – a UN-recognized Resilience Hub – the UN's disaster risk reduction chief, Kamal Kishore, has been seeing climate resilience first hand; not just through infrastructure, but through imagination, education, and community-driven action.The top official is at COP30 in Belém and told UN News that from flood and heat-resilient schools – to empowered children shaping their own future – Barcarena demonstrates how local leadership can inspire global transformation.Speaking to Felipe de Carvalho who's also on the ground there, he praised the local school as “a guiding light” for climate adaptation, one he hopes to see replicated “at least 100,000” times worldwide. 

On Sunday, a foot patrol of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was targeted by an Israeli army Merkava tank positioned inside Lebanese territory. Israel said it had been a case of “misidentification”.UN News's Nancy Sarkis spoke to UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel, who said the incident is part of a “deeply worrying escalation” along the Blue Line of separation.Ms. Ardiel pointed to warning fire near civilians and new Israeli-built concrete walls that straddle the Blue Line, stressing that “any attack on peacekeepers is unacceptable.”

Last year, 37,000 stolen cultural objects – including artifacts, artworks, coins, and instruments – were seized by international police agency, Interpol, and law enforcement.The illicit trade in cultural property is one of the world's oldest and most profitable forms of criminal activity – and it is increasingly being facilitated online. UN News's Cristina Silveiro has been speaking to Krista Pikkat, Director for Culture and emergencies for UN agency UNESCO, about the fight against illicit trafficking in stolen heritage worldwide. 

As COP30 brings leaders and negotiators together from around the world, the spotlight is not only on policy but also on the real-life experiences of those most affected by climate change.From Ethiopia, Mekebib Tadesse, representing the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) delegation, brings a firsthand perspective on the human and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis.In an interview with Felipe Carvalho – who's in Belem for UN News – Mekebib shared insights on how climate change is upending his home country.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is already reshaping lives and communities around the world.Extreme weather – from unprecedented tornadoes to rising seas and creeping desertification – is forcing millions on the run, often within their own countries.At COP30 in Belém this week, Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stressed the importance of local, people-centred solutions.“Early warning systems, predictable funding, and locally led adaptation are critical,” she told UN News's Felipe de Carvalho. 

At a time when false narratives about climate change are spreading faster than ever online, the UN education and culture agency, UNESCO, is calling for stronger global cooperation to safeguard information integrity.Speaking to UN News's Felipe de Carvalho in Brazil's coastal city of Belém which is hosting COP30, Guilherme Canela, UNESCO's Head of Digital Policies who takes a lead on promoting accurate information regarding climate change, says misinformation has become one of the most significant global risks – alongside climate change itself.He stressed that protecting reliable, science-based information is essential for effective climate action.

Filipinos are picking up the pieces after super typhoon Fung-Wong ripped through the country.Eight people including three children are reported to have died because of the typhoon, but it could have been much worse: over a million people were evacuated from homes in 13 of the country's 18 regions, in one of the Philippines' largest ever pre-emptive operations.Arnaud Peral, the UN Resident Coordinator in The Philippines, told UN News's Conor Lennon the way authorities prepared for the impact is testament to the coordination between the government, the United Nations and the international NGOs on the ground.

People being held in prisons in Haiti are dying of starvation in subhuman conditions according to the UN's Designated Expert on the human rights situation in the Caribbean island nation, William O'Neill.Haiti is facing an increasingly perilous security crisis as gangs compete to control the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas, impacting an already dysfunctional justice system.Prisons are severely overcrowded, and some detainees can wait for years to be tried for minor offences, including the theft of chickens or shoes.Daniel Dickinson began by asking Mr. O'Neill to describe the conditions he has witnessed in Haitian prisons.

With half the world's population under 30, sidelining young people is no longer an option. That's according to UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, who champions the determination and creativity of the world's youth.He's been at the World Summit for Social Development in Doha this week, issuing a strong call to action and urging world leaders to put young people at the heart of decision-making.In an interview with UN News's Abdelmonem Makki, he said that real progress means making space, so young people have a main seat at the table: “They're not waiting for us,” he adds, “they're finding solutions.” 

For millions of people with disabilities around the globe, the World Social Summit happening in Doha this week, represents something more powerful than promises – it represents hope.That's according to Fatma Al Jassim, who is in Doha representing the Global Disability Innovation Hub, a pioneering research centre in the UK, dedicated to driving disability innovation for a fairer world.Speaking to UN News's Abdelmonem Makki, Ms. Al Jassim explained why true inclusion is key to real change. 

Nearly 30 years after the landmark Copenhagen Declaration – when governments pledged to make societies fairer and more inclusive – conversations about putting social development back at the centre of the global agenda have taken on renewed importance.To understand why it's so critical, and how social protection connects to the broader pursuit of social justice, UN News's Vibhu Mishra has been speaking to Srinivas Tata, of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).They're both in Doha where the Second World Summit for Social Development is in full swing, and Mr. Tata began by explain why social justice is not just a vague concept – but an achievable goal.

Thirty years after the first World Social Summit in Copenhagen, global leaders have reconvened in Doha to assess progress and chart a path forward on poverty eradication and social development.Over the past three decades, 1.5 billion people have been lifted out of poverty, and global life expectancy has increased by nearly seven years.However, significant challenges remain, with an estimated 800 million people still living in extreme poverty, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).Speaking on the role of the UN and on the actions that governments must take to make social development more resilient and sustainable, UNDP's acting administrator Haoling Xu underscored the importance of rebuilding global trust and solidarity.He spoke to UN News' Abdelmonem Makki following the political declaration adoption at the World Summit for Social Development on Tuesday.UN News continues to provide on-the-ground coverage from Doha.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda – launched 25 years ago through Security Council resolution 1325 – recognized women are affected by wars in specific ways and must also play a distinct role in resolving them.Mexico, Chile and Colombia have all adopted foreign policies which emphasise gender equality in diplomacy, peacebuilding and development – but more needs to be done for women to be meaningfully included in peace processes and conflict resolution. UN News's Ileana Exaras spoke to Laura Flores, Director of the Americas Division in the UN's political affairs and peacebuilding department, about the progress and challenges that continue to affect women in politics across Latin America.

Getting relief to communities in Jamaica cut off by the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa remains the “main challenge” for UN aid agencies in the Caribbean country.The hurricane tore through the western part of the island — damaging homes, roads, and hospitals, cutting off access to some of the hardest-hit communities.The United Nations team in Jamaica, working alongside the government and local partners, is focusing on providing urgent support — from food, water, and shelter to restoring health services and rebuilding critical infrastructure.UN News' Charlotte Frantz asked Dennis Zulu, the UN's Resident coordinator and most senior official in Jamaica, about the immediate priorities on the ground. 

In a world grappling with growing inequalities, demographic shifts, and the fast pace of technological and environmental change, the Second World Summit for Social Development is bringing leaders together in Doha to talk and take action.Thirty years after the landmark Copenhagen Summit, the mission remains the same: to build a world where progress is measured not just in wealth, but in well-being, equality, and human dignity.Throughout the week, UN News will be on the ground in Doha, bringing you live updates, in-depth reporting, and exclusive interviews.Ahead of the Summit, UN News's Vibhu Mishra sat down with Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, to discuss the priorities and expectations for global social development.

Horrifying videos and reported atrocities allegedly carried out by RSF militia in and around the Sudanese city of El Fasher demonstrate a “total disregard” for both protection of civilians and the Security Council's resolution demanding an end to the civil war.That's according to the UN's head of humanitarian operations in the country, Denise Brown, who told UN News after recently visiting the Darfur region before the fall of the city this week, that it's proving hard to verify information from the stricken city due to a communications blackout.She told Ezzat El-Ferri she feels a “huge sense” of tragedy and responsibility to continue providing UN relief services, adding that the atrocities must be documented so that “justice can be served.”

While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is not “blind” to political context or the human suffering behind many cases, its main job is to be the interpreter of international law in disputes between States, said the newly appointed President of the UN World Court, Yuji Iwasawa.This year, ICJ issued two advisory opinions that made headlines: one that decided Israel must allow aid to flow freely into Palestine and another ruling that countries have a responsibility to protect the environment.Mr. Iwasawa spoke to UN News's Ileana Exaras about the functions and responsibilities of the court, the significance of advisory opinions and what he'd like to accomplish throughout his tenure. 

As airstrikes and conflict continue to devastate communities across Ukraine, the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, is raising urgent concerns about the mental health and well-being of the country's children.Kenan Madi, Chief of Field Operations for UNICEF in Ukraine, warns that the war is leaving thousands of children without homes, heat, power, or access to basic services, making everyday life “extremely difficult.”Education has also been severely disrupted.Despite ongoing efforts, UNICEF's appeal for Ukraine remains only partially funded, leaving millions of children at risk as another harsh winter looms.UN News's Nargiz Shekinskaya started by asking Mr. Madi what are the main needs of the children living on the frontlines of the conflict. 

The Russian shelling of a UN humanitarian convoy in the Kherson region of Ukraine earlier this month underscores the risks aid workers face every day, as the Russian full-scale invasion of the country enters its fourth winter.Andrea de Domenico is the Ukraine country head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. He told Nargiz Shekinskaya from UN News that, despite the dangers they face, and limited resources, he and his team remain committed to helping the population. 

As access slowly improves under the Gaza ceasefire deal, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is scaling up operations and mobilising funds to ensure the safe removal of dangerous munitions following two years of devastating bombardment.Priority is being given to main roads, infrastructure, and essential services for civilians in the enclave who face a deadly threat from unexploded hazards.Luke Irving, head of UNMAS's mission in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, spoke to UN News's Ezzat El-Ferri, emphasising a message of hope and resilience for civilians through “small steps” each day.

Women are central to achieving food security in Tanzania as they make up 70 per cent of the East African nation's agricultural workforce; that's according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in the country, Nyabenyi Tipo.FAO is celebrating its 80th anniversary on World Food Day on 16 October, the theme for which is collaborating for a peaceful, sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future.Sabrina Said asked Ms. Tipo about the significance of this milestone and how FAO Tanzania is celebrating the occasion.

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, is urging people in the restive eastern part of the country not to lose hope after years of conflict.Binto Keita spoke to UN News's Jérôme Bernard a few days after she briefed the Security Council in New York on the overall situation in the DRC.She emphasized that the government, the UN and the international community remain engaged in efforts to bring peace to the east, where armed groups continue to terrorise communities.Ms. Keita expressed compassion and empathy for the Congolese people whose “resilience is also very much admirable.” 

A larger and more robust force in Haiti could help “turn the tide” against murderous gangs and give Haitians hope for the future, according to the UN's designated expert on the human rights situation in the Caribbean country, William O'Neill.Up to 90 per cent of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince is controlled by numerous gangs who murder with impunity and take hostages for ransom.A UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) has been unable to stem the violence, but it is hoped the transition to a new, larger and better equipped Gang Suppression Force could prove decisive.UN News's Daniel Dickinson asked Mr. O'Neill how important it is to establish the new force.