“Those who lead this transition will lead the global economy of the future,” he added.
just transition
Guterres called for the creation of a global platform dedicated to coordinating an orderly, affordable and fair transition away from fossil fuels, aligned with the 1.5°C climate goal.
The platform, he said, should unite producers, consumers, financial institutions and civil society to sequence the decline in fossil fuel investments while increasing clean energy.
“We are facing a choice,” said the Secretary General. “Let us design the transition together, or we will stumble upon it through crisis and chaos.”
Families in Gaza celebrate Ramadan amid terrible conditions
In Gaza, UN humanitarian officials report that families are celebrating the first day of Ramadan in difficult conditions: many sheltering in unsafe areas or outdoors, with limited access to food, water and essential services.
At the Rafah crossing with Egypt, conditions for passengers remain inadequate, according to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.
Humanitarian teams visiting the reopened crossing found significant deficiencies in basic facilities, including too few latrines and handwashing stations, raising hygiene concerns.
Ensure safety and dignity
“People are experiencing long waiting periods, often in areas with little shade, with insufficient seating and a lack of wheelchairs. The condition of the access road to and from Rafah is also a cause for concern, particularly for patients requiring medical evacuation,” said UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in New York.
The UN and its partners are working with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and dignity of all passengers crossing.
Aid agencies working on food security have also adjusted distribution times to align with fasting times during Ramadan, aiming to reduce overcrowding and improve access for older people, people with disabilities and female heads of households.
South Sudan: Violence and displacement increase in Jonglei as humanitarian needs increase
Conflict-related sexual violence continues to devastate lives in Jonglei State, South Sudan, where displaced people report widespread abuses by armed actors, according to a multi-agency UN assessment conducted February 12-14.
OCHA warned of a sharp deterioration in protection conditions, citing sexual violence against women and girls, family separation and alleged recruitment of adolescents by armed groups.
Survivors’ accounts describe rape, kidnapping, sexual assault and forced stripping, sometimes accompanied by murder when victims resisted. Many children remain alone or separated from their families and live with distant relatives or community members without stable care.
Most adolescent girls are unaware of available protection services and rely primarily on peer support.
Persistent insecurity
The crisis is unfolding amid persistent insecurity, with clashes between the army and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) having displaced some 280,000 people since December.
The United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, has warned that the disruption of emergency maternity and obstetrics services is forcing women to give birth without specialized care, increasing preventable deaths.
At least 16 health centers have been attacked or looted since the end of 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.
UN agencies emphasize urgent measures to protect civilians and prevent further violence against women and children.