UN News Today 10 June 2025 |

We’ve almost reached the point of no return to save our oceans, says UN chief

The UN Secretary-General has told the Ocean Conference in Nice that the world’s oceans are under siege – and that it’s time we saved them, to rescue our planet.

Fish stocks are collapsing because of illegal fishing and overexploitation, António Guterres insisted, while climate change is making our seas warmer and more acidic.

This is destroying precious coral reefs, accelerating sea level rise and threatening communities worldwide, the UN chief told delegates – before likening plastic pollution to poison that’s ending up in our bodies.

Speaking on the sidelines of the UN Ocean Conference, Mr. Guterres warned that despite some progress, “dramatic gaps” remain in protecting marine life.

He also reiterated his conviction that it was high time to promote renewable energy to slow climate change:

“We see a dramatic effort from the fossil fuel industry to distort the reality. But one thing for me is inevitable – the fossil fuel age is coming to an end, and the renewable age will be there as the age of the future. The problem is, will that be done on time? And what we need is to accelerate that transition.”

More than 120 countries are participating in the conference.

One of its main objectives is to help bring into force the landmark High Seas Treaty from 2023 to safeguard life in international waters. Sixty ratifications are required for the treaty to become binding international law.

Sudan emergency: We need more help to prevent famine, says WFP

Famine continues to be an ever-present threat for the people of wartorn Sudan, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday, in an appeal for more funding to prevent further cuts in lifesaving aid.

Conflict has raged in Sudan between rival militaries following a breakdown in transition to civilian rule in 2023. Heavy fighting has triggered massive displacement and a grave humanitarian crisis.

Laurent Bukera is the Director of WFP’s operations across Sudan.

He said that communities on the frontlines are at “breaking point” and unable to support displaced families any longer. Many are returning to the capital, Khartoum, where needs are also enormous:

“Over the past six months, WFP scaled up assistance and we are now reaching nearly one million Sudanese in Khartoum with food and nutrition support. This momentum must continue. Several areas in the south are at risk of famine.”

Mr. Bukera reported that a mission to Khartoum had found many neighbourhoods abandoned, heavily damaged and like a “ghost city”.

At least three dead in new Russian drone assault on Ukrainian cities

To Ukraine finally, where a massive new wave of Russian drone attacks has killed at least three civilians and left Kyiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia engulfed in clouds of thick smoke, aid teams said on Tuesday.

The attack was reportedly one of the largest since Russia’s full-scale invasion more than three years ago.

In an online update, the UN aid coordinating office, OCHA, said that a maternity ward in Odesa had come under fire, causing injuries and widespread damage to homes.

The UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, underscored the impact of the violence on civilians, citing 16-year-old Sonya from Kyiv in an online post. “It was a terrible night,” she said. “The sounds were so frightening – a buzzing sound that was getting closer and explosions every five minutes.”

Russia has intensified its airstrikes on Ukraine in recent days.

According to Moscow, it stepped up its bombing campaign in retaliation for Ukraine’s daring drone attacks deep inside Russian territory last week codenamed operation spiderweb.

Amid the ongoing conflict, UN humanitarian teams and partners continue to work to help civilians in cities across Ukraine.

They provide first aid, protection services, food, construction materials and other support including counselling and legal advice.

Daniel Johnson, UN News

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