UN News Today 24 November 2025 |

Business & Human Rights: UN rights chief warns of risks from AI and corporate power

In Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has warned that powerful companies and new technologies are driving fresh human rights risks, including for workers and vulnerable communities.

Opening the 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, he said corporate influence has grown to the point where it can shape entire societies — and that without proper safeguards, generative artificial intelligence could undermine basic rights such as privacy, free expression and political participation.

He also raised concerns about abuses faced by migrant workers, women, and people working in informal sectors, saying that widening corporate power must be matched by stronger accountability.

“When powerful tech giants introduce new technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, human rights can be the first casualty.
Generative AI holds tremendous promise, but its exploitation for purely political or economic benefit can manipulate, distort, and distract.”

Mr. Türk also linked corporate responsibility to the climate crisis, saying future generations may judge today’s inaction harshly.

Ukraine: UN humanitarian office highlights civilian impact as US–Ukraine talks continue in Geneva

In Ukraine, Russian drone strikes were reported overnight in Kharkiv, killing at least four people and damaging residential areas, according to local authorities.

The UN aid coordination office in Ukraine, OCHA, posted on social media that the strikes affected homes and critical civilian infrastructure, stressing that civilians must be protected at all times under international humanitarian law.

In another update, OCHA said thousands remain without electricity and heating, with humanitarian partners providing generators, winter supplies and psychosocial support.

The attacks came shortly after senior United States and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva on Sunday, where both sides said they had made progress on a revised proposal aimed at ending the war.

Gaza: UN warns of worsening humanitarian conditions

In Gaza, the UN is warning that humanitarian needs remain acute as access restrictions continue to impede relief operations.

According to the latest situation report from OCHA, all UN missions planned at the Kerem Shalom crossing on Saturday — to collect food, tents and other supplies — were denied by Israeli forces.

The aid office reports that around 400 families were newly displaced last week following Israeli military movements east of Gaza City, adding to pressure on already overcrowded shelters.

Conditions have deteriorated further after heavy rains destroyed an estimated 13,000 tents, affecting more than 740,000 displaced people across hundreds of sites.

Overcrowding, a lack of shelter materials and exposure to sewage are increasing health and protection risks.

Despite the ceasefire agreed on 8 October, the Palestine refugee relief agency – UNRWA – and OCHA say restrictions on key supplies continue to limit the scale-up of humanitarian assistance.

Malaria: Price cut for key vaccine set to protect seven million more children by 2030

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the UN Children’s Fund — UNICEF — have announced a new pricing deal that will sharply reduce the cost of the R21 malaria vaccine, a move expected to protect nearly seven million additional children by 2030.

Under the agreement, the price of each dose will fall to $2.99 within a year, generating savings of up to $90 million and allowing countries to secure more than 30 million extra doses over the next five years.

Malaria remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, causing nearly 600,000 deaths in 2023, the vast majority among young children in Africa.

UNICEF says the expanded rollout comes at a critical time, as international aid declines and demand for vaccines continues to rise.

More than 40 million doses have already been delivered through Gavi-supported programmes, with 24 African countries now integrating malaria vaccination into routine immunisation.

Katy Dartford, UN News