The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Press Conferences | UNESCO , UN WOMEN , OHCHR , WFP
UN Geneva Press Briefing - 25 November 2025
UN INFORMATION SERVICE GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
25 November
Situation of women and girls in Gaza
Sofia Calltorp, Head of UN Women in Geneva, who had just returned from Gaza, and had travelled the entire length of the Strip, shared that seeing images of Gaza on the screens did not compare by far to witnessing the scale of the destruction in real life. Ms. Calltorp had met with women across the Gaza Strip, seeing first-hand the immense pain they were experiencing. They were facing hunger and fear, trying to shield their children from hunger and cold. Living in ceasefire did not mean living in peace. The killings, while fewer, continued. Every woman Ms. Calltorp had met had lost at least two family members. Women had been displaced countless times, every time packing the little they had, moving their small children and elderly parents.
Food was still scarce and more expensive than before. The endless bombing had left behind another crisis, of over 12,000 women and girls living with long-term war-related disabilities which they had not had two years before. The women said the same thing all over: they needed the ceasefire to hold, they needed food, medicine, winterization, and psychosocial support. They wanted to see their children return to school. The women also had also spoken of their desire to work. Despite everything, these women’s commitment and will to rebuild their lives was strong. UN Women had been on the ground in Gaza for more than a decade, standing with them through every crisis. No woman or girl should fight this hard just to survive, stressed Ms. Calltorp. Peace was needed now, for every woman and girl, and for everyone. The world should not look away.
Responding to questions from the media, Ms. Calltorp stressed that access to food and water in Gaza was extremely scarce. Food now cost four times more than before the war; a single egg, for example, cost USD 2. During her visit to Gaza, Ms. Calltorp had not met with any officials, she said. Answering a question on pregnant women, Ms. Calltorp spoke of a woman who had lost two babies, one of whom had to be delivered in the middle of a street with the mother fleeing the bombs. Ms. Calltorp explained that her mission had focused on assessing the needs of women and girls on the ground. All those arbitrarily detained had to be freed, answered to a question Thameen Al-Kheetan, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), explaining that access to those in detention was limited.
Israeli attacks against Lebanon
Thameen Al-Kheetan, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that almost a year since the start of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, increasing attacks by the Israeli military continued to result in the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon, coupled with alarming threats of a wider, intensified offensive.
The Israeli military’s attacks had resulted in the killing of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement had come into effect on 27 November 2024, until 24 November this year. In one of the latest, deadliest attacks, at least 13 civilians, including 11 children, had been killed and at least six civilians injured last week in an Israeli strike on the Ein El-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees, near Sidon. All the fatalities documented as a result of this strike had been civilians. There had to be prompt and impartial investigations into the Ein El-Hilweh strike, as well as all other incidents involving possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, both before and after the ceasefire. Those responsible had to be brought to justice.
Mr. Al-Kheetan said that, in addition to killing and injuring civilians, Israeli attacks in Lebanon had destroyed and damaged civilian infrastructure, including housing units, roads, factories and construction sites. They had also severely hampered reconstruction efforts and attempts by internally displaced people to go back to their homes in southern Lebanon. Over 64,000 people, mostly residents of southern Lebanon, remained displaced in other parts of the country. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said it was now urgent that the parties show their commitment to comply with the ceasefire in good faith. A genuine path towards a permanent cessation of hostilities was the only way to protect the human rights of civilians on both sides from the devastating effects of new hostilities.
Answering questions, Mr. Al-Kheetan said that the focus of the OHCHR was on the civilians; 127 civilians were verified as having been killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire. OHCHR used a strict, established methodology, reminded Mr. Al-Kheetan, and this process took time. The State of Israel was responsible for the actions of its military, which should investigate any violations.
Full statement is available here.
Surge in mass abductions in Nigeria
Thameen Al-Kheetan, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that OHCHR was shocked at the recent surge in mass abductions in north-central Nigeria, and urged the Nigerian authorities at all levels to take all lawful measures to ensure such vile attacks be halted and those responsible be held to account.
At least 402 people, most of them schoolchildren, had been abducted in the states of Niger, Kebbi, Kwara and Borno since 17 November. Only 88 of them had reportedly been freed or had escaped from their captors. OHCHR called on the Nigerian authorities to ensure the safe return of all those still in captivity to their families, and to prevent further abductions. They had to hold prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into abductions and bring those responsible to justice.
Chi Lael, for the World Food Programme (WFP), speaking from Abuja, said that Nigeria had released the latest Cadre Harmonise – the food security analysis for Nigeria, which showed a rapidly worsening situation across the country, particularly in northern Nigeria. Nearly 35 million people could face severe food insecurity in the next six months. That would be the highest number recorded in the country, and the highest on the continent. Throughout this year, insurgent attacks had intensified. Just the previous month, Nigeria had witnessed reportedly the first attack by JNIM, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group.
Northeast Nigeria, where WFP operated, was now facing its most severe hunger crisis in a decade. Rural farming communities were among the hardest hit. Nearly six million people were food insecure in the conflict zones of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Women and children were once again at the greatest risk of severe malnutrition, but funding cuts had forced us to scale down nutrition programmes in July, affecting more than 300,000 children. Ms. Lael said that almost one million people depended on WFP to survive. Food and nutrition assistance remained one of the very few stabilising forces in northern Nigeria. Without it, there was a real concern that insurgent groups could exploit people’s hunger and desperation to strengthen their own influence, creating a security threat that extended far beyond Nigeria’s borders. Without confirmed funding, Ms. Lael warned, millions would be left without support in 2026. The consequences for stability, for security, and for human life would be severe.
Replying to questions, Ms. Lael, for WFP, explained that WFP required USD 115 million until May 2026, which would be the beginning of the lean season. In 2025, WFP had raised some USD 150 million and was concerned that already by January it would not be able to provide assistance to 900,000 people it was currently helping. Resources were required immediately to secure immediate support to people. Mr. Al-Kheetan, for OHCHR, confirmed reports of groups abducting people for ransom, but their identity could still not be confirmed. Ms. Lael, for WFP, said that the numbers of hungry and food-insecure people in the northeast were growing. If the region that was supposed to be growing food was not doing so, it affected the whole country.
Announcements
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service, said that today, 25 November, was the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. In 2024, 50,000 women and girls had been killed by an intimate partner or a family member, which translated to 167 women killed every single day. Those were not isolated incidents. The theme of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2025 was digital violence. Ms. Vellucci read the message of the Secretary-General on this Day. Today, at 12:30 pm in Hall XIV at the Palais des Nations, an event would be held to mark the Day and start the 16 Days of Activism, and an exhibition would be organized by UNIDIR in front of the Swiss Salon. UN Women would also participate in an event by civil society organizations at the Bain des Pâquis on Sunday 30 November at 5 pm., when lanterns will be put in the water to remember the victims of femicides.
Today, at 2 pm, ahead of the World AIDS Day, Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, would hold a press conference on overcoming disruption and transforming the AIDS response.
On 1 December at 9:30 am, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) would hold a press conference to launch its Landmine Monitor 2025 report.
Ms. Vellucci also informed that on 27 November, from 10 to 12:30, the UNESCO Liaison Office would host the event “UNESCO | From Santiago to Geneva – Advancing Inclusive Sport and Physical Education” at the Restaurant Vieux Bois, which would bring together experts in the field of sport and physical education to explore strategies and best practices for fostering more inclusive and accessible sporting environments. Registration is needed: https://forms.gle/YstzzjkrQ7QqSNUo8.
The Committee against Torture was going to close its 83rd session on 28 November at 10am and issue its concluding observations on the reports of the four countries reviewed: Israel, Argentina, Bahrain, and Albania.
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was concluding this morning its review of the report of Burundi.
On 28 November, the UN Office at Geneva would host an observation of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, to start at 3 pm. The meeting would be webcast.
Elizabeth Throssell, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), who was retiring this month, thanked the press corps and UN colleagues for 12.5 years of cooperation. She expressed her appreciation for the media coverage of human rights issues over the years. On behalf of the Geneva communications community, Ms. Vellucci thanked her for her dedicated work over the years. Journalists also expressed their appreciation for Ms. Throssell.
***
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OCHA , UN WOMEN , UNHCR , WFP , WHO , WTO , UNEP
OCHA – $160M CERF allocation to 12 underfunded crises; UNHCR – 5.8M refugee children remain out of school amid funding cuts; UN Women – Middle East escalation and food security among women/girls; WHO – Gaza supplies and overall situation; WFP – Yemen food insecurity and impact on global hunger ; UNEP - First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals in Geneva | 16-20 November 2026
1
1
1
Press Conferences | UNHCR , WHO
Yemen's health system nears collapse amid conflict, causing rising casualties and medicine shortages.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC
Update by the Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement
1
1
1
Press Conferences | WIPO , WHO , UNICEF , UNHCR , IOM , WFP , FAO
WIPO Global Innovation Index 2026 launch and press conference, WHO Composition of influenza vaccines for the 2027 Southern Hemisphere flu season, UNICEF Yemen hunger and malnutrition; UNHCR Sudan displacement into Chad; IOM Ebola and population movements in DRC; WFP emergency food assistance in Nepal; and FAO food loss and waste.
2
1
2
Press Conferences | UNCTAD
Gaza reconstruction needs reach $71.5 billion as Palestinian economy and public finances face severe strain. Latest UNCTAD report documents the loss of decades of development gains, economic collapse in Gaza and tightening economic constraints in the West Bank.
The report identifies three immediate priorities: transferring withheld Palestinian revenues, safeguarding the banking system and aligning reconstruction support with the documented scale of damage and economic losses.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC
Press conference on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua by the UN Group of Human Rights Experts
1
1
1
Press Conferences | ITU , UNHCR , WHO , WMO
YEMEN - UNHCR: Escalating conflict in Yemen could fuel more displacement, refugee movement
CLIMATE - WHO / WMO: Health and Climate impact of El Niño
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC , OHCHR
Mariana Katzarova discusses human rights in Russia as a UN Special Rapporteur.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IOM , OHCHR , UN WOMEN , UNFPA , UNHCR , UNOPS , WHO
UN Geneva briefing: Yemen crisis worsens, urgent aid needed across multiple sectors.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC
Press conference on the latest report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the UN Human Rights Council
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
Victims Still Waiting: A Global Briefing on Transitional Justice Around the World
2
1
2
Edited News , Press Conferences | WMO
As world’s water reserves change, countries must prepare for a new reality: WMO
New data showing that rivers were at their lowest level for decades last year provides further evidence that the climate crisis is real and countries must act immediately to protect themselves from the increasing threat to communities and livelihoods, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday.
The key findings from WMO’s State of Global Water Resources 2025 report covering the hydrological cycle and extreme events in the five-year period to last year:
- 2025 was one of driest years for river discharge in 35 years
- Past seven years have seen abnorfmal river flows
- Water storage on Earth’s land surface has decreased in past decade
- Widespread glacier loss across all regions for fourth consecutive year
- Asia and Africa are regions most affected by water-related disasters
- Water data availability has improved, but gaps remain in hard-hit areas
Highlighting the long-term decline in the Earth’s freshwater storage and glacier melt, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo explained that the planet’s water reserves used to act as a planetary “savings account” that absorbed the occasional dry season, avoiding a water crisis. “One of the central stories of the 2025 report is what is happening to that savings account? And the simple answer is that we are depleting it,” she told journalists in Geneva.
Groundwater reserves are equally stretched and have been in decline since 2014, WMO’s report states, with nearly two-thirds of monitored wells worldwide showing levels lower than the historical norm and indicating a shift “further toward deficit…not recovery”.
“At the same time, we are seeing more water-related disasters,” Ms. Saulo said, while also stressing that the currently strengthening El Niño “will increase the risk of drought in some areas, and flooding in others”.
Glaciers disappearing
In 2025, for the fourth consecutive year, every major glaciated region on Earth lost ice mass, leading to short-term hazards including floods and long-term water insecurity, according to WMO.
Responding to a question about whether the changing global water cycle might have contributed to the deadly Nepal-China flooding disaster, Ms. Saulo explained that melting ice and rock was just one factor in the chain of events that ultimately sent a massive and deadly wall of water and debris downstream on 26 August, killing at least 1,367 people.
“You asked if it could happen again? Absolutely; the problem in this region is that there’s 63,700 glaciers at the last count,” she told a Press Conference in Geneva. “Even if you’re looking with remote sensing with satellites at these glaciers, you might see some faults, you might see some slight shifting, that does not mean necessarily catastrophic collapse. So, in order to plan for this, it’s very, very difficult. But the international community is looking very hard at ways in which we can bring people together to solve some of these monitoring issues.”
Data indicates that glaciers shrank between 2023 and 2025 with cumulative losses of 1,400 gigatonnes of water – or about one third of annual fresh water needs.
Every major glacier region on Earth lost ice for the fourth consecutive year.
“All 19 glacier regions around the globe lost ice; in Central Asia, Iceland, the Russian Arctic and western Canada and the United States, it was among the three worst years on record,” said Wayne Jenkinson, WMO’s Director of Hydrology and Cryosphere.
Some regions with smaller glaciers such as Central Europe, the Caucasus, the western Canada and the United States may already have reached “peak water”, Mr. Jenkinson warned.
“After this point, the glacier gives less meltwater each year simply because there is less ice left to melt. That matters for every community downstream that relies on water during hot, dry summers,” he explained.
Narelle van der Wel, WMO’s Head of Cryosphere Monitoring, Predictions and Services, stressed that while some further glacier loss is unavoidable, the eventual scale of the decline is not predetermined.
“Some glacier loss is inevitable, but total loss of glaciers is not yet inevitable,” she said, pointing to emissions reductions as central to limiting future losses.
Preparing for moving baselines
The report does not attribute every observed change to climate change alone. WMO says pressure on water resources and natural variability also contribute.
Mr. Jenkinson said governments need to prepare for “moving baselines” as historical patterns become less reliable.
“The situation 30 years ago is not where we are today,” he said. Countries, he added, need to prepare “for those changes that have really already arrived”.
ends