During CARIFESTA XV , a number of eminent regional politicians and academics engaged in public discourse about a variety of topics.  Hear professor, Sir Hilary Beckles as he gives his views about Barbados and civilization in the Caribbean.

INSIDER'S REPORT | THE BIG CONVERSATIONS | PART 2 | SIR HILARY BECKLES | BARBADOS AND CIVILISATION

Speaking at an open debate marking the Security Council’s 80th Anniversary, Secretary-General António Guterres called for an urgent reform of the UN body. 

Full remarks available here: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2025-10-24/un-secretary-generals-remarks-the-security-council-the-uns-80th-anniversary-delivered

CLIP: Secretary-General remarks to the Security Council on its 80th anniversary - 24 October 2025

• One in three organizations have suspended or shut down programmes aimed at ending violence against women
• UN alarmed by ‘terrifying’ situation in Sudan’s El Fasher
• UN chief calls for stronger ASEAN-UN partnership to tackle global challenges

Audio credit: Ana Carmo, UN News

UN News Today 27 October 2025 - violence against women, Sudan, ASEAN-UN partnership

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. 

Audio credit: Nargiz Shekinskuya, UN News
Photo: © UNICEF/Aleksey Filippov

Ukraine: Children’s mental health a key priority, says UNICEF

• UN climate chief says action to end the crisis is still too slow, but it’s moving in the right direction, 
• Widespread killings and indiscriminate violence reported by refugees fleeing El Fasher in Sudan,
• Taliban’s 48-hour communication blackout in Afghanistan violated human rights, according to the UN human rights office.

Audio credit: Conor Lennon, UN News

UN News Today 28 October 2025 - climate action, Sudan, Afghanistan

The Jamaican Government has taken extraordinary measures to help the country weather Hurricane Melissa, the UN culture and education agency’s director there has told UN News. Eric Falt of UNESCO also praised the overall solidarity he’s witnessed throughout the Caribbean as the monster storm makes landfall.

Audio credit: Charlotte Franz, UN News

CLIP – ‘Extraordinary’ level of preparation by Jamaica ahead of Hurricane Melissa

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. 

Audio Credit: Ileana Exaras, UN News

ICJ president: The Court is not blind to politics, but bound by law

• No child safe in Sudan’s El Fasher, warns UNICEF
• Türk calls for full implementation of Gaza ceasefire, amid overnight killings
• ‘Yawning gap’ remains between climate adaptation needs and pledges

Audio credit: Matt Wells, UN News

UN News Today 29 October 2025 - Sudan, Gaza, climate action


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.”

Audio credit: Ezzat El-Ferri, UN News


Reported atrocities in Sudan’s El Fasher show ‘total disregard’ for civilian life

This feature highlights the vital work of Barbados’ soil technicians, as they explain the skill, precision, and care involved in preparing graves.

INSIDER'S REPORT | THE WORK OF THE SHADOWS

Space exploration and the use of space technology is becoming an increasingly critical part of the global economy, but how can the world ensure its benefits are felt, not just in the developed world but also in poorer and less technologically advanced developing countries?

The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) was established for that exact reason and more particularly to accelerate sustainable development globally.

It has just announced its UN Champion for Space, the internationally acclaimed broadcaster and physicist Professor Brian Cox who’s been speaking to UN News’ Lid is On podcast.

Audio Credit: Daniel Dickinson, UN News

Lid is On podcast: Space exploration is ‘not a luxury’ but essential for life on Earth

The Barbados Government Information Service has been established since 1958 as the Barbados Government's public relations and information arm.   This dynamic channel profiles Barbadian people, places and programmes which make up this Caribbean island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  We hope you enjoy and feel free to comment.  We want to hear from you.

INSIDER'S REPORT | THE BIG CONVERSATIONS | PART 2 | SIR HILARY BECKLES | BARBADOS AND CIVILISATION

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