UN Women announced the opening of a new shelter on Friday, designed to offer protection, psychosocial support, and rebuilding assistance to survivors of escalating gang violence in Haiti. Marie Goretti Nduwayo, UN Women Representative in Haiti, stated that gang violence, which previously plagued the capital, has now spread nationwide, displacing thousands and causing profound, lasting trauma, particularly for women and girls. She noted a 163% increase in sexual violence in 2025 compared to the previous year, affecting approximately 1,670 women and nearly 200 girls. UN Women is committed to supporting all women and girls in Haiti through life-saving aid and rebuilding efforts in collaboration with authorities. This new state-supported safe house marks a significant milestone in combating gender-based violence.
Intensifying Race for Critical Minerals Amidst Clean Energy Transition
A new global competition is emerging around ‘critical minerals’ as nations strive to build cleaner energy systems and expand access to digital technologies. These scarce commodities, including hard-to-obtain ‘rare earths,’ are essential for powering everything from electric vehicles and batteries to semiconductors and data centers. A recent report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) forecasts a surge in demand for minerals like lithium, graphite, copper, cobalt, and nickel in the coming decades, with lithium demand alone expected to rise by over 350% by 2040. However, the challenge extends beyond rising demand to control over supply, as production and processing are concentrated in a few countries. In 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo accounts for nearly three-quarters of global cobalt production, while China dominates graphite production and the processing of many critical mineral resources. This situation is prompting governments to adjust trade policies to ensure supply security, strengthen domestic industries, and reduce reliance on external markets. Since 2020, approximately 100 trade-related measures, including taxes, licensing requirements, and export bans, have been implemented globally. For developing countries rich in mineral resources, this shift presents both opportunities and risks. While increased demand can attract investment and create jobs, UNCTAD highlights that many nations continue to export raw materials, with higher value-added processing occurring elsewhere. With international partnerships rapidly expanding, the report suggests that the next phase of the energy transition will depend not only on access to critical minerals but also on countries’ ability to transform their mineral wealth into broader economic development.
UN Agencies Welcome EU Pact Strengthening Refugee Protections
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have welcomed the European Union’s Migration and Asylum Pact, which entered into force on Friday. The agencies view this as an opportunity to move beyond crisis-driven responses and establish a more predictable and coordinated approach to migration and refugee protection across Europe. According to the UN, the reforms could make asylum systems more efficient and coherent, reducing backlogs while providing refugees and asylum seekers with greater certainty and faster access to protection. IOM Director Amy Pope emphasized, “The priority is to translate the reforms into practical results for states, communities, and people on the move.” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called the pact a “significant step in the right direction,” adding that its implementation must ensure access to protection, uphold human rights, and support safe returns for those without the right to remain. UNHCR and IOM highlighted measures including enhanced legal aid, early identification of vulnerable individuals, and new screening mechanisms at border controls. They stressed that the success of the reforms in delivering fair and humane outcomes will depend on their implementation.
