Map of the Month

Support for global initiative for international humanitarian law (IHL), to upholding humanity in war

Map of the Month 10/2025

In September 2024, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) together with six founding states, namely Brazil, France, China, Jordan, Kazakhstan and South Africa launched a global initiative to galvanise political commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL) which shall culminate with a High-Level Meeting to Uphold Humanity in War in 2026. Following several rounds of global and regional consultations over the past year in which more than 130 states have participated, the ICRC on 16 October 2025 launched the initiative’s progress report in Geneva which summarises concrete proposals from the states on how to strengthen the respect for IHL, including by updated military training, stronger national accountability mechanisms or by identifying risk factors that heighten the likelihood of violations. As of end-October, 93 states have joined the initiative, including the six founding members and the 27 co-chairs for thematic work streams. As one of the co-chairs, Germany is helping to explore how national IHL committees can be bolstered to further support their governments to fulfil their IHL obligations. 

Key results of the 60th UN Human Rights Council and new composition of the Council in 2026

Map of the Month 10/2025

During the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council that convened in Geneva from 8 September to 8 October 2025, a total of 37 texts were adopted, 30 of them (81%) by consensus. These included, for the first time, the establishment of an Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan, which many observers considered long overdue. The mechanism was tasked with collecting, consolidating, preserving and analysing evidence of international crimes and violations of international law committed in Afghanistan, including against women and girls, as well as identifying perpetrators. Further resolutions were adopted on the Russian Federation, Sudan and Burundi, among others. More than 95 reports were considered during the session, including the latest report by the UN Secretary-General on reprisals and intimidation against individuals who cooperate or have cooperated with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. On 14 October, the UN General Assembly also elected 11 new members and re-elected 3 members to the Council for the 2026-2028 term. This year’s elections have been the fifth, totally uncompetitive elections since the first HRC elections took place in 2007. Thus, all regional groups pre-selected the exact number of states for the vacant seats. As a result, five candidates (Egypt, India, Iraq, Pakistan and Vietnam) made it onto the Council, all of which were also mentioned in the UN Secretary-General's latest report on reprisals.

Proliferation of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in WHO regions

Map of the Month 10/2025

The WHO Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025 presents the most comprehensive global analysis to date of the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The report reveals that in 2023, one in six bacterial infections no longer responded to antibiotics, with resistance increasing in over 40% of monitored pathogen–antibiotic combinations since 2018. Resistance was most prevalent in urinary tract and bloodstream infections, while it occurred less frequently in gastrointestinal and urogenital infections. The South-East Asia, African, and Eastern Mediterranean regions were the most affected. To confront the growing threat of AMR, WHO urges all countries to strengthen laboratory capacity, produce reliable surveillance data, and report high-quality information on resistance and antibiotic use to GLASS by 2030.

Ratifications of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

Map of the Month 09/2025

On 15 September 2025, the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies entered into force after Brazil, Kenya, Tonga and Vietnam completed the decisive ratifications. The agreement, which came about after more than 20 years of negotiations, is considered a historic milestone for the WTO and is the first multilateral, legally binding pact on environmental sustainability. 111 ratifications (two-thirds of WTO membership) were required for it to enter into force. The total number of ratifications now stands at 112, with more in the pipeline. The agreement curtails harmful subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (FISH1), while negotiations on subsidies regarding overcapacity and overfishing (FISH2) are still ongoing and must be concluded within four years. In addition, the entry into force of the Agreement also activate the WTO Fisheries Fund, which will support developing countries and least developed countries in implementing the Agreement.

Humanitarian aid under attack - aid workers killed in conflicts in 2024 and 2025

Map of the Month 08/2025

The maps illustrate the number of aid workers who lost their lives while carrying out their work in 2024 and 2025. While 2024 has been the deadliest year on record (since 1997) for aid workers, 2025 is set to be worse. While in 383 fatalities were reported across 27 countries in 2024, 265 fatalities have been reported until August 2025 out of which 173 have been reported from Gaza alone, which - like in the previous year-, remains the deadliest context for aid workers worldwide. The situation is Gaza is followed by Sudan with 36 fatalities, South Sudan with 14 and DR-Congo with 10. The rising numbers not only reflect the intensity of violence in armed conflicts, but also mark a retreat by states from norms of international humanitarian law (IHL). In addition, humanitarian funding is being cut which also affects humanitarian staff and puts them in even greater danger. 

Key votes during the 59th UN Human Rights Council

Während des 59. UN-Menschenrechtsrats, welcher vom 16. Juni bis 9. Juli in Genf tagte, wurden insgesamt 25 Resolutionen und eine Entscheidung angenommen. 19 Resolutionen (76%) wurden im Konsens und 6 nach einer Abstimmung verabschiedet. Eine Resolution zur Nichtverlängerung des Mandats des UN-Sonderberichterstatters zur Menschenrechtslage in Eritrea wurde nach einer Abstimmung hingegen abgelehnt. Frauenrechte, aber auch Fragen von sexueller Orientierung und Geschlechtsidentität gelten als zentrales Thema der Juni-Sitzungen des Rates. Hier konnten einige Texte im Konsens angenommen werden, etwa das Mandat der Arbeitsgruppe zur Diskriminierung von Frauen und Mädchen oder eine erste dedizierte Resolution zu weiblicher Genitalverstümmelung (FGM). Hingegen wurde die Mandatsverlängerung des unabhängigen Experten zum Schutz vor Gewalt und Diskriminierung aufgrund von sexueller Orientierung und Geschlechtsidentität (SOGI) erneut abgestimmt. Weitere Texte, welcher einer Abstimmung bedurften, zählte auch ein Text zur Unterstützung der Ukraine im Menschenrechtsbereich oder zum Zugang zu Medikamenten, Impfstoffen und anderen Gesundheitsprodukten, ein Thema welches auch im Rahmen der 78. Weltgesundheitsversammlung (WHA) und den Debatten um das sog. System für Zugang zu und gerechte Teilung von Nutzen aus pandemierelevanten Materialien und Daten, kurz "PABS" für Kontroversen sorgte.   

Forced Displacement 2024 - Host countries, countries of origin and contributions to the UNHCR

Map of the Month 06/2025

Worldwide, 123.3 million people were displaced by the end of 2024, according to the new Global Trends Report 2025 published by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This constitutes an increase of 6% or 7 million people compared to the previous year and almost twice as many as a decade ago, which was mainly driven by escalating conflicts such as in Sudan, Myanmar, gang violence in Haiti, the war in Gaza and with Lebanon or escalating fighting in the DR-Congo, the Sahel region or Ukraine. With 14.3 million displaced people, Sudan is currently the largest displacement crisis in the world. Despite the rising needs, the UNHCR is facing chronic underfunding. By end-May 2025, only 22% of its budget (2,3 bn out of 10,6 bn. USD) has been covered, once again less than in the previous year. Due to the major funding shortfall and the financial uncertainty due to the U.S. foreign aid freeze in particularly, the UNHCR announced to cut global staffing costs by 30%. The UNHCR has been heavily reliant on US funding (traditionally covering around 40% of its budget). According to High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, it is not merely a funding shortfall, but a "crisis of responsibility". The cost of inaction will not least be measured by further instability. 

Key votes during the 78th World Health Assembly

Map of the Month 05/2025

The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) took place against a backdrop of persistent geopolitical tensions and challenges—evident, for instance, in the conspicuous absence of the United States and the ongoing dispute over Taiwan’s status within the organisation. Despite unfavourable circumstances, key health policy initiatives with the potential to benefit future generations were adopted or reaffirmed. These include a multilateral pandemic agreement, the next steps in reforming the International Health Regulations (IHR), and—recognizing the signs of the times—a global climate action plan. Further, new health priorities were incorporated into the WHO agenda, signalling that while global cooperation remains arduous, it can, under pressure, yield essential results.