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Week in Review 7 March 2026

War in the Middle East upends the world The US and Israel's bombing of Iran which began last Saturday has had ripple effects across the globe in the wake of counter-strikes from Tehran, threatening to upend the crossroads of the modern global economy: the Middle East. We've been following events live every day and tracking in depth the impact on peace and security as diplomats scramble, while the conflict disrupts humanitarian work and threatens civilian lives across the region and beyond.  The UN's lifesaving work goes on, and we've been keeping you up to date on some of those developments too.  Read on for the rest of this week's key developments from across the UN system.

MIDDLE EAST LIVE 6 March: World economy at grave risk, warns UN chief; 'the situation could spiral beyond anyone's control' Military strikes and counter-strikes are continuing across the Middle East as the US and Israel wage war on Iran. With the world economy at grave risk, 'the situation could spiral beyond anyone's control' warned UN chief António Guterres. "It is time to stop the fighting and get to serious diplomatic negotiations," he urged – adding that the unlawful attacks by all sides are causing tremendous suffering for civilians across the whole Middle East region. Follow our live coverage for updates and reaction from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow here. Read more Peace and Security On day seven of Middle East war, no let-up in suffering The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday. Read more Peace and Security 'The world is looking to you for clarity', UN chief tells AI experts Secretary-General António Guterres told the inaugural meeting of a new independent group of experts on Artificial Intelligence convened by the UN that they have a huge responsibility to help shape how it is used "for the benefit of humanity". Read more Peace and Security Women's rights are regressing worldwide, warns UN gender equality chief As an increase in conflicts leads to a significant spike in gender-based violence, women across the world face a "justice gap" with discriminatory laws reported in most countries, according to a report from gender equality agency UN Women, released on Wednesday.  Read more Women SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Melania Trump presides over historic session on children in conflict The UN Security Council convened in New York under extraordinary circumstances Monday: amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and repeated calls from the UN for restraint by all sides, the Council turns its attention to a long-standing but under-addressed crisis facing children in war zones. The United States, which holds the rotating presidency for March, decided to have First Lady Melania Trump chair the meeting. Usually, the UN ambassador or senior official takes the gavel. While there have been instances of First Ladies taking part in Security Council meetings, today was the first time a sitting First Lady has had the gavel. Follow speaker by speaker below, and UN News app users can go here. For daily in-depth meetings coverage, go here.  Read more Peace and Security UN calls for fair play in the global race for critical minerals Critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt are central to the transition to a zero-carbon economy. As the Security Council meets on Thursday to discuss "energy, critical minerals and security," here is some of the work the UN is doing to ensure that the transition is just and equitable. Read more Economic Development How AI is already reshaping working conditions From delivery couriers compelled to follow the demands of online platform algorithms to content moderators who confront pornography and death every day while training artificial intelligence (AI) systems, the impact of new technologies on working conditions is becoming increasingly obvious. Read more Culture and Education Deadly bombing of Iran primary school 'a grave violation of humanitarian law': UNESCO The UN education agency, UNESCO, says that the bombing of a primary school during the US and Israeli military attacks on Iran on Saturday constitutes a grave violation of humanitarian law. Read more Peace and Security Why medicinal plants matter on World Wildlife Day Medicinal plants and their varied uses span from ancient medicine to modern cosmetics and pharmaceuticals amid a surging demand for more. Read more Climate and Environment

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