The United Nations on Monday warned of the "appalling and apocalyptic" situation that people in Gaza are grappling with, calling for unimpeded international aid to stop the unfolding "nightmare."
Representatives from over 100 countries, international organizations, and institutions gathered in Cairo on Monday for a ministerial meeting convened by Egypt to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed outlined the harrowing impact of the conflict: over 44,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, the majority of whom are women and children.
Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced at least once, with rampant and acute malnutrition, said the UN chief.
Amid a collapsing health-care system, many losing limbs are undergoing surgeries without even anesthesia, with children accounting for the highest proportion of amputees globally, Guterres said.
The secretary-general also criticized Israel's restrictions on the delivery of aid supplies. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), only 65 aid trucks had been allowed into Gaza daily over the past month, in contrast to a pre-war average of 500.
Guterres called on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law to ensure predictable and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
UN chief urges end to Gaza's humanitarian nightmare
UN chief urges end to Gaza's humanitarian nightmare
South China's Nanning City, the permanent host city of the China-ASEAN Expo, has consolidated its position as a vital hub connecting China's 1.4 billion people with the 600 million of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mayor Hou Gang said on Thursday.
At a thematic dialogue session of the Global Mayors Dialogue, which opened in Nanning, capital city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Wednesday, Hou emphasized the city's strategic location, robust infrastructure, and innovative initiatives that enable Nanning to thrive as a center for trade, connectivity, and regional cooperation.
"Nanning's biggest advantage in opening up to the world is its proximity to ASEAN," said Hou who outlined how the city has achieved three types of connectivity with the cities from ASEAN member countries -- hard, soft, and emotional -- helping to strengthen the ties between China and the 10 ASEAN countries.
Regarding hard connectivity, Hou said that Nanning has established direct flights to 10 cities of ASEAN members, creating what has been dubbed a "four-hour air travel circle," allowing travelers and businesses to move quickly across the region, boosting tourism and economic exchanges.
"You could be enjoying Lao You Fen for breakfast in Nanning, sipping coffee in Hanoi by noon, and eating durian in Kuala Lumpur by the afternoon," Hou said, emphasizing the convenience and accessibility created by these connections.
In terms of soft connectivity, to improve trade efficiency, Nanning has developed one-stop platforms like the China-ASEAN Fruit Trading Center and other exhibition centers for industrial goods like white appliances, electric vehicles, and smartphones, said the mayor, adding that these innovations have streamlined the previously lengthy cross-border trade procedures.
Now, consumers in both China and ASEAN can easily browse, order, and receive goods through a more efficient process, boosting commerce in the region, the mayor said.
Beyond infrastructure and trade, Nanning has fostered emotional bonds with ASEAN countries through initiatives like cross-border medical aid. Hou shared a story to illustrate this: On December 25 last year, a Vietnamese patient was rushed to Nanning through the city's cross-border emergency rescue system. A complex surgery was performed overnight which took seven hours to finish, ultimately saving the patient's life.
"Stories like this show that when our hearts are connected, we only grow closer," said Hou.
As the gateway between China and ASEAN, Nanning has continued to expand its role as a vibrant and dynamic city. With its strategic location, innovative trade platforms, and commitment to fostering cooperation, Nanning is not only strengthening economic ties with the countries in the region, but also building emotional connections that bring the region closer together.
Nanning at heart of connectivity linking China and ASEAN markets: mayor
