Afghanistan faces a “cultural disaster”, following the fall of Kabul to Taliban forces, a UN Special Rapporteur said on Tuesday, in a statement urging countries to provide urgent assistance to human rights defenders, including those working on women’s and cultural rights, as well as artists, trying to flee the country.

The Takeaway: UN General Assembly debate Day 5
Lavrov issues call for new Eurasian ‘security architecture’
Cuba warns against ‘law of the jungle’ as Foreign Minister denounces US pressure
Saudi Arabia warns Gulf security inseparable from global stability amid regional tensions
Countries far from conflict paying the price for wars not their own, India tells UN
Canada urges stronger partnerships as global order faces ‘rupture’