Regional conflicts all-time high over three decades

At least 183 regional conflicts occurred across the globe in 2023, which is the highest figure over the last three decades, the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said in its annual Armed Conflict Survey, Report informs via TASS.

The number of victims increased by 14% year-on-year, and violence cases surged by 28% annually, according to the report. "This points to an increasingly problematic situation in many parts of the world in terms of humanitarian, stabilization, and reconstruction needs," the Institute said.

Internal terrorism, territorial disputes, an increase in the number of criminal groups, and criminal rivalry are indicated as causes of conflicts. The climatic crisis also exacerbates existing disagreements in unstable countries, according to the IISS.

Conflicts erode "the state’s ability to adapt and address climate impacts, while those same climate impacts contribute to conflict dynamics and governance failures," the report indicates.

The UN's influence weakened because of strains between countries inside the organization, the Institute noted.