This is the News in Brief, from the United Nations.

UN Secretary-General deeply saddened by tragedy in Seoul

The UN Secretary-General says that he is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in the Itaewon District of Seoul in the Republic of Korea over the weekend, in which 154 people died and more than 130 were injured.

There are fears the death toll, due to the stampede in the crowded entertainment district, could rise.

António Guterres expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, many of whom were teenagers and people in their twenties, as well as to the Government and people of South Korea.

An estimated 100,000 people had gathered in Itaewon for the country’s biggest Halloween festivities since the COVID-19 pandemic began and strict rules on gatherings were enforced.

On Monday, the country’s prime minister Han Duck-soo announced a thorough investigation into the stampede, and President Yoon Suk-Yeol declared a day of national mourning.

Global labour market to deteriorate further amid war in Ukraine: ILO

The outlook for global labour markets has worsened in recent months, with job vacancies and job growth likely to decline significantly in the final quarter of 2022, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The 10^th edition of the Monitor on the World of Work finds that rising inflation is causing real wages to fall in many countries.

This comes on top of significant declines in income during the COVID-19 crisis, which affected low-income groups the most in many countries.

The report also finds that labour market inequalities are likely to increase, contributing to a continued divergence between developed and developing economies.

Gilbert Houngbo, ILO Director-General, says that a set of multiple and overlapping crises, compounded by the war in Ukraine, are having a deep impact on the world of work:

“Altogether, this is undoubtedly a grim global picture. But we are not helpless. If we take the right steps, we can shape what happens next. And to do this our policy choices need to be integrated, balanced and comprehensive and take into account sectoral, labour market and social factors as well as the financial factors.”

Progress made but more needed by oil and gas companies to reduce methane emissions

And finally, many oil and gas companies are increasing their efforts to tackle methane, one of the biggest and most solvable contributors to the climate crisis, but more needs to be done, according to a report launched on Monday at a major gathering of the industry.

The report - An Eye on Methane: International Methane Emissions Observatory 2022 - was presented by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Abu Dhabi.

It shows that over 80 oil and gas companies across the world have committed to measuring and reducing their methane emissions.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, said that cutting methane emissions is the fastest way to tackle climate change in the short-term, as it remains in the atmosphere for far fewer years than carbon dioxide.

Despite the relative progress, corporations need to move faster and harder, she urged.

Nicki Chadwick, UN News.