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Top world news stories this Monday
On the global agenda for Monday, November 17, 2025, highlights include the visit of the President of the UN General Assembly to a sustainable cocoa farm in Brazil, trade tensions involving Brazilian coffee, and new data on the impact of climate on global agricultural production.
UN visits sustainable cocoa project in Brazil
The president of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, visited a cocoa farm in Belém, Pará, on Monday that uses practices to preserve the Amazon rainforest. The project, supported by local cooperatives and NGOs, produces about 120 tons of cocoa per year, generating income for more than 300 families and preventing the deforestation of 1,500 hectares of forest.
According to the UN report, initiatives like this are essential to combat climate change and promote sustainable development. The President of the General Assembly stated that "green economy projects are concrete examples of what can be done to protect the planet and ensure dignity for local communities.".
Trade war: US removes tariffs on Brazilian coffee.
After weeks of negotiations, the United States announced the removal of tariffs on Brazilian coffee, a measure that had been in effect since the beginning of the year. The decision was celebrated by the Brazilian government, which estimates an increase of US$200 million in exports from the sector by the end of 2025.
According to analysts from the Times Brasil newspaper, the measure could benefit around 200,000 coffee producers in Brazil, especially in Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The decision was made after pressure from US importers and due to the drop in international coffee prices, which affected the competitiveness of the Brazilian product.
The impact of climate on global agricultural production.
Recent reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicate that climate change is already affecting 10% of global agricultural production. In Brazil, the prolonged drought in the Central-West region reduced the corn harvest by 15%, while in South Africa the drought affected 20% of wheat production.
According to experts, the trend is for food prices to rise in the coming months, especially in countries dependent on imports. The FAO recommends investments in irrigation technologies and adapting crops to the new climatic conditions.
Photo by Mathias Reding on Unsplash
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