Bolivia has become the 14th country in Latin America to ban child marriage, following a sustained campaign led by girls across the country and organizations including Save the Children, IPAS Bolivia, and Coordinadora de la Mujer. The Bolivian parliament passed legislation this week prohibiting marriages and civil unions involving children, ending the previous legal exception… [Read More]
cat
UN Presses Ahead with Mission for a Better World Despite Global Challenges
The Secretary-General’s annual report, released ahead of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, provides a candid assessment of the Organization’s efforts amid growing global challenges. Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the resilience and dedication of UN personnel, emphasizing that even in extraordinarily difficult circumstances, the UN must continue striving toward a better, more equitable… [Read More]
Estonia’s Success in Tackling Noncommunicable Diseases: Key Lessons Learned
Estonia has achieved remarkable progress in reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases and cancer, making it one of ten WHO European Region Member States to reach the 2025 NCD Global Monitoring Framework target of a 25% reduction in premature mortality. Despite being a small country with limited resources, Estonia’s commitment to… [Read More]
Promoting Health Through Sports: WHO Launches New Guide for Clubs and Communities
WHO/Europe has launched a new guidance tool aimed at promoting health through sports by supporting sports clubs, managers, and decision-makers to integrate health promotion into the core of their activities. While sport is widely recognized for its physical, mental, and social benefits, participation alone does not automatically ensure improved health outcomes, as risks such as… [Read More]
UNGA: PAHO Joins Global Call for Action at High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health
On 25 September, global leaders will convene at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York for the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The meeting aims to adopt a Political Declaration to accelerate global efforts to reduce the… [Read More]
Slowing Progress on NCDs and Mental Health: WHO Calls for Affordable Interventions
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report titled “Saving Lives, Spending Less”, highlighting that an additional investment of just US$3 per person annually in combating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) could generate economic benefits of up to US$1 trillion by 2030. The report also analyzes country-level progress in reducing NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019…. [Read More]
Lesotho Strengthens One Health Collaboration Through National Bridging Workshop
Lesotho has taken significant steps to strengthen coordination between human, animal, and environmental health sectors through a three-day National Bridging Workshop held in Maseru District. The workshop, organized by the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Food Security, and Environment in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the… [Read More]
WHO Raises Alarm Over Rising Suicide Rates in Eswatini
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concern over the rising number of suicides in Eswatini, urging urgent and coordinated action to save lives. The Kingdom of Eswatini ranks second globally in suicide rates, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Speaking ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day in Mbabane, WHO Eswatini Representative Dr. Susan Tembo… [Read More]
Democratic Republic of the Congo Accelerates Response to End Ebola Outbreak
The response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is accelerating, with intensified measures aimed at breaking the chain of transmission. Since the declaration of the outbreak on 4 September 2025, major progress has been achieved in detection, treatment, vaccination, and contact tracing. Monitoring of confirmed case contacts has risen… [Read More]
Modern Laboratory Enhances Côte d’Ivoire’s Fight Against Polio
Côte d’Ivoire has taken an important step in strengthening its fight against poliovirus with the launch of an upgraded laboratory in Abidjan. The facility, based at the Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, is designed to improve the detection and timely response to polio cases, ensuring children are better protected from the debilitating disease. The new… [Read More]
What Is Antifa? Trump’s ‘Major Terrorist’ Label Explained
Former US President Donald Trump recently announced on his Truth Social platform that he was designating antifa as a “major terrorist organization.” In his post, he described the movement as “a sick, dangerous, radical left disaster” and called for investigations into its alleged funders. This is not the first time Trump has targeted antifa, as… [Read More]
EBRD Boosts Youth Entrepreneurship and Startups in Morocco
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a loan of up to €10 million in local currency to Fondation Arrawaj, a leading Moroccan microlender, to support young entrepreneurs in the country. The financing comes under the EBRD’s Youth in Business programme and will prioritize private micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) owned… [Read More]
EBRD Supports Infinity Power’s First Greenfield Wind Farm Project in Egypt
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a financing package worth US$ 74.1 million to support the development of a 200 MW wind farm in Ras Ghareb, Egypt. The project, jointly owned by Infinity Power and Masdar, will receive an EBRD senior loan of up to US$ 60.7 million, a concessional loan… [Read More]
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: Strategic Partnership Empowers Youth with Careers and Opportunities
Jim Bowman, Chairperson of the New Jersey Advisory Board for Think Big for Kids, recognized the need for a strong alliance to advance the organization’s mission of breaking the cycle of poverty for teens and young adults. Drawing on his long-standing commitment to the nonprofit, Bowman turned to the Association for Corporate Growth New Jersey… [Read More]
Africa Leads the Way: Kigali Roundtable Champions Responsible AI for Inclusive Development
Kigali became a hub for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) on August 20, 2025, as the Canadian High Commission in Rwanda, IDRC, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) co-hosted a high-level roundtable alongside the annual Deep Learning Indaba, Africa’s premier gathering of machine learning and AI experts. The event spotlighted African-led AI innovations… [Read More]
Mobile Health Teams Provide Lifeline for Gender-Based Violence Survivors in Hebron
Ayat, a 29-year-old mother of four who is expecting another child, lives in Deir Al Shams, a rural village in southern Hebron where health services are scarce and social connections for women are limited. For her and others in the community, even a simple doctor’s visit requires costly travel to the city. With the recent… [Read More]
Education Cannot Wait Provides Schooling to 14 Million Children in Crisis Zones Worldwide
Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, has released its Investing in Futures: 2024 Annual Results Report. The report shows that by mid-point of its 2023–2026 Strategic Plan, ECW and its partners have reached 8.3 million crisis-affected children and adolescents across 33 countries with inclusive, quality… [Read More]
Zanzibar Sets Sail for Inclusive Growth: New UN-Backed Programmes Tackle Climate Change and Empower Communities
Zanzibar has launched two groundbreaking joint programmes designed to drive inclusive growth, women’s economic empowerment, and climate resilience across the northern regions of Unguja and Pemba. Spearheaded by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the United Nations, and key development partners, these initiatives aim to uplift vulnerable communities while advancing the country’s blue economy and Sustainable… [Read More]
EU Moves to Fund Ukraine with Frozen Russian Assets, Bypassing Hungary’s Veto
The European Union is weighing a proposal to create a “reparation loan” for Ukraine, secured by frozen Russian assets, in an effort to bolster Kyiv’s wartime finances while sidestepping Hungary’s repeated vetoes. Hungary, which maintains close ties with Moscow, has consistently opposed sanctions on Russia and blocked Ukraine’s EU accession talks, testing the bloc’s unity… [Read More]
First Workers Receive Compensation Under Bangladesh’s Groundbreaking Employment Injury Scheme
Bangladesh has begun delivering long-awaited compensation to workers and families affected by workplace accidents in its export processing zones (EPZs), marking a historic step in strengthening social security for the country’s export-oriented industries. The first beneficiaries of the pilot Employment Injury Scheme (EIS)—two families of deceased workers and one worker with a permanent disability—have officially… [Read More]
“No End in Sight”: UN Warns of Intensifying Floods, Storms, and Melting Glaciers as Planet Heats Up
The world is facing an escalating water crisis as climate change drives more destructive floods, storms, and droughts, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned in a new report released on Thursday. With 2024 confirmed as the hottest year in 175 years of observation, global water systems are under mounting pressure, and experts say the… [Read More]
UNGA80: World Leaders Unite to Tackle War, Climate, AI, and Equality in Historic 80th Session
The world’s most influential voices are gathering in New York City as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) opens its landmark 80th session, setting the stage for one of the most consequential global meetings in recent history. From 23 to 29 September 2025, leaders from all 193 UN Member States, alongside international organizations and key… [Read More]
Lebanon Showcases School Meals Success and Community Impact at Global Summit
Lebanon highlighted the remarkable growth and impact of its national school meals programme at the Second School Meals Coalition Global Summit, held under the high patronage of the President of Brazil on 18–19 September 2025. The two-day gathering brought together leaders from member states, UN agencies, financial institutions, NGOs, philanthropies, and research organizations to assess… [Read More]
