The African Development Fund’s Board of Directors has approved a $14.64 million grant to finance Project 2 of the Programme to Strengthen Resilience to Food and Nutrition Insecurity in the Sahel. The decision, announced in Abidjan on 21 November 2025, provides additional support to help Sahelian communities confront growing climate challenges. The financing comes through… [Read More]
Violence Against Women and Girls Remains High Across Western Pacific, WHO Finds
Updated data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that violence against women and girls remains a widespread and persistent issue globally. Nearly one in three women and girls experience intimate partner or sexual violence during their lifetime, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2000. This enduring problem represents a major public health… [Read More]
WHO Recognizes Public Health Wales as Centre for Advancing Digital Health Equity
WHO/Europe has designated Public Health Wales in the United Kingdom as a new collaborating centre for digital health equity. This partnership will play a pivotal role in shaping WHO’s initiatives on digital health equity and fostering collaboration and advocacy among stakeholders across the European region. A 2022 study by WHO/Europe and Public Health Wales highlighted… [Read More]
WHO Partners with Egypt to Boost ARI Detection and Response Systems
On 23 November 2025, Cairo hosted the annual meeting and workshop on integrated surveillance of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Egypt. Around 270 public health professionals, including epidemiologists, data officers, physicians, nurses, and laboratory specialists from… [Read More]
Global strategy: WHO launches framework to fight antimicrobial resistance in HIV, hepatitis, and STIs
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the Integrated Drug Resistance Action Framework for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 2026–2030, providing a strategic roadmap to tackle the growing threat of drug resistance and protect progress toward ending AIDS, hepatitis, and STI epidemics as major public health concerns. The framework emphasizes… [Read More]
Promoting mental health: WHO launches cross-sectoral guidance for governments
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidance aimed at protecting and promoting mental health across all government sectors, advancing a “mental health in all policies” approach. For the first time, the guidance outlines what individual government sectors can do, as well as how they can collaborate, to support population-wide mental health and well-being…. [Read More]
Ministry of Health, WHO, and WDF Collaborate to Enhance NCD Prevention and Care in Uganda
At Maziba Health Centre IV in Kabale district, Uganda, patients like Sarah are now receiving integrated screening for hypertension and diabetes, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Diabetes Foundation (WDF). These services provide patients with clear information about their health status and a management plan, marking a shift towards holistic, patient-centred care…. [Read More]
Enhancing Partnerships to Safeguard Against Health-Related Financial Hardships
Brazzaville — The World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region and the African Union Institute for Statistics (STATAFRIC) are strengthening collaboration to improve how African countries measure health spending and monitor financial protection. By enhancing the quality of health data, the partnership aims to help governments make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and advance… [Read More]
First-Ever Competency-Based Health Professions Curriculum Launched by WHO in Africa
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has launched the first-ever Africa Prototype Competency-Based Curricula for ten priority health professions, marking a major shift in the training and preparation of the region’s health workforce. The launch, held in Pretoria with satellite events in multiple countries, moves away from theory-heavy training toward competency-based education… [Read More]
Closing Data Gaps: AFCAS29 Highlights Challenges in Africa’s Agricultural Statistics for Policy
The 29th Session of the African Commission on Agricultural Statistics (AFCAS29) opened in Hammamet, Tunisia, emphasizing the urgent need for high-quality agricultural statistics to support Africa’s agrifood systems. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Tunisian government, the event brought together statistics experts from over 40… [Read More]
Strengthening Biosecurity and Sustainable Practices to Fight AMR in Plants and Aquaculture
Kadoma – Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly recognized as a major threat to global health, food security, and sustainable agricultural systems, impacting productivity, trade, and environmental stability. While Zimbabwe has made progress in AMR surveillance across human, animal, and environmental health, gaps persist in the plant and aquaculture sectors, which are vital for national food… [Read More]
Farmer Field Schools Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance in the Poultry Value Chain
In Zimbabwe, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as a significant threat to poultry health and food security, as micro-organisms develop the ability to survive exposure to antimicrobial agents. To address this challenge, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Fleming Fund grant and in collaboration with the Government… [Read More]
Canada Launches Digital Export Certification to Streamline Grain Trade with Mexico
As of November 3, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) began issuing electronic phytosanitary export certificates for grains and grain products destined for Mexico. These certificates serve as official documents certifying that the products have been inspected according to required procedures, are free from regulated pests, and meet the current phytosanitary requirements of the… [Read More]
UK THINK! Initiative Targets Drug Driving with Decade-First Campaign
The UK government-backed THINK! campaign has launched its first drug driving awareness initiative in a decade, aiming to highlight the risks and consequences of driving under the influence of drugs. The campaign, which began on 24 November 2025, seeks to curb the rising number of drug-related collisions and prevent tragedies on roads across England and… [Read More]
€3 Million Allocated to Support Community Biodiversity Initiatives, Says Minister O’Sullivan
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has launched the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026, making €3 million available to local authorities across Ireland to support biodiversity projects. Managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the fund aims to promote research, habitat management, invasive species control, and other locally-led… [Read More]
Ireland’s Sheep Improvement Scheme: Minister Heydon Confirms Nearly €17 Million in Payments
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced the commencement of Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) payments valued at €16.91 million to 15,527 farmers. The scheme, now in its third year, provides €12 per breeding ewe to support initiatives that enhance animal health and welfare in Ireland’s sheep sector. Combined with the… [Read More]
Atlantic Technological University Introduces New Veterinary Medicine Programme Under Minister Lawless
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, officially launched the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Veterinary Medicine Programme, a key initiative under the Government’s Veterinary Places Activation Programme (VPAP). The launch, supported by Minister Martin Heydon and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, marks a major milestone in… [Read More]
Kenya Turns School Feeding into Climate-Smart Strategies for Education and Sustainability
UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya Stephen Jackson highlights how the country’s climate-friendly school feeding programme is transforming public–private partnerships and serving as a driver for inclusive growth. The initiative leverages UN-supported innovative financing mechanisms to turn national budgets and local markets into engines of development, connecting farmers, schools, and communities in mutually beneficial ways. During… [Read More]
Global Campaign by IOM Aims to Empower Survivors of Human Trafficking
The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched Anyone a Victim, a global campaign aimed at preventing human trafficking and expanding support for survivors. The initiative seeks to raise public awareness, mobilize funding for protection programs, and emphasize that trafficking remains a widespread human rights violation worldwide. IOM Director General Amy Pope highlighted… [Read More]
Tripartite Dialogue in Mongolia Adopts Recommendations to Promote Responsible Business and Workers’ Rights
Representatives from the Government of Mongolia, employers’ organizations, and workers’ groups developed an action plan containing key policy recommendations following a national tripartite dialogue on promoting sustainable and responsible business practices for decent work and inclusive growth, held on 14–15 October 2025. Alimaa Baasansuren, Director General of the Labour Policy Department, reaffirmed Mongolia’s commitment to… [Read More]
ILO Partners with Vanuatu to Introduce Country’s First National Employment Policy
The Government of Vanuatu has launched its first-ever National Employment Policy (NEP) for 2025–2030, marking a historic step toward promoting decent work, inclusive growth, and sustainable livelihoods across the country. Developed through extensive consultations with tripartite partners, provincial authorities, and development stakeholders, the policy provides a framework to address key employment challenges, including the creation… [Read More]
Strengthening Social Security in Zambia: ILO Pledges Expertise to NAPSA
NAPSA Director General, Mr. Muyangwa Muyangwa, met with ILO Country Office Director for Zambia and Malawi, Mr. Wellington Chibebe, in Lusaka, where the ILO pledged to provide technical and specialized support to strengthen Zambia’s social security systems. Mr. Chibebe emphasized that the ILO can assist NAPSA with actuarial valuations, policy development, and capacity building, while… [Read More]
New ILO Digital Agri-Business Hub Opens in Hawassa, Sidama Region, Ethiopia
The Sidama Region of Ethiopia has taken a significant step toward modernizing agriculture and expanding job opportunities with the launch of the AgriConnect Digital Agri-Business Hub and the Sidama Agricultural Innovation Exhibition 2025 in Hawassa. The initiative brings together government leaders, the ILO, development partners, private-sector actors, youth and women entrepreneurs, and research institutions to… [Read More]
