The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Global Clinical Trials Forum (GCTF), a worldwide multi-stakeholder network designed to strengthen clinical trial environments and infrastructure at national, regional, and global levels. The Forum responds to World Health Assembly resolution WHA75.8, which urged WHO to enhance the quality and coordination of clinical trials to generate robust… [Read More]
Burkina Faso’s Journey Against HIV: From Fear to Hope
Alimata, a trader from Dori, Burkina Faso, reflects the transformative impact of HIV treatment in the country. Diagnosed HIV-positive in 2007, she initially feared for her life, facing stigma and uncertainty. Today, with consistent antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, she runs her business and leads a normal life, embodying the progress made in Burkina Faso’s fight against… [Read More]
106 Million Nigerian Children Targeted in Nationwide Measles, Rubella, and Polio Vaccination Campaign
Nigeria has launched one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in its history, targeting approximately 106 million children to protect them against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis. The nationwide initiative combines multiple vaccines and essential child health services into a single drive to ensure efficient delivery across the country. The campaign targets children aged 0–14 years… [Read More]
Global Tobacco Use Persists: WHO Says One in Five Adults Still Smoke
The World Health Organization (WHO) released its latest report on tobacco use, analyzing global smoking trends from 2010 to 2024, and concluded that while progress has been made, the tobacco epidemic remains a major public health challenge. Globally, tobacco use declined from 26.2 percent in 2010 to 19.5 percent in 2023, and the UN health… [Read More]
Women’s Role in Peace and Security Reversing, Says UN Secretary-General
UN Member States convened for their annual open debate on the women, peace, and security agenda, ahead of the 25th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), which recognized the central role of women’s leadership in achieving just and lasting peace. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that while the resolution inspired numerous follow-up initiatives, tangible improvements… [Read More]
International Criminal Court Rules Against Janjaweed Leader in Darfur War Crimes Case
Two decades after the brutal campaign in Darfur that left hundreds of thousands dead, the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered its first conviction linked to the conflict, finding Janjaweed commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The landmark ruling, issued in The Hague after… [Read More]
Gaza: UN Prepares Major Aid Operation Pending US Peace Plan Agreement
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric briefed correspondents in New York that the United Nations is prepared to launch a major aid operation in Gaza as soon as an agreement is reached on the US-mediated peace plan. Indirect talks are underway in Egypt, with Qatar and the United States also facilitating negotiations aimed at ending the conflict… [Read More]
Historic Labour Case: UN World Court Upholds the Right to Strike
The case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) originates from a 2023 request by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO), seeking an advisory opinion on whether the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), includes the right to strike. Adopted in the aftermath of… [Read More]
How Early Learning Assessments Are Unlocking Children’s Potential in Sint Maarten
In a classroom on the island of Sint Maarten, children read together in both English and Dutch under the encouraging gaze of their teacher. This simple scene represents a historic shift in the island’s education system — for the first time, educators and policymakers are equipped with national-level data to understand how well children are… [Read More]
Japan Supports WFP in Delivering Life-Saving School Meals to Children in Sudan
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a contribution of JPY 400 million (approximately US$2.7 million) from the Government of Japan to support school meal programs in Sudan. This crucial funding will help WFP provide nutritious meals to children, encouraging school attendance and improving learning outcomes at a time when schools are reopening… [Read More]
Cambodia to Accelerate Energy Transition with $82.5 Million ADB Reform Program
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the second phase of Cambodia’s Energy Transition Sector Development Program (ETSDP), allocating $82.5 million to accelerate the country’s shift toward clean energy. The program is cofinanced by the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund, the Asia–Pacific Climate Finance Fund, the Green Climate Fund, and the United Kingdom through the ASEAN Catalytic… [Read More]
UK to Host African Development Fund Pledging Session, Underscoring Commitment to Africa’s Growth
The United Kingdom has announced that it will host the African Development Fund’s 17th replenishment pledging session in December, bringing together global donors to agree on funding commitments for the 2026–2028 cycle. The announcement was made by Baroness Jenny Chapman, the UK’s Minister of State for Development and Africa, during a meeting with African Development… [Read More]
Global Anti-Poverty Efforts Stumble as Key Leaders Absent and Aid is Slashed
Global initiatives to tackle poverty and economic inequality hit roadblocks this week after major players were absent from critical G20 and UN meetings, and key donors cut back aid, casting a shadow on the prospects for meaningful progress against global poverty. Key Takeaways Leading economic powers, including the US, China, Japan, and others, skipped critical… [Read More]
600,000 African Smallholders Empowered by Expanded Local Processing Investment
Robust International, a global trader of sesame and cashew nuts headquartered in Singapore, is expanding its presence in Africa with three new processing plants now operational in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique. The company is shifting from traditional trading to a fully integrated supply chain model, aiming to bring more value creation to the… [Read More]
Towards Equitable and Environmentally Friendly Animal Feed Systems
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently brought together policymakers, scientists, producers, civil society representatives, and private sector actors to discuss strategies for ensuring animal feed is safe, nutritious, and sustainably produced. The 2025 edition of the Global Forum for Animal Feed and Feed Regulators, held over two days at FAO… [Read More]
FAO Global Exhibition Highlights Africa’s Journey from Seeds to Foods
From October 10 to 13, 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will mark its 80th anniversary in Rome, Italy, with its inaugural global exhibition, “From Seeds to Foods.” As part of the World Food Forum, the event will showcase agri-food systems from FAO’s six regions, including Africa, Asia and the… [Read More]
Ghana Prepares Media for Nationwide HPV Vaccination Rollout
In recent years, negative press and misinformation surrounding vaccines have undermined public confidence, slowed uptake, and left many people vulnerable to preventable diseases. With Ghana preparing to introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization programme in October 2025, health authorities are focusing on accurate and responsible reporting to ensure that every eligible… [Read More]
Driving High-Impact Innovation in Early Childhood Development with IDB
The Early Childhood Development Innovation Fund, established by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with strategic partners, has significantly improved the lives of over 700,000 children in Latin America and the Caribbean. Over eight years, the fund invested $10 million, benefiting 300,000 parents and caregivers and 5,000 childcare centers across Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica,… [Read More]
Google’s Canadian News Funding: Distribution and Top Beneficiaries Explained
Since May 2025, Canadian news outlets have begun receiving portions of the CAD 100 million that Google committed to pay annually under the Online News Act, passed in 2023. This legislation was designed to ensure that news organizations are compensated when their work generates value for tech platforms. The Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC), a federally… [Read More]
Strengthening Detainee Rights: OSCE Launches Training and Monitoring Framework
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights and the Centre for Development and Justice International, conducted a two-day training course aimed at improving the monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty. The training focused on strengthening Uzbekistan’s capacity to… [Read More]
Red Cross Responds to Cebu Earthquake with Urgent Humanitarian Appeal
The 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Bogo City, Cebu, Philippines, on 30 September 2025 has caused widespread devastation, leaving thousands of families in urgent need of food, clean water, shelter, and medical care. In response, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal… [Read More]
Climate-Smart Innovation Drives Women and Youth Empowerment in Namara District
In Namara District, Tailevu, Fiji, a transformative two-day workshop has launched a Pilot Initiative aimed at strengthening inclusive, climate-smart value-added production across the region. Led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Inclusive Growth Unit, the initiative targets 60 women market vendors and farmers from the villages of Nakalawaca, Naikawaga, Tubalevu, Nakorolevu, and… [Read More]
Feeding the Planet Sustainably: IFAD Highlights Rural Investment and Job Creation at EAT Forum
At the EAT Stockholm Food Forum on 3 October 2025, Gerardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), emphasized the critical role of investments and partnerships in creating resilient food systems that feed a growing global population while generating jobs, stability, and hope for future generations. She highlighted the launch of the… [Read More]
