Barbados is intensifying efforts to protect mothers and newborns from HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, aiming to achieve international certification for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV by the end of 2025. From September 30 to October 3, 2025, a team from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), along with a regional laboratory… [Read More]
WHO
SADC and Partners Urge Increased Funding for Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Sweden, and several UN agencies including UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and WHO under the 2gether4SRHR initiative, convened a Multisectoral Consultative Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and the Demographic Dividend from 1–3 October 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia. The event,… [Read More]
Is Ending Poverty Possible? Global Efforts and Challenges Explained
The question of whether it is possible to end poverty has long inspired debate and action worldwide. Global leaders and organizations like the United Nations assert that poverty can indeed be eradicated through deliberate human effort and collective will. Nelson Mandela famously stated that poverty, much like slavery and apartheid, is man-made and can be… [Read More]
Girls on the Frontlines: Leading Change Amid Global Crises
On this International Day of the Girl, the focus is on celebrating the courage and leadership of girls worldwide, particularly those living amid crisis and conflict. Girls like Sandra Patricia Aguilar Carabalí in northern Cauca, Colombia, are challenging exclusion and taking active roles in protecting their land, communities, and peace. Three decades after the Beijing… [Read More]
Exploring Industrial Relations: ILO Launches Inaugural Summer School on Social Dialogue
The International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO), with support from the French Government and in collaboration with the ILO, held the inaugural Summer School on Social Dialogue from 16 to 19 September 2025 in Turin, Italy. The event brought together over 60 participants from governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, enterprises, and academia to explore… [Read More]
Global Clinical Trials Forum Launched by WHO to Strengthen Research Collaboration
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]
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]
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]
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]
School Supplies Reach Vulnerable Children in Chad and Jordan Through Qatar Charity
Qatar Charity, with the support of charitable individuals, has implemented two projects to provide educational supplies in Chad and Jordan as part of its ongoing “Education 2025” initiative, coinciding with the start of the new school year. The projects aim to enhance learning opportunities for children who face limited access to quality education. In Chad,… [Read More]
Media Sensitisation Campaign Launched Ahead of HPV Vaccine Drive in Ghana
In recent years, negative press and misinformation around vaccines have undermined public confidence, slowed uptake, and left many 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 prioritizing accurate and responsible reporting to ensure all eligible girls receive the… [Read More]
Advancing Safe Water in Oman: WHO and CEHA Collaborate with Nama Water Services
On 1–2 October 2025, the WHO Regional Centre for Environmental Health Action (CEHA) hosted a strategic planning meeting in Amman, Jordan, with a delegation from Oman’s Nama Water Services (NWS) Company. This follow-up session built on the successful Water Safety Forum held in Muscat in April 2025 and aimed to strengthen collaboration on water and… [Read More]
Transforming Health Care in Georgia: Making Telemedicine a Core Service
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed both the strengths and weaknesses of Georgia’s health system, emphasizing the vital role of rural physicians and the need to enhance their capacity. It also highlighted the potential of digital technologies to improve access to healthcare, especially in remote areas, and reduce disparities in medical services. Recognizing these lessons, Georgia began… [Read More]
Ladakh Unrest Highlights Why Foreign-Funded NGOs Shouldn’t Act as Pressure Groups in India
The recent unrest in Ladakh has brought national attention to the region, not for its landscapes or strategic value, but for the growing tensions surrounding foreign-funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At the center of the controversy stands Sonam Wangchuk, a once-celebrated engineer and environmentalist whose NGO network, previously admired for its innovation in education and sustainability,… [Read More]
Combating Rabies in Haiti: How Vaccines and Awareness Save Lives
Last July, in the remote locality of Butête in southern Haiti, nine-year-old Jonas lost his life to rabies. The boy had been bitten on the leg by a stray dog, and the wound initially seemed minor. Living far from health facilities, his mother was unaware that immediate medical care was critical. Within a week, Jonas… [Read More]
Somalia on Brink of Deeper Hunger as WFP Aid Faces Critical Cuts
The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a severe warning that millions in Somalia face worsening hunger and malnutrition as critical funding shortages are forcing a drastic reduction in life-saving emergency food assistance. Specifically, the agency must slash its coverage by over two-thirds, reducing the number of people receiving food aid from 1.1 million in… [Read More]
