On 25 September, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (UNIATF) recognized 12 countries and 7 non-State actors pioneering innovative, multisectoral action on obesity. From bold fiscal policies such as sugar taxes to cutting-edge digital tools and nationwide school meal programmes, these…
New York — Africa’s health agency has called for urgent action on sickle cell disease, warning that most of the 300,000 babies born with the condition each year on the continent die before their fifth birthday, despite cheap and effective treatments. “Sickle cell disease has silently devastated families across Africa for generations,” said H.E. Dr….
From the rainforests of Central America to low-lying atolls in the Pacific and drought-stricken plains in Africa, leaders came to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday with a common message: climate change is no longer a distant threat, but an immediate danger demanding bolder global commitments. Their appeals, sharpened by rising seas, failed harvests…
Leaders from Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan and South Africa, along with representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have expressed concern about the widespread violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) happening in conflicts around the world. The leaders said the violations are causing significant human suffering, and are urging States and…
The room at the Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel in Bole was silent but tense as Sunita Narain, one of the world’s most influential environmental voices, fixed her gaze on rows of African journalists, scientists, and policymakers. Her tone was gentle, but the words cut deep. “Us, we are–I call us the ants of the world,…
New research from Clean Air Task Force (CATF) explores how different timelines for achieving net-zero emissions could shape Africa’s energy, land, water, and development future. The study, Exploring Net-Zero Emissions Pathways for Africa Across Different Timelines , uses the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM) to examine how various levels of climate ambition affect the continent’s…
More than 351 million women and girls could still be living in extreme poverty by the end of the decade if current trends persist. The world is retreating from gender equality, and the cost is being counted in lives, rights, and opportunities. Five years from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline in 2030, none of…
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — African Group of Negotiators (AGN) and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) have called for a reframing of global climate action to be science-driven and responsive to Africa’s growing vulnerability to climate change. Speaking at the 13th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa in Addis Ababa, the capital…
In Ukraine, where war is currently going on with Russia, community mental health teams are providing mental health care to affected families. PHOTO/WHO/Christopher Black. By HEALTH CORRESPONDENT [email protected] More than 1 billion people are living with mental health disorders, according to new data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), with conditions such as anxiety…
Climate change continues to have escalating impacts on the world, making the Conference of the Parties (COP) an essential global climate action platform. Climate-related disasters are increasing worldwide, affecting mostly developing countries that contribute very little to global emissions. In Africa, climate change costs countries between 2% and 5% of their GDP. Some nations even…
