“We are rushing to prepare regulations atop a foundation of scientific uncertainty, in direct contradiction of our obligation under Article 145 of UNCLOS to protect the marine environment. This is not urgency born of science, but acceleration shaped by external pressure. We must be guided by principle, and not by artificial deadlines.” President Surangel Whipps…
Africa, a continent brimming with potential, has long grappled with a significant obstacle: insufficient financing to unlock its vast natural resources and harness its abundant human capital. This persistent financial gap has often stifled development and limited the continent’s ability to compete effectively on the global stage. However, a powerful, home grown solution has been…
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada — The UN80 Initiative, unveiled in March by Secretary-General António Guterres, is a system-wide effort to reaffirm the UN’s relevance for a rapidly changing world. The Initiative comes at a time of brutal budget cuts across the UN system. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees is cutting 3,500 jobs and…
New York — Two-thirds of the developing world, or ninety-five out of 143 economies, are dependent on commodities for export value, making up 60 percent of their merchandise exports. For the least developed world, this number rises to 80 percent, leaving entire nation’s revenue vulnerable to price swings, fiscal shocks, and evolving trade compositions. Hidden…
The debate between positivist and normative frameworks shifts focus from power and profit to planet and people As foreign governments and corporations race to secure critical minerals across Africa, the language of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles is becoming more prominent. Behind the policy papers and investment pledges lies a deeper philosophical struggle-how should…
North America’s premier African music festival, Nuits D’Afrique in Montreal, just wrapped up its 39th edition. Afropop Worldwide was there, and we caught 22 bands, many of them Canadian-based, and all quite excellent. And that was just for the last five days of the 12-day extravaganza, the free outdoor portion that takes place in open…
Churchgoers Killed in DR Congo Attack Linked to Islamic State-Affiliated Forces Dozens of people were killed in a brutal attack by the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the town of Komanda, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. At least 20 victims were worshippers attending a night vigil at a church when the militants…
United Nations — The growing opposition to the UN80 restructuring plan — which has come under heavy fire from staff unions – has now reached the upper echelons of the world body. A motion, adopted at an Extraordinary General Assembly meeting, held July 24, by the Staff Union Council in Geneva (UNOG), reads “The staff…
In a world increasingly shaped by climate extremes, environmental experts are delivering a blunt warning: four rapidly emerging threats could reshape life for millions unless urgent action is taken. From ancient microbes awakening in melting glaciers to toxic pollutants unleashed by floods, the dangers are no longer distant or theoretical. They are here, and they…
The African Union (AU) on Saturday welcomed France’s announcement to officially recognize the State of Palestine, describing it as a “significant step” that aligns with the AU’s longstanding position. In a statement issued Saturday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron, expressing his intention to recognize the State…
