Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO – Report:

.

One in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatments, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report launched today. Between 2018 and 2023, antibiotic resistance rose in over 40% of the pathogen-antibiotic combinations monitored, with an average annual increase of 5–15%. 

Data reported to the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) from over 100 countries cautions that increasing resistance to essential antibiotics poses a growing threat to global health. 

The new Global antibiotic resistance surveillance report 2025 presents, for the first time, resistance prevalence estimates across 22 antibiotics used to treat infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, the bloodstream and those used to treat gonorrhoea. The report covers 8 common bacterial pathogens – Acinetobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, non-typhoidal Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae – each linked to one or more of these infections.

The risk of antibiotic resistance varies across the world 

WHO estimates that antibiotic resistance is highest in the WHO South-East Asian and Eastern Mediterranean Regions, where 1 in 3 reported infections were resistant. In the African Region, 1 in 5 infections was resistant. Resistance is also more common and worsening in places where health systems lack capacity to diagnose or treat bacterial pathogens. 

“Antimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine, threatening the health of families worldwide,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “As countries strengthen their AMR surveillance systems, we must use antibiotics responsibly, and make sure everyone has access to the right medicines, quality-assured diagnostics, and vaccines. Our future also depends on strengthening systems to prevent, diagnose and treat infections and on innovating with next-generation antibiotics and rapid point-of-care molecular tests.”

Gram-negative bacterial pathogens are posing the greatest threat

The new report notes that drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are becoming more dangerous worldwide, with the greatest burden falling on countries least equipped to respond. Among these, E. coli and K. pneumoniae are the leading drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria found in bloodstream infections. These are among the most severe bacterial infections that often result in sepsis, organ failure, and death. Yet more than 40% of E. coli and over 55% of K. pneumoniae globally are now resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, the first-choice treatment for these infections. In the African Region, resistance even exceeds 70%. 

Other essential life-saving antibiotics, including carbapenems and fluoroquinolones, are losing effectiveness against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Salmonella, and Acinetobacter. Carbapenem resistance, once rare, is becoming more frequent, narrowing treatment options and forcing reliance on last-resort antibiotics. And such antibiotics are costly, difficult to access, and often unavailable in low- and middle-income countries.

Welcome progress in AMR surveillance – but more action needed

Country participation in GLASS has increased over four-fold, from 25 countries in 2016 to 104 countries in 2023. However, 48% of countries did not report data to GLASS in 2023 and about half of the reporting countries still lacked the systems to generate reliable data. In fact, countries facing the largest challenges lacked the surveillance capacity to assess their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) situation. 

The political declaration on AMR adopted at the United Nations General Assembly in 2024 set targets to address AMR through strengthening health systems and working with a ‘One Health’ approach coordinating across human health, animal health, and environmental sectors. To combat the growing challenge of AMR, countries must commit to strengthening laboratory systems and generating reliable surveillance data, especially from underserved areas, to inform treatments and policies.

WHO calls on all countries to report high-quality data on AMR and antimicrobial use to GLASS by 2030. Achieving this target will require concerted action to strengthen the quality, geographic coverage, and sharing of AMR surveillance data to track progress. Countries should scale up coordinated interventions designed to address antimicrobial resistance across all levels of healthcare and ensure that treatment guidelines and essential medicines lists align with local resistance patterns.

The report is accompanied by expanded digital content available in the WHO’s GLASS dashboard, which provides global and regional summaries, country profiles based on unadjusted surveillance coverage and AMR data, and detailed information on antimicrobial use.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).

Source: APO – Report:

.

On World Cotton Day 2025, held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Africa’s cotton producers and partners showcased how the sector is driving green growth, local value addition and sustainable trade, powering inclusive industrialization and climate-smart growth under the AfCFTA.

Behind the progress is resilience. Across Africa’s cotton heartlands, farmers and artisans are navigating climate shocks, volatile prices and shifting global markets.

An uncertain horizon for cotton producers

Cotton is the backbone of rural economies across Africa – from Chad to Zambia and Tanzania – but the sector faces mounting challenges. Global trade uncertainties such as the expiration of AGOA preferences and tightening sustainability standards are reshaping export opportunities.

On the ground, farmers contend with erratic rainfall, soil depletion and limited access to technology and finance. A lot of cotton is exported raw, leaving local value and job opportunities untapped.

Across Africa, cotton sustains millions – farmers, spinners, weavers and fashion entrepreneurs. For many women and youth in rural areas, it is a primary source of income. When the sector grows sustainably, entire communities benefit: more children go to school, families invest in livestock and small businesses flourish.

But when prices fall or yields drop, effects ripple through economies and households alike. Sustainable cotton farming, fair trade and local transformation are therefore essential to inclusive development – and central to Africa’s industrialization goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Cotton communities spin a new future for Africa’s rural economy

At World Cotton Day 2025, the International Trade Centre (ITC) joined the FAO, WTO, UNIDO, ICAC, and African governments – including the Cotton Four (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali) alongside Niger and Côte d’Ivoire – to reaffirm a shared commitment: strengthening the cotton-to-clothing value chain from field to fashion.

Through initiatives such as the EU/OACPS Cotton Project, GTEX/MENATEX and the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI), ITC is helping farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs climb the value chain and build climate resilience. 

In Tanzania and Zambia, thousands of smallholder farmers are transforming how they grow cotton. Instead of burning crop residues, they now use them to make biochar – a natural fertilizer that improves soil health, boosts yields and reduces emissions.

In just one year, more than 10,000 farmers in Tanzania adopted these climate-smart practices, increasing yields by up to 20%. Across the border in Zambia, 130,000 smallholders have doubled production while earning the world’s first carbon credit payments in the cotton sector.

At the other end of the value chain, women artisans and young designers are turning African cotton into high-value creations. In Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, EFI connects local weavers and small fashion businesses to global brands, showcasing sustainable African design at international fairs.

These initiatives not only raise incomes but also inspire a new generation of African entrepreneurs linking agriculture, creativity and climate action.

Through its Global Textiles and Clothing (GTEX) programme, ITC strengthens the competitiveness of manufacturers in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, while its UK Trade Partnerships (UKTP) Programme supports firms in Ethiopia and Tanzania to expand intra- and extra-African trade. Together, these efforts support Africa’s ambition to industrialize and create tens of thousands of jobs.

Building an integrated African value chain

Developing the cotton-to-apparel value chain within Africa is critical. Under the AfCFTA, cotton and textiles have the potential to become one of the continent’s most dynamic industries. By investing in value addition, regional trade and sustainability, African countries can retain more value at home, create jobs and compete in global markets. Experts from supply, demand, investment and finance also stressed the need to reinforce extra-continental exports to build the skills and know-how that can, in turn, serve Africa’s internal market.

This is the vision that ITC and its partners are advancing – one where African cotton tells a story of empowerment, innovation and pride, and weaves trade together with sustainable development. As FAO celebrates its 80th anniversary, World Cotton Day 2025 reminds us that cotton is not just a crop – it is the fabric of Africa’s greener, fairer future.

– on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Source: APO – Report:

.

The Government of the Republic of South Africa has noted with deep concern the recent political developments in the Republic of Madagascar. We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the destruction of property that has occurred.

South Africa calls for calm and restraint from all actors and urges them to do everything necessary to avoid any further action that may escalate tensions or worsen the humanitarian situation.

We strongly call upon all parties to respect the democratic process and constitutional order. It is imperative that any disputes be resolved peacefully through inclusive dialogue, cooperation, and established legal mechanisms.

In accordance with the Lomé declaration, South Africa does not support unconstitutional changes of government.

We wish to recall that regional conflict resolution mechanisms remain at the disposal of the people of Madagascar to facilitate dialogue and a peaceful way forward.

Minister Lamola reaffirms South Africa’s commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution that upholds the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and sustainable development for the region.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Source: APO – Report:

.

The South African Government strongly condemns the attacks perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces on 9 October 2025 in El Fasher, North Darfur on a hospital and displacement centre killing at least 20 people. These assaults on civilian infrastructure have resulted in a tragic loss of innocent lives, severe injuries, displacement, and immense human suffering.

These actions have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis. We are deeply alarmed that thousands of civilians, including women and children, remain trapped by the fighting. The sustained attacks since September on places of worship and the central market represent a grave violation of international law.

South Africa stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan, who continue to bear the brunt of this conflict.

We remind all parties of their non-negotiable obligations under international law including international humanitarian law. There must be no impunity for serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The protection of civilians and the safeguarding of essential infrastructure are paramount.

We therefore call for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the safe evacuation of civilians from active conflict zones.

Minister Ronald Lamola reiterates that the only sustainable solution is a negotiated, inclusive, and Sudanese-owned political dialogue. We urge regional and international actors, including the African Union, the United Nations, and IGAD, to intensify efforts to broker a ceasefire and galvanise support for a just political settlement.

South Africa remains ready to support all efforts aimed at ending the suffering of the Sudanese people.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.