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30th Conference of the Parties (COP30): The African Development Bank Highlights the essential role of climate finance for conflict-affected countries

Source: APO – Report:

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) is playing a key role in supporting conflict-affected countries facing climate disruptions, Bank officials emphasised during a COP30 panel discussion on 12 November in Belém.

Through its Climate Action Window, established in 2022, the Bank Group has supported 41 projects worth $322 million and mobilised an additional $1.6 billion in co-financing, while building an adaptation pipeline of nearly $2 billion, according to Kevin Kariuki, Bank Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth.

Kariuki spoke during “Bridging the Gap: Making Climate Finance Work for the Underserved,” a side event co-organised by ODI Global and the United Nations Climate Security Mechanism.

“We must ensure that climate finance benefits the most underserved populations, especially those living in areas where security crises overlap with climate distress,” said Rebecca Nadin, Director of Global Risks and Resilience at ODI Global.

The session brought together leaders from climate finance institutions, government representatives, and multilateral development agencies to explore ways to scale up climate finance for countries most vulnerable to climate change, particularly those affected by conflict.

Oumar Gadji Soumaila, Director General of Chad’s Special Environmental Fund, stressed that “climate investments in conflict-affected areas are often the only support they receive, hence their essential nature.” He pointed to communities around Lake Chad where climate financing has been vital for survival amid ongoing insecurity.

The Climate Action Window, created during the African Development Fund’s 16th replenishment with contributions from Germany, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, and Norway, dedicates funds exclusively to low-income, fragile and climate-vulnerable countries. The African Development Fund is the concessional lending arm of the African Development Bank Group

The funding breakdown reflects these nations’ urgent needs:

  • 75% allocated to adaptation projects
  • 15% to mitigation efforts
  • 10% to technical assistance
  • 64% of adaptation financing provided as grants

Several African nations are advancing climate-security policies. Burkina Faso has already adopted a national framework, while the Liptako-Gourma Authority (https://LiptakoGourma.org)—bringing together Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—plans to adopt a regional policy by end-2026.

New Momentum at COP30

The Belém discussions generated fresh political momentum. Mauritania announced its intention to join the climate security platform, and Germany, Italy, Croatia and other countries pledged new contributions to the United Nations Climate Security Mechanism to help nations facing both security and climate crises.

The event highlighted opportunities for collective action to make climate finance more accessible and effective in fragile contexts, emphasising national platforms as central mechanisms for delivering support.

The CSM is a joint UN initiative involving departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Peace Operations, that is working to analyze climate-security links and develop response strategies.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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First Consultative Session to Prepare National Human Rights Action Plan Convenes in Doha

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, November 16, 2025

The first consultative session to prepare the National Human Rights Action Plan (2026-2030) convened in Doha Sunday.

The session was attended by HE President of the Supreme Judiciary Council and President of the Court of Cassation Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Al Hassan Al Mohannadi, HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, HE Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, and HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah.

Also attending were several officials and representatives of government agencies and national institutions, as well as a top tier of experts and representatives of civil society.

The session is intended to weigh in on the key themes of this action plan, identify challenges and gaps, and listen to the attendees’ views and feedback that would literally help prepare a holistic plan that reflects the community’s needs and aspirations.

Overall, the session features bountiful deliberations that highlight the priorities for the upcoming period within the national framework for human rights.

In her opening remarks, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairperson of the national committee for preparing the National Human Rights Action Plan Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad welcomed the participants, affirming that their participation underscores the State of Qatar’s enduring commitment to the values of human dignity, justice, equality, and the rule of law, values that essentially shape the essence of Islamic Sharia, Qatar’s Permanent Constitution, and Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030).

The preparation of this plan is neither a procedural action nor a tradition the world simply intends to pursue, but rather a national vision that expresses the collective will to bolster the system of rights and freedoms and the principles that place humans at the core of development and its aims, HE Al Misnad underscored.

She added that from this position the plan, which needs invaluable contributions in terms of preparation and execution, represents a practical road map that primarily aims to transform values into legislation and policies and principles into measurable realistic practices, and at the end of the day human rights become a guiding approach in planning and crafting public policies in a variety of fields.

The move, she adds, comes in the wake of accelerating challenges the world is witnessing today in terms of climate change and digital transformation, as well as the resulting complexities that affect people’s lives and daily affairs.

HE Al Misnad noted the Doha Political Declaration issued at the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, which underscores the inextricable link between achieving social justice and reinforcing respect for human rights.

The declaration, she said, calls for a rights based approach to shaping and advancing social policies, upholding the rule of law and good governance, ensuring unencumbered access to justice, and building effective institutions. It also emphasizes broadening community participation for all stakeholders so that development remains human centered, affirming that social protection is a right, not a largesse.

This plan represents an opportunity to translate the substance of the Declaration at the national level and to embody the nation’s commitment to social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs anchored in human dignity, justice, and solidarity both domestically and within the international community, she points out.

Al Misnad further noted that the committee responsible for drafting this plan is laser focused on ensuring that the drafting process is grounded in five core principles, chiefly the universality, indivisibility, complementarity, and interdependence of human rights.

This is literally the approach that binds their promotion, protection, and fulfillment to the shared religious, human, constitutional, and international values that underpin them, and to transparency and openness in sharing information and assessing the current landscape with all its achievements and challenges, and to broad based partnership and community participation through the engagement of state institutions, civil society, the private sector, academia, the media, and all stakeholders, reaffirming the principle of leaving no one behind, she outlines.

Al Misnad stressed that institutional integration is essential to ensure the effective execution of the agreed upon actions, supported by continuous follow up and periodic evaluation to refine performance and safeguard the sustainability of the gains that have been achieved.

In addition, Her Excellency expressed her profound belief that these five principles serve as a springboard for crafting a realistic, actionable, and impact sustained National Plan, one that stands in lockstep with QNV2030, which places the human being at the core of development, and with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, which foregrounds good governance, human empowerment, and the preservation of social justice within a balanced national framework.

The aspiration is for this plan to emerge as a unifying document that captures the shared vision of both the nation and society and becomes a national role model rooted in rights based planning, Her Excellency noted.

She elaborated that the success of these consultative sessions hinges on engagement, constructive criticism, unencumbered reflections, inspiring ideas, and insightful proposals. This collective input, she highlights, will flip the script from mere textual commitments to a results driven plan whose impact is concrete in people’s lives, not confined to rhetoric.

Al Misnad extended her profound gratitude to all partners from ministries, governmental and national bodies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector for their support and their engagement that is capped by success.

Her Excellency further extended her profound gratitude to global partners for their steadfast engagement and for lending depth to this national endeavor, affirming that she looks forward to the outcomes of their constructive dialogue that confidently redound to the benefit of the cherished nation and valued society.

Through collective effort, human rights are firmly anchored within the nation and the future of the coming generations is safeguarded, she stated.

The assigned committee underscored that convening this session forms part of a participatory approach that reinforces transparency and ensures the broad inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in shaping the plan.

This aligns with the Permanent Constitution of Qatar, QNV2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and international human rights standards.

The committee noted that the session reconvenes Monday to continue discussions on the remaining pillars of this plan. It adds that additional thematic and forward looking sessions are held to guarantee the engagement of all segments of society in the formulation process, a step intended to ensure that no one is left behind and that the effort is capped by success in every conceivable way.

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Dr. Rasha Kelej & First Ladies of Africa & Asia call for action to Build Healthcare and Media capacity, Break Infertility Stigma & Support Girl Education during 2025 Merck Foundation First Ladies initiative – MFFLI

Source: APO – Report:

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 on 19th and 20th June. The summit was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative along with The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

  • H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe
  • H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Senegal
  • H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
  • H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives
  • H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
  • H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya
  • H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
  • H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
  • H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic
  • H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of the Central African Republic
  • H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
  • H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of the Republic of Angola

Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “I am very proud to conduct Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiatives –MFFLI, together with our Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of 14 African and Asian Countries, who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. I extend a special welcome to the new members joining our platform. Together we reflected on the impact of our programs and discussed our strategy to continue and explant our efforts to build healthcare capacity and raise awareness on a wide range of sensitive and critical social issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Stopping GBV, Women Empowerment, and important health issues like Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.” Watch the speech of Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/3JDLY7h

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees emphasized “I was pleased to hear from the First Ladies of Africa and Asia about the remarkable progress they have achieved in their countries through Merck Foundation programs. Their achievements play a vital role in our journey of success.”

Watch the speech of Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4oQS97k

Merck Foundation has provided till today, more than 2400 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.

During the Inauguration Session of the Luminary, the First Ladies delivered their keynote speeches to share the impact of their partnership journey with Merck Foundation.

H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother expressed, “Since our partnership began in 2019, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones. Over 130 scholarships have been provided for our young Zimbabwean doctors in critical and underserved specialties such as Fertility, Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiology, Neonatal Care, Psychiatry, and more. Moreover, through the ‘Educating Linda’ program, we’ve also supported 40 girls by covering their tuition fees to help them complete their education. We have never before witnessed a program of such transformative impact in Zimbabwe, we are making history.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Zimbabwe during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/49iB3dw

H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Senegal & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “It is an honor to join the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit. As a first-time participant, I’m happy to be among my dear sisters—First Ladies of Africa and Asia—and truly inspired by their achievements through Merck Foundation. I’m proud to share that Senegal has received 25 scholarships for young doctors in Oncology, Diabetes, Fertility, and Embryology. We look forward to strengthening this partnership, and eager to scale up further for the benefit of our people.”

Watch the speech of The First Lady of Senegal during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4ojzxMd

H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “As the Ambassador of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign, I’m truly grateful for the impactful programs of Merck Foundation. For the first time, we are implementing such transformative initiatives in our country, and their positive impact is already visible. Under the Educating Linda program, we’ve supported the education of 40 high performing but underprivileged girls by covering their tuition fees, giving them the opportunity to complete their education and pursue their dreams.”

Watch the speech of The First Lady of São Tomé and Príncipe during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4o1zbcG

H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “As a first-time participant in this remarkable platform, I’m honored to join such a distinguished group of leaders and proud to serve as the Ambassador of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign. Merck Foundation has significantly improved patient care in Nigeria by providing 64 scholarships for our young Nigerian doctors in critical specialties like Fertility, Oncology, and Diabetes. We are also supporting the education of 20 high-performing but underprivileged girls through the Educating Linda program. I look forward to strengthening our long-term partnership to build healthcare and media capacity, break infertility stigma, and support girl education in Nigeria.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Nigeria during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4pga338

H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “I recently assumed the role of First Lady of Mozambique, and I am truly impressed by the unique and useful programs of the Merck Foundation. It is inspiring to hear firsthand from my fellow First Ladies about the remarkable achievements they have realized in their respective countries through their partnership with Merck Foundation. I am proud to share that 18 scholarships have been provided for young doctors in Mozambique in Diabetes, Acute Medicine, Infectious diseases, and Pain Management. I am excited to be the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” and drive meaningful and lasting change across our country and beloved continent.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Mozambique during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/3JDMbY7

H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “This is my second time joining this meaningful platform to share the progress of our partnership with Merck Foundation. I’m pleased to note that the Chairman and CEO recently visited the Maldives, and we have started providing scholarships to local doctors in Fertility and Embryology—two vital specialties for our country. We aim to expand into more fields, strengthening our healthcare system. I truly value Merck Foundation’s impactful programs and their sincere, results-driven approach. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to deepening it for the benefit of our people.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Maldives during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/43AkXZ1

H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother said, “It was an enriching experience, learning from my dear sisters as they shared success stories and impactful programs in their countries. To date, 51 scholarships have been provided for our doctors in Fertility, Embryology, Oncology, and Diabetes. I’m especially proud that our current Minister of Health is a Merck Foundation alumnus—a powerful example of the program’s lasting impact. It equips doctors with vital skills and empowers them to become healthcare leaders. Additionally, we are providing scholarship to support the education of 20 deserving girls through the Educating Linda program. We are proud to keep making history in our country.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Liberia during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/3LK7R5k

H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “I am proud of our partnership with Merck Foundation, through which we have provided 244 scholarships for our Kenyan doctors—half of them awarded to women, marking a strong step toward healthcare equity and women empowerment.

I also value the ‘Educating Linda’ program, through which 47 underprivileged but high-performing Kenyan girls are receiving full support to complete their education. Together, we are shaping a healthier and more equitable future for Kenya.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Kenya during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4nW2Qnx

H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother emphasized, “This is my first time attending this conference, and I am thrilled to hear the inspiring stories and achievements of my dear sisters. Dr. Rasha Kelej shared with me in detail about their very impressive programs. I am happy to learn that 210 scholarships have been provided for our young Ghanaian doctors in critical specialties. I am also proud to know that education of 20 of our deserving but underprivileged schoolgirls is being supported through the Educating Linda program. I am committed to supporting more talented girls and look forward to working closely with Merck Foundation to drive lasting change across our continent.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Ghana during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4a35oNk

H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of Republic of The Gambia & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother emphasized, “I am very proud of our partnership that began in 2017, we have achieved significant milestones together since then. We have provided 88 scholarships for young Gambian doctors in many critical specialties. This is a very high number for our country and has significantly contributed to transform our patientcare landscape. Together, we have also supported the education of 40 schoolgirls as a part of Educating Linda program, giving them an opportunity to shape a brighter and more secure future for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of The Gambia during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4iddPYM

H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “I am honored to be part of this esteemed platform. Though our partnership with Merck Foundation began only last year, it is already making an impact. Three doctors from Gabon have received scholarships in Oncology and Diabetes Care, and I look forward to scaling it up together with our Ministry of Health. I am also proud of the Educating Linda Program, through which we are supporting the education of 20 schoolgirls who are high0perfoming yet under-privileged, and we are committed to benefit more. I am confident that our long-term partnership will lead to even greater impact and outcomes.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Gabonese during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/49WVuNk

H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central Africa & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother emphasized “I am proud to be one of the earliest members of this impactful platform. Since 2015, our partnership with Merck Foundation has supported healthcare capacity building through scholarships for our doctors in  Oncology and Diabetes. Together, we launched the ‘Empowering Berna’ program to help infertile and childless women start small businesses and become financially independent. Under the ‘Educating Linda’ program, we are providing scholarships to 40 underprivileged schoolgirls from our country.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Republic of Central African Republic during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/48hwxed

H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother said, “I’m proud to share that we’ve enrolled our local doctors for specialized training in Oncology and Fertility, a milestone in strengthening our healthcare system. Through the Educating Linda Program, we’ve also provided scholarships to 42 schoolgirls, helping them complete their education and help them reach their full potential. I look forward to our continued impact — transforming lives and building a healthier, brighter future.”

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Cabo Verde during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/48jcgF5

H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of the Republic of Angola & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother shared, “I am truly impressed by the significant impact of Merck Foundation’s programs. Together we are committed to building lasting impact in Angola by supporting girls’ education, ending gender-based violence and child marriage, and strengthening healthcare and media capacity for a better future.”

Watch the video of The First Lady of Angola during the inaugural program of the Merck Foundation first Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4o4scQq

The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative is streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation:

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4peVZqj), X (https://apo-opa.co/43yi2jz), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3XzicUi), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4oLgoUo).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/48i007U), X (https://apo-opa.co/48hIBfs), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3LHc9dP), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4pzllzJ).

Link to the Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.co/47LikWX

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:

  • 2400+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for healthcare providers from 52 Countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:

  •  3700+ Media Representatives from more than 35 countries trained by Merck Foundation to raise awareness about different social and health issues
  •  8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, film, song and fashion
  • Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
  • 9 Children’s Storybooks in four languages – English, French, Portuguese and Swahili
  • 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education and prevention and early detection of Diabetes, Hypertension & Cancer
  • Pan African TV Program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
  • 1040+ Scholarships provided annually to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 18 countries, to empower them to reach their full potential
  • 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8.5 Million Followers.

– on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! 
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4peVZqj
X: https://apo-opa.co/43yi2jz
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3XzicUi
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4oLgoUo
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/43CR4HE
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4o5Iad5
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/49nFxj9

About Merck Foundation:  
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4peVZqj), X (https://apo-opa.co/43yi2jz), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3XzicUi), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4oLgoUo), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/43CR4HE) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4o5Iad5). 

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors. 

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World marks cervical cancer elimination day as countries accelerate action

Source: APO – Report:

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Today marks the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day – mandated by the World Health Assembly – a historic milestone in global efforts to end a preventable cancer. This day of action builds on powerful momentum, with countries and partners uniting to launch ambitious vaccination campaigns, expand screening and treatment services, and accelerate progress toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.

The annual commemoration highlights a critical opportunity: cervical cancer – the fourth most common cancer in women – claims over 350 000 lives each year, yet it is a disease that we have the tools to eliminate.

The Day supports the core pillars of the WHO’s global elimination strategy: vaccinating 90% of girls against human papillomavirus (HPV), screening 70% of women, and treating 90% of those with pre-cancer and invasive cancer. It serves as a critical platform to strengthen advocacy, accelerate service delivery, and mobilize resources to ensure every woman and girl has access to life-saving care.

“In 2018, I was proud to launch the global call to action on cervical cancer elimination, and I’m even prouder now to see what was once a distant dream becoming a reality,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “More and more countries are scaling up HPV vaccination, improving screening, and expanding treatment, bringing us closer to a future free of cervical cancer.”

This momentum is underscored by the announcement from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and its partners, who estimate that the ambitious goal to reach 86 million girls by the end of 2025 has been met, reflecting a broader wave of country action to advance national elimination plans and expand access to screening and treatment.

Countries are marking World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day with a wave of actions on multiple fronts. Vaccination is scaling up through campaigns in Sierra Leone and Liberia targeting over 1.5 million girls. Screening efforts are also intensifying, with Sierra Leone planning a mass campaign across all 16 districts, followed by an awareness walk. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, advocacy is taking center stage as survivors lead a week-long promotion of self-sampling HPV testing, a key innovation for expanding screening access.

This past year has seen significant country-level action, providing a powerful foundation for the new annual commemoration.

  • Angola: Launched an HPV vaccination campaign in October for girls aged 9–12 years.
  • China: Added HPV vaccine into its national immunization programme, scaling up vaccination to all 13-year-old girls.
  • Cuba: Launched HPV vaccination in October 2025 for all girls in Grade 4.
  • Ghana: Held a nationwide vaccination campaign in October 2025 for girls aged 9–14 years, aiming to reach 2.4 million girls.
  • Indonesia: Hosted the Second Global Forum for Cervical Cancer Elimination and reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating cervical cancer by 2030 through bold national targets (90-75-90), a strong partnership ecosystem, and substantial investments in vaccination, screening, and treatment under its National Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan 2023–2030.
  • Nepal: Ran a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 10–14 years in February 2025, to mark the introduction of the HPV vaccine in the national immunization schedule.
  • Nigeria: Launched a nationwide cervical cancer elimination effort, with the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu committing US$ 700 000 through the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’. The investment further affirms Nigeria’s leadership and support for WHO’s elimination targets, reflected also in its co-leadership of the resolution establishing World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.
  • Pakistan: Launched the national HPV vaccine introduction through a campaign targeting girls aged 9–14, reaching over 9 million girls in what is to date the largest single HPV campaign any country has every conducted.
  • Rwanda: Through Mission 2027, its Accelerated Plan for Elimination, the country is rapidly expanding nationwide screening and treatment services to meet the 90-70-90 targets by 2027, three years ahead of the global goal.
  • Spain: Through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Spain’s three-year investment is supporting the WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative to strengthen access to HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment in countries of the WHO African and Eastern Mediterranean Regions.
  • South Africa: Placed cervical cancer elimination on the global stage as part of its G20 health agenda, reaffirming the country’s steadfast support for the WHO Global Strategy. The country also co-led the resolution establishing World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and is finalizing its National Strategic Framework for Cervical Cancer Elimination, to be launched later this year.
  • Tajikistan: Launched HPV vaccination for all girls aged 10–14 years in its routine immunization schedule from October 2025.
  • Tunisia: Introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunization programme for 12-year-old girls in April 2025.
  • Across WHO Western Pacific Region, Unitaid and WHO have expanded their partnership to strengthen cervical cancer prevention and treatment programmes, supporting equitable access to screening and treatment services for precancer.

Countries worldwide are accelerating efforts to expand access to HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment, advancing toward the 90-70-90 targets of the Global Strategy.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).

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South Africa to host the G20 Social Summit

Source: APO – Report:

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South Africa will host the G20 Social Summit from 18 – 20 November 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province.

Under the overarching theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” South Africa’s G20 Presidency reflects the nation’s strategic priorities of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and the building of a capable, ethical, and developmental State.

In keeping with the G20 theme of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, the G20 Social Summit will convene formal and informal networks, including youth movements, women’s organisations, faith-based groups, organisations of persons with disabilities, community forums, and other grassroots structures. 

Together, they will engage on global issues that directly impact people’s daily lives.

Building on Brazil’s innovative introduction of the G20 Social Summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed to continuing and expanding this people-centred platform during South Africa’s Presidency.

The G20 Social Summit seeks to elevate issues of social development, equity, and inclusion to the same level of priority as macroeconomic and financial matters.

The G20 Social Summit will bring together a wide spectrum of stakeholders including governments, civil society, labour, youth, women, persons with disabilities, philanthropy, and grassroots organisations ensuring that the lived experiences of ordinary people shape the outcomes of the G20 process.

To lead the organisation and facilitation of the G20 Social Summit, President Ramaphosa appointed Minister in The Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and former Deputy President, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, as Co-Convenors, representing both Government and civil society sectors.

Their mandate included overseeing stakeholder engagement and ensuring alignment between the Social Summit and the broader G20 priorities.

Designed as an inclusive and participatory platform, the Summit will amplify the voices of civil society, grassroots organisations, and communities from across the world. It aims to foster global solidarity, advance inclusive development, and deliver a G20 Social Declaration that captures the aspirations and lived realities of citizens particularly the most vulnerable.

This initiative provides South Africa with a unique opportunity to foreground the African Agenda and advance the priorities of the Global South within the world’s premier forum for international economic cooperation.

There are 13 official G20 Engagement Groups that serve as vital channels for diverse sectors to contribute to the G20’s policy and decision-making processes. 

Throughout the year, these groups met to develop proposals and communiqués that inform G20 outcomes, ensuring that voices beyond government are meaningfully heard and considered.

The 13 official G20 Engagement Groups are:

– W20 (Women)
– L20 (Labour)
– B20 (Business)
– T20 (Think Tanks)
– C20 (Civil Society)
– SAI20 (Supreme Audit Institutions)
– Y20 (Youth)
– U20 (Urban)
– S20 (Science)
– Startup20
– J20 (Judiciary/Supreme Courts)
– O20 (Ocean)
– P20 (Parliament)
– G20 EMPOWER Alliance

Each of these engagement groups represents a distinct constituency from business and labour to youth, women, academia, and civil society bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to enrich the G20 agenda and strengthen global cooperation.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will address the Opening Ceremony and people’s conversations on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. The Ceremony will commence after mid-day at 13h00 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province. 

On Day 2, Wednesday, 19 November 2025, the G20 Social Summit Engagement Groups will break away into thematic sessions on:

– Digital Inclusion and Equitable Transformation;
– Inclusive Climate Justice;
– A Just Transition, and Energy Democracy;
– Digital Inclusion and Equitable Transformation;
– Trade, Resilience & Inclusive Value Chains;
– Inclusive Climate Justice, a Just Transition, and Energy Democracy;
– A Just and Sustainable Finance and International Financial Architecture; and
– Building Momentum for the Achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2063. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 20 November 2025, address the Closing Ceremony of the G20 Social Summit and receive the declaration from participating delegates over the 3-day convention.

The Federative Republic of Brazil, as member of the G20 Troika, will also participate in the Closing Ceremony which will commence at 11h00 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province.

– on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

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Kenya: Amb. Guo Haiyan Meets with Principal Secretary (PS) Anne Wango’ombe

Source: APO – Report:

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On November 14, H.E. Amb. Guo Haiyan met with Ms. Anne Wango’ombe, Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action, Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services of Kenya.

PS Wango’ombe shared her experience of participating the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing last October and extended her congratulations on the successful event commenting it is not only a testimony of China’s leadership in global women’s causes, but of great significance in advancing global women empowerment. PS further highly commended China’s achievements in women’s education, legal protection, economic inclusion and empowerment across the board. 

Amb. Guo expressed Chinese side’s appreciation to Kenya’s strong support in holding the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women and agreed to jointly implement the important achievements reached on the Meeting, strengthen bilateral cooperation in women causes aiming to contribute positively to building a China–Kenya community with a shared future in the new era.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Kenya.

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Ambassador Zhao Weiping Attended the Handover Ceremony of China-Aided New Airport Freeway Phase 2B Project in the Capital of Namibia

Source: APO – Report:

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On November 10, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping attended the inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Airport Road Phase 2B Project in the capital of Namibia and jointly signed the project handover certificate with Hon. Veikko Nekundi, Namibian Minister of Works and Transport.

In his remarks, Ambassador Zhao said that the newly opened airport freeway Phase 2B is the largest grant aid project China has provided to Namibia to date and is a new testament to the friendship between the two countries. China will continue to actively support Namibia in advancing its modernization in line with the spirit of the FOCAC Beijing Summit.

Minister Veikko Nekundi said in his speech that this project fully demonstrates the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China’s long-term and strong support for infrastructure development in Namibia.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by over 100 people, including officials from the Namibian Ministry of Works and Transport, the Road Authority and local government, as well as representatives from the Chinese project construction company. The event received extensive positive coverage from major mainstream media outlets in Namibia.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Namibia.

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The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) Enquiry into Road Accident Fund (RAF) Financial Matters to Hear from Executive and Senior Management

Source: APO – Report:

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The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) will this week enter its seventh week of its enquiry into the financial affairs of the Road Accident Fund (RAF). This week’s hearings will focus on testimonies from the RAF’s executive and senior management, who will respond or provide clarity to allegations made by previous witnesses.

On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, SCOPA will hear from Ms Mpho Manyasha, the suspended Head of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Ms Mampe Kumalo, the suspended Chief Governance Officer, and Mr Motlhoding Letsoalo, the former Senior Human Resources Manager.

Ms Mpho Manyasha has worked in the Office of the CEO since the 2019/20 financial year, initially as General Manager: Specialist Projects. Her role changed to Head: Office of the CEO in the 2022/23 financial year, and from 2023/24 she also served as Acting Chief Corporate Support Officer. On 7 November 2025, she was placed on precautionary suspension.

Also among senior managers who have been placed on precautionary suspension is Ms Kumalo, the Chief Governance Officer since 2022/23, overseeing Legal Services, Assurance and Monitoring, Enterprise Risk Management, and Forensics at the RAF. Ms Kumalo is the RAF executive who signed off on the media buying contract awarded to Media Mix and the integrated marketing contract awarded to Dzinge Production.

Mr Motlhoding Letsoalo is mentioned in the enquiry regarding allegations concerning his management of disciplinary processes.

On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) will return to discuss technical details of the RAF’s accounting policy change. The committee will also hear evidence from suspended Chief Financial Officer, Ms Bernice Potgieter; former Acting CFO, Ms Boitumelo Mabusela and suspended Senior Treasury Specialist and former Acting Chief Investment Officer, Mr Sefotle Modiba.

Ms Bernice Potgieter, appointed RAF CFO in March 2022 and previously Senior Manager: Financial Accounting, was Acting CFO from 27 May 2021, following the resignation of the previous Acting CFO. Despite her suspension as a Senior Executive, she is required to account for key issues, including changes in accounting policy and related litigation that arose during her tenure in various RAF roles.

Ms Boitumelo Mabusela joined the RAF as a Specialist in the Office of the former CEO, before being elevated to Acting CFO. Ms Bernice Potgieter pinned a lot of issues on her during the enquiry hearing of 4 November 2025, particularly in relation to the development and implementation of the RAF’s IPSAS 42 accounting policy.

Mr Modiba joined the RAF in May 2020 as a Senior Treasury Specialist in the CEO’s office. In July 2020, he was appointed Acting General Manager: Treasury. Following the 2022 organisational structure review, the RAF established an Investment Division, and Mr Modiba became the Acting Chief Investment Officer. He will account to SCOPA on matters related to his Treasury Specialist and CIO roles and responsibilities, debt restructuring and changes in accounting policy.

On Thursday, 20 November 2025, PwC will account to SCOPA on its role in the development and implementation of the Integrated Claims Management System (ICMS). Ms Mpho Manyasha, Ms Bernice Potgieter and Ms Boitumelo Mabusela will continue with their evidence.

On Friday, 21 November 2025, SCOPA will receive testimony from former Acting Chief Operations Officer, Ms Maria Rambauli, regarding allegations raised by previous witnesses. SCOPA will also hear testimony from witness X.

All documents presented to the committee during the enquiry are made publicly available after each day’s session at this link: https://www.parliament.gov.za/raf-enquiry.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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Propelling Ugandan small businesses to digital growth

Source: APO – Report:

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Ugandan small businesses joined forces with industry and development partners to chart a path to growth in digital trade.

‘Ugandan small tourism businesses often struggle with low visibility, strict compliance requirements for listing on global platforms, and limited payment gateways. Yet digital platforms remain our best path to scale,’ said Ingrid Aringaniza, CEO of Footprint Experiences. 

‘We must build solutions that fit Uganda’s realities, but that can still scale to serve bigger markets for growth and profitability. The SB4U co-creation session was valuable because it helped to define a clear and realistic e-commerce journey,’ she added.

SB4U, or the Sustainable Business for Uganda project at the International Trade Centre (ITC), brought together Ingrid and some 70 other participants from Uganda’s e-commerce ecosystem. They included small businesses, sector associations, tech hubs, marketplaces, and service providers. They met in the capital Kampala to chart a new path for small businesses in the digital economy.

Participants worked together to create detailed profiles of small businesses that work in areas like grains, tourism, and logistics. These profiles helped define their unique needs, identify relevant digital platforms for onboarding, and outline partnerships essential to advancing their e-commerce journeys. 

“Supportive regulations and enabling infrastructure are critical for small businesses in the digital economy.”

‘The twin engines of e-commerce are trust and logistics,’ said Steven Lamony, CEO of Jumia Uganda, the country’s largest e-commerce platform. ‘We need to ensure an open and regular discussion with the industry to identify how concrete challenges could be bridged with existing market solutions, including the delivery networks which Jumia expands across Uganda.’ 

The discussions look at how to overcome obstacles for small businesses to succeed in digital trade. This collaborative effort reflects a shared vision for an ambitious yet realistic digital future for Uganda’s small businesses. 

This initiative responds directly to Uganda’s rapid digital economy growth and the widespread use of mobile technology. It aims to ensure that small businesses can engage with online markets, tapping into opportunities at domestic, regional, and international levels.

“We must build solutions that fit Uganda’s realities, but that can still scale to serve bigger markets for growth and profitability. The SB4U co-creation session was valuable because it helped to define a clear and realistic e-commerce journey.” Ingrid Aringaniza, CEO, Footprint Experiences

The session, which adopted a market-led approach to support small businesses in e-commerce, was convened by ITC through the European Union-funded Sustainable Business for Uganda (SB4U) 2.0 – Trade and Investment Development project, which will enhance Uganda’s regional and global competitiveness.

As a next step, a pilot e-commerce capacity building and market linkages activities will be run in Mbarara in November this year.  

– on behalf of International Trade Centre.

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Ethiopia and Italy Strengthen Partnership for Growth and Development

Source: APO – Report:

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H.E. Semereta Sewasew, state minister, Ministry of Finance, met today with Italy’s newly appointed Ambassador, H.E. Sem Fabrizi, to prepare for the upcoming 2026–2028 cooperation agreement and discuss ways to deepen the long-standing partnership between Ethiopia and Italy. The meeting highlighted shared ambitions to drive economic growth, attract investment, and advance sustainable development across both countries.

The leaders focused on five key areas: addressing structural constraints, enhancing security, boosting trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), accelerating economic reforms, and strengthening economic cooperation. H.E. Sewasew emphasized that Ethiopia’s ongoing economic opening presents significant opportunities for strategic partnerships and that innovative approaches, such as blended finance and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), will be central to ensuring lasting business success in the country.

Ambassador Fabrizi reaffirmed Italy’s commitment as a trusted partner and expressed strong support for the upcoming cooperation agreement. Both officials reflected on the successful portfolio of existing initiatives and discussed priorities for 2026–2028, including agriculture and food security, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship, vocational skills development, infrastructure programs, energy, tourism, and cultural programs.

The 2026–2028 cooperation agreement will mark a new milestone in Ethiopia-Italy relations, reinforcing a shared vision for sustainable economic growth, investment, trade, and development. The agreement is expected to unlock new opportunities for both nations while building on the strong foundations of trust and collaboration.

– on behalf of Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia.