Category: English

Source: APO

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The African Union Commission (AUC), through its Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, officially opened the Inaugural Africa Biodiversity Summit at the Royal Aria Convention Centre in Gaborone, Botswana. The opening of the technical session, held 2-3 November 2025, brought together delegates from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), United Nations agencies, research institutions, development partners, civil society, and youth organizations.

Held under the theme “Leveraging Biodiversity for Africa’s Prosperity” the summit’s significance lies in elevating biodiversity from a conservation issue to a strategic development priority, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a prosperous, climate-resilient Africa. The summit puts into perspective the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, and emphasizes Africa’s rich natural heritage as a driver of socio-economic transformation.

 The meeting marks a defining moment in Africa’s collective commitment to safeguard its biodiversity as the foundation of its development, sovereignty, and climate resilience. Delivering the opening statement, Mr. Harsen Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission, underscored the urgency of united action to preserve Africa’s natural wealth.

 “Africa’s ecosystems; from the rainforests of the Congo Basin to the deserts of the Sahara are not merely landscapes; they are lifelines,” Mr. Nyambe said. “They sustain livelihoods, regulate our climate, and hold deep cultural and spiritual value. Protecting them is not an option; it is our obligation to future generations.”

He emphasized that the technical session represents the convergence of science, policy, and innovation, calling on experts to craft actionable solutions grounded in African science, indigenous knowledge, and continental cooperation. “This is where data must inform decisions and innovation must drive solutions. We must harness the power of African science and regional cooperation to shape strategies that influence not only our continent, but the global biodiversity agenda,” he added.

Mr. Nyambe reaffirmed the AUC’s commitment to the African Union Biodiversity Strategy, the African Green Stimulus Programme, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, stressing that biodiversity must be mainstreamed across all sectors, from agriculture and infrastructure to finance and education.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), H.E. Ambassador Miguel César Domingos Bembe, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Angola to the African Union and UNECA, and Chairperson of the PRC, echoed the call for unity in protecting Africa’s ecological heritage.

“Defending biodiversity is also defending the sovereignty of our peoples, the food security of our communities, and the prosperity of future generations,” Ambassador Bembe stated. “It is both a political and moral act of affirming our right to sustainable development achieved with our own resources, our own capacities, and in harmony with nature.”

Ambassador Bembe extended appreciation to the Government and People of Botswana for hosting the Summit, commending Botswana as a land of vast savannas and abundant wildlife, where harmony between humanity and nature serves as an inspiration to the entire continent.He further noted that the discussions held in Gaborone would lay the groundwork for Africa’s shared vision on biodiversity governance.“This is not merely a technical meeting; it is a space of shared vision and responsibility. The ideas and recommendations developed here will define the direction of Africa’s commitment to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the decades ahead,” he said.

Officially opening the technical segment of the summit, Mr. Boatametse Modukanele, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Botswana, expressed Botswana’s pride in hosting the historic gathering.

“This technical session is where science meets policy, where we turn evidence into action,” he said. “We must be bold enough to translate technical knowledge into policies that work, budgets that prioritize nature, and partnerships that deliver results.”

He highlighted Africa’s leadership through initiatives such as the African Union Green Recovery Action Plan, the Pan-African Great Green Wall Initiative, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, stressing that the real test lies in implementation. “Our frameworks must translate into tangible impacts in our communities, restored ecosystems, protected species, and sustainable livelihoods,” he concluded.

The opening of the Technical Segment of the First Africa Biodiversity Summit sets the stage for the development of an African Leaders Gaborone Declaration on Biodiversity, a continental roadmap that will guide Africa’s collective engagement in global biodiversity dialogues.

As Africa moves from policy to implementation, the Summit reaffirms a shared vision: to protect the continent’s biodiversity not only as a natural treasure, but as a cornerstone of Africa’s identity, resilience, and sustainable future.

Building a Stronger Maputo Convention: A Living Instrument for Africa’s Environmental Future

During the technical segment of the biodiversity summit, delegates also reflected on the First Conference of Parties to Maputo Convention on Nature and Natural Resources (Maputo COP1), where they emphasized the urgent need to revitalize the Maputo Convention as a dynamic, adaptable legal framework for Africa’s environmental governance and sustainable development. The segment further stressed the crucial need of strengthening the Convention for aligning with Agenda 2063, national priorities, and global climate and biodiversity targets.

The ministerial and the heads of state sessions of the First Africa Biodiversity Summit are set to be held from 4-5 November 2025.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

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The government is putting the well-being and in many cases the lives of the more than five million people living in South Africa’s informal settlements at risk by failing to provide them with access to quality housing and essential services, Amnesty International South Africa said in a new report. 

These people, many of them living on flood-prone land, are routinely left to cope on their own especially during severe weather conditions, despite the fact that the main responsibility for preparing for and responding to these disasters lies with the government.

“Informal settlements in South Africa along with other underserved areas like temporary relocation areas, are a sore reminder of the racial injustice and disenfranchisement that were hallmarks of the colonial and apartheid regimes preceding 1994. However, this does not mean that we must ignore the fact that the ongoing housing crisis and the failure of successive governments to guarantee the right to access to adequate housing among other human rights” Amnesty International South Africa, Executive Director, Shenilla Mohamed

Amnesty International South Africa’s report Flooded and Forgotten: Informal Settlements and the Right to Housing in South Africa examines the incidence and impact of floods, both large scale and seasonal caused by heavy rain, on residents of informal settlements and underserved areas in South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg, eThekwini, and Cape Town.

“Informal settlements in South Africa along with other underserved areas like temporary relocation areas, are a sore reminder of the racial injustice and disenfranchisement that were hallmarks of the colonial and apartheid regimes preceding 1994. However, this does not mean that we must ignore the fact that the ongoing housing crisis and the failure of successive governments to guarantee the right to access to adequate housing among other human rights,” Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed said. 

“The government is failing the millions of people trapped in these underserved areas, especially in a time when economic hardships and poverty are rife. People live in informal settlements because there is a lack of affordable and accessible formal housing and sometimes because they are the only affordable means of living close to work or work opportunities. Article 10 of South Africa’s Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights is clear that everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected, no matter who they are.”

More government action urgently needed to deal with increased risk of flooding

The recent floods in June 2025 in the Eastern Cape province, which caused the death of over 100 people and washed away the homes of thousands of people, was a stark reminder that urgent and long-term action by the government is needed. While South Africa’s Disaster Management Act and National Disaster Management Framework aim to reduce the risk of disaster, there is ample evidence that not enough is being done towards this end. 

Based on the experiences of people living in informal settlements documented in Amnesty International’s report, interviews with experts and practitioners in the field and a review of reports, laws and policies, evidence shows that South Africa’s response to flooding disasters – whether major or seasonal– is patchy and piecemeal, with not enough done to prepare for such events. 

For example, people displaced by KwaZulu-Natal floods in 2022 are still in temporary emergency accommodation in poor conditions nearly three years later, indicating a lack of preparedness for recovery efforts. Some of those displaced died after they were relocated to an area that was severely flooded in 2025, highlighting a serious failure to ensure that flood victims are relocated to safety. In the case of seasonal flooding, the support and assistance that many residents of informal settlements experience is alarmingly poor or absent. 

Although the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements, in their response to Amnesty International, dated 30 October 2025, asserted that “informal settlements are not planned settlements and inherently their establishment would not be preceded by the availability of basic services”, South Africa remains bound by constitutional and international obligations to provide essential services to all residents, including those living in informal settlements. 

“The reality, as documented in Amnesty International’s report, is that millions of South Africans living in informal settlements are deprived of these rights due to central government neglect, under-resourced municipalities, and poor urban governance, not simply because their settlements are unplanned,” Shenilla Mohamed said.

“The lack of access to adequate, well-located affordable housing in South Africa has also led to the growth of informal settlements in floodplains and low-lying areas which means that people living there are increasingly impacted by flooding.”

The climate crisis is making the situation far worse

Human-induced climate change has also exacerbated the risks of flooding, already a seasonal problem in South Africa’s informal settlements and underserved areas. As elsewhere in the world, this means that people who have contributed the least to climate change due to their low consumption patterns and are least able to cope with flooding are the worst affected by the impacts of climate change. 

“We have no help from anyone, we have to stay and fix it, we can’t run away… where will we go?” Victim from Freedom Park

One of the main concerns expressed to Amnesty International in all three metropolitan areas was that the regular seasonal flooding of informal settlements and underserved areas was rarely seen as warranting a disaster response by the municipalities. The residents were simply left to fend for themselves and rely on charitable organisations. 

A woman from Freedom Park in Johannesburg said: “We have no help from anyone, we have to stay and fix it, we can’t run away… where will we go?”

South Africa must meet its human rights obligations

South Africa has a plethora of laws and policies on issues around access to housing, provision of essential services such as  water and sanitation, upgrading of informal settlements, a healthy environment, and preparing for and responding to disasters. It is also a state party to all the major international and regional human rights instruments including the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which guarantees the rights to access adequate housing, water and sanitation. 

“Despite South Africa having strong legislation and policy and clear international commitments as with so many other things in this country, implementation remains the issue. The reality points to obvious failures of the government to adequately and thoroughly realise these obligations and this comes at a huge cost to the human rights, lives and livelihoods of millions of people,” Shenilla Mohamed said. 

The South African government must provide access to adequate housing for people living in the country and commit to upgrading informal settlements with access to essential services in a manner that complies with human rights law and standards, including through budgetary and policy commitments.

It must also mobilise all the necessary human, financial and technical resources to ensure that disaster risk reduction is fully integrated into urban planning processes and these are implemented with a view to protecting residents of informal settlements from disasters, climate change related or otherwise, and protecting their human rights.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO

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Angola has launched one of the largest public health campaigns in its history: vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer. The goal is clear and urgent: to protect more than two million girls aged between 9 and 12 across the country between October 27 and November 7. 

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women of reproductive age in Angola, but it can be prevented. WHO estimates point to more than 2,000 new cases per year, half of which are fatal. The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and recommended by the WHO, offering protection against the most common types of the virus that cause cervical cancer. Each dose administered represents a shield against a disease that should not claim lives. 

To achieve this goal, 1,667 teams from the Expanded Program on Immunization will visit public and private schools, health facilities, and communities, ensuring that 70% of eligible girls receive the vaccine free of charge. The vaccine is administered in a single dose, in accordance with WHO guidelines. 

This campaign puts Angola at the forefront of the Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage. “Each dose is a victory against the disease, an investment in the future, and protection for Angolan families,” said Dr. Tomás Valdez, WHO Acting Representative. 

The official launch of the campaign took place in Namibe province, where Diego Zorrilla, Acting Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, said: “Angola is taking a historic step to protect its girls and ensure a healthier future.” 

Vaccination against cervical cancer in Angola is the culmination of 16 years of preparation and mobilization, involving national authorities, health partners, civil society, and the private sector. “This is an unprecedented joint effort in the history of public health in the country. Today, we are realizing the dream of protecting young Angolan women against cervical cancer,” said Health Minister Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta. 

The campaign is also led by the First Lady of the Republic, Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, who acts as national ambassador, mobilizing institutions, leaders, and communities to ensure that no girl is left behind. 

HPV vaccination is part of the WHO’s global strategy to eradicate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, ensuring that 90% of girls are vaccinated before the age of 15, that 70% of women undergo screening for early detection, and that 90% of women diagnosed receive appropriate treatment. 

In this operation, led by the Ministries of Health and Education, with technical and logistical support from WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, GAVI, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and other strategic partners, WHO played a key role in supporting the Government of Angola in conducting studies on socio-behavioral factors that influence vaccine acceptance, developing a communication and community engagement strategy, and preparing microplans, manuals, and guidance documents to ensure effective implementation. 

Now, the mission is clear: inform, mobilize, and act to vaccinate all girls, everywhere. WHO calls on parents, teachers, community leaders, journalists, and influencers to spread accurate messages and encourage vaccination. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.

Source: APO

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Graduates sang and clapped as they celebrated reaching a personal milestone. They were embarking on a new journey as the next generation of mental health leaders in West Africa.

After nine months of rigorous classroom and field training, fellows from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali and Niger became the pioneers of the Subregional Intermediate Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) in Mental Health. They graduated in Côte d’Ivoire on 20 August.

Dr Harouna Morou, the representative of the FETP graduates, expressed his deepest gratitude to the health authorities of Côte d’Ivoire for their vision and commitment to mental health, to the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), and to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for making the training possible.

He extended his gratitude to the godfather of their cohort, Professor Youssa Traoré, for his inspiration and constant support, and to the trainers who passed on their knowledge to the graduates with passion and determination. Professor Traoré is also a graduate of the Africa CDC Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Leadership.

“This training has been an unmatched opportunity,” said Dr Morou. “It has truly been transformative. It has allowed us to acquire concrete skills, thanks to tools adapted to local realities.”

The training was designed to strengthen participants’ competencies in thematic areas of public mental health, including epidemiology, surveillance systems evaluation, leadership skills, access to mental health services, mental health laws and legislation, and national mental health strategies. These competencies will help inform and implement sustainable and impactful mental health interventions at local, regional and national levels.

Graduates are now equipped to strengthen mental health surveillance, promote and facilitate the decentralisation of mental health services to primary health care and community-based facilities, and improve access to mental health care.

At the end of the training, participants were motivated to improve the mental health of their populations and support service users and their families, to prioritise mental health within the broader health and development agenda, and to demonstrate leadership skills necessary for operating at mid- and advanced levels of the mental health system.

The feeling of success was palpable.

“Today is not a simple certificate presentation, it is a historic moment that illustrates a major advance in our collective quest for an Africa where mental health is recognised, integrated and strengthened as an essential component of public health,” said Dr Adelard Kakunze, Senior Technical Officer in the Division of Disease Control and Prevention at Africa CDC, representing the Head of Division.

“I would like to reaffirm Africa CDC’s commitment to continue working with Member States and partners to build public health capacity across the continent. Today, you are ready to become leaders in your respective countries. I invite you to demonstrate the leadership skills and team spirit you have acquired during the training,” Dr Kakunze said.

The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions has grown by 67 per cent between 1990 and 2017. Given this rate of increase, NCDs and mental health conditions are projected to cause more premature deaths in Africa than in any other region by 2030.

“We need epidemiological evidence that shows us the burden of these mental health problems,” said Dr Herbert Kazoora of AFENET.

“I am happy that this training has been used effectively and demonstrates to our partners and to Africa CDC that we have the capacity to deliver. We dreamed it, and we have made it happen,” said Professor Mamadou Samba, Director-General of Health at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of Côte d’Ivoire.

Speaking to the graduates — the first French-speaking cohort to complete the course — he encouraged them to apply their new skills and make them available in their countries.

“There is no health without mental health. The message is very clear, it is up to you to ensure that it is received and understood widely in our communities,” Professor Samba said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Source: APO

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Africa Tech Festival (www.AfricaTechFestival.com) 2025, the continent’s most influential technology event, has confirmed Lillian Barnard, Chief of Enterprise Partners for Microsoft Middle East & Africa, as one of its headline speakers. Barnard will participate in the Keynote Fireside C-Suite Dialogue on the topic of “Leading Africa’s Digital Transformation”, sharing insights on how leadership is evolving in a digital-first world. The discussion will focus on real operational decisions, cultural shifts, and investment strategies required to navigate Africa’s infrastructure gaps, talent shortages, and rising customer expectations. 

Her participation reinforces this year’s strategic themes of Responsible Innovation, Inclusive Investment, Connectivity for Development, and Policy Harmonisation, which underpin the Festival’s flagship programmes – AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town. 

The Africa Tech Festival 2025 will take place from 11 to 13 November at the Cape Town International Conference Centre. www.AfricaTechFestival.com 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

Source: APO

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HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, held talks on Tuesday with HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, Maria Benvinda Levi, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, currently underway in Doha.

The talks focused on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

The two sides also exchanged views on key issues featured on the summit’s agenda, along with a range of issues of mutual interest. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Source: APO

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The latest analysis of food insecurity and malnutrition in Sudan shows stark contrasts along conflict lines, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF warned today. In areas where violence has subsided – allowing humanitarian access and market recovery – food security has begun to improve. But in conflict-hit locations that have been largely cut off from humanitarian assistance or under siege, famine has now taken hold.

The agencies call for an end to hostilities and safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access, which is urgently needed to prevent further loss of life and protect livelihoods.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Special Snapshot confirms that by September 2025, acute food insecurity had slightly improved with an estimated 21.2 million – 45 percent of the population – facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC3+). An estimated 3.4 million people are no longer facing crisis levels of hunger (IPC3+) compared to the previous analysis (December 2024 to May 2025).

These improvements follow a gradual stabilisation since May 2025 in Khartoum, Al Jazirah and Sennar states, where conflict has eased. Families are returning home, markets are reopening, and there is more consistent access for commercial and humanitarian supplies. But these gains are limited; the wider crisis has shattered the economy and vital services, and much of the infrastructure people rely on has been damaged or destroyed.

Good conditions for agriculture are also expected after the harvest and into 2026, with crisis levels of hunger improving to19.3 million (October 2025 to January 2026).

However, these fragile improvements are highly localised. Many families returning to Khartoum and Al Jazirah have lost everything and will struggle to benefit fully from the harvest. Meanwhile, in the western regions of Sudan – notably North Darfur, South Darfur, West Kordofan and South Kordofan – active conflict and severely restricted access is driving a sharp deterioration in hunger and malnutrition.

From February 2026, hunger is expected to worsen as food stocks run out and fighting continues. IPC figures remain largely unchanged because conditions are too volatile to predict outcomes for around 841,000 people in the hardest-hit areas, including El Fasher, Kadugli, Dilling and parts of South Kordofan.

“Despite the immense challenges, FAO and its partners remain committed to supporting communities wherever access allows,” said Rein Paulsen, FAO’s Director of Emergencies and Resilience. “Seeds, tools and livestock are lifelines for millions of Sudanese farmers and herders. Restoring access and enabling local food production are essential to saving lives and protecting livelihoods.”

Famine confirmed in besieged El Fasher and Kadugli

According to the Famine Review Committee (FRC), famine conditions (IPC Phase 5 – with reasonable evidence) are occurring in El Fasher in North Darfur and Kadugli in South Kordofan – towns largely cut off by conflict from commercial supplies and humanitarian assistance. These areas had been classified as IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) in 2024. Famine thresholds for food consumption, acute malnutrition and mortality have now been surpassed.

Conditions in Dilling, South Kordofan, are likely similar to Kadugli, but cannot be classified due to insufficient reliable data – a result of restricted humanitarian access and ongoing hostilities.

In the Western Nuba Mountains, conditions have shown marginal improvement, prompting a shift from Risk of Famine to IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). However, the risk of famine remains high if humanitarian access does not improve.

The FRC projects a risk of famine in 20 additional areas across Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, including rural localities and displacement camps. This includes several new locations in East Darfur and South Kordofan.

Nutrition emergency drives child deaths

Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates from screening data are alarmingly high, ranging from 38 to 75 percent in El Fasher and reaching 29 percent in Kadugli, according to the IPC.

Meanwhile, outbreaks of cholera, malaria and measles continue to rise in areas where health, water and sanitation systems have collapsed, further increasing the risk of death among malnourished children.

“The deadly combination of hunger, disease and displacement is placing millions of children at risk,” said Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Director of Emergency Operations. “Among them, girls often bear the brunt facing increased risks of malnutrition, gender-based violence, and being pulled out of school. Therapeutic food, safe water, and essential medicines and health services can save lives, but only if we can reach children in time. We urgently need parties to abide by their obligations under international law and to provide humanitarian actors with safe, timely and unhindered access to children.”

Humanitarian access and funding are critical

Across all critically affected regions, the drivers of hunger are clear: conflict, displacement and blocked humanitarian access. In El Fasher and Kadugli, people have endured months without reliable access to food or medical care. Markets have collapsed and prices of staple goods have soared.

“WFP has made hard-won gains and is now reaching more than 4 million people each month with vital food assistance,” said Ross Smith, WFP’s Director of Emergencies. “We see what’s possible when we can delivery vital aid: families rebuild, markets revive, and children get the food they need to survive. But conflict still decides who eats and who does not. Too many communities are being pushed into starvation simply because we cannot reach them. We need additional funding and sustained, unhindered access — now — to stop famine from spreading.”

UNICEF, WFP and FAO are prioritizing the hardest-hit areas with integrated food, nutrition, health, WASH, protection and agricultural and livestock health support. But access remains inconsistent, and humanitarian workers and supplies are frequently targeted, while aid convoys face delays, denials and security threats.

Without safe, sustained access, adequate funding and an end to violence, famine will continue to claim lives in Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

Source: APO

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HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met on Tuesday with HE Mulambo Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the the Republic of Zambia.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 in Doha, focused on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.