Category: Development

Ahead of World Soil Day, marked on 5 December, FAO launched its first ever report on “The State of Knowledge of Soil Biodiversity“. The report examines the potential of soil organisms in ensuring sustainable agri-food systems and mitigating climate change.    “Soil biodiversity and sustainable soil management is a prerequisite for the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals“, said FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo.… Read More

Principals from BioNTech and Oxford University – both pioneers in the COVID vaccine rollout  –participated in an online dialogue on Friday, held under the special session of the UN General Assembly devoted to the pandemic.  “There is no other option. We have to achieve it. And we can achieve it, and we will achieve it,” said Professor Uğur Şahin, Chief Executive Officer… Read More

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists at the regular Geneva briefing that progress on vaccines, in recent days, “gives us all a lift, and we can now start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.” “The #COVID19 pandemic still has a long a way to run and decisions made by leaders and citizens in the coming days will… Read More

Heads of UN agencies, along with scientists and other stakeholders, are holding interactive dialogues focused on the health and humanitarian response, the road to vaccines, and addressing the socio-economic impacts of the crisis.  Since the onset of the #COVID19 pandemic, the @UN System has pulled together in support of the most vulnerable. Very encouraged by the engaging conversation from heads… Read More

“Today marks an overdue and much needed moment of reckoning. None of us could have imagined, this time last year, what was to come”, said Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, speaking at the opening of the two-day gathering.  We are working for you. For the healthcare workers, who continue to work tirelessly on the frontline. For the people battling the effects… Read More

In reviewing a series of World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on marijuana and its derivatives, the CND zeroed-in on the decision to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs — where it was listed alongside deadly, addictive opioids, including heroin.  The CND’s 53 Member States voted to removed cannabis – where it had been placed for… Read More

In a message, Secretary-General António Guterres urged the world to not lose sight of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.  “Despite significant successes, the AIDS emergency is not over. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) still infects 1.7 million people each year and kills some 690,000,” he said.  Mr. Guterres highlighted the impact of inequalities, leaving… Read More

Updating reporters during his regular briefing from Geneva, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the global decline as fragile: brought on by falling cases in Europe, thanks to the difficult but necessary measures countries put in place in recent weeks. “The pandemic has taught that in the face of an urgent health threat, the ? can come together in new ways… Read More

According to the World Malaria Report, released on Monday, the situation is particularly concerning in high-burden countries in Africa.  The UN health agency urged nations and health partners to step up the fight against malaria, with better targeting of interventions, new tools and increased funding.  “It is time for leaders across Africa – and the world – to rise once… Read More

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Gheybreyesus emphasized how testing has been common among countries which have worked to control the virus.  “#COVID19 has resulted in restrictions of many types – but everyone can remain active, whether that’s doing a workout at ? or going out for a ?, a ? or a ?‍♀️. It’s one way all of us can add… Read More