Latest news with #AminaMohammed
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Global Action Needed As Progress Stalls On Disability-Inclusive Development Goals
10 June 2025 'The message is stark: persons with disabilities face higher poverty, greater unemployment, deeper food and health insecurity and more limited access to education, jobs, and digital technologies,' said Amina Mohammed. But action is underway. The 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18) will focus on enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development. Progressive roots Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Kim Mi-Yeon, underscored the importance of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, now 20 years old, even amid growing global challenges. ' The CRPD is the most progressive human rights treaty of the 21st marked a decisive shift – from medical and charity models to a rights-based approach – and affirms the duty to dismantle structural and gender-based discrimination,' said Ms. Kim. Even with the ongoing UN liquidity crisis, he highlighted the momentum across the world for bolstering rights, including the International Forum on Disability Employment in Korea. Gaining momentum The social development agenda aims to continue building momentum for disability rights and social development ahead of two major upcoming events: the Second World Summit for Social Development in November and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development later this month, FFD4, taking place in the Spanish city of Sevilla. This week's agenda From Tuesday to Thursday, the conference will feature speeches by UN and civil society leaders, a public debate on the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities and three roundtables. The roundtables will explore financing for disability-inclusive development, harnessing artificial intelligence for inclusion and advancing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities Government officials, civil society representatives, UN agencies, and experts will share strategies and best practices throughout the event.
NHK
06-06-2025
- Health
- NHK
UN report: Lack of US funding will cause 4 milion additional AIDS deaths by 2029
The United Nations has warned that a permanent halt in US funding is expected to result in 4 million additional deaths from AIDS-related causes by 2029. The General Assembly met on Thursday to study a UN progress report on the fight against HIV/AIDS. The report says the US has been a leader in the global response to HIV for more than two decades, contributing more than 70 percent of donor funding. But it notes that the administration of US President Donald Trump has paused the contributions since the end of January. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told the meeting that the cost of the reduction is stark. She said closures of clinics and other disruptions to HIV services are putting adolescent girls and young women at especially greater risk, and that more babies are being born with HIV. Mohammed said if US funding is permanently halted, the UN projects 4 million additional deaths and over 6 million new HIV infections by 2029. She called on countries to reverse the funding declines, saying they must not allow themselves to "shatter the possibility of achieving the 2030 goal to end AIDS as a public health threat." The UN report says nearly a quarter of the 39.9 million people living with HIV globally are not receiving life-saving treatment. It says one person is dying from HIV-related causes every minute.
Scoop
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Deadly Flooding In Nigeria Displaces Thousands
2 June 2025 Nigerian officials estimate that over 500 people are still missing and presumed dead, according to news reports. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, a former Nigerian Government minister, said she was heartbroken at the extent of the loss and damage. 'My deepest condolences to all those affected – especially the families who have lost loved ones. My prayers are with you,' she said. UN relief operation United Nations agencies and partners are working alongside the Nigerian Government to provide essential humanitarian aid to individuals and households in Niger State who have been affected. Beginning 29 May, heavy rains in the Local Government Area of Mokwa – known as a trading hub – prompted flash flooding which flattened entire neighbourhoods. Hundreds were killed, thousands displaced and key roads and bridges were damaged, disrupting movement and economic activity. Nigeria's rainy season extends from April-October, making it particularly prone to flooding, which has become more severe in recent years. Climate change factor In 2024, a flood in September killed 230 people in Borno state in eastern Nigeria and displaced over 600,000 people. In 2022, severe flooding across the country impacted 34 out of the 36 states, killed hundreds and displaced more than 1.3 million. A recent report from the UN weather agency (WMO) said the worsening severity is related to climate change and increasing surface and water temperatures, all of which is taking a high toll throughout the African continent. Agencies on the ground According to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric Nigerian authorities are leading recovery efforts and UN agencies and partners are providing supplementary assistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to ship medicine and medical equipment to supplement and support existing primary care systems. For their part, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is providing materials for temporary shelter and other non-essential food items. The UN reproductive health agency (UNFPA) is working to establish temporary clinics and safe spaces for women and girls displaced by the flooding. In these spaces, women can access maternal and reproductive health services, dignity kits and psychosocial assistance. UNFPA is also working to deploy midwives and nurses. Mohammed M. Malik Fall, resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, commended Government efforts to respond to the humanitarian situation in Mokwa and said that the UN 'stands ready to support the response.'
Euronews
30-05-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Tajikistan calls for global effort to preserve melting ice glaciers
Tajikistan is home to nearly 14,000 glaciers, but more than a thousand have already disappeared. The country has the largest number of glaciers in Central Asia and sits at the epicentre of regional glacier melt. As the impact grows, Tajikistan is leading the call for action and bringing the issue to the global stage. On the side-lines of the first high-level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon proposed launching a major study of the country's glaciers and creating a regional research lab. He also suggested focusing research efforts on the Vanch Yakh Glacier, formerly known as Fedchenko. It is the world's largest continental glacier and has already retreated by more than one kilometre over the past 80 years. "Considering the fact that more than 60% of the region's glaciers are located in Tajikistan, I propose, in collaboration with development partners and research institutes, to organise a comprehensive expedition to study the glaciers of Tajikistan and establish a regional laboratory for glacier research," the president said. The International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation gathered more than 2,000 people from more than 80 countries. Among the high-profile guests were UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Iran's First Vice President Mohammed Reza Arif, Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shabaz Sharif and other international leaders. The event marks an important step toward putting the UN's 2025 International Year of Glacier Preservation into action.
Zawya
17-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Organization (WHO) Strengthens Field Presence and Support to Cholera Response During High Level Visit to Kwanza Sul and Benguela
As part of ongoing efforts to support Angola's fight against the cholera outbreak and to reinforce regional health systems, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Angola, Dr Indrajit Hazarika, conducted a field mission to the provinces of Kwanza Sul and Benguela this week. The visit served to strengthen collaboration with local authorities, highlight WHO's decentralized support across the country, and follow the high-level visit of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed. The field mission began in Kwanza Sul, where Dr Indrajit met with the Provincial Governor and the Provincial Director of Health. During the meeting, WHO expressed its appreciation for the province's leadership in cholera response and for the continuous support to the WHO office in Sumbe. Discussions also focused on broader areas of collaboration, including expanding health coverage, and improving emergency preparedness. The delegation then proceeded to Benguela, where it joined a high-level visit led by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, the Minister of Health of Angola, and the UN Resident Coordinator to assess the province's progress in responding to the cholera outbreak. The visit included a tour of the Cholera Treatment Center at the Municipal Hospital of Benguela and a stop at the mobile health clinic at the Lobito train station, which is extending care to vulnerable populations along the Lobito Corridor. Benguela has been one of the most affected provinces since the cholera outbreak began, at one point reporting over 100 cases per day. Thanks to strong leadership by the provincial government, a multisectoral approach, and support from WHO, UNICEF, and other partners, the situation has markedly improved. As of this week, the province reported fewer than 50 cases per day and some days registering zero deaths. The WHO Representative commended the efforts of provincial authorities, health workers, and frontline responders for this remarkable turnaround. 'This progress is a direct result of local leadership, strong coordination, and collective action,' said the WHO Representative during the visit. 'WHO is proud to stand with the Government of Angola—not just at the national level, but with teams embedded in provinces like Benguela and Kwanza Sul—working every day to respond to emergencies and strengthen the health system.' WHO's support to Angola includes the deployment of emergency response teams, technical guidance for case management and surveillance, coordination support, and the delivery of critical medical supplies. WHO has also facilitated the deployment of Emergency Medical Teams from Portugal and Germany to reinforce the response in Benguela. The visit highlighted the importance of a whole-of-society response to cholera, one that not only treats the disease but addresses its root causes: lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and health services. The WHO Representative reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting Angola's long-term goals of disease prevention, health system resilience, and universal health coverage. 'Cholera thrives where development is lacking. We must not only stop this outbreak—we must prevent the next one. That means investing in primary health care, water and sanitation, and strong surveillance systems,' the WHO Representative emphasized. As the response continues, WHO remains a key partner to the Government of Angola and will continue to work hand-in-hand with national and provincial stakeholders to protect lives and build a healthier future for all Angolans. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
