African women can build a better future for all Africans

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber Over the last 30 days Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has become the most important woman in the African energy industry. She has taken some of the most courageous steps in rebooting Tanzania’s energy sector and economy. The signing of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline with […]

World military spending rises to almost $2 trillion

Total global military expenditure rose to $1981 billion last year, an increase of 2.6 per cent in real terms from 2019, according to new data published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The five biggest spenders in 2020, which together accounted for 62 per cent of global military expenditure, were the United States, China, […]

AU meets to push African vaccine development

African leaders last Monday assembled at a global meeting to discuss the status of local pharmaceutical manufacturing on the continent, underscored the need to increase local production of vaccines and therapeutics to achieve greater public-health security. “The production of vaccines and access to vaccines is an absolute priority,” Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, said […]

Norway: More funds to climate change fight

“Food production is becoming increasingly difficult, and more people are going hungry. We must focus more strongly on adaptation to climate change. The Government’s new strategy on climate change, hunger and vulnerability will play a part in this,” says Norway’s Minister of International Development Dag-Inge Ulstein. 2020 was one of the three warmest years ever […]

Actions on African climate change adaptation

In a historic and united show of solidarity for a continent that contributes only 5% to global emissions, more than 30 heads of state and global leaders committed to prioritize actions that help African countries adapt to the impacts of climate change and “build forward better.” Africa now faces the dual onslaught of climate change […]

Sweden extends COVID entry ban

The Swedish Government decided today to extend the general entry ban, and that the requirement of a negative COVID-19 test will remain in effect for entry from all countries. At the same time, the separate entry restrictions on travel from Denmark and Norway will be lifted. The entry ban has been extended until 31 May. […]

Global increase in female lawmakers

The representation of women in the world has increased from 11 to 25% in parliaments over the last 25 years, according to a review made by the Swedish Gender Equality Authority. But men still hold 75 percent of the seats in parliament, and in the highest positions men dominate even more. Sweden was the first […]

Gender equality good for post-Covid recovery

This year is a special International Women’s Day. Not only is it exactly 110 years since the first International Women’s Day, when more than a million women and men joined forces and raised their voices for equal rights. We are also at an important turning point this year on this March 8. Over the past […]

World leaders talk global issues at Rally of Hope

Millions of viewers from 150 countries joined the live online broadcast of the 5th Rally of Hope sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) on Saturday, February 27. The virtual event featured world-class entertainment and globally renowned leaders including Cape Verde President Jorge Carlos Fonseca, Guyana Prime Minister Mark Phillips and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (2017–2021). Others included United Nations World […]

Sweden adopts measures against racism, hate crimes

The Swedish Government has adopted several measures against racism, similar forms of hostility and hate crime. Several of the measures are being carried out within the context of the national plan against racism, similar forms of hostility and hate crime, which the government adopted in 2016. The plan takes an integrated approach and comprises strategies […]