The World Trade Organization (WTO) is extending its 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) for a fifth day, buying time for delegates to negotiate some tough deals in five main areas: the pandemic response, COVID-19 vaccines, fishing subsidies, food shortages and agriculture. The long-delayed ministerial conference, which opened on Sunday and was originally planned to close on […] Continue reading ->
Russia’s ongoing refusal to let Ukranian grain lift its blockade of Black Sea ports is causing a global food crisis and has led to allegations that the country is weaponizing” the world’s food supply. Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the world will face a “severe food crisis” as Russia’s war continues […] Continue reading ->
After nearly 18 months of debate, World Trade Organization (WTO) members now appear likely to approve a limited waiver of patent rights on COVID-19 vaccines in their closing session on Wednesday. But if the current draft text is approved as it stands, it may be a pyrrhic victory for the medicines access groups that fought […] Continue reading ->
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has called a meeting of the emergency committee for next Thursday to discuss whether monkeypox should be declared a public health emergency. This follows the spread of the disease in at least 32 new countries outside of the nine African countries where it is […] Continue reading ->
Travellers entering the US from other countries no longer need negative COVID-19 tests, Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Sunday. The CDC continues to recommend that all people stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and wear masks on public transport. From Saturday, 11 June 2022, all […] Continue reading ->
The principle of a safe and healthy working environment has been adopted to be included in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in a landmark decision during the annual International Labour Conference (ILC). The International Labour Conference, held 27 May – 11 June, brings together delegates from ILO member states […] Continue reading ->
The World Trade Organization’s Director General Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala said she was “cautiously optimistic” about the potential for WTO members to reach long-delayed agreements on issues such as a limited IP waiver for COVID vaccines as well as a decision to curb harmful fisheries subsidies that allow big industrial rigs to plunder the oceans […] Continue reading ->
The first report by the new WHO-convened expert group, Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) has fanned the flames of controversy over evidence about whether a lab leak or a natural “spillover” of the virus from animals to humans was the most likely source from which the COVID pandemic emerged – […] Continue reading ->
Africa has the scientific and intellectual capital to develop new interventions to tackle global health challenges. Particularly when local problems emerge, surely local research is the best path towards a solution. But pursuing this path requires funding that will support and promote the growth and expertise of Africa’s scientists. Africa is plagued by many epidemics […] Continue reading ->
Eritrea has yet to start vaccinating its citizens against COVID-19, whereas two African countries – South Africa and Tunisia – are now offering citizens over 50 a second COVID-19 booster vaccine. However, but the vaccination rate on the continent is far behind the global vaccination target of 70%. Dr Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Acting Director of […] Continue reading ->