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How Zambia turned a debt buyback into development gains

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How Zambia turned a debt buyback into development gains

By Dr Mohamed Z M Aazim

In June 2026, Zambia completed a debt management operation that drew international attention. Following its 2024 debt restructuring, the country launched a buyback of a USD1.36 billion bond maturing in 2053. It replaced part of that commercial debt with concessional financing from the African Development Bank.

What interests me about this operation is how Zambia sought to reduce its future debt costs while supporting financial stability and national development.

Why did Zambia act?

Zambia’s debt challenges are well documented. After defaulting on its external debt in 2020, it became one of the first countries to complete a debt treatment under the G20 Common Framework. The restructuring brought much-needed relief from immediate repayments, but it also led to the issuance of a new long-term bond maturing in 2053.

What made this bond different was its built-in “step-up” feature, meaning that interest payments were set to rise over time. This reduced debt-service costs immediately after the restructuring but meant that Zambia’s repayment obligations could become more expensive in later years.

Recognising this risk, the government identified the bond as a suitable candidate for an early buyback and replacement with more affordable financing.

How did the buyback work?

The first step was to secure affordable financing. Zambia obtained a US$600 million loan from the African Development Bank on favourable terms and combined it with its own resources.

The government then invited investors to sell their holdings back before the bond reached maturity through a market-based tender offer. Investors were offered USD 740 for every USD 1,000 of bond principal. Those who accepted the offer early received an additional USD 40 per USD1,000. This incentive encouraged strong participation.

The response was significant. Investors holding 97.85 percent of the outstanding bond accepted the offer, allowing Zambia to redeem the remaining securities and retire the entire bond issue.

The operation replaced commercial debt, whose interest costs could have risen over time, with financing on more favourable terms and lower future repayment obligations. This reduced future fiscal pressures and helped preserve resources for development priorities.

Debt for development

For me, what makes this transaction particularly notable is its connection to a wider development goal.

As part of the arrangement, Zambia committed to a 15-year Grid Resilience Programme aimed at improving the country’s electricity transmission and distribution network. Reliable electricity remains essential to improved economic growth and improved living standards. By linking debt management with infrastructure investment, Zambia demonstrated how debt operations can support wider development objectives.

This is why the transaction has been described as “debt-for-development” or “debt-for-energy” conversion.

Lessons for others

Zambia’s experience offers several practical lessons. First, restructuring is not the end of the process. It can provide breathing space, but governments still need to manage their debt proactively to preserve those gains. Second, buybacks and other liability management operations can reduce future repayment costs and improve the structure of a country’s debt.

Third, concessional financing can be used strategically. Support from development partners can allow countries to replace expensive debt with more affordable obligations. Fourth, incentives matter. Appropriately structured incentives can encourage strong investor participation and improve the prospects of a successful market-based operation.

Most importantly, debt management and development do not have to be treated as separate goals. Carefully designed debt operations can reduce financial pressures and support investments that promote economic growth and resilience.

Looking ahead

At a time when many developing countries are facing rising debt vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space, Zambia’s experience offers a useful example of innovative debt management. The operation shows that carefully designed liability management can do more than reduce debt obligations. It can strengthen debt sustainability, improve investor confidence and preserve resources for development priorities that directly benefit citizens.

  • Dr Mohamed Z M Aazim, Debt Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat

Sources: Ministry of Finance and National Planning of Zambia (2026); African Development Bank announcements; Reuters (2026); IMF Zambia Article IV Consultation Reports.

‘Cats are funny – too’

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‘Cats are funny – too’

By Tony Deyal

Many years ago, I read about Shakespeare’s Hamlet when Polonius enjoined his son, Laertes, saying, “Be thou familiar but by no means vulgar.” In other words, there is a very fine line dividing both forms of behaviour, and it is quite easy to slip from one into the other, especially when it comes to cats. We had, and still have, a beautiful CAT that our daughter loved and took care of it from morning to night. For most people, cats become part of our family through deep emotional bonds, shared daily routines, and mutual trust. They offer quiet comfort, show uniqueness, which means being the only one of its kind (or so my daughter feels, and also makes it clear to the rest of us).  She also includes signs of affection and triggers of the same loving brain chemicals in us as humans. However, I’ve heard that it is bad luck if a black cat follows you. One of my friends joked, “No problem with them. Our wives are worse!” Another told us, “Listen. The bad luck is only if it is a man or a mouse!”

I also hear that shop cats are important for pest control, customer comfort, and companionship, but mostly because cats, mice and rats keep goods safe. They also say that cats are believed to be the only mammals who don’t taste sweetness. Most little boys around our area “jump” on that. Even the older men, but for a different reason. As one said, we need to give the women all they want. But regardless of how hard they try, the men still don’t do enough for the ladies. While the men are truly nearsighted and have real problems the cats’ vision, especially at night. In fact, they are much better than that of humans. Cats are supposed to have 18 toes (five toes on each front paw; four toes on each back-pay). Cats can jump up to six times their length. To make it worse, Winston Churchill says, “Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals,” And the great Leonardo da Vinci made it clear to all of us, “The smallest feline is a masterpiece.”

Some people say that cats are funny. They have love in the night and not the day, and maybe that is because they make up humour and share lots of jokes. What I know is that after my recent column on “dogs”, the “cats,” men and women, made it clear that I have to do the same because they feel that the “Cats” are much better than the dogs.

So let’s start with a few: Why did the cat sit on the computer? To keep an eye on the mouse!; What is a cat’s favourite colour? Purple: Why are cats so good at video games? Because they have nine lives; What do you call a cat that loves to bowl? An alley cat: Why don’t cats play poker in the jungle? Too many cheetahs! There are some “Cat Puns” that are a bit different, like: (Purreal) Are you fur real right meow? (Purrect: Your day is looking purrect; (Feline fine) My kitty is fine today; (Cat-astrophe) Spilling the cat food is a total ca-astrohpe.

Many of my colleagues were not happy about the “Cat Puns” and told me they wanted some better cats to show us how great they are with jokes. So, here are a few.

“Why are cats so good at video games?” Because they have nine lives, of course! “Why are cats afraid of trees?
Because of their bark. And, “What do you call a cat that loves bowling? An alley cat! Then someone asked to open the door with, “Know, know. Who’s there?” The person in the house asked, “Kitten, Kitten, who?” That was enough and no more talk. He shouted, “Quit the kitten talk around. Then open the bloody door you hear!”

Then my readers told me to go back to normal, and so here we are: “What do Christmas and desert cats have in common?” Sandy claws. “Why can’t you play poker in the jungle? Too many cheetahs. “How do cats resolve an argument?” They hiss and make up. “What’s smarter than a talking cat?” A spelling bee. “If a cat loses its tail, where does it go?” The retail store. And, “why are cats bad story letters?” They only have one tail.

A few of my readers who like Cats make it clear that we should forget the weird humour and show why Cats are the best ever. First, there are some from some groups. One said that they may be biased, but when it comes to choosing the perfect pet, we think you’d be better off with a cat. Another made it clear that while we love all animals, there are certain benefits to welcoming a feline friend into your life. Then the majority make it very clear that you’d be doing one of the kindest things possible if they are giving a loving home. But if you need some convincing, here are some of the top reasons why moggies are particularly marvellous.

In other words, non-pedigree, mixed-breed cats (moggies) are especially wonderful pets even though they are without formal pedigree. People actually use this phrase to praise their unique charm, health, and personality. They believe you don’t need to walk them; They groom themselves; You can leave them alone for short periods; They don’t need a lot of space; They don’t need training; They’re quiet (most of the time); You have to earn their respect, and most of all, they provide you with hours of entertainment.

More than that is how “high level” folks, men and women, love Cats. Here are some that we must consider as not just important, but many own and love cats.

For instance, Hippolyte Taine, a French historian, critic and philosopher, said: “I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” Terry Pratchett, one of England’s funniest writers, was clear: “In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” Jane Pauley, an American television host and author, is a Cap person: “You can not look at a sleeping cat and feel safe. Nafisa Joseph, an Indian model and beauty pageant titleholder, was clear: “I used to love dogs until I discovered cats.” Then there was Sigmund Freud, the Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, who told us, “Cats speak only to those who know to listen.” Then Seanan McGuire, the American author, reminds us that: “When Rome burned, the emperor’s cats still expected to be fed on time.” And to end, one “unknown” told all of us, “Your house will always be blessed with love, laughter and friendship if you have a cat.” Then another “unknown” but very, very clear for all of us, “Cats leave paw prints in your heart, forever and always.”

*Tony Deyal agreed with Sigmund Freud, “Time spent with cats is never wasted.” 

BOJ welcomes new Governor of the Bank

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BOJ welcomes new Governor of the Bank

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) announced Dr R. Brian Langrin as Governor of the Bank, effective 19 August 2026, following his appointment by the Governor General on the recommendation of cabinet, in accordance with the Bank of Jamaica Act.

Dr Langrin succeeds Richard Byles, whose term concludes on 18 August 2026 after leading the bank since 19 August 2019.

Dr Langrin brings to the leadership of BOJ, experience at the highest levels of global finance. During his tenure at the International Monetary Fund, he served as regional financial stability advisor. He was executive director at the Inter-American Development Bank Group, chairing the board’s audit and Assurance Oversight Committee.

In service to the World Bank Group, he was board advisor to the executive director for Canada, Ireland, and the Caribbean. Most recently, he advised the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on modernising the region’s digital financial market infrastructure.

In his previous assignment at Bank of Jamaica, Dr Langrin served as chief economist in the research and economic programming division and then as head of the financial stability department.

In the latter capacity, he advanced policy, legislative and institutional reforms and served as technical lead for the government of Jamaica on two sovereign debt restructurings. He earned the following qualifications:  PhD in Economics from Pennsylvania State University, MSc. in Economics and BSc. in Economics and Management from the University of the West Indies.

Bank of Jamaica welcomes Dr Langrin, thanked the outgoing Governor, Richard Byles, for his service, and commits to a seamless transition of leadership. Bank of Jamaica remains committed to its statutory mandates in the interest of all Jamaicans.

Outlook for the US and Alaskan economies

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Outlook for the US and Alaskan economies

By Governor Lisa D. Cook

I view the US economy as remaining resilient and growing at a solid pace. Inflation continues to be stubbornly high and has exceeded the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) 2 percent target for more than five years. Meanwhile, the labor market appears to be stable, in a low-hire, low-fire environment.

Thinking first of the price-stability side of our mandate, my assessment is simple: Inflation is too high. This has been my long-held view, and I have noted that inflation has moved significantly away from our target over the past year. The inflation picture improved modestly in June, the most recent month for which we have data. However, I would not put too much weight on a single data point, especially in what remains a highly uncertain environment. The personal consumption expenditures price (PCE) index rose 3.7 percent in the 12 months through June. That is nearly double our target. Elevated energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East have contributed significantly to inflation over the past year, but it is not the only factor. Core prices, which exclude food and energy costs, rose 3.3 percent over the same period.

This year has brought two unexpected sources of price pressure: The Middle East conflict has driven the cost of energy and certain other goods higher, and companies are ramping up capital spending to build out artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. That investment wave has lifted prices for semiconductors, high-tech equipment, software, and utilities. Taken together, these developments have shifted the balance of risks toward inflation and away from the labor market.

On the other side of the dual mandate, the labor market has remained resilient over the past year. In June, the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent. That rate has barely changed from a year earlier and aligns with what many economists believe is the natural rate of unemployment. Job growth over the past year has been modest. However, it picked up during the spring months, averaging more than 100,000 jobs added per month in the April through June period. Although the hiring rate is low, the unemployment rate remains steady because layoffs are also low. Initial claims for unemployment benefits have trended at historically low levels for several years.

The low-hire, low-fire equilibrium hits some groups, including new entrants, especially hard and may restrain worker sentiment for good reason. Several factors could explain why employers are not hiring as much as they did in the recent past, including longer-term structural shifts, pandemic-era over-hiring, or increased work from home. However, international and state-level evidence suggests that low hiring rates, when they reflect slow population growth, do not signal an impending downturn by themselves. At the same time, many workers understandably worry about how AI will affect their livelihood. Thus far, the most dire predictions about AI job losses have not materialised. I still see this development as a significant risk but one that has not grown over the past year.

Overall economic growth in the US remains solid this year. After being adjusted for inflation, output grew at a 1.8 percent pace through the first half of the year and is on track to grow at a faster pace in the second half. An important driver of those gains is the AI-related investment I previously mentioned. Overall business investment rose at a 10 percent annual rate in the first half of the year. Meanwhile, US households appear resilient, with consumer spending advancing at close to a 2 percent rate in the first half. Housing continued to be a soft spot, with the level of residential investment edging down about 3 percent.

Monetary Policy

What does this outlook mean for monetary policy? As I have described, inflation is too high, and I consider the risks to the inflation side of the dual mandate higher than the risks to the employment side at this point. As such, I am prepared to act by raising rates, if necessary. The labor market and output growth are currently stable. I would consider how a rate increase could negatively affect that stability. Still, I would support an increase, if it becomes necessary to bring inflation down. It may not. Some disinflationary forces are already in play, which could push inflation toward our target without a rate increase. Allow me to describe these forces.

First, the effects of tariffs announced last year on the price level are mostly behind us. So even though those tariffs account for a lot of the elevated inflation seen in 12-month changes, they may no longer provide much inflationary push going forward. We should see some disinflation as the early months of tariff pass-through drop out of the inflation window. However, the exact path of tariff policy remains uncertain.

Second, while oil prices continue to be elevated relative to early this year because of the Middle East conflict, many forecasters suggest that they will come down by the end of the year, providing some deflationary relief. However, similar to tariff policy, uncertainty remains high.

Third, and finally, some of the recent price pressure in goods is due to the relative demand shift from the AI buildout, as demand for chips, especially, has led to stark price increases in high-tech electronics. As supply chains adjust and sector-specific efficiency gains accrue, I believe some of the inflationary pressure coming from the AI buildout will ease.

For these three reasons, I felt it was appropriate not to change rates while we see how these factors evolve. If I do not see signs of continued disinflation soon, I am prepared to act. With five years of above-target inflation, the risk grows that higher inflation may become entrenched in price- and wage-setting behavior, leading to persistence that would be much harder for us to attack. The longer inflation is above target, the more likely this scenario becomes. Thus, while we might be able to afford to wait for longer in a different environment, we do not have that luxury in this one.

Alaska Outlook

When I consider monetary policy, I focus on the national picture I just described. But I know the economy varies from state to state, city to city, and neighbourhood to neighbourhood. The Alaskan economy has some similarities with and some differences from what I see in the Lower 48 states.

Like the rest of the country, Alaskans have faced substantial increases in the cost of living since the pandemic. And inflation pressure appears to be picking up in the most recent readings. These price increases are likely weighing heavily on Alaskan households, who historically have faced higher prices than other Americans, particularly in remote areas of the state.

The labor market here appears to be stable, as it is in much of the country. The unemployment rate is low in Alaska—just 4.4 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, this level is lower than any reading published before the pandemic. Initial unemployment insurance claims are also low, suggesting that layoffs are low. Employment in the health-care sector has been a driver of overall job gains for several years in the state. Meanwhile, federal government employment, which constitutes a higher share of the Alaskan workforce relative to most states, has declined notably this past year.4 Alaska is facing a shrinking labor force and an aging population. Alaska’s working-age population, those aged between 18 and 64, declined slightly in 2025. Simultaneously, the number of Alaskans aged 65 or older increased 3.2 percent last year.5

One major difference between the Alaskan economy and that of most states is the large share of the economy attributed to the oil and gas sector. Employment in this sector, which stood at 9,700 in June, has largely moderated over the previous decade, though the sector added a significant number of jobs in the past 12 months.6 When energy prices fluctuate, as we have seen in recent months, Alaska faces an economic dynamic that no other state experiences to the same degree. When oil prices rise, your state government’s fiscal position strengthens. At the same time, many Alaskans, particularly those in rural communities, see their energy costs spike. Therefore, the state’s balance sheet improves while household budgets in remote areas face real strain. This dynamic is something I want to hear more about, but as an outside observer, this creates a natural tension in how different parts of Alaska’s economy experience the same price movement. Certainly, this is something we need to keep in mind when we think about energy price volatility and its broader economic effects.

A view on sentiment

And before I conclude, I would like to discuss a disconnect I have observed when examining economic data. The discussions I have had here—and around the country—reveal that many workers and business leaders have a less favourable outlook on the economy than official statistics indicate. National consumer sentiment data bear out this observation. Consumer sentiment, by many measures, is lower than one would expect in a solid labor market, and perceptions of job availability have continued to worsen. In outreach calls, I hear that vulnerable households are especially dissatisfied with the economy.

It is important to understand what is driving this low sentiment to ensure that the FOMC is doing what it can to best achieve our dual mandate. I have come to the view that households are currently reporting low sentiment for three main reasons.7

First, the introduction of AI has raised uncertainty about the job market. Many Americans see the benefits of AI but are also concerned about the labor-market transition. They wonder whether in coming years jobs will be available for themselves and their families, which seems understandable. Although the labor market has been resilient, the hiring rate is low—which disproportionately affects young entrants. Moreover, some evidence suggests that hiring in certain AI-vulnerable sectors may have slowed.

Second, decades-long structural changes present challenges for today’s middle-class families. Most notably, housing costs have increased sharply for both homebuyers and renters. These increases have far surpassed wage gains in almost every region of the country. In Alaska, house prices have increased fivefold since 1990, more than double the rise in the overall price index for all goods and services. In addition, nationally, the cost of education, health care, elder care, and childcare has risen by more than wages; household debt has risen; and intergenerational mobility has declined. These trends may interact with other macroeconomic changes in ways that make them especially painful now. For instance, young adults today compete for housing and jobs with older, wealthier baby boomers—making these long-standing challenges more acute.

Finally, the third reason I point to as an explanation for weak sentiment is the high inflation experienced over the past five years. This high inflation also interacts with the long-standing trends I just mentioned. The extended bout of inflation would have called attention to the corrosive rise in real prices of housing, childcare, and education that occurred over decades.

In sum, the reasons for low sentiment are real and are deeply concerning. They require a varied and broad policy approach, largely outside the scope of monetary policy. But we have our part to play. As a monetary policymaker, I believe that the best thing we can do in our roles is to ensure that inflation returns to and stays at target.

Conclusion

If you take away one thing from this talk, I hope it is that I am firmly committed to restoring price stability. Bringing inflation back to target, first and most importantly, is critical to achieving the dual mandate that Congress assigned to the Fed. Achieving our goal will also bring much-needed relief to families who have faced elevated price pressures for far too long. And achieving price stability will help narrow the disconnect that many Alaskans, and many Americans, feel when they assess their personal, less sanguine expectations for the economy relative to solid, more sanguine readings for growth and employment.

FAO Food Price Index edges up amid weather, energy and geopolitical concerns

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FAO Food Price Index edges up amid weather, energy and geopolitical concerns
    • International quotations for sugar, cereals and vegetable oils offset declines for meat and dairy products

ROME – The benchmark measure of world food commodity prices edged up in July, as recent heatwaves and energy price dynamics pushed up quotations for cereals, vegetable oils and sugar, according to new data the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 131.1 points in July 2026, up 0.6 percent from its June level and 1.0 percent higher than its year-earlier level.

The FAO Cereal Price Index increased by 3.4 percent from June, reversing its May decline, to stand 6.9 percent above its July 2025 level. Global wheat prices surged by 5.8 percent amid heightened concerns over continued disruptions to Black Sea export flows and the likely impact of recent heatwaves on crop yields in several key producing countries. World maize prices increased by 3.6 percent, supported by concerns over hot and dry weather in parts of the United States of America and spillover effects from firmer energy markets amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The FAO All Rice Price Index held broadly steady in July 2026.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index increased by 2.0 percent from June, reaching its highest level since June 2022. International quotations for palm oil rose, underpinned by firm demand from Indonesia’s biodiesel sector and higher crude oil prices, while world soy oil prices also increased on the back of persistently robust feedstock demand in the United States of America and stronger global import demand amid greater price competitiveness. Global sunflower and rapeseed oil prices declined.

The FAO Meat Price Index weakened by 2.8 percent from its record high in June, posting its first monthly decline this year. International poultry prices decreased due largely to lower quotations in Brazil amid ample export supplies, while pig meat quotations dipped amid abundant supplies in the European Union and subdued global demand. World bovine meat prices also eased, reflecting weaker import demand from Asia, while ovine meat prices rose to a new record high, supported by persistently tight exportable supplies in Oceania.

The FAO Dairy Price Index declined by 0.7 percent in July, with quotations for whole and skim milk powders dropping along with those for butter. Prices for internationally traded cheese rose for the first time in a year as tighter seasonal milk supplies in the European Union more than offset continuing price declines in Oceania and pressure from ample export supplies and intensified competition from the United States of America.

The FAO Sugar Price Index increased by 5.6 percent in July, erasing its June decline, due mainly to concerns about the potential impacts of persistent hot and dry weather on crop yields in the European Union and of El Niño-related weather conditions on production prospects in key producing countries in Asia. Expectations of stronger demand for ethanol in Brazil following a temporary increase in the mandatory ethanol blend in gasoline also provided support to prices, which, however, was partly mitigated by improving harvesting conditions in Brazil’s key Center-South growing regions.

– More details are available here.

CDB – GCF finance USD 27 million initiative to strengthen early warning systems in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago

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CDB – GCF finance USD 27 million initiative to strengthen early warning systems in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), through its partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is financing a USD 27.1 million initiative to scale up hydrometeorological services and multi-hazard early warning systems in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, strengthening those countries’ ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to climate-related hazards and extreme weather events.

The project is being financed primarily through a USD 24.1 million grant, approved by the GCF and channelled through CDB. The bank will also provide USD 1.2 million in grant financing while USD 1.88 million in counterpart funding will come from the governments of Belize and Trinidad and Tobago. The project will be implemented by the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation, the Region’s specialised institution for meteorology and climate services, in partnership with national meteorological and disaster management agencies in the beneficiary countries.

The initiative will strengthen the countries’ capacity to detect, monitor, analyse, forecast and communicate information on weather, water and climate-related hazards. It will also support improvements in disaster risk management, climate information services, institutional capacity, and the delivery of timely warnings to vulnerable communities, helping to reduce loss and damage from increasingly frequent and severe climate-related events.

Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, like many Caribbean countries, continue to face growing threats from climate change, including hurricanes, flooding, droughts, heatwaves and sea-level rise. Strengthened early warning systems are recognised as one of the most critical and cost-effective tools for protecting lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and critical economic sectors.

Director of CDB’s projects department, L. O’Reilly Lewis, said the intervention reflects a shared commitment by CDB and GCF to building resilience in vulnerable Caribbean countries.

“This investment, made possible through the Green Climate Fund’s support, represents a critical step in strengthening climate resilience in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago. As climate-related hazards become more frequent and severe, robust early warning systems are essential to protecting communities, safeguarding key economic sectors and preserving development gains. The project advances CDB’s strategic focus on accelerating climate action, strengthening institutions and building social and environmental resilience, while creating a model that can inform similar investments across the Caribbean.”

The project is aligned with CDB’s Strategic Objectives 2026-2035, particularly its emphasis on Social and Environmental Resilience, Strengthening Institutions, and Accelerating Climate Action. It also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13, Climate Action.

Division chief, environmental sustainability, Valerie Isaac, highlighted the practical benefits that will accrue from the intervention.

“This project will help transform how climate and weather information is generated, shared and used. Strengthening forecasting capabilities, improving coordination among national and regional institutions, and enhancing communication with at-risk populations, enables communities, governments and key sectors to have access to timely, actionable information that supports preparedness and informed decision-making before climate-related hazards occur.”

PAHO launches toolkit to prevent bullying and cyberbullying among children and adolescents in the Americas

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PAHO launches toolkit to prevent bullying and cyberbullying among children and adolescents in the Americas

WASHINGTON, USA, (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launched the toolkit What Works to Prevent Bullying and Cyberbullying of Children and Adolescents in the Americas, a new resource that brings together evidence, recommendations, and practical tools to prevent and respond to a form of violence that affects millions of children and adolescents across the region.

The toolkit outlines the extent of bullying and cyberbullying, the toll they take on children and adolescents, and the evidence-based interventions that support prevention and response. Drawing on evidence from the health, education, and social protection sectors, it also highlights the important role of health services in early identification, comprehensive care, and ongoing support for affected children and adolescents.

“Bullying during childhood and adolescence is a form of peer violence that can have significant consequences for physical, sexual, mental, and emotional health,” said Britta Baer, PAHO regional advisor on violence and injury prevention and co-author of the toolkit. “The good news is that it can be prevented. We have evidence on what works, and this toolkit aims to make that evidence accessible to decision-makers, people who work with adolescents, and those who support their development.”

Bullying and cyberbullying in the region

Approximately one in four adolescents aged 13 to 17 in Latin America and the Caribbean reports having experienced bullying at school during the past month, although prevalence varies by country and subregion. Around 23 percent of students in Central America report experiencing bullying, compared with 30 percent in South America, according to data in the toolkit.

Bullying takes many forms and often occurs simultaneously in physical, verbal, sexual, and social forms. Patterns also differ by sex: physical bullying is more common among boys, while social and sexual bullying disproportionately affects girls, with different impacts and help-seeking behaviours.

Cyberbullying takes place when someone is harassed, threatened, or humiliated through digital platforms such as social media, instant messaging, online games, forums, or other online platforms. In recent years, the rapid growth of digital technologies has transformed the way peer violence occurs.

In some countries in the Region, between 7 percent and 27 percent of children and adolescents report having experienced cyberbullying during the previous 12 months, with higher prevalence among girls.

Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying can occur at any time, spread rapidly, and reach large audiences. The anonymity of perpetrators and the permanence of online content can further amplify its impact and make it more difficult to control.

PAHO emphasizes that cyberbullying does not occur in isolation. It often reflects, amplifies, or extends patterns of violence that also occur offline, particularly in schools. It may also overlap with other forms of digital violence, including the non-consensual sharing of personal information, identity theft, image-based abuse, and other forms of online control.

A public health priority

Violence—and bullying in particular—is a major determinant of the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Bullying and cyberbullying can seriously affect health and development and are associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, social isolation, sleep disorders, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts, as well as negative impacts on educational achievement and social development.

Studies cited in the toolkit show that students who experience bullying are more likely to report feelings of loneliness, sleep difficulties, and suicidal ideation than those who do not.

Bullying can also have consequences for physical, sexual, and reproductive health, including injuries, psychosomatic symptoms, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and experiences of sexual coercion or pressure. These impacts demonstrate why the response cannot be limited to schools alone and requires the involvement of health systems.

The document also warns that different forms of violence can overlap and reinforce one another. Violence may begin online and continue in person or start in person and be amplified through digital platforms. Early intervention is therefore essential to break cycles of violence and reduce lifelong risks.

Recognising the signs and acting early

Sudden behavioral changes, anxiety, irritability, social withdrawal, unexplained injuries, or reluctance to attend school may all be signs that a child or adolescent is experiencing bullying.

In cases of cyberbullying, warning signs may also include sudden changes in behavior while using or immediately after using digital devices, quickly closing screens when an adult approaches, or reluctance to discuss online activities.

PAHO highlights that health services can serve as a key point of contact for recognizing these signs, providing initial support, and referring children and adolescents to specialized services when needed.

The toolkit recommends that health workers incorporate questions about school and digital environments into routine consultations, identify warning signs, assess possible mental health impacts, and provide initial support to affected children and adolescents. It also underscores the importance of helping families promote safe technology use and coordinating with schools and other sectors to ensure a comprehensive response.

“The most important thing is for children and adolescents to know that bullying and cyberbullying are never acceptable and that they do not have to face them alone,” Baer said. “Seeking help from a trusted adult and using available reporting mechanisms can make a real difference.”

PAHO emphasises that addressing bullying requires action from many sectors and stakeholders, with the meaningful participation of young people at its core. The toolkit highlights the importance of strengthening support networks—including peer support—and promoting social and emotional skills as protective factors. It also recommends that parents and caregivers maintain open communication with children and adolescents, pay attention to signs of bullying, stay in contact with schools when necessary, and establish agreements on the safe and responsible use of the internet and mobile devices.

Health, education, and other sectors, together with all levels of government, should work collaboratively to develop and implement evidence-based responses to violence. The toolkit also underscores the role of the private sector—particularly digital platforms—in working with governments and communities to strengthen safety and protection by design.

The publication is part of PAHO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the prevention of violence against children and adolescents and to support countries in breaking the cycle of violence through evidence-based tools.

US delegation visits IICA headquarters

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US delegation visits IICA headquarters
    • New Director General Advances Reforms to Strengthen Hemispheric Agricultural Cooperation

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, (IICA) – A high-level delegation from the United States government visited the headquarters of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Agricultural Agency of the Americas, for a wide-ranging meeting with director general Muhammad Ibrahim. The visit comes as Ibrahim leads institutional reforms sharpening IICA‘s role as the hemisphere’s lead technical partner on agriculture, serving all 34 member states without duplication or delay, and advancing common food security and trade priorities in the Americas.

The officials discussed global food security and nutrition, regional emergency and disaster response, and interagency cooperation. Talks also covered priority trade and animal health issues, including the fight against transboundary diseases such as New World Screwworm.

The US delegation included Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies in Rome, Ambassador Lynda C. Blanchard; US ambassador to Costa Rica, Melinda Hildebrand; deputy assistant secretary of State Laken Rapier; and State Department Regional Advisor for Disasters and Humanitarian Affairs, Kumar Lakhavani.

Ambassador Blanchard proposed closer, more effective partnership between IICA and the UN‘s Rome-based food agencies, IFAD, FAO, and WFP, to expand trade opportunities for farmers and ranchers across the Americas, protect the Hemisphere’s food supply chain, and ground regional agricultural policy in sound science: “To unlock greater trade opportunities and safeguard our food supply, the Americas and the Caribbean must unite around agricultural policies grounded in sound science. By strengthening collaboration between IICA, FAO, and other organisations – and eliminating redundant efforts – we can support American farmers through science-based international standards, cutting-edge biotechnology, and robust plant and animal health defenses. Together, we are building safe, efficient, and resilient agricultural markets across the Western Hemisphere,” ambassador Blanchard said.

Ambassador Hildebrand pointed to the scope of IICA‘s work and the United States‘ role as its largest contributor: “IICA has a long track record of partnering closely with the United States to improve the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities throughout the Western Hemisphere. My visit to IICA headquarters reflects the value of an America First diplomatic agenda that delivers tangible security and economic results for the American taxpayer while ensuring stable, resilient agricultural supply chains across the hemisphere. I look forward to further engaging with IICA to address some of the greatest threats to agriculture in the region, including New World Screwworm and African Swine Fever,” ambassador Hildebrand said.

Deputy assistant secretary Rapier, who leads US engagement with international organisations, outlined where the department will look to IICA for delivery ahead: “Partnering with IICA provides the United States with a direct, strategic avenue to champion American agriculture. By cutting through international bureaucracy, we are focusing our partnerships on eliminating regulatory barriers, championing American innovation, and aligning our regional partners around sound science to bolster food supply and security,” Rapier said.

“IICA exists to serve its member states, and that means becoming faster, more focused, and more accountable every day. The reforms underway are sharpening our role as the Agricultural Agency of the Americas, delivering real results for our member states, not duplicated bureaucracy. I am proud of the partnership we share with the United States, and I look forward to working even more closely with our colleagues at the Rome-based UN food agencies, FAO, WFP, and IFAD, to ensure the unique needs of the Western Hemisphere are met with the urgency they deserve,” Ibrahim said.

Lakhavani emphasised the importance of expanding collaboration with IICA on global food and nutrition challenges, including the Institute’s ongoing work to control and prevent the spread of New World Screwworm.

The visit builds on a partnership dating to IICA‘s founding in 1942, conceived under the vision of then US vice president Henry A. Wallace, with the United States among its original member states. More than eight decades later, that partnership has grown into a strategic alliance advancing agricultural development, food security, and economic growth across the Americas, carried forward today by a reformed, results-driven IICA delivering on its role as the Agricultural Agency of the Americas.

People First: Building capacity to fight corruption

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People First: Building capacity to fight corruption

By Yan-Rong Chang and Emmanuel A. San Andres

“Organizational culture” is one of the few things every organisation has but few can clearly define. It shapes how people make decisions, respond to challenges and interact with one another. While a strong culture is often associated with higher productivity, innovation and employee engagement, it also serves another purpose: reinforcing the values and behaviours an organisation expects from its people.

For public institutions, those values carry particular weight. Public trust depends not only on governments delivering services effectively, but also on doing so with fairness, accountability and integrity.

Building and sustaining that culture requires more than codes of conduct or occasional workshops. It requires continuous investment in the knowledge, skills and judgment of public officials so that integrity becomes part of everyday practice, not simply a principle written into policy. That foundation is essential to ensuring effective governance and building capacity to prevent, detect and respond to corruption.

Corruption is a human and institutional problem

Anti-corruption training matters because laws and technologies are only as effective as the people and institutions that implement them. Capacity building and training across individuals, organisations, and institutional systems helps bridge the gap between formal rules and actual outcomes.

Training has long been recognised as a key tool in the fight against corruption. In the 1990s, anti-corruption capacity building in the public sector was mainly donor-led and centered on workshops and short courses for government officials. These programs, typically designed by international organisations, helped raise awareness but had limited long-term impact. Evaluations found that many were not tailored to operational needs, lacked adequate assessments of institutional capacity and were not supported by broader institutional frameworks.

Capacity building approaches eventually shifted from donor-led initiatives to demand-driven programs embedded within institutional systems. These programs were designed to meet operational needs and integrated within organisations, reflecting a growing recognition that lasting integrity depends on strong people and institutions rather than one-off interventions.

Nowadays, anti-corruption training have evolved from one-off, event-based programs to continuous learning, including the growing use of peer learning networks. These networks create recurring opportunities for practitioners and institutions to exchange knowledge, share experiences and respond to emerging risks.

Technology has further transformed anti-corruption capacity building from one-time training toward more specialised, technology-enabled learning. E-learning platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) tools and digital knowledge-sharing platforms are making training more interactive, accessible and tailored to different learning needs. Beyond training, AI and data analytics can also strengthen corruption prevention, detection and enforcement by identifying risks, supporting investigations and enhancing information sharing.

Technology can certainly help, but it cannot build capacity and foster anti-corruption culture on its own. Across the region, anti-corruption efforts are constrained less by technologies than by the human and institutional capacity required to apply it effectively.

Evidence suggests that anti-corruption training is most effective when it is specialised, continuous and embedded within institutional systems. Training that is skills-focused, grounded in local context and reinforced by institutional accountability can strengthen both individual and organisational capabilities. However, without complementary digital skills and supportive institutional and regulatory frameworks, technology alone cannot prevent or investigate corrupt behaviours. Effective and sustainable training therefore depends on institutional commitment, digital literacy and continuous practical learning.

Across APEC economies, anti-corruption training is increasingly shaped by technology and e-learning. While these innovations offer significant opportunities, their effectiveness varies considerably from one economy to another. Many economies continue to face challenges such as uneven digital access, limited institutional support, fragmented training initiatives and weak mechanisms for evaluating outcomes. Differences in digital readiness, institutional capacity and the maturity of training ecosystem also mean that priorities and approaches vary across economies.

What makes anti-corruption capacity building effective?

As economies continue to develop their cultures and capacities for anti-corruption, several factors can help ensure training and capacity building deliver lasting impacts. These include the need for continuous, institutionally embedded training; sustainable monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; and tapping into regional cooperation and international partners.

Integrating training into institutional frameworks

Training is most effective when it is embedded within institutional mandates and professional development systems rather than delivered on an ad hoc basis. This is quite a fundamental structural reform, and it starts with an economy-wide strategy that aligns training investment with corruption risks and institutional priorities. Such a framework allows different agencies to tailor training to their specific operational needs while ensuring programs remain coordinated and coherent.

To ensure training continues beyond external funding cycles, economies could institutionalise continuous learning within domestic systems. Integrating training into civil service induction, professional certification and performance management frameworks helps make integrity and anti-corruption part of everyday practice across prevention, detection and enforcement. This can be supported by investing in domestic training capacity through train-the-trainer programs and formal certification pathways for anti-corruption professionals, curriculum designers, trainers and evaluation specialists.

Measuring outcomes, not just participation

Another common challenge is the limited assessment of training outcomes, with many programs focus on measuring attendance rather than impacts. APEC economies should invest in monitoring and evaluation systems that assess learning outcomes, behavioural changes and institutional performance. Pre- and post-training assessments, follow-up surveys and linking training records to relevant performance data can help ensure that capacity building investments deliver measurable results.

Technology can also strengthen the evaluation of anti-corruption training. AI-powered adaptive learning, virtual reality simulations and gamified learning can deliver more personalised and engaging training while generating valuable data on learning outcomes and effectiveness. By piloting and rigorously evaluating these technology-enabled approaches, APEC economies can identify effective practices, continuously improve training designs and share evaluation findings with other APEC economies.

Leveraging regional cooperation

Given the varying levels of digital readiness and institutional capacity across APEC economies, a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to be effective. Capacity-building strategies should instead be tailored to each economy’s domestic context, institutional needs and level of readiness to maximise long-term impact. Regional cooperation can help bridge these differences by promoting peer learning, information exchange and technical assistance. Together, these efforts can help economies share good practices, develop context-specific training programs and strengthen the human and institutional capacities needed to combat corruption.

As AI and other emerging technologies become more widely adopted, the question is no longer whether technology can strengthen anti-corruption efforts, but whether institutions are investing in the people who use these tools. Technology is ultimately an enabler. Sustainable progress against corruption depends on capable people, strong institutions and a culture that can translate potential into action. In the fight against corruption, human and institutional capacity remain the driving forces behind lasting impacts.

Read more about the issue paper “Strengthening Capacity for Integrity: Advancing Education and Training to Address Corruption in APEC.“

Caribbean region ready for future global investment

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Caribbean region ready for future global investment

By Dionne Best 

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (GIS) – To increase global capital, planning and policy-making across the Caribbean region, the public and private sectors must be “punctilious, increasingly evidence-based, data-driven, and empirical to the core,” senior minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, senator Christopher Sinckler, said August 12, as he delivered the feature address at the launch of the 2026 Caribbean Investment Forum, at the Hilton Barbados Resort.

In his presentation, entitled: Positioning the Caribbean for the Next Generation of Global Investment, senator Sinckler posited that the region is not only open for business, but ready to increase returns on investments while intensifying transformative development for all of its countries.

“In order to fully cash in, we must be prepared to position ourselves at the cutting edge of knowledge, information, technology, and institutional flexibility. Deepening our knowledge of what investors want, how and what markets work is going to be essential to repositioning ourselves to pre-open investment books nationally, regionally, and globally.”

Minister Sinckler shared that the Caribbean region is a stable, connected, and increasingly innovative geopolitical and economic space that offers commercially sound opportunities in global priorities such as food security, clean energy, digital solutions, climate resilience, and modern logistics.

“Our investment proposition must include not only what can be built in the Caribbean, but the assets that Caribbean people can use to build things for the world, whether tangible or intangible, as we all can be not just consumers but producers as well.

“This region is not a series of disconnected jurisdictions, but one investment space; one in which capital, skills, goods, and services are more effectively a space in which we can create partnerships using platforms such as Caribbean Investment Forum,” he highlighted.

The foreign affairs minister stated that the Caribbean region possesses a number of advantages: established democracies, respect for the rule of law, well-educated citizenry, and its strategic geographic location. He added that these advantages allow the countries to maintain deep ties with Europe, the Americas, and even now build stronger links with Africa and the wider global South.

“We must not only acquire the latest and best technologies, but we must be prepared to train our human resources across the region to mobilise and use that technology to drive innovation, expedite implementation, and increase inclusivity in policy-making and planning,” he urged.

Minister Sinckler said Barbados is extremely excited about the prospects of growing investments and economic opportunities, even as it expands and deepens its investments in social development, infrastructural renewal and national security.

BP to explore Venezuelan Offshore Natural Gas alongside Emirati, Qatari partners

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BP to explore Venezuelan Offshore Natural Gas alongside Emirati, Qatari partners
    • BP and Shell are set to drill in multiple Venezuelan offshore natural gas projects, while state-owned PDVSA is not a stakeholder in the ventures.

By Ricardo Vaz

CARACAS, (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan government has granted an offshore natural gas concession to a consortium of British multinational BP, the United Arab Emirates’ XRG, and Qatar’s UCC.

Acting president Delcy Rodríguez held an agreement-signing ceremony and press conference on Thursday alongside executives of the three corporations on Wednesday.

“I salute this historical moment and thank you for setting up this consortium to achieve such an important agreement for Venezuela and the global energy community,” she said.

Rodríguez emphasized Caracas’ decision to prioritize natural gas ventures to supply the domestic market and boost exports. However, state energy company PDVSA is not a stakeholder in the project.

The multinational consortium was granted rights to drill in the so-called second phase of the Loran field, in the Deltana Platform off Venezuela’s Atlantic coast, with reserves estimated at 4 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). Loran shares its deposits with the Manatee field in the territorial waters of Trinidad and Tobago. They hold 7.3 and 2.7 Tcf of natural gas, respectively.

The first phase of Loran’s exploration was granted to Shell, which is also operating on the Manatee side and expects to produce 4.4 Tcf from the two fields. Both phases are to be developed concurrently. Shell has additionally secured a concession to run the 4 Tcf Dragon field.

“The award of the Loran Phase 2 license […] builds on the strong collaboration we have established with the government of Venezuela and our partners and reflects the progress we have made together,” BP CEO Meg O’Neill stated during the televised event.

The London-headquartered multinational has aggressively pursued Venezuela natural gas opportunities. BP is also set to operate the 1 Tcf Cocuina-Manakin field alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s National Gas Company (NGC). BP recently sold 20 percent of its stake in the Cocuina-Manakin project to the NGC.

BP, Shell, and NGC hold respective 45, 45, and 10 percent shares in Atlantic LNG, a major liquefied natural gas project in Trinidad that is expected to process most of the output from the ventures in Venezuelan waters.

On Thursday, BP also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Venezuelan authorities to explore opportunities in the Carúpano East block, which belongs to the Mariscal Sucre offshore natural gas project.

XRG, the international arm of the UAE’s state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has been expanding overseas investments and recently secured a stake in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta development.

For its part, the UCC is a privately owned Qatari conglomerate with close ties to the royal family. Originally focused on construction and infrastructure, it has gradually expanded its portfolio to energy and mining ventures. The arrival of Qatari and Emirati firms in the South American country reflects Venezuela’s geopolitical realignment since the January 3 US military strikes and kidnapping of President Maduro. During the previous two decades, the Chávez and Maduro governments pursued an eastward-looking policy, deepening ties with Iran, Russia, and China in energy and other strategic sectors while maintaining a predominant state role.

In recent months, energy majors have flocked to Venezuela to strike new deals or renew existing ones following a pro-business overhaul to hydrocarbons legislation. A reformed Hydrocarbon Law slashed royalties and taxes, granted foreign partners control over operations and sales, and subordinated contracts to international arbitration bodies.

Despite the opening to transnational corporations, Venezuela’s oil output has stagnated since May. The latest OPEC monthly report placed the Caribbean nation’s July production at 1,117 million bpd, roughly one percent above the June figure, according to secondary sources.

PDVSA reported an output of 1,200 million bpd, up from 1.187 million bpd the prior month. Direct and secondary measurements have historically differed over disagreements on the inclusion of condensates and natural gas liquids.

Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Jamaica: ‘The New F.A.C.E of Caribbean Food Systems’

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Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Jamaica: ‘The New F.A.C.E of Caribbean Food Systems’

By CARICOM Secretariat

JAMAICA / GUYANA – The Caribbean’s agriculture sector is set for one of its biggest regional gatherings in years, with more than 70 technical sessions, networking opportunities and a major exhibition and trade show planned for the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) in Jamaica from 27 September to 2 October 2026.

Since the launch of the CWA 2026 in May, the programme has evolved into five days of activities being organised by the CARICOM Secretariat, the government of Jamaica, regional partners and other stakeholders.

The event will be held in the parish of Trelawny, with activities starting on Sunday, 27 September, with field trips. The opening ceremony will take place that afternoon at the Ocean Coral Springs Resort.

Under the theme ‘The New F.A.C.E of Caribbean Food Systems,’ the technical sessions will focus on transforming the Region’s food systems and accelerating Vision 25 x 25 + 5 with discussions covering topics such as nutrition-smart and real food solutions; food as medicine; repositioning the root and tuber industry; competitive root crop research; fisheries and aquaculture; biogas and organic fertiliser; hydroponic fodder systems; financing agriculture and mobilising private capital; ruminant production resilience; women-led agri-business; and food security and cultural identity.

Technology-focused sessions will examine digital agriculture, including digital extension, and digital trade layer; applied artificial intelligence and citizen science; climate resilience and climate-smart technology.

Youth perspectives will feature prominently through a panel discussion, and in sessions including AgriYouth Rising – Cultivating the New F.A.C.E of Caribbean Agriculture; youth e-agriculture; and youth agricultural land access policy.

Several ministerial forums, including a special meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development on Agriculture, will be held during the week.

The 20th CWA is supported by regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, CARICOM Private Sector Organisation, Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency; Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations World Food Programme, The University of the West Indies, and the Agriculture Alliance of the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) is the premier event on the regional agricultural calendar. It is a roving event hosted by CARICOM member states and associate members and includes seminars, key meetings, a special meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development and an exhibition.

CWA was conceptualised by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) as a facility to place agriculture and rural life on the front burner of regional integration activities and in doing so enable:

  • Key decision-makers in the public and private sectors to better acknowledge the importance of agriculture and rural life to the economic, social, and environmental stability of the region; and 
  • Major stakeholders in agriculture and related sectors to have an opportunity to dialogue and forge a common vision for the repositioning of agriculture and the enhancement of rural life. 

CWA is convened under the auspices of the Alliance for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and the Rural Milieu (The Alliance).  Since the inaugural meeting in 1998, the two main collaborating agencies were IICA and the CARICOM Secretariat.

In 2002, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute joined IICA and CARICOM to establish a core group which functions as the Secretariat of The Alliance. Since then, the four agencies have collaborated on the management and logistics for the convening and servicing of meetings of The Alliance as well as the myriad of activities during the CWA. The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, which was a joint international institution of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the European Union from 1983 – 2020, was a major partner and sponsor of the CWA activities from 2003.

The first CWA was held in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. St Kitts and Nevis hosted the 2025 CWA under the theme ‘Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience: Transforming Our Caribbean Food Systems for 2025 and Beyond’. In 2026, Jamaica will host the CWA. The theme of this milestone 20th edition is ‘The New F.A.C.E of Caribbean Food Systems’.

Africa CDC – WHO call for urgent, community-led action to contain Ebola in DRC

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Africa CDC – WHO call for urgent, community-led action to contain Ebola in DRC
    • Community, religious, women and youth leaders have a critical role in building trust, addressing concerns and ensuring that response measures reflect local realities

KINSHASA, DRC – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called for an urgent scale-up of the community-led Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with stronger early detection, contact follow up, access to care, support for frontline health workers and faster delivery of resources to affected communities.

The call followed a joint high-level mission to Uganda and DRC on 4 and 5 August, which drew lessons from Uganda’s successful containment of local transmission, assessed operational challenges in Bunia and brought the priorities of communities and frontline responders into high-level discussions with national leaderships in Kinshasa.

The mission was led by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, and Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa.

With visits in Kampala, Bunia and Kinshasa, members of the delegation met national and provincial authorities, response coordinators, health workers, community representatives and partners. The mission assessed progress, identified critical operational gaps and brought the concerns of affected communities and frontline teams directly to national leadership.

Uganda shows that containment is possible

In Kampala, the delegation engaged with national authorities and response teams following Uganda’s declaration of the end of its outbreak on 28 July 2026.

Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths. All previously listed contacts completed follow-up.

Africa CDC and WHO commended Uganda’s leadership and the work of health workers, communities and partners. The country’s experience demonstrated the importance of early detection, rapid contact tracing, coordinated national action, trusted community engagement and strong cross-border surveillance.

The organisations stressed that preparedness must be maintained. Continued transmission in the DRC means neighbouring countries remain at risk and must sustain surveillance, laboratory readiness and cross-border coordination.

Communities at the centre in Bunia

The delegation then travelled to Bunia, in Ituri Province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

It met provincial authorities, national and provincial response teams, frontline health workers, community representatives and partners supporting the response. The delegation also visited the Rwangole Ebola Treatment Centre and assessed its readiness to expand access to timely, quality care.

The field visit reinforced a central conclusion of the mission: containing and stopping the outbreak will depend on communities.

People must receive clear information from voices they know and trust. They must be able to recognise symptoms, report alerts early and seek care without fear. Communities must be directly involved in surveillance, referrals, treatment, safe and dignified burials and decisions affecting their families.

Community, religious, women and youth leaders have a critical role in building trust, addressing concerns and ensuring that response measures reflect local realities.

The delegation recognised the courage of communities and health workers operating under extremely difficult conditions, including insecurity, population movement, poor road access, misinformation and severe pressure on health services.

It also heard directly about the barriers slowing the response, including delayed detection, limited access to care, resistance to some response activities, shortages of essential supplies and insufficient support for frontline teams.

Ituri accounts for nearly 90 percent of confirmed cases in the DRC, with Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu health zones among the most affected.

Response operations must match the pace of transmission

As of 4 August 2026, the DRC had reported 3973 confirmed cases, 1801 deaths and 776 recoveries across 51 health zones in five provinces.

In the latest 24-hour reporting period, the country recorded 99 new confirmed cases and 52 deaths.

Contact follow-up stood at 75 percent, below the operational target of at least 95 percent required to identify transmission chains rapidly and ensure that new cases are detected among known contacts.

A total of 674 people were under care. Treatment-centre occupancy in North Kivu had reached 139 percent, placing severe pressure on available beds, health workers and response operations.

Africa CDC and WHO called for immediate action to:

  • Identify cases earlier and raise daily contact follow-up to at least 95 percent;
  • Bring testing, referral, isolation and treatment services closer to affected communities;
  • Urgently expand treatment, laboratory, ambulance and safe and dignified burial capacity;
  • Protect, equip, support and pay frontline health workers on time;
  • Strengthen infection prevention and control in health facilities;
  • Maintain essential health services for affected communities;
  • Improve secure access to areas affected by insecurity and poor infrastructure;
  • Work through trusted community leaders at every stage of the response;
  • Sustain cross-border surveillance and regional preparedness; and
  • Ensure that committed financing reaches frontline operations without delay.

Field findings brought to national leadership in Kinshasa

The mission concluded in Kinshasa with meetings with the president of the Republic and members of Government.

Dr Tedros, Dr Kaseya and Dr Janabi, discussed the findings from Kampala and Bunia with national authorities and partners.

The discussions focused on government leadership, stronger operational coordination, community engagement, support for health workers, access to affected areas, continuity of essential health services and the rapid deployment of additional capacity and financing.

The principals reaffirmed their support for a government-led and nationally-coordinated response bringing together national and provincial authorities, Africa CDC, WHO, humanitarian and development partners, health workers and communities.

“In some areas of eastern DRC, the Ebola outbreak is outpacing our response, making it imperative that we rapidly scale up every aspect of our efforts to contain it,” said Dr Tedros. “We stand in solidarity with the government, affected communities, and the courageous health workers serving under exceptionally difficult circumstances. But this must be backed by sustained commitment, greater resources, and stronger international support. Together, we must guarantee safe access for responders, protect civilians and health workers, and mobilise the support needed to end this outbreak and save lives.”

“Containing and ultimately stopping this outbreak will come from communities,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC. “When people have information they trust, can report symptoms early and seek care without fear, we can break every chain of transmission. Our responsibility is to bring the response closer to communities and give frontline teams the support they need.”

Africa CDC and WHO reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the government of the DRC and affected communities through one coordinated response.

Both organisations will continue to deploy technical expertise, strengthen regional preparedness and mobilise the resources required to interrupt transmission and protect lives.

Africa CDC and WHO continue to advise against unnecessary restrictions on travel or trade. Countries should instead strengthen surveillance, laboratory capacity, preparedness and cross-border coordination.

African Academy for women in political leadership opportunity to network

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African Academy for women in political leadership opportunity to network

KIGALI, Rwanda — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the African School of Governance (ASG), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), has concluded the five-day launch and induction of the African Academy for Women in Political Leadership, held in Kigali from 3 to 7 August 2026.

The Academy’s inaugural cohort of 40 women political leaders, selected from more than 1,300 applications across 28 African countries and the Caribbean, brings together cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, mayors, governors, senators, political party leaders and aspiring young women. More than 60 percent come from countries scheduled to hold presidential or parliamentary elections within the next two years, placing the Academy’s executive training programme directly into live campaigns, legislatures and cabinets.

The Academy was officially launched on 3 August in the presence of representatives of the government of Rwanda, former heads of state and government, ministers, parliamentarians, development partners, academia, private sector, civil society organisations and media.

“Participating in this academy is an opportunity to network with each other, to learn from each other, to teach each other, to validate your already known and experienced practices, but most importantly, to create a network of support that is going to have a lifelong impact in your careers,” said Francis Gatare, president, African School of Governance.

The launch of the Academy represents a strategic investment in Africa’s democratic future. It places women political leaders at the centre of strengthening African institutions, deepening democratic governance and advancing peace, security and sustainable development across the continent.

“Today marks much more than the inauguration of another institution. It represents a defining moment in the evolution of the African Women Leaders Network,” said H.E. Bineta Diop, co-convenor, African Women Leaders Network. “For years, we have advocated for women’s leadership. Today, we move decisively from advocacy to implementation,” she added.

On the margins of the academy launch, UNDP and the African School of Governance Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a continent-wide ecosystem for women’s transformative leadership in Africa. The five-year framework establishes cooperation on governance, including to support women in political leadership through the African Academy for Women in Political Leadership, launched this week; to reach women leaders across the continent; to create learning opportunities for Africa Young Women Leaders (AfYWL) fellows; to build alumni networks contributing to Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); to engage national women’s networks and political forums; and to adapt leadership training to local contexts and languages.

The Academy’s curriculum confronts the barriers that keep capable women out of office, including the cost of politics. Alongside political leadership, coalition-building, communications and ethical leadership, the programme imparts direct knowledge of campaign financing.

“We must not only count the women who enter politics but, more importantly, count the women who hold real influence once they are there. Capable women are stopped not for want of talent, but for want of money, of protection, of coalition. On this continent, it can cost an average of USD 40,000 to contest a parliamentary seat,” said Dr Jide Okeke, director, UNDP Regional Programme for Africa. “This Academy teaches campaign financing without apology, alongside legislative craft, coalition-building, communications and ethical leadership. Anyone who declines to teach women about raising money has already decided who is going to lose,” he added.

One of the most significant features of the Academy is its deliberate investment in emerging leaders. By bringing together experienced and emerging leaders, this Academy recognises that leadership is strengthened through intergenerational exchange.

“The question is no longer whether African women are ready to lead. History has already answered that question. The real question is whether our institutions are prepared to fully recognise, support and benefit from that leadership,” said H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. “The African Union is a ready partner. We are committed to working strongly to reflect this important shift from advocating for women’s participation to deliberately building the pipeline of capable, ethical and transformative women in leadership,” he added.

Over five days, the cohort worked through the Academy’s opening modules — the history of African women’s political authority; money, power and political financing; narrative, visibility and political communication; coalitions, parties and institutions; and leadership resilience — delivered through practitioner-led workshops, experience-sharing sessions, clinics and peer exchange.

Highlights of the week included an extended conversation between the cohort and H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, former president of Ethiopia; H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza, former president of the Central African Republic; H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, former chairperson of the African Union Commission; Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé, former prime minister of the Republic of Togo; and Lamein Blanchette, speaker of parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The programme also featured a high-level dialogue with Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, chief justice of the Republic of Rwanda; a virtual engagement with H.E. Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Secretary-General’s special adviser on Africa; and a reflective visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, examining the consequences of failed leadership and the role of visionary leadership and reconciliation in rebuilding a nation.

The residential week in Kigali opens a four-week programme. The cohort now continues with three weeks of online learning, structured mentorship and sister circles, followed by sustained alumni engagement designed to keep the network active through campaigns, legislative terms and public office.

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