Nigeria made history when Professor Ademola Adenle, one of the country’s foremost intellectuals and sustainability experts, was announced as the first-ever winner of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace.
Often referred to as a “mini Nobel Peace Prize,” the award was presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fifth left, is presenting The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace to Professor Ademola Adenle, fifth right, at the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi
The prestigious new global honour was established by TWAS in memory of the late Professor M.S. Swaminathan, the world-renowned agricultural scientist celebrated as the “Father of India’s Green Revolution”. His groundbreaking work transformed India’s food systems and inspired agricultural innovations around the world.
Professor Adenle, who serves as Senior Special Adviser on Agricultural Innovation in Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture, was honoured for his outstanding contributions to food security, climate justice, and the empowerment of vulnerable communities.
His work spans agricultural innovation policy, biosciences, renewable energy, and public health, with a focus on providing solutions to rural and marginalised populations in Africa and beyond. It also promotes for policies that prioritise climate-resilient agriculture, equitable technology access, rural infrastructure development, and farmer-supportive financing methods, particularly for women and youth.
In response to his announcement as the pioneer winner, he said, receiving this award is an incredible honour.
“As the son of a smallholder farmer, I witnessed firsthand the struggles of low agricultural productivity and rural poverty. This recognition reaffirms my lifelong commitment to advancing science and innovation that can transform agriculture, improve livelihoods, and build a more sustainable future,” he stated.
Prof. Adenle’s upcoming projects will include launching a Women in Biosciences Initiative to enhance rural agricultural productivity through training, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The initiative will also address public health challenges such as malnutrition and waterborne diseases, while advancing renewable energy solutions – particularly solar power – to tackle energy poverty. This work will be carried out in collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in both Africa and Asia, continuing Professor Swaminathan’s broader mission of combining science with social equity.
“The Global South faces enormous challenges in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals,” Prof. Adenle hinted. “But with investment in science and innovation, strong partnerships, and inclusive policies, we can accelerate progress. I dedicate this award to smallholder farmers and rural communities whose resilience has never stopped inspiring me.”
Prof. Adenle’s recognition underscores the increasing role of African scientists in shaping global sustainability agendas. This milestone not only cements Prof. Adenle’s position as a global leader in sustainability science but also serves as a call to action for governments, development agencies, and researchers to work together in building a more food-secure, just, and sustainable world.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi praised the laureates as “beacons of hope” for their dedication to addressing some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
The M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace recognises individuals from developing countries who have made transformative contributions to food security, sustainable agriculture, and peacebuilding.
Renowned environmental science journalist and urban planner, Michael Simire, has charged young journalists to expose “greenwashing” and make climate issues relatable to Nigerian audiences in order to spark real change.
Addressing students of the National Broadcast Academy (NBA), Lagos, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, during a session organised by Career Development with Augustina Armstrong-Ogbonna (CDWAA) Cohort 2.0 in collaboration with the academy, Simire warned against superficial environmental coverage. He urged aspiring reporters to dig deeper into corporate and government claims of eco-friendliness, stressing the watchdog role of the press.
Students of the National Broadcast Academy (NBA), Lagos, during the presentation
Drawing from his career, including his selection as a 2008 and 2009 Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) Fellow of the Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), he encouraged students to localise global climate narratives to capture public interest and spur accountability.
Responding to questions on safety in covering sensitive environmental and renewable energy stories, Simire, who is Editor-in-Chief of EnviroNews, advised prioritising security and, where necessary, using pseudonyms to protect vulnerable sources.
He also identified critical thinking, curiosity, and thorough research as key skills for building a career in development and environmental journalism. He suggested story ideas such as investigating plastic pollution in local waters and assessing the role of tree planting in environmental health.
Michael Simire in a group photo with some students of the National Broadcast Academy (NBA)
On tackling “audience fatigue” in climate reporting, Simiire recommended blending global and local perspectives, using relatable language, and leveraging social media to highlight government inaction.
NBA management welcomed his visit and expressed readiness for further collaborations with the Augustina Armstrong-Ogbonna CDWAA Foundation to groom the next generation of environmental journalists.
Four days into the final Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Geneva, civil society organisations (CSOs) are bothered that the world is not on track to deliver a treaty that will protect people and nature.
They are therefore demanding a change, even as they join the voices of waste pickers, frontline communities, scientists, healthcare professionals, children and youth, women, businesses, and non-governmental organisations around the world to call on governments to step up.
Campaigners seek a strong global plastic treaty. Photo credit: Samuel Schalch / Greenpeace
“Fix the process, keep your promise, and finalise a meaningful treaty to end plastic pollution,” they insist.
In a reaction to the current state of the Plastics Treaty negotiations, Break Free From Plastic Movement submitted: “People worldwide have made it clear: they support decisive action to cut plastic production, consumption, and pollution. A majority of governments have endorsed these demands, yet negotiations are stalling with a small group of petro- and plastic-producing states deploying delay tactics, with no sign that they intend to raise ambition.
“With just days remaining, the dynamic must change. Countries must keep their commitment to end plastic pollution. They must use every tool available to deliver a strong treaty – one that includes legally binding rules on production and chemicals, uplifts real solutions, safeguards human rights and protects frontline communities. There is no room left for compromise that weakens ambition. The world is watching.”
The Business Coalition for Global Plastics Treaty is bothered that, at the midpoint of INC-5.2, negotiations are running out of time, with no clear path to an agreement. It adds that the current approach is not delivering the progress needed to reach a meaningful outcome by the end of next week.
The group stated: “Governments committed to leaving Geneva with a strong treaty must act decisively. They must leverage all means available and support the INC Chair to establish an effective process. The time for incremental steps has passed.
”Governments must be bold, guided by the clear ask from the majority of countries, businesses, and civil society to deliver a robust agreement with harmonised regulations across the full lifecycle to address plastic pollution.The Business Coalition stands ready to support negotiators in achieving this outcome.”
“Plastic pollution is a global challenge, and global regulation is needed to effectively alleviate the situation. Harmonised regulations drive consistency across borders while supporting national ambitions and provide the lowest cost option to effectively address plastic pollution,” said Tove Andersen, CEO at TOMRA and Spokesperson for a Business Coalition for Global Plastics Treaty.
“At Borealis, we’ve long championed circularity. Through innovation and partnerships, we’ve shown that sustainable plastics solutions are possible. However, to scale these solutions globally, we need a level playing field,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO at Borealis.
“We’re at a unique moment in time where business, civil society, and a majority of countries are calling for harmonised regulation on plastic pollution. The time to act is now,” stated Jodie Roussell, Global Public Affairs Lead, Packaging and Sustainability at Nestlé and Spokesperson for a Business Coalition for Global Plastics Treaty.
“Our economic analysis suggests that harmonised regulations could more than double global extended producer responsibility revenues to $576 billion, driving a scale up of collection and recycling,” noted Sabine Strnad, Global Lead Circular Economy and Packaging at Henkel and Spokesperson for a Business Coalition for Global Plastics Treaty.
“We want to scale solutions that tackle plastic pollution, and a treaty with harmonised regulations will make this easier for businesses to do,” said Ed Shepherd, Senior Global Sustainability Manager – Circular Economy at Unilever and Spokesperson for a Business Coalition for Global Plastics Treaty.
“Our economic analysis shows that harmonised regulations can drive stable job creation, with 2.3 million more jobs being created, particularly in waste management,” stressed Ali Golden, Director of Strategic Relationships at TerraCycle and Spokesperson for a Business Coalition for Global Plastics Treaty
“Our economic analysis shows that harmonised regulations on product design alone can create $50 billion per year in additional economic value for materials in the plastics recycling value chain,” said Rob Opsomer, Executive Lead Plastics & Finance, The Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
“Business supports a treaty with harmonised regulations because it drives regulatory consistency across borders while supporting national ambitions,” saidConrick Gallagher III, VP of Partnerships at Okeanos.
The Centre for International Environmental Law stated: “After three years of trying to work by consensus, the negotiations are now at a breaking point.
“What was meant to be a global effort to solve the plastics crisis has stalled. As in the climate space, it’s the countries least responsible for the problem that are fighting hardest for an ambitious treaty, we see some of the countries least responsible for the plastics crisis holding the line for ambition while producers are in a race to the bottom, with some even questioning whether the treaty is about plastic.
“This cannot continue. Member States must use every tool of multilateralism at their disposal and move forward with solutions that aren’t hostage to those defending the status quo.
“Anything less will fall short of the ambition promised in UNEA resolution 5/14 – and fail the people and planet this treaty was meant to protect.”
“The Global Plastics Treaty must enable a process for effective decision-making,” states Merrisa Naidoo, GAIA Africa Plastics Programme Manager. “To avoid earnest negotiations amounting to nothing, negotiators must demonstrate courage, not compromise by calling for a majority vote when consensus cannot be reached. If we continue to stall in consensus, we trade progress for paralysis.”
Rafael Eudes of Aliança Resíduo Zero Brasil states, “It is time to use decision-making tools that allow willing counties to move forward instead of letting a few run negotiations around in circles. A strong treaty with majority support beats a weak treaty that caters only to the few. Governments need to hear civil society’s urgent demand for ambition – the credibility of multilateralism and the planet’s future is on the line.”
Youth Plastic Action Network (YPAN) stated: “We are deeply concerned by the deadlock, the unwillingness to compromise, and the deliberate and malicious delays we are witnessing.
“Failing to reach an agreement at INC-5.2, failing to report back to UNEA, and failing to deliver on Resolution 5/14 is not just a procedural catastrophe. It is an acceptance that the deliberate actions to block a treaty today will have an intergenerational multiplier effect, undermining the health of present generations, degrading our shared ecosystems, and putting at risk the well-being of all future generations.
“Additionally, a failure at INC-5.2 would be yet another devastating blow to an already faltering multilateral order.
“We call upon all Member States to rise above individual interests, to demonstrate ambition, and to engage constructively in negotiations aimed at securing an outcome that advances the collective interest of all. For the sake of our futures, we need meaningful action now.”
Graham Forbes, Head of the Global Plastics Campaign for Greenpeace USA as well as the Greenpeace delegation for the treaty negotiations, commented: “In Busan and Nice, governments have shown ambition, which means reducing plastic production. A weak and effective treaty would be a betrayal that would further increase the burden on the countries of the Global South and encourage the world’s biggest polluters. All countries that have shown ambition must step up and adopt a treaty that reduces plastic production. They must have confidence because the public supports them and relies on their leadership and action.
“Multilateralism must work for those who need it most. The consensus failed because of the tyranny of a minority. Ambitious countries must deliver on their promises, or they will be remembered as those who let the world choke on plastic. Governments have promised to be ambitious. They must now deliver on their promises, without compromise.”
Erin Simon, Vice President, Plastic Waste & Business, World Wildlife Fund, said: “We’re nearly halfway through INC-5.2 and the same, tired tactics are still causing gridlock at the negotiating table. We’ve been here before, and we know the same old playbook doesn’t work.
“With so much at stake, the cost of inaction will have devastating consequences for generations to come. If we can’t turn this around, we risk leaving Geneva either empty-handed or with an empty treaty. It’s time for the majority to find their voice, choose a path and leave a legacy of progress not pollution.”
Margaret Spring, Chair, International Science Council Expert Group on Plastic Pollution, said: “Scientific evidence remains unchanged by negotiations, and provides an objective basis for sound decision-making now and in the future. This science is clear: impacts to human health and the environment from plastic pollution occur across the full life cycle of plastics.
“The International Science Council and our colleagues in the scientific community are ready to support the critical opportunity before delegates to demonstrate that multilateral cooperation informed by science can address the challenges of our time and protect human health and the environment from plastic pollution.”
The Asteven Energy Institute has made history by holding its maiden matriculation ceremony for 17 pioneer students of the 2024/2025 academic session.
The students are the first in the country to undertake a National Diploma in Solar Technology and Management.
Matriculating students at Asteven Energy Institute
Held on Friday, August 8, 2025, the event went beyond the traditional gowns and oaths, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s renewable energy capacity-building efforts.
For Dr Sunny Akpoyibo, President and Founder of the Asteven Group, the ceremony was the realisation of a long-held dream.
“To see this dream come true with a generation that will transform Nigeria’s energy revolution is deeply fulfilling,” Akpoyibo said.
He recalled Nigeria’s missed opportunities in the renewable energy sector – vast sums invested in energy access projects with little to show in terms of skilled manpower development.
“In Nigeria today, billions of dollars have come in for access to energy for underserved communities,” he said, citing examples of $550 million and $750 million investments in successive years.
“But we must ask ourselves: who utilised the money? Where was the professional labour force to execute these projects?” he asked rhetorically.
He lamented that, unlike the UK and Germany, which had certified solar technology professionals, Nigeria still lacked a trained and accredited workforce.
He stressed that the Asteven Energy Institute was created to fill that void.
“This is the first in Nigeria to be approved by the National Board for Technical Education and the Ministry of Education for a National Diploma in Solar Technology,” he declared.
“You are the future of the 2050 net-zero goals we talk about. The time will come when you won’t be looking for jobs – the jobs will look for you.”
The president revealed that the development of the curriculum took two and a half years and costs ₦35 million.
“The curriculum we developed here in Nigeria has now been adopted in India,” he noted, underscoring its quality and relevance.
“This journey is bigger than a certificate,” Akpoyibo said.
“It’s about setting standards, creating a legacy, and powering communities with clean energy.”
Akpoyibo commended the parents, guardians, and dignitaries in attendance for believing in the Institute’s vision.
He gave special recognition to former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who inaugurated the Institute during his tenure.
The Rector of the Institute, Prof. Magnus Onuoha, described the matriculation as a milestone that moved the institute beyond the short certificate courses it had offered since 2018.
“With this programme, we are producing graduates for the renewable energy workforce,” he said.
“Our vision is clear – to raise a generation of green professionals who are globally competitive.”
Onuoha noted that since its inception, Asteven Energy Institute had trained over 3,000 individuals in solar technology solutions across its campuses in Lagos, Abuja, and Warri.
But the introduction of the diploma programme, the rector emphasised, represented a “bold step” in Nigeria’s quest for clean energy self-sufficiency.
Addressing the 17 matriculating students, Akpoyibo and Onuoha issued a joint charge: to be focused, disciplined, and relentless in their pursuit of excellence.
The graduates of its National Diploma in Solar Technology and Management will not only meet Nigeria’s renewable energy manpower needs but will also shape the country’s contribution to the global fight against climate change.
As the applause rang out and the new students donned their matriculation gowns, one thing was clear.
These 17 young men and women are not just students – they are the torchbearers of Nigeria’s clean energy future.
The Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise investments in organic and agroecological farming as safer, sustainable alternatives to conventional agriculture.
The organisation made the call on Friday, August 8, 2025, in Abuja at a news conference themed “Stop the Spread of Highly Toxic Chemicals in Our Food: Save Our Families, Save Our Health and Future.”
Pesticides use
Mr. Victor Fabunmi, an Environmental Toxicologist and Policy Advocate with SRADev Nigeria, stressed the need to intensify awareness and advocacy for organic agriculture while de-emphasising conventional practices that rely heavily on chemical inputs.
He proposed integrating organic agriculture into the nation’s educational curriculum and providing financial support to specialised training institutions.
“Our passionate call is for the Nigerian government to facilitate access to certification services. There is currently no government-approved certifying body to standardise products and ensure compliance with organic production systems.
“Nigeria must end its dependence on globally banned pesticides for health and ecological safety. The time to invest in organic, agroecological alternatives is now, ” he said.
Prof. Simon Irtwange, co-founder of the Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN), also warned about the dangers of highly toxic chemicals to human health and the environment.
He noted that government programmes, often facilitated by legislators, ministries, and development partners, routinely distribute chemical fertilisers and pesticides to farmers.
According to him, while these products contribute to agricultural productivity, they pose significant public health, trade, and environmental challenges.
“A critical concern is that a significant portion of these pesticides fall under the category of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs),” he said,
Irtwange added that viable alternatives and innovations were increasingly available both locally and globally.
SRADev also called for an immediate review and strict enforcement of national pesticide regulations to stop the importation, sale, and use of HHPs.
The group also urged the review of NAFDAC’s pesticide registration regulations to ensure environmentally sound management of these chemicals at the end of their lifecycle.
HHPs are pesticides recognised internationally, including by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as posing severe acute or chronic risks to human health and the environment.
The leadership of Indigenous Peoples is essential to a liveable, climate-resilient future. Their knowledge systems, rooted in stewardship, interdependence and care for all life, have guided – and continue to guide – communities through environmental change for millennia.
Across the world, Indigenous Peoples are responding to climate impacts with ingenuity and foresight. Grounded in lived experience and sustained through generations, Indigenous ways of living are diverse, adaptive, relational and deeply ecological, connected to land and culture. These are dynamic frameworks for resilience.
Youssef Nassef, Director of the Adaptation Programme of the UNFCCC secretariat
As ambition under the Paris Agreement accelerates – in particular through the Global Goal on Adaptation – Indigenous Peoples are increasingly recognized not just as participants in climate policymaking, but as pathfinders. Their distinct and diverse worldviews offer valuable insights into what it truly means to be adapted: living in harmony with ecosystems, upholding intergenerational responsibility, and restoring balance.
Indigenous Climate Leadership in Action
Across diverse geographies, Indigenous Peoples are leading the way:
Vancouver Island, Canada: The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation declared 100% of their territory under “Hishuk Ish Tsawaak” (ecosystem-based forest management), blending ancestral stewardship laws with modern conservation to protect salmon streams, old‐growth forests and watersheds – strengthening carbon sinks and food security.
Murray–Darling Basin, Australia: The Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations have reasserted customary governance over key river systems. Through inter-tribal cooperation, they negotiate water allocations, monitor river health, and restore wetlands to sustain ecosystems and downstream communities.
Highlands of Mongolia: Indigenous herder councils partnered with national meteorological services to co-design the Advanced Weather Information System, combining traditional forecasts with satellite data to issue drought and snow‐melt warnings, reducing livestock loss and economic shocks.
Mindanao, Philippines: Panlaoy, an Indigenous youth network, is reviving ancestral “kaingin” forestry practices, such as contour planting, sacred grove protection and community-based forest monitoring to slow erosion, recharge springs and regenerate degraded upland watersheds, securing downstream water for rice farming.
These are not isolated examples. They demonstrate that Indigenous-led climate action is happening, quietly and effectively, but is often under-recognised and under-supported. These examples reflect how place-based knowledge systems – whether managing forests, rivers, rains or soils – are being actively revitalised and scaled through partnerships with governments and research institutions. These systems are not only surviving; they are thriving and evolving.
In mitigation, too, Indigenous Peoples play a central role. Their stewardship of forests, wetlands and grasslands helps maintain vital carbon sinks and protects biodiversity. Studies show that Indigenous-managed lands have lower deforestation rates and greater ecological integrity than surrounding areas. Their contributions are not just environmental – they are critical to global sustainability.
“As UNFCCC works with countries and stakeholders to advance the Global Goal on Adaptation and long-term climate resilience, Indigenous Peoples must be at the centre, not just as stakeholders, but as partners and knowledge holders,” says Youssef Nassef, Director of Adaptation at UN Climate Change. “The Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) continues to drive this forward, ensuring that Indigenous voices shape climate policy and action.”
Supporting and Amplifying Indigenous Climate Leadership
On this day, and every day, UN Climate Change calls on countries, institutions and climate actors to:
Partner meaningfully with Indigenous Peoples.
Incorporate Indigenous worldviews and knowledge into national climate strategies.
Invest in Indigenous-led climate solutions with accessible, long-term support.
A Body tasked with operationalising the UN carbon market under the Paris Agreement has adopted a new standard on “suppressed demand”, opening the door for more inclusive climate action in regions with limited access to basic services such as water and sanitation.
Formally known as the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, it is responsible for establishing the rules and infrastructure for the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism. This mechanism will allow countries and other actors to cooperate in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by generating high-integrity carbon credits, while also supporting sustainable development.
Martin Hession, Chair of the Supervisory Body
Supressed demand standard
Suppressed demand refers to situations where people use very little energy or services, not because they don’t need them, but because they can’t afford them or the infrastructure doesn’t exist. The new standard allows climate projects that help meet these basic human needs to earn carbon credits, even if emissions would naturally rise as a result of improved access.
This approach helps ensure that people in low-income communities can benefit from climate finance, by recognising the emissions that would occur if their basic needs were met and supporting projects that meet those needs in the cleanest way possible.
The decision allows suppressed demand to be recognised in mechanism baselines to credit projects that provide essential services. These baselines reflect the expected emissions if communities had normal access to those services and enable fairer crediting for development-focused projects.
“We’ve recognised that baselines can be established with reference to basic human needs where they aren’t being met. This approach allows the mechanism to support real development benefits, particularly in communities where access is currently limited,” said Martin Hession, Chair of the Supervisory Body.
Upcoming work on non-permanence and reversals
Methodological Expert Panel (MEP) has produced recommendations on non-permanence and reversals, for which public comment has just closed. The Supervisory Body is looking forward to the MEP making formal recommendations to the Body, which will be subject to a further consultation period before it is considered by the Body.
“While there is significant work to do, we are committed to securing a non-permanence and reversals standard this year. We expect to adopt a standard at our next meeting in October once we receive the final recommendation from the MEP,” said Martin Hession, Chair of the Supervisory Body. “I know there is significant stakeholder interest in the initial drafts produced by the MEP last month, and there has been strong engagement during the MEP’s initial consultation. Of course, there will be another opportunity to comment on the final recommendation once it has been formulated by the MEP in September.”
Other matters
The Supervisory Body adopted its two-year business and resource allocation plan for 2026-2027, outlining the minimum capacity needed to fully operationalise the mechanism. While early implementation is progressing, revenue generation remains limited at this stage and a significant upfront investment is required to establish essential infrastructure.
To support this, the Body agreed that the Chair and Vice-Chair will lead targeted fundraising efforts, with Parties to the Paris Agreement to be invited to contribute to resource mobilisation.
Next steps
The Supervisory Body will next meet from October 6 to 10, 2025, to continue developing other key elements of the mechanism, including a standard on reversal risk and additional tools and guidelines.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has validated Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness as a public health problem, making it the 10th country to reach this important milestone. HAT is the second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in Kenya: the country was certified free of Guinea worm disease in 2018.
“I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Kenya joins the growing ranks of countries freeing their populations of human African trypanosomiasis. This is another step towards making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)
HAT is a vector-borne disease caused by the blood parasite Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of tsetse flies that have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals. Rural populations dependent on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting are most at risk of exposure.
As the name indicates, HAT is transmitted only on the African continent. The disease exists in two forms, gambiense and rhodesiense. The rhodesiense form (r-HAT), which is found in eastern and southern Africa, is the only one present in Kenya. It is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and progresses rapidly, invading multiple organs including the brain. Without treatment, it is fatal within weeks.
Kenya’s progress
“This validation marks a major public health milestone for Kenya, as we celebrate the elimination of a deadly disease in our country. The achievement will not only protect our people but also pave the way for renewed economic growth and prosperity,” said Dr Aden Duale, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health. “This follows many years of dedication, hard work and collaboration”.
The first cases of HAT in Kenya were detected in the early 20th century. Since then, Kenya has engaged in consistent control activities, without indigenous new cases reported for over 10 years. The last autochthonous case was detected in 2009, and the last two exported cases, infected in the Masai Mara National Reserve, were detected in 2012.
Recently, Kenya strengthened HAT surveillance in 12 health facilities in six historically endemic counties to act as sentinel sites. They were equipped with diagnostic tools and had their clinical personnel trained on diagnostic procedures, including the most sensitive and practical tests for r-HAT.
The country also actively monitors the control and surveillance of tsetse flies and animal trypanosomiasis, both within and beyond the historical HAT endemic areas, supported by the national veterinary health authorities and the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC). These activities and the related data provide supplementary backing to the claim of HAT elimination as a public health problem.
“This key milestone reflects Kenya’s efforts and commitment over many years, as a collaboration between national and county governments, national research institutions, development partners and affected communities,” said Dr Patrick Amoth, EBS, Director General Health, Ministry of Health, Kenya. “The country remains fully committed to sustain the quality of care and surveillance in line with WHO’s recommendations.”
Supported by WHO and partners, including FIND, Kenya’s HAT elimination programme will now implement a post-validation surveillance plan to detect any potential resurgence or reintroduction of transmission. WHO continues to support ongoing monitoring in previously affected areas and maintains a stock of medicines to ensure rapid treatment of possible future cases, thanks to donations from Bayer AG and Sanofi.
“This success was made possible by the Ministry of Health’s leadership, the dedication of health workers in areas at risk and the support from key partners,” said Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Representative to Kenya. “WHO is proud to have contributed to this achievement and encourages all stakeholders to remain involved in post-validation monitoring.”
Progress in global HAT elimination
A total of 57 countries has eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 10 (including Kenya) have successfully eliminated HAT as a public health problem. The other countries that have reached this milestone are Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda.
Only three months before the United Nations climate talks (COP30) take place in Belem, Brazil, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has partially passed legislation that is expected to unleash higher rates of deforestation – and greater threats to Indigenous communities living there.
The bill rolls back strict environmental licensing rules that have kept destruction of the world’s largest rainforest in check.
Lula da Silva, President of Brazil
While Lula struck down some aspects of the bill, including stipulations that would strip Indigenous Peoples of veto power over economic activities on their lands, the overall threats to forests and Indigenous Peoples remain.
Dinamam Tuxá, of the Tuxá Peoples from Bahia, Pernambuco, and Minas Gerais, and the Executive Coordinator of APIB and a lawyer for APOINME, said: ”At his inauguration, President Lula made a public commitment to Indigenous Peoples and to the protection of the environment. In light of that, it was essential that he fully veto the so-called ‘Devastation Bill’.
“This bill represents a serious attack from a Congress that has consistently shown itself to be hostile to the rights of Indigenous Peoples and to the environmental agenda. Now, the responsibility for this law lies with Congress, which continues to push forward measures that violate constitutional rights and put the future of the planet at risk.”
On July 17, 2024, the Chamber of Deputies approved Bill 2,159/2021, incorporating 29 Senate amendments. The bill makes it easier for companies to obtain permits to develop new projects in forested areas by creating new types of environmental licenses, such as the Special Environmental License (LAE) and the Adhesion and Commitment License (LAC), which simplifies procedures and shorter analysis deadlines. In some cases, companies simply need to fill out an online form to receive a permit that would have previously undergone scrutiny.
Starting on July 17, President Lula had 15 working days to decide whether to veto the bill, fully or in part. Reported disagreements among his ministers and advisors and strong opposition from civil society, which dubbed the legislation the “Devastation Bill” created tensions.
The initial draft of the law created a fast-track license called the Special Environmental License (LAE) for large projects, allowing approval within 12 months and lasting up to 10 years. For smaller projects, there would be a simpler license (LAC) that wouldn’t require detailed environmental due diligence. Instead, the business would promise to follow rules and would be checked annually to ensure compliance.
Agencies that normally protect Indigenous lands, cultural heritage, and nature reserves could have less power in approving licenses. If the law goes forward, these agencies will only get to comment on projects if the Indigenous land is already officially recognised. Many Indigenous lands still waiting for this recognition wouldn’t be considered. These agencies would have less time to give their opinions, and if they are late, the licensing authority could ignore their input. This means some important concerns about the environmental or human rights impact of a project might not be fully considered.
The news comes as Brazilian Indigenous leaders are calling for the creation of an Indigenous NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) – ensuring that national climate targets include metrics for land demarcation, recognizing that their territories are critical for environmental protection and climate mitigation.
The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB)
APIB is the largest Indigenous organisation in Brazil and has, since its creation, fulfilled its commitment to fight for the constitutional rights of the country’s Indigenous Peoples. Whether nationally or internationally, APIB and its seven grassroots organisations are mobilised to protect territories, communities and people. The Indigenous Peoples, articulated through their regional organisations and APIB, seek in all instances the accountability of those responsible for this destruction.
APIB has historically mobilised the indigenous movement and faced the anti-indigenous policies that are being processed in the Federal Supreme Court and in the Chamber of Deputies, forming the front line of protection of Indigenous Peoples and Lands, and consequently, of the environment and the environment’s future. APIB is working on multiple fronts to stop these attacks against their rights and territories.
They are in Bonn, Germany, to raise international alerts; they are working hand-and-hand with government officials who care for the climate and human rights and organising nation-wide demonstrations.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed recent reports alleging a shutdown of its operations, reassuring the public and market stakeholders that its activities remain fully active and stable.
In an official statement by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s management categorically denied claims that truck loading has been suspended or that production has been interrupted.
Dangote Refinery
“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities,” the statement reads.
The refinery also clarified that the intermittent sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO) is part of normal business operations, often involving large parcel sales, which explains the recent fuel oil tender.
According to the management, Dangote Petroleum Refinery consistently supplies over 40 million litres of PMS daily, alongside steady volumes of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel). These supplies continue unabated, despite speculation suggesting otherwise.
“As the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, the facility employs advanced predictive and preventive maintenance protocols to ensure uninterrupted operations. Routine maintenance activities are standard and do not impact the overall fuel supply,” the statement further clarified.
In response to speculation about potential supply shortages and price increases, the refinery challenged those sponsoring the rumour to place orders for daily deliveries of up to 40 million litres of PMS and 15 million litres of diesel for the next 90 days.
“To those who believe this misinformation and anticipate a bullish market, we extend a challenge: We invite interested buyers to place immediate orders for up to 40 million litres of PMS daily and 15 million litres of AGO daily, for the next 90 days.”
The refinery reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and Nigeria’s energy security, urging the public to disregard unfounded rumours sponsored by unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals seeking to undermine the country’s energy independence for their own selfish interests, including the importation of substandard fuels under the false pretext of domestic supply shortages.
