APO International

The 2024 Article IV consultation focused on the near-term challenges facing Gabon: strengthening transparency and governance, revitalizing economic growth and stabilizing the budgetary position; The economy has recovered from multiple shocks emanating from the global and domestic economy, with growth expected to settle around 3 percent in 2024-25 and inflation to remain below the regional ceiling of 3 percent; Efforts to strengthen transparency and the management of public finances should continue unabated, […]

“If only we had a community free from gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, child marriage and female genital mutilation, then all girls would be able to achieve their dreams,” Tanzanian teenager Bhoke* told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Bhoke lives with her mother and two siblings in the village of Masanga, in the Mara region of the United Republic of Tanzania. At just 18 years old, she […]

Ana António (name changed for privacy), a girl from Northern Mozambique, had all the odds stacked against her. Married at the age of 13, she had to leave school, only to be abandoned by her husband with a baby in her arms shortly after. Her baby died within a year. Consumed with grief and illness, Ana could not go back to school. Her life turned around five years later. She […]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a grant of US$50 million from the Government of Japan at a time of unprecedented funding shortage. This contribution will enable WFP to assist vulnerable populations affected by conflict, extreme weather and economic crisis in 20 countries across mainly Asia, the Middle East and Africa. From the contribution, US$13.5 million will be used to help the most desperate in Afghanistan through emergency […]

African Union (AU) Summit will discuss and make far-reaching decisions on the security situation on the continent as some of its member states continue to face security challenges.  At the opening of the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the resurgence of military coups, pre- and post-election violence, humanitarian crises linked to war and the effects of climate change, were highlighted as serious threats that may reverse the gains […]

Save the Children analysis released during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa show dramatic rise in violence affecting schools, teachers and learners; The AU has dubbed 2024 the year of Education and Save the Children is calling on leaders to walk the talk and make schools safe for children to learn. The number of violent […]

Progress towards credible elections in Libya is impossible without an agreement between the key political players, the UN’s top envoy to the north African country said on Thursday. They must put aside self-interest, negotiate in good faith and reach an agreement on a unified government, while also ensuring national polls go ahead to avoid it from “sliding into disintegration”, Abdoulaye Bathily told ambassadors in the Security Council. “I call on their […]

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) inaugurated its Professional Immersion Programme for Young Graduates in ECOWAS Institutions, at the ECOWAS Commission Building in Asokoro, Abuja. This innovative two-day event, taking place on February 14th and 15th, is specifically designed to integrate and familiarize young professionals with the ECOWAS Integration Agenda and its extensive range of developmental initiatives. The programme aims to deepen the understanding of the ECOWAS Integration […]

As H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. continues to work in the interest of Liberia, congratulatory messages and goodwill expressions of support for his agenda continue to pour in.  Among world leaders sending messages are King Charles III of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, The Emir of the State of Qatar, Lamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the British Foreign Secretary, Lord David Cameron. Others are […]