القمة الافتتاحية لحوكمة التقنيات الناشئة تجمع أبرز صناع السياسات وعمالقة التكنولوجيا في أبوظبي

أبوظبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

أعلن مجلس أبحاث التكنولوجيا المتطورة (ATRC) اليوم عن القمة الافتتاحية لحوكمة التقنيات الناشئة (GETS)، المقرر عقدها في منتجع سانت ريجيس جزيرة السعديات (St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort) بأبوظبي يومي 5 و6 مايو 2025. تهدف القمة، التي ستجمع ما يزيد عن 500 مشارك إقليمي ودولي، إلى تحفيز التعاون العالمي في مجال حوكمة التقنيات الناشئة، مثل الذكاء الاصطناعي والحوسبة الكمومية.

يحمل الحدث شعار “نحو حوكمة فعّالة للتقنيات الناشئة واقتصاد رقمي آمن”، ويهدف إلى إرساء أطر فعّالة ومتينة لحوكمة التكنولوجيا وتشجيع الحوار الشامل بين مختلف الشركاء والمعنيين. كما ستركز القمة على تطبيق مبادىء الحوكمة في قطاعات رئيسة، مثل العدالة الجنائية، والتمويل والتصنيع والرعاية الصحية والتعليم والصناعات الإبداعية.

ستساهم قمة GETS 2025، التي يستضيفها مجلس أبحاث التكنولوجيا المتطورة (ATRC) بالتعاون مع النيابة العامة الاتحادية كشريك إستراتيجي، في إرساء الأسس لتطبيق آليات ومبادىء الحوكمة بفعالية على المستوى العالمي، واستشراف مستقبل التقنيات الناشئة في القطاعات الرئيسة، مثل العدالة الجنائية والرعاية الصحية والتمويل والصناعات الإبداعية.

تعدّ قمةGETS 2025  مبادرة هامة تؤكد على التزام دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة بتوجيه الحوار العالمي بشأن الابتكار الأخلاقي والاستخدام المسؤول للتقنيات الناشئة، كما تعكس نهجها الحريص على التعاون والانفتاح في مجال وضع سياسات الابتكار. 

ستجمع القمة نخبة من القادة العالميين من قطاعات مختلفة، بما في ذلك المسؤولين الحكوميين، وصنّاع السياسات، والمسؤولين التنفيذيين العالميين في مجالي التكنولوجيا والصناعة، بالإضافة إلى الباحثين، والأكاديميين ورواد الأعمال من الشركات الناشئة، وممثلين عن المجتمع، مع التركيز بشكل خاص على القادة الشباب.

يتمثّل الهدف من القمة في معالجة أحد أكثر التحديات إلحاحاً في العالم اليوم، وإرساء أطر فعالة للابتكار المسؤول الذي يمكن أن يساعد في حماية المجتمع ودعم التقدم التكنولوجي. كما تهدف القمة إلى رعاية الحوار مع قادة التكنولوجيا العالميين بشأن الابتكار المسؤول، لرسم معالم مستقبل يلتقي فيه كلّ من الحوكمة والابتكار والشمولية لإيجاد حلول مستدامة واستشرافية.

وفي هذا السياق، شدّد معالي Faisal Al Bannai، مستشار رئيس الدولة لشؤون الأبحاث الإستراتيجية والتكنولوجية المتقدمة والأمين العام لمجلس أبحاث التكنولوجيا المتطورة (ATRC) على أهمية هذا الحدث التعاوني وقال:

“تعدّ قمة GETS خطوة حيوية هامة نحو بناء مستقبل عادل وأكثر أماناً وشمولاً للتقنيات الناشئة. ففي الوقت الذي ندأب فيه على التعامل مع التحديات التي يفرضها بروز الذكاء الاصطناعي وغيره من الابتكارات التكنولوجية المتقدمة الأخرى، تزداد الحاجة إلى وضع أطر حوكمة صارمة في هذا المجال. بالتالي، ستشكّل هذه القمة فرصة لوضع مجموعة مشتركة من المبادىء التي ستشكّل مستقبل التكنولوجيا بما يعود بالفائدة على الجميع.”

من جانبه، قال معالي المستشار الدكتور Hamad Saif Al Shamsi، النائب العام لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة:

“نعيش اليوم ثورة تكنولوجية متسارعة في مختلف جوانب الحياة. فالنمو السريع للتقنيات الناشئة مثل الذكاء الاصطناعي، والويب 3، والحوسبة الكمومية يوفر فرصاً غير مسبوقة لتسريع التقدم والإزدهار، ما يؤكد على ضرورة وضع أسس قوية لحوكمة هذه التقنيات لضمان استخدامها بشكل آمن وعادل ومستدام من قبل المجتمع.”

وشدّد Al Shamsi أن قمة GETS 2025 تمثّل فرصة فريدة تتيح للمشاركين تبادل المعارف والخبرات ووضع معايير الابتكار المسؤول، وأضاف: “تلتزم النيابة العامة الاتحادية بتوفير السبل المناسبة تضمن أن يساهم التقدم التكنولوجي في خدمة الإنسانية، لبناء مستقبل أكثر أماناً وعدلاً وشمولاً للجميع. وهذا يتطلّب تعاوناً ودعماً متواصلين على الصعيد العالمي.”

ومن المتوقع أن تشكّل قمة GETS 2025 منصة حيوية تتيح للحضور المشاركة في نقاشات هامة، وبناء شراكات إستراتيجية، والمساهمة في رسم معالم مستقبل حوكمة التكنولوجيا في الاقتصاد الرقمي المستقبلي.

للتسجيل وحجز مكانكم للمشاركة في القمة والمساهمة في تشكيل مستقبل أكثر أماناً وعدلاً وابتكاراً للجميع، يُرجى التوجه إلى الرابط الالكتروني التالي: https://gets.evsreg.com/Delegate/Reg.

لمحة عن القمة الافتتاحية لحوكمة التقنيات الناشئة (GETS):

تعدّ قمة حوكمة التقنيات الناشئة (GETS) منتدى عالمياً متميزاً يلتزم بتحفيز الابتكار المسؤول وتطبيق مبادىء الحوكمة في مجالات مثل الذكاء الاصطناعي والويب 3 والحوسبة الكمومية. ومن خلال تشجيع التعاون بين الحكومات وقادة الصناعة والمجتمع المدني، تهدف قمةGETS إلى تحفيز الحوار البنّاء حول مواضيع رئيسة مثل الخصوصية والمساءلة والوصول العادل. كما تسعى القمة، من خلال بناء الشراكات الاستراتيجية وتعزيز الحوار المفتوح، إلى تطوير سياسات أخلاقية واستشرافية ومستدامة تساهم في حماية المجتمع إلى جانب دعم التقدم التكنولوجي.

وتعكس استضافة قمة GETS حرص دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة إلى تحفيز التعاون العالمي في مجال حوكمة التقنيات الناشئة. وتسعى القمة إلى إرساء إطار تعاوني لمعالجة التحديات والاستفادة من الفرص المنبثقة عن هذه المجالات متسارعة النمو، ما يساهم في ترسيخ مكانة دولة الإمارات كقوة رائدة في تشكيل معالم مستقبل حوكمة التكنولوجيا.

جهة الاتصال:

[email protected]

يمكن الاطلاع على الصورة المرفقة بهذا البيان عبر الرابط الالكتروني التالي:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f385d367–25b6–4bad–b817–4567f487d0d0   


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9412938)

Des décideurs politiques mondiaux et des géants de la technologie se réuniront à Abou Dhabi pour l’édition inaugurale du Sommet sur la Gouvernance des Technologies Émergentes

ABU DHABI, Émirats arabes unis, 28 mars 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Le Conseil de recherche sur les technologies avancées (ATRC) a annoncé aujourd'hui le lancement de la première édition du Sommet sur la Gouvernance des Technologies Émergentes (GETS), qui se tiendra au St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort à Abou Dhabi les 5 et 6 mai 2025. Le sommet réunira plus de 500 participants régionaux et internationaux pour mobiliser la collaboration mondiale sur la gouvernance des technologies émergentes telles que l'intelligence artificielle (IA) et l'informatique quantique.

Organisé sous le thème « Façonner une gouvernance responsable des systèmes d'IA et des technologies émergentes dans une économie numérique future », le sommet vise à établir des cadres de gouvernance technologique solides et à encourager un dialogue inclusif entre les diverses parties prenantes. Il sera également axé sur l’application des principes de gouvernance dans des secteurs clés, tels que la justice pénale, la finance, la fabrication, la santé, l'éducation et les industries créatives.

Organisé par l'ATRC en collaboration avec le Ministère Public des Émirats arabes unis comme partenaire stratégique, GETS 2025 jettera les bases d’une mise en œuvre de stratégies de gouvernance mondiale et explorera l'avenir des technologies émergentes dans des secteurs clés tels que la justice pénale, les soins de santé, la finance et les industries créatives.

GETS 2025 est une initiative historique qui souligne l’engagement des Émirats arabes unis à façonner le dialogue mondial sur l’innovation éthique et l’utilisation responsable des technologies émergentes, et qui reflète l’approche ouverte et collaborative du pays en matière de politiques d’innovation.

Le sommet réunira un large éventail de dirigeants mondiaux issus de divers secteurs. Parmi les participants figureront des dirigeants gouvernementaux et politiques, des cadres mondiaux des technologies et de l'industrie, des chercheurs et des universitaires, des startups et des représentants de la société, en mettant l'accent sur le leadership des jeunes.

Le sommet vise à relever l’un des défis les plus urgents d’aujourd’hui : façonner une innovation responsable qui protège la société tout en favorisant le progrès technologique. Il favorisera le dialogue sur l'innovation responsable avec les chefs de file mondiaux de la technologie et façonnera un avenir où la gouvernance, l'innovation et l'inclusion convergeront pour créer des solutions durables et avant–gardistes.

S.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Conseiller du Président des EAU pour les affaires de recherche stratégique et de technologie avancée et Secrétaire général du Conseil de recherche sur les technologies avancées (ATRC), a souligné l'importance de la collaboration :

« GETS est une étape cruciale vers la construction d’un avenir plus sûr, plus juste et plus inclusif pour les technologies émergentes. Alors que nous relevons les défis posés par l’émergence de l'IA et d'autres innovations avancées, le besoin de cadres de gouvernance collaborative solides devient de plus en plus clair. Cette plateforme sera donc l’occasion de créer des principes communs qui façonneront l’avenir de la technologie au profit de tous. »

Faisant écho à ce sentiment, S.E. le Chancelier Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Procureur Général des Émirats arabes unis, a déclaré :

« Nous assistons à une accélération de la révolution technologique. Les technologies émergentes comme l'IA, le Web3 et l'informatique quantique offrent des possibilités sans précédent de progrès et de prospérité. Parallèlement à cela, il est absolument nécessaire d’établir des fondations de gouvernance solides qui garantissent une société sûre, juste et durable. »

Il a souligné que GETS 2025 est une plateforme mondiale de premier plan pour l'échange de connaissances et l'établissement de normes pour une innovation responsable. « Le ministère public des Émirats arabes unis s’est engagé à faire en sorte que les avancées technologiques servent l’humanité et favorisent un avenir plus sûr, plus juste et plus inclusif. Cette mission exige une coopération et un soutien continus au niveau mondial. »

Le premier sommet GETS promet d'être une occasion sans précédent pour les participants de s'engager dans des discussions critiques, de forger des partenariats stratégiques et de façonner l'avenir de la gouvernance technologique dans une future économie numérique.

Inscrivez–vous dès maintenant pour sécuriser votre place et contribuer à façonner un avenir plus sûr, plus équitable et plus innovant pour tous. https://gets.evsreg.com/Delegate/Reg.

À propos de GETS:

Le Sommet sur la Gouvernance des Technologies Émergentes (GETS) est un forum mondial de premier plan qui vise à promouvoir l'innovation et la gouvernance responsables dans des domaines comme l'intelligence artificielle, le Web3 et l'informatique quantique. En favorisant la collaboration entre les gouvernements, les chefs de file de la technologie et de l'industrie et la société civile, GETS favorise les conversations essentielles sur des questions comme la protection de la vie privée, la responsabilisation et l'accès équitable. Par le biais de partenariats stratégiques et d’un engagement inclusif, le sommet cherche à développer des politiques éthiques, durables et avant–gardistes qui protègent la société tout en favorisant le progrès technologique.

Par ce biais, les Émirats arabes unis visent à galvaniser la coopération mondiale sur la gouvernance des technologies émergentes. Le sommet vise à établir un cadre de collaboration pour relever les défis et saisir les occasions que présentent ces domaines en évolution rapide, positionnant les Émirats arabes unis comme un chef de file dans la détermination de l'avenir de la gouvernance technologique.

Contacts :
[email protected]

Une photo accompagnant cette annonce est disponible à l'adresse https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f385d367–25b6–4bad–b817–4567f487d0d0


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9412938)

The Giant Plastic Tap: How art fights plastic pollution

The Giant Plastic Tap installation by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong.

The Giant Plastic Tap installation by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong.

By Diwash Gahatraj
NEW DELHI, Mar 28 2025 – “The size of the faucet highlights the magnitude of the problem. It makes the problem impossible to ignore. We’re used to throwing things ‘away’—but when we’re confronted with what happens when ‘away’ is not an option, I think it creates an emotional wake-up call,” says Benjamin Von Wong.

The 39-year-old Canadian artist and activist is referring to his inspiration behind The Giant Plastic Tap installation, which created a buzz in the art world, highlighting the problem of plastic pollution.

Wong, known for his environmental art installations and hyper-realist art style, created the Giant Plastic Tap that features an oversized faucet seemingly floating in mid-air while spewing plastic waste, serving as a striking metaphor for the world’s urgent need to address plastic production at its source.

He explains, “I wanted to bring the phrase ‘Turn off the plastic tap’ to life in a tangible way. I adapted the concept of the ‘floating fountain’ but distorted it with plastic—to emphasize the urgency of tackling the problem at its source by reducing plastic production, rather than relying solely on downstream solutions like recycling and beach cleanups.”

Reportedly, the global effects of plastic pollution are becoming more evident, highlighting the urgent need for collective action. Scientific studies and policy changes are essential but it is also crucial to acknowledge the influence of art in raising awareness and inspiring people to act.

Art has a unique power to evoke emotions, ignite conversations, and build a deep connection between individuals and the environment.

In the fight against plastic pollution, one art installation has become a powerful symbol of change, with Wong playing an important role.

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest crises of this generation.

The latest study, by charity EA Earth Action and released last year, revealed that more than a third of plastic waste will be improperly handled at the end of its lifecycle. This equates to 68.6 million tonnes of plastic, translating to an average of 28kg of plastic waste per person worldwide. In 2024, approximately 220 million tonnes of plastic waste were generated, marking a 7.11 percent increase since 2021.

Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong.

Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong.

Art installed so far

Von Wong, who shifted from mining engineering to environmental activism through art, has created four large-scale faucet installations, showcased at venues including Art Basel, the United Nations Environment Assembly 5.2 in Nairobi (2022), and the United Nations Ocean Conference.

“We’ve installed them in over a dozen locations—but even more exciting is that hundreds of cardboard replicas have been made worldwide,” Wong says.

Wong reflects, “I’m not sure how you measure the impact of art, but I think the fact that this installation has become a symbol for the importance of a global plastic treaty is probably the biggest achievement.”

The Giant Plastic Tap has been featured at previous INC (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the plastic treaty) sessions. However, its absence was notably felt during the INC-5 conference in Busan, South Korea.

Wong says, “I did my best to have the tap installation placed in Busan, but it wasn’t allowed. Instead, the ‘beached whale’ was placed on the lawns of BEXCO, the exhibition center that hosted the event last year.” He adds, “Despite reaching out over six months in advance to the operations team, the delegation, and securing local partners with independent funding, we were met with silence.”

Interestingly, INC-5 failed to reach a consensus on the global plastic treaty due to disagreements over national interests, industry influence, financial and technical support, and enforcement mechanisms.

Despite current challenges in global plastic treaty negotiations, including the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists and the constraints of consensus-based decision-making, Artist Wong remains optimistic about the future. “I’m certain we will find a way forward,” he asserts, pointing to the numerous dedicated individuals and organizations working to advance the treaty.

Meanwhile, after the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee decided to postpone the fifth session, the second part of the fifth session (INC-5.2) is scheduled to take place from 5 to 14 August 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Involving locals

Wong involved the local communities to complete the installation at UNEA 5.2 in Nairobi. The project collaborated with the Human Needs Project to collect three tons of plastic from the Kibera slums. The initiative employed over 80 local women to clean and organize the plastic, ensuring their voices were heard by world leaders. “We also fundraised to support the creation of a more local waste management system,” he adds.

The installation has achieved significant success in its mission to influence public perception. Viewers consistently grasp the fundamental message about the need to stop plastic pollution, and the installation’s visual impact helps transform an intellectual discussion into an emotional experience. Its symbolism has become particularly significant in the context of the global plastic treaty discussions.

Lastly, can art play a pivotal role in driving real-world change? To this Wong draws a compelling parallel: “What is the value of a monument like the Statue of Liberty? How would you measure it?”

The success of The Giant Plastic Tap suggests that art remains a powerful catalyst for environmental awareness and social change, particularly when it transforms complex global issues into visceral, emotional experiences that resonate across cultural and linguistic barriers.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 


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Bitget Expands Institutional Lending Services to Support All Spot Trading Pairs

 

VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, announced a major upgrade to its Institutional Lending service, enabling institutional clients to borrow funds for trading across all spot trading pairs available on the platform. This strategic enhancement empowers institutional users with greater flexibility and capital efficiency as they explore diversified trading strategies.

The Institutional Lending program offers customized loan packages for professional clients, allowing them to access large–scale liquidity with competitive interest rates. With the latest upgrade, borrowed assets can now be applied to over 800 listed spot tokens on Bitget, significantly expanding the scope of trading and hedging opportunities.

“Institutions play a crucial role in enhancing the liquidity and stability of the crypto market. Expanding our reach among institutional traders is one of Bitget’s core strategies for 2025,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “To navigate the fast–paced nature of crypto, institutions need flexible, scalable, and efficient access to capital. By extending our lending support to all spot pairs, we’re removing operational barriers and empowering institutions to execute sophisticated strategies, hedge risks, and seize opportunities without limitations on asset coverage.”

Bitget offers a seamless and secure institutional lending process. Clients can apply directly through Bitget’s institutional portal, where customized credit lines and terms are determined based on individual profiles and trading history. Currently, Bitget supports USDT as the lending currency, with over 50 types of collateral assets accepted, including BTC, ETH, and USDC. The maximum leverage available is 5x, with loan terms of up to 12 months. In the coming months, Bitget will also expand institutional lending support to include derivatives trading.

This move follows Bitget’s broader commitment to serving institutional clients with world–class infrastructure. Earlier this year, the platform rolled out dedicated OTC services and upgraded custodial solutions in collaboration with licensed partners such as Cobo and Fireblocks, aiming to create a full–stack institutional offering.

More details on Bitget’s Institutional Lending program, will be shared shortly.

About Bitget

Established in 2018, Bitget is the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real–time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world–class multi–chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World's Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f9cc1c0–7a38–4b1c–a1c1–834b8c6a6921


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001076711)

Water and Food Security in Europe and Central Asia: A Shared Challenge for a Sustainable and Just Future

Viorel Gutu

By Viorel Gutu
ROME, Mar 28 2025 – Degrading soil, air pollution, vanishing biodiversity, emerging plant and animal health issues and more are coming together in the current situation of multiple crisis. Ensuring water security is just one, among the many challenges individuals, countries, and the world faces. Yet, we shouldn’t forget that water makes up the largest percentage of our bodies and the same applies to animals, plants and the planet’s surface. The threat of water insecurity is, as we all see, not a petty problem, but one of the greatest challenges of our century.

We need water security to ensure people have food on their plates. Moreover, water security is a catalyst for transforming the food and agricultural sectors to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. Since its founding in 1945, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has been an advocate for improved natural resource management, and more recently, the Organization is raising its voice every day for the application of sustainable water management practices as a prerequisite for farmers’ resilience and, thus, for safeguarding food security.

The 50-plus countries of Europe and Central Asia are not exempt from this situation, where growing water insecurity threatens to undermine agrifood systems, exacerbate inequalities, and impede progress toward a sustainable future.

For these reasons, water security was selected as the main theme of the Europe and Central Asia Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2024 report that will be released on 2 April, highlighting the water sector’s interlinkages with agriculture, food security and nutrition.

Growing water insecurity and unequal impacts

Water security in this region is marked by stark disparities. While certain European Union member countries have from more water security, people living in Central Asia and the Caucasus, and the Western Balkans face significant challenges. Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are among the least water-secure nations in the region, with water consumption exceeding available resources in some cases, worsened by inefficiencies and losses caused by ageing irrigation infrastructure. The human toll is significant: floods and droughts affect over a million people, resulting in USD 14 billion in damages across the region, which brings me to a crucial point: climate change.

Climate change and rising demand for water are exacerbating water scarcity across the region. Variability in precipitation patterns, glacier melt, and prolonged droughts are becoming more frequent and more intense, taking a growing toll on agriculture and especially on farmers. In some parts of the region, energy demands – especially for hydropower in upstream countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan– compete with downstream irrigation needs, highlighting the need for coordinated, transboundary water management.

Water security extends beyond quantity to quality and this aspect shouldn’t be overlooked. Agriculture remains a significant contributor to water pollution in many parts of the region, mostly through fertilizer and pesticide runoff, undermining both food safety and soil health. Ensuring adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure is critical to food security, particularly in rural areas.

The way forward: Innovation and governance

The complexity and interlinkedness of food and water security challenges call for innovative solutions and robust governance. FAO advocates for a water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus approach that emphasizes integrated resource management and which considers the needs of all relevant sectors. Among others, precision and digital agriculture, energy-efficient irrigation, reuse of treated wastewater, and nature-based interventions such as we can see in the example of the artificial glaciers in Kyrgyzstan are already contributing to this comprehensive approach.

In Europe and Central Asia, FAO has been putting its 80 years of expertise into supporting countries to strengthen climate resilience and water governance. These efforts include the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative, which focuses on modernizing irrigation, building drought resilience, and improving water quality. Water, sanitation, and hygiene standards are being enhanced in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan under the global One Health approach. Additionally, the Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity facilitates global collaboration and knowledge exchange to support countries in coping with the pursuit of food and water security, for a sustainable social and economic development.

One thing is clear as water: today’s investments in sustainable water management will yield dividends in food security, peace, and prosperity for future generations in Europe and Central Asia, and beyond.

Viorel Gutu, is Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

IPS UN Bureau

 


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Curium Completes the Acquisition of Monrol as Part of its Plan to Significantly Expand Lutetium-177 Capacity and PET Footprint

  • Positions Curium as leading manufacturer of Lu–177 isotope
  • Brings innovative R&D expertise and pipeline to Curium
  • Enhances Curium’s SPECT & PET geographical coverage and supply chain

PARIS, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Curium Pharma (“Curium”), a world leader in nuclear medicine, is pleased to announce the completion of its acquisition of Eczacıbaşı–Monrol Nuclear Products Co. (Monrol), a leading nuclear medicine player, which is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey.

The acquisition enhances Curium’s manufacturing capacity of Lutetium–177 (Lu–177) to meet the growing demand for isotope around the world and secure the supply for the future launch of Curium’s Lu–177 drug candidates, for Prostate Cancer (currently in development) and Neuroendocrine Tumours (pending approval).

Monrol complements and adds to Curium’s extensive research & development (R&D) capabilities as it continues to expand its portfolio and pipeline of innovative theranostic products. Curium intends to deploy Monrol’s Ga–68 generator globally in the future, pending regulatory approvals.

In addition, Monrol’s PET & SPECT complementary geographic footprint further expands Curium’s offering. The completion of the deal expands Curium’s PET footprint of 34 sites in Western Europe and Asia to 46 with the addition of 12 Monrol owned and partnered sites in Eastern Europe and MENA regions. Furthermore, Monrol’s manufacturing and logistics infrastructure in Istanbul, Turkey, immediately adds scale to Curium’s vertically integrated production and distribution capabilities.

Mr. Chaitanya Tatineni, Curium’s CEO International Markets commented: “We are delighted to welcome close to 400 highly–skilled and dedicated new colleagues to Curium Group. The coming together of Curium and Monrol will transform our scale, capabilities and reach across several critical areas, in particular Lu–177, and create multiple new opportunities to enhance our offering of life–changing diagnostic and therapeutic solutions to patients around the world.”

Mr. Aydin Kucuk General Manager at Monrol added: “We are excited to be joining Curium and have long admired the company’s capabilities, leadership and commitment to developing and supplying world–class nuclear diagnostics solutions and therapies. We look forward to working with our new Curium colleagues to build on our joint successes to date by integrating our expertise, knowledge and experience with Curium’s global footprint, product portfolio, and track record of innovation.”

Mr. Emin Fadıllıoğlu, CEO, Eczacıbaşı Pharmaceutical and Industrial Investment, said: “We are very proud of our association with Monrol and its transformation in recent years, which today sees them become part of Curium, a world–leader in nuclear medicine. This is a great reflection of the quality of the business, and we believe they will continue to thrive under the ownership of Curium, benefiting from greater access to advanced technology and an extensive global network.”

For more information:

[email protected]

or

Ben Valdimarsson
Reputation Inc
Mob: +44 (0)788 9805930
Email: bvaldimarsson@reputation–inc.com

About Curium
Curium is a world leader in nuclear medicine. We develop, manufacture, and distribute world–class radiopharmaceutical products to help patients around the globe. Our proven heritage combined with a pioneering approach are the hallmarks to deliver innovation, excellence, and unparalleled service.

With manufacturing facilities across Europe and the United States, Curium delivers SPECT, PET and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical solutions for life–threatening diseases to over 14 million patients annually. The name ‘Curium’ honors the legacy of pioneering radioactive materials researchers Marie and Pierre Curie, after whom the radioactive element curium was named and emphasizes our focus on nuclear medicine. To learn more, visit www.curiumpharma.com

About Monrol
Headquartered in Istanbul, Monrol is a nuclear medicine company leading innovation for the development and manufacturing of GMP grade radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, Monrol distributes its world–class radiopharmaceutical products portfolio in global markets. As both a CMO and CDMO, Monrol provides early development support to customers and offers fully integrated services for nimble, lean, virtual companies taking new product concepts into clinical trials, demonstrating proof of concept, and going into first–in–human studies. Monrol is committed to transform and improve patient journey in cancer treatment through a portfolio of radiopharmaceutical products that it distributes to more than 60 countries around the globe. To learn more, visit www.monrol.com.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9412464)

UNICEF Report Warns of Rising Rates of Child Mortality without Proper Funding

During a growth monitoring session, Porbilla Ofosu-Apea, UNICEF Nutrition Officer, speaks with Senior Nurse Sister Evelyn Puoviel at UNICEF supported Newborn Care Unit for premature babies at Tamale West Hospital in Tamale, Ghana. Credit: UNICEF/Shehzad Noorani

By Oritro Karim
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 28 2025 – Despite levels of child mortality and stillbirths having significantly decreased since 2000, increasingly unequal and limited access to basic services around the world endangers millions of children around the world, a new report finds.

On March 24, the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) released its annual report examining trends in child mortality. This report includes contributions from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Since 2000, global rates of child mortality for children under the age of five has fallen by roughly 52 percent, which has been attributed to an increase in investments and collaboration between governments and communities. However, according to the UN IGME, global progress in the fight against child mortality has slowed down in recent years. Fouzia Shafique, UNICEF’s Associate Director of Health, states that since 2015, progress in reducing child deaths has slowed down by about 42 per cent compared to the 2000 to 2015 rate.

According to estimates from UNICEF, in 2023, there were approximately 4.8 million recorded instances of children dying before their fifth birthday, as well as 2.3 million newborn deaths. These deaths have been classified as preventable and were a result of limited access to healthcare, food assistance, and protection services. UNICEF projects that the number of preventable child deaths could increase by roughly 30 million children by 2030.

“Millions of children are alive today because of the global commitment to proven interventions, such as vaccines, nutrition, and access to safe water and basic sanitation,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Bringing preventable child deaths to a record low is a remarkable achievement. But without the right policy choices and adequate investment, we risk reversing these hard-earned gains, with millions more children dying from preventable causes.”

There are significant disparities in child health and wellbeing, particularly in areas that have been impacted by severe humanitarian crises. It is estimated that children in high-child mortality countries are nearly 80 times more likely to die before the age of five than low- child mortality countries.

However, a 2024 study from the Stanford University School of Medicine states that the gap in rates of child mortality between the highest and lowest income families has slowly contracted over the years. The study analyzed roughly 1 million families in 54 low to middle income countries and examined correlations between child wellbeing and wealth.

“In many countries, national wealth has increased hand-in-hand with increasing health inequality. That’s been a signature of our time,” said Eran Bendavid, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford. “It’s a pressing concern for many societies, especially in wealthy countries, but it’s also been an issue in low- and middle-income countries.”

Additionally, mothers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, who have been exposed to high levels of economic insecurity, conflict, and climate change-induced disasters, account for roughly 80 percent of all stillbirths. These women are six to eight times more likely to have stillbirths than women in North America or Europe.

Shafique spoke to IPS of the current conditions that women and children face in the developing world. “In many low-income and developing countries, children face a much higher risk of dying simply because of where they’re born. Health services are sometimes hard to reach, especially in remote or conflict-affected areas, where there aren’t enough clinics, healthcare providers, or supplies and equipment. Without antenatal care, skilled attendants at birth, and post-natal care, more pregnant mothers lose their babies to stillbirth needlessly, and small and sick newborns die from preventable causes.”

“Home deliveries and inadequate care are also risky for children at term. Many children still die in the first five years of life from preventable illnesses like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, where vaccines, good nutrition, and clean water are limited. Poverty also makes it harder for families to get the care they need,” she added.

Additional UNICEF statistics indicate that only one in twelve European mothers experience stillbirths during labour, compared to one in two mothers in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

“Most preventable child deaths occur in low-income countries, where essential services, vaccines, and treatments are often inaccessible”, said Juan Pablo Uribe, World Bank Global Director for Health and Director of the Global Financing Facility.

According to estimates from WHO, limited access to essential resources, such as food, water, and healthcare, has greatly exacerbated the likelihood of birth complications, trauma, infectious disease, congenital malformations and malnutrition, which are the leading causes of child deaths. It is estimated that food insecurity accounts for 45 percent of all child deaths under the age of five.

Since the report’s release, the UN has warned that funding cuts in the United States’ foreign aid programmes threatens to undo decades of international progress in eradicating child mortality. These funding cuts entail closures of healthcare facilities and a decrease in food security and protection services, all of which deliver life-saving assistance to the most impacted communities.

William Weiss, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a former advisor in the global health bureau at USAID, conducted a study to determine the efficacy of USAID programs in decreasing rates of child mortality. It was determined that nations that received above-average allowances of U.S. funding had, on average, 29 fewer deaths per 1,000 births, equating to approximately 500 fewer deaths per day.

“The recent funding cuts follow years of shrinking aid and are putting UNICEF’s life-saving work at serious risk,” said Shafique. “The impact is heartbreaking. More mothers will go through pregnancy without antenatal care and give birth without skilled help. More babies will be stillborn or die from infections and complications that could have been treated. More children will miss out on vaccines and medicine for deadly diseases like pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria. The basic safety nets that keep them alive are disappearing and we risk losing the gain made over the last decades.”

“Simply put, if support for life-saving services is not sustained, many countries can expect a resurgence of newborn and child deaths,” the UN IGME report adds.

Cooperation between investors, communities, and governments is also essential in ensuring a decrease in rates of child mortality. It is imperative for funds to be allocated and distributed to communities living in regions that experience high volumes of crisis.

“We have the technologies, we have the means, we have the know-how to reduce child mortality dramatically,” said Bendavid. “Even for such low-hanging fruit, however, implementation is not always easy. You have to have a government that enables basic safety, and the ability to reach poor and rural communities that benefit from these kinds of programs.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 


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Building Resilience in Least Developed Countries – A Pathway to Sustainable Transformation

Credit: OHRLLS

By Rabab Fatima
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 28 2025 – As the world grapples with overlapping crises—climate change, economic instability, and food insecurity—the 44 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face existential threats that demand urgent, collective action.

These nations, home to over one billion people, contribute merely 3.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet they bear the brunt of climate impacts, with disaster-related mortality rates 2.5 times higher than the global average.

Rabab Fatima

Ahead of the 3rd LDC Future Forum in Lusaka, Zambia, this reality compels us to confront a critical question: How can the international community rally behind LDCs to build resilience and unlock their immense potential for sustainable development?

The Resilience Imperative

Resilience is not a choice but a necessity for LDCs. Consider these sobering facts:

    • 57% of LDC populations face food insecurity, with 22% undernourished—more than double the global average.

    • External debt has tripled since 2010, now standing at $585 billion, diverting scarce resources from critical investments.

    • Only 20% of LDC populations have access to clean energy, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

Yet, amidst these challenges lie opportunities. The Doha Programme of Action (DPOA) provides a blueprint for addressing these vulnerabilities, but its success hinges on bold, innovative approaches and unwavering global solidarity.

Five Pathways to Resilience

    1. Concessional and Innovative Financing: Nearly two-thirds of climate finance to LDCs comes as non-concessional loans, exacerbating debt burdens. We must shift toward concessional financing, debt relief, and innovative instruments like catastrophe bonds and climate-resilient debt clauses. Official development assistance (ODA) must increase beyond the current 0.09% of donors’ GNI, against the target of 0.2% to LDCs.

    2. Climate-Smart Agriculture: With half of LDC populations dependent on agriculture, scaling up adaptive techniques—such as flood and drought-resistant crops pioneered in Bangladesh—can transform food security and livelihoods.

    3. Renewable Energy Access: Only 55% of LDC populations have electricity. Investments in solar, wind, and biogas—like successful projects in Kenya and Rwanda—can power sustainable development while reducing emissions.

    4. Circular Economy: Transitioning from linear “take-make-waste” models to circular systems can create jobs, reduce environmental pressures, and diversify economies. LDCs need policy frameworks and partnerships to make this a reality.

    5. Social Protection: Ethiopia’s Safety Net Programme and Cambodia’s digital IDPoor system aiming to ensure that a growing array of benefits reach the households and individuals who need them the most, demonstrate how targeted, shock-responsive social protection can shield the most vulnerable.

Credit: OHRLLS

A Call to Action

The upcoming LDC Future Forum is a critical opportunity to identify innovative ideas and practical solutions to overcome the pressing challenges of the LDCs. As we approach the midterm review of the DPOA in 2027 and the 2030 Agenda deadline, resilience must remain central to all of our efforts.

Major global conferences—including COP30 and the Fourth Financing for Development Conference—offer platforms to amplify LDC priorities.

To development partners, I call for increased concessional financing and enhanced support for debt relief. To policymakers, I stress the need for locally tailored solutions. To the private sector, I underscore the significant yet untapped potential for green investments in LDCs.

The stakes could not be higher. By investing in LDCs today, we invest in a more equitable, sustainable future for all. Let us seize this moment to forge transformative partnerships that deliver lasting change—for the more than one billion people counting on us.

IPS UN Bureau

 


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Excerpt:

Rabab Fatima is Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).

Marley, Music, Morris, Life: A Photo Voyage in Paris

A poster on the outside wall of the MEP. Credit: AM / SWAN - Music + Life, the first retrospective of work by Jamaican-born British photographer Dennis Morris

A poster on the outside wall of the MEP. Credit: AM / SWAN.

By SWAN
PARIS, Mar 28 2025 – Reggae fans may be initially drawn just by the iconic image of Bob Marley on the Music + Life poster, but once inside this exhibition, they will find themselves immersed in a world of extraordinary photographs.

Music + Life is the first retrospective of work by Jamaican-born British photographer Dennis Morris, and it has been pulling in visitors at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) in Paris, where it runs until May 18th.

A banner on the wall of the museum – located in the bustling, historic Marais area of Paris – shows reggae legend Marley in a relaxed pose, his locks streaming out from under his tam and a playful smile directed at someone the viewer cannot see.

Inside, a vast space is devoted to Marley, with a range of depictions: playing football, performing on stage, laughing in his tour bus, posing with accompanying singers the I-Threes (including wife Rita), sitting solemnly alone with his guitar shortly before his death from cancer in 1981.

But this is only one segment of the exhibition. Music + Life is a look at Morris’ overall career photographing ordinary people in London communities, as well as later portraying Marley, the controversial punk group the Sex Pistols and a gamut of other artists – exploring the “intersection of punk and reggae,” as the curators put it. It’s also about the arc of his own life.

Morris arrived in London from Jamaica at age four in the early 1960s, part of the post-World War II “Windrush generation” of Caribbean immigrants to Britain. He says he developed an interest in photography early, as a choirboy at a church in London’s East End, which had a photo club.

“The director of the club was a man called Donald Patterson, and he saw my enthusiasm and my potential, and he took me under his wing and basically taught me more or less everything I know,” Morris told SWAN. “He took me to museums, he took me to galleries, and that’s how things started.”

Morris says he began taking pictures in his teens, documenting life in Hackney in the 1970s. Then, one day, he heard that Marley would be performing nearby, and he headed to the venue with his camera, waiting for hours before getting to meet the Jamaican singer, who subsequently invited him to tour with the band. That crucial meeting would lead Morris into the music world, where his photographs would be published by magazines such as Time Out and NME, providing up-close portrayals of Marley, and many others over time.

A major theme of Music + Life is “story-telling”, according to Laurie Hurwitz, who curated the show with MEP’s director Simon Baker (a huge reggae fan and the force behind developing the retrospective in Paris). The aim, Hurwitz said, was to recount Morris’s journey as a young photographer, moving on to his wide-ranging music portrayals, and then his later activity as an art director in the recording industry.

The exhibition begins with three series Morris photographed as a teenager: Growing up Black, which depicts life in Hackney and its rich Caribbean culture; Southall – documenting London’s Sikh community through an intimate lens; and This Happy Breed – a “blend of humour and resilience that illustrates the spirit of the British working class”.

Morris told SWAN that despite some of the hardships shown in the series, he wanted to focus on the dignity of the communities portrayed, and to give insight into people’s daily lives.

“What I’m trying to show is that with all the hardships, we had dignity and we had pride,” Morris said. “That’s how we made our way through. It’s like in some ways Nelson Mandela. Despite all the things he went through, he was never bitter and he showed people that no matter what they do to you, you have to hold yourself together, you have to keep your dignity, you have to keep believing in yourself, keep moving forward.”

Leaving this section, visitors can progress to the portrayals of Marley, with both recognizable images and unfamiliar shots, in black and white as well as vibrant colour. The museum has covered two walls with massive enlargements of portraits of the singer, but equally striking are the smaller framed portraits, where Marley’s aura shines through.

“Bob Marley didn’t need artificial lighting to be photographed,” Morris says. “He had an inner light and you can see that.”

Asked whether he thinks Marley’s legacy is currently being diluted with rampant marketing of his image and work, Morris said he would agree but explained that he tries to ensure his photographs are used in a way that respects the singer’s art.

After the Marley rooms, the exhibition continues with Morris’ photographs of the Sex Pistols, documenting their “turbulent rise to fame”, and their “anarchic image”, to use the show’s description.

Over the course of a year, Morris covered “their chaotic performances as well as their life behind the scenes,” according to the curators. This includes “seminal moments” such as the controversial release of the album Never Mind The Bollocks in 1977 and their cruise down the Thames for the single God Save the Queen during the royal Silver Jubilee that year.

The “in-your-face” atmosphere of this section was intentional because that was the band’s persona, Morris told SWAN. Viewers will find themselves immersed in the stormy energy of the group through the photographs of Syd Vicious and Johnny Rotten, and of their concerts and “energised” fans.

“Bob represented the new youth of Jamaica, and the Sex Pistols represented the new young white generation of Britain,” Morris says. “It’s the ying and the yang. From Bob, I learned spirituality, how to hold my head high, and from the Sex Pistols, I learned how to kick the door down in the face of obstacles.”

The exhibition ends with a section showing the “breadth” of Morris’ career, with photographs of artists such as Patti Smith, Marianne Faithful, Oasis, Grace Jones, French group Les Rita Mitsouko, dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, and many others. His work designing album covers and his stint in a band called Basement 5 are also featured.

Before leaving the show, visitors can enjoy a diverse playlist including Marley songs, booming from a huge sound system that the MEP’s own engineers have constructed. The temptation to dance will be hard to resist. – AM / SWAN