Tag: Targets

  • World TB Day 2020 Newsletter

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter

    Latest news and updates from WHO

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 1

    Dear colleagues and friends,

    World TB Day, this year, comes at a sobering time – as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. We stand in solidarity with those affected, those at the frontlines of the fight to combat COVID-19, as well as those who continue efforts to support
    those ill with longstanding health problems like TB, HIV and other diseases. However, we cannot forget the millions and their families who battle TB every day and lose their lives to this ancient disease – which remains the world’s top
    infectious killer.

    As eloquently emphasized by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his press briefing on COVID-19 yesterday, “I’d like to remind everyone that although COVID-19 is dominating the world’s attention-there is another respiratory
    disease that is both preventable and treatable, but kills 1.5 million people every year – that disease is tuberculosis”

    “It’s Time”, the focus for World TB Day this year is therefore on urgently accelerating the TB response to save lives and end suffering, even in times of crisis. This will be essential if we are to reach the targets and commitments made
    by Heads of State at the 2018 UN High Level Meeting on TB. 

    We have made important strides against the TB epidemic to date.

    We announced last year, that more people received life-saving treatment for tuberculosis in 2018 than ever before, largely due to improved detection and diagnosis. Globally, 7 million people were diagnosed and treated for TB – up from 6.4 million in 2017
    – enabling the world to meet one of the milestones towards the United Nations political declaration targets on TB and the WHO Director-General Flagship Initiative Find.Treat.All End TB jointly with Stop TB Partnership and the Global Fund. This
    has been a big win for the TB community.

    WHO is working with countries to roll out important guidelines, including a comprehensive package on TB preventive treatment released today, and updated MDR TB guidelines to promote the use of all-oral regimens for patients with drug-resistant TB which
    would be helpful – particularly at this point, when visiting health centers is a challenge. Furthermore, WHO has developed a note to guide and urge countries to ensure continuity of TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    We are strengthening our collaboration with civil society – more information is highlighted in the WHO Civil Society Taskforce Progress Review released today.

    Youth mobilization is being ramped up through the WHO 1+1 Youth Initiative to end TB and the Global Youth Declaration to End TB. Multisectoral accountability is being promoted in countries through our framework and we have finalized a new global strategy
    on TB research and innovation, that will be reviewed by the World Health Assembly.

    Yet, the gains we have made are at risk – if there is any slackening of commitment and action, especially in times of crisis.

    We are at a crossroads and we need to unite forces to take the path of success that will save lives and end suffering.

    I was especially heartened today, to see the TB community coming together like never before. We all took our events to the virtual realm due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The WHO Online Talk Show held this afternoon, had a powerful line up of speakers that included,
    TB survivors and advocates, civil society, high level government representatives, heads of agencies, researchers and partners. As of this evening we have surpassed 10,000 views on YouTube. I also participated in townhalls organized by Stop TB Partnership.
    Our joint efforts have indeed ensured a continuing spotlight on those affected by TB, and clearly shows that no matter what the barrier, we can surpass it if we work together.

    I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you all virtually – and recommit to champion End TB efforts till we reach the finish line.

    It’s time to deliver on our promises and ensure no one is left behind.

    It’s time to End TB!

    Dr Tereza Kasaeva
    Director
    Global TB Programme
    World Health Organization


    World TB Day Talk Show

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 2

    In the backdrop of the global battle against COVID-19, WHO organized a special online talk show to mark World TB Day 2020. The talk show had a powerful line up of speakers from among TB survivors and advocates, civil society, high-level government representatives,
    heads of agencies, researchers and partners. The video was streamed live on WHO’s Youtube channel crossing over 10,000 views in a few hours. Watch the talk show video


    Spotlight on TB Preventive Treatment

    New WHO recommendations to prevent tuberculosis aim to save millions of lives

    24 March 2020 News release

    Geneva –  New World Health Organization (WHO) guidance will help countries accelerate efforts to stop people with tuberculosis (TB) infection becoming sick with TB by giving them preventive treatment. A quarter of the world‘s population
    is estimated to be infected with TB bacteria. These people are neither sick nor contagious. However, they are at greater risk of developing TB disease, especially those with weakened immunity. Offering them TB preventive treatment will not only protect
    them from becoming sick but also cut down on the risk of transmission in the community. Read more

    The full package is available below and at our World TB Day Campaign Page


    WHO Civil Society Taskforce on TB: Progress Review

    The WHO Civil Society Taskforce provides a platform for meaningful engagement of civil society, building on the commitment of the Director-General, with emphasis on harnessing the untapped potential in engagement with civil society and affected communities
    al all levels. To mark World TB Day 2020, the Task Force has released a Progress Review highlighting key achievements since its formation in 2018.

    Access link here


    WHO eTB guidelines: A digital platform to promote adolopment of TB recommendations

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 3

    WHO Global TB Programme / McMaster University

    The WHO Global Tuberculosis (TB) Programme, in collaboration with McMaster University, Canada, is developing a smart platform to improve access to and use of all WHO recommendations on TB prevention and care. The WHO eTB guidelines platform will facilitate
    the adoption, adaptation and implementation (“adolopment”) by countries of recommendations across the continuum of care. This digital platform will provide a variety of users – TB programme managers, healthcare workers including
    nurses, researchers, patients and affected communities – with easy access to all essential information about WHO-s current policy guidance on TB.

    The first set of recommendations on TB preventive treatment were released on this new platform on World TB Day.

    WHO eTB guidelines platform

    Infographic


    TB and COVID-19

    24 March 2020 News release

    Geneva –  As the world comes together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that essential health services and operations are continued to protect the lives of people with TB and other diseases or health conditions. Health services,
    including national programmes to combat TB, need to be actively engaged in ensuring an effective and rapid response to COVID-19 while ensuring that TB services are maintained. Read more


    Let’s never forget: It’s time to end TB

    Ksenia Schenina

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 4

    Ksenia Schenina

    24 March 2020 Photo story

    On World TB Day 2020, the theme – “Its time” – stresses the urgency to end the TB epidemic. TB survivor and advocate, Ksenia Schenina, talks about her struggle with the disease, the persistence of stigma and the role that remembrance can play
    in fighting it.   Through her TB memorial project, she aims to remember those who passed away from this terrible and ancient disease. “We do it to show what kind of people they were – what kind of things they liked, what kind of music
    they listened to and what their favorite movies were; if they liked fishing or dreamt of a flight to space,” she says. Read more


    Commentary

    To end TB, we must invest in research and innovation

    24 March 2020 Commentary

    If the world is to get anywhere near ending TB, a disease that killed more than 1.5 million people in 2018, something significant needs to change.

    TB remains the world’s leading infectious killer and yet, in the last 50 years, only three new drugs and regimes have been developed to combat the disease. “What we need is more research and more tools in the pipeline; better diagnostics,
    more effective vaccines, and safer, shorter drug regimes,” explains Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Programme. Read more


    Emily: A Day in the Life of a TB Nurse

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 5

    Maria Emily C. Ballesteros

    Watch this story of Emily, a nurse managing the tuberculosis (TB) program of the City Health Office in Tuguegarao City. Her dream for Tuguegarao is to one day see zero TB cases and that no one dies from this infectious disease. Nurses and healthcare workers
    play a critical role in TB prevention and care. It’s time to invest in them to improve healthcare for all. We thank all the nurses, midwives and healthcare workers working to #EndTB! Watch the video


    Updates and messages

    New research tool supports scale-up of digital technologies to End TB

    24 March 2020 TDR news item

    National anti-tuberculosis efforts are increasingly involving digital technologies, such as mobile applications to support treatment adherence and electronic surveillance systems that enable real-time monitoring of a country’s TB situation. Read more

    World TB Day 2020: It’s Time for solidarity

    24 March 2020 HIV/TB news item

    At this unique time in history when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes stands in solidarity with governments and communities as they seek to maintain health services
    and continue to address the needs of patients suffering from HIV and tuberculosis (TB).  Read more

    New, shorter treatment to prevent TB to be rolled out in five high TB burden countries

    24 March 2020 news item

    Three-month regimen expected to prevent TB in those at highest risk of developing the disease, including people living with HIV and children under the age of five
    Today, the Aurum Institute and its partners, as part of the IMPAACT4TB project, announced that five high-burden TB countries will roll out a new, shorter drug regimen (known as 3HP) to prevent TB. The announcement comes as countries around the world mark World TB Day, which takes place every year on March 24th. Countries that will initially provide the new regimen with funding from Unitaid, U.S. PEPFAR and the Global Fund include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. More than 120,000 patient courses of 3HP will be delivered by the project to 12 countries in 2020. An additional 1 million patient courses are expected to reach low- and middle-income countries by the end of the year, through the combined support of Unitaid, Global Fund, the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility (GDF) and PEPFAR. Read more
    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter
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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-03-2020-world-tb-day-2020-newsletter

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  • New WHO recommendations to prevent tuberculosis aim to save millions of lives

    Geneva –  New World Health Organization (WHO) guidance will help countries accelerate efforts to stop people with tuberculosis (TB) infection becoming sick with TB by giving them preventive treatment.

    A quarter of the world‘s population is estimated to be infected with TB bacteria. These people are neither sick nor contagious. However, they are at greater risk of developing TB disease, especially those with weakened immunity. Offering them TB
    preventive treatment will not only protect them from becoming sick but also cut down on the risk of transmission in the community.  

    As we mark World TB Day 2020, the disease remains the world’s top infectious killer. In 2018, 10 million people fell ill with TB worldwide and 1.5 million people lost their lives to this disease.

    “COVID-19 is highlighting just how vulnerable people with lung diseases and weakened immune systems can be,“ said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The world committed to end TB by 2030; improving prevention is key
    to making this happen. Millions of people need to be able to take TB preventive treatment to stop the onset of disease, avert suffering and save lives”.

    Dr Tedros highlighted the importance to continue efforts to tackle longstanding health problems, including TB during global outbreaks such as COVID-19. At the same time, programmes already in place to combat TB and other major infectious diseases
    can be leveraged to make the response to COVID-19 more effective and rapid.

    Although some progress has been made towards targets set at the UN high-level Meeting on TB in 2018, TB preventive treatment has been largely neglected. Global leaders committed to ensuring access to TB preventive treatment to at least 24 million contacts
    of people with active TB and 6 million people living with HIV by 2022.  To date only a fraction of that target has been reached, with countries putting less than 430,000 contacts and 1.8 million people on TB preventive treatment in 2018.

    TB remains the top cause of death among people with HIV. TB preventive treatment works synergistically with antiretroviral therapy to prevent TB and save lives. Reinvigorated efforts by governments, health services, partners, donors and civil society
    will be needed to increase access to TB preventive treatment to the levels targeted.

    The new consolidated guidelines recommend a range of innovative approaches to scale up access to TB preventive treatment:

    • WHO recommends a scale-up of TB preventive treatment among populations at highest risk including household contacts of TB patients, people living with HIV and other people at risk with lowered” immunity or living in crowded settings.
    • WHO recommends an integration of TB preventive treatment services into ongoing case finding efforts for active TB. All household contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV are recommended to be screened
      for active TB. If active TB is ruled out, they should be initiated on TB preventive treatment.
    • WHO recommends that either a tuberculin skin test  or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) be used to test for TB infection. Both tests are helpful to find people more likely to benefit from TB preventive treatment
      but should not become a barrier to scale-up access. Testing for TB infection is not required before starting TB preventive treatment in people living with HIV, and children under 5 years who are contacts of people with active TB.
    • WHO recommends new shorter options for preventive treatment in addition to the widely used 6 months of daily isoniazid. The shorter options that are now recommended range from a 1 month daily regimen of rifapentine plus isoniazid
      to 3 months weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid, 3 months daily rifampicin plus isoniazid, or 4 months of daily rifampicin alone.

    “As people around the globe come together to commemorate World TB Day, WHO is calling on governments, affected communities, civil society organizations, health-care providers, donors, partners and the industry to unite forces and step up
    the TB response – notably for TB preventive treatment – to ensure no one is left behind,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “The new WHO guidance shows the way forward for millions to rapidly
    access new tools and shorter, safer options for preventive treatment. The time for action is now.”

    TB preventive treatment is an affordable intervention that can prevent families from sliding into poverty and preserve the health and economy of whole communities. WHO anticipates that as new and safer drugs come onto the markets, and as prices
    fall, it will become a highly-cost effective way to save millions of lives.

     

    NOTES FOR EDITORS:

    WORK BY WHO AND PARTNERS

    WHO works closely with Member States including the US Government and technical and funding partners such as UNITAID to enhance access to shorter TB preventive treatment regimens. UNITAID-supported projects such as IMPAACT4TB and Cap-TB projects
    enabled by WHO with partners in Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and
    Zimbabwe are leading the way. The new treatment options are also now more affordable, thanks to the significant price drop of rifapentine – a key drug – facilitated recently by UNITAID, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
    and global biopharmaceutical company Sanofi, along with forthcoming arrangements underway with generic manufacturers.

    MORE ABOUT THE GUIDELINES

    The new consolidated WHO guidelines come with an operational handbook to help guide countries step-by-step as they take TB preventive treatment to scale. This includes guidance on how to prioritize and invest from demand creation for TB prevention
    to supervision and monitoring of the programme.

    The guidelines and operational handbook are also accompanied by an innovative mobile application – Prevent TB –to help health-care workers manage TB preventive treatment in their communities. Its online dashboard allows programme
    managers to visualize and monitor data in real time. The application can be customized by countries to suit their specific settings and is currently being adopted in India and Philippines.

    WORLD TB DAY

    The new guidelines and tools are being released ahead of World TB Day. World TB Day is observed on March 24 each year to raise public awareness and understanding about the world’s deadliest infectious killer – TB and its devastating
    health, social and economic impact on people around the world. Under the theme “It’s Time”, the spotlight this year is on urgently accelerating the TB response to save lives and end suffering.

    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/24-03-2020-new-who-recommendations-to-prevent-tuberculosis-aim-to-save-millions-of-lives

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  • Twitter Targets Television with its New Advertising

    Twitter has ramped up its advertising offerings. It now allows brands and companies to market their products directly to their customers through their Twitter feeds. These feeds are now being extended to television. It is expected that the conversation on television will become an extension of the conversation on twitter. Already tweets are appearing on television and users can use Twitter to interact with each other during live television.

    Read More
    http://www.associationofmarketing.org/articles/view.php?article_id=14181

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  • Government must address hurdles putting people off electric cars

    Government must address hurdles putting people off electric cars

    Ambitious targets have been set by the UK and Scottish governments to become net-zero carbon economies by 2050 and 2045 respectively. But a variety of initiatives will be required on the part of government, industry and society to achieve this target.

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    https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-hurdles-people-electric-cars.html

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  • The unmet need for social context in family planning

    The unmet need for social context in family planning

    New evidence on the relationship between sexual health and social context finds a strong association between gender equality, education and family planning

    Twenty-five years ago, two global events – the International Conference on Population and Development and the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing – formally recognized that women’s health and reproductive choices cannot be separated from the social context of their lives.

    Now, researchers have created a dataset which brings together national surveys from 74 countries, representing 3 million women. For the first time, it allows them to describe trends in demand/use of modern contraceptives alongside social and economic indicators.

    The data is published in The Lancet Global Health and is authored by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the World Health Organization.

    It shows that, over time, women are more likely to have their demand for modern contraception met in countries where gender equality and their educational opportunities improve.

    Gender equality and education increases access to modern contraception

    Trends in sexual activity and demand for use and use of modern contraceptive methods in 74 countries: a retrospective analysis of nationally representative surveys finds that met need for modern contraception is strongly correlated with positive shifts in social structures.
    For every 0.1-point increase in a country’s gender development index, it found a 6.7% rise in women who were sexually active and did not want to conceive. Of those women, an additional 13.5% used modern methods to prevent a pregnancy.

    Expectations of every girl’s right to education also made a difference. Each extra year in schooling is linked to an increase of 2.3% in demand, and a 4.7% increase in use of modern contraceptive methods.

    “This study shows how every woman must negotiate her reproductive autonomy within the social framework in which she lives, responding to barriers and opportunities as they emerge,” says Dr Lale Say, one of the authors of the study and Unit Head at WHO and HRP.

    “Gender equality is both a precondition and a driving force for securing women’s reproductive health and rights – as well as the sustainable development targets, which are our best chance for delivering health and well-being for all.”

    Global trends reveal new challenges in family planning

    Overall, the data reinforce global trends: more time spent sexually-active and single, postponement of parenthood, and the near-universal desire for smaller families.

    The study also highlights where action is needed at country-level to avoid family planning services falling behind demand.

    Out of the 74 countries analyzed, 42 showed an increase in demand for contraception. Only 37 countries show an increase in use of a modern method to prevent pregnancy.

    Although unmet need for contraception declined in 34 countries, it increased in 14 countries. Significantly more progress is needed, and faster, to ensure each girl and woman is able to access the sexual and reproductive health services she needs.

    Barriers and solutions to reproductive health and rights

    Gender equality can affect contraceptive use in many ways. From the personal and political degree to which women are free to choose their sexual activity, to accessing family planning services it can also shape any power imbalances within personal relationships. This study supports recent efforts by WHO to adopt a broader, integrated concept of sexual and reproductive health – and to translate it into a framework for policy and practice.

    The authors argue that family planning targets in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will not be met without a profound shift: from focus on ‘access to contraception’, to broader aspects of sexual health and social context.

    Since reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined, trends in contraceptive use can also reveal progress towards another global target: progress towards gender equality.

     

    The unmet need for social context in family planning
    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/10-03-2020-the-unmet-need-for-social-context-in-family-planning

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  • Nigeria targets nearly 12 million in Yellow fever vaccination across two high risk States

    Nigeria targets nearly 12 million in Yellow fever vaccination across two high risk States

    Read the full story

    Nigeria targets nearly 12 million in Yellow fever vaccination across two high risk States
    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/28-02-2020-nigeria-targets-nearly-12-million-in-yellow-fever-vaccination-across-two-high-risk-states

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  • Cervical cancer elimination initiative updates

    Cervical cancer elimination initiative updates

     

    Banner of the Cervical cancer Elimination newsletter

    February: Garnering international support on the path to eliminate cervical cancer

    On
    5 February, the WHO Executive Board recommended to the 73rd World
    Health Assembly the adoption of the draft Global Strategy to accelerate
    the elimination of
    cervical cancer as a public health problem, and urged its
    implementation. The proposed resolution urges Member States to implement
    the strategy, calling for the support of international organizations
    and other relevant stakeholders, and includes a request
    for the Director General to support Member states in this endeavor.
     The WHA will consider the resolution when it convenes in May 2020.  The
    session included 23 interventions from EB Member States, most of them
    in full support of the Strategy and resolution;
    18 from other Member States, 6 observers and 6 non-state actors. Dr
    Nono Simelela, ADG and Special Adviser to WHO Director-General Dr
    Tedros, responded at the end of the session, thanking delegates for the
    broad support, and addressing some of the comments
    by sharing some of the ongoing work such as the efforts with the
    immunization partners to address HPV vaccine supply challenges and
    transparency in pricing.

    Read the full story

    Read the full draft resolution

    Download the
    Draft Strategy


    Dr Nono Simelela presented the draft Global Strategy towards Eliminating Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem during a webinar with partners. This presentation was given as part of
    the Us vs. HPV Prevention Week webinar series hosted by the Global
    Initiative Against HPV and Cervical
    Cancer. While highlighting WHO’s life-course approach to cervical
    cancer control, Dr Simelela also explained the proposed elimination
    threshold and targets as laid out in the strategy. She also discussed
    addressing salient challenges such as redressing inequities
    and taking special considerations for women living with HIV.

    Read the full story

    Listen to the full webinar “Gathering momentum for the global elimination of cervical cancer”

    Watch the video: Cervical Cancer Elimination – developed by Basic Health International (BHI), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC)

    Read the story:To eliminate cervical cancer in the next 100 years, implementing an effective strategy is critical


    Dr
    Simelela was invited to Rwanda to support the kick off for a national
    cervical screening program set to put Rwanda on the path towards the
    Global Strategy goals
    for elimination of cervical cancer.

     

    Dr Simelala with the 1st Lady of of the Republic of Rwanda, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame

     

    HPV DNA test self-sampling demonstrated at cervical cancer screening facility, Muhoza Health Center

    Radiotherapy facility at Rwanda Cancer Center, colleagues from MOH, WHO, RBC and CHAI

     

    Amongst
    others, Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame received her for a
    discussion on how WHO can support efforts against cervical cancer in her
    own country and
    throughout Africa. Dr Simelela held discussions on cervical cancer
    screening and treatment services, including building radiotherapy
    capacity, with the dedicated staff of Ruhengeri Hospital, Butaro
    Hospital, the Muhoza health center and hospital and the Rwanda
    Military Hospital. While cervical cancer and breast cancer are the most
    prevalent cancers among the women in the country, Rwanda has
    impressively reached a 97% HPV vaccination rate since introducing a
    vaccination programme in 2011, with a target to reach 70%
    screening coverage in five years. We look forward to a continuing and
    fruitful partnership with Rwanda and all the countries who have pledged
    their commitment to eliminate this preventable cancer. Together we can
    answer WHO’s call and improve the lives of
    girls and women around the world. 


    Follow us for more updates!

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    Cervical cancer elimination initiative updates 6For
    news and real-time updates from around the world,
    follow Dr Princess Nono Simelela on Twitter
    @DrNonoSimelela
    ADG, Special Adviser to the Director-General on Strategic Programmatic Priorities

    Upcoming events

    International Women’s Day
    8 March 2020
     
    64th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women/Beijing+25
    9 – 20 March 2020

    World Immunization Week
    24 – 30 April 2020

     

     

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    Cervical cancer elimination initiative updates
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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/04-03-2020-cervical-cancer-elimination-initiative-updates-december-2019

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  • Global gathering of ministers determines road safety agenda to 2030

    The 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety convened 1700 delegates from around 140 countries, including more than 70 ministers and vice-ministers and heads of international agencies, civil society organizations, foundations and private companies. Hosted at the request of the UN General Assembly by the Government of Sweden in collaboration with WHO, the theme was “Achieving Global Goals 2030”, highlighting the connections between road safety and achievement of other Sustainable Development Goal targets.

    Through its 6 high-level panels and 18 parallel sessions, the Ministerial Conference addressed a range of topics, from building effective leadership for road safety to promoting sustainable cities and communities, mitigating climate change through road safety, and ensuring the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The gathering was instrumental in reviewing progress in the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 and defining ways to accelerate action on proven strategies to save lives. Among many pre-events, the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety hosted by YOURS: Youth for Road Safety and co-hosted by WHO, brought 200 young leaders together proclaiming “Enough is enough!” and claiming their space at the decision-making table for sustainable mobility.

    The Ministerial Conference culminated in the forward-looking “Stockholm Declaration”, which calls for a new global target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030. In addition, it invites strengthened efforts on activities in all five pillars of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action: better road safety management; safer roads, vehicles and people; and enhanced post-crash care. It also calls for speeding up the shift to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable modes of transport like walking, cycling and public transport. WHO is asked to continue to produce the series of global status reports, as a means of monitoring progress towards achievement of the 12 Global Road Safety Performance Targets.

    Today, around 1.35 million people lose their lives on the world’s roads every year, and as many as 50 million are injured. More than one quarter of those killed and injured are pedestrians and cyclists. Road traffic injuries are now the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years. Given the enormous human suffering and major economic losses for families and societies, road traffic deaths remain an unacceptable price to pay for mobility.

    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/20-02-2020-global-gathering-of-ministers-determines-road-safety-agenda-to-2030

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  • Foreign firms in China forecast revenue drop due to virus

    Foreign firms in China forecast revenue drop due to virus

    Foreign firms in virus-hit China are expecting large drops in revenue, especially for the first half of the year, with some planning to lower their business targets, said trade associations on Thursday.

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  • Microsoft says virus hurting supply chain more than expected

    Microsoft says virus hurting supply chain more than expected

    The virus outbreak in China is hurting Microsoft more than expected, as the company said it won’t meet targets that had already factored in the uncertainty.

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