45th ACP-EU Council of Ministers underlines geopolitical cooperation

30 november 2022 - 12:44:45
Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - In its first meeting after the COVID-19 pandemic, the 45th African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) – [...] Full text...

thread Politics

EU-African, Caribbean and Pacific States ministers meet on 29 November

25 november 2022 - 12:29:13
Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - After three years of focusing on the future of the European Union-Organisation of African, Caribbean and [...] Full text...

thread Politics

'Stronger action required to address changing dynamics of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea'

23 november 2022 - 06:05:23
New York, US (PANA) - Although the past decade has seen a steady decline in piracy in the Gulf of [...] Full text...

thread Society

COP27: Combat against climate change continues - Guterres

20 november 2022 - 10:49:08
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reminded the world of what remain the priorities regarding climate [...] Full text...

thread Environment

COP27: Senegalese President calls for 'more climate action'

07 november 2022 - 19:32:32
Sharm el Sheikh (PANA) – Africa, which contributes less than 4% of greenhouse gas emissions, is willing to work with [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Plastics are piling up in soil across the world warns UN environment agency

18 october 2022 - 05:37:17
New York, US (PANA) - Plastics used in farming activities are accumulating in agricultural soil worldwide at an alarming rate, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Monaco Explorations begin two-month expedition in the Indian Ocean

13 october 2022 - 09:25:34
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Monaco Explorations, supported by the commitment of Prince Albert II of Monaco to protect the ocean [...] Full text...

thread Sciences

Keen interest in South Africa's Land Expropriation Bill

23 september 2022 - 12:48:28
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – On 28 September, the final version of the Expropriation Bill, which is aimed at [...] Full text...

thread Society

77th UNGA: Somalia committed to tackling twin threats of looming famine and terrorism, President tells UN Assembly

23 september 2022 - 06:14:33
New York, US (PANA) - Despite efforts to move past decades of drought and conflict, Somalia is facing some of [...] Full text...

thread Politics

77th UNGA: Guterres calls for ‘coalition of the world’ to overcome divisions, provide hope in place of turmoil

20 september 2022 - 17:17:58
New York, US (PANA) - With people from all points of the globe crying out for relief and hope, international [...] Full text...

thread Politics

WMO: Climate change in Africa can destabilize ‘countries and entire regions’

09 september 2022 - 10:09:44
Maputo, Mozambique (PANA) - Water stress and hazards like withering droughts and devastating floods are hitting African communities, economies and [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Gambian president says poverty, inequality continue to ruin communities in Africa

27 august 2022 - 17:47:56
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Gambian President Adama Barrow on Saturday said that poverty and inequality continue to ruin communities in [...] Full text...

thread Politics

US 'very concerned' by 'credible' reports of Rwanda aiding DRC's M23 rebels - Blinken

10 august 2022 - 08:03:22
Kinshasa, DRC (PANA) - The US says it is "very concerned by credible reports" that Rwanda has provided support to [...] Full text...

thread Politics

Giraffes, parrots, and oak trees, among many species facing extinction: Report

07 august 2022 - 07:47:33
New York, US (PANA) - Around one million species are facing extinction, according to a report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Unprecedented global challenges are ‘not insurmountable’ – UN chief

05 august 2022 - 05:33:51
New York, US (PANA) - Nearly a year ago, the UN chief released his report, "Our Common Agenda" (OCA), a [...] Full text...

thread Economy

UN General Assembly declares access to clean and healthy environment a universal human right

28 july 2022 - 19:31:56
New York, US (PANA) - With 161 votes in favour, and eight abstentions, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Key UN forum closes with ‘enthusiasm, passion and high-energy’ to reach the SDGs

16 july 2022 - 08:26:55
New York, US (PANA) - Following two years of virtual meetings due to COVID-19, the 2022 High-Level Political Forum on [...] Full text...

thread Economy

EU supports Benin with 24.5 million euros

15 july 2022 - 13:17:21
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The European Union (EU) is to disburse 24.5 million euros to Benin to support the country [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Senegal passes biosafety law to allow approval of GE products

12 july 2022 - 07:38:40
Dakar, Senegal (PANA) – Senegalese legislators have passed a new biosafety law establishing a process to allow the entry, research, [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Value of nature must not be overridden by pursuit of short-term profit: UN report

12 july 2022 - 05:17:00
New York, US (PANA) - The values that we ascribe to nature are vital parts of our cultures, identities, economies, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN Ocean Conference calls for greater ambition, global commitment to address dire state of the Ocean

01 july 2022 - 19:18:55
Lisbon, Portugal (PANA) - Following a week of discussions and events in Lisbon, Portugal, the UN Ocean Conference concluded on Friday, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Sea cucumber smuggling in East Africa threatens livelihoods and ecosystems

01 july 2022 - 05:40:24
Zanzibar, Tanzania (PANA) - The high demand for sea cucumbers in China is leading to their over-exploitation along the East [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Youth are the generation that will help save our ocean and our future, says Guterres

27 june 2022 - 05:11:55
New York, US (PANA) - The world must do more to stop the dramatic decline in ocean health, UN Secretary-General [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Guinean bauxite company says it has reforested 254 hectares

24 june 2022 - 13:50:08
Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - The Compagnie des bauxites de Guinée (CBG), one of the world leaders in the bauxite industry, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

EU supports sustainable development in Rodrigues

16 june 2022 - 08:08:23
Port Mathurin, Rodrigues (PANA) - The European Union (EU) is funding a project by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) entitled [...] Full text...

thread Environment

More violence feared over bid to evict Maasai from ancestral lands in Tanzania

15 june 2022 - 19:04:37
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) - The reported use of live ammunition by security forces in Tanzania against ethnic Maasai [...] Full text...

thread Society

Stockholm+50 issues call for urgent environmental and economic transformation

04 june 2022 - 05:13:28
Stockholm, Sweden (PANA) - The Stockholm+50 environment conference came to a close on Friday with a call for real commitments to urgently [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Earth ‘cannot keep up with our demands’, warns UN chief on World Environment Day

04 june 2022 - 04:50:27
New York, US (PANA) - “This planet is our only home,” Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for World [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Rescue us from our environmental ‘mess’, UN chief urges Stockholm summit

02 june 2022 - 16:02:41
Stockholm, Sweden (PANA) - Global wellbeing is at risk – and it’s in large part because we haven’t kept our promises [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Kenyatta to attend international environmental Summit in Stockholm

01 june 2022 - 23:58:10
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - President Uhuru Kenyatta will co-chair a two-day meeting, dubbed ‘Stockholm+50’ with the host Prime Minister, Magdalena [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Do more for environment or risk planet becoming ‘human sacrifice zone’: UN experts

31 may 2022 - 06:40:38
New York, US (PANA) - It’s been five decades since Sweden hosted the world’s first conference to make the environment [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN chief calls to ‘build a shared future for all life’ on Biodiversity Day

22 may 2022 - 08:04:16
New York, US (PANA) - As the world marks International Day for Biological Diversity on Sunday, the UN Secretary-General has [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Ukraine conflict highlights urgent need to build resilient food systems with people at their heart - WFP

19 may 2022 - 12:08:46
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is on Thursday calling for a massive expansion [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN focus on plant health, crucial for boosting food security worldwide

13 may 2022 - 05:25:41
Rome, Italy (PANA) - On the very first International Day of Plant Health, marked on Thursday, the UN Food and [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

High-level UN conference debates precious commodity: Land

10 may 2022 - 10:05:44
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - The 15th session of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Threats to media workers’ freedom ‘growing by the day’, UN chief warns

03 may 2022 - 05:42:24
New York, US (PANA) - Journalists and media workers are facing “increasing politicization” of their work and threats to their [...] Full text...

thread Society

Biodiversity and ecosystem protection highlighted on Mother Earth Day

23 april 2022 - 06:59:47
New York, US (PANA) - Marking International Mother Earth Day, UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid, on Friday called for [...] Full text...

thread Environment

WHO calls for protection of health and mitigation of climate crisis on World Health Day

07 april 2022 - 05:39:35
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - As World Health Day is marked on Thursday, the UN health agency has made an urgent [...] Full text...

thread Health

Women and girls must lead battle against ‘widespread and interlinked crises': Guterres

15 march 2022 - 05:40:24
New York, US (PANA) - To forge a sustainable future for us all, “women and girls must be front and [...] Full text...

thread Gender

Environmentalist calls for increased investment to combat land degradation in Africa

12 march 2022 - 15:45:23
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - An environmentalist of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has called on governments and businesses to [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Congolese minister outlines 5 priority areas for sustainable development in Africa

03 march 2022 - 21:41:41
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Mrs. Arlette Soudan Nonault, the Congolese Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, has set out five [...] Full text...

thread Society

UN Environment Assembly discusses ending plastic pollution

01 march 2022 - 05:55:45
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Delegates at the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly under way in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

African-European Summit resolve to revitalise ties

20 february 2022 - 07:40:05
Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - African and European leaders rose from their sixth Summit at the seat of the European Union, [...] Full text...

thread Health

World must ‘change track’ to protect oceans from climate crisis: Guterres

12 february 2022 - 07:28:52
Brest, France (PANA) - The planet is facing the triple crises of climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution, Secretary-General António [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Tunisian Prime Minister to attend 'One Ocean' summit in France

11 february 2022 - 12:08:23
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The Tunisian Prime Minister, Najla Bouden, left Tunis on Friday for Brest, France, at the head [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Plastics in soil threaten food security, health, and environment: FAO

08 december 2021 - 09:00:38
Rome, Italy (PANA) - Plastic pollution has become pervasive in agricultural soils, posing a threat to food security, people’s health, [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

COP26: Momentum builds up at Conference to put gender at forefront of climate action

10 november 2021 - 05:13:39
Glasgow, Scotland (PANA) – There has been new momentum to put gender at the forefront of climate action from countries [...] Full text...

thread Environment

COP26: World leaders, corporations take major step to restore and protect forests

02 november 2021 - 19:59:15
Glasgow, Scotland (PANA) - A pivotal pledge to save and restore the planet’s forests was officially announced on the second [...] Full text...

thread Environment

COP26: 'We're digging our own graves,' Guterres warns

01 november 2021 - 19:00:55
Glasgow, Scotland (PANA) - As the World Leaders Summit opened on day two of COP26, UN chief António Guterres sent [...] Full text...

thread Environment

World leaders urged to prioritise action on water and climate

31 october 2021 - 10:03:06
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Countries must step up urgent action to address the water-related consequences of climate change, the head [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Mauritius calls for drastic measures to address urgency of climate crisis ahead of COP-26

30 october 2021 - 08:35:07
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The Mauritian Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr. Kavydass Ramano, on Friday [...] Full text...

thread Environment

World Heritage forests releasing more carbon than they absorb: UNESCO

29 october 2021 - 08:17:32
Paris, France (PANA) - Forests in at least 10 World Heritage sites have become net sources of carbon, due to [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Plastic pollution on course to double by 2030

22 october 2021 - 06:00:58
New York, US (PANA) - Plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water continues to grow sharply and could more than double by 2030, according [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Many developing countries unprotected against disaster, says UN Chief

13 october 2021 - 19:02:06
New York, US (PANA) - Many developing nations remain unprotected against disaster, even though it is accepted that building community resilience [...] Full text...

thread Society

Biodiversity commitment builds hope for 'living in harmony with nature'

13 october 2021 - 19:00:49
New York, US (PANA) - More than 100 countries on Wednesday committed to develop, adopt and implement an effective post-2020 global framework, that aims to [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN chief calls for bold action to end 'suicidal war with nature'

12 october 2021 - 10:25:12
New York, US (PANA) - With more than a million species at risk of extinction, countries must work now to achieve a sustainable future for [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Landmark report highlights untapped potential of Africa’s film industry

06 october 2021 - 04:56:38
Paris, France (PANA) - Africa’s film and audiovisual industries could create over 20 million jobs and contribute $20 billion to the continent’s [...] Full text...

thread Culture

Mauritius approves Nationally Determined Contributions

29 september 2021 - 07:52:46
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritius’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) were approved on Tuesday by the Inter-Ministerial Council on Climate Change [...] Full text...

thread Environment

‘Time to rethink, transform, and safely restart tourism,’ says UN chief

27 september 2021 - 17:37:21
New York, US (PANA) - Tourism “touches almost every part of our economies and societies”, enabling the historically marginalised, and “those at risk [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Food’s a human right, not just ‘a commodity to be traded’: Guterres

23 september 2021 - 18:51:07
New York, US (PANA) - Every day, hundreds of millions of people go to bed hungry. Three billion people cannot [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Libya's Ashaafean site among UNESCO's 20 new biosphere reserves

20 september 2021 - 12:47:01
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Ashaafean area in Libya is among 20 new sites added to the World Network of [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN Human Rights Office traces gaps in protection of communities in Sahel countries

14 september 2021 - 15:12:15
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) – The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is undertaking a project in the [...] Full text...

thread Society

FAO is “working against time” on climate change - Director-General emphasises

08 september 2021 - 15:30:56
Rome, Italy (PANA) - Sustainable agri-food systems are a "critical part of the actions and solutions" to the climate crisis, [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Agroecology can address food systems failures - new IFAD report

08 september 2021 - 15:00:29
Rome, Italy (PANA) – In its first comprehensive assessment of agroecology, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) announced Wednesday [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Airlines fuel West African wildlife species trafficking to Europe

04 september 2021 - 17:07:10
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – Commercial aviation has largely interfered with the conservation of wildlife species and promoted trade in rare [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN Secretary-General calls for bold action to end biodiversity crisis

31 august 2021 - 05:27:13
New York, US (PANA) - With one million species at risk of extinction, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called [...] Full text...

thread Environment

End of leaded fuel use a ‘milestone for multilateralism’: Guterres

31 august 2021 - 05:10:49
New York, US (PANA) - The global phase-out of leaded fuel represents a “milestone for multilateralism”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Botswana’s eco-tourism attracts De Beers, National Geographic

25 august 2021 - 15:57:37
Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) - Giant mining De Beers and the National Geographic have inked a five-year deal to protect the [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Youth need ‘seat at the table’ to lead struggle for better future: Guterres

13 august 2021 - 05:13:22
New York, US (PANA) - Young people are on the “frontlines of the struggle to build a better future”, the [...] Full text...

thread Society

AU calls for measures to neutralise threats to blue economy start-ups

12 august 2021 - 08:29:09
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The African Union has celebrated the African Day of the Seas and Oceans with a [...] Full text...

thread Economy

IFAD and partners announce coalition to support development banks’ financing of sustainable food systems

27 july 2021 - 14:05:08
Rome, Italy (PANA) – Creating sustainable and equitable food systems that benefit the world’s most vulnerable people will require substantial [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Together, we must tackle growing hunger, urges Guterres

27 july 2021 - 07:46:23
Rome, Italy (PANA) - Inefficient global food production is at the root of a huge rise in hunger as well [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

South Africa invests in biodiversity to promote rural development and conservation

14 july 2021 - 13:41:35
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - South Africa is stepping up investment for its wildlife and biodiversity sectors thanks to a [...] Full text...

thread Environment

The world is ‘tremendously off track’ to meet 2030 SDGs: UN chief

13 july 2021 - 05:43:48
New York, US (PANA) - Between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020 – some 161 million more [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Mauritius to safeguard biodiversity in vulnerable ecosystems

01 july 2021 - 08:37:32
Port-Louis Mauritius (PANA) – Mauritius has received US$4 million from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the Global Environment [...] Full text...

thread Environment

WBG ups support for Climate Action in developing countries

23 june 2021 - 12:59:50
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The World Bank Group has announced its new Climate Change Action Plan aiming to deliver [...] Full text...

thread Environment

EU helps Sudan improve gum Arabic production

21 june 2021 - 18:34:59
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The Sudan, the European Union (EU) and France have launched a joint project aimed at increasing [...] Full text...

thread Economy

UN chief Guterres reappointed to second term

19 june 2021 - 07:00:52
New York, US (PANA) - António Guterres was on Friday re-appointed to a second term as UN Secretary-General, pledging as [...] Full text...

thread Politics

Burkina Faso to restore 5.16 million hectares of degraded land by 2030

17 june 2021 - 15:03:02
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Burkina Faso is committed to rehabilitating 5.16 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, as [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Guterres: Desertification and drought destabilising well-being of 3.2 billion people

17 june 2021 - 06:21:52
New York, US (PANA) - Land degradation from climate change and the expansion of agriculture, cities and infrastructure  “undermines the [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Restoring nature ‘the test of our generation’: UN General Assembly President

15 june 2021 - 05:34:18
New York, US (PANA) - Stepping up global efforts to combat land degradation is the only way to safeguard food [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Ensure ocean health, UN chief says in message for World Oceans Day

09 june 2021 - 05:59:25
New York, US (PANA) - Ending the “war on nature” must be part of global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN launches Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to counter ‘triple environmental emergency’

05 june 2021 - 10:06:06
New York, US (PANA) - Heads of government, religious leaders, activists and artists joined the United Nations on Friday in [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Still time to reverse damage to ‘ravaged’ ecosystems, declares UN chief, marking Environment Day

04 june 2021 - 19:08:34
New York, US (PANA) - Amidst the triple environmental threat of biodiversity loss, climate disruption and escalating pollution, Secretary-General António [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Key national parks in Sudan to benefit from initiative to increase protection

30 may 2021 - 16:43:55
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Ahead of World Environment Day on 5 June, a US$23.6 million initiative to improve protection for [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Guterres urges humanity to make ‘peace with the planet’

22 may 2021 - 06:46:19
New York, US (PANA) - Humanity is “waging a war on nature”, threatening biodiversity loss, climate disruption and escalating pollution, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN forum examines how to make science and technology work better for all

04 may 2021 - 15:56:19
New York, US (PANA)  - Harnessing the full potential of science and technology for the benefit of all people, everywhere, [...] Full text...

thread Sciences

UNESCO condemns murder of two journalists in Burkina Faso

30 april 2021 - 10:24:33
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned the ambush of an [...] Full text...

thread Society

New reports from AfDB, FAO and CGIAR showcase digital agriculture for Africa

26 april 2021 - 13:11:21
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (PANA) -  Drones, satellites, geographic information systems, weather stations and advanced analytics are among promising technologies for [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Ocean benefits increasingly undermined by human activity, UN assessment reveals

22 april 2021 - 06:28:48
New York, US (PANA) - Greater understanding of the ocean is essential if the world is to recover better from [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN chief calls for commitment to restore the planet

22 april 2021 - 06:12:34
New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for commitment to restoring the planet, and to making [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Plastic pollution disproportionately hitting marginalised groups, UN environment report finds

31 march 2021 - 06:57:00
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Vulnerable communities disproportionately bear the brunt of environmental degradation caused by plastics pollution, and action is [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Biodiversity at risk, threatens human survival, UN forum hears

25 march 2021 - 06:39:41
Paris, France (PANA) - As the living tissue of the earth, biodiversity is “intimately linked to human health” the head [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN chief urges nations to restore, conserve forests

21 march 2021 - 15:13:14
New York, US (PANA) - Humanity’s well-being is inextricably linked to the health of our planet in which forests play [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Flipflopi recycled plastic dhow embarks on its second voyage in Africa

12 march 2021 - 10:32:24
Kisumu, Kenya (PANA) - The Flipflopi, a dhow made from recycled plastic, has set sail on its second voyage, taking [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Africa requires trade, climate-sensitive energy use to drive economic recovery

02 march 2021 - 14:44:15
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The Economic Commission for Africa has launched a report on Building Forward for an African [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Kenya to advance African voice at UN Security Council on continental security

24 february 2021 - 09:51:05
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated Kenya's strong commitment to advancing Africa's agenda at UN Security Council [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Governing Council reappoints Gilbert F. Houngbo President of IFAD

17 february 2021 - 18:29:18
Rome, Italy (PANA) - In a strong show of support and recognition for the leader who has successfully showcased the [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

UN highlights importance of pulses for diets and food security

10 february 2021 - 13:42:56
New York, US (PANA) - The United Nations is marking World Pulses Day on Wednesday, highlighting their importance not only as [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Indigenous Peoples are critical to build a more sustainable post-pandemic world - IFAD President

03 february 2021 - 14:15:10
Rome, Italy (PANA)  –  Indigenous Peoples have suffered disproportionately from the economic impacts of COVID-19, yet they hold essential knowledge [...] Full text...

thread Society

AfDB pledges to mobilise $6.5 billion in support of the Great Green Wall Initiative

11 january 2021 - 15:42:04
Paris, France (PANA) - The Sahel region's Great Green Wall Initiative received a major boost from the African Development Bank [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

IFAD, GCF scale-up action to improve life for millions, restore ecosystems in Africa’s Great Green Wall

11 january 2021 - 14:07:20
Paris, France (PANA) – Millions of poor farmers living in the world’s most climate-impacted parts of the Sahel have cause [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

EU to fund conservation project in Mauritius

19 december 2020 - 08:34:35
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) -  The Mauritian Government on Friday announced that a financial agreement will be signed shortly between the [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Malawian President calls for mining sector transparency

08 december 2020 - 23:27:10
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (PANA) - Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera Tuesday called for transparency and partnership in Africa's mining industry. The Malawian [...] Full text...

thread Economy

African environment ministers back plan to reverse ecosystem destruction

04 december 2020 - 22:48:51
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Ministers of Environment from Africa Friday agreed to support a comprehensive green recovery plan to boost [...] Full text...

thread Environment

It’s time to make peace with nature, UN chief urges

02 december 2020 - 17:50:56
New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the fight against the climate crisis as the top [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Environment ministers to meet on green stimulus plan for Africa

27 november 2020 - 00:22:23
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - African ministers of environment will meet here from 30 November to 4 December to discuss a [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Two Nigerians selected for UNESCO Biosphere Programme Fellowship

20 november 2020 - 17:50:30
Paris, France (PANA) - The International Coordinating Council of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme has selected six 2020 [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Rwanda introduces GPS collars for wild species in national parks

06 november 2020 - 17:17:13
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - In a move to protect rare animals in its national parks, Rwanda has introduced next generation   [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UNDP, ICC team up to strengthen private sector leadership in wildlife habitats protection

06 november 2020 - 07:23:36
New York (PANA) - The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and UN Development Programme (UNDP) have teamed up to strengthen [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Nine African sites join UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves

29 october 2020 - 17:12:27
Paris, France (PANA) - The International Coordinating Council of the Programme on Man and the Biosphere (CIC-MAB) of UNESCO approved, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Pan African body holds conference on food

26 october 2020 - 19:37:36
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) will organize a conference, running from October 27 [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Mauritius trains women on climate change actions

22 october 2020 - 12:46:20
Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Climate change has adverse impacts on people but d it affects women and men differently, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

World Bank, IMF boards urge transfer of real resources to developing countries

16 october 2020 - 22:47:40
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) - The Development Committee of the world’s top financial institutions said Friday the coronavirus (COVID-19) [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Climate Justice campaigner urges banks to lead a just recovery from health, economic crises

13 october 2020 - 08:57:19
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Civil society groups are urging banks to lead a just recovery from global health and economic crises. The [...] Full text...

thread Economy

‘Staggering’ rise in climate emergencies in last 20 years - UN

13 october 2020 - 07:25:01
New York, US (PANA) - The first 20 years of this century have seen a “staggering” rise in climate disasters, UN [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Coronavirus: FAO calls for transformational change in management of forests and food systems

06 october 2020 - 12:46:01
Rome, Italy (PANA) - Transformational change is needed in the way countries manage forests and their biodiversity, people  produce and [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

UN General Assembly decries environmental degradation caused by climate change

30 september 2020 - 22:44:36
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - World leaders attending a virtual UN General Assembly Summit on the environment on Wednesday decried the [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Celebrities call for green, gender-equal coronavirus recovery

24 september 2020 - 19:50:17
New York (PANA) - Goodwill ambassadors of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said here Thursday the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic [...] Full text...

thread Social

Multilateral action key to tackling global challenges -Kenyatta

24 september 2020 - 18:55:02
Mombasa, Kenya (PANA) - President Uhuru Kenyatta said that here Thursday effective multilateral action within a rule-based international system was [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Congo sets up National Pesticide Management Committee

17 september 2020 - 09:47:07
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - The Congolese Minister of State in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Henri Djombo, on Wednesday [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

UN report highlights links between ‘unprecedented biodiversity loss’ and spread of disease

16 september 2020 - 04:57:29
New York, US (PANA) - The continued degradation of the environment is increasing the likelihood of diseases spreading from animals [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Report reveals two-thirds decline in wildlife populations on average since 1970

10 september 2020 - 08:27:21
Gland, Switzerland (PANA) – Global populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish have suffered an average two-thirds decline in [...] Full text...

thread Environment

AWF, partner team up in restoring native bamboo species in Rwanda

27 august 2020 - 22:46:53
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) Thursday announced the delivery of 11,400 bamboo plants to Rwanda as part [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UNCTAD says Mauritius oil spill highlights importance of global maritime laws

20 august 2020 - 18:24:29
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The devastating oil spill off the east coast of Mauritius has highlighted the need for global adoption of international [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Scientists continue plan to create test tube northern white rhino

20 august 2020 - 12:07:25
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - The international team of scientists and conservationists working to conserve the northern white rhino has made [...] Full text...

thread Environment

French Overseas Minister expected in Mauritius on Sunday to assess oil spill

15 august 2020 - 05:56:30
Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The French Overseas Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, is expected in Mauritius on Sunday in connection with [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Forest fire guts part of major national park in South Western Rwanda

14 august 2020 - 23:55:12
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) -  A forest fire suspected to have been caused by burning activities broke out earlier this week [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Scientists warn industrial agriculture behind outbreaks of deadly viruses

13 august 2020 - 02:38:40
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic-induced lockdowns and disruptions have shown that industrial agriculture is driving habitat loss [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Mauritius receives 300 million-euro loan from French Development Agency

30 july 2020 - 08:16:55
Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) -Mauritius has received a loan of 300 million euros from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to help [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Mauritius, EU discuss Policy Dialogue on climate change

27 july 2020 - 12:02:02
Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The Second High-Level Policy Dialogue on Climate Change between Mauritius and the EU opened on [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Ecotourism player sets new environment benchmark in Botswana

24 july 2020 - 08:58:15
Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) - Pan-Africa eco-tourism business, Wilderness Safaris, which has its headquarters in Botswana, has announced plans to set [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Deforestation has slowed down but still remains a concern - new UN report reveals

21 july 2020 - 18:23:28
New York, US (PANA) - Although some 178 million hectares of forest has been lost worldwide over the past three [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Tunisia ranked 2nd in Africa in 2020 Environmental Performance Index

19 july 2020 - 11:41:28
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Tunisia was ranked 2nd in Africa and 71st globally in the 2020 edition of the Environmental [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Indian Ocean Commission gets new Secretary-General

17 july 2020 - 17:22:21
Ebène, Mauritius (PANA) - The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) has got a new secretary-general. He is Vêlayoudom Marimoutou, former Rector [...] Full text...

thread Politics

Tunisia to host 3rd World Sea Forum

14 july 2020 - 19:30:01
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The third edition of the World Sea Forum will kick off Wednesday in Bizerte, Tunisia, an [...] Full text...

thread Environment

COVID-19: IFAD chief spots crucial partners to build a better post–pandemic world

14 july 2020 - 10:40:04
Rome, Italy (PANA) -  Indigenous peoples and their unique knowledge are essential to address the COVID-19 outbreak and to build [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

UNEP supports global food systems providing net positive impacts on nutrition, environment

13 july 2020 - 11:17:41
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) – While progress on reducing hunger has stagnated in the last five years, evidence suggests [...] Full text...

thread Environment

COVID-19: Wildlife crime puts environment and health at risk - UN report

11 july 2020 - 09:52:54
Vienna, Austria (PANA) - The COVID-19 pandemic shows how wildlife crime is a threat not only to the environment but [...] Full text...

thread Environment

‘New contract’ needed with nature to keep drought and deserts at bay, says GUterres

18 june 2020 - 05:42:05
New York, US (PANA) - The UN Secretary-General has called for "a new contract with nature" to address ongoing global [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Congo controls its deforestation rate - official

18 june 2020 - 00:15:20
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - The Congolese minister of Tourism and Environment, Arlette Soudan-Nonault, said here Tuesday Congo was controlling its [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Congo to update the national program of action for the environment

11 june 2020 - 18:43:46
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - The Congolese Minister of Tourism and the Environment, Arlette Soudan Nonault, said on Wednesday in Brazzaville [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Coronavirus crisis demands 'fundamental rethink' of relationship with natural ecosystems

06 june 2020 - 05:43:55
Paris, France (PANA) - The COVID-19 health crisis should be seen as a clarion call to “fundamentally rethink our relationship” [...] Full text...

thread Environment

FIFA celebrates World Environment Day

05 june 2020 - 19:12:33
Zurich, Switzerland (PANA) - “Our commitment to protecting our climate remains unwavering. We recognise the critical need for everyone to [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Protect the planet to build a better post-Covid-19 world (An AfDB feature)

05 june 2020 - 18:57:00
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - The whole world is celebrating June 5, World Environment Day as it has been since [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Month of May confirmed as warmest on record, CO2 levels hit new high despite COVID economic slowdown

05 june 2020 - 16:55:15
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Last month was the warmest May on record and carbon dioxide levels also hit a new [...] Full text...

thread Environment

SADC calls for biodiversity loss prevention

05 june 2020 - 07:59:22
Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) - Citizens of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc have been challenged to take shared action [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Tanzanian expert, Bhunu, joins UN sustainable agriculture body

28 may 2020 - 16:38:43
Rome, Italy (PANA) - Tanzania's Sara Mbago-Bhunu, is among 22 renowned experts from across the Global South who are joining [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Coronavirus: Build back better and preserve biodiversity after COVID-19 pandemic: UN chief

23 may 2020 - 06:17:55
New York, US (PANA) - Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic must lead to countries uniting to preserve the natural world, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Shrinking forests need bold action to safeguard their biodiversity

22 may 2020 - 18:53:11
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Amidst alarming rates of deforestation and land degradation, urgent action is needed to safeguard the biodiversity [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UNESCO posts six online debates on measures to restore and preserve biodiversity

22 may 2020 - 18:04:06
Paris, France (PANA) - On the occasion of the International Day for Biodiversity, celebrated on 22 May and whose theme [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Human activities, climate change threaten Niger's biodiversity - Minister

22 may 2020 - 14:44:24
Niamey, Niger (PANA) - The rich biodiversity of Niger is threatened by human activities and global climate change that affect [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Burkinabe minister calls for restoration of ecosystems

22 may 2020 - 14:14:36
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Burkina Faso's Environment minister, Nestor Bassière, on Friday called for the restoration of ecosystems in [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Coronavirus: Civil society coalition demands urgent action to fight pandemic

15 may 2020 - 10:54:00
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Over 400 civil society organizations on Friday came together to demand urgent action to fight the [...] Full text...

thread Health

Seychelles bolsters marine economy conservation with foreign debt fundraising

27 march 2020 - 01:18:37
Victoria, Seychelles (PANA) – Nearly a third of Seychelles’ ocean will be shielded from climate change and unregulated economic exploitation [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Turn around deforestation in 2020, urges Guterres

21 march 2020 - 07:26:43
New York, US (PANA) - On the International Day of Forests, which falls on Saturday, UN chief António Guterres is [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN chief urges ‘more caring’ relationship with nature on World Wildlife Day

03 march 2020 - 05:16:52
New York, US (PANA) - People everywhere need to remember that we depend on Mother Earth to survive, the UN [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Countries express concern about climate threats to Africa

02 march 2020 - 21:46:29
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (PANA) - Participants in the Sixth African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development (ARFSD) have expressed concern about [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Above normal rains expected over next three months in Rwanda

02 march 2020 - 13:04:06
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Rainfall between March and May this year will be above normal ranging between 500 and 600 [...] Full text...

thread Environment

UN Deputy Secretary-General lists important ways to lift Africa from underdevelopment

25 february 2020 - 18:44:40
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (PANA) - The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohamed, has listed three imperatives to be [...] Full text...

thread Politics

UN Deputy Secretary General calls for speedy implementation of SDGs

25 february 2020 - 13:35:47
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (PANA) - UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has said the sustainable development goals (SDGs) agenda is not [...] Full text...

thread Society

Ten new migratory species protected under global wildlife agreement

22 february 2020 - 19:41:51
New Delhi, India (PANA) - Asian elephants, jaguars and great Indian bustards were among 10 new species added to a [...] Full text...

thread Environment

French FM to visit 3 African countries

20 february 2020 - 16:48:35
Paris, France (PANA) - Starting from Thursday, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, will visit [...] Full text...

thread Politics

Mauritius prepares Wetland Bill

06 february 2020 - 14:31:56
Bras d’Eau, Mauritius (PANA) -  Mauritian Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Maneesh Gobin, on Wednesday announced that the government [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Wetlands Day emphasises need to conserve swamps as Lake Victoria, Nile River lifelines

31 january 2020 - 16:42:33
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenya is marking the World Wetlands Day on Sunday to emphasise the importance of conserving the [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Publication of book on evaluation of environmental impact in Benin

29 january 2020 - 21:25:44
Cotonou, Benin (PANA)   -  A group of researchers, including Beninese Georges Lanmafankpotin, has come out with a publication on environmental [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Congo and France sign framework research agreement

17 january 2020 - 09:52:27
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - The Congolese minister of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation, Martin Parfait Aimé Coussoud Mavoungou, and the CEO [...] Full text...

thread Sciences

Cape Verde implements second phase of seabird conservation project

14 january 2020 - 16:42:26
Praia, Cape Verde (PANA) - Cape Verde will implement the second phase of the project for the conservation of its [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Global Goals top General Assembly President’s priority list

14 january 2020 - 07:25:18
New York, US (PANA) - The President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly on Monday set out [...] Full text...

thread Politics

Inaction over climate emergency ‘not an option’ says UN Assembly chief

11 january 2020 - 07:50:29
UAE, Abu Dhabi (PANA) - Inaction when it comes to fighting back against damaging climate change is not an option, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Burundi: The short dry season failed to come this year

29 december 2019 - 12:55:48
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - The short dry season has not been a happy one in Burundi at the end of [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Analysis: Re-foresting water tower key step in Kenya environment conservation effort

26 december 2019 - 13:43:47
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA)-Though raising political temperatures, the removal  of illegal settlers from East Africa's biggest water tower and planting of [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Gabon, DR Congo sign memorandum on protection of biodiversity

21 december 2019 - 15:47:54
Libreville, Gabon (PANA) - Gabonese Minister for Water and Forests, the Sea and the Environment, Lee White and  Democratic Republic [...] Full text...

thread Environment

EU moves to protect the world's forests as key for a sustainable future

16 december 2019 - 14:27:07
Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - European Council on Monday adopted conclusions which provide political guidance on protecting and restoring the world's [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Pan-African NGO formed to reduce risk of climate change-related disasters

16 december 2019 - 10:59:02
Ziguinchor, Senegal (PANA) - A Pan-African NGO, the African Association for the Promotion of Disaster Risk Reduction, has been formed [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Mauritius to hold conference on the environment

14 december 2019 - 07:14:29
Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – The Mauritian Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change Ministry will organise a two-day conference [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Mauritania celebrates 40 years of FDA presence

11 december 2019 - 15:34:41
Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Mauritania (CCIAM) on Wednesday hosted the launch of [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Congo hosts sub-regional meeting on forest governance

03 december 2019 - 14:19:48
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is organizing a technical workshop in Brazzaville from December [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Lomé hosts 55th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council

03 december 2019 - 13:57:57
Lomé, Togo (PANA) - The 55th session of the International Tropical Timber Council opened on Monday in Lomé, focused on [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Congo validates national sustainable financing strategy for its protected areas

28 november 2019 - 18:00:50
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - Documents related to the establishment of secure investment mechanisms for the conservation and improvement of sustainable [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Togo sets up "Lome Palace", a center for art, culture and biodiversity

20 november 2019 - 19:37:39
Lome, Togo (PANA) - The former governor's palace during the German colonization will become "The Palace of Lome", a center [...] Full text...

thread Culture

EU Council stresses climate change is existential threat to life in seas globally

19 november 2019 - 13:21:53
Brussels, Belgium (PANA) – The Council of the European Union on Tuesday adopted conclusions on oceans and seas, stressing that [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Rwanda's 4th largest national park to be opened for visitors by next year

13 november 2019 - 10:31:39
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Gishwati-Mukura National Park, a natural reserve comprising of more than 600 hectares of natural forest in [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Land Rover Expedition Tour 2019 due to end in Okavango Delta

08 november 2019 - 15:19:30
Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) - Land Rover Expedition Tour 2019, a biennial event, currently underway in southern Africa, will end in [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Gold panning in North Niger: A growth lever but also source of problems - study

18 october 2019 - 22:27:50
Agadez, Niger (PANA)  -  The boom in gold panning in the desert north of Niger, former home of armed rebellions, [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Niger adopts law establishing fundamental principles of biotech risk prevention

18 october 2019 - 18:03:37
Niamey, Niger (PANA) - Niger's National Assembly on Friday passed a law setting out the fundamental principles of biosafety in [...] Full text...

thread Environment

South Africa to host 17th African ministerial session on environment

17 october 2019 - 22:53:23
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (PANA)  -  The 17th ordinary session of the African ministerial conference on environment (AMCEN) will be held [...] Full text...

thread Environment

FAO, Danone team up to foster sustainable diets and food systems

17 october 2019 - 08:24:18
Rome, Italy (PANA)  -The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Danone have agreed to work together to improve global [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

UNICEF warns 'alarmingly high' number of children malnourished worldwide

15 october 2019 - 19:37:44
New York, US (PANA) - Across the globe, at least one-in-three children under-five are malnourished and not developing properly, UNICEF revealed [...] Full text...

thread Society

Mexican actress, Yalitza Aparicio, named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Indigenous Peoples

05 october 2019 - 06:23:22
Paris, France (PANA) - The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has named Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio as a UNESCO Goodwill [...] Full text...

thread Society

Enough food being produced but hunger on the rise in parts of the world - UN

04 october 2019 - 07:57:25
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Enough food is produced today to feed everyone on the planet, but hunger is on the rise [...] Full text...

thread Agriculture

Congo, CIRAD to sign agreement

03 october 2019 - 14:30:21
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - The Congolese government and the Center for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD) in [...] Full text...

thread Sciences

Congo: More than 160 kg of waste collected on the Pointe-Noire beach

02 october 2019 - 19:16:13
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - Under a beach-cleaning exercise, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Congo on Tuesday in [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Togo to restore more than one million hectares of degraded land by 2030

25 september 2019 - 15:15:48
Lomé, Togo (PANA) - Within the framework of the African Forest Restoration Initiative (AFR), Togo aims to restore more than [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Banks worth $47 trillion adopt new UN-backed climate, sustainability principles

23 september 2019 - 06:03:25
New York, US (PANA) - Banks collectively with more than $47 trillion in assets, or a third of the global [...] Full text...

thread Economy

Leading scientists warn climate change ‘hitting harder and sooner’ than forecast

22 september 2019 - 19:40:31
New York, US (PANA) - Top climate scientists issued a report on Sunday showing that over the last several years, [...] Full text...

thread Environment

'World leaders talk too much and listen too little' - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

22 september 2019 - 09:35:48
New York, USA (PANA) – The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, says world leaders talk too much and [...] Full text...

thread Environment

INDIA: Land restoration cheapest solution to climate change, says COP 14

18 september 2019 - 18:38:15
New Delhi, India (PANA) - The 14th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Angolan ecologist, Adjany Costa, wins Young Earth Champions for Africa Award

17 september 2019 - 19:20:23
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (PANA) - Angolan ethno-ecologist specialist in wildlife, Adjany Costa, has been named winner of the Young Earth [...] Full text...

thread Environment

Addiction to fossil fuels causes climate emergency, say UN human rights experts

17 september 2019 - 15:25:34
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) – UN human rights experts have called for an end to society's addiction to fossil fuels ahead [...] Full text...

thread Environment