Health

The US prioritizing bilateral talks with Iran over nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) negotiations could lead to contradictions in implementation and put the treaty at risk.

Disagreements between high- and lower-income countries have left the pandemic preparedness treaty in intensive care. The prescription? Developing nations can look to each other for health equity, writes Ebere Okereke.

New Centre, led by Dr Samir Puri, will see four Chatham House programmes collaborate on research to improve and reform global institutions.

The former UN humanitarian chief tells Iona Allan about the impunity he sees in Gaza and Sudan, the failings of the Security Council and why aid is not a substitute for ‘principled’ conflict mediation.

Plastics producers at the INC-5 talks resisted curbs on production that others insist are essential. But negotiators have another chance early next year.

The COP29 summit will see negotiators try to agree how to finance the climate action the world urgently needs.

UN secretary-general António Guterres hopes the summit will better equip the faltering organization for new global challenges. But restoring faith in multilateralism may take longer, writes Richard Gowan.

The organization has failed to give voice to the Global South and the countries it most represents. With new approaches to peacekeeping and trade, an African secretary-general can change this, writes ’Funmi Olonisakin.

The declaration of the rapidly spreading mpox outbreak in Africa as a public health emergency will test global solidarity in the wake of COVID-19 – and could provide a litmus test for the effectiveness of a future pandemic treaty.

A new Chatham House report indicates that by dedicating an additional one per cent of GDP, countries of all kinds can deliver universal healthcare for their citizens.

In this episode, His Excellency Timothy Musa Kabba, Foreign Affairs Minister for Sierra Leone, shares insights into his country’s key priorities during its tenure on the Security Council.

To break through Libya’s political stalemate, the UN must be willing to pursue a bolder strategy, despite the risks of failure.

With a UN Security Council increasingly stymied by great power politics, the US and its regional allies must lead efforts to constrain an increasingly dangerous North Korea.

The discussion series brings together African stakeholders to discuss the continent’s response to geopolitical trends.

The UN may be about to make history in the realm of cybercrime. Why?

America and Europe must respect the growing status of individual states, invest in long-term relationships and consider Security Council reform, writes Catherine Ashton.

As money and influence shift eastwards, the Euro-Atlantic world must engage with Global South institutions to remain relevant, writes Arif Lalani.

The scale of death and destruction in Gaza is increasingly viewed as an indictment of a system facing perhaps its most daunting and most stubborn challenge – global perceptions of hypocrisy.

Reducing opportunities for human error must be a top policy priority to reduce the risk of potentially catastrophic laboratory accidents involving high-consequence pathogens.

The former International Development Secretary tells Roxanne Escobales about the importance of overseas aid commitments and why conservatism is failing the world.

An ambitious agreement to tackle the threat of plastics pollution requires a solid understanding of its scientific complexities.

The laws of armed conflict provide clear protections for hospitals and medical personnel. Both Hamas and Israel are obliged to respect their special status, says the former surgeon-general of the UK armed forces.

Fighting in Gaza has led to calls for the suspension of hostilities, whether in the form of humanitarian pauses or broader ceasefires. But what are they and what is required for them to be effective?

Catastrophe is imminent for civilians trapped in Gaza. States cannot provide the medical care needed without significant risk. The UN must step up and coordinate efforts, regardless of public rows with Israel.

Episode 40 of our weekly podcast discusses the future of the United Nations.

The dwindling role of aid financing could provide the impetus for developing countries to expand domestic public health spending.

Banks need to democratize decision-making and realign their portfolios to build on renewed commitment at the UN General Assembly.

During this period of major global challenges, the UK’s young people deserve directly elected youth representatives to make their voices heard at the heart of the multilateral system.

Explaining the key issues at the COP28 summit in Dubai.

Explaining the UN cybercrime treaty, its potential benefits and risks, key issues in the negotiations, and likely paths forward.

As COP29 host, Azerbaijan must dispel doubts about its own capability and commitment by helping countries reach an ambitious climate finance deal.

Sustainable bioeconomies can play a significant role in the climate transition and in protecting nature, but this will only be possible with more strategic coordination on innovation, investment and international policy.

Amid concern about lack of progress on the SDGs, an opportunity is emerging to put the ‘circular economy’ at the heart of international action on everything from tackling climate change to reducing poverty.

Increasing use of nuclear energy – due partly to innovations in reactor design – will make it more important than ever to protect civil nuclear facilities from cyberthreats, including by applying existing international law.

A principles-based approach to cyber capacity-building offers significant advantages for countries developing the essential capabilities to defend themselves against ever more sophisticated cyberattacks.

Universal health reforms can be adopted in challenging times, spurred by crisis conditions and despite resource constraints. Sustaining coverage requires financial commitment and thoughtful design.

Tanzania’s rising economic influence and its ambitions for major cross-border infrastructure projects demand a more proactive approach to foreign policy. The policy review currently under way is a chance for the country to reach its potential as a regional leader and reliable global partner.

International humanitarian efforts are disconnected from the people affected by armed conflict contexts. This paper looks at how the international humanitarian system should respond to rejections of humanitarian principles and improve systems of accountability.

Protracted and increasingly complex armed conflicts are impacting the ability of assistance organizations to work in accordance with humanitarian principles. Coherent and shared approaches to the principles and greater local participation are central to improving civilian outcomes.

It is increasingly difficult for assistance organizations to provide aid in an impartial and neutral manner, particularly where gender-based marginalization is systemic. Project planning that considers gender and inclusivity can boost the reach of aid and provide more equitable assistance.

Based on a new global review of laboratory accident reporting, this Chatham House research paper presents the case for a sustainable and risk-based approach to biosafety.

After decades of fragmented expansion, Algeria’s social protection system is under financial strain. With rising demand across the region, strategic reforms are needed to boost fiscal space in order to improve social welfare outcomes for the country’s citizens.

Placing the global challenges of inequality, climate change and technology at the heart of the human rights agenda does not mean turning away from other human rights priorities.

Efforts to finance the global HIV response were the product of a unique era of collaborative thinking and partnerships. This research paper seeks to draw lessons for the benefit of future core global health priorities.

To reinvigorate multilateral human rights diplomacy and overcome the challenge of US–China polarization, powerful states must engage with innovative ideas and new leadership emerging from the Global South.

The number of people living in fragile and conflict-affected states where relations between national authorities and major donors are estranged is rising. This research paper from Chatham House and NYU’s Center on International Cooperation identifies emerging best practice and strategic shifts in donor approaches to reflect this new reality.

This paper assesses plans for investment in a sustainable economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, and examines how such efforts could transform international development cooperation.

While current food systems hinder efforts towards climate and biodiversity goals, a transformation in the way food is produced could enable progress on these crises this decade.

In 2021 G7 leaders pledged to build back a better world. They now need to redouble their efforts to make sure that this ambition is fulfilled.

China has increased its humanitarian aid and diplomatic engagement in displacement crises, but obstacles to deeper involvement remain.

While the war in Ukraine is having significant global impacts for energy, food and fertilizer markets, it may also aggravate wider economic and social upheaval.

Progress towards SDG2: Zero Hunger has slowed in recent years; reform of the Rome-based UN agencies may hold the key to getting this initiative back on track.

A new paper assesses the impacts of the pandemic on UK food and nutrition security, as the country establishes its post-Brexit priorities for trade and agriculture.

Attacks on health personnel and facilities have been a regular feature of the war in Syria. Lessons from Syria can help develop more robust reporting of attacks in future conflicts.

Analysing a crucial opportunity for enhancing ambitions on climate finance, adaptation, and ‘loss and damage’, and the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

In the near term, climate change adaptation efforts must prioritize tackling socio-economic vulnerabilities in the most at-risk regions. Failure to act will worsen climate impacts across the world.

An ambitious outcome at COP26 is critical to avoiding the most extreme impacts of climate change.

This paper offers a public policy ‘toolkit’ for governments in the US and Europe to support firms in securing resilient and sustainable supply chains

Solidarity, at all levels of governance, is critical to suppressing the pandemic effectively. It requires strong political commitment and high levels of social cohesion.

This paper investigates the extent to which international organizations, including UN agencies, are incorporating climate change risks into their strategic planning and risk management.