Author: admin

Under the theme 'Empowering Global South, Navigating Global Changes,' the forum is far more than another international gathering. It is a platform where journalists, scholars, policymakers and entrepreneurs from the Global South are redefining how their stories are told in a world where Western media still dominates the narrative.

From Africa to Asia and Latin America, participants converged to push for greater cooperation in shaping global governance. East African representatives, including those from Rwanda and Uganda, joined peers from across the Global South in calling for stronger information-sharing and a unified approach to addressing global challenges.

Guests walk into the venue for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, on September 6, 2025.

Speakers stressed that the Global South can no longer afford to be an audience to narratives set elsewhere. Instead, it must take charge of telling its own story, highlighting not just its struggles but its progress, innovations and aspirations.

Artificial intelligence was one of the most animated topics. Delegates shared views on how AI is reshaping the media and societies, offering opportunities for faster reporting and broader reach, but also posing risks of misinformation and job losses.

Delegates at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, on September 6, 2025.

Rather than rejecting the technology, many argued for embracing it strategically, developing local solutions, regulating its use and turning AI into a tool for good. Workshops highlighted how AI can be used to preserve cultural heritage, enhance fact-checking and make smaller media outlets more competitive on the global stage.

The choice of Yunnan as the venue carried special symbolism. Known for its cultural diversity and stunning landscapes, the province reflects the richness and complexity of the Global South itself, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and positioned at the crossroads of Asia.

Delegates at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, on September 6, 2025.

For many delegates, Kunming offered not just a picturesque backdrop but also an environment that embodied the forum’s mission: dialogue, exchange and unity amid diversity.

The forum was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency, together with the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province. Xinhua’s president, Fu Hua, pledged the agency’s readiness to partner with Global South media in telling authentic stories and amplifying the region’s voice in international discourse.

Guests chat with each other at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

The message was clear: through cooperation, research, and stronger communication networks, the Global South can move from the margins of global storytelling to the center.

As the forum continues, participants are focused on turning dialogue into action, whether by forging cross-border partnerships, launching collaborative projects or using technology to close the information gap.

The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum is not just a meeting of minds in Kunming. It is a step toward a future where the Global South speaks for itself, louder, clearer, and together.

Delegates sample specialties at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Kunming, Yunnan Province, southwest China, on September 6, 2025.

The 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum has brought together more than 500 delegates from 110 countries and regions.

A guest (left) poses for a photo with a staff member ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Kunming, Yunnan Province, southwest China, on September 6, 2025.

Guests take a group photo ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Kunming, Yunnan Province, southwest China, on September 6, 2025.

A delegate speaks to the media during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Kunming, Yunnan Province, southwest China, on September 6, 2025.

M.M.

The proximity between Bujumbura and eastern DRC areas, such as the city of Uvira, allows for transport via Lake Tanganyika crossings or northern road routes.

Since 2023, Burundian and DRC forces have been jointly combating the M23 rebel group. Beyond receiving arms, these forces have undergone training to help reclaim territories lost in North and South Kivu provinces.

The fighting intensified in January and February 2025, forcing DRC and Burundian troops to retreat from strategic towns, including Goma and Bukavu, relocating to Uvira and surrounding areas.

In March 2025, President Évariste Ndayishimiye launched a four-month military training exercise at Mabanda, Mwaro, Bururi, and Mutukura, preparing 10,000 soldiers for deployment to eastern DRC.

According to Africa Intelligence, cargo planes carrying rockets and ammunition from Sudan and Tripoli, Libya, have been landing at Bujumbura Airport for months, with the supplies then offloaded and transported by truck to Uvira under the cover of night.

The DRC government also mobilised aircraft, including Serve Air planes owned by Indian businessman Harish Jagtani, and five from Mont Gabaon operated by Elie Akilimali Joseph, to transport military equipment and food from Kinshasa to Bujumbura, before onward delivery to Uvira.

Two Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft from Baku landed at Bujumbura Airport in April and August 2025, carrying heavy and light weaponry, including RPG-7s and 7.62mm machine guns. These shipments followed a procurement agreement signed in September 2024 between Burundi’s government and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defence.

On September 1, 2025, another Ilyushin Il-76 delivered additional heavy weapons and ammunition for DRC forces, which were then dispatched to South Kivu to support operations against M23.

As the conflict drags on, Bujumbura’s role as a logistical hub highlights Burundi’s direct involvement in supplying arms and military support to the fight against M23, raising serious concerns about the country’s responsibility in prolonging instability in eastern DRC.

Bujumbura Airport serves as a vital logistical hub for Burundian and DRC forces conducting operations in South Kivu, facilitating the transport of troops, weapons, and military equipment to the frontlines.

Bujumbura, home to the airport, sits near the DRC border, making it a key point for cross-border movements and logistics.

IGIHE

Speaking at the dinner, hosted in Kigali a day after the gorilla naming ceremony in Kinigi, the Head of State underscored Rwanda’s unique model of sharing tourism benefits with local residents.

'In Rwanda, 10% of tourism revenue goes directly to the communities living around our parks. It’s not just support — it’s an incentive to protect and sustain our shared heritage,' President Kagame said.

'To our friends and partners: Rwanda is your home. You are always welcome,” he added.

This year’s Kwita Izina marked two decades of the celebrated conservation tradition, with 40 baby gorillas named, bringing the total since 2005 to 438.

The ceremony drew global icons, including American film director Michael Bay, Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh Todt, Nigerian Afropop star Yemi Alade, former Arsenal and PSG football legends Bacary Sagna and Javier Pastore, and dignitaries from conservation organisations worldwide.

Held at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District, the colourful event was presided over by Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva and graced by First Lady Jeannette Kagame. It featured traditional performances and strong community participation, highlighting the deep cultural roots of Rwanda’s conservation journey.

Tourism remains a pillar of Rwanda’s economy, with $647 million generated in 2024, including over $200 million from gorilla trekking alone.

Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO Jean-Guy Afrika described Kwita Izina as a symbol of the country’s dedication to protecting its natural heritage and uplifting communities, with revenues from tourism financing more than 1,200 community projects.

At the event, Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva affirmed plans to expand Volcanoes National Park by nearly 25 per cent, ensuring a secure future for its growing mountain gorilla population.

The government plans to increase the park’s size from its current 160 square kilometres by approximately 37.4 square kilometres (3,740 hectares), a move expected to support a 15-20% increase in the gorilla population and reduce infant mortality by 50%.

President Kagame assured Rwanda’s friends and partners that they are always welcome.

President Kagame exchanges pleasantries with guests at the Kwita Izina gala dinner.

Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO Jean-Guy Afrika also spoke at the Gala.

Artist Ruti Joel was among the performers at the event hosted by President Kagame.

Singer Bukuru Christiane also performed at the gala.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Trump told reporters: 'I stand with Bobby. He’s not afraid to challenge the establishment. He means well, and he’s doing what he believes is right for the American people.'

Kennedy, a longtime critic of vaccines, has taken sweeping steps since assuming office. His policies have included cutting funding for vaccine research, restricting access to COVID-19 vaccines, and dismissing top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Appearing before the Senate, Kennedy defended his measures. 'For too long, our agencies have been captured by pharmaceutical interests,' he said. 'My mission is to restore transparency and give Americans the freedom to make their own choices.'

Kennedy’s agenda has triggered dissent from within his own family. In a public statement, relatives including Joe Kennedy III and Kerry Kennedy urged him to resign.

'We love Bobby, but we cannot support policies that put public health at risk. His leadership is fostering confusion and weakening trust in science,' they said according tp reuters.

Public health experts also warn that Kennedy’s actions could reverse decades of progress. A former CDC official said: 'Dismantling vaccine research and replacing experts with loyalists is a recipe for disaster. We risk losing decades of progress in immunization.'

Despite the backlash, Trump has continued to praise his health secretary. 'He’s tough. He’s independent. And he’s not afraid to speak the truth,' the president said.

Kennedy, for his part, has vowed to stay the course. 'This is not about politics,' he said. 'This is about the health and freedom of Americans.'

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday defended Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., backing his controversial approach to vaccines even as critics warn of mounting risks to public health and to Trump’s own political standing.

Rania Umutoni

Lawyers for the authors hailed the deal as unprecedented. Justin Nelson, one of the lead attorneys, said: 'As best as we can tell, it’s the largest copyright recovery ever, and the first of its kind in the AI era.'

The lawsuit alleged that Anthropic downloaded nearly 500,000 copyrighted works without permission, many from shadow libraries such as LibGen, to train Claude. The plaintiffs included well-known writers like Andrea Bartz, Charles Graeber, and Kirk Wallace Johnson.

In June, a federal judge ruled that while training AI models on copyrighted text could, under some circumstances, qualify as 'fair use,' the act of obtaining pirated copies remained illegal. That ruling opened the door for the authors’ case to move forward, according to court records cited by AP.

Facing the possibility of billions in damages at trial this December, Anthropic opted to settle. Aparna Sridhar, the company’s deputy general counsel, said in a statement: 'This agreement resolves the legacy claims brought by the plaintiffs. We remain committed to building safe AI systems that benefit society.'

The settlement requires Anthropic not only to compensate authors but also to destroy the pirated datasets it had acquired.

The case is being closely watched across the tech sector. Dozens of AI developers, including OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta, face similar lawsuits over the use of copyrighted material to train large language models.

Rania Umutoni

Todt and Yeoh, who also serves as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, were in Rwanda to attend the Kwita Izina, baby gorilla naming ceremony held in Musanze District on September 5, 2025.

Jean Todt, a French national, is a veteran of motorsport and served as President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) from 2009 to 2021. He is best remembered as Ferrari’s legendary team principal during the team’s golden era, when Michael Schumacher won multiple Formula One titles. He has been the UN Special Envoy for Road Safety since April 2015, appointed under then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Michelle Yeoh, his wife, is a Malaysian-born actress acclaimed for her roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, Crazy Rich Asians, and Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won her an Academy Award in 2023.

She is celebrated as a trailblazer for Asian actors in Hollywood and has also been recognized as one of the world’s most influential voices.

During the Kwita Izina ceremony, Todt named a baby gorilla 'Ruvugiro', while Yeoh chose the name 'Rwogere.'

Later on September 6, 2025, Todt and Yeoh also participated in a road safety activity at the Gishushu junction in Gasabo District, where they helped mark pedestrian lines.

Todt emphasized the importance of such measures, noting that road markings play a vital role in reducing traffic accidents.

On the same day, President Kagame received Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal Legend and co-founder and CEO of GFBiochemicals, who visited Rwanda to participate in the baby gorilla naming ceremony.

GFBiochemicals is a world pioneer in producing high-performing renewable alternatives to harmful petrochemical ingredients.

The Head of State also met with a delegation from Marriott, led by David S. Marriott, Chairman of the Board of Marriott International, who named a baby gorilla during the 20th Kwita Izina ceremony.

President Paul Kagame, on the afternoon of September 6, 2025, received Jean Todt, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, along with his wife, renowned actress Michelle Yeoh Todt.

Kagame also met with a delegation from Marriott, led by David S. Marriott, Chairman of the Board of Marriott International, who named a baby gorilla during the 20th Kwita Izina ceremony.

President Kagame received Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal Legend and co-founder and CEO of GFBiochemicals, who visited Rwanda to participate in the baby gorilla naming ceremony.

IGIHE

Their reaction came after the Burundi Youth Forum in the Diaspora, Rwanda chapter, visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

The youth leaders explained that the visit aimed at learning from Rwanda’s history, which culminated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, to ensure such atrocities never happen again either in Rwanda or across the region.

After learning how the genocide unfolded with neighbors killing neighbors, and Christians murdering fellow worshippers because they were Tutsi — the Forum’s president, Bizoza Deo, said they are committed to fighting against ethnic division and hatred.

'Looking at what happened in our country and the Genocide against the Tutsi, we saw that it all begins with ideology. To heal from these problems, we must first cure the minds — change the dangerous thinking that leads to division and ultimately genocide. That is why we came here to learn more,' he said.

He emphasized that the current crisis in eastern DRC proves that genocide ideology is still alive in the region, even 31 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi.

What he found most troubling, he said, is that some heads of state openly support armed campaigns aimed at killing their own citizens simply because they are Tutsi.

He stressed that the deployment of Burundian troops alongside the FDLR in eastern DRC is evidence that genocide ideology persists even within Burundi’s top leadership.

'Looking at what is happening in Congo, you can see that Burundi is actively involved. Sometimes they do not even hide it — they publicly support killings. The victims are once again targeted because they are Tutsi. The real problem is the ideology of discrimination and division that lives in the minds of leaders. This ideology is also in DRC and Burundi,' he added.

His colleague, Nsabyumuremyi Oscar, said the collaboration between Burundi’s army and the FDLR shows that ethnic discrimination continues to be nurtured in Burundi.

'This shows that Burundi is siding with the perpetrators of the Genocide. That is unacceptable because they know exactly where ethnic division leads a country. Aligning with those who practice ethnic hatred is very dangerous and puts our country at risk,' he said.

He called for unity, saying that no one chooses their ethnicity, place of birth, or community, and that all citizens should live together peacefully.

Havyarimana Audace also raised alarm over the spread of genocide ideology in the region.

'This is deeply frightening. It means genocide ideology is crossing borders. From what we’ve seen here, the Genocide against the Tutsi was planned by governments. Now, Congolese Tutsi are being killed because they are considered Rwandans, which makes it clear that genocide is being carried out there,' he said.

He added that it is disturbing to see countries like Burundi working with the DRC to exterminate their own citizens under the pretext of fighting the AFC/M23 movement — a Congolese coalition that has been demanding an end to discrimination and seeking to restore peace and stability.

He lamented that Burundi’s army is siding with the FDLR, a group responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, thus helping to spread and implement genocide ideology in eastern DRC.

'What is most alarming is that those leading this campaign are genocide perpetrators who crossed into Congo with the same ideology and are now spreading it to Congolese Tutsi — with Burundians helping them. It is shameful and incomprehensible to see Burundi supporting such actions, even to the point of backing another country in killing its own citizens,' he said.

The Burundians called on President Évariste Ndayishimiye to change course, prioritize the interests of his nation over personal ambitions, and withdraw Burundian troops from DRC.

IGIHE

Putin made the declaration at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Friday.

His remarks came just a day after European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine, with France’s President Emmanuel Macron announcing that 26 countries are ready to contribute troops or security support once a ceasefire is achieved.

Addressing delegates, Putin was unequivocal. 'If foreign troops appear on Ukrainian territory during the fighting, they will be legitimate targets for our forces. And even after peace, we see no reason for their presence,' he said.

The Kremlin leader argued that outside military involvement would only escalate tensions and undermine future stability. According to Russian officials, Moscow does not view such deployments as peacekeeping but as hostile participation in the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed allied commitments, insisting that international backing is essential for his country’s survival.

'Ukraine will have security on land, at sea, and in the air. These guarantees are vital for our people and for peace in the region,' he said following consultations with European leaders.

According to Zelenskyy, the multinational effort would not only deter further Russian aggression but also create the conditions for long-term peace and stability in Eastern Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine amid the ongoing war would be considered 'legitimate targets' by Moscow’s forces.

IGIHE

The designated humanitarian zone was set in Khan Younis, “in light of the expansion of the ground operation in Gaza City and the takeover of Hamas strongholds as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II,” an IDF statement read.

The IDF said that the newly designated area contains key humanitarian infrastructure, including field hospitals, water pipelines and desalination facilities, while also ensuring the continued delivery of food, tents, medicines and medical equipment.

IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on Gaza City residents in a social media post to seize the opportunity and move to the humanitarian zone early.

The Israeli army emphasized that humanitarian aid to the area and adjustments to its infrastructure will continue on an ongoing basis in coordination with the United Nations and international organizations, alongside the expansion of the ground operation.

Since the 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people and led to about 250 hostages being taken, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians and wounded 161,000, according to Gaza health authorities.

Xinhua

A total of 1,631 suspected cases have been recorded.

The statement said the data was reported during a meeting chaired by Public Health Minister Abdelmadjid Abderahim to discuss strategies to prevent the disease from spreading.

Chad has received 1,120,295 doses of cholera vaccine, the statement said, adding that the vaccines are being deployed to the eastern area for a vaccination campaign.

The government has urged Chadians to strictly follow hygiene measures to help curb the spread of infections.

The first cholera case was detected in the Dougui refugee camp in the eastern Ouaddai region on July 13. The camp hosts approximately 20,000 Sudanese refugees.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned in early September that cholera remains the major public health concern in Africa in terms of the number of cases and fatalities.

Some 23 cholera-affected African countries have reported a total of 239,754 cases and over 5,274 related deaths since the beginning of this year, data showed.

The number of people killed in a cholera outbreak in Chad since July has reached 113, the Chadian health ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Xinhua