People's well-being depends on sustainable development: Togolese official

Abalodjam Kadja, member of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Togo, told the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance on Friday that people's well-being depends on sustainable development.

Marking the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, the two-day event, which opened on Thursday, focuses on advancing human rights through development and will foster discussions on global human rights governance issues.

Over 400 participants from over 100 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations (UN) were in attendance.

In his speech at the event, Kadja introduced the work done by the country's CNDH to strengthen sustainable development and to protect human rights.

"In combating poverty, the Togolese government has initiated numerous projects since the 1990s. For instance, we improved the access to drinking water in schools. The drinking water is free in primary schools. We're making efforts on free medical services and health insurance to university students. Electricity access in rural areas is a goal to be achieved, and the use of renewable energy is encouraged. Digitalization is a key pillar of our country. Although the government, the private sector, and international partners have already made significant efforts, but much work remains to be done to solve problems in development," he said. Building on these poverty-alleviation efforts, Kadja further emphasized the interconnected nature of human rights, peace and development. "Human rights, peace, and development are interconnected. This has been a principle since 1987, [the year of the founding of the CNDH]. In practice, the government of Togo, the CNDH, society, and development partners in Togo have been making every effort to uphold peace, protect human rights, and promote sustainable development, in line with the UN Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, as everyone's well-being depends on sustainable development," he said.

People's well-being depends on sustainable development: Togolese official

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that Israel's attack on Beirut "should not have happened," while the Israeli military said it will continue its operations in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that the Israeli military struck Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut's Dahieh suburb on Sunday, in response to firing into Israeli territory.

Meanwhile, Lebanese media reported an Israeli airstrike targeted a building in the Ghobeiri area in Beirut's southern suburbs.

The strike drew criticism from Trump, who said a regional peace deal, including Lebanon, was "very close" and urged all parties, especially Israel, to stand down.

"We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down," he wrote on Truth Social.

"This morning's attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran," he wrote.

Israel's Sunday strikes should not disrupt the diplomacy efforts for a U.S.-Iran peace deal, Trump said.

"There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel," the U.S. president added.

On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir, during his inspection of the Northern Command, said Israeli forces will continue military operations in Lebanon in an effort to secure more favorable terms in future U.S.-mediated negotiations between the two sides.

Zamir said the IDF's operations in key areas such as the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon were crucial, and that Israeli forces will continue their offensive and deepen their ground advance in necessary areas to eliminate security threats posed by Hezbollah.

He added that the IDF remains on high alert for potential developments on other fronts.

Trump says Israeli strike on Beirut should not have happened; Israel says it will continue Lebanon operations