diplomacy&development

Baaba Maal et Aisha Augie La Global Africa Business Initiative célèbre des avancées majeures dans l’écosystème du commerce et de l’investissement en Afrique. Unstoppable Africa 2023 referme ses portes sur une édition qui laissera un profond impact positif sur le continent africain. L’événement de deux jours de la Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) vise à promouvoir la place de l’Afrique dans l’économie mondial et à mettre le continent sur la carte des principales destinations pour les affaires, les activités commerciales et les investissements. De nature à changer la donne, cette réunion en marge de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies a non seulement tracé la voie de la croissance économique, mais a également renforcé le rôle central de la GABI en tant que catalyseur du changement et du progrès.  Lors de la deuxième journée de l’événement, Caroline Wanga, CEO d’Essence Ventures, a souligné l’importance d’une représentation authentique des récits africains. Elle a rappelé q...

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed Global Africa Business Initiative Celebrates Breakthroughs in Africa’s Trade and Investment Journey. Unstoppable Africa 2023 has concluded, leaving a profound mark on the African continent. The two-day Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) event aims to boost Africa’s standing in the global economy and establish the continent as the foremost destination for business, trade, and investment. This transformative gathering on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly has not only chartered the course for economic growth but has also solidified GABI’s pivotal role as a catalyst for change and progress.  On the second day of the event, Caroline Wanga, CEO of Essence Ventures, emphasized the importance of authentically portraying African narratives. She highlighted that the continent's rich heritage has traditionally been expressed through its unique storytelling methods. Wanga stated, "In discussing Africa, it's vital to engage in ...

Millions of families would lose access to vital humanitarian services in health, protection, and livelihood rebuilding. As U.S. legislators race to reach an agreement on the government's FY24 fiscal year budget, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning that proposed cuts to humanitarian aid would have a catastrophic effect on global security, including food insecurity, child survival and the response to the climate crisis. The IRC is urging Congress to protect foreign assistance and humanitarian programs given the moral and strategic imperative. Humanitarian needs are at an all-time high this year. 363 million people require humanitarian aid. Cutting aid at a time of record needs would be nothing short of catastrophic for millions. This call comes as the acceleration of armed conflicts, economic turmoil, and the climate crisis continues to take a toll on the world's most vulnerable countries and failed states. With over 110 million people displaced worldwide, the nee...

At the 70th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held in August 2020, Ministers of Health recommended that the WHO Leadership Programme for Health Transformation in Africa, be extended to Ministries of Health in the Region. Quality Health leadership has been recognized as a key to ensuring progress in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially goal three on health.  At the 70th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held in August 2020, Ministers of Health recommended that the WHO Leadership Programme for Health Transformation in Africa, be extended to Ministries of Health in the Region.  In Ghana, WHO and the Ministry of Health, with support from the UK Department of Health and Social Care through the health workforce programme are leveraging the programme to build the necessary leadership and management competencies to drive its reform agenda and effectively address the rapidly evolving health sector needs through the Leaders...

Following more than 15 years of negotiations, in March 2023 the UN successfully adopted a new global treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Sweden has now signed the treaty, which establishes rules to limit environmental impacts and create marine protected areas in the high seas, which make up approximately 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans. “This treaty is the most important international climate agreement since the Paris Agreement and provides substantially better conditions to protect biodiversity and counter climate change. The negotiations were successfully concluded during the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, and together with the EU and its Member States, we will push for swift ratification of the treaty so that it can enter into force as soon as possible,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström. The treaty comprises four elements: (1) rules for areas-based management tools, including marine protected ar...

The Government is now increasing support to the World Food Programme (WFP) by SEK 239 million to immediately address the deepened global hunger crisis, which has been exacerbated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The funds will be used to address the huge needs in many of the world’s hardest hit countries. “Around the world, more people than ever are suffering from hunger. Sweden is helping to break and reverse this negative trend. Only two weeks have passed since the WFP requested more funds from its donors, and Sweden has been quick to respond with this support. We are committed to saving lives and ensuring that fewer people go hungry, not least women and children,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell. With these additional funds, Sweden’s total support to the WFP will exceed SEK 1.35 billion in 2023. Sweden is announcing the additional support today in conjunction with Mr Forssell’s meeting with Executive Director of the...

The African Energy Chamber is proud to announce that Savannah Energy has joined the African Energy Week 2023 conference as Bronze Sponsor. As International Oil Companies divest from carbon-intensive oil and gas projects, independent players are taking on the challenge of sustainably developing hydrocarbons in Africa. Given the continent’s growing demand and industrialization efforts, bringing new oil and gas supplies on the market has become increasingly vital. Companies such as African-focused British-based independent energy company Savannah Energy Plc (“Savannah”) are spearheading efforts to unlock the full potential of Africa’s hydrocarbons, alongside utility-scale renewable energy projects across the continent, and are set to play a much larger role as African countries invite new investment into the energy sector. Savannah has joined the African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 conference - taking place from 16–20 October in Cape Town – as a Bronze Sponsor, and will leverage the platform’s...

Featured speakers who participated on a Women in Energy panel at the Energy Capital & Power-organized Angola Oil & Gas 2023 conference explored practical ways governments, companies and stakeholders can advance diversity, inclusion and mentorship in the oil and gas industry. Diversity, inclusivity and mentorship were emphasized as strategic drivers of a sustainable oil and gas future during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2023 Conference & Exhibition on Wednesday. Panel speakers explored female participation in the Angolan oil and gas industry and what practical measures can be implemented to advance inclusion across the entire organizational structure. Featured speakers included Kátia Epalanga, Board Member Sonangol, Angola; Anabela Marcos, Deputy General Manager, Sonils, Angola; Katrina Fisher, Production Manager, ExxonMobil, Angola; Ivone Simeao Cardoso, Human Resources Manager, Chevron, Angola; Judite Brito, Entrepreneur, Angola; Natasha Cardoso, Business Development Man...

State Minister Sheikh Shakhboot shared the UAE’s experience of close cooperation with African countries based on the geographical proximity. Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin met with Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan in Seoul on September 11. The two Ministers shared their common understanding that President Yoon’s state visit to the UAE in January this year had served as an opportune momentum to enhance the Special Strategic Partnership between Korea and the UAE to a higher level, and agreed to explore ways to cooperate in the African region based on the close ties between the two countries.  In particular, Foreign Minister Park stated that the Korean government will host a Korea-Africa Summit next year for the first time to establish mutually beneficial and sustainable cooperative relations with Africa. State Minister Sheikh Shakhboot shared the UAE’s experience of close cooperation with African countries based on the geograph...

  Under the theme, ‘Energy Security, Decarbonization and Sustainable Development’, Angola Oil & Gas 2023 will take place from 13-14 September in Luanda.       Returning to Luanda for its fourth edition under the auspices of the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, and in partnership with the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; AIDAC; and the African Energy Chamber, the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2023 conference and exhibition ( https://apo-opa.info/3PTENZ0 ) will unite regional energy leaders, national and international oil company executives, and global financiers and players for two days of networking and engagement. AOG 2023 is the premier platform to address the most pressing matters in the country’s energy market as it strives to curb production decline; expand and promote exploration and new discoveries; ensure the participation of its population in its central economic engine; and address the narrative of a just ...

Empowering women to take charge of their own health  Most pregnancies are uneventful, with a healthy baby and a happy mother to show for it. Despite this, there are exceptions and statistically 8% of pregnancies present with complications1. To ensure you remain empowered throughout your pregnancy, it is worth your while to be familiar with potential conditions that can, in rare cases, develop. One of these is Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). The most important thing to understand about GDM is that it is a condition that can develop even if you’ve never had diabetes. However, there are ways to help reduce your chances of developing it, and there are factors that can influence who gets it. Also, even if you do get it, there are ways to manage it to ensure you continue to feel in control of your body and your pregnancy. Knowledge is power Like any health issue, the more you know about it and the sooner you have that knowledge, the more power you have over the outcome because there...

Successful reforms coupled by firmed oil prices supported the Angola’s economic recovery in 2021–22, however, declined oil production has led to significant challenges to the economy The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded on August 29, 2023 the  Post Financing Assessment   (PFA) [1] , and endorsed the Staff Appraisal on a lapse-of-time basis [2] . Angola’s capacity to repay the Fund is adequate, despite elevated risks. Successful reforms coupled by firmed oil prices supported the Angola’s economic recovery in 2021–22, however, declined oil production has led to significant challenges to the economy. Towards the end of 2022 and the first half of 2023, the oil sector weakened due to the extension of temporary maintenance operations. With declines of both oil prices and production in the first half of 2023, exports and oil revenues declined, resulting in a weakness in the fiscal and external sectors, and a significant deprec...

    Cette énième rencontre sur le climat reste une opportunité pour le Premier Ministre Sama Lukonde de présenter la RDC comme « Pays Solution » dans la lutte contre le changement climatique et la transition énergétique. Le Premier Ministre, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, est arrivé, tard dans la nuit du 4 au 5 septembre à Nairobi, au Kenya, pour participer au premier Sommet Africain pour le climat  (Africa Climate Summit 2023, ACS23). Accompagné par le vice-premier ministre en charge des Affaires étrangères,  Christophe  Lutundula, le Premier Ministre représente le Président de la République, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, à cette première  édition de ce forum consacré au climat. A l’aéroport international Jomo Kenyatta de Nairobi,  le Chef du Gouvernement congolais a été accueilli par l’ambassadeur de la RDC au Kenya,  John Nyakeru Ilunga. Avant de prendre son cortège pour l’hôtel,  le Premier Ministre a signé,  dans le livre d’or offi...

The program aims for 80% usage of clean cooking solutions by 2033. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the main implementer and fund manager of the Euro 17 million European Union (EU)-funded CookFund programme, has unveiled an awareness campaign called Anzia Jikoni - Climate Mitigation Starts in the Kitchen. This reveal took place during a workshop for media professionals organized by this UN Agency, aimed at sharing knowledge on the transformative potential of clean cooking technologies in addressing health, environmental, and social challenges. The workshop highlighted the need for public, development partners and private sector collaboration for the sustainable growth of the clean cooking market. Speaking during the workshop, Senior Finance Specialist and CookFund Programme Manager, UNCDF Tanzania, Mr. Imanuel Muro, said, " EU funding complement and leverage our expertise in sustainable development finance supports to enhance the capabilities of companies and enterprises t...