diplomacy&development

The first report of the independent advisory body comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a harrowing setback in women and girls’ rights. Two years on from the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 — where governments, civil society and the private sector came together voluntarily to recommit to realizing the promises of the landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo — the High-Level Commission on the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 Follow-up has launched its first report.  The Commission, an independent advisory body of eminent leaders from around the world was formed to track progress on the 12 commitments in the Nairobi Statement.  In its report, “No Exceptions. No Exclusions”,  the Commission finds progress on some commitments, but overall notes a harrowing setback in sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world, and calls for ambitious, deliberate and comprehensive action to achieve sexual and reproductive justice for all, in particu

Jean-Marc Chataigner, Ambassador of the European Union to the DRC, Malangu Kabedi Mbuyi, Governor of the Central Bank of Congo (BCC), Nicolas KAZADI, Congolese Minister of Finance The European Union welcomes the presentation of the new strategic plan for public finance reform, from November 16 to 17, 2021 and welcomes the mobilization of partners with the Congolese authorities. This new strategic plan for public finance reform proposes a precise action plan that integrates the lines of intervention detailed in the Memorandum of economic and fiscal policy of the three-year program supported by the Federation of Enterprises of Congo (FEC) and the Fund. international monetary policy (IMF). In support of this strategy, five axes have been identified by the technical and financial partners within the framework of the inter-donor group in charge of public finance: Mining transparency; Revenue mobilization (exemptions, VAT, tax code); Digitization (revenue, procurement, budget management, acc

Jean-Marc Chataigner, Ambassadeur de l'Union Européenne auprès de la RDC, Malangu Kabedi Mbuyi, Gouverneur de la Banque centrale du Congo (BCC), Nicolas KAZADI, Ministre congolais des Finances L’Union européenne salue la présentation du nouveau plan stratégique de la réforme des Finances publiques, du 16 au 17 novembre 2021 et se félicite de la mobilisation des partenaires auprès des autorités congolaises. Ce nouveau plan stratégique de la réforme des Finances publiques propose un plan d’action précis qui intègre les axes d’intervention détaillés dans le Mémorandum de politique économique et fiscale du programme triennal soutenu par la Fédération des entreprises du Congo (FEC) et le Fonds monétaire international (FMI). En appui à cette stratégie, cinq axes ont été identifiés par les partenaires techniques et financiers dans le cadre du Groupe inter-bailleurs en charge des Finances publiques : Transparence minière; Mobilisation des recettes (exonérations, TVA, code des impôts) ; Dig

United Nations agencies have announced their strong support for an international coalition aiming to rapidly improve the nutrition, health and education of school-age children around the world following pandemic-driven school closures. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused extensive disruption to schools and education worldwide and millions of children were unable to get their school meals or benefit from school-based health and nutrition services such as deworming, vaccination and psycho-social support. Globally, more than 150 million children are still missing out on meals and essential health and nutrition services. In a joint declaration, five agencies committed to assisting the School Meals Coalition, a grouping of more than 60 countries led by France and Finland, whose vision is to give every child in need the opportunity to receive a nutritious meal in school by 2030. The coalition is also committed to ‘smart’ school meals programmes, which combine regular meals in school with c

Lerato Chiyangwa, Senior Account Manager, APO Group  The Standard Bank Top Women Awards recently took place where top tier South African women in business were celebrated and honoured. APO Group’s ( www.APO-opa.com ) Senior Account Manager Lerato Chiyangwa is all smiles with her recent accolades received in the annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards 2021 – Africa’s acclaimed business award for women. The Standard Bank Top Women Awards ( www.TopBusinessWomen.co.za ) recently took place where top tier South African women in business were celebrated and honoured. Thirty-one-year-old Chiyangwa of Johannesburg, walked away with third place in the category of Top Women in Tech and was a finalist in the Top Women Young Achiever of the Year Award. Still reeling from her successes, Zimbabwean born Chiyangwa, who has six years of local and international experience in PR and Communications, said that she was processing the awards and was looking forward to what the future had ahead with such an ac

• COP26 ends with global agreement to accelerate action on climate this decade • Two weeks of intense negotiations finally complete the Paris Rulebook For the first time COP agrees position on phasing down unabated coal power • The Glasgow Climate Pact caps two years of diplomacy and ambition raising  COP26 has concluded on 13 November 2021 in Glasgow with nearly 200 countries agreeing the Glasgow Climate Pact to keep 1.5C alive and finalise the outstanding elements of the Paris Agreement.  Climate negotiators ended two weeks of intense talks on Saturday with consensus on urgently accelerating climate action.  The Glasgow Climate Pact, combined with increased ambition and action from countries, means that 1.5C remains in sight, but it will only be delivered with concerted and immediate global efforts.  The Glasgow Climate Pact will speed up the pace of climate action. All countries agreed to revisit and strengthen their current emissions targets to 2030, known as Nationally Determined

Such trainings are part of the UN family’s continued efforts to ensure equal participation of women in decision-making, peacebuilding and shaping a prosperous future for South Sudan. Ensuring women’s full and equal participation in security and rule of law apparatus across South Sudan is vital in safeguarding the rights of women and girls. “We have learnt today here that as women in uniform, our role is crucial for community members. It is incumbent upon us to use our knowledge and ability to raise awareness about equal opportunities for men and women and our own contribution as female security actors,” said Lucia Odok, a member of the Civil Defense Force, Fire Brigade Department, Upper Nile state. Lucia was speaking at a three-day training organized by the Gender Unit of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), with the support of UN Women in Malakal. The workshop brought together some 28 officers, including 17 uniformed women, from different state departments. “It’s import