United Arab Emirates (UAE) leaders congratulate Presidents of Maldives, Liberia on Independence Days

Source: APO


.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to President Mohamed Muizzu of the Republic of the Maldives, and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of the Republic of Liberia, on the occasion of their countries’ Independence Days.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar messages to Presidents of the Maldives and Liberia on the occasion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Meets UK National Security Advisor

Source: Government of Qatar

London, July 25

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met on Friday with HE National Security Advisor of the United Kingdom Jonathan Powell.

The meeting discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance and strengthen them.

The two sides also addressed the latest regional and international development, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Un centre de développement communautaire pour les jeunes de Sibut

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Espoir retrouvé pour 54 bénéficiaires, dont 34 jeunes-femmes, du Programme de réduction de la violence communautaire (CVR) de la MINUSCA à travers l’inauguration, le 17 juillet 2025, à leur intention du centre de développement communautaire de Sibut. Et pour cause, ce projet est un véritable modèle de reconstruction locale. 

Les mots pleins d’émotion de Balego Prince, l’un des bénéficiaires formés en informatique, résument bien l’appréciation des participants : « Les kits reçus vont m’aider à appliquer ce que j’ai appris », dit-il, encourageant « les jeunes impliqués dans la violence à rejoindre le Centre, à se former et à se construire un avenir meilleur ».

Espace d’apprentissage, de synergie et de cohésion sociale, le centre offre des prestations de services en informatique, mécanique, couture, menuiserie, agroalimentaire et saponification. La remise officielle du centre a aussi, qui a eu lieu sous la présidence de la Gouverneure de la région des Kagas, a été l’occasion de doter les bénéficiaires de kits d’activités génératrices, toujours dans le cadre du Programme CVR mis en œuvre par la MINUSCA.

Inès Kongbo, une bénéficiaire de la filière mécanique, a fait un témoignage particulièrement inspirant : « Avant, je ne savais même pas comment réparer une moto. Je regardais seulement les hommes effectuer ce travail. Aujourd’hui, grâce à la formation et au soutien de la MINUSCA, je peux réparer des motos, gagner de l’argent honnêtement et répondre à mes besoins sans avoir à recourir à la prostitution ».

Le parcours d’Inès reflète le pouvoir transformateur de l’inclusion économique des femmes, même dans des filières traditionnellement masculines. Assise fièrement à bord du tricycle offert par la MINUSCA, elle incarne la dignité retrouvée, la fierté et le changement.

Pour elle, tout comme Balego Prince et la cinquantaine d’autres bénéficiaires, le Centre de développement communautaire est un espace de transformation sociale, où l’apprentissage rimera désormais avec paix durable et autonomisation.

Véritable illustration de l’engagement de la MINUSCA en faveur de la stabilisation et du relèvement communautaire, le centre se donne pour vocation d’encourager les bénéficiaires du Programme CVR à devenir des acteurs du changement dans leurs communautés

Distribué par APO Group pour United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

À Ouham Bac, autorités locales et Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en République centrafricaine (MINUSCA) à l’écoute des déplacés venus de Dan-Gbabiri

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Ils sont plus de 3 200 personnes à avoir fui leurs villages pour se réfugier à Ouham Bac, à près 35 km de là, à la suite d’affrontements entre groupes armés début juin 2025 à Dan-Gbabiri (Ouham-Pendé).  En appui aux efforts nationaux, la MINUSCA intensifie ses efforts pour apporter des réponses aux défis sécuritaires et humanitaire qui en découlent, et encourager le dialogue. C’est ainsi que le 23 juillet 2025, une délégation conduite par la cheffe du bureau régional de la Mission, accompagnée du représentant du gouverneur de Yade, s’est rendue dans la commune de Ouham Bac (Ouham) pour rencontrer les autorités locales et les représentants des déplacés.

Entre autres objectifs de la mission, évaluer la situation, soutenir les initiatives de paix et renforcer l’assistance aux populations affectées.  Et pour cause, la situation n’est pas sans susciter de l’inquiétude et de la tension dans la localité.

Les déplacés sont accueillis avec solidarité par les locaux, mais leurs conditions restent extrêmement précaires : absence d’abris adaptés, accès limité à l’eau potable et insécurité alimentaire chronique.

Les représentants des déplacés ont exprimé leur profonde détresse face à la perte de leurs biens et à l’occupation de leurs terres par des éléments armés. Le village de Dan-Gbabiri qui abrite toujours des assaillants, empêchant le retour des populations.

Lors de la visite sur le terrain, Bernadette Lukonde, cheffe du bureau régional de la MINUSCA, et René Ndokobanda, secrétaire général des Affaires régionales représentant le gouverneur de Yade, ont rencontré les autorités communales et les représentants des déplacés pour recueillir leurs préoccupations et encourager la recherche de solutions durables.

« Nous sommes venus pour évaluer la situation de près, écouter les autorités locales et les déplacés, et rappeler l’importance du dialogue. Le retour à la paix passe par la concertation, l’apaisement et le respect de la dignité humaine », a déclaré Bernadette Lukonde.

Elle a ajouté : « La MINUSCA est engagée aux côtés des communautés affectées, non seulement pour appuyer la réponse humanitaire, mais aussi pour faciliter un climat de confiance propice à la résolution pacifique des conflits ».

René Ndokobanda a, quant à lui, salué la réactivité de la MINUSCA, tout en soulignant l’urgence d’une action coordonnée : « La situation humanitaire est très préoccupante. Avec plus de 3 200 déplacés supplémentaires, les capacités locales sont dépassées. Nous remercions la MINUSCA pour sa présence et son appui concret. Mais il faut désormais aller plus loin : favoriser le dialogue, désamorcer la violence et recréer les conditions d’un retour sécurisé des déplacés ».

Du côté des autorités locales, la solidarité s’organise malgré un manque criant de moyens. « Ils dorment à la belle étoile, il n’y a pas de site aménagé. Tout repose sur la solidarité entre familles », a témoigné Antonio Franck Namguéréouï, maire d’Ouham Bac.

Pour sécuriser la zone, les Casques bleus de la MINUSCA y mènent des patrouilles conjointes avec les Forces armées centrafricaines, illustrant ainsi l’engagement continu de la Mission en faveur de la protection des civils, outre l’intensification des efforts locaux de médiation.

Distribué par APO Group pour United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

West African advisers to boost agribusiness e-commerce

Source: APO – Report:

.

Small agribusinesses in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire are eager to tap into regional markets, but limited digital skills and poor access to online platforms hold them back. Without targeted support, these businesses struggle to embrace e-commerce and expand beyond their local base.

To close this gap, the International Trade Centre trained national advisors and support institutions to help agribusinesses go digital and sell across borders.

Many small agribusinesses in West Africa face barriers to reaching broader markets due to poor digital skills, low online visibility, and little access to e-commerce. These challenges hold back their potential to scale and engage in regional trade.

To help close this gap, the International Trade Centre (ITC), under its ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) programme, organized a regional training of trainers in April in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The five-day workshop brought together six newly appointed e-commerce advisors (three from each country) and eight representatives from business support organizations in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. They received the tools and knowledge to support 30 agribusinesses—15 in each country—to trade online across the region.

The participating advisors were selected for their potential to act as national champions for e-commerce capacity building. They were joined by eight representatives from four partner business support organizations: the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (CCI-CI) and the National Chamber of Agriculture of Côte d’Ivoire (CNA-CI). This diverse mix fostered strong cross-border peer learning and established the foundation for sustained collaboration between national institutions.

“In my view, agro-processors will need this hands-on training to increase their visibility,” said Ibrahima Bamba, Agricultural Advisor at the National Chamber of Agriculture of Côte d’Ivoire. 

Anuoluwapo Odubanjo, e-commerce Advisor for Nigeria added: “Thanks to this training, I’m ready to support agribusinesses in developing tailored e-commerce strategies—from choosing the right platforms to managing online sales—so they can scale up their operations.”

The training covered digital marketing, online payment systems, shipping logistics, and customer service. Using interactive tools such as real-life case studies and peer learning, the sessions fostered collaboration and built confidence among participants.

The impact is evident: 11 participants reported a significant improvement in their skills, and many left with action plans to support small businesses in their communities. From training rural entrepreneurs to helping businesses list on e-commerce platforms, the new advisors are ready to make a tangible impact.

Since its launch in 2018, the programme has worked to bridge digital gaps and promote trade-ready agribusinesses in West Africa. By investing in local expertise, ITC’s EAT programme is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and digitally connected agricultural economy in West Africa.

– on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Malawi’s Foreign Minister Meets Qatar’s Ambassador

Source: APO – Report:

.

HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi Nancy Tembo, met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar (non-resident) to Malawi Fahad Rashid Al Muraikhi.

The meeting reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries. 

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Governo entrega prémios a 30 projetos finalistas do II BootCamp IMPACTAR

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Baixar .tipo

O Governo de Cabo Verde, através do Ministério da Família, Inclusão e Desenvolvimento Social, realizou esta sexta-feira, 25 de julho, a cerimónia de premiação dos 30 projetos finalistas do II BootCamp IMPACTAR, num evento que teve lugar no salão de conferências da Universidade de Santiago, Campus da Praia.

Presidida pelo Ministro Fernando Elísio Freire, a cerimónia contou ainda com a presença de representantes do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD), UNICEF, UNFPA e demais parceiros do projeto.

O programa IMPACTAR resulta de uma parceria estratégica entre o Governo, a sociedade civil (através do Business Incubation Center – BIC), o setor privado (We Care) e parceiros de desenvolvimento, como o PNUD. A iniciativa visa promover o empreendedorismo social como ferramenta de inclusão e combate à pobreza, especialmente entre mulheres e jovens em situação de vulnerabilidade.

Nesta segunda edição participaram mais de 90 empreendedores de oito ilhas do país. Após um processo intensivo de capacitação, mentoria e orientação prática, foram selecionados 30 projetos, que receberam cheques-brinde no valor de 200.000 escudos cada, totalizando 6.000.000 escudos em prémios. Destaca-se o facto de 17 projetos serem liderados por mulheres, sinal claro do papel transformador da Economia Social e Solidária (ESS) na promoção da igualdade de género.

Na sua intervenção, o Ministro Fernando Elísio Freire sublinhou que “a maior política social é a que promove o emprego e o rendimento, pois é através deles que se conquista a dignidade humana”. Destacou ainda a importância da economia social como forma de chegar às comunidades onde, por vezes, o Estado e o setor privado não conseguem atuar com a mesma eficácia.

O Ministro reafirmou o compromisso do Governo em criar mecanismos específicos de apoio à economia social e solidária, nomeadamente a nível da segurança social e da fiscalidade, para permitir uma maior sustentabilidade das iniciativas empreendedoras.

Por fim, dirigiu palavras de encorajamento aos 30 promotores premiados, apelando ao esforço individual e à perseverança: “O sucesso não depende apenas do Governo ou das leis, mas do esforço de cada um. Que agarrem esta oportunidade com determinação, porque só se deseja sorte a quem trabalha”.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

Minister of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Meets Under Secretary of State for Africa at United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Office

Source: APO


.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met on Friday with HE Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Africa at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Lord Collins of Highbury.

During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries and means to support and enhance them.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the African continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Environmental incident reporting: Environmental Incident Reporting System (EIRS) platform officially launched

Source: APO


.

The ceremony, chaired by Technical Advisor Georges Kouadio, representing the Minister of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, Jacques Assahoré Konan, was held in the presence of representatives of the administration, local authorities, technical partners, sector experts and civil society.

On this occasion, Georges Kouadio argued that the SRIE represents an alert system at the heart of national priorities in terms of environmental monitoring.

“The SRIE is a concrete response to the urgent need for action, to the imperative to better listen to populations and to strengthen collective vigilance in the face of multiple environmental threats. This tool reflects the Ministry’s ambition to build modern environmental governance, based on inclusion, innovation, and accountability,” he said.

The SRIE coordinator, Jean-Yves Kouacou, who is also Director of Information Technology and Documentation, stated that the SRIE represents “an essential operational lever for anticipating, identifying and responding effectively to environmental incidents throughout the country.”

The ceremony also featured a panel discussion on the theme of “Environment and Digitalization: How Does the SRIE Contribute to Improving Environmental Incident Management?” This panel allowed experts to explore the issues surrounding the digitalization of environmental action in greater depth.

Deployed as part of the digitalization of public services, the SRIE also aims to improve coordination between the technical structures involved in the management of environmental alerts and to provide greater transparency on the actions taken.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.

Hon. Minister Odongo Jeje Abubakar receives credentials from the new United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director

Source: APO


.

Hon. Odongo Jeje Abubakar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has received copies of Letters of Credence from Ms. Landis Lauren, the incoming Country Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The ceremony took place in the Minister’s office, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Lauren has been working as WFP Country Director for Kenya and has also previously served in various positions within the United Nations system.

Hon. Odongo commended the efforts of WFP in providing relief assistance to communities especially in Northern Uganda during times of scarcity. The Minister reiterated Government’s commitment to work with WFP to deliver on its mandate in Uganda.

Ms. Lauren expressed appreciation to the Government of Uganda for the commitment to the welfare of refugees. She commended the Ugandan Government for having an exemplary refugee policy, where refugees are given land and other basic services to improve their welfare and maintain family bonds. She pledged to further strengthen cooperation between WFP and the Ugandan Government during her tour of duty. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.