Category: Africa

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Call for G20 to invest in sustainability

Source: Government of South Africa

As the world faces the threat of a reduced global output in the coming years due to climate impacts, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George has stressed the importance of Group Twenty (G20) nations investing in sustainability.

Addressing third and final meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group in Cape Town, George pointed out that the G20 is the principal forum where economic and environmental priorities intersect. 

READ | G20 environmental group meetings to be held in Cape Town

“Its members represent more than 85% of global Gross Domestic Product, around 75% of trade, and about 80% of greenhouse-gas emissions. That reach brings both capacity and duty,” the Minister said on Monday.

Research has warned that climate impacts could reduce global output by several percentage points by mid-century if emissions continue unchecked.

“Yet decisive climate action is good economics. Investments in clean technology, renewable energy, and efficient systems generate employment and competitiveness. Energy security, public health, and food stability all benefit when we invest in sustainability,” George said. 

According to the International Monetary Fund, the world growth is projected to grow at about three percent in 2025, with performance diverging across regions and fiscal space tightening in many developing economies.

“The financing gap for sustainable development has widened to around four trillion US dollars a year. Public budgets cannot meet this need alone. 

“We must expand blended-finance models, use green bonds and taxonomies, and bring private capital into public purpose. Fiscal responsibility and climate ambition must work together,” George said.
The G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group is taking place under South Africa’s G20 Presidency under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”

Under South Africa’s Presidency, government has worked to ensure that the duty of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions is exercised with fairness and integrity. 

“The transition must include every region. The rules that govern it must be shaped by all. Our approach has been practical. 

“We have focused on turning declarations into measurable programmes and pilot projects into replicable models. We have encouraged countries to align environmental policy with growth strategy so that sustainability becomes a source of strength, not a constraint.

“The G20 can demonstrate that environmental responsibility drives economic performance. When governments invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, cleaner production, and ecosystem protection, they secure long-term stability and investor confidence,” the Minister said.

The work of South Africa’s Presidency aligns with the global and continental frameworks that guide sustainable development.

At the global level, the work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification.

The work also looks at the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy, which outline Africa’s pathway toward low-carbon and climate-resilient growth.

“At the national level, South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and the Climate Change Act 2024, assented to on 23 July 2024 and commenced on 17 March 2025, anchor sustainability within our economic planning. These frameworks express one idea: development and environmental responsibility are not separate objectives but parts of the same goal of human progress,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
 

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South Sudan: Residents of Ottalo call for safety and the enforcement of the rule of law in response to violence

Source: APO

Oman Obel, a 63-year-old farmer from Ottalo, Aduongo in Pochalla North County, urgently calls for action against the rising violence in his community.

Last year, he experienced an unbearable tragedy when armed assailants took the life of his daughter, who stood her ground against an abduction attempt while working on their family farm. Now, he finds himself facing another nightmare: his remaining daughter has been attacked and kidnapped by unidentified armed men as she returned to Ethiopia after pursuing her studies abroad.

“All perpetrators who commit such crimes must face the law, requiring the government to disarm the civilian population,” asserts Obel.

This request was made during a gathering this week in the rugged terrain of the Anyuak Kingdom.

Organized by Gola Boyoi Gola, Chief Administrator of Greater Pibor, with the support of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), this event aimed to reunite long-divided communities.

“The mission aimed to assist the new Chief Administrator in engaging Anyuak community leaders to heal divisions and improve relations with the Murle community, following a history of cattle raids and abductions. This outreach has fostered goodwill among the Anyuak towards the GPAA leadership and eased community tensions,” explained Khalif Farah, Senior Civil Affairs Officer with UNMISS Bor Field Office.

Ottalo is one of the most isolated areas in South Sudan, lacking roads, mobile networks, and essential services. Insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment have made the region vulnerable and disconnected.

Residents are forced to walk for five hours to reach Pochalla market for basic provisions, while traders endure a two-day bicycle ride to Ethiopia during the dry season. The road between Ottalo and the State capital, Pibor, is inaccessible, with many lives lost to armed ambushes by armed youth.

The youth leader of Ottalo, Mission Okuny Okech, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection.

“We believe the government can help create a safer environment and coordinate with the UN Peacekeeping mission for support, ensuring safety for residents and humanitarian workers,” Okech said.

Similarly, Acting King Gilo Omot advocated an end to child abductions and cattle raiding.

“We urge our government to disarm criminals to protect our communities swiftly. Children shouldn’t have to go to farms without parental supervision. We appeal for peace between the Anyuak and Murle to ensure safe access to farms and free travel between Ottalo, Pochalla, and Pinyudu,” he declared.

This gathering was a call for peace and an end to decades of violence. The people of Ottalo are tired of being overlooked and demand roads, schools, hospitals, and peace.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

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Egypt: Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Participates in the World Food Forum in Rome to Celebrate the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 80th Anniversary

Source: APO

Following the conclusion of her participation in the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the Belgian capital, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, headed to participate in the activities of the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF). 

The forum is organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at its headquarters in the Italian capital, Rome, during the period from October 10 to 17, with high-level participation from representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

This year’s forum coincides with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the FAO, with events being held under the theme: “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.”

Commenting on the forum, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of strengthening international partnerships to support the transformation of agricultural and food systems. She pointed out that Egypt gives high priority to achieving food security and raising the efficiency of agricultural value chains through investment in innovation, technology, and sustainable finance, which contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

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International Day For Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2025

Source: APO


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On this 13th of October 2025, the ECOWAS Commission proudly joins the global community in commemorating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) under the global theme, “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.” This theme calls for a transformative shift in how nations and institutions invest in disaster risk reduction (DRR)—prioritizing proactive resilience-building over reactive disaster response.

In West Africa, the economic toll of disasters continues to rise, mirroring global trends that estimate annual losses exceeding $2.3 trillion when indirect costs are considered. Yet, investments in reducing disaster risks remain insufficient. ECOWAS recognizes that reversing this imbalance requires bold action: increasing DRR financing in public budgets and international assistance, and ensuring that all development and private sector investments are risk-informed and resilient.

Through the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DHSA) and its Disaster Operations Centre (DOC), ECOWAS has made significant strides in advancing DRR across Member States. Over the past year, ECOWAS has: Operationalized multi-hazard early warning systems across the region; Delivered targeted capacity-building programs for national DRR agencies: Strengthened partnerships with development actors and technical institutions and Enhanced the visibility and readiness of the ECOWAS DOC as a regional coordination hub.

These efforts reflect ECOWAS’s unwavering commitment to empowering communities through education and institutional coordination—ensuring that resilience is built from the ground up and sustained through collaborative governance.

As we mark IDDRR 2025, ECOWAS pledges to: Advocate for increased DRR financing within national and regional budgets; Promote DRR education at all levels—from grassroots communities to policy leadership; Foster institutional coordination among Member States and partners; Support data-driven decision-making and anticipatory action and Elevate the role of the ECOWAS DOC in regional preparedness and response.

Let this day serve as a powerful reminder: resilience is not a cost—it is an investment. By funding resilience, we safeguard lives, protect development gains, and build a West Africa that is not only prepared for disasters but empowered to prevent them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) improves menstrual health and well-being for over 5,000 young girls in Zè and Djidja, Benin

Source: APO


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From the 25th of September to the 3rd of October 2025, the ECOWAS Representation in Benin conducted a large-scale awareness campaign on menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and distributed 5,000 reusable sanitary towel kits in the municipalities of Zè and Djidja, as part of the implementation of the project ‘Support for Benin’s initiatives to raise awareness among young girls about good personal and menstrual hygiene practices and promote ECOWAS among young people’ funded by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).

This initiative follows on from the training of trainers sessions organised from 16 to 19 September 2025 in Zè and Djidja for around 20 participants from the departmental social affairs and secondary education services. These trainers then visited 10 general education colleges in the municipality of Zè and 13 colleges and vocational training centres in the municipality of Djidja to raise awareness among young girls about reproductive health, menstrual hygiene management and the sustainable use of reusable sanitary pads.

These activities not only improved the knowledge of more than 5,000 young girls on good hygiene practices, but also strengthened their self-esteem and dignity, thereby contributing to a reduction in school absenteeism related to menstruation.

As part of a monitoring and encouragement initiative, His Excellency Mr Amadou DIONGUE, Ambassador and ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, conducted a field visit on the 2nd and 3rd of October 2025 to Zè and Djidja respectively. This visit brought together several key players, including the Departmental Directors of Social Affairs and Secondary Education, teams of trainers, and the heads of the beneficiary establishments.

On the sidelines of this mission, the Resident Representative paid courtesy visits to the Mayors of the municipalities of Zè and Djidja. The latter, who was unable to attend, was represented by his first deputy. These exchanges provided an opportunity to commend the commitment of the local authorities and to reaffirm ECOWAS’s commitment to local cooperation, which is the foundation of ECOWAS of the Peoples.

Through this action, ECOWAS is demonstrating its willingness to go beyond institutions to reach out to citizens, particularly young people and girls, by working concretely for their well-being, health and dignity. This initiative is part of the vision of an inclusive and united ECOWAS of the People, serving sustainable human development and equal opportunities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Eritrea: Henok Mulubrhan Wins Stage 3 of Tour de Kyushu

Source: APO


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Eritrean professional cyclist Henok Mulubrhan, member of Kazakhstan’s Astana Team, won the third and final stage of the Tour de Kyushu held in Japan today.

The race covered 119.25 kilometers, and Henok completed it in 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 6 seconds.

Henok stood third in the second stage and first in the third stage, winning the Red Jersey with the total points he accumulated.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Eritrea: Training on Film and Drama Production to Youth in Southern Region

Source: APO


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Theoretical and practical training on film and drama production has been provided to 37 youth in the Southern Region. The trainees were selected from the 12 sub-zones of the region.

The training that was organized in Dekemhare covered the similarities and differences between film and drama, the role of a director in drama and casting, film and drama directing, film production, the significance of a story, as well as scriptwriting.

Mr. Abraham Yohannes, Director General of Culture and Sports in the region, said that the objective of the training was to develop the capacity of the youth and enable them to play their due part in the development of cultural activities in the region.

Mr. Habteab Tesfatsion, Governor of the region, for his part, expressed the readiness of the regional administration to play its part in organizing similar training programs.

Similarly, vocational training in various fields has been provided to 208 youth, including 57% female participants, in Dekemhare sub-zone. The trainees were from five administrative areas in the sub-zone.

The training covered beauty salon management, electronics, as well as painting and drama directing.

Mr. Filmon Mesfun, head of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in the sub-zone, noting the significance of the training in developing the capacity of the youth, called on them to apply the skills they gained from the training to improve their livelihoods.

Mr. Yemane Abera, administrator of the sub-zone, called on the trainees to turn the skills they acquired into income-generating activities and to develop their economic status.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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President Ramaphosa to respond to questions for oral reply in the National Council of Provinces

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, brief the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town, on various national developments including efforts to better monitor service delivery and the quality of services offered by all Government spheres.

In his response to NCOP Questions for Oral Reply, President Ramaphosa will also address the issue of criminality and corruption in South Africa.

The President will speak on Government’s revival of local industries and the strengthening the manufacturing sector through localisation.

This includes supporting the automotive and agricultural industries to strengthen their capacity to create more employment opportunities for local communities.

President Ramaphosa will outline Government’s plans to revive the rail sector that will contribute to job creation and economic growth.

President Ramaphosa will also provide an update on South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against the state of Israel.

Details of the engagement are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Time: 14h00
Venue: National Council of Provinces, Cape Town

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Le Chef de l’État prend part à la Messe de Clôture du Jubilé d’Or du Diocèse de Franceville et Jubilé National des Groupes Mariaux

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le Président de la République, Chef de l’État, Chef du gouvernement, Son Excellence Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema a pris part ce jour à la Messe de Clôture du Jubilé d’Or du Diocèse de Franceville et Jubilé National des Groupes Mariaux en la Cathédrale Saint Hilaire de Franceville.

C’est aux côtés de la communauté catholique de la localité et des responsables d’églises, que le Président de la République a honoré de sa présence ces moments de prière Présidés par le Nonce Apostolique pour le Congo et le Gabon, Monseigneur Javier Herrera Corona en présence de la Conférence Épiscopale du Gabon.

Prenait également part à cette grande Messe, le Cardinal Diego Stella, Envoyé Spécial du Pape qui a félicité l’église du Gabon tout en exhortant l’assistance à demeurer dans la mission qui consiste à répandre l’Évangile et à prôner l’amour et la paix. Cette messe a par ailleurs été l’occasion d’adresser des prières au Dieu créateur en faveur de notre pays.

A l’issue de sa participation à la messe de clôture du jubilé d’Or du Diocèse de Franceville et Jubilé National des Groupes Mariaux, le Président de la République a procédé à une visite de chantiers. Il s’agit entre autres du chantier de construction de la foire municipale de la commune de Franceville, de 200 logements sociaux ainsi que le site destiné au projet de construction du futur CHU de Franceville.

Distribué par APO Group pour Présidence de la République Gabonaise.

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GITEX GLOBAL 2025 Opens Landmark 45th Edition: Uniting Policy, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Enterprise Leaders to Shape the Intelligence Economy

Source: APO

  • Record-breaking crowds join a milestone 45th edition gathering 6,800+ exhibitors, 2,000 startups, and tech delegations from 180 nations
  • Ministers and investors from the UAE, Europe, and Asia dissect the AI economy, geopolitics, and startup investment frontiers 
  • Major unveilings across generative AI, connected cloud, and next-gen enterprise systems herald the age of integrated AI 

Today, the world’s largest tech and AI event, GITEX GLOBAL 2025 (www.GITEX.com) opened to capacity crowds and the largest coalition of global government leaders, tech enterprises, startups, investors, and business executives, capping a formidable 45-year journey at Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Taking place from 13-17 October 2025, the monumental edition brings together more than 6,800 exhibitors, 2,000 startups, 1,200 investors, and delegations from over 180 countries. Beyond the scale lies the global impact, with this year’s edition echoing the accelerating fusion of technology, economic strategy, and geopolitical ambition – positioning Dubai as the convening force where governments, industry leaders, and innovators collaboratively confront the challenges and opportunities of building intelligence-driven economies and societies.

Global Ministers Collaborate on AI’s Economic and Policy Impact

Opening the landmark discussions to a packed audience on the main stage, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, addressed the theme “The Race Beyond Innovation: AI, Geopolitics, and the Global Economic Reset,” underscoring how innovation and economic diversification remain at the heart of the UAE’s national strategy.

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism: “The United Arab Emirates, thanks to the forward-looking vision of its wise leadership, is not merely participating in the global race for innovation; it is shaping its contours and cementing its foundations by building an economic model defined by resilience and a future orientation, grounded in knowledge and advanced technology. This strengthens the nation’s position at the forefront of the global economic landscape.”

Shifting into the global impact of deep tech, Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission, joined Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of Technology Innovation Institute, the applied research pillar of the UAE’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), to explore the influence of deep-tech ecosystems on nations.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission: “The European Union and the UAE share a vision to drive innovation that benefits our citizens. We are aligned on the importance of startups and scaleups for our economies. This journey starts at GITEX 2025.”

The “Intelligence Super-Cycle” panel brought together Hon. Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister for AI and Digital Innovation; and Amandeep Gill, UN Envoy for Digital Technologies, to examine how AI is becoming the defining economic infrastructure of the century.

Hon. Evan Solomon, Minister for AI and Digital Innovation, Government of Canada: “GITEX is an absolutely core example of entrepreneurs being launched at a speed we’ve never seen – and we need to keep our values and build together. It’s fantastic to meet people, meet companies, and to see our profound partnership with the UAE deepen as we share this mission to transform AI from a trustworthy technology to one that is built for all.”

Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras, a unicorn that launched the world’s largest supercomputer for AI training in partnership with G42, discussed how the company achieved the fastest AI inferencing speeds that could redefine high-performance computing.

Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras: “We built the largest chip in the history of the computing industry, the size of a dinner plate. By going big on chips, we were able to keep more information on the chip and move it less. This meant less power was used, and the results were delivered more quickly.”

Global Enterprises Unveil the Future of Cloud, Mobility & AI

On the show floor, visitors experienced a wave of breakthrough technologies from global tech enterprises. 

e& drew massive crowds with 90+ showcases of mobility, robotics, digital healthcare and consumer tech. Among the jaw-dropping highlights were the eVTOL prototypes powered by six independent batteries and multiple engines, as well as air taxis to autonomous solutions and record-setting electric vehicles, able to run thousands of kilometres on a single charge.

Oracle presented a suite of enterprise AI solutions including agentic AI tools that can plan finances, smart supply-chain management, alongside the popular Oracle Red Bull Racing, showing the power of Oracle Cloud powered real time data plays in helping the team win.

BlackBerry launched their mission-critical communications platform at GITEX GLOBAL 2025. As per a senior brand representative, BlackBerry has the only “tech in the market certified by many governments around the world for data sovereign classified comms, and they are a trusted partner for several G20 governments and 8 of the top 10 banks”.

The world’s largest cloud company, AWS showcased the true power of their cloud with in-built cybersecurity and operational capabilities, alongside the undisputed advantage their customers get in accessing AWS marketplace to plug new solutions into the cloud.

HCL Software unveiled innovations enabling real-time website and application customisation through generative AI, enhanced cybersecurity systems, and its endpoint management platform, BigFix. With a focus on AI education and practical implementation, HCL’s showcase highlights how businesses can securely and intelligently evolve.

The day was also marked by a record level of international participation, with Brazil joining as Country Partner with its largest-ever delegation, alongside national pavilions from Canada, Spain, Türkiye, Chile and Ecuador, and expanded representation from Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Levant.

What Next – AI-Native Societies Take Centre Stage

Day two continues the exciting unveilings and insightful discussions, with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI marking his first GITEX GLOBAL address, in a virtual conversation with Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, together exploring the structural foundations of AI-Native Societies. The nation-scale discussions continue with senior leaders from G42, OpenAI, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Khazna Data Centres, Cerebras, TAMM-Department of Government Enablement (Government of Abu Dhabi), Presight, Core42, Inception, AIQ and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

High-level policy briefings, major tech launches, and cross-sector business networking will continue to buzz through the halls, as GITEX GLOBAL its role as the world’s most influential platform for technology, investment, and global collaboration. For more information, visit: www.GITEX.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Global.

Media Contact:
Tayce Marchesi 
PR Manager, DWTC
tayce.marchesi@dwtc.com 
+971 58 552 3994

Mai Bakry 
Senior PR Manager | Seven Media
maibakry@sevenmedia.ae or gitex@sevenmedia.ae
+971 55 611 3550

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About GITEX GLOBAL: 
GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and AI event, celebrates its 45th edition in 2025. Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the landmark event takes place from 13-17 October at DWTC, featuring over 6,800 exhibitors, including 2,000 startups from 180 countries, alongside 1,200 investors with a combined US$1.1 trillion in assets under management (AUM) and more than 40 unicorns. Running in parallel is GITEX GLOBAL’s startup showcase, Expand North Star, organised by DWTC and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, from 12-15 October 2025 at Dubai Harbour. Converging one of the largest cohorts of growth and late-stage startups, scaleups, venture capitalists, corporate investors and startup ecosystem operators, the show positioned as the world’s largest startup and investor connector event. In 2026, GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star reunite in a new home at the Dubai Exhibition Centre – Expo City Dubai, with a new format that begins on 7 December with the GITEX Scale Summit, followed by an immersive Exhibition from 8-11 December. Recognised as the world’s largest technology and AI event brand, GITEX now spans 14 cities across multiple continents. More information: www.GITEX.com

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