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UN reform critical to restoring trust in multilateralism

Source: Government of South Africa

UN reform critical to restoring trust in multilateralism

By Dikeledi Molobela
New York, USA — South Africa has called for urgent reform of the global governance system, particularly the United Nations Security Council, arguing that restoring trust in multilateralism requires Africa to have a meaningful place in global decision-making. 

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said Africa could no longer remain on the margins of a system in which conflicts on the continent feature prominently on the Security Council’s agenda, while African countries remain without a permanent seat.

“In our view, restoring trust in multilateralism will not happen without meaningful reform of global governance, principally the UN Security Council,” he said.

Lamola was delivering South Africa’s National Statement during the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York on Thursday, under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

He said South Africa’s history demonstrated the potential of multilateralism to deliver transformative change.

Marking Heritage Day (24 September), Lamola reflected on South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy and the role played by the international community.

Sixty years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning apartheid as a crime against humanity.

Lamola said the eventual demise of apartheid not only liberated South Africans from racial domination but also helped bring an end to a system that had exported violence and instability across Southern Africa.

“Indeed, the fall of apartheid is a glorious story that attests to what multilateralism can deliver,” he said.

He said democratic South Africa had since pursued a foreign policy anchored in Ubuntu, international law, dialogue and multilateralism, while recognising that the country’s future is closely linked to that of the region and continent.

He also pointed to South Africa’s democratic record, including seven national elections since 1994, and the formation of a Government of National Unity following the 2024 elections.

“As we speak, South Africans are preparing once again to exercise their democratic right, this time in Local Government Elections. Again, the will of the people will prevail,” the Minister said.

South Africa will go to the polls on 4 November 2026.

A seat at the table

Lamola said the need for the Security Council reform is particularly urgent for Africa.

“African citizens are growing weary of their continent being consigned to the periphery of global governance,” he said.

Africa is home to nearly one-fifth of the world’s population and African countries collectively account for more than a quarter of UN Member States.

Yet, he said, over the past decade, 70% of UN Security Council resolutions had concerned conflicts on the African continent.

“If the future belongs to the young, then surely a continent that will be home to one in four of the world’s youth by 2030 deserves a bigger seat at the table,” he said.

South Africa therefore reaffirmed its support for the Ezulwini Consensus, the African Common Position on Security Council reform. 

The African Common Position calls for no fewer than two permanent seats for Africa and five non-permanent seats, with the continent maintaining that any new permanent members should have the same prerogatives, including the veto for as long as it exists.

Call to resolve conflicts

Lamola said restoring confidence in the UN also required demonstrating that peaceful conflict resolution remained at the heart of the multilateral system. 

“Restoring trust in multilateralism demands that we demonstrate, as the United Nations, that the peaceful resolution of conflicts is still our mantra,” he said.

He pointed to the conflicts in Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran and Ukraine, as well as the risks faced by humanitarian workers.

Lamola said humanitarian personnel must be protected and that South Africa had endorsed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, which he said had been supported by nearly 120 states.

“To restore respect for international law, we must protect those who deliver humanitarian assistance,” he said.
Lamola said the need to uphold international law was particularly urgent in Palestine.

“Nowhere is the need to uphold our shared humanity more urgent than in Palestine. The rights, dignity and humanity of Palestinians cannot be treated as conditional,” the Minister said.

He said South Africa remains committed to its position on Israel’s conduct in Gaza and called for international action, while reaffirming support for a negotiated two-state solution based on United Nations resolutions.

“The State of Israel’s continued violations of international and humanitarian law constitute genocide, and we remain steadfast in our view that the international community must act decisively to end this impunity.

“In our support for a just and lasting peace and a two-state solution, in accordance with UN resolutions, South Africa is unwavering,” he said.

South Africa’s position on Gaza is also being pursued through its case before the International Court of Justice under the Genocide Convention.

Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s support for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, calling for a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution consistent with international law and the UN Charter.

He also criticised the use of economic measures to pressure countries to alter their development trajectories, expressing solidarity with Cuba and calling for an end to the United States blockade.

South Africa, he said, also called for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

Nuclear disarmament

Lamola also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to nuclear disarmament.

He noted that the first resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly 80 years ago called for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

South Africa will later this year preside over the First Review Conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

“As the only country in the world to have voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons programme, South Africa stands ready to share this experience as a demonstration that, with political will, credible and verifiable nuclear disarmament is achievable,” he said.

South Africa’s position is that credible multilateral action on disarmament remains central to reducing the risks associated with nuclear weapons.

A UN that delivers for all

Lamola said the challenges facing the multilateral system required Member States to strengthen, rather than weaken, international institutions.

He concluded by drawing on South Africa’s own history to underline the importance of the UN.

“South Africa today stands tall in the family of nations because the United Nations delivered on the promise of its Charter,” he said.

Quoting former President Nelson Mandela’s 1994 address to the UN General Assembly, Lamola said:
“The millions across our globe who stand expectant at the gates of hope look to this Organisation to bring them peace, to bring them life, to bring them a life worth living.”– SAnews.gov.za

 

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Tau calls for SA-US partnership to drive critical minerals beneficiation

Source: Government of South Africa

Tau calls for SA-US partnership to drive critical minerals beneficiation

By Dikeledi Molobela

New York, USA — South Africa is proposing a dedicated Critical Minerals Investment Platform and a South Africa-USA Critical Minerals Working Group to turn growing interest in the sector into concrete investment, processing and manufacturing projects.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said the mechanisms would help match South African critical minerals projects with US industrial demand, financing, technology and long-term offtake agreements.

Tau was addressing a high-level Critical Minerals Roundtable hosted by Brand South Africa, in partnership with Standard Bank, on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

He said South Africa wants to move beyond discussions about its mineral wealth, and towards partnerships that would build resilient supply chains, deepen industrial cooperation and create greater value from the country’s resources.

“We value this opportunity because the conversation we need to have today is not simply about minerals. It is about how South Africa and the United States can build more resilient supply chains, deepen industrial cooperation, mobilise investment and create greater value from the resources that South Africa possesses.” 

Moving from extraction to value addition

Tau said South Africa does not want its relationship with the US to be defined simply by the extraction and export of raw materials.

“Our objective is to use this resource base to build durable industrial partnerships. We do not want to define the relationship simply as one in which South Africa extracts and exports raw materials. We want to build value chains that include mining, refining, processing, advanced materials, component manufacturing and, where commercially viable, downstream production,” he said.

South Africa’s Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy, approved by Cabinet in 2025, places local processing and beneficiation, infrastructure, research and development and strategic partnerships at the centre of efforts to maximise the value of the country’s mineral endowment.

Tau said the country has a strong proposition, including significant reserves and production capabilities in platinum group metals, manganese, chromium and vanadium, alongside opportunities in rare earth elements, titanium and zirconium.

Building a mutually beneficial partnership

The Minister said the US is seeking secure and diversified sources of critical minerals, while South Africa needs investment, technology, skills, long-term offtake commitments and market access.

“This creates the basis for a partnership in which both countries address a strategic economic need. South Africa can contribute mineral resources, processing capability, industrial infrastructure and access to regional value chains, while US companies can bring capital, technology, markets, industrial expertise and long-term demand,” the Minister said.

He said the proposed partnership should, therefore, be based on co-investment rather than a traditional supplier relationship.

Tau identified potential areas for value addition, including battery materials; vanadium products and electrolytes for grid-scale energy storage; platinum group metal-based products for the hydrogen economy; green iron and steel; ferroalloys; specialised metals; grid and transmission infrastructure, as well as emerging rare earth, titanium and zirconium value chains.

The emphasis, the Minister said, must be on projects that are commercially viable and capable of being financed, built and integrated into global markets.

Investment platform to take projects to implementation

Tau proposed the establishment of a Critical Minerals Investment Platform through which priority projects could be assessed for development support, co-funding and investment.

The platform could bring together South African institutions, including the Industrial Development Corporation and other development finance institutions, with US institutions such as the Development Finance Corporation, EXIM Bank, private funds and strategic corporations.

“The objective should be to move projects through the investment pipeline – from project preparation and technical assessment, through financing and construction, to production and export,” Tau said.

He said long-term offtake agreements could also help strengthen the bankability of projects by providing secure demand for minerals or processed products.

Proposed SA-USA working group

Tau also proposed a dedicated South Africa-USA Critical Minerals Working Group to take the discussions forward.

“I would also like to propose that we establish a South Africa-USA Critical Minerals Working Group as a practical mechanism for taking this conversation forward.”

The proposed working group would identify priority minerals and products, match South African projects with US industrial demand, identify financing and technology requirements, address market-access issues and monitor progress towards investment and offtake agreements.

“Our intention is that the work should begin immediately and should not become another dialogue mechanism without implementation. We need clear priorities, responsible institutions, timelines and measurable outcomes,” Tau said.

The proposal comes as South Africa steps up efforts to translate its critical minerals endowment into industrial development, with government policy focused on beneficiation, localisation, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.

Regional value chains

Tau said South Africa could also serve as an anchor for a wider Southern African critical minerals platform.

He pointed to complementary resources in the region, including cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo, copper from Zambia, lithium from Zimbabwe and graphite from Mozambique.

“South Africa can contribute processing capability, logistics, financial services, industrial infrastructure and access to the wider African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.

Tau said regional cooperation could enable countries to develop value chains rather than simply exporting unprocessed minerals from the continent.

The regional approach aligns with SADC’s industrialisation agenda, which includes the development of regional value chains in critical minerals beneficiation, alongside infrastructure development in energy, transport, logistics, water and ICT.

From conversations to concrete projects

Tau said the roundtable should serve as a starting point for identifying specific investment opportunities.

“We want to move from conversations about opportunity to discussions about specific projects, specific investors, specific technologies, specific offtake requirements and specific financing solutions.” 

He said South Africa wants to work with US companies seeking secure sources of critical minerals and industrial inputs, as well as investors prepared to participate in processing, manufacturing and infrastructure.

“The partnership we are proposing is therefore about more than minerals. It is about building resilient supply chains, supporting industrialisation, creating jobs, developing skills and establishing South Africa as a reliable participant in the next generation of global value chains.” 

The engagement brought together senior representatives from business, finance, development finance and strategic sectors, including Standard Bank, the Industrial Development Corporation, Bank of America, the B20 South Africa Secretariat, Eskom, Africa Rainbow Minerals, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and MTN.

The programme was led by Brand South Africa Chairperson Ipeleng Selele, with Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala delivering a presentation on financing critical minerals and unlocking capital for Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

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Inequality threatens promise of development and democracy – Lamola

Source: Government of South Africa

Inequality threatens promise of development and democracy – Lamola

By Dikeledi Molobela

New York, USA – South Africa has called for stronger multilateral action to tackle global inequality, unsustainable debt and climate-finance constraints, warning that the international system risks losing public trust if it cannot demonstrate that cooperation delivers tangible improvements in people’s lives. 

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said inequality, debt and underdevelopment were undermining both democracy and the promise of international cooperation.

“The promise of democracy and international cooperation wanes when we cannot demonstrate that they can address inequality and insecurity,” the Minister said.

Lamola was delivering South Africa’s National Statement during the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday. The debate is taking place under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Lamola placed inequality at the centre of South Africa’s development agenda, drawing on the country’s experience during its 2025 G20 Presidency. 

He said the concentration of global wealth has reached levels that demand coordinated international action. 

“Today, the top 10% own roughly 75% of global wealth, while the bottom 50% own only 2%. This extreme concentration of wealth at the top and poverty at the bottom is neither inevitable nor insurmountable,” he said. 

South Africa, together with Brazil, Norway and Spain, is advancing the establishment of an International Panel on Inequality, building on the G20 work undertaken during South Africa’s Presidency. The proposal is intended to provide independent, science-based assessments of inequality and help policymakers respond to its causes and consequences.

“Together with Brazil, Norway and Spain, South Africa calls on this Assembly to throw its weight behind the establishment of an International Panel on Inequality,” Lamola said.

The four countries held a high-level event on the initiative on the margins of UNGA81 on 23 September, seeking support for the proposed panel and a future General Assembly resolution. 

READ | Lamola: Global action needed to tackle inequality

Lamola linked economic inequality to growing social and political tensions.

He said citizens who had seen little improvement in their economic circumstances were increasingly turning towards ideas that run counter to the values of the UN Charter.

South Africa’s emphasis on inequality follows the G20 Global Inequality Report commissioned during its G20 Presidency. The report found that wealth inequality remains significantly higher than income inequality and recommended the creation of a permanent international body to assess and monitor global inequality. 

SADC integration and industrialisation

Lamola also connected South Africa’s global agenda to its leadership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“We approach our leadership of a regional bloc that is home to a quarter of Africa’s population – the SADC – with a firm resolve to champion greater regional integration, industrialisation and trade,” Lamola said. 

He said stronger intra-regional trade would help Southern African economies share in regional prosperity while making them more resilient to external economic shocks.

“We want to increase trade among our countries so that our citizens can share in the prosperity of our region and our economies are better prepared to absorb the shocks of unilateralism,” he said.

He linked the regional experience to the wider multilateral system.

“If multilateralism works at regional level, then citizens have greater reason to believe it can work globally,” he said.
South Africa’s 2026 SADC Chairship has identified industrialisation, regional integration and infrastructure development among its priorities.

Debt

Lamola said developing countries were being forced to make difficult choices between servicing debt and investing in the needs of their populations.

 He said African countries had spent roughly as much on debt servicing over the previous year as was needed to close the continent’s infrastructure financing gap.

“This grim reality inspired South Africa’s G20 Presidency to focus on debt sustainability,” he said.

Lamola also referred to the Africa Expert Panel report, which calls for greater debt transparency, closer scrutiny of credit-rating agencies and multilateral efforts to establish a Borrowers’ Club.

SDGs

Lamola warned that the international community was falling behind on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“With only 36% of the Sustainable Development Goals showing sufficient progress, we are running out of time,” he said. 

He called for multilateral action to free resources currently absorbed by debt servicing and redirect them towards development.

“Africa and much of the Global South need multilateral action to free resources absorbed by debt service and redirect them towards development.

“We must close the financing gap for the 2030 Agenda and meaningfully advance implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” he said.

The UN has identified accelerated SDG implementation and development financing as central priorities of the current General Assembly session. 

Climate finance and the just transition

Climate change, Lamola said, was compounding existing development challenges as they threaten people, prosperity and development gains countries have made.

He said two million people in SADC had suffered the combined effects of floods, cyclones, wildfires and disease outbreaks over the past year.

“Our responses are severely constrained by a climate finance architecture stacked against developing nations,” the Minister said while also calling for stronger international action on disaster resilience and predictable financing for a just energy transition.

Climate action and the just transition are among the high-level priorities of UNGA81, with the UN convening a dedicated high-level event on climate action during the General Assembly’s High-Level Week. 

Africa’s critical minerals and AI opportunity

Lamola said Africa’s mineral wealth and youthful population could help reshape the continent’s role in the global economy.

“Our continent has the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals. These critical minerals can help bridge the gap between wealthy and poor nations and overcome the indignities of poverty and underdevelopment,” Lamola said.

He said Africa should not merely supply raw materials to global markets but should participate in beneficiation and value creation.

“We have a youthful population ready to play a key role in the beneficiation at source of critical minerals and on research and innovation for artificial intelligence (AI),” he said.

South Africa has placed critical-minerals beneficiation and industrialisation among its economic priorities, including through its SADC Chairship.

Lamola also called for stronger African participation in shaping the governance of AI.

The call aligns with South Africa’s broader UNGA81 position that global governance frameworks should ensure developing countries have meaningful participation in shaping emerging technologies. 

GBVF and security

Lamola also highlighted South Africa’s response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), noting that government classified GBVF as a national disaster in November 2025.

He said the decision recognised the need for exceptional measures to address the scourge.

The reference places human security alongside economic development in South Africa’s broader conception of what international cooperation should deliver.

Restoring trust through development

For South Africa, Lamola’s statement linked economic justice directly to the credibility of the multilateral system. 

The central message was that restoring trust cannot be achieved through institutional reform alone but also requires international cooperation to address the material challenges confronting developing countries, from debt and climate finance to inequality, infrastructure financing, industrialisation and technological transformation.  

The International Panel on Inequality initiative is one of the clearest examples of South Africa seeking to carry a domestic and G20 priority into the UN system, while its SADC agenda seeks to demonstrate the value of regional integration.
 
Taken together, Lamola’s economic and development priorities place inequality, debt sustainability, SDG financing, climate justice, critical minerals and AI governance at the centre of South Africa’s call for a multilateral system that delivers more effectively for developing countries. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Enlit Africa seeks contributions that move the conversation from strategy to execution: ensuring a Future Fit Africa

Source: APO

Speaker submissions are open for Enlit Africa, created by VUKA Group (www.WeAreVuka.com), as it returns to the CTICC, Cape Town from 11–13 May 2027.

Do you have a project, lesson, strategy or innovation that Africa’s energy sector should hear about?

We invite utilities, project owners, developers, IPPs, commercial and industrial energy users, municipalities, policymakers, regulators, financiers, researchers and industry practitioners to submit abstracts sharing practical experience, case studies, research, projects and lessons from across Africa’s changing energy and water sectors.

What are we looking for?

We particularly encourage non-vendor speakers to submit contributions across:

  1. Enlit Africa Main Stage – From Strategy to Execution
     Policy, market reform, investment, leadership and the decisions required to turn Africa’s energy ambitions into implementation.
     
  2. Generation
    New capacity, generation technologies, energy security, operating performance and Africa’s evolving energy mix.
     
  3. Transmission & Distribution
    Grid expansion, modernisation, open access, system operation, cross-border interconnection, digitalisation and infrastructure investment.
     
  4. Municipal Forum:Municipal management, with an emphasis on electricity and water – with a strong emphasis on service delivery. 
     
  5. Power Hub:Technical advancements in power generation, transmission, distribution and more. Technical presentations encouraged. 
     
  6. Water Hub:Technical insights into water management and solutions. 
     
  7. Water Security Hub: Strategy, finance, management and technology application for water security. 
     
  8. Project & Investment Hub: Project developments, country roundtables, project briefings, finance, and innovative financing models (including M300).
     
  9. Renewable Energy & Storage:Covering both technical and strategic applications of renewables and storage.  

What makes a strong submission?

We want to hear about what is happening on the ground.

Tell us about:

  • A project being implemented or developed
  • A challenge your organisation has solved – or is still trying to solve
  • Lessons from implementation
  • New research or industry findings
  • Innovative financing or commercial models
  • Technologies being deployed in real operating environments
  • Policy or regulatory changes and what they mean in practice
  • Approaches that could be replicated elsewhere in Africa

Preference will be given to submissions that provide practical insights, measurable outcomes and lessons that the wider industry can apply.

Why present at Enlit Africa?

Africa does not need another conversation about what should happen. Help us explore how we make it happen and how we ensure Africa is future fit.

Share your expertise with Africa’s power, energy and water community, connect with decision makers from across the value chain and contribute to the conversations shaping the continent’s next generation of infrastructure and investment.

Submission details

Abstract length: 300–500 words
Submission deadline: 29 January 2027
Speaker feedback: 7 December 2026 – 5 February 2027

Visit the Enlit Africa website to submit your speaker abstract: https://apo-opa.co/4d2TTq2  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About Enlit Africa:
Where African energy does business. The utilities and municipalities keeping Africa’s lights on. The industries buying the power. The companies that build and run it. The projects looking for capital, and the capital looking for projects. For three days, under one roof.
Pre-register for the 2027 programme, the speakers and the early bird ticket release, ahead of public launch: https://apo-opa.co/4d2TTq2 

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa’s energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa. www.WeAreVuka.com

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CEM Africa Awards 2026 set to recognise Africa’s leading Customer Experience (CX) talent and innovation

Source: APO

Customer experience professionals, teams and organisations across Africa have just days remaining to enter the 2026 CEM Africa Awards, with free applications closing on 30 September 2026.

Taking place on 10 November 2026 at the NH Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, the Customer Experience Africa Awards form part of the CEM Africa platform and recognise the individuals, teams, technologies and initiatives raising the standard of customer experience across the continent.

For organisations considering whether to enter, the company they could be keeping provides a compelling indication of the calibre of the awards.

A growing roll call of African CX leaders

The 2025 awards attracted more than 80 entries and 31 finalists, culminating in eight award winners. Finalists represented organisations spanning financial services, technology, telecommunications, retail, insurance, public services and social impact.

Among them were Absa, Capitec Bank, Santam, Telesure Investment Holdings, Equity Bank, Takealot.com, NTT DATA, Frogfoot, Telviva, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, the University of Pretoria and South Africa’s Department of Social Development.

The 2025 winners included Serisha Iyer of Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, named Rising Star in CX; Alma Angela Olela of Jubilee Health Insurance, named CX Leader of the Year; and Franco Cotumaccio of Shadow Global, winner of Breaking Barriers in CX.

Corporate winners included Telesure Investment Holdings for Best Overall CX Solution, Krisp for Best Use of AI, Telviva for Best Enterprise Contact Centre Platform, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator for Best Customer Experience Team of the Year and the University of Pretoria for Best Citizen Experience Initiative.

That follows a 2024 edition in which winners included NCBA Bank, MultiChoice, Digital Solutions Group, Absa Bank and Telviva, alongside individual CX leaders from across the continent.

More than a trophy

For entrants, recognition through the CEM Africa Awards puts their work in front of a wider African CX community and an independent judging panel drawn from across the industry.

The 2026 judging panel includes global CX specialist Ian Golding; Andrew (Dré) Enebeli, Head of CX & Engagement at Access Bank; Dr Oliver Museka, President and Founder of IRDM College Eswatini; Jonathan Daniels, Managing Director of CX Centric; Joven Pillay, Partner and Head of Customer Consulting at KPMG; and Qaalfa Dibeehi, Managing Partner at Human2Outcome.

This year’s awards recognise excellence across four broad pillars – People, Innovation, Transformation and Government – covering categories including CX Leader of the Year, Rising Star in CX, Breaking Barriers in CX, Best Overall CX Solution, Best Use of AI, Best Enterprise Contact Centre Platform, Best Customer Experience Team of the Year, Best Digital Transformation in Public Services and Best Citizen Experience Initiative.

“The calibre of organisations and individuals recognised through the CEM Africa Awards demonstrates just how much extraordinary CX work is being done across the continent. These awards give that work a platform. Whether it is a major transformation programme, an innovative use of technology or an individual changing how their organisation thinks about the customer, we want to make sure Africa’s best work is being seen and recognised.”

  • Briteny Price, Event Manager and CEM Africa Awards Director

Final opportunity to enter

Applications for the 2026 CEM Africa Awards are free and remain open until 30 September 2026. Finalists will be announced in October, ahead of the awards ceremony on 10 November at the NH Hotel, Sandton.

Organisations, teams and individuals working to improve customer and citizen experience across Africa are encouraged to submit their entries before the deadline.

Apply for the CEM Africa Awards 2026 by 30 September 2026

Submit your application (https://apo-opa.co/4hdcimx)

Explore the CEM Africa Awards

Visit the CEM Africa Awards website (https://apo-opa.co/4iNXzzM)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Media Contact:​
steven.dennett@wearevuka.com
Marketing Manager
VUKA Group / CEM Africa
CEM Africa Awards website (https://apo-opa.co/4iNXzzM)

About CEM Africa:
CEM Africa is Africa’s leading customer experience summit and a platform for the people and organisations shaping the future of customer engagement across the continent.

Through its flagship Cape Town summit, the CEM Africa Awards and regional Editions, CEM Africa connects senior leaders, practitioners, technology providers and innovators around practical insight, collaboration and the business value of stronger customer experiences.

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Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders Call for Stronger Action on Priorities of Small Island States

Source: APO

AOSIS Leaders’ Meeting 2026 was held this morning in New York, bringing together Heads of State and Government of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to discuss priorities and challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The meeting was held at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Singapore.

Opened by the President of Palau and Chair of AOSIS, H.E. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., the meeting provided an opportunity for Leaders to assess progress on key issues affecting SIDS and strengthen AOSIS’ collective position on climate change, ocean governance, sustainable development and international financing.

Discussions also focused on preparations for COP31, the first Conference of the Parties to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and the 2027 SDG Summit.

President Dr Patrick Herminie participated in the discussions, which also considered progress made since the 2025 AOSIS Leaders’ Declaration and priorities for the next phase of action. This was an opportunity for Leaders to assess progress on key issues affecting SIDS and strengthen AOSIS’ collective position on climate change, ocean governance, sustainable development and international financing.

Speaking during the session on strengthening AOSIS priorities for the next phase of action, President Herminie stressed the need to move from global commitments to practical implementation for SIDS. He highlighted progress on issues including the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) and the International Court of Justice proceedings, while noting that gaps remain between international commitments and their implementation.

The President also highlighted Seychelles’ work towards implementing the BBNJ Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction.

President Herminie concluded by stressing the importance of AOSIS remaining united in turning international commitments into practical outcomes for all Small Island Developing States.

The meeting was held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Parliament Calls on South Africans to Build a Heritage Rooted in Ubuntu

Source: APO


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Parliament’s Presiding Officers, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, call on South Africans to use Heritage Day to strengthen the values of Ubuntu, human dignity and collective responsibility in building safer and more united communities.

This year, Heritage Day is commemorated under the theme, “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.” The theme reminds us that South Africa’s heritage is not only found in our monuments, languages, traditions, indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. It also lives in the values that shape how we treat one another and the society we build for future generations.

Central to these values is Ubuntu, the recognition of our shared humanity and our responsibility towards one another. Ubuntu reminds us that the dignity, safety and wellbeing of every person are inseparable from the wellbeing of the community.

This principle has particular significance as South Africa confronts gender-based violence and femicide, crime and other social ills that continue to cause immense suffering in families and communities. Violence against women and children is fundamentally incompatible with the values of Ubuntu, human dignity and mutual respect that should define our national heritage.

Communities also have a role to play. When communities, government, law enforcement, and civil society work together in partnership, they create a coordinated, multi-layered, and multipronged approach that not only responds to crime but also prevents it, thereby building stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods. Law-abiding South Africans far outnumber criminals and criminal syndicates, and this war can be won where there is united action, collaboration, and cooperation.

As South Africa marks 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution in 1996, Heritage Day also provides an opportunity to reflect on the constitutional values that underpin our democracy. Over the democratic period, Parliament has contributed to the protection of South Africa’s cultural and natural heritage through the passage of legislation such as the National Heritage Resources Act, the National Heritage Council Act and the Cultural Institutions Act. These laws provide an important legislative framework for preserving and promoting the country’s diverse heritage for present and future generations. Parliament will continue to strengthen its oversight of the implementation of heritage legislation and the use of allocated budgets, including measures aimed at protecting heritage sites and combating crime that threatens the country’s cultural and natural heritage.

But the heritage we leave behind will ultimately be measured by more than the monuments we preserve or the traditions we celebrate. It will also be measured by the kind of society we hand to the next generation. South Africa’s living heritage must therefore be one in which women and children can live without fear; communities stand together against crime and violence; diversity is respected; and every person’s inherent dignity is protected.

This Heritage Day, Parliament calls on all South Africans to strengthen the ties that bind us and to make Ubuntu not only a treasured part of our cultural heritage, but a principle that guides our everyday conduct and our shared responsibility for building a safer, more caring and united South Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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Rwanda’s Diplomatic Delegation Engages National Defence College (NDC) to Deepen Bilateral and Defence Ties

Source: APO

The Permanent Secretary of Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Ambassador Fidelis Mironko, made an official visit to the National Defence College (NDC) in Karen, Kenya.

Hosted by the College Commandant, Lieutenant General Juma Mwinyikai, Ambassador Mironko and his accompanying delegation were briefed on the institution’s strategic mandate, academic programs and core role in delivering professional military education to senior leaders.

This high-level engagement reaffirmed the enduring partnership between Kenya and Rwanda, anchored by the NDC’s long-standing tradition of training senior Rwandan military officers and civil servants. Beyond military instruction, the College has consistently hosted officials from various Rwandan ministries, departments and agencies, serving as a vital hub for regional capacity building, leadership development and human capital growth.

During executive discussions, both delegations explored key strategic domains, including institutional capacity building, bilateral trade, defence cooperation and joint educational initiatives. The engagement concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen institutional linkages, capitalize on areas of mutual interest and further elevate the broader diplomatic and security relations between Kenya and Rwanda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

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From the High Seas to Justice: Kenya’s Fight Against Drugs Trafficking

Source: APO

Kenya’s leadership of Working Group 3 on Operational Cooperation and Coordination at Sea continues to strengthen regional efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and other forms of maritime crime in the Western Indian Ocean. Through sustained maritime patrols, surveillance and coordinated operations, the country safeguards territorial waters while contributing to the overall security of the maritime domain.

As part of these efforts, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, led the destruction of more than one tonne of methamphetamine valued at approximately KSh 8.2 billion at the Bamburi Cement Limited, Mombasa Plant.

The consignment alongside ‘MV MASHALLAH’ dhow and six suspects were intercepted by Kenya Navy Ship (KNS) SHUPAVU, approximately 630 kilometres off the Mombasa coast. The interception was conducted during Operation BAHARI SAFI under the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) programme in October 2025, following intelligence received from the Regional Coordination Operations Centre. The vessel and consignment were escorted to Mombasa Port and subsequently handed over to a multi-agency team for investigations and the prosecution of the six suspects found onboard.

The matter has since been proceeding before the Shanzu Law Courts, where the Chief Magistrate Antony Mwicig issued an order authorising the destruction of the seized narcotic consignment. The dhow remains secured alongside Mkunguni Jetty under the custody of the Kenya Navy.

The consignment was destroyed following thorough verification, testing and weighing of the exhibits to establish their identity and exact quantity. Preliminary on-site tests also confirmed that the consignment was methamphetamine.

Speaking during the event, CS Murkomen underscored the government’s commitment to combating narcotics trafficking and disrupting criminal networks involved in the movement of illicit drugs through Kenya’s maritime routes. He highlighted the importance of coordinated action among security and law enforcement agencies in protecting Kenyans from the social and security consequences associated with narcotics trafficking.

The CS further acknowledged the role played by multi agency security agencies in the interception and subsequent handling of the consignment, noting that the destruction followed the completion of the necessary judicial and forensic processes. He emphasised that the exercise demonstrated the government’s resolve to ensure that seized narcotics do not find their way back into circulation.

On his part, the Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno, emphasised that the destruction of the narcotics demonstrated the value of multi-agency, regional and international cooperation in addressing transnational maritime crime. He expressed gratitude to the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) based in Seychelles, the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) based in Madagascar and the Seychelles Defence Forces for deploying an aircraft to assist KNS SHUPAVU with vessel reconnaissance and tracking. He also acknowledged other regional and international partners whose information sharing and coordination contributed to the successful interdiction.

Commander Kenya Navy noted that the interdiction was only the beginning, adding that the subsequent custody, investigation, prosecution and preparation for lawful destruction of the seized narcotics required sustained cooperation among various agencies.

The destruction was witnessed by leadership and representatives from Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Kenya Coast Guard Services, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Bamburi Cement Limited, Regional Coordination Operations Centre, Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, International Law Enforcement Bureau, United States Drugs Enforcement Administration, National and County Government.

The destruction of the drugs forms part of Kenya’s broader efforts to strengthen maritime security and disrupt criminal networks that exploit maritime routes to facilitate the trafficking of illicit substances. Through close collaboration with regional and international partners, Kenya continues to promote information sharing, enhance maritime domain awareness and coordinate responses to emerging security threats at sea.

These initiatives demonstrate Kenya’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment that facilitates legitimate trade, safeguards coastal communities and contributes to peace and stability across the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

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Emirates to bring the A350 to Nairobi, introducing next-generation cabin experiences

Source: APO

  • From 25 October, Nairobi becomes the 32nd destination to be served by the Emirates A350
  • Latest-generation aircraft introduces Emirates’ acclaimed Premium Economy cabin to Kenya for the first time, along with enhanced Business and Economy Class cabins
  • Deployment reinforces Emirates’ continued investment in Kenya and commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience across its Africa network

Emirates (www.Emirates.com), the world’s largest international airline, will soon serve Nairobi with its newest aircraft type, the Airbus A350 (https://apo-opa.co/47hy1nv). From 25 October 2026, the A350 will operate on EK717 and EK718, bringing Emirates’ latest-generation cabin experience to customers travelling between Dubai and Nairobi. The Emirates A350 is defined by spacious, bright cabins, enhanced technology, connectivity, and the airline’s signature hospitality across all three cabins.

The introduction of the A350 also marks the first time Emirates’ highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin will be available to customers flying to and from Kenya, complementing the airline’s enhanced Business and Economy offerings.

Christophe Leloup, Emirates Country Manager in Kenya said, “The arrival of the A350 in Nairobi marks an exciting new chapter for Emirates in Kenya. We’re delighted to bring our latest aircraft and onboard experience to our customers in market, with more comfort, choice and thoughtful touches in every cabin. Combined with our growing flight schedule, the A350 gives customers travelling on the Dubai-Nairobi route something new to discover, while building on the experience they know and love from Emirates.”

What passengers can expect from the A350

The newest aircraft type to join Emirates’ all widebody fleet, the A350 accommodates 298 passengers in three spacious cabins – Business, Premium Economy and Economy. The bright and airy cabins have been thoughtfully designed to provide more space and comfort in every cabin, whilst cutting-edge technology and enhanced entertainment options elevate every journey.

Making its debut in Kenya, Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin offers elevated comfort, comparable to a Business Class experience on many airlines. The cabin is spacious with leather reclining seats that feature a generous pitch, adjustable headrests and more legroom. Customers can enjoy in-seat charging points, a wood-finished side cocktail table, a 13.3-inch TV screen, a generously sized pillow and blanket, complimentary amenity kits on select flights – including the Dubai-Nairobi route – and a globally exclusive sparkling wine, Chandon Vintage Brut 2017.

Business Class is configured in a 1-2-1 layout ensuring every passenger has direct aisle access and a spacious, private environment for both work and relaxation. The fully lie-flat seat is wrapped in soft cream leather and features a personal minibar and wireless charging for comfort and convenience. At the back of the cabin is a snack display area allowing passengers to help themselves to refreshments throughout the flight.

Economy Class features an all new, airy colour palette of sky blue, bronze and cream, complemented by lighter-toned wood finishings. Each seat features the airline’s upgraded ice inflight entertainment system on a 13.3inch 4K adjustable touchscreen, while generous seat pitch and leather headrests provide support, comfort and extra legroom.

Continuing to raise the bar in Kenya

The deployment of the A350 follows a series of enhancements to the Emirates customer proposition in Kenya, including the introduction of the third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi in July. With 21 flights per week, customers have greater flexibility and connections between Kenya and key markets across Europe and the US, via Dubai.

Nairobi is also home to Africa’s first Emirates World (https://apo-opa.co/4yeI34C) store, which opened in 2024, offering customers a more immersive way to discover Emirates’ products, while offering more convenience and personalised service.

Earlier this year, Emirates introduced further flexibility for customers in Kenya through a partnership with Cellulant, launching a split-payment solution (https://apo-opa.co/4xLYG6R) that allows travellers to combine multiple payment methods across 24-hour instalments when purchasing airfares.

Tickets can be booked now on Emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents as well as Emirates World Store (https://apo-opa.co/46Kglkc) in Nairobi. Emirates continues to offer flexible booking policies for added peace of mind while travelling. Every ticket booked after 10th August 2026 comes with free unlimited dates changes to Dubai and one complimentary date change to anywhere else in the world, in addition to significantly reduced refund fees across all cabins and fare types, allowing passengers to adjust their travel plans with minimal penalties. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

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