Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

The annual meeting of the PFDJ organization in Germany was held on 19 September in Frankfurt.

Mr. Yohannes Mebrahtu, chairman of the organization, said that the objective of the meeting was to review the activities carried out and discuss future programs.

Mr. Yohannes Woldu, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy, called for thorough review of efforts to strengthen the organization, raise members’ awareness, and enhance nationals’ role in building organizational capacity and implementing national development programs. He also called for identifying and addressing the challenges encountered.

Commending the participation and contribution of nationals to the successful implementation of the Afambo boarding school project, Mr. Yohannes said that the participation of the German branch of the PFDJ had been phenomenal.

The participants held extensive discussions on the reports presented by the organization’s sub-branches and adopted various recommendations.

In the same vein, Mr. Humed Yahya Hali, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in Kuwait, conducted a seminar for nationals focusing on the current situation in the homeland, as well as regional and global developments.

At the seminar, Mr. Humed Yahya gave a briefing on social services, the economic situation of nationals and measures being taken to address the challenges they face, as well as diplomatic efforts and the progress achieved.

Likewise, Eritrean nationals residing in Chicago, the US, participated in a program marking the 45th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, hoisting their national flag alongside the flags of over 200 countries.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the Head of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement, Ammar Al-Hakim.

The meeting was attended by the Director of the General Intelligence Service, Minister Hassan Rashad. From the Iraqi side Deputy Head of the National Wisdom Movement Mohsen Al-Hakim, Advisor to the Head of the National Wisdom Movement Ahmed Al-Hakim and Iraqi Ambassador in Cairo Qahtan Taha Janabi were present.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the President welcomed the Head of the National Wisdom Movement and emphasized the historic, close relations between Egypt and Iraq and the two peoples. The President affirmed Egypt’s interest in engaging with Iraqi state institutions and all political and national forces, in light of the strong bonds both countries share. The President reiterated Egypt’s commitment to the security and stability of Iraq and its support for all measures taken by the Iraqi state to safeguard its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The President also noted the government’s efforts to combat corruption and restrict the possession of arms. Furthermore, the President commended Iraq’s pivotal role in the war against terrorism and extremism, as well as its efforts to eradicate their roots. President El-Sisi praised the constructive role played by the Head of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement in fostering stability, narrowing political differences, and upholding Iraq’s national interests.

For his part, the Head of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement expressed his deep appreciation for meeting with the President and valued the historic and close ties between Egypt and Iraq, stressing the key role Egypt plays—under the President’s leadership—in bolstering regional security and stability. This includes supporting Iraq and its efforts to regain its natural leading position at both the Arab and regional levels. He also affirmed his keenness to consult with the President on regional developments, to gain insight into his vision for de-escalating current geopolitical tensions, and to explore ways to shield Iraq from their negative repercussions.

The meeting addressed the current regional situation and its impact on various countries, particularly Egypt and Iraq. The President outlined the national vision, which prioritizes peaceful solutions to crises and conflicts, supports legitimate institutions, and upholds the concept of an inclusive national state. The President discussed ongoing Egyptian efforts to reduce tension and prevent sliding into a new wave of escalation, stressing the importance of Iraq continuing to play a constructive role in enhancing the collective security of Arab nations and safeguarding the resources and well-being of the region’s peoples.

The meeting also covered the latest developments regarding the Palestinian issue. The President reviewed Egypt’s efforts to support the Palestinian people—including the implementation of the second phase of the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement and the US peace plan, as well as the delivery of aid and intensifying humanitarian relief efforts in the Gaza Strip. The President emphasized Egypt’s firm stance on the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital—in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions—as the sole, comprehensive, and just solution to the Palestinian issue.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

.

A team of experts led by the Regulation and Prequalification Department at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters conducted a technical assistance visit to the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) Medicines Quality Control Laboratory (MQCL) from 22 to 24 September 2026. The visit served as a preliminary assessment of the MQCL’s readiness for the WHO Listing of Quality Control Laboratories (WLQCL), following EFDA’s expression of interest in being assessed.

In 2025, EFDA attained WHO Maturity Level 3 for medicines regulation across all eight applicable regulatory functions, including laboratory testing, as assessed using the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT). WHO listing is a separate process, and this mission marks a foundational step toward WLQCL.

Opening the session on behalf of EFDA Director General Ms Heran Gerba, Deputy Director General Mr Negash Sime said that WHO’s technical assistance would help the MQCL achieve listing, which would benefit both Ethiopia and the wider African region. He noted that local pharmaceutical manufacturing is a national priority for self-reliance and that it depends on a quality control laboratory that meets international standards.

Ms Natércia Guerra Simões, WHO Technical Officer and lead auditor for the mission, outlined the mission’s objectives and expected outcomes, and stressed the need for continuous improvement of the laboratory to meet international quality standards.

Medicines quality control laboratories play a vital role in ensuring that pharmaceutical products meet international standards of quality and safety. When products fail to meet these standards, QCLs alert regulators, procurers and manufacturers so that corrective action can be taken. This role is especially critical for medicines used to treat life-threatening diseases and to promote maternal and child health among vulnerable populations. However, a QCL can fulfil this role only if it operates to international standards itself.

WLQCL is a voluntary procedure through which WHO assesses QCLs against the WHO Good Practices for Pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratories and, where applicable, the WHO Good Practices for Pharmaceutical Microbiology Laboratories and relevant parts of the WHO Good Manufacturing Practices. Laboratories found to be compliant are included in the WHO List of Quality Control Laboratories.

Listing gives the public greater assurance that medicines are safe and of good quality, allows regulators, manufacturers, and procurers to rely on the laboratory’s results, and strengthens the country’s ability to detect substandard and falsified medicines. Listed QCLs also become eligible to participate in WHO quality monitoring projects for medicines procured by UN agencies.

During the visit, the team assessed EFDA’s MQCL, including its microbiology laboratory, identified strengths and areas for improvement, and made recommendations for achieving full compliance. EFDA experts participated in technical discussions, laboratory walkthroughs and reviews of testing documentation, gaining valuable hands-on capacity-building experience.

WHO, at all three levels of the Organization, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting EFDA in addressing the findings and achieving WHO listing of QCLs.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

.

The Republic of Benin has acceded to the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention) during a high-level ceremony at UN headquarters in New York at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Benin is now the 61st Party to this global legal framework for cooperative management of shared waters. 

This accession marks a significant step in Benin’s commitment to sustainable water governance at both national and regional level. It creates new opportunities for managing the coastal sedimentary aquifer shared by Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. This aquifer supplies drinking water to millions in the Gulf of Guinea but lacks a formal transboundary governance framework. With all four countries now Parties to the Convention, they can establish a joint governance framework for this vital resource.  

In addition, over 56 per cent of Benin’s territory lies within the Mono, Niger, and Volta transboundary basins. This provides further opportunities to enhance data-sharing, joint governance, and cooperation, particularly with Togo and Nigeria, with whom Benin shares the Mono and Niger basins along key regional trade routes. Stronger water cooperation supports the stability and predictability these routes depend on. 

With Benin’s accession, 9 of the 12 ECOWAS Member States are now Parties to the UN Water Convention, demonstrating strong momentum for transboundary water cooperation in West Africa. Benin joins Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, bringing the total number of African Parties to 16. This growing participation reflects recognition of the Convention as a practical framework for aligning national water governance with international standards and strengthening cooperation on shared resources. 

Édouard Dahomé, Minister of Energy, Water and Mines of Benin, said: “By joining the UN Water Convention, Benin is strengthening its national water governance and affirming its commitment to cooperate with neighbours on a resource that sustains millions of lives. This is a strategic step towards shared prosperity, regional integration and peace.”   

By acceding, Benin signals its commitment to cooperate under the Convention’s norms and standards to the international community, financial institutions, and partners. Nationally, implementing the Convention’s obligations, including preventing, controlling, and reducing significant transboundary impacts, will strengthen Benin’s water governance and resource management. This step also contributes to the growing momentum for transboundary water cooperation in Africa and globally, as preparations continue for the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. 

– on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).