Category: English

Source: APO

While sustainability has become a strategic priority for many organizations, implementation remains a significant challenge across the meetings and events industry. New findings show that although 66% of Associations consider sustainability highly important, fewer than 34% have embedded it into their operations, and only 3% report having an advanced sustainability program.

To help close this gap, Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) and GDS-Movement have partnered to launch Accelerating Sustainable & Regenerative Events: A Guide for Associations & PCOs, a practical roadmap designed to help Associations and Professional Congress Organizers (PCOs) integrate sustainability into event planning, delivery and reporting.

The guide was unveiled to industry stakeholders in Brussels and developed using insights from destinations participating in the GDS-Index, the leading benchmarking and performance improvement program for destination sustainability. For Associations, the challenge extends beyond a single event. Many organizations manage multiple meetings across different destinations, suppliers and planning cycles, creating complexity when trying to implement consistent sustainability standards and reporting frameworks.

“The industry does not have a sustainability awareness problem; it has an implementation challenge,” said Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability and Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group. “As a global hospitality company, we work closely with associations, event organizers and destinations around the world and understand the practical barriers they face. This guide is designed to move the conversation from ambition to action by providing planners with practical tools, trusted frameworks and stronger collaboration models.”

Addressing the sustainability action gap

Despite growing awareness of environmental and social responsibilities, many event organizers continue to face barriers, including perceived costs, limited access to sustainability data, fragmented supplier ecosystems and a lack of practical implementation frameworks.

The guide argues that successful sustainable events require more than individual initiatives. They depend on collaboration between Associations, destinations, venues and suppliers to create measurable and repeatable approaches that can be applied consistently across event portfolios. For organizations managing recurring congresses, annual conferences and regional meetings, this need for consistency is particularly important.

The role of destinations in driving progress

A central theme of the guide is the growing role of destinations in helping event organizers achieve their sustainability objectives.

Through the GDS-Index, destinations are assessed against 74 qualitative and quantitative indicators aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Criteria, helping create transparency and accountability across the events ecosystem.

“Destinations play a pivotal role in accelerating the transition toward sustainable and regenerative events,” said Guy Bigwood, CEO and Chief Changemaker of GDS-Movement. “Through the GDS-Index, we help destinations measure and improve their sustainability performance while providing event organizers with the information they need to make informed decisions. Collaboration between destinations, venues and suppliers is essential to creating events that generate meaningful social, environmental and economic value.”

Five actions for more sustainable events

The guide outlines five practical actions that Associations and PCOs can implement to strengthen sustainability performance across their events:

• Collaborate with destination partners earlier in the planning process
• Prioritize certified supplier networks and sustainability credentials
• Integrate social impact and legacy initiatives into event design
• Incorporate low-carbon mobility strategies for delegates and stakeholders
• Implement sustainability-linked measurement, reporting and incentive frameworks

Together, these actions provide planners with a practical foundation for delivering more sustainable and regenerative events while improving consistency across multiple meetings and destinations.

A shared commitment to industry progress

The partnership between Radisson Hotel Group and GDS-Movement reflects a shared commitment to accelerating sustainability across the meetings and events industry through practical action, collaboration and measurable outcomes.

Building on initiatives such as Verified Net Zero and the implementation of Hotel Sustainability Basics across its portfolio, Radisson Hotel Group continues to work with Associations, destinations and industry partners to support more responsible event delivery and help create a more sustainable future for meetings and events worldwide.

The full guide, Accelerating Sustainable & Regenerative Events: A Guide for Associations & PCOs, is available here (https://apo-opa.co/4yCBbhf).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group.

Connect with Radisson Hotels on:
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About Radisson Hotel Group:
Radisson Hotel Group is a rapidly expanding international hotel group, operating across EMEA and APAC with more than 1,660 hotels in operation and under development in over 100 countries. Guided by its brand promise, Every Moment Matters, the Group brings its signature Yes I Can! service ethos to every guest experience.

The Radisson brand portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Park Plaza, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Prize by Radisson—brought together under the commercial umbrella brand, Radisson Hotels.

Radisson Rewards (https://apo-opa.co/4xtsAwm) is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter, counting more than 29 million members. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Radisson Meetings (https://apo-opa.co/4yIYrKL) provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions, placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional, and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely Carbon Compensated. 

At Radisson Hotel Group, we care for people, communities, and planet (https://apo-opa.co/4yANA5f) and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as carbon-compensated Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.

The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.

For more information, visit Radisson Hotel Group on RadissonHotels.com. 

Source: APO

Modern, functional and sustainable infrastructure is a critical enabler of military effectiveness. Beyond providing physical facilities, well-planned infrastructure strengthens operational readiness, supports efficient administration and enhances the welfare of service personnel.

The Ministry of Defence Procurement Advisory Board has embarked on a one-week inspection tour of ongoing and completed infrastructure projects across the Kenya Navy. The exercise seeks to assess project progress, quality and suitability in meeting the Service’s operational, administrative and welfare requirements while strengthening oversight and accountability in the implementation of development projects.

On 15 September 2026, the Board, led by its Chairman, Major General Eric Kinuthia, paid a courtesy call on the Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno, at the Kenya Navy Headquarters.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the Board and Kenya Navy leadership to review infrastructure development and project implementation, with emphasis on adherence to approved standards, efficient utilisation of resources and timely delivery of projects.

Following the courtesy call, the Board inspected a number of ongoing and completed Ministry of Defence infrastructure projects across various Kenya Navy formations and units. The visits enabled members to assess the quality and progress of ongoing works, evaluate completed facilities and determine their effectiveness in supporting operational, administrative and personnel welfare requirements.

The inspection also provides a platform to identify challenges affecting project implementation and recommend appropriate interventions to facilitate the timely completion of ongoing works. This strengthens accountability while ensuring that resources committed to infrastructure development deliver sustainable value and directly support Service priorities.

Continued investment in fit-for-purpose infrastructure remains integral to building a modern, responsive and mission-ready Kenya Navy. By aligning infrastructure development with operational requirements and personnel welfare, the Ministry of Defence continues to strengthen the foundations upon which effective service delivery, operational readiness and long-term institutional capability are built.

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

Source: APO

Strong maritime partnerships are essential to building naval capability and responding effectively to evolving security challenges at sea. Through sustained cooperation with international partners, the Kenya Navy continues to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance operational effectiveness and support efforts towards a secure and stable maritime environment.

A delegation from the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya, led by the Peace and Stabilisation Fund Programme (PSFP) Coordinator in Kenya, Ms Anna Brostrom, paid a courtesy call on the Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno, at the Kenya Navy Headquarters on 15 September 2026.

During the engagement, Major General Otieno and the delegation discussed areas of mutual interest and ongoing cooperation between Kenya and Denmark. The talks reviewed existing areas of collaboration while exploring opportunities to further strengthen maritime capabilities, professional development and institutional capacity.

The delegation subsequently visited various projects implemented through Kenya–Denmark cooperation across Kenya Navy formations and units. The visits provided an opportunity to assess progress and appreciate the contribution of the projects towards infrastructure development, personnel training and operational effectiveness.

Kenya and Denmark share longstanding cooperation in peace, security and capacity building. Within the maritime domain, this partnership provides an important platform for exchanging expertise, developing capabilities and strengthening institutions that contribute to maritime security.

The engagement reaffirmed the value of sustained defence cooperation in addressing contemporary maritime security challenges and enhancing the Kenya Navy’s capacity to safeguard Kenya’s maritime interests while contributing to regional peace and stability.

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

Source: APO

The State Department for Foreign Affairs has begun training mental health champions across its departments and cadres to strengthen early support, address stigma and promote the well-being of personnel serving at headquarters and Kenya’s missions.

The three-day training brings together officers from diverse functions, including Foreign Service, Human Resource, Communication, Legal, Accounts, Economics, Procurement, ICT, Planning, Records and Administration.

The programme is intended to equip trusted colleagues to recognise signs of distress, provide initial support and connect staff with appropriate professional services.

Opening the training, Director of Human Resource Management and Development Dr. Judy Njeru said mental health should form part of how the State Department supports the people responsible for delivering its mandate.

“In HR, we handle recruitment, postings, promotions, and discipline. But over the years, I have learned that the most important HR function is not in the file. It is in the person behind the file,” Dr. Njeru said.

She said changes such as withdrawal, isolation, anxiety and difficulty coping should not automatically be treated as disciplinary concerns, as some employees may require support rather than corrective action.

“These are not disciplinary cases. These are human cases. And they require a human response,” she said.

Dr. Njeru noted that workplace pressure can affect employees across the organisation, regardless of rank or responsibility.

From drivers handling sensitive assignments and officers managing demanding workloads to diplomats engaged in complex bilateral negotiations, she said the pressures faced by staff can take different forms.

“Stress does not know rank,” she said.

The champions are being trained around three practical responsibilities: SEE, LISTEN and LINK.

They are expected to recognise signs of distress, listen with empathy and without judgement, and connect colleagues with appropriate professional support.

Dr. Njeru emphasised that the champions are not being trained as counsellors. Their role is to provide an initial point of support and help colleagues access professional assistance when necessary.

Director of Counselling and Wellness Services at the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development, Esther Kinyanjui, underscored the importance of mental well-being in enabling employees to function effectively at work, in their families and in society.

“Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness; it is a positive state of wellbeing that enables individuals to function effectively at work, in their families and in society. Strengthening awareness, encouraging early support and addressing stigma are therefore critical to building a healthy and resilient workforce,” Kinyanjui said.

Deputy Head of Department, Staff Wellness and Welfare, Caroline Imbayi, called for an approach to mental health grounded in staff experiences and responsive to the psychological and emotional challenges employees face.

She emphasised the importance of listening to staff and creating an environment where employees can discuss mental-health concerns without stigma or judgement.

“Listening to staff experiences is critical to understanding the mental-health challenges they face and ensuring that the support provided is practical, responsive and sustainable,” Imbayi said.

Assistant Director, Wellness and Counselling Services, and psychological counsellor Osman Mohamed Khalif, emphasised the importance of collective efforts to strengthen mental-health awareness and support in the workplace.

He said an environment that encourages employees to recognise when they are experiencing difficulties and seek appropriate assistance is important in promoting workplace well-being.

Dr. Njeru assured staff that seeking mental-health support should not become a barrier to their careers within the State Department.

“Seeking mental health support will never, and must never, be used against any officer in this State Department in terms of promotion, posting, or appraisal,” she said.

The initiative is particularly relevant to the Foreign Service, where personnel may undertake demanding assignments, serve away from home and adjust to different environments.

The champions are expected to provide accessible points of contact for colleagues at headquarters and in missions.

Dr. Njeru urged participants to take their role beyond the training room by encouraging open conversations about mental health within their respective departments.

“When you go back to your departments after this training, I don’t want you to be the same. I want you to start a conversation,” she said.

The champions were selected for qualities including empathy, trustworthiness and peer influence, with the expectation that they will provide safe and supportive points of contact for colleagues experiencing difficulties.

The initiative is anchored on the theme, “Every Cadre, Every Department, Every Mission A Champion,” reflecting the training’s emphasis on accessible mental-health support across the Foreign Service.

“If we get this right, we will not just have a more productive ministry. We will have a happier, healthier family that can better represent Kenya to the world,” Dr. Njeru said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Kenya.

Source: APO

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (https://AWIEForum.org) has announced the keynote speakers for its prestigious annual conference taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), 10 – 11 November 2026 for the advancement of women in Africa as innovators and entrepreneurs.

AWIEF, which this year hosts the 12^th edition of its benchmarking Conference, Expo and Awards event, has more than 60 African and global thought leaders across business and politics to share insight and thought leadership on the conference agenda.

The conference theme this year is, Beyond Access: Owning Capital, Markets and Power. The two-day event will have global thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, development organisations, investors, women entrepreneurs. and ecosystem stakeholders gather to dialogue, connect, network, share, collaborate, and transact in a collective effort to accelerate the growth of women-owned and women-led businesses in Africa.

AWIEF2026 will explore what it takes to move beyond access and create greater ownership and influence for women across Africa’s economies, with a focus on capital, markets, leadership, and innovation.

Headline Speakers Taking the Stage

Taking the stage at the AWIEF conference, to deliver trailblazing keynotes and fireside chats are three exceptional global female leaders and influential voices.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Dr. Al-Mashat is an Egyptian economist who served eight consecutive years as Egyptian Cabinet Minister (2018-2026) across three portfolios: Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation; Minister of International Cooperation; and Minister of Tourism.

Magda Wierzycka is founder and CEO of Sygnia Limited, a JSE-listed South African financial services group and leading provider of passive investment solutions, savings products, stockbroking and administration services. She is also a partner at Braavos Investment Advisers LLP in the UK. Recognised by Forbes as one of Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women in 2020, she is widely respected for her leadership and outspoken stance against corruption.

Dr. Judy Dlamini is Chancellor, University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). She is a medical doctor by training, a leading businesswoman, author, and philanthropist. Dr. Dlamini is the Executive Chairperson of Mbekani Group. She is Founder, Female Academic Leaders Fellowship Fund (FALF).

The conference will have other powerful and high-level speakers and leaders from international institutions, government, diplomacy, finance, academia, technology, and business sharing insights and knowledge in panel discussions and entrepreneur-focused masterclasses and workshops aimed at strengthening enterprises, scaling businesses and navigating African and global supply chains.

AWIEF 2026 Conference Features

An exhibition will take place alongside the conference showcasing businesses and organisations; Pitch n Grow competition presenting twelve outstanding women founders selected from across African countries, building and scaling African deep-rooted tech solutions and looking for capital; and the AWIEF Awards celebrating excellence in African women entrepreneurship will be presented on Day 2 of the event, 11 November.

Tickets for the AWIEF 2026 Conference, Expo and Awards are available online at: https://apo-opa.co/3T6yipO

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).

For more information and media enquiries, contact:
Yolanda Mtshawu 
info@awieforum.org