Category: English

Posted on

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Brings Mining Finance and Beneficiation Push to African Mining Week 2026

Source: APO – Report:

.

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) will bring a delegation of senior executives to African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 – scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town – reinforcing its commitment to mobilizing capital for Africa’s mining, mineral processing and infrastructure development.

Franklin Edochie, Deputy Director and Head of Metals & Mining, will deliver a keynote address highlighting the institution’s investment strategy, its impact across Africa’s mining sector and the financing approaches being used to expand mineral production and support local beneficiation.

Investment Associate Ahmed Bello-Maccido will participate in the “Regional Connectivity: Financing Africa’s Mineral Infrastructure” panel, examining how investment in rail, ports, roads and other strategic infrastructure can connect mineral-producing regions with domestic and international markets while supporting regional trade and value addition.

Molebogeng Mazibuko, Associate Vice President and Mining Lead, will feature in “Enabling Africa’s Value Addition Corridors,” exploring how reliable energy and logistics infrastructure can support mineral processing hubs and industrial corridors across the continent.

She will also deliver the presentation, “Partnering with AFC to Unlock Africa’s Mining Potential,” highlighting partnership and financing structures that can help mining stakeholders mobilize capital for the development and processing of Africa’s mineral resources.

AFC’s participation comes as the institution expands its financing of projects designed to move African economies beyond the export of raw minerals toward greater processing, manufacturing and industrial development.

In Nigeria, AFC has partnered with the Solid Minerals Development Fund on the development of a $1.3 billion alumina refinery, a nationwide geoscience mapping program and a strategic investment vehicle to accelerate mineral exploration and development. The planned refinery is expected to produce up to one million tonnes of alumina annually, while the geoscience program is intended to improve understanding and commercialization of Nigeria’s mineral resources.

Infrastructure is another key part of AFC’s approach to unlocking mineral development. The institution has reached financial close on the $753 million Lobito Corridor Railway Project, mobilizing financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. The project will support the rehabilitation, upgrade, and long-term operation of the 1,300-kilometre brownfield rail corridor linking the Port of Lobito in Angola to the DRC border, strengthening regional connectivity and linking mineral-producing regions in the DRC and Zambia with Angola’s Atlantic coast and international markets.

AFC’s mining portfolio spans commodities and markets across the continent. Recent transactions include a $330 million senior debt financing package for the Baomahun Gold Project in Sierra Leone, a $240 million loan for KEFI’s Tulu Kapi Gold Project in Ethiopia, and a $220 million senior debt, mezzanine debt and working-capital investment in Lucara’s Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana.

The institution’s $244 million investment in Nouvelle Gabon Mining is supporting the development of manganese deposits in Franceville and Okondja.

Together, these investments illustrate AFC’s approach to combining project finance, structured capital, infrastructure investment and strategic partnerships to address the financing and infrastructure constraints facing Africa’s mining industry.

At AMW 2026, AFC executives will bring these experiences to discussions with governments, mining companies, investors and infrastructure developers looking to translate Africa’s mineral wealth into productive investment, local value addition and broader economic growth.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Posted on

Pair to appear in court over illicit drug manufacturing

Source: Government of South Africa

Pair to appear in court over illicit drug manufacturing

Two suspects are expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Friday for allegedly manufacturing illicit drugs, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS) said.

The suspects, who are foreign nationals, were nabbed in Erasmia, following a joint operation conducted by members of the Hawks South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) based at Headquarters, Crime Intelligence, K9 West Rand and Special Task Force Pretoria.

The operation is part of a much broader national effort by the South African Police Service (SAPS), together with the Hawks, Customs and other law enforcement agencies, to intensify the fight against illicit drugs.

“The multidisciplinary team received information about a drug manufacturing laboratory operating in Erasmia on a small holding. The team followed up on the information and visited the premises. During the visit, the team discovered a drug laboratory, where the suspects were allegedly manufacturing mandrax tablets to an estimated value of R100 million,” said the Hawks in a statement on Thursday.

The police also discovered an alleged new drug laboratory inside the premises where the suspects were about to manufacture crystal meth. –SAnews.gov.za 

 

Edwin

0

Posted on

India identifies infrastructure, critical minerals and skills development as areas for cooperation with SA

Source: Government of South Africa

India identifies infrastructure, critical minerals and skills development as areas for cooperation with SA

India has identified infrastructure, critical minerals, and skills development as three key areas where South Africa can expect deeper cooperation over the next five years.

Speaking ahead of the BRICS Summit, India’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Shri Prabhat Kumar, told SAnews.gov.za the two countries have strong prospects for expanding economic cooperation, investment and technical exchange.

Kumar said India had made significant progress in digital public infrastructure, logistics, science and technology.

“Our railways cover the whole country, and we are able to transport people and freight at a very reasonable cost across India. That can be a good area of cooperation with South Africa.

“We have developed our ports very well. Logistics is one area where there can be good cooperation between India and South Africa. The other area, as I mentioned, is critical minerals,” he said.

He added that India is seeking to develop all areas related to critical minerals, particularly those linked to renewable energy and semiconductors.

“In this area, we can help South Africa not only by sourcing the minerals directly, but also through beneficiation. South Africa has a good quantity of critical minerals, and India, as a developing country, will always require these minerals.

“That is another area. The third area that I think offers strong potential for cooperation is skills development, because we have done well in some fields,” Kumar said.

India already supports skills development initiatives in South Africa, including the Gandhi-Mandela Centre of Specialisation for Artisan Skills at Tshwane South Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College’s Pretoria West Campus. It is also establishing another skills development centre in Majuba.

“We can cooperate in skills development in other areas as well. We have already established cooperation with some universities so they can exchange curricula and other resources, ensuring that students who graduate are well equipped for the job market,” Kumar said.

He said India’s goal is to become a developed country by 2047 – the year the country will mark 100 years of independence.

“We expect and believe that South Africa can be an important partner in India’s journey to becoming a developed country. Both countries can contribute to each other’s economies and progress,” he said.

Kumar said this cooperation is already evident in trade and investment, with Indian companies investing in South Africa and South African companies investing in India.

Last month, South African citrus exporters gained improved market access to India after the approval of additional cold-treatment options for fresh citrus fruit, following nearly a decade of negotiations.

“Around six months ago, we approved avocado exports to India. These exports will now take place. I think avocados may already be reaching India, and citrus will start reaching India soon.

“Apples and pears are also important. I think India is one of the biggest markets for South African apples and pears. We are also importing gold and diamonds from South Africa.

“India is also trying to export some of its products, including plant products. I think we can work together to make this easier. We see South Africa as an entry point to the larger African market,” Kumar said.

Digital public infrastructure improves service delivery

The High Commissioner said India has made significant progress in building digital systems that allow citizens to access services more easily.

He said India’s experience in digital public infrastructure could offer lessons for South Africa as both countries look for ways to improve access to government services and strengthen people-centred cooperation.

“We started developing this around a decade back. And now you can see that we are able to do business with everyone. Everyone has a bank account, everyone has a digital ID, and everyone has a mobile phone,” Kumar said.

He said the combination of these three elements has made digital public infrastructure and digital money transfers easier.

“We have a cash benefit transfer system, through which benefits such as scholarships or support for farmers are transferred instantaneously.

“And if you go to India, you will see that through this, what we call digital payments, all payments can be made digitally. Even a street hawker is taking digital payments, so everyone is linked. And that is public infrastructure,” Kumar said.

India also has a digital repository for college degrees and school certificates that can be accessed by anyone.

“We store them in a wallet on our phones, and they can be shown to anyone. It can be verified. Our passport services have also become digital. So for public services, there are more than 100 services which can be obtained digitally.

“We also have kiosks in villages that help people access services. In this area, we can cooperate with South Africa. We are already working with some parts of government on cooperation, but this can obviously make services easier and more business-like,” the High Commissioner said.

South Africa and India have a longstanding relationship grounded in shared history, cultural ties and a mutual vision of non-alignment, aimed at advancing the Global South through South-South partnerships.

Kumar said India and South Africa share a long historical relationship, including India’s support for the anti-apartheid movement and Mahatma Gandhi’s time in South Africa.

“We have been strategic partners since 1997. And since then, of course, we have cooperated on many issues. We have an excellent political relationship. We want to utilize this relationship to further advance our goals,” he said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

nosihle

5

Posted on

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Receives Copy of Credentials of Indian Ambassador

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | September 10, 2026

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received on Thursday a copy of the credentials of HE Ambassador of the Republic of India to the State of Qatar Dr. K Srikar Reddy.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs wished HE the Ambassador success in his duties, emphasizing utmost support to enhance bilateral relations and foster closer cooperation in various fields. 

Posted on

India prepares to host BRICS Summit

Source: Government of South Africa

India prepares to host BRICS Summit

NEW DELHI – New Delhi is preparing to take centre stage as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts world leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, this weekend.

Driving through the leafy green city of New Delhi, the upcoming summit is impossible to miss, with promotional billboards lining the streets and the capital operating under a strict, heightened security protocol.

For the expanded BRICS family, the two-day gathering (12 to 13 September 2026) is one of the most closely watched events on the diplomatic calendar.

The summit is taking place under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflecting a people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of “Humanity First”. 

On the eve of the leaders’ summit, the BRICS Business Forum will take place on Friday, with business leaders, Ministers and Heads of state under one roof to discuss trade, investment, finance, technology and development challenges that shape the BRICS economic agenda.

The Forum serves as a platform where key ideas and suggestions from the Council are presented and discussed, and plays a strong agenda-setting role. 

Its conclusions and the Business Council’s recommendations are regularly reflected in BRICS Summit declarations and in follow-up work plans, particularly on intra-BRICS trade, investment, digital economy, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), standards cooperation and value chain integration.

BRICS now brings together 11 major emerging markets and developing countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition, BRICS has ten Partner Countries, further expanding the platform’s reach across economies and regions

The grouping provides a platform for consultation and cooperation on contemporary issues of global and regional significance, including questions of political and economic governance.

The Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India said leaders will exchange views on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities, while also sharing perspectives on global and regional matters of mutual importance.

India assumed its fourth BRICS chairship on 1 January 2026, having previously chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

“Under India’s chairship this year, more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held in over 25 cities across India to further strengthen the BRICS strategic partnership across three fundamental pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

“Through these engagements, as well as business-to-business and people-to-people initiatives, India’s BRICS chairship has contributed to advancing cooperation through practical and development-oriented outcomes,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The year 2026 also marks a significant milestone for BRICS, which completes 20 years since its establishment.

Over the past two decades, the BRICS agenda has expanded considerably from its initial focus on economic issues of mutual concern and is now structured around three core pillars.

Cooperation now spans a wide range of global priorities, including the fight against terrorism, climate change, food and energy security, the international economic and financial situation, telecommunications, agriculture, labour and employment, reform of the international financial architecture, trade and the World Trade Organisation.  –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

0

Posted on

India to use BRICS Summit to advance Global South priorities

Source: Government of South Africa

India to use BRICS Summit to advance Global South priorities

India is expected to use this year’s BRICS Summit to push for stronger cooperation among developing nations, with a focus on resilience, innovation, sustainability and practical outcomes for the Global South.

Speaking ahead of the summit, High Commissioner of India to South Africa, Shri Prabhat Kumar, said the gathering will prioritise the concerns of the developing world.

“This year’s theme of the summit is resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. This theme reflects the priorities of the Global South and the developing world,” he said. 

India’s theme emphasises economic resilience, innovation and digital cooperation, multilateral coordination, sustainable development, climate action and people-centred partnerships.

“Therefore, we will be prioritising all these issues, especially the concerns of the developing world, at this summit. We will ensure that the outcome document covers most of the issues affecting the developing world,” Kumar said on Wednesday during an interview with SAnews.gov.za.

As BRICS Chair in 2026, India will host the 18th BRICS Summit from 12 to 13 September 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The summit will provide a platform for dialogue, exchange of views and discussion on issues of mutual interest, further strengthening cooperation within BRICS.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will represent South Africa at the summit at the invitation of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under India’s Chairship this year, more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held in over 25 cities across India to strengthen the BRICS strategic partnership across three fundamental pillars: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

“We had around 35 verticals, covering ministerial and other areas of cooperation. It is a whole gamut of issues being covered. Economic issues and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will also be discussed. These are the issues that will be highlighted at the summit.

“Other areas will also be covered, such as political cooperation, how we want our institutions of global governance to function, reforms, and the strengthening of multilateral cooperation. All of these issues also fall under resilience, innovation, and cooperation,” he said.

Kumar emphasised the importance of cooperation in international institutions, while noting that South Africa and India have collaborated significantly in multilateral forums.

“We also see good cooperation with South Africa on economic issues. So, these are the issues which I think will be important during the summit,” the High Commissioner said.

Over the past two years, BRICS has expanded, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates becoming full members in January 2024, followed by Indonesia in January 2025.

Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam joined BRICS as partner countries in 2025.

“If you look at BRICS now, it has 11 members and 10 partner countries. We have invited outreach countries as well as heads of international institutions. It is a big summit. Its membership now comprises around 49% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP, and around 24% of world trade and commerce. It has acquired weight and heft. We are looking for practical results

“As developing countries and emerging markets, we will focus on how we can cooperate for the future. That is what we will stress during our presidency of the grouping,” Kumar said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle

0

Posted on

Every Week of the National Football League (NFL) Season to Air Across Africa on ESPN

Source: APO

The National Football League (www.NFL.com) today confirmed how fans across Sub-Saharan Africa can follow the 2026 NFL season, with live coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 in more than 50 countries across the continent, as well as on the simulcast of both channels on Disney+ in South Africa. 

Coverage begins with the NFL Kickoff Game, live in the early hours of Thursday, Sept. 10 — (1:20 a.m. WAT, 2:20 a.m. CAT and SAST, and 3:20 a.m. EAT) — as the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX. Coverage then continues every week of the regular season. Fans will be able to watch live games in both Sunday afternoon windows, followed by Sunday Night Football. Primetime coverage runs through the week with Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football. 

ESPN will carry the postseason in full, concluding with Super Bowl LXI from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, live in the early hours of Monday, Feb. 15 — (2:30 a.m. WAT, 1:30 a.m. CAT and SAST, and 2:30 a.m. EAT.) 

“The NFL is growing fast across Africa — not only in the size of the fanbase, but in the number of players from the continent that fans can now watch and call their own,” said Laura Louisy, NFL senior director of international business development and media, “and ESPN gives those fans a consistent home for the game every week, from the Kickoff Game through to the Super Bowl.” 

“The NFL is a major global sports brand with an incredibly strong heritage and growing connections to the continent,” commented Kyle De Klerk, Director: Sports for The Walt Disney Company Africa. “ESPN has a storied, decades-long history with the NFL, and we are proud to build on that legacy by bringing this year’s season to sports fans, building on our quality global programming featuring the best of American and international sports to audiences across Africa.”  

ESPN’s coverage sits alongside the NFL’s wider work across the continent, including the NFL Academy, the growth of flag football and the rising number of players of African heritage on NFL rosters. 

Join the NFL Africa community on Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3TmllZa) and X (https://apo-opa.co/4d73Brm) for exclusive content, highlights and breaking news.  ​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Football League (NFL).

Notes to Editors: 
In GMT markets, including Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, the NFL Kickoff Game begins at 12:20 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10 and Super Bowl LXI at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14. 

Coverage is available in the following markets: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, St Helena, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

Media files

.

Posted on

Nigeria achieves historic milestone as Health Textiles Nigeria begins manufacture of Vestergaard’s PermaNet® Dual mosquito nets

Source: APO

Vestergaard Sàrl (www.Vestergaard.com) announced today that Health Textiles Nigeria FZE is now operational, marking a major milestone in the fight against malaria and establishing Nigeria as a leading hub for the production of next-generation mosquito nets in Africa. At scale, Health Textiles Nigeria will produce 10 million nets per year, employing more than 600 people in Nigeria.

The facility is the first in Nigeria to manufacture dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs). It will produce PermaNet® Dual – Vestergaard’s most advanced net designed to combat insecticide resistance, which was prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023. Health Textiles Nigeria has been acknowledged by WHO as a Vestergaard production site.

As operations scale up, Health Textiles Nigeria represents a significant step forward in expanding access to one of the most effective tools available for malaria prevention. Support from the Government of Nigeria has been instrumental, symbolizing a shared commitment to strengthening malaria prevention through local initiatives.

Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria, said: “The commencement of local production of next-generation insecticide-treated nets is an important milestone for Nigeria’s health system and our fight against malaria. It also reflects our broader commitment to strengthening health security by building domestic capacity to manufacture the essential health products Nigerians need. Through partnerships that bring together global expertise, Nigerian talent and local production, we are building a more resilient healthcare value chain while creating skilled jobs and positioning Nigeria as a competitive manufacturing hub for Africa.”

This progress comes at a pivotal time in the global fight against malaria. Since 2000, ITNs including PermaNet Dual have been responsible for averting 1.13 billion cases (https://apo-opa.co/4ir1imJ). Yet malaria remains a significant  global health threat, particularly for women and young children, with an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths (https://apo-opa.co/4cAniHX) recorded by WHO globally in 2024. Africa remains hardest hit by malaria, and Nigeria accounts for a quarter of the world’s cases.

Health Textiles Nigeria (https://apo-opa.co/4xXcrjV) responds to this urgent need by expanding local capacity and expertise to produce life-saving malaria prevention tools, fulfilling the vision set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2024 between Vestergaard and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC). The agreement, which focuses on strengthening local production capacity, establishes Nigeria as West Africa’s first manufacturing hub for dual active-ingredient mosquito nets.

Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of PVAC, said: “This milestone demonstrates what is possible when investment, technology transfer and government policy are deliberately aligned to build local manufacturing capability. When PVAC and Vestergaard signed the MOU in 2024, the objective was not simply to attract investment, but to translate partnership into productive capacity in Nigeria. Seeing Nigerian professionals trained, production underway and a pathway established to manufacture at scale is exactly the kind of outcome we want to replicate across the healthcare value chain.”

Health Textiles Nigeria is wholly owned by Vestergaard, a global leader in malaria prevention that has supplied approximately one-third of all insecticide-treated nets publicly procured worldwide since 2000. The company brings decades of manufacturing expertise, rigorous quality assurance systems and a proven track record in developing and scaling innovative vector-control technologies that have helped protect millions of people from malaria.

Amar Ali, CEO of Vestergaard, said: “Today we welcome the start of a new chapter in Africa’s fight against malaria, and we thank Minister Pate for his leadership and the unwavering support of the Nigerian government. By combining Nigerian talent with world-class manufacturing and Vestergaard’s deep expertise in innovative malaria prevention tools, Health Textiles Nigeria will deliver the highest standards of quality, compliance and performance. We believe this facility can become a benchmark for malaria prevention manufacturing in Africa and help ensure that life-saving mosquito nets are produced closer to the communities that need them most.”

Health Textiles Nigeria is placing quality, training and compliance at the heart of its operations. The company has already recruited around 80 employees, with rigorous training covering manufacturing excellence, product quality, health and safety, and regulatory compliance ongoing. As production expands, the facility is expected to create additional employment opportunities while developing a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting world-class health-product manufacturing.

The facility builds on Vestergaard’s decades of commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering practical solutions for malaria prevention. Every aspect of production is designed to meet the company’s stringent global standards, ensuring that PermaNet Dual manufactured in Nigeria delivers the performance, reliability and quality that health programmes around the world depend on.

As countries across Africa increasingly prioritize local manufacturing of essential health products, Health Textiles Nigeria demonstrates how international expertise and local capability can combine to strengthen supply chains, create skilled jobs and improve access to critical health interventions.

With production now underway, the first commercial orders are expected to be fulfilled in the coming months.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vestergaard Sàrl.

Media contact:
Sarah-Jane Loveday
Director of Communication & Marketing
media@vestergaard.com

About Vestergaard:
Vestergaard is a social enterprise making innovative fabrics that have life-changing impact. Our PermaNet® insecticide-treated mosquito nets are a mainstay of global malaria elimination programmes, and our agricultural products safeguard harvests and protect high-value crops. Founded in Denmark in 1957, today the company is headquartered in Switzerland, with research and innovation led from the USA. Commercial and science teams are located across Africa and include a vector control research laboratory in Ghana (Vestergaard–Noguchi Vector Labs). Our manufacturing and quality testing operations are situated in Vietnam, with additional production facilities in Nigeria (Health Textiles Nigeria FZE). We have been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2006 and a certified B Corporation since 2021. More information: www.Vestergaard.com

  

Media files

.

Posted on

Qatar Affirms Dignity and Rights of Older Persons Remain an Enduring Priority

Source: Government of Qatar

Geneva | September 9, 2026

The State of Qatar affirmed that protecting the dignity, humanity and rights of older persons remains a longstanding priority, regardless of age or changes in their health and cognitive abilities.

Delivering Qatar’s statement during the interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, under Item 3 of the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva Abdulrahman Sultan Al Marzouqi underscored Qatar’s strong commitment to supporting older persons.

He said Qatar has adopted the term “Kibar Al Qadr” as a respectful designation for older persons, reflecting the high regard accorded to them and recognizing their contributions to society and the State.

Al Marzouqi noted that Qatar has established an integrated legislative and healthcare framework to protect older persons and provide support that enables them to manage their affairs without compromising their dignity or humanity.

He added that Qatar had formally reinforced this approach by directing all institutions to use the term “Kibar Al Qadr” rather than “older persons,” reflecting the respect and high standing accorded to them in Qatari society. He said the protection and promotion of their rights are grounded in the Permanent Constitution, Qatar National Vision 2030, national development strategies and plans, as well as religious, cultural and social values that promote respect, dignity and care for older persons.

Al Marzouqi noted that Qatar has adopted legislation to protect the rights of older persons, including Law No. 9 of 2022, which sets out their rights and affirms the responsibilities of the State, family and society in safeguarding them. The law also guarantees their access to health and social services and supports their effective participation in family and community life.

Posted on

Eritrea: Nationals in Diaspora Commemorate Bahti Meskerem

Source: APO

Nationals in the UK, Sweden, France and Austria have commemorated the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle for independence with patriotic zeal.

At the commemorative events in London and Manchester on 6 September, Mr. Hadgu Okbalidet, chairman of the PFDJ, provided a briefing on the historical background of Bahti Meskerem and called on nationals to safeguard the independence achieved through arduous struggle and immense sacrifice and pass it on to future generations.

Mr. Saleh Abdella, Charge d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in the UK and Ireland, noted that the Eritrean people launched the armed struggle for independence after being denied their rights despite their peaceful political struggle. He said that the day holds a distinguished place in the country’s history.

Stating, “Our Unity is the Secret of Our Struggle,” Mr. Suleiman Hassan, head of Consular Affairs, said that standing united under one flag to confront all hostilities is the timely responsibility of every citizen.

At the commemorative event in Stockholm, Sweden, on 5 September, Mr. Zer’om Kidane, chairman of the PFDJ in the city, gave an extensive briefing on the profound meaning of the day to the Eritrean people.

Mr. Yemane Gebrekidan, head of Consular Affairs, said that the day reminds every citizen to strengthen participation in efforts to nurture a committed and responsible generation capable of preserving the nation’s history and noble societal values. The day was also commemorated in various Swedish cities.

Nationals in Paris and its environs, France, also commemorated the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle for independence and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Revolution School.

At the event, Mr. Bereket Paulos, Charge d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy, gave a briefing on the historical background of the day. The event featured cultural and artistic programs and a photo exhibition staged by members of the Revolution School.

Similarly, nationals in Austria enthusiastically commemorated Bahti Meskerem. Speaking at the event, Mr. Okbai Abadi, chairman of the Eritrean community, called on nationals to strengthen their organization and participation in national affairs.

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

Media files

.