Category: English

Source: APO

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the United Nations, headed by Ambassador and Permanent Representative Anatolio Ndong Mba, actively participated in the official closing ceremonies of the 80th session and the opening of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The Equatorial Guinean delegation also included Deputy Permanent Representative Juan Mbomio Ndong Mangue, along with a large contingent of diplomatic staff in New York.

The day began at 11:00 am with the closing session of the eightieth session. During the ceremony, outgoing President Annalena Baerbock of Germany reviewed her term, which was marked by deep geopolitical divisions, the need for institutional reforms, and a renewed commitment to international cooperation.

He acknowledged that although few processes were concluded unanimously, the resolutions approved by an overwhelming majority demonstrated that geopolitical tensions, far from fragmenting the organization, ended up unifying the vast majority of member states.

During its 80th session, the General Assembly carried out:

• 18 high-level meetings.

• 116 formal plenary sessions.

• 317 resolutions approved.

Key themes included global governance of artificial intelligence (AI), accelerated action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) four years from the 2030 target, and institutional reform driven by the UN80 Initiative.

Regarding the development agenda, Baerbock used a sports metaphor: “The World Cup reminds us that we should never give up before the game is over. Seventeen goals, pursued with unity and determination, can change the world.”

Opening of the 81st session: A new leadership to restore trust

At 3:00 pm, after taking his oath of office, Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh formally assumed the presidency of the 81st session.

Under the motto “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all,” Rahman made it clear that he will drive the organization’s adaptation to the new times: “We have a situation where trust is in deficit. This is not 1945. This is the 81st session. The world has moved on, the organization must move on, and I will help in that process.”

Key priorities of Khalilur Rahman’s presidency

• Peace, security and justice for all: Silence the guns and amplify the voices of the vulnerable.

• Accelerating the SDGs 2030: Sustainable development where no one and no country is left behind.

• Climate resilience: Protecting the planet through effective environmental agreements.

• Human rights and protection: Priority focus on humanitarian action and the protection of refugees and migrants.

• Innovation and inclusion: Governance of artificial intelligence, digital transformation and protection of future generations.

• Renewed multilateralism: Deep reform of the UN and inclusive global governance.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the achievements of the outgoing president and welcomed Mr. Rahman in a context he described as “tumultuous,” marked by the risk of nuclear escalation, persistent poverty, and climate chaos.

Guterres noted that among the immediate tasks of this period is the selection process for the next Secretary-General, whose term will begin in January 2027.

Addressing the Assembly for the last time at the opening of a session as Secretary-General, Guterres emphasized: “Rebuilding trust in the multilateral system is the defining challenge of our time. Through diplomacy, dialogue, and collaboration, this Assembly can rebuild the trust that is missing from our geopolitics today and ensure that the people of the world inherit a healthier and more peaceful future.”

With the adoption of the work agenda and the formation of the Credentials Committee, the General Assembly formally began the deliberations that will shape the international diplomatic agenda for the coming year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equatorial Guinea: Official Web Page of the Government.

Source: APO

The government on Tuesday demanded that large digital platforms, such as Meta, pay taxes in Equatorial Guinea on the profits they obtain from their activity in the country, following the model already applied in other countries around the world.

The Vice President of the Republic, SE Nguema Obiang Mangue, led this working session at the People’s Palace in Malabo, the objective of which was to define the Executive’s position on similar situations and to open negotiations with digital service distributors so that they contribute to the coffers of the Equatorial Guinean State.

This occurred during a meeting to congratulate the Ministry of Transport on the agreement reached with Starlink to market satellite internet in the country. In this regard, it was noted that the legal authority for selling the service should rest with ORTEL, under the supervision of the State Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence, and a call was made to train Equatorial Guinean technicians for the installation and maintenance of the equipment.

He has also ordered the opening of a specific bank account to control Starlink’s income and service payments, indicating that oil companies have already been authorized to use the offshore network where they provide their services, and has asked for the cancellation of contracts for individuals acquired outside of official channels in order to centralize management.

Regarding Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the commission has stated that the company has developed a business without contributing to the state. Therefore, it has instructed the commission to discuss alternative forms of compensation with the company.

Apart from Meta, it has authorized the commission to talk with other similar applications, in order to have different options and choose the best one; both in use and in the cost to the State coffers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equatorial Guinea: Official Web Page of the Government.

Source: APO

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are meeting in Harare this week to strengthen regional cooperation and translate shared strategic priorities into practical action for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.

The SADC-FAO annual review, planning and technical cooperation programme inception meeting, taking place from 8 to11 September, brings together technical teams from the two institutions to review progress under their joint work programme, assess emerging regional challenges and agree priorities and work plans for 2027–2028.

The meeting comes as Southern Africa confronts a convergence of pressures affecting agricultural production, food security and nutrition, rural livelihoods and regional trade, including climate shocks, droughts and floods, transboundary pests and diseases, land and water degradation, limited mechanisation, weak value-chain integration and constraints to investment and market access.  

Opening the meeting, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, Patrice Talla stressed that the partnership must increasingly focus not only on technical cooperation, but also on mobilising the resources required to take regional solutions to scale.

“We really have to be creative and innovative, in the way we mobilize resources, and propose investments opportunities to partners.”

Talla noted that FAO-supported Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) projects provide an important starting point, but cannot address the full scale of the challenges facing the region on their own. He called for stronger engagement with development partners, financial institutions and investors, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches that can make more impacts.

For SADC, the meeting provides an opportunity to ensure that regional priorities translate into interventions that respond directly to the needs of Member States.

SADC Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) Director, Fahari Marwa highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation around climate resilience, mechanisation, seeds and fertilizer access, biofortification programmes, market development, land and water management, pests and diseases control, and animal health.

“Addressing these challenges requires connected regional actions, stronger partnership, and increased investment. We should therefore focus on practical and achievable priorities.”

Particular attention is being given to the regional fertilizer value chain, including coordinated procurement and opportunities for regional production to improve availability, affordability and timely access for farmers. The meeting is also considering stronger regional action on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), including support towards a SADC regional gene bank and mechanisms for more timely deployment of vaccines during outbreaks.

Preparedness for the anticipated 2026/27 El Niño season is another priority, with the partnership seeking to strengthen anticipatory action so that countries can better prepare for and respond to climate-related impacts before they escalate. The technical programme also includes integrated sustainable mechanisation, One Health, land and water management and investment readiness for the Great Green Wall Initiative.

FAO Subregional Resilience Officer for Southern Africa, Lewis Hove, who outlined the programme of discussions, said the meeting is deliberately structured to move from reviewing past performance to identifying a focused set of priorities that can be implemented and financed.

“We want something that is practical that we can follow as a collaboration and push so that we can achieve our goals.”

The first two days focus on reviewing implementation across agribusiness and value chains, crops, livestock, land and water management, fisheries, forestry, nutrition, resilience and disaster risk reduction. Participants are also reviewing progress under regional initiatives including the Regional Agricultural Investment Plan, Hand-in-Hand (HiH) initiative, One Country One Priority Product (OCOP), 1000 Digital Villages initiative (DVi), Green Cities Initiative and the Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme.

The last day will see the official signing of new FAO–SADC projects focusing on agrifood systems investment facilitation, strengthening extension service delivery for resilient agrifood systems, enhancing coordination and investment readiness for the Great Green Wall Initiative, and supporting regional efforts to control Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, will open a case about serious injuries sustained by South African Police Service (SAPS) dog Sky and he has referred the circumstances surrounding the injuries to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) and the South African Veterinary Council.  

Sky is a Belgian Shepherd previously used by SAPS as an arson-detection dog. According to information provided to Mr Cameron, the dog suffered from severe anxiety and had previously injured herself after escaping from a kennel.

Relevant SAPS management officials were allegedly warned repeatedly that continued confinement placed Sky at risk. Requests were reportedly made for the dog to be removed temporarily from the kennel environment while arrangements concerning its future care were finalised. Those warnings and requests were allegedly not acted upon.

On Monday morning, the dog was found seriously injured in its kennel at the SAPS veterinary facility at Roodeplaat. The information presently available indicates that the dog’s left front leg became caught in or against the kennel gate. It reportedly sustained multiple fractures of the left carpus, including an open fracture through the skin, as well as cuts to her face and leg and extensive bleeding.

The dog was transported to Onderstepoort for emergency treatment. Its injuries were reportedly so serious that veterinarians were concerned about placing it under anaesthesia for surgery. These allegations must now be tested against the veterinary evidence, CCTV footage, duty rosters, kennel-inspection records and the testimony of those responsible for the facility.

The critical question is whether SAPS can be trusted to operate an animal hospital if animals with known medical and behavioural risks are allegedly left without adequate supervision.

“If Roodeplaat is registered and presented as an animal hospital, what after-hours service and in-patient monitoring does it provide?”, asked Mr Cameron. “If personnel were present, why was Sky’s distress apparently not detected and stopped?”

If nobody was present, does the facility comply with the requirements applicable to an animal hospital, the Chairperson queried further. “I have asked the NSPCA to conduct an urgent and independent inspection. I have also asked the South African Veterinary Council to investigate the facility’s registration, professional conduct, staffing, supervision and compliance with applicable veterinary standards.”

The investigation must establish who had custody and control of the dog, who received the warnings, who was responsible for checking the kennels and why no effective preventative action was taken. The officials in command must be criminally investigated where the evidence establishes that they knew of the risk, had a duty and ability to act, and failed to do so. Where sufficient evidence exists, those responsible must be prosecuted.

Mr Cameron said this is not an attack on the many dedicated SAPS dog handlers who care deeply for their animals. “It is an accountability issue concerning the systems and senior management responsible for protecting animals placed in the care of the state.”

Mr Cameron said the identities of persons who provided information concerning this matter will not be disclosed publicly. In addition, SAPS must ensure that no employee or witness suffers intimidation, retaliation or occupational detriment for assisting a lawful investigation.

SAPS relies on service dogs to detect explosives, drugs, human remains and evidence at serious crime scenes. These animals cannot speak for themselves and cannot escape the systems that control every aspect of their lives.

The Roodeplaat facility should remain open only if it can meet the legal, professional and welfare standards required of an animal hospital. If it cannot, its present registration and continued operation must be reconsidered.

Mr Cameron emphasised that all relevant CCTV footage, registers, veterinary records and internal communications must now be preserved. He said this matter cannot be left solely to an internal SAPS process.

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

Source: APO

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On the margins of the 2026 KOAFEC Ministerial Conference, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Development Planning of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Honorable Dr. Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea, Dr. Jisung Moon.

The discussions focused on strengthening economic cooperation between Lesotho and the Republic of Korea, particularly in artificial intelligence, digitalization, healthcare, education, agriculture, climate change, critical minerals and infrastructure development.

The Republic of Korea encouraged Lesotho to utilize the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) to access Korean expertise, develop viable projects and lay the groundwork for possible financing through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).

The meeting reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to strengthen their bilateral ties and their longstanding relations as they commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.

Source: APO

The Western Cape Government is driving a pioneering model to protect vulnerable homeowners, expanding its strategic housing interventions through a new partnership with Nedbank.

The initiative has already identified 278 Nedbank households facing financial strain, with 48 applications approved to a total value of R6,459,895.64. Overall, the expanded programme is expected to affect 158 bonds and release original title deeds, valued at R17,322,189.71. This builds directly on the Department’s successful collaboration with First National Bank (FNB), which has already resulted in 212 bonds cancelled and original title deeds issued to clients.

Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers emphasised that government is taking the lead in creating practical, impact-driven solutions for residents.

“In my 2026/27 Budget Speech, I issued a clear call to financial institutions to work with us on practical solutions for homeowners experiencing financial distress. Nedbank answered that call,” said Minister Simmers. “This is government setting the agenda and bringing our available housing subsidy instruments to the table, while the private sector identifies qualifying customers. Together, we are creating a pathway towards unencumbered homeownership.”

The initiative utilises two existing provincial housing subsidy programmes: the Individual Housing Subsidy Programme and First Home Finance (formerly known as FLISP). Nedbank screens customers against prescribed subsidy criteria, and where requirements are met, approved subsidies are applied directly toward outstanding mortgage balances to help families secure unencumbered ownership.

Nozizwe Tshabuse, Managing Executive of Operations, Collections and Recoveries at Nedbank, emphasised, “For many families, owning a home is about far more than having a roof over their heads. It is about dignity, security and having something of their own to pass on to the next generation.” She added, “That is why putting our clients first means standing beside them when financial circumstances threaten something as fundamental as their home.”

She further noted, “Our purpose is to use our financial expertise to do good for individuals, families and society, and this partnership brings that purpose to life. By helping qualifying homeowners secure unencumbered ownership, we are not simply helping to resolve a financial challenge today; we are helping protect an asset that can become a foundation for generational wealth and a legacy for the future.”

Minister Simmers noted that the participation of a second major bank proves the model can be scaled across the province.

“A housing policy cannot simply end when someone receives the keys to a front door. We must use every lawful mechanism available to protect the dignity and security that comes with homeownership. Government cannot solve the housing challenge alone, but by leading these partnerships, we are intervening where it matters most,” Simmers added.

Assistance is available to qualifying South African citizens in the Western Cape whose mortgaged property is their first and only home, subject to individual household income criteria and rigorous departmental assessment processes.

The Western Cape Government renews its call to other financial institutions to join this initiative, ensuring that more families can protect their homes, clear their bonds, and secure a lasting generational legacy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Office of the Premier.

Source: APO

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expanding its support for communities affected by the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Ituri and North Kivu, with support from the DRC Humanitarian Fund. The project will target 30,000 people (18,000 in Ituri and 12,000 in North Kivu) across five health zones, until January 2027.

The outbreak is affecting provinces where acute food insecurity was already among the most severe in the country. In eastern DRC, nearly 10 million people are facing acute food insecurity. Restrictions on movement, market disruptions and loss of income linked to the outbreak are further weakening households that are already struggling.

FAO’s response forms part of the coordinated effort led by the national authorities and the United Nations system, complementing the public health response led by the Ministry of Health and the WHO.

Based on the ‘One Health’ approach, the response operates on two fronts: reducing the risk of zoonotic transmission by training veterinary services and community animal health workers to identify, handle safely and report sick or dead animals promptly, and protecting the livelihoods of affected households through the distribution of seeds, tools, poultry and cash assistance.

“An effective response to Ebola depends on action taken both in treatment centres and at community level,” says Athman Mravili, FAO Representative a.i. in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “When a family loses its crops, livestock or income because of the outbreak, it turns to whatever remains within its reach. And that is often what puts it at greater risk. Protecting livelihoods also means protecting health.”

“This is precisely the strength of the Humanitarian Fund: it enables a rapid, coordinated and integrated response. The One Health approach is an essential component of the response,” says Damien Mama, Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Faced with a virus that spreads between animals and humans, our response must also transcend sectoral boundaries and take a holistic approach.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

For many women farmers in Liberia, agriculture is more than a livelihood—it is the foundation of their families’ well-being. Yet opportunities to grow their businesses are often limited by barriers such as insecure access to land, limited financial services, inadequate farming tools, and a lack of digital and market information.

Jacqueline Mulbah, a 45-year-old mother of three and a member of the Meni Nana Farming Cooperative in Bong County, knows these challenges all too well.

Like many women in her community, Jacqueline struggled to access the resources needed to expand her farming activities. Limited access to finance and modern agricultural support made it difficult to invest in quality seeds, increase production, and improve her family’s income.

That began to change in 2023 through the Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, implemented by UN Women in partnership with the Orange Foundation.

As part of the initiative, UN Women collaborated with the Central Bank of Liberia to digitally link Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to formal financial services through Orange Money and banking institutions, while also providing digital and financial literacy training and seed grants.

The project targeted 450 women farmers from 15 cooperatives across Bong and Nimba Counties, helping them improve access to financial services, digital tools, and credit opportunities. It also strengthened cooperative structures and enhanced participants’ knowledge of disaster risk reduction.​

For Jacqueline, the impact was immediate and life changing.

Through the project, she was able to access a loan that allowed her to purchase improved seeds and expand her farming activities, an opportunity that had once seemed out of reach.

Today, Jacqueline cultivates more than 10 hectares of land, primarily producing vegetables. Increased production has translated into higher earnings, enabling her to better support her family and invest in her children’s education.

“2023 was a turning point for many other women and me in Gbarnga City,” Jacqueline says. “Today, I feel proud of myself. I can contribute to the well-being of my household, and I am also able to take part in community activities.”

Her monthly income has increased significantly, rising from less than USD 150 to more than USD 350. This improved financial stability has helped her meet her family’s daily needs with greater confidence and consistency.

Like many other women participating in the project, Jacqueline also uses the Buy from Women e-commerce platform to market and sell her produce. Developed by UN Women, the multilingual digital platform connects women entrepreneurs to markets, information, and financial services while helping them grow their businesses and increase profitability.

Access to the platform has expanded Jacqueline’s market reach and reduced post-harvest losses, allowing her to generate a more stable and reliable income.

Beyond the individual benefits, the project is creating positive ripple effects across participating communities. Women now have greater access to financial services and digital tools that enable them to invest in agriculture and small businesses, strengthening local economies and promoting greater economic resilience.

For Jacqueline, however, the most significant transformation goes beyond income.

“I feel more independent now,” she says. “When women are empowered economically, we are able to speak up, make decisions, and contribute meaningfully to our communities.”

Jacqueline’s story reflects a broader truth: when women gain access to financial services, digital technologies, and economic opportunities, they do more than transform their own lives—they help build stronger families, more resilient communities, and a more inclusive future for Liberia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.