Category: English

Source: APO

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The Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Ecuador reiterated on Friday in Rabat their mutual willingness to further strengthen the development of their bilateral relations.

Following the meeting held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and the Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Mrs. Gabriela Sommerfeld, both parties underscored the outstanding bilateral ties of friendship and solidarity, and agreed on the importance of sustaining these exchanges and regularly reviewing them to further strengthen cooperation.

The ministers stressed that International Law is fundamentally based on mutual respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of States, as well as on fulfilling obligations under treaties and other sources of international law.

Bourita and Sommerfeld said they were pleased with the convergence of their views on regional and international issues and reiterated their commitment to working for global peace and security.

They agreed to pool efforts to address global challenges within various international and multilateral bodies, such as climate change, gender issues, human rights, the blue and green agendas, food security, health, pandemic prevention and response, and combating insecurity and corruption.

The two sides also tackled the significance of implementing the SDGs in an integrated and holistic manner to eradicate poverty and fight climate change while promoting sustainable land use and water management.

During their meeting, the two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the situations in Africa and Latin America, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

They reaffirmed the importance of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation in communication, culture, education, sports, arts, youth, civil society, and the economy.

They also expressed their strong commitment to boosting investments through fluid commercial information exchange, promoting strategic alliances with the private sector, and actively supporting initiatives that facilitate and expand bilateral trade, in order to multiply business opportunities and explore the potential for diversified trade and investment between the two countries.

The two parties explored collaborative prospects within various Atlantic cooperation initiatives. They also voiced their aspiration to make this space a geostrategic framework for dialogue, aimed at promoting development and ensuring security and solidarity, as well as bringing together the peoples of the Global South and North.

Regarding migration, Morocco and Ecuador commended the efforts made in the area, especially within the framework of the Marrakesh Pact, the Rabat Process, and the Los Angeles Declaration, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to dynamic mobility that enables a safe, smooth, and orderly movement of people.

The two officials also expressed their shared will to further strengthen the bilateral legal framework to address common areas of interest in cooperation.

To this end, the ministers welcomed the signing of two legal instruments: a Memorandum of Understanding on diplomatic training and exchange of experiences between Morocco’s Institute of Training, Research, and Diplomatic Studies (IMFRED) and the “Galo Plaza Lasso” Diplomatic Academy of the Ecuadorian Foreign Affairs Ministry; and a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a mechanism for bilateral political consultations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Source: APO – Report:

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“We are listening to everyone, and then we will formulate recommendations that will be forwarded to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Omar Alieu Touray. He will take the political decisions, in consultation with the current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, H.E. Julius Madaa Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone,” explained Theodore Holo, Head of the ECOWAS pre-election mission, to the various stakeholders he met on the 2nd and 3rd of July, 2025.

On Wednesday 2nd of July 2025, the ECOWAS mission met with leaders of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA), the Coalition of the Congress for Democracy and Peace (CAP-CI), the Constitutional Council, the African People’s Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) and finally, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP party.

On Thursday 3rd of July 2025, the ECOWAS mission paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, H.E. Alassane OUATTARA. The mission then met with religious and traditional authorities as well as journalists from local private media at the headquarters of the ECOWAS Representation in Côte d’Ivoire. In the afternoon, Prof. Holo visited the Ministry of Defence, where he was received in audience by Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara.

During his meetings with the stakeholders, Prof. HOLO explained the objectives of the consultation, which are to gather information and assess the political and institutional environment, as well as the aid needs to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, transparent, and peaceful manner. Nevertheless, Prof. Holo encouraged and advocated for dialogue between political actors with a view to finding a lasting solution to ongoing challenges or those that could hinder the electoral process.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO – Report:

The Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank have signed a Financing Agreement amounting to USD 1 billion under the Second Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Development Policy Operation (DPO) in a grant and concessional loan.

This critical operation reflects the World Bank’s continued commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s bold and far-reaching reform agenda. The program aims to bolster recent government efforts to ensure financial sector stability, enhance trade competitiveness, strengthen domestic resource mobilization, promote transparent and effective public sector governance, and ensure the sustainability of social services, all of which are integral pillars of Ethiopia’s macroeconomic and structural transformation.

The Government of Ethiopia expresses its profound appreciation to the World Bank for its steadfast and constructive partnership in supporting reform priorities under the Homegrown Economic Reform Program. The support under this agreement underscores the strong and enduring collaboration between Ethiopia and the World Bank in pursuit of shared goals of inclusive and sustainable development.

The Agreement was formally signed by H.E. Ato. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Ms. Maryam Salim, World Bank Division Director for Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and South Sudan, on behalf of the World Bank Group.

– on behalf of Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. @ymahmoudali received H.E. Mahamat Ali Hassan, Ambassador of Chad to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the AU this morning. They discussed the political & humanitarian situation in the Sahel & Sudan, and the need for a diplomatic solution to these situations.

The Chairperson expressed appreciation for Chad’s contributions & support to the African Union.

– on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO – Report:

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) (www.GTCOPlc.com), Africa’s leading and most profitable Financial Services Group, has recorded a significant milestone in its growth and expansion journey with the successful admission of its Ordinary Shares to the Equity Shares (International Commercial Companies Secondary Listing) category of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange.

This historic achievement makes GTCO Plc, the 1^st Financial Services Institution in West Africa to dual list its Ordinary Shares on both the Nigerian and London stock exchanges, and subject to certain criteria, it is expected that the Shares will be transferrable between the two exchanges.

The admission follows the successful pricing of its fully marketed offering (The Offering) on the London Stock Exchange to raise gross proceeds of $105million in exchange for 2.29 billion of new ordinary shares in the company, which was supported by a strong book of high-quality, long-term institutional investors.

Concurrent with the Offering, the Company also gave notice of its intention to cancel the listing of its existing GDRs on the certificates representing certain securities (depositary receipts) category of the Official List of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and the admission to trading of GDRs on the London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities.

Building on the momentum of the successful first tranche of its equity capital raise programme in July 2024, which secured ₦209 billion, GTCO will deploy the proceeds from the Offering to strengthen its capital base, meet its recapitalization target, and fund strategic expansion across high-growth markets and priority sectors within and outside Nigeria.

It is expected that Admission and unconditional dealing in the Shares will become effective on or before 8.00 a.m. (UK time) on 9 July 2025 under the ticker “GTHC”. Following the cancellation of the GDRs listing, the Company intends to change the ticker symbol for the Shares from “GTHC” to “GTCO” and will issue a separate announcement in due course to that effect.

Commenting on the LSE Listing, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said: “Today marks a major milestone—not just for GTCO, but for the future we see for African financial institutions on the global stage. We are incredibly proud to be the 1^st Financial Services Institution in West Africa to list our ordinary shares on London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities, and even more honored by the trust placed in us by the investing community. For us, this was not just about raising capital. It was about validating the strength of our franchise, the clarity of our strategy, and the discipline with which we execute.”

He further said; “I would like to thank everyone who made this possible—our advisors and legal teams, our longstanding shareholders, the regulators both in Nigeria and in the UK, as well as the Nigerian government for creating an environment that supports our bold ambition and vision to be Africa’s leading financial services institution.”

GTCO’s fully marketed offering attracted long-term institutional capital, reflecting investor confidence in the Group’s fundamentals, governance, and strategic outlook. It also signals improving market sentiment, buoyed by ongoing economic reforms by the Federal Government and a return to traditional orthodox monetary policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which have gone a long way to stabilising the macroeconomic environment and gradually restoring investor confidence in Nigeria’s long-term prospects.

– on behalf of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc.

About GTCO Plc:
GTCO Plc is one of Africa’s leading financial services institutions with a longstanding track record of strong growth, service excellence, and shareholder returns. The Group operates across banking, payments, asset management, and pension administration in eleven countries, including Nigeria, the UK, and key African markets.

Source: APO – Report:

The Working Party on Collaboration and Cooperation in Tuna Fisheries (WPCCTF) from the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), met in Mauritius to continue its work on strengthening regional cooperation for the effective management of tuna fisheries and other highly migratory fish in the region.

The 13th Session of the WPCCTF brought together during two days (17-18 June 2025) 11 from the 12 SWIOFC countries – Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and Tanzania. Partner organizations, namely the World Bank, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Nairobi Convention – UNEP, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the South West Indian Ocean Tuna Forum (SWIOTUNA) attended the meeting as SWIOFC Observers. Other Regional Fishery Bodies – the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)- actively participated in the discussion with members, specifically regarding SWIOFC compliance and reporting requirements.

Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the WPCCTF as a platform for dialogue and collective action, underscoring the need for coastal states to manage tuna stocks responsibly within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and to collaborate regionally to rebuild overexploited stocks, particularly yellowfin tuna. Talla stressed the importance of strengthening national capacities to comply with Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) and to implement effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systems.

Mbuli Charles Boliko, FAO Representative in Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles, highlighted the significance of the Indian Ocean as the second-largest tuna-producing region globally, playing a vital role in supporting national economies and livelihoods. Boliko stressed that challenges such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate-induced migratory shifts, and external competition require a unified regional response grounded in science, cooperation, and shared commitment.

The Working Party members acknowledged the progress made in the region, including the adoption and progressive implementation of the SWIOFC-led instrument, the MTC Guidelines, and the regional effort for jointly regulating and managing foreign fishing access for the best interest of the region. The MTC Guidelines (the Guidelines for Minimum Terms and Conditions for foreign fishing access) were officially adopted by all SWIOFC member countries in February 2019. WWF, a long-standing partner of the WPCCTF, presented recent work conducted on this subject, which was led by the Minimum Terms and Conditions Task Force (MTCTF) of the SWIOFC. This work received technical support from NFDS and focused on the joint and concerted actions required for the implementation of the priority provisions of the SWIOFC instrument, such as the provisions regulating licensing requirements, the use of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), transshipments and compensations and access fees.

Other subject thoroughly discussed was the cooperation between SWIOFC, SADC and IOC on regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) initiatives. The new workplan for 2025–2026 was adopted, and the WP formulated joint recommendations for the upcoming plenary session of the SWIOFC, scheduled to take place in November 2025.

The event was supported by the SWIOFish5 TRANSFORM project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by IOC with technical assistance from FAO. The project, ending in 2030, has the objective of strengthening regional, evidence-based fisheries management in the region.

– on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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On His own behalf and on behalf of the Moroccan people, HM the King extends His warmest congratulations and best wishes for good health and happiness to President Trump, and to the American friendly people for further progress and prosperity, under his wise leadership.

The Sovereign takes this opportunity to reiterate how much He values the historical ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America, which are rooted in close friendship, constructive cooperation, and mutual esteem.

“Our shared commitment to developing our relations has enabled us to give fresh momentum to our strategic partnership, thus paving the way for closer cooperation in various areas of common interest, and promoting stability and development at the regional and the international levels.”

In this message, the Sovereign reaffirms His unwavering desire to continue working with the American President to further deepen and expand the special relationship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Source: APO

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President Wavel Ramkalawan received a delegation of Chinese medical specialists at State House this morning, in a courtesy call that marked four decades of successful medical cooperation between China and the Republic of Seychelles. The delegation was accompanied by Her Excellency Ms. Lin Lan, Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles.

During the meeting, President Ramkalawan warmly welcomed the delegation to State House, expressing sincere gratitude and appreciation for their exceptional contributions and expertise in caring for Seychellois citizens during their two- year of posting with the Seychelles Hospital. President Ramkalawan extended his best wishes for their future professional endeavors.

The discussions centered on the experiences of the five attending specialists and recommendations to diversify areas of cooperation to better improve the quality of life for the nation. The delegation comprised one cardiologist, one general surgeon, one acupuncturist, one orthopedic specialist, and one radiologist.

The delegation representative expressed honour at having the meeting with the President, describing it as a historical moment in China’s medical services to Seychelles. On behalf of his delegation, he expressed gratitude for having served the community for two years, stating that this cooperation represents an affirmation of achievement with local counterparts in sharing expertise that helps improve healthcare.

Following the meeting, Dr. Danny Louange, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Care Agency, commended the thoughtfulness of the group of specialists in extending their stay to allow for a smooth transition with the new group of doctors arriving in the country over the weekend.

“The cooperation between China and Seychelles has enabled local medical professionals to enhance their knowledge through medical training, particularly in the dynamic aspects of health practices,” Dr. Louange stated. “The Ministry is grateful for the dedication of this group of specialists and looks forward to broadening areas of cooperation, taking into account other sectors that could benefit our health system.”

The 40-year medical cooperation between China and Seychelles continues to strengthen healthcare delivery in the Republic, with ongoing exchanges of medical expertise and training programs that benefit both nations. 

Present for the Meeting were the Minister for Health Mrs. Peggy Vidot, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Health Care Agency, Mr. Marc Chang Lam, Counsellor for The Chinese Embassy ,Mr Mu Jianfenf and Third Secretary Chinese Embassy Ms, Ma  Tianhu.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

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The IAEA, in cooperation with Algeria’s National Nuclear Safety and Security Authority (Autorité Nationale de Sûreté et de Sécurité Nucléaires – ANSSN), hosted the first national workshop on nuclear law in Algiers  since the country enacted its new comprehensive national nuclear law in 2019.  

The three-day workshop, held from 15 to 17 June, gathered more than 100 participants from various stakeholders. It offered a forum to discuss and foster awareness and understanding of the international nuclear legal instruments related to safety, security, safeguards, and civil liability for nuclear damage as well as the elements of a comprehensive national nuclear legal framework.

The event also focused on the regulatory functions exercised by the regulatory body and the principle of the prime responsibility of the authorised person, triggering rich exchanges among the participants on the practical implementation of the country’s national nuclear legal framework.

Opening the workshop, ANSSN President Rachedi Menadi said: “This workshop aims to raise the awareness of the best international practices and their implementation at the national level through the national nuclear legal framework.” He further underlined that while “an adequate legislative framework is necessary to protect the people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, it is only the first step. Effective implementation of the legal framework requires active contribution and involvement of all the stakeholders.”

The legislative assistance mission was held as part of the framework of the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme and organized through an inter-regional project of the IAEA technical cooperation programme.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).