Category: English

Source: APO

The Heads of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) Group, chaired in 2025 by the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), met today to review progress on joint actions and chart priority areas for the Group’s future work.

Heads noted that their collaborative engagement has deepened throughout 2025, under the CEB’s Chairship of the Group, building successfully on the momentum generated by the MDBs’ Viewpoint Note (https://apo-opa.co/4qieJXu) of 2024.  They welcomed progress made in several areas since their last meeting in Paris on 28 June 2025 and reaffirmed their determination to work as a system for greater impact at scale, communicating annually about progress on their deliverables and priorities.

This progress includes:

• Presentation of a comprehensive and exhaustive joint report to the G20 on the implementation of the G20 Roadmap towards Better, Bigger, and More Effective MDBs (https://apo-opa.co/4om6acd), documenting progress across institutions and at system level and detailing MDBs’ achievements in a  wide range of areas, including increasing lending capacity, leveraging private capital for development, strengthening operational collaboration and measuring results.
• Enhanced transparency and comparability of MDBs’ financial positions through the publication of the first “MDB Comparison Report” (https://apo-opa.co/4qez0x2) prepared by the newly constituted Global Risk and Finance Forum (GRaFF), to multiply the impact of shareholder capital to advance the development agenda;
• Engagement with Credit Rating Agencies to enhance understanding of MDB’s distinctive financial models, risk frameworks and exceptional asset quality as summarized in a note (http://apo-opa.co/3L3QJHn) prepared by GRaFF;
• Publication of the first “Joint Annual MDB Water Security Financing Report” (https://apo-opa.co/4ooPoJB), highlighting MDBs’ contributions and collaboration in this critical sector, which was unveiled at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla;
• Release of a joint report on “Social Infrastructure in Focus: The Role of Multilateral Development Banks” (https://apo-opa.co/3Wc1GZS), illustrating how MDBs – individually and collectively – support investment in health, education, housing, and water, which play a critical role in increasing productivity, creating jobs, and contributing to resilient societies;

Heads also noted ongoing work in a number of areas including mobilizing additional private capital for development including through disaggregated credit risk statistics published in the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMs) (https://apo-opa.co/4oqcuzu), coordinating on originate-to-share/distribute models; boosting financial innovations; scaling up flagship regional initiatives such as Mission 300; promoting reliance arrangements; and supporting investments in social infrastructure. In the context of the upcoming COP30, to be held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025, MDBs will be there to support their countries of operations and clients meeting their strategies. After their gathering, Heads held an exchange of views with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, on trends in civil nuclear energy.

The role of the Heads of MDBs Group will be passed in December from the Council of Europe Development Bank to the Asian Development Bank. The Heads of MDBs Group thank CEB’s Governor Carlo Monticelli for his leadership and commitment during his tenure as Chair of the Group.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
email: media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Source: APO – Report:

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The ECOWAS Commission, through its Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, Her Excellency Ms. Fanta Cissé, officially handed over financial support to the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) on October 14, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the First Vice-President of the CEI, Mr. Sourou Koné, representing President Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert, Ms. Namizata Sangaré, President of the CNDH, and Mr. Serigne Ka, Acting Head of the Electoral Assistance Division, Head of the ECOWAS Long-Term Election Observation Mission (LTEOM).

This support, consisting of US $300,000 for the CEI and US $84,000 for the CNDH, is part of the ECOWAS Regional Support Program for Electoral Processes in Member States.

Opening the ceremony, Ms. Fanta Cissé emphasized that peace and democracy are ongoing processes that require constant commitment. She recalled that these values are built every day through dialogue, tolerance, and the shared responsibility of all political and social actors.

She also praised the democratic maturity of the Ivorian people and the ongoing efforts of the national authorities to maintain a peaceful and inclusive political climate.

Through this initiative, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to democracy, good governance, and regional stability, in accordance with its Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, particularly Articles 12 to 14 relating to support for member states during election periods.

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

Source: APO

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The National Dialogue process has reached a pivotal stage with the completion of the nomination of sectoral representatives to the National Dialogue Steering Committee. 

The first National Convention, held on 15-16 August 2025, approved the mandate, responsibilities and composition of the Steering Committee, and agreed that each of the identified sectors would hold consultations to decide on nominees to serve on the Steering Committee and its sub-committees.

No less than 26 sectors have to date submitted nominations for the Steering Committee.

The list of nominated Steering Committee members has been handed over to the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) for quality assurance. For its part, the EPG will submit its recommendations to the President in his role as head of state and convener of the National Dialogue for finalisation.

Once approved by the President, the Steering Committee will coordinate the roll out of public dialogues across the country.

It is anticipated that the process of appointing the Steering Committee will be concluded in the coming weeks.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the Handover Report of the Convention Organising Committee (COC) and the Report on the National Convention, bringing to an end the mandate of the COC.

The Convention Organising Committee was tasked by the President with organising the first National Convention following the withdrawal of some foundations from the process.

President Ramaphosa said: “As a country, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the members of the Convention Organising Committee. Working with the Eminent Persons Group and the Inter-Ministerial Committee, the committee made sure that hundreds of delegates from around the country were able to gather at the National Convention to endorse and to launch the National Dialogue. Through a truly collective effort, the National Convention proceeding smoothly and gave people from all sectors an opportunity to express themselves.”

“We must also recognise the vital role played by the legacy foundations and other civil society organisations in the Preparatory Task Team, which were instrumental in getting the National Dialogue off the ground.”

“It is extremely important now that the momentum that has been built up and the expectations that have been raised are not allowed to dissipate. We need to ensure that as the Steering Committee is established, there is no disruption in the processes that need to happen,” he said.

The Eminent Persons Group (EPG), the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and the Presidency remain custodians of the process’s integrity and will continue to safeguard its credibility until it is handed over to the Steering Committee. 

Work is underway to establish a fully-fledged National Dialogue Secretariat, housed at NEDLAC, which will provide institutional support to the process. 

The Report of the National Convention is available for download: https://tinyurl.com/4v7z7rfu

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Source: APO

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Ms. Fauzia Hashim, Minister of Justice, conducted a meeting with reconciliation committees from all sub-zones in the Central Region.

The objective of the meeting was to review the activities of the reconciliation committees since their establishment a year ago, particularly regarding their modalities of resolving community issues.

At the meeting, a detailed assessment was conducted on the achievements registered and the challenges encountered.

Minister Fauzia said that the armed struggle for Eritrean independence was based on the people, participated in by the people, and owned by the people, serving as the foundation for ensuring the social sovereignty of the Eritrean people.

Minister Fauzia further stated that the Ministry of Justice will continue to work earnestly to nurture and preserve national values, combat negative attitudes, and ensure unity, stability, and development within the society.

Underlining the significant role of the community-based legal system, Minister Fauzia called for the active participation of all concerned bodies.

In the Central Region, there are 415 elected members of reconciliation committees operating across the 83 administrative areas of the region.

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

Source: APO

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The Department of Culture and Sports in the Northern Red Sea Region has provided training to 50 youth on the concepts of drama, dance, and poetry. The training was organized in the port city of Massawa.

Indicating that the trainees were youth with a keen interest in the arts, Ms. Zeineb Omar, Director General of Culture and Sports in the region, said that the participants were selected from the Ministries of Marine Resources and Education, as well as from the regional administration and the Defense Forces.

Mr. Mohammed-Seid Osman, one of the trainers, noting the significance of the training in the development of artistic work in the region, commended the enthusiasm the trainees demonstrated during the program.

Emphasizing the importance the department attaches to the arts, Mr. Kibrom Andemicael, Managing Director in the region, highlighted the contribution of art to the nation-building process and the enhancement of national identity. He called on the trainees to further develop their skills through practical engagement.

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

Source: APO

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On the final day of his visit to Juba, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed the diplomatic community about the impact of the United Nations-wide financial crisis on the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The crisis, caused by delays and shortfalls in the payment of cash contributions, including to peacekeeping means UNMISS will have to cut spending by 15%, within the remaining eight months of the financial year.

This will negatively impact mandate delivery at a time when the fragile country is experiencing significant turmoil.

Mr. Lacroix shared the same information with the country’s President, Salva Kiir.

“The United Nations remains fully committed to supporting South Sudan and progress towards the implementation of the peace agreement. We will do our best, against the backdrop of the financial constraints,” he said.

“While we must implement a savings plan and this will have an impact, it is not in any way, a sign of disengagement. We want to make sure that UNMISS and the whole UN family will be able to continue doing its work to the best of its ability as we move forward.”

The cuts to peacekeeping come amidst escalating political tensions and violence between forces aligned with the main parties to the peace agreement. The Under-Secretary-General reiterated the call by international partners for a cessation of hostilities and return to inclusive implementation of the peace deal.

He also stressed the need for the country’s leaders to demonstrate concrete progress is being made to secure continued international assistance.

“We communicated to the South Sudanese authorities that we want to keep supporting political efforts and working with them to make the best possible case to the international community, to donors, to Member States who fund peacekeeping operations.”

The Under-Secretary-General also shared messages of support to the people of South Sudan through UNMISS’ Radio Miraya.

“I want the communities that we serve across the country to know that the UN is fully committed to supporting them. Yes, we must save money, but we were very careful in preparing the plan for making savings, looking at the priorities and the areas where there are more challenges, in terms of threats, violence and protection of civilians,” he said.

“We will absolutely continue to do our best.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

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His Excellency Abdullah Jassim Al Shamsi presented his credentials as UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to His Excellency Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau, at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Bissau. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance relations between the two countries.

H.E. Al Shamsi conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, to H.E. President Embaló, along with their wishes for further progress and prosperity for the government and people of Guinea-Bissau.

Furthermore, H.E. Al Shamsi expressed his pride in representing the UAE in Guinea-Bissau, and affirmed his commitment to enhancing bilateral relations across various sectors.

For his part, H.E. President Embaló conveyed his greetings to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, along with his wishes for further development and growth for the government and people of the UAE.

H.E. President Embaló commended the strong ties between his country and the UAE, and wished H.E. Al Shamsi success in performing his duties and in enhancing bilateral ties across various fields, stressing his country’s readiness to provide all possible support to facilitate his mission to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.