Source: Government of Qatar
Rome, July 11,2025
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met today in Rome with HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic Edmondo Cirielli.
The meeting dealt with discussing bilateral cooperation and the means to enhance them, in addition to discussing several issues of joint interest.
Source: APO – Report:
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ECOWAS Commission has launched a four-day technical meeting on the 8th of July,2025 in Cotonou, Benin. This meeting brings together experts from Member States to examine six draft classification standards for tourist accommodation establishments. The standards, drawn up on the basis of various workshops organised as part of the ECOWAS tourism policy (ECOTOUR), concern hotels, motels, inns, ecolodges, aparthotels and holiday villages. The event is jointly organised by the private sector and industry directorates.
In her opening speech, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, represented by the Director of the Private Sector, Dr Tony Luka Elumelu, recalled ECOWAS’s ambition to make tourism a major lever for economic development and regional integration. She affirmed that the region is striving to build a flourishing tourism industry, drawing on international best practice adapted to the West African context, with the aim of making it a world tourist destination of choice.
She emphasised that this strategy is based on five closely linked pillars: strengthening infrastructure, including investment in transport, accommodation and tourist attractions; relaxing regional visa policies for third-country nationals to improve accessibility, streamline procedures and foster greater people-to-people diplomacy; the harmonisation of sectoral standards and regulations to facilitate travel, trade and enhance the overall tourism experience; the promotion of sustainable tourism practices that ensure an environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable industry; and collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders in the sector to pool expertise, share knowledge and develop effective solutions to common challenges.
She stressed the importance of implementing a coherent, collaborative and sustainable approach to tourism in order to stimulate national economies, strengthen cultural exchanges and ensure the sustainability of the sector. In reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to responsible tourism practices, she emphasised the need to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, local cultures and host communities, and stressed the importance of implementing a coherent, collaborative and sustainable approach to tourism in order to stimulate national economies, strengthen cultural exchanges and ensure the sustainability of the sector. In reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to responsible tourism practices, she emphasised the need to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, local cultures and host communities.
The Director General of the Standards Agency of the Republic of Benin, Mohamed Nazif El-Hadji Alassane, representing Benin’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mrs Alimatou Shadiya Assouman, welcomed ECOWAS’ efforts to harmonise standards and regulations in the tourism sector. He stressed that this will help to transform the region into a single tourism market, while boosting tourism, employment and public revenue, with positive spin-offs for the economies of Member States.
– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Source: APO
The Standing Committee on Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) conferred with the ECOWAS Commission’s Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah on the 10th of July 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.
Discussions centred on ways of consolidating the existing collaboration between the PRC and the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security as well as the enhancement of strategic information flow and implementation of decisions by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Led by His Excellency Musa Sani Nuhu, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, the Ambassadors expressed great appreciation to the Commissioner and the Department for the strong and close partnership in working together over the last three years on matters of peace and stability in West Africa.
On his part, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah congratulated the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner, His Excellency Julius Sandy on his country’s ascension to Chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and noted that the need for constant interactions with the ambassadors cannot be overemphasised.
The Commissioner who was flanked by the Director, Peace Keeping and Regional Security (DPKRS) Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom, Gen. Mactar Diop, Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force and staff of the Department stressed that high-pitched attention will continue to be paid to the work of the Department owing to its strategic role in providing responses to core issues of sustainable peace, security, stability and regional integration.
He further harped on the need to have an organic and structured way of feeding into the decision-making processes that are also binding on stakeholders, similar to the arrangements at the United Nations and the African Union.
“There is a need to think regionally. We need that two-way communication between the Department and Member States. How do we contribute as a Department to make sure that the PRC achieves its goals. The forum is therefore something to embrace as it creates an avenue to exchange ideas for the benefit of our region” The Commissioner added.
Members of the Permanent Representatives assured the Department and ECOWAS of their continuous cooperation to move the region forward
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Source: APO
The United States Embassy in Yaoundé welcomes the official announcement of the date for Cameroon’s presidential elections on October 12, 2025. As a longstanding partner and friend of Cameroon, the United States underscores the importance of free, fair, peaceful, and inclusive elections as a cornerstone of democratic governance and stability in Cameroon and Central Africa.
We commend the efforts of Cameroonian institutions, civil society, political parties, and all stakeholders working to prepare for these elections. We urge everyone concerned to engage in the electoral process in a manner that promotes peace, respects the rule of law, and upholds democratic norms and the rights of all citizens to participate freely and to vote their consciences without fear of repercussions.
It is critical that the Cameroonian people have full confidence in their democratic institutions—not only on election day, but throughout the entire electoral period. This includes protecting the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association as guaranteed in the Cameroonian constitution, electoral code, and other relevant statutes. Journalists, political parties, civil society organizations, and religious institutions must be allowed to operate without harassment or undue restrictions.
We stand with the Cameroonian people as they take this important step along their country’s democratic journey.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Cameroon.
Source: APO
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, warmly congratulates the Government and people of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe as they celebrate another year of independence.
Today, we celebrate not only the anniversary of independence but also the nation’s remarkable journey of political resilience and its unwavering commitment to peace and development. The African Union reaffirms its strong partnership with São Tomé and Príncipe and its dedication to advancing regional integration, sustainable development, and lasting peace across the continent.
As we mark this significant milestone, we join the people of São Tomé and Príncipe in celebrating their achievements and extend our best wishes for continued prosperity and success in the years ahead.
Happy Independence Day!
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
Source: Government of South Africa
Beneath an unseasonably warm winter sun, the rolling hills of Mpumalanga stood as silent witness as South Africa bid a final farewell to former Deputy President David ‘DD’ Mabuza on Saturday.
The former Deputy President passed away last week at the age of 64, following a short illness. He was buried at a family burial site in Barberton, Mpumalanga.
Delivering the eulogy at Mabuza’s funeral service, President Cyril Ramaphosa described the day as a moment of sombre reflection.
“We are gathered here today in solemn remembrance to honour the life of a man who, in many ways, made a huge contribution to our journey to a democratic South Africa. We are also here to celebrate the life of a fine son of Mpumalanga and a man of the people.
“It is as a servant of the people for which our departed leader and comrade David Dabede Mabuza will be best known and for which he will be forever remembered. David Mabuza, DD, as he was fondly known, was a revered leader not only in his home province of Mpumalanga but throughout the country as well,” he said.
The Mpumalanga-born politician – affectionately referred to as DD or The Cat – was a teacher by training. However, he was drawn into political activism and, subsequently, the public service.
Mabuza’s journey into the public service began in 1994 in Mpumalanga, where he served as a Member of the Executive Council in several portfolios.
He then served as the Premier of Mpumalanga from 2009 until he became a Member of Parliament and then Deputy President in 2018.
“He served as our country’s Deputy President, as Premier of Mpumalanga and as the Deputy President of his movement, the African National Congress (ANC).
“When he served as a Member of Parliament and as the Leader of Government Business, he proved to be a renowned political strategist, always deftly navigating the very difficult balance amongst parliamentary parties.
“In all his roles, he was often described as strategic, enigmatic and fiercely loyal to the cause of stability and unity,” President Ramaphosa said.
As President Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy, a multitude of citizens lined the streets of Mbombela – forming a guard of honour for the former Deputy President as he was taken to his final resting place among the people of Mpumalanga.
“He was most happy when he was among the people. He never isolated himself from them. He never lost the common touch.
“Since the news came of his passing, we have seen throngs of ordinary citizens, traditional leaders and political leaders from across the spectrum flocking to DD’s home in Barberton to pay their respects. Such was his popularity. Such was his ability to unite the people of this province.
“He was not a man for the pomp and ceremony of high office. He preferred to be on the ground with the masses of our people, listening to their concerns and working to improve their lives,” President Ramaphosa noted.
He highlighted that Mabuza leaves a legacy of “being quick to respond to matters of service delivery”.
“Over the past days, we have heard from a number of young citizens of Mpumalanga, who have described him as a father of the community, who helped bring development to many rural parts of Mpumalanga.
“Today in this province, there are families who now live in decent homes because during door-to-door campaigns, DD intervened on the spot and at some point, dug into his own pockets to meet their needs. Those houses were not built after years of follow-up meetings. They were erected within months because he was not one to make empty promises,” he said.
Working side by side
President Ramaphosa reflected on the five years he and Mabuza spent as President and Deputy President of South Africa.
“[During] this time, I came to know him as a person who understood the responsibility that he had been given. He was dependable, reliable and an excellent deputy.
“As Leader of Government Business in Parliament, he worked to ensure that the will of the people was reflected in the laws of the land and in the programmes of the state.
“In all his responsibilities as Deputy President, from land reform to HIV and AIDS, from anti-poverty initiatives to addressing the needs of veterans, David Mabuza could always be relied on. We will always remember him as a unifier,” he said.
The President offered words of solace and comfort to the family and gave a final word to the departed man himself.
“You walked the path not always lit, through the dust of doubt, you did commit. I worked with you and saw your commitment. Your voice was not loud, but it was firm and still. You were able to shape the course with quiet will.
“I saw you bear the weight of province and land, with measured step and steady hand. Though storms did gather, and winds did sway, you held the centre night and day. Now rest, my brother, brave son of the African soil. Your work is done and complete. The country remembers you,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: APO
His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, participated in the Investment Forum organized by Burkina Faso in Abu Dhabi, which was attended by His Excellency Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe Abroad, along with a delegation of ministers and special advisors.
During the forum, H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to H.E. Traoré, along with his wishes for further progress and prosperity for the government and people of Burkina Faso.
His Excellency highlighted the close bilateral relations between the UAE and Burkina Faso, and commended the remarkable progress achieved in recent years under the guidance of both leaderships. His Excellency also emphasized the importance of the forum as a platform to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries and to create development opportunities that benefit both peoples.
For his part, H.E. Traoré conveyed his greetings to His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as his wishes for further development and prosperity for the government and people of the UAE.
Furthermore, His Excellency expressed his appreciation to the UAE for its warm reception and generous hospitality, affirming Burkina Faso’s keenness to strengthen its relations with the UAE across various fields of mutual interest.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: APO
His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, received His Excellency Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad of the Republic of Burkina Faso, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and Burkina Faso and explored ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors, particularly in the areas of economic partnerships, investment opportunities, and sustainable development.
Furthermore, the two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of strengthening diplomatic cooperation to support peace, security, and stability in Africa and the wider region.
Both sides commended the strong ties between the UAE and Burkina Faso, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: APO
Long viewed as a fallback for hard times, social protection is now being reimagined as a driver of resilience. With rising costs, widening inequality, and fragile economies, governments are searching for ways to make every policy choice count.
These challenges brought policymakers from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific to Livingstone, Zambia, from 8 to 10 July, where they focused on targeted refinements and applied approaches to strengthen social protection.
The gathering centered on hands-on methods: tools, data, and policy strategies that help governments respond to poverty, economic shocks, and climate threats with greater precision. It formed part of a broader UN effort to promote universal, adaptive, and inclusive social protection systems worldwide.
Zambia, the host, is contending with drought-linked hunger and soaring living costs. The Maldives faces logistical hurdles in delivering services across 187 dispersed islands. Tanzania is navigating population pressures, youth unemployment, and informality. Each delegation brought its own realities, but the drive for smarter systems was shared.
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) introduced a suite of empirical tools, including ECA’s multidimensional poverty dashboard and ESCAP’s evidence-based targeting models, to help governments sharpen decisions using locally relevant data.
Christian Oldiges, Chief of Social Policy at ECA, described the tool as a bridge between data and delivery. “It shows not just where the poor are, but what kind of poverty they face, and how existing schemes measure up.”
Selahattin Selsah Pasali, Social Affairs Officer at ESCAP, said member states such as Cambodia and the Maldives value the tools’ flexibility and training support, “which helps localize and institutionalize them.” Many, he noted, are now considering a shit from survey data to administrative records to better design policies and estimate costs.
Namibia shared progress digitizing its social grant system. Malawi, a global champion for the Social Protection Accelerator, is rolling out a new policy rooted in a lifecycle approach that addresses risks across age groups.
Tanzania is widening its model too. Frank Kilimba from the Office of the Prime Minister said: “We’re expanding beyond contribution-based systems to ensure broader coverage, especially for informal and rural populations.”
Rwanda was among the countries exchanging experiences. Ariane Mugisha, Chief Digital Officer in the Local Government Sector, said the sessions on social registries and data integration offered key insights into building adaptive systems. Her colleague Joel Murenzi, Social Protection Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Local Government, highlighted the importance of learning from others’ approaches to expanding coverage and adjusting benefit levels in line with inflation.
Behind the mix of countries, organizers said, was an intentional effort to draw from diverse settings. “We brought together small island states like the Maldives and middle-income countries like Namibia with least developed economies such as Malawi and Zambia,” said Amson Sibanda, Chief of Service at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). “Their challenges differ, but their commitment to reform creates a space for grounded exchange.”
That reality, said Mamusa Siyunyi, Social Affairs Officer at ECA, makes targeted support all the more essential. “It’s not just the triple crisis of food, fuel and finance,” she said. “It’s demographic pressure, climate risk, and limited fiscal space. Countries need support that’s relevant and usable.”
Several delegates requested additional training and ongoing technical assistance. Others stressed the need to bridge institutional divides that hinder implementation.
“We have the data, but making it useful means working across silos,” said Hudha Haleem of the Maldives Bureau of Statistics. “The big takeaway for me was how collaboration between data producers and programme implementers can make systems more responsive and inclusive.”
Fathimath Nisha Fahmy from the Maldives Pension Office agreed, adding that geographic realities demand precise, adaptive systems. “Using real-time data to target and adapt social protection is critical for countries like ours, spread across many islands.”
Mr. Sibanda underscored the need to match innovation with institutional readiness. “We always say that policymakers should be able to leverage the science-policy interface to make good decisions and future-proof their strategies,” he said. “But for that to happen, public institutions need the capacity to harness these tools and understand both their benefits and potential pitfalls.”
As countries prepare for a series of global forums on social development, the Livingstone meeting formed part of a wider push to build systems that are better designed, better resourced, and better able to reach those most at risk.
“Policymakers don’t just need inspiration,” said Mr. Oldiges. “They need proof points, blueprints, and allies. That’s what we came here to build.”
The three-day interregional workshop was organized by UN DESA, ECA, and ESCAP in collaboration with the government of Zambia. It brought together officials from eight countries across Africa and Asia-Pacific with a shared aim to build smarter, more resilient social protection systems that lift people sustainably, not just catch them when they fall.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
Source: APO
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, received Dr. Hanan Balkhy, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, during her visit to Egypt. The meeting was attended by Dr. Nima Saeed, WHO Representative to Egypt, and focused on ways to strengthen joint cooperation.
At the beginning of the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat welcomed Dr. Hanan Balkhy, and lauded the constructive collaboration between the Egyptian government and WHO through national plans and presidential initiatives.
The Minister expressed aspiration for further cooperation in light of the state’s prioritization of developing healthcare services and implementing the Universal Health Insurance System.
During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reviewed the mandate and work files of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and its role in preparing the economic and social development plan and managing public investments for various sectors.
She highlighted the coordination with international development partners to enhance the role of UN organizations in Egypt, especially given the Ministry’s role as the national coordinator and rapporteur for the 2030 Agenda.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed to the ongoing efforts to strengthen multilateral and bilateral development partnerships, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework “UNSDCF” (2023–2027), and bilateral relations with development partners.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat referred to the new Planning Law in Egypt and its integration with the unified Public Finance Law. She noted that the Ministry is also working on developing the annual economic and social development plan, and starting from the next fiscal year 2026/2027, a medium-term plan for three years with clear targets will be developed, which will promote evidence- and data-based development policies.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat affirmed that ongoing cooperation with WHO is central to Egypt’s comprehensive national vision and reflects the state’s commitment to achieving the primary goal of Egypt Vision 2030: “Improving the quality of life for all Egyptians and raising their living standards.”
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also indicated that providing equitable and high-quality healthcare is a fundamental human right and a key tool for achieving social justice and national development.
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reviewed the progress in Egypt’s GDP for the third quarter of the last fiscal year, which recorded 4.7%, exceeding expectations despite regional challenges and global tensions.
She also noted the targets of the economic and social development plan for the current fiscal year, which allocates approximately 45% of government investments to various human development sectors.
For her part, Dr. Hanan Balkhy expressed gratitude to the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation for the continuous coordination and ongoing cooperation to support UN organizations through international partnerships.
She affirmed WHO’s appreciation for its partnership with the Egyptian government and praised Egypt’s advancements in combating diseases and enhancing healthcare services, as well as strengthening pharmaceutical security through the expansion of medicine and vaccine manufacturing.
The two sides also discussed cooperation within the framework of WHO’s “Health in All Policies” approach, which aims to integrate health considerations into policymaking across all government sectors.
In this regard, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that this approach aligns with the state’s endeavors to foster evidence-based policymaking and develop Egypt’s planning system by starting the preparation of a medium-term plan from the next fiscal year. She also underscored Egypt’s Integrated National Financing Strategy (E-INFS) for Sustainability and Development, which represents a roadmap for financing development across various sectors, including health and human development sectors.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.
