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Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), will participate as a featured speaker at African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 (http://apo-opa.co/3Gq9t1N), taking place from October 1 – 3, 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Center. Held under the theme, “From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth”, AMW is Africa’s premier platform for mining industry stakeholders.

The AMSG Secretary General is scheduled to participate in the Ministerial Forum, where he will spotlight investment opportunities across Africa’s mining value chain, as well as the policy frameworks that support local beneficiation, value addition and sustainable growth. His participation reflects the AMSG’s growing influence in shaping the continent’s mining architecture and driving regional development through strategic collaboration.

AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com

Engadu’s address at AMW comes at a pivotal moment for the AMSG, as it drives forward a bold, five-pillar strategy (http://apo-opa.co/45QOuja) to accelerate mining sector expansion in alignment with the AMSG Vision to empower African nations to unlock the full potential of their vast mineral wealth and the African Mining Vision. This strategy is not just about extraction, it is about transformation: positioning Africa as a globally competitive, industrialized, and prosperous force in mineral beneficiation, processing and value addition. Under Engadu’s visionary leadership, the AMSG is spearheading a new wave of ambitious initiatives designed to deepen Africa’s geological knowledge base, institutionalize responsible sourcing, and cement Africa’s central role in the global energy transition.

Among these initiatives is the Pan-African Exploration Fund, launched in June 2025. This fund is designed to support AMSG member states with financing and technical assistance for geological mapping and exploration activities, with the goal of expanding Africa’s known mineral reserves and boosting production capacity. In January 2025, the AMSG introduced the Africa Mineral Token and Madini Blockchain Platform/Protocol (http://apo-opa.co/4eqWtpa), a blockchain-based solution that enhances access to financing while ensuring full traceability and responsible sourcing throughout the mining value chain in Africa.

Further underscoring its commitment to ethical practices, the AMSG launched the Africa Responsible Mineral Sourcing Initiative (ARMSI) (http://apo-opa.co/3I72paZ) in November 2024 at the Dubai Precious Metals Conference. This initiative aims to bring together countries, industry and civil society to build Africa’s responsible sourcing ecosystem to address critical concerns related to conflict minerals, AML/CFT, human rights and environmental protection, including child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking within mining supply chains. In addition, the AMSG is working in close partnership with the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South (http://apo-opa.co/3TjP5lS) to strengthen Africa’s position in the global energy transition by developing a competitive and transparent critical minerals value chain and enhancing South to South Cooperation.

With Africa holding nearly 30% of the world’s mineral resources, and global demand surging amid the energy transition, AMW 2025 offers a strategic platform for AMSG to highlight its progress, present new initiatives and foster partnerships that will help drive sustainable mineral development across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, met with Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).

This was part of her ongoing participation in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Spain from June 29 to July 3, 2025, as a member of the Egyptian delegation headed by H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, on behalf of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic of Egypt.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat discussed with the UNCTAD’s Secretary-General the joint relations between Egypt and UNCTAD, reviewing ways to elevate cooperation in the fields of economic development and investment.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat expressed appreciation for the joint efforts with UNCTAD in issuing the Global Investment Report 2024, which monitors the most prominent trends in foreign direct investment worldwide. She highlighted the importance of this report in shedding light on Egypt’s position among the most attractive countries for investments, in light of the economic reforms implemented by the Egyptian government.

The meeting also touched on the joint relations between Egypt and UNCTAD, underscoring the significance of cooperation in economic development and promoting foreign investments, in addition to utilizing the organization’s tools to measure the impact of development policies and enhance trade and investment strategies.

In another context, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat met with Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), an economist and professor in the Department of International Development at Oxford University, to discuss endeavors to promote investment in human capital.

The two sides reviewed human development efforts and increasing investment in human capital to improve living standards and foster inclusive and sustainable economic development.

The meeting also highlighted the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, reaffirming that it represents an annual international measure of acute multidimensional poverty, covering over 100 developing countries. This index is a key tool for measuring the severity of poverty through 7 main dimensions: education, health, basic services, employment, social protection, and food security.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

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Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, Foreign Minister and Dr Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, held a joint press conference  marking the conclusion of the 16th session of the Omani-Egyptian Joint Committee in Cairo.

During the press conference, Sayyid Badr expressed full alignment with his Egyptian counterpart regarding Omani-Egyptian cooperation matters and both countries’ positions on regional issues. He noted both countries’ commitment to enhancing trade, strengthening the role of the Business Council, and increasing mutual investments, while praising the contributions of the Egyptian community to Oman’s development.

On regional matters, he emphasised Oman’s support for Egypt’s efforts to halt the aggression on Gaza, reject forced displacement attempts, and adhere to the two-state solution leading to an independent Palestinian state.

Sayyid Badr reiterated Oman’s support for Egypt’s position on the Renaissance Dam issue, stressing the importance of respecting Arab states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity while rejecting all forms of foreign interference in their internal affairs.

He also stated that resuming negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue is essential for regional stability, underscoring the importance of confidence-building measures to avoid escalation and to reach a fair, consensual solution to this issue while focusing efforts on regional development and cooperation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Foreign Ministry of Oman.

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The 16th session of the Omani-Egyptian Joint Committee was held in Cairo at the level of the two countries’ foreign ministers.

The Omani delegation was chaired by Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, Foreign Minister while the Egyptian side was chaired by Dr Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

In his speech during the opening session, Sayyid Badr expressed his deep gratitude to the Egyptian delegation for their warm welcome and hospitality. He emphasised the profound historical ties and enduring bonds between Oman and Egypt, adding: “This session of the Omani-Egyptian Joint Committee is yet another blessed addition to the record of our positive cooperation, reinforcing the deep-rooted ties that have been shaped and distinguished throughout history. Today, we reap the fruits of these relations for the benefit of our two brotherly nations.”

The Minister highlighted the significant progress in economic relations between the two countries, stressing the importance of enhancing investment partnerships in real estate, tourism, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics, food security, and pharmaceutical industries.

He called for activating the role of the Omani-Egyptian Business Council and the private sector, as well as focusing on startups, digital transformation, and innovation, affirming that “this would enhance economic sustainability and keep pace with global developments.”

On regional issues, the Foreign Minister reiterated Oman’s full support for Egypt’s efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, firmly rejecting plans to displace the Palestinian people and endorsing the Arab initiative for Gaza’s reconstruction. He reaffirmed Oman’s steadfast stance in supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the  borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.

He also emphasised that “Arab national security is indivisible,” expressing Oman’s support for Egypt’s rights to the Nile River waters based on international law and the principle of fair and equitable use, fostering cooperation through mutual understanding and peaceful solutions.

Sayyid Badr stressed Oman’s commitment to contributing to regional stability and shielding the peoples of the region from obstacles to development. He underscored the importance of resuming efforts to reach a just and lasting agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, based on international law and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, while rejecting solutions imposed by force, which only lead to destruction and instability. He affirmed that dialogue and negotiation remain the only path to resolving disputes and mitigating risks.

He praised the efforts of senior officials from both Oman and Egypt in preparing for the session, expressing hope that its outcomes would “serve as a qualitative addition to strengthening cooperation and fulfilling the aspirations of the two countries’ leaderships and peoples.”

Dr Badr Abdelatty commended the depth of Egyptian-Omani relations and their tangible progress under the guidance of both countries’ leaderships, who seek to elevate cooperation to wider horizons.

He noted that the current session reflects the shared commitment to building on the outcomes of the mutual visits by the two countries’ leaders. He pointed out that discussions with his Omani counterpart explored ways to enhance economic, trade, and investment relations. Politically, he praised the depth and alignment of views on regional issues and their peaceful resolution.

The session included the signing of several memoranda of understanding and executive programmes in investment, labour, training, media cooperation, food safety, endowments, mineral resources, and human capital development, along with the minutes of the 16th session of the Omani-Egyptian Joint Committee.

The session concluded with both sides stressing the importance of continued coordination and consultation across various fields, strengthening the Omani-Egyptian partnership for the mutual benefit of the two nations and their peoples, and contributing to regional security, stability, and development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Foreign Ministry of Oman.

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Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi held a closed meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, on the sidelines of the 16th session of the Omani-Egyptian Joint Committee in Cairo.

The meeting, reaffirmed the close cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Republic of Egypt and their shared commitment to developing it strategically across various fields, in a manner that deepens mutual interests and brings greater shared benefits to both brotherly countries.

The two Ministers also discussed a number of regional issues and developments of mutual political and security concern.

They underlined the importance of maintaining coordination, aligning their visions and combining efforts to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy in addressing challenges, defusing tensions and tackling the root causes of conflict, in the interest of the region as a whole.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Foreign Ministry of Oman.

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Alarmingly, 110 million children in the region live in countries affected by war, with homes, schools and health facilities damaged or destroyed in fighting.

“A child’s life is being turned upside down the equivalent of every five seconds due to the conflicts in the region,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, on Tuesday.

UNICEF estimates indicate that 45 million children across the region will require humanitarian assistance in 2025, a 41 per cent increase since 2020.  

Funding shortfalls  

However, funding gaps are affecting vital programmes across the region.

For instance, as of May, Syria faced a 78 per cent funding gap and the State of Palestine a 68 per cent gap for their 2025 appeals. UNICEF’s regional programmes are also under increasing financial strain.

The outlook for 2026 also remains bleak, UNICEF said, noting that its funding for Middle East and North Africa is projected to decline by 20 to 25 per cent, potentially resulting in shortfalls of up to $370 million.

Conflicts must stop  

This would jeopardize lifesaving programmes across the region, including treatment for severe malnutrition, safe water production in conflict zones and vaccinations against deadly diseases.

“As the plight of children in the region worsens, the resources to respond are becoming sparser,” said Mr. Beigbeder.

“Conflicts must stop. International advocacy to resolve these crises must intensify. And support for vulnerable children must increase, not decline.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

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The Powers and Privileges Committee this afternoon resolved to refer the matter, at the request of the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), relating to the conduct of Mr Visvin Reddy during the sitting of the 4 March 2025, to Parliament’s Disciplinary Committee.

The committee agreed that although Mr Reddy’s actions do not constitute contempt of Parliament as per Section 12 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, his actions do constitute misconduct.

The matter was referred to the committee by the Speaker of the National Assembly in terms of rule 214 of the NA Rules. The committee will table its report to the NA for consideration.

The committee also considered another matter referred by the Speaker relating to the conduct of Mr Marlon Daniels on 2 April 2025. The committee resolved to proceed with a formal inquiry to determine, through oral evidence, whether Mr Daniels’ actions constituted contempt of Parliament in terms of the Act and NA Rules.

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