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Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Badr Abdelatty, the Foreign Minister of Egypt, held a telephone conversation on Monday, to discuss the latest regional developments following the cessation of the Zionist regime’s military aggression against Iran.

In the conversation, Araghchi pointed to the widespread condemnation of the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran by the international community—especially Islamic countries and key regional organizations.

He criticized the failure of two responsible international bodies, namely the UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency, to condemn the attacks, and emphasized the Islamic Republic of Iran’s firm pursuit of identifying the aggressor and obtaining reparations.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister welcomed the end of the Zionist regime’s aggression and stressed his country’s continued efforts to help de-escalate tensions in the region, including efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Islamic Republic of Iran.

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The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a ZAR 2.5 billion (approximately $139 million) corporate loan to the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, marking the Bank’s first direct lending to a subnational entity in Africa.  

The transaction will finance critical infrastructure projects in electricity, water, sanitation, and solid waste management, directly benefiting over 6 million residents in South Africa’s economic powerhouse. 

The approval marks a transformative moment for municipal financing across Africa, operationalizing the African Development Bank’s Guidelines for Subnational Finance for the first time. The funding will exclusively support trading services infrastructure that generates revenue, ensuring sustainable debt repayment, while addressing urgent challenges in service delivery. 

“This landmark transaction, led by the African Development Bank’s Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, in coordination with the Water and Sanitation Department,  and the Power Department, signals a new era in how the African Development Bank can empower cities,” said the Bank’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, Solomon Quaynor. “By directly financing Johannesburg, we are unlocking a scalable model for subnational lending that enables multi-sectoral infrastructure delivery and positions the Bank as a trusted partner in driving sustainable, inclusive urban development across Africa.” 

The loan will finance over 100 carefully selected projects across four vital sectors: upgrading distribution networks, installing smart meters, expanding renewable energy capacity, and connecting 3,200 new households to the grid; rehabilitating aging pipelines, upgrading treatment facilities, and reducing water losses from 46% to 37%;  and improving landfill compliance, expanding recycling facilities, and enhancing waste collection services. 

“This historic transaction demonstrates the African Development Bank’s commitment to supporting creditworthy cities as engines of economic growth,” said the African Development Bank’s Director General for Southern Africa, Kennedy  Mbekeani. “Johannesburg is not just South Africa’s largest city – it contributes 16% to the country’s GDP and serves as a gateway for investment across the continent. By strengthening its infrastructure backbone, we’re investing in Africa’s urban future.” 

The City of Johannesburg faces significant infrastructure challenges, with annual electricity losses of 30% for the past three years and water losses of 46.1%. The project is expected to create 2,869 jobs during construction and substantially improve service reliability for millions of residents. 

An additional $1.5 million grant through the Bank’s Urban and Municipal Development Fund is being sought to support municipal reforms, governance and climate-resilient planning initiatives. 

Beyond infrastructure improvements, the project will deliver significant socioeconomic benefits:  

• 592 full-time equivalent jobs, with 14% reserved for women and 23% for youth. 
• Reduced electricity and water interruptions will boost productivity for 65% of electricity and 5% of water consumed by industry. 
•  Enhanced free basic services for 160,000 indigent households.  
• ZAR 500 million in contracts earmarked for small and medium enterprises, with 40% reserved for women-owned businesses and 50% for youth entrepreneurs. 

The African Development Bank has included comprehensive safeguards in the project to assure robust monitoring and oversight, transparency, compliance, and sound financial management throughout the loan lifecycle. 

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

Media contact: 
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External Relations Department
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

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The World Bank Group has appointed Fily Sissoko as the new Division Director for Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, and Seychelles, effective today. He succeeds Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, who held the position for the past four and a half years.

In this new role, Mr. Sissoko will lead the World Bank Group’s engagement with government counterparts, development partners, and other stakeholders, advancing initiatives aligned with national priorities and the World Bank’s vision of a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

An Ivorian national, Mr. Sissoko brings over 23 years of development experience across Africa, East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific. Most recently, he served as the World Bank Country Manager for Togo, based in Lome. Prior to that, he was  the manager for the Governance Global Practice for the East Asia and Pacific region. He began his career at the World Bank in 2002 as a Financial Management Specialist in Dakar, Senegal, and has since held several leadership roles in financial management.

Based in Maputo, Mr. Sissoko will oversee a portfolio of 63 projects totaling $8.5 billion in commitments across the five countries. This support spans key sectors including education, energy, health, social protection, infrastructure, agriculture, governance, and private sector development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

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At least 12.2 million children have reportedly been killed, maimed or displaced in conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in less than 2 years, the equivalent of one child displaced every five seconds, and one child killed or maimed every fifteen minutes.

Reports indicate over 12 million children have been displaced, more than 40,000 maimed, and almost 20,000 killed.

“A child’s life is being turned upside down the equivalent of every five seconds due to the conflicts in the region,” said UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder. “Already, half of the region’s 220 million children live in conflict-affected countries. We cannot allow this number to rise. Ending hostilities – for the sake of children – is not optional; it is an urgent necessity, a moral obligation, and it is the only path to a better future.”

Today, nearly 110 million children in MENA live in countries affected by conflict. Violence continues to disrupt nearly every aspect of their lives. Homes, schools, and health facilities are being destroyed. Children are regularly exposed to life-threatening situations, extreme distress, and displacement, stripped of safety and often left with psychological scars that can last a lifetime.

In 2025, UNICEF estimates that 45 million children across the region will require humanitarian assistance due to continued life-threatening risks and vulnerabilities, up from 32 million in 2020 – a 41 per cent increase in just five years.

Meanwhile, UNICEF is experiencing major funding shortfalls across its operations in the MENA region. For instance, as of May, Syria faces a 78 per cent funding gap, the State of Palestine a 68 per cent gap for their 2025 appeals, and our regional programmes are under increasing financial strain.

Looking ahead, the outlook remains bleak. By 2026*, UNICEF’s funding in MENA is projected to decline by 20 to 25 per cent, potentially resulting in a loss of up to US$370 million – jeopardizing life-saving 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 Beigbeder. “Conflicts must stop. International advocacy to resolve these crises must intensify. And support for vulnerable children must increase, not decline.”

UNICEF urges all parties to conflict in the region to end hostilities and uphold international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. Member States with influence over parties to conflict must use their leverage to advocate for peace and the protection of children and the essential infrastructure they rely on for survival.

UNICEF also urges donors to maintain or increase their support for children and calls on new donors to stand with the region’s most vulnerable children.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNICEF, Middle East and North Africa.

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A coalition of governments, international development partners and private sector groups including the UN Capital Development Fund, UN Economic Commission for Africa, African Union Commission, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Norad, Switzerland SECO and Convergence Blended Finance, are announcing the development of an Action Plan to increase mobilize private sector capital at scale in developing countries.

The Action Plan, announced at the Fourth Financing for Development Conference (FFD4) in Seville, Spain, seeks to tackle poverty, economic growth and climate risks by deploying public sector resources through blended finance to mobilize private investment in underserved markets, which, over the last decade, has remained weak even as global wealth has ballooned. The Action Plan will include a dedicated Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Africa-focused track to advance context-specific blended finance approaches and support scalable investment opportunities in key sectors.

FFD4 is a once-in-a-decade gathering of development partners seeking to build a renewed global financing framework to urgently unlock greater volumes of capital to close the financing gap of developing countries. Government-sourced Official Development Assistance (ODA) declined last year by over 7% compared with 2023, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), one of the co-proposers of the Action Plan.

“The world has the resources – the money we need – to eradicate poverty and ensure every person can live a life free from poverty. Much of those resources lie with the private sector in the world’s most developed nations and they will likely remain there until the real and perceived risks that act as a barrier to investment in underserved markets are tackled head-on,” said Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Executive Secretary of the UN Capital Development Fund, which provides catalytic and blended finance solutions for underserved markets.

“Blended finance models that are tailored to country needs have the potential to de-risk markets, plug the international development finance gap and transform the lives of hundreds of millions of people living in the world’s underserved markets and Least Developed Countries,” Mr Kurukulasuriya added.

“Bridging Africa’s investment gap demands bold, coordinated action. This Action Plan marks a turning point, a practical blueprint to shift global capital toward sustainable development in countries that need it most. The UN Economic Commission for Africa is committed to ensuring that Africa is not only part of the conversation, but central to the solution” added Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa.

“As traditional streams of overseas development assistance dry up, more people than ever are talking about the promise of blended finance,” shared Joan Larrea, Chief Executive Office of Convergence. “At FFD4, with this joint proposal, we have made a significant step towards making that promise a reality.”

“Norway is proud to collaborate with this global coalition on developing the Action Plan to mobilize private investment for sustainable development. Addressing the financing gaps in Least Developed Countries and underserved markets is critical to tackling poverty, hunger, and climate challenges. By leveraging blended finance and fostering innovative partnerships, we aim to contribute to transformative change and create a foundation for equitable and inclusive growth,” said Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s Minister of Development.

“Mobilization of private capital for financing sustainable development is an integral part of Finland’s foreign and development policy”, says Ville Tavio, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development. “Financing for Development Conference will increase the clarity and formality of private capital mobilization as part of the financing sustainable development for the next decade. We believe that developing a common action plan and standardizing the proven blended finance models will help us scale up private capital mobilization to deliver on the commitments agreed here in Seville.”

While global assets have doubled to $482 trillion over the last decade, private sector investment to and within low- and middle-income countries has remained stubbornly weak. Only 5% of those global assets are invested in developing countries, excluding China, according to the Financial Stability Board, an international body that monitors the global financial system. Of that 5%, only a tiny proportion reaches the most underserved markets and the world’s 44 Least Developed Countries, which are collectively home to some 880 million people.

The world stands at a crossroads for financing sustainable development with an estimated annual financing gap of $4 trillion – up from $2.5 trillion pre-pandemic. The OECD reports that all “official development finance” activity mobilized an average of $57 billion in private investment annually over the last five years – just 1% of the $6-7 trillion needed each year if the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be met.

At the same time, domestic financial resources in developing countries are insufficient and cross-border private investment flows from developed to developing countries has been low over the past decade.

Blended finance has the potential to transform private investment flows and positively contribute to the FfD4 Outcome Document mobilization objectives and to the SDGs.

Signatories of the Joint Initiative have committed to develop an “effective, efficient, fair and practical action plan” through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026 to identify how to use a blend of public sector and philanthropic resources to mobilize and crowd-in larger amounts of private sector finance for development results at scale.

The Action Plan will describe practical measures to mobilize private investment using standardized and replicable blended finance models tailored to country contexts, with an emphasis on alignment with national priorities and global development goals with the following measurable results:

• At least 16 OECD DAC countries will agree to or endorse the Action Plan by March 31, 2026.

• At least 27 African countries and 27 non-African developing countries will also endorse the Action Plan by the same date.

• At least 16 developed and 54 developing countries will commit to implementing the plan starting June 30, 2026.

The Action Plan is one of a series being submitted to conference organisers that seek to turn the objectives outlined in the FFD4 outcome document into a pathway for action.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

On June 28, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania H.E.Chen Mingjian and Minister of Prime Minister’s Office(Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability) Hon. Ridhiwani Jakaya Kikwete attended The 4th China-Tanzania Job Fair together. Over 100 Chinese enterprises participated in the job fair, offering about 1000 job opportunities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Republic of Tanzania.

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AU Commission Chair H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met with the Prime Minister of Spain H.E. Pedro Sánchez on the margins of the #FfD4 conference in Seville & reaffirm the AU–Spain partnership. He thanked Spain for hosting #FfD4 in Seville and welcomed the opportunity to advocate for reforms to tackle systemic global financial inequalities.

The Chair underscored Africa’s commitment to cooperation under the AU–Spain MoU: peace & security, maritime governance, Agenda 2063, & migration. He called for joint action on conflict prevention, orderly migration, & stronger Africa-EU ties.

He urged Spain to support Africa’s call for a fairer global financial architecture, – stronger trade in key sectors: auto, medtech, textiles, & tourism.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón welcomed AU’s strong participation at #FFD4Sevilla & assured that Spain will support Africa’s priorities within the multilateral framework of the AU-EU cooperation and the UN system.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

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The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union (AU) has officially launched the “My Africa, My Future” Civil Society Compendium—a groundbreaking initiative aimed at showcasing the powerful role civil society organizations (CSOs) across Africa and the diaspora play in advancing justice and reparations.

The Compendium is part of ECOSOCC’s commitment to strengthening the African Union’s connection with its people and is aligned with the AU’s 2025 Theme of the Year, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”

The ‘My Africa My Future Compendium’ (MAMF) was conceived 25th May 2025, as part of the Africa Day commemoration. The Compendium represents ECOSOCC’s commitment to make civil society visible, valued, and heard. This initiative creates a space for civil society to tell its own stories, share its solutions, and shape continental and global policy conversations from the grassroots.

As a digital and physical repository of civic excellence, My Africa, My Future will catalogue a wide range of impactful CSO-led initiatives, encourage interregional learning, and build a legacy of civil society action that will inform Africa’s development for years to come.

“With ‘My Africa, My Future,’ we are not only documenting action, but we are also acknowledging and elevating the indispensable role of civil society in shaping Africa’s future,” said William Carew, ECOSOCC’s Head of Secretariat. “This Compendium is a platform for recognition, and above all, for solidarity. It’s time the world hears the collective voice of African civil society on justice and reparations—clear, united, and unstoppable.”

The initiative invites CSOs from across Africa and the global African diaspora to submit their work, with a focus on projects that champion justice and reparative action. Selected contributions will be featured in the inaugural edition of the Compendium and serve as inspiration for replication, scaling, and policy alignment.

Through this initiative, ECOSOCC aims to:

• Spotlight diverse CSO-led initiatives aligned with the AU 2025 Theme of the Year;
• Promote interregional learning by sharing replicable models and strategies;
• Build a lasting archive of civil society contributions across Africa and the diaspora;
• Amplify the collective impact of CSOs, activists, researchers, and communities under ECOSOCC.

In the exercise of its mandate of connecting the African Union, ECOSOCC champions numerous initiatives throughout the year; be it through advocacy or awareness raising, ECOSOCC has always been at the forefront of bringing AU policies and programmes at the grassroots.

As a result of these engagements, many CSOs have reported, quite sporadically though, to ECOSOCC about their very laudable programs to support the AU’s Agenda 2063 but most importantly, the annual AU Theme of the Year.

Join the Movement. Shape the Narrative. Share Your Impact.

To contribute to the “My Africa, My Future” Compendium, CSOs are encouraged to visit https://ecosocc.au.int/en/mamf/call and submit their initiatives for inclusion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

In this message, His Majesty the King conveys to President Sheikh Mahmoud His warm congratulations and extends to the brotherly Somali people His best wishes for continued progress and prosperity, in peace and stability.

The Sovereign takes this opportunity to reaffirm His firm determination to work, in close cooperation with the Somali President, to strengthen the fraternal ties between Morocco and Somalia, at the service of the interests of the two brotherly peoples.

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

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, on the occasion of his country’s 63rd anniversary of independence.

In this message, the Sovereign extends His warmest congratulations and best wishes to President Evariste Ndayishimiye as well as the entire Burundian people.

His Majesty the King praised the strengthening momentum of close cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Burundi, reaffirming His determination to work with His Excellency to further enhance it at both the bilateral and continental levels.

The Sovereign also expressed His hope that the deep bonds of friendship, solidarity, and mutual resteem between the two countries will continue to grow.

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