Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa has applauded the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Tomio Okamura for promoting Uganda’s tourism industry through taking part in the gorilla mountain trekking in Uganda.
Okamura, who is visiting Uganda, alongside Tayebwa, trekked the mountain gorillas over the weekend in Bwindi impenetrable national park in South Western Uganda during the August 2026 expedition.
“He [Okamura] has appointed himself ambassador of tourism for Uganda and he has promised that he is going to do whatever he can to tell the story of Uganda-how beautiful we are as a country and why everyone should come and visit Uganda,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa made the remarks in his communication during plenary sitting on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, wherein Okamura, together with several delegates from Czech Republic followed proceedings of the sitting in the visitors’ gallery.
Tayebwa said that Okamura’s visit to Uganda is a vote of confidence, given the recent ban on travel by Ugandans by several countries over the Ebola virus outbreak.
“It is a very strong message to the rest of the world that our country is safe and secure,” Tayebwa said.
He however called for better marketing of Uganda’s tourism, saying that many do not know about the vast tourism sites and safari activities in the country.
“He [Okamura] did not know that he can do safari in Uganda. He first went to another country, did safari and then came to Uganda to do gorilla trekking. That means we need to do a lot to market and package our country so that we are known beyond gorilla trekking,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa also renewed a call to the Ministry of Works and transport to improve on the road network in tourism sites, countrywide, saying that tourists spend more hours on the roads due to their poor state.
“It is very important that we fix the roads. I am told that that government has very good plans for tourism roads and I hope we can expedite these and work on the roads,” Tayebwa said.
Hon. Boniface Okot (NRM, Kole South County) thanked Okamura for promoting Uganda’s tourism and encouraged lawmakers to become Uganda’s tourism ambassadors.
“I know in the tourism sector one of the initiatives is having high profile tourists and I encourage the MPs to interest more high profile tourists to visit Uganda,” said Okot.
He added that a proposed Parliamentary tourism week in February 2027 will go a long way in ensuring that legislators participate in promoting Uganda’s tourism.
“This is important in allowing Members to participate in this sector that will have our economy running,” Okot said.
The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nakawuki encouraged Ugandans to take advantage of the open national park days, from 25 to 27 September, 2026.
“During those days, entrance to the national parks is free for Ugandans and foreign residents in Uganda,” Nakawuki said.
Nakawuki also encouraged lawmakers to participate in naming of gorillas and rhinos at a cost ranging between US$20,000 and US$50,000, as a way of promoting Uganda’s tourism as well as revenue generation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
A África do Sul está a passar por uma das transformações mais significativas no seu setor energético, à medida que o país se empenha em diversificar o seu mix energético, reduzir a dependência do carvão e desenvolver um sistema energético mais integrado, capaz de sustentar o crescimento económico a longo prazo. Combinando eletricidade, gás natural, combustíveis líquidos, hidrogénio e armazenamento de energia, este modelo em evolução está a criar novas oportunidades para o desenvolvimento de infraestruturas, investimento industrial e parcerias público-privadas.
Estes desenvolvimentos serão explorados durante a sessão «Investir na África do Sul: Desenvolver Sistemas Energéticos Integrados para um Futuro Energético Inclusivo e Resiliente» na African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, onde decisores políticos, investidores e líderes do setor irão avaliar as estratégias comerciais, os quadros políticos e os modelos de financiamento necessários para construir um sistema energético mais flexível e diversificado.
O debate surge num momento em que a África do Sul continua a implementar a sua Parceria para uma Transição Energética Justa, uma iniciativa marcante lançada em 2021 que mobilizou um compromisso inicial de 8,5 mil milhões de dólares por parte de parceiros internacionais para apoiar a transição do país através de investimentos em energias renováveis, infraestruturas de rede, veículos elétricos e hidrogénio verde. Desde então, o programa tem vindo a alargar os debates em torno de mecanismos de financiamento misto e da participação do setor privado, com vista a acelerar a implementação de projetos.
Embora as energias renováveis continuem a ser fundamentais para o futuro mix energético da África do Sul, espera-se que as infraestruturas de gás desempenhem um papel importante na garantia de flexibilidade, à medida que o país integra volumes crescentes de energia eólica e solar intermitentes. O Plano Diretor do Gás do governo e o quadro político emergente para o gás visam apoiar o desenvolvimento de um mercado interno de gás, permitindo simultaneamente novos investimentos em infraestruturas.
Vários grandes projetos de infraestruturas de gás estão a avançar no âmbito desta estratégia. Em Richards Bay, o Terminal Energético de Zululand, ainda em fase de proposta, está a ser desenvolvido como o primeiro terminal de importação de GNL da África do Sul e deverá apoiar o programa de conversão de gás em eletricidade de 3 000 MW planeado pela Eskom, reforçando a segurança energética e a flexibilidade da rede. Entretanto, o desenvolvimento do terminal de GNL de Ngqura, na Zona Económica Especial de Coega, está a avançar como um centro estratégico de importação e regaseificação de gás, concebido para apoiar utilizadores industriais, produtores independentes de energia e a futura capacidade de conversão de gás em energia. Em conjunto, estes projetos poderão estabelecer infraestruturas essenciais para o mercado emergente de gás da África do Sul, apoiando simultaneamente o crescimento industrial e a transição para um sistema energético mais diversificado.
Ao mesmo tempo, o país está a posicionar-se como um potencial interveniente global no setor do hidrogénio verde. Projetos como o desenvolvimento de hidrogénio verde da Sasol em Boegoebaai, no Cabo Setentrional, e a proposta de criação da Zona Económica Especial de Boegoebaai têm como objetivo a produção em grande escala de hidrogénio a partir de energias renováveis, com a ambição de desenvolver oportunidades de exportação e criar novas cadeias de valor industriais.
A sessão «Investir na África do Sul» irá analisar como o país pode integrar o gás, as energias renováveis, o hidrogénio e o armazenamento num sistema energético resiliente, ao mesmo tempo que gere a transição para longe do carvão. Os debates centrar-se-ão nas vias de investimento, nas prioridades de infraestruturas e nas parcerias necessárias para garantir um abastecimento energético fiável e um crescimento económico inclusivo.
«A transição energética da África do Sul representa uma das oportunidades de investimento mais significativas do continente, mas o sucesso dependerá da construção de um sistema energético que garanta fiabilidade, acessibilidade e crescimento», afirma NJ Ayuk, presidente executivo da Câmara Africana de Energia. «Ao reunir investidores, decisores políticos e líderes do setor, a AEW 2026 ajudará a promover as parcerias necessárias para transformar as ambições energéticas da África do Sul em projetos concretos que beneficiem a economia.»
À medida que a África do Sul remodela o seu panorama energético, a AEW 2026 proporcionará uma plataforma para que as partes interessadas identifiquem oportunidades nos setores do gás, da eletricidade, das energias renováveis, do hidrogénio e das infraestruturas – ajudando a definir o próximo capítulo do futuro energético do país.
Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.
In this message, the Sovereign extends His warmest congratulations to President Deby Itno, as well as His best wishes for his personal happiness and for the prosperity of the Chadian people.
On this occasion, HM the King recalls the deep ties of brotherhood and friendship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Chad, expressing His wish to see them strengthened further.
To this end, the Sovereign assures President Deby Itno of His determination to maintain their joint action for reinforced bilateral cooperation, in the service of both peoples and a united and prosperous Africa
– on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
What is the past? It may seem a simple question to answer, but it is more complex than we might think at first. As science, politics, technologies and ways of thinking change, so does our understanding of what went before.
Tim Forssman is an archaeologist who has conducted research in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique. He recently completed a book about how the history of archaeology in Africa has shaped the way we understand the past. Here he shares some thoughts about why the discipline matters.
What are the key phases of archaeological work in Africa?
In my book, I divided the practice of archaeology in Africa into four phases: the early years, the emergence of archaeology, a coming of age, and archaeology’s diaspora across Africa. These are not definitive, and they have fuzzy boundaries, but they made the most sense to me. Each chapter begins with a story that I felt captured that period in time.
The 1798 L’Expédition d’Egypte (Egyptian Expedition) under Napoleon Bonaparte. Painted by Léon Cogniet in 1835 (Louvre). Wikimedia.CC BY
The early years came at a time (the late 1800s) when European nations were scrambling to parcel up Africa into colonies. Much of the archaeological work at this time was based on collections, with little analysis of the finds. Most of the research was carried out by museums employees, missionaries, administrators and travellers but little by trained specialists.
Archaeology in Africa cover.Author provided (no reuse)
In the early 20th century, archaeological approaches changed, leading to a clash of amateurs and professionals. By the 1920s, robust analytical approaches were being developed and used to interpret the past. However, archaeology was still chasing the ghosts of colonial misperceptions of Africa’s history. Bogus notions of an Atlantis, a legendary sunken utopia, in west Africa, or Hamitic people from Egypt bringing advanced technology to large parts of the continent, continued.
The second world war brought about a technological leap. Methods such as radiocarbon dating emerged along with other advanced methods that would fundamentally shift archaeological approaches. Early examples of radiocarbon dating in Africa were from Bernard Fagg’s work in Nigeria on the Jos Plateau. While stationed there as a colonial chief inspector of mines he was alerted to finely crafted terracotta heads. He and his wife, Catherine, searched for more and retrieved a large sample. He dated them, producing an age over 2,000 years old, much older than any known kingdom in west Africa at that time. It challenged colonial views that complex civilisations emerged far later in this part of the world than elsewhere.
The stone cairn in Great Zimbabwe’s valley complex. Photo: Andrew Moore, Wikimedia.CC BY
Growing from the 1960s, the diaspora of archaeology, was the role communities played in research, either as workers or by offering information and knowledge. This, I argue, represents a complete shift in archaeological frameworks and in giving agency to Africans.
Great Mosque, Kilwa Kisiwani. Photo: CosiMapi, Wikimedia.CC BY
The Swahili coastline is a perfect example. Previous work focused on the role that incoming Arabic groups played in transforming the socio-political landscape. Then a new approach emerged which turned the lens and examined how local communities carved out change along the coastline as part of a much longer history. Interest shifted from monumental settlements like the Great Mosque at Kilwa-Kiswani, in Tanzania, to everyday life.
These chapters show how the lens archaeologists and historians use focuses on different pasts. As our contexts change, as our approaches shift, or as our science takes on new forms, our view of the past comes into a new focus. We see the past through the present – it is dependent on our social, technological, economic and political contexts.
What role does archaeology play in modern Africa?
Fort São Sebastião on Mozambique Island. Photo: Stig Nygaard, Wikimedia.CC BY
The past has created the world we inhabit. For example, the entire eastern seaboard, from Mogadishu in Somalia to Vilanculos in Mozambique, is shaped by the long history of trade, interaction, colonisation, slavery and conflict. During the colonial era, and in South Africa until the end of apartheid, much of this was not fully recognised or widely promoted. Refocusing on the past, in places with colonial pasts, can play a reparative role in acknowledging African histories that were poorly recorded, helping us to better understand how our society was shaped.
Archaeology matters beyond how we view ourselves and those around us. It has the potential to promote social harmony, improve spiritual and mental health by connecting people with their past and their ancestors, and create sustainable jobs. It also promotes local and indigenous ways of doing and knowing. In Egypt, the Golden Parade of the Pharaohs through the streets of Cairo, when 22 mummies were moved to their new museum in 2021, became an important symbol of nationhood and identity. However, so much of Africa’s heritage is currently at risk.
Preserving the past is an important task for all archaeologists and historians. Rampant looting for museums and collections has led to the loss of important historical items, such as terracotta statues in Nigeria and Mali. Crime is another concern. Conflict during the late 1990s in Eritrea and Ethiopia resulted in the toppling of stelae (stone columns) and golden finds from Thulamela (a site in South Africa’s Kruger National Park) were stolen from the museum in Skukuza, never to be retrieved.
Climate change is having an irreparable impact on history and heritage. In east Africa, potentially more than a quarter of the Unesco World Heritage sites are at risk of flooding or erosion. Mozambique is already witnessing massive damage from cyclones. It is only through archaeology that we learn more of these important pasts and identify methods to protect and preserve them.
Where do you see the field going next?
It is a very diverse discipline with a lot of sub-fields. Each has their own ambitions, aims and goals. But I believe there are some overarching agendas.
Reviewing scientific papers of African research shows that the vast majority are authored by people from Europe and North America. This brings collaborations, funds and training opportunities, but it also causes problems locally. This power dynamic needs to be revised. There should be more of an emphasis on growing local capacity, facilities and training.
Archaeological science is advancing our knowledge of the past at a rapid rate. Genetic research is helping us understand human and animal movements across the continent, and chemical analysis of artefacts such as glass beads is helping us map trade networks. We need more laboratories in Africa. This will create jobs and skills development, and reduce the risks associated with moving sensitive heritage items far from their places of origin.
I also feel that including local communities in archaeological research at various levels is a grand shift in the discipline. In the earlier years, community knowledge was undervalued, whereas today many studies place it at the centre of understanding. Studies of rock art, for example, struggled to understand the art’s meaning until scholars turned to the belief systems of people who produced it to unlock its symbolism.
While there are many challenges, archaeology is in a strong position to contribute to the future. However, archaeologists must ensure that they show how the past is relevant in the present, or it risks being left behind.
– Archaeology has evolved: Four eras of understanding Africa’s past – https://theconversation.com/archaeology-has-evolved-four-eras-of-understanding-africas-past-287886
HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi met on Tuesday with HE Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, and his accompanying delegation, who are visiting the country. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen and expand it, particularly in the areas of economy, investment, energy, education, labor, and aviation. They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common interest. Both sides expressed their shared desire to enhance existing cooperation frameworks in a manner that serves their mutual interests and contributes to further strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors.
The Office of the President announces, with deep sadness, the passing of Ambassador Dick Esparon, a distinguished statesman who dedicated more than three decades of his life to the service of Seychelles.
President Dr Patrick Herminie described Ambassador Esparon as a close personal friend and a steadfast servant of the nation, whose contribution spanned the National Assembly, the Diplomatic Corps, and the highest levels of party leadership.
“Seychelles has lost not only a distinguished public servant, but I have lost a close personal friend,” said President Herminie. “Dick gave himself fully to every role entrusted to him, and he did so with humility, loyalty, and an unshakeable love for his country. His passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt across our nation.”
Ambassador Esparon’s career of public service was marked by extraordinary breadth. He served three terms as a Member of the National Assembly, representing his district of Pointe Larue with dedication and integrity. In the diplomatic arena, he served with distinction as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, including as Seychelles’ first resident High Commissioner to India and as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, in addition to serving as Secretary of State for Poverty Alleviation. Most recently, he served as Secretary General of United Seychelles, guiding the party with steady hand and unwavering commitment.
On behalf of the Government and people of Seychelles, President Herminie extends his deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Ambassador Esparon during this time of profound loss.
“Our home is the world, our bedroom is the soft grass underneath the night sky.”
Born in Darfur as member of the Fallata tribe, widely known as a sub-branch of the greater Ambororo cattle keeper community from West and Central Africa, Adam Garbar’s stories embody the spirit that motivates cattle keepers across the continent to continue following the path of their ancestors.
Despite insecurity plaguing parts of South Sudan, they spend their lives between roads and trees, never spending more than two weeks at the same location.
However, that two weeks can feel like a lifetime for local farming communities.
On the move with hundreds of family members and thousands of cattle, the arrival of nomadic tribes looking to feed their livestock during dry season is widely associated with danger.
Until earlier this year, one of their main migration stops in Lainya County was known as a conflict hotspot constantly rattled by violent clashes between local farmers and cattle herders from various tribes and origins.
Without proper agreements and lines of communication, cattle would feed on and destroy vital crops of local farming communities, causing conflict and, too often, loss of lives due to clashes or revenge killings that could have been prevented.
However, a change of government leadership in Lainya County has inspired a new approach.
“We used to react rather than prevent these issues from happening. These days, they inform us about their tentative migration plans so the first thing we do when they arrive is to call them and establish an open line of communication,” explains Lainya County Security Coordinator, Robert Sebit Tobia during a recent visit by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
As part of a multiple day patrol that navigated muddy terrain and almost impassable roads due to flooding, UNMISS peacekeepers came to engage with local authorities and communities while assessing the humanitarian and security situation.
“The situation has improved through the interventions of locally established peace and governance structures, local authority and security agencies. Following our engagement with multiple stakeholders on the complexity of cultural and habitual practices of all involved parties, the overall security situation in the county is fragile but now relatively calm,” says UNMISS Civil Affairs Division Officer, James Muriithi.
In places like Wonduruba, which became a safe haven for civilians across the county following violent cattle raid clashes in 2021, memories of conflict and accompanying grief are still very much alive.
However, these memories are gradually being overwritten by the efforts of Ambororo cattlekeepers and farmers working together to pave a path towards peace.
“For the first time, I am actually looking forward to the Ambororo passing through our town. Instead of expecting danger, I now think of the milk and interesting conversations they bring with them,” shares 23-year-old mother of four, Mary Gaba.
Her sentiments echo those of the cattle keepers who also found relief in the new coordination mechanisms.
“We are all trying to protect what we love. What better way is there to ask for what you need instead of simply taking it?,” says Adam Garbar.
Accordingly, they try their best to avoid confrontations by leaving their cattle to feed on grass outside the town when they come to trade. Should there be an incident where crop eating is unavoidable, they choose communication over conflict.
Looking back at the newfound peace, Lainya County Security Coordinator, Robert Tobia, concludes what may be widely known but too rarely employed:
“We are all people. If we approach others in a peaceful way, war can be prevented.”
– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
A distinguished military officer with decades of experience in national security, Major General (Retired) Ziankahn previously served as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, where he led the transformation and professionalization of the country’s military following years of conflict.
Major General Ziankahn previously served as Minister of National Defense and, more recently, as Military Advisor to President Boakai, providing strategic counsel on national security matters.
His appointment reflects the President’s confidence in his leadership, integrity, and operational experience, and signals the Administration’s determination to elevate Liberia’s fight against drugs to a new level. In his new role, he will report directly to the President, in close consultation with the Minister of Justice.
The President has also appointed Ms. Precious Rue as Deputy Director General for Operations and Mr. Prince Mulbah as Deputy Director General for Administration of the LDEA, also pending Senate confirmation.
All three appointees have been directed to assume their duties with immediate effect in an acting capacity, pending legislative confirmation upon the Senate’s return later this year. Mr. Ernest Tarpeh, who served as Deputy LDEA Director General, returns to this previous assignment at the National Security Agency.
The appointments follow the submission of the Ministry of Justice’s investigative report to the President and form part of a broader strategy to strengthen Liberia’s institutional response to the growing threat posed by narcotics trafficking and related criminal activities.
President Boakai has repeatedly declared that narcotics trafficking represents one of the gravest threats to Liberia’s national security, public health, and future development. Under his leadership, the Government has adopted a zero tolerance policy toward drug trafficking, corruption, and organized crime. This policy has been accompanied by stronger enforcement actions, institutional reforms, and enhanced interagency cooperation.
In a related development, President Boakai has indefinitely suspended former LDEA Officer in Charge Fitzgerald Biago from the Liberia National Police for ethical transgressions and has ordered that he be subjected to a more detailed investigation.
The President’s decision follows a review of the Ministry of Justice’s report, which did not establish any involvement by Mr. Biago in illegal narcotics trafficking. However, the report identified ethical concerns that warrant further scrutiny to determine whether additional administrative or other appropriate actions may be necessary.
Following a marathon National Security Council meeting this evening, President Boakai reaffirmed that his Administration remains committed to ensuring that all allegations of misconduct are addressed fairly, professionally, and in accordance with due process. He emphasized that while no individual will be condemned without evidence, no public official will be exempt from accountability where questions of integrity arise.
The President called on the newly appointed leadership of the LDEA to work closely with the Joint Security, the Ministry of Justice, and international partners to dismantle drug trafficking networks, strengthen border security, enhance intelligence and enforcement capabilities, and protect Liberia’s youth and communities from the devastating effects of illicit drugs.
“Our fight against drugs is a fight for the future of Liberia,” the President declared, stressing, “We will continue to strengthen our institutions, hold public officials to the highest ethical standards, and pursue those who seek to poison our communities. There will be no safe haven for drug traffickers or those who aid and abet them.”
– on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.
The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has established a Project Execution Unit to strengthen implementation of loan-funded projects and ensure that borrowed funds deliver the intended results.
This was revealed before the Committee on National Economy on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, where the Minister, Hon. Henry Musasizi, led a team of technical officers to present the ministry’s report on public debt, grants, guarantees and other financial liabilities.
The move comes amid persistent concerns from members over low utilisation and absorption of borrowed funds, which they say undermines the intended benefits of loans while increasing the country’s debt burden.
The Ag. Commissioner for Development Assistance and Regional Cooperation Department, Juvenal Muhumuza, said the Project Execution Unit will closely monitor implementation of projects and ensure that challenges affecting their performance are addressed.
“The unit will follow up issues affecting project performance on a regular basis and flag them to management for action,” said Muhumuza, who represented the Permanent Secretary.
Muhumuza also revealed that the ministry has tightened management of counterpart funding following cases of misuse by government entities. He said monitoring, approval and utilisation of counterpart funding has now been centralised under the Office of the Accountant General.
“This reform is aimed at addressing diversion of funds from intended purpose under, under budgeting, inadequate accountability and oversight of counterpart funding,” said Muhumuza.
He observed that poor performance of some loan-funded projects arises from delays in procurement, clearance of environmental reports and payment of contractors, among other implementation challenges. These bottlenecks have been addressed under new Standard Operating Procedures approved by Cabinet in March 2025, Muhumuza said.
He supported Musasizi’s position that Uganda can sustain its public debt if challenges affecting the performance of borrowed funds are addressed. In this he cited a facility established at the National Planning Authority to support timely preparation of feasibility studies and project designs.
Hon. Patrick Wakida (NRM, Kabweri County) expressed concern that government was not investing borrowed funds wisely, warning that the country could be heading towards a debt trap.
“If you look at how much of the debt we actually have, you realize it eats in the national budget, we are paying more to clear debts than investment,” he said.
Hon. Hassan Kirumira (NUP, Katikamu South) criticised government’s increasing reliance on borrowing from commercial banks, saying it was crowding out private sector borrowers.
Hon. Boniface Okot (NRM, Kole South) asked the ministry to address duplication of projects, where government entities operating within the same sector acquire loans to implement similar projects.
“The commercial banks prefer lending to government, as it is less risky. This makes access to credit for the private sector expensive. We need to minimize domestic borrowing in order to boost the private sector,” Kirumira said.
The committee asked the ministry to assess government entities with a history of poor loan utilisation and prioritise borrowing for institutions with demonstrated capacity to implement projects within agreed timelines.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
The Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya, Ruvini De Silva, attended the opening ceremony of the Second African Universities and Communities Climate Week 2026 as the Chief Guest at Kenyatta University.
The event was co-organized by the Department of Environmental Science and Education of Kenyatta University and the Africa Community of Planetary Partners for Health and Environment (ACOPPHE), bringing together researchers, academics, policymakers, development partners, community leaders, indigenous knowledge holders, students, and young leaders to advance collaborative approaches to climate action.
The programme commenced with a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University, Prof. John Okumu, during which discussions focused on strengthening collaboration among universities, communities, and other stakeholders in addressing climate and environmental challenges. The Acting High Commissioner subsequently joined the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and other guests in a tree-planting initiative, symbolizing a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action.
Delivering the keynote address, the Acting High Commissioner highlighted that climate change in Africa is no longer a distant projection but a lived reality, manifested through droughts, floods, threats to food security, biodiversity loss, and growing health risks. She emphasized that climate change is not merely an environmental concern, but also a developmental, public health, economic, and human dignity issue.
Referring to the theme of the conference, “One Health for One Planet: Leveraging Local and Indigenous Innovations to Unite Urban and Rural Communities for Sustainable Development and Climate Action,” the Acting High Commissioner underscored the inseparable relationship between human and planetary health and the need for integrated solutions combining scientific knowledge, indigenous knowledge, and community experience.
She also highlighted the role of universities in translating research into policies, technologies, and practical solutions for communities, while emphasizing the contribution of indigenous communities and local knowledge holders as custodians of generations of ecological knowledge. She called for greater dialogue between scientific and indigenous knowledge systems to develop locally relevant and sustainable climate solutions.
The Acting High Commissioner further stressed that meaningful climate action requires inclusive and intergenerational partnerships, with Indigenous Peoples and youth at the centre of decision-making. She encouraged participants to forge partnerships that translate research and ideas into concrete action.
Concluding her keynote address, the Acting High Commissioner declared the African Universities and Communities Climate Week 2026 officially open and expressed hope that the gathering would strengthen partnerships between universities and communities, science and society, and local innovation and global action.
The participation of the Acting High Commissioner reflected Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation on climate change, environmental sustainability, knowledge sharing, and community-driven solutions.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism – Sri Lanka.
