Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Foreign Ministers of Mexico, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, Austria

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 21, 2026

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met separately today with HE Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States Roberto Velasco, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Anita Anand, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Margus Tsahkna, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria Beate Meinl-Reisinger, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The meetings dealt with discussing bilateral cooperation and the means to enhance them, in addition to several regional and international issues of joint interest.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Meets Secretary General of Council of Europe

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 21, 2026

HE State Minister for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, met with HE Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York.

The meeting discussed cooperation relations between the State of Qatar and the Council of Europe and ways of supporting and developing them, in addition to several topics of mutual interest.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 21, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met Monday with President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, Ruth Porat, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During the meeting, they discussed cooperative relations and exchanged views on a number of topics of mutual interest.

Cabo Verde: Governo está comprometido com o desenvolvimento de Santa Catarina do Fogo

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Primeiro-Ministro, Francisco Carvalho, reafirmou o compromisso do Governo em trabalhar com a Câmara Municipal de Santa Catarina do Fogo na concretização de respostas para as principais necessidades do município, com destaque para as áreas das acessibilidades, habitação, saúde, água, agricultura, pesca, requalificação urbana e desporto.

Francisco Carvalho falava durante um encontro de auscultação com o Presidente da Câmara Municipal de Santa Catarina do Fogo, Manuel Teixeira, realizado no quadro da estratégia do Governo de reforçar o diá. com os municípios, identificar as prioridades locais e articular respostas para os desafios enfrentados pelas populações.

Durante o encontro, o Primeiro-Ministro reconheceu que são muitas as necessidades apresentadas pelas autarquias e que todas têm importância para as respetivas populações.

“Temos a certeza de que, para os presidentes das Câmaras, tudo é urgente”, afirmou Francisco Carvalho, destacando, no entanto, a atenção particular que o Governo tem procurado dispensar aos municípios com maiores limitações financeiras.

Neste sentido, o Chefe do Governo destacou as medidas de discriminação positiva dirigidas a Santa Catarina do Fogo, sublinhando o impacto que terão no orçamento municipal e na capacidade da autarquia para responder às necessidades da população.

Questões básicas

Carvalho anunciou ainda o reforço das intervenções no domínio da habitação, indicando que já estão contemplados apoios para a requalificação urbana e para habitações sociais, ao mesmo tempo que o Governo prevê aumentar, no próximo ano, a sua intervenção no âmbito dos programas destinados à construção e reabilitação de casas.

Na área da saúde, o Primeiro-Ministro garantiu que a sua equipa vai trabalhar para melhorar a resposta existente no município. Aliás, durante o encontro, o Ministro da Saúde, Lúcio Miranda, informou que está em estudo a criação de uma estrutura sanitária destinada a reforçar a prestação de cuidados de saúde à população.

O abastecimento de água constituiu outro dos pontos abordados, com Francisco Carvalho a garantir uma intervenção do Governo para reforçar a disponibilidade deste bem precioso no município, incluindo através de uma unidade móvel de dessalinização. A melhoria do abastecimento de água em Cabeça Fundão integra igualmente as prioridades apresentadas, tendo em vista aumentar a cobertura domiciliária e melhorar as condições de vida das famílias.

Francisco Carvalho anunciou ainda a disponibilização de equipamento para reforçar a capacidade de resposta do município.

Acessibilidade

No encontro foram igualmente analisadas as acessibilidades, com destaque para a estrada entre Estância Roque e Cabeça Fundão, uma intervenção considerada importante para o desencravamento das comunidades e para potenciar o desenvolvimento agrícola, turístico e económico daquela zona.

O projeto prevê a abertura e o calcetamento da ligação, permitindo melhorar o acesso às áreas agrícolas, facilitar o transporte e o escoamento da produção e criar condições para atividades ligadas ao agroturismo, turismo rural e turismo de natureza.

Outra prioridade apresentada foi a ligação Tinteira–Bambardeiro, destinada a melhorar as acessibilidades à orla marítima e criar melhores condições para o desenvolvimento da pesca e da economia local. A intervenção poderá facilitar o acesso dos pescadores às zonas de pesca, melhorar o transporte e o escoamento do pescado e favorecer atividades económicas associadas à comercialização e transformação do pescado, restauração e turismo costeiro.

Setor primário

A agricultura mereceu também atenção particular devido às dificuldades registadas no presente ano agrícola. “Estamos a trabalhar em medidas de mitigação”, assegurou, Ministra da Agricultura, Desenvolvimento Rural e Pesca, Eveline Ramos, defendendo que a resposta deverá envolver a articulação entre o Governo e as autoridades locais por forma a apoiar as famílias que dependem diretamente da agricultura e da pecuária.

Já na área da pesca, foram analisadas as necessidades das comunidades piscatórias, incluindo as condições de acesso à Baía de Alcatraz, as infraestruturas de apoio e as dificuldades enfrentadas no transporte e escoamento do pescado. Entre as propostas apresentadas está uma solução de mobilidade para a Baía de Alcatraz, associando a melhoria das condições de trabalho dos pescadores à valorização turística daquela zona.

Desporto

O desporto foi outro dos setores abordados, com destaque para a necessidade de dotar Santa Catarina do Fogo de um Pavilhão Gimnodesportivo Municipal, além das intervenções previstas para melhorar as condições do Estádio Monte Pelado e outros equipamentos desportivos.

Foram ainda colocados em cima da mesa projetos de valorização económica e urbana, incluindo intervenções em Cova Figueira e iniciativas destinadas a criar melhores condições para comerciantes, produtores, pescadores, agricultores, jovens e pequenos empreendedores.

Francisco Carvalho reiterou que a estratégia do Governo passa por trabalhar diretamente com os municípios, estabelecer prioridades e mobilizar os recursos necessários para concretizar intervenções com impacto efetivo na qualidade de vida das populações.

O encontro com o Presidente da Câmara Municipal de Santa Catarina do Fogo integra o processo de auscultação das autarquias promovido pelo Governo, com o objetivo de reforçar a articulação entre o poder central e o poder local e acelerar a implementação de projetos estruturantes nos diferentes municípios do país.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

Angola: Inspecção Geral do Trabalho (IGT) lança campanha em todo o país para melhorar a dignidade dos trabalhadores

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Ministério da Administração Pública, Trabalho e Segurança Social (MAPTSS), através da Inspecção Geral do Trabalho (IGT), lançou, hoje, em Luanda, a II série da Operação Trabalho Digno, que vai decorrer até Dezembro, em todo o país.

A operação é uma iniciativa que serve para reforçar as acções de prevenção, fiscalização e responsabilização, assim como melhorar as condições laborais e fazer com que todos cumpram com a Lei Geral do Trabalho.

A campanha este ano tem como lema, “Promover o Trabalho Digno, Reforçar a Legalidade Laboral e Consolidar a Cultura Nacional de Prevenção” e a primeira fase de actuação está direccionada para os sectores do Comércio, Indústria Transformadora, Extractiva, Agricultura Comercial e Agro-industria.

A primeira zona de actuação a ser dirigida pelo secretário de Estado para o Trabalho e Segurança Social, Pedro Filipe, começa amanhã, na província de Icolo e Bengo.

Durante a apresentação da Operação Trabalho Digno, Pedro Filipe destacou que a IGT, enquanto órgão da Administração indirecta do Estado é responsável pela fiscalização das condições de trabalho e do cumprimento da legislação laboral, assumindo assim, um papel determinante na promoção da justiça social, dignidade da pessoa humana e prevenção dos riscos profissionais.

O secretário de Estado considera que essa acção inspectiva, representa, acima de tudo, uma manifestação concreta da presença do Estado nos locais de trabalho, assegurando que o desenvolvimento económico seja acompanhado pelo respeito da dignidade humana, legalidade e da justiça social.

O governante referiu que a Operação Trabalho Digno não permite criar um ambiente de perseguição às empresas. Pretende, pelo contrário, garantir confiança, responsabilidade, de legalidade e de justiça social. Porque uma economia forte exige empresas fortes, e estas precisam de trabalhadores protegidos para produzirem mais.
“Somo um país que protege quem trabalha, que constrói um futuro mais próspero, justo e socialmente equilibrado”, disse Pedro Filipe.

A Operação Trabalho Digno tem sido realizada em todo território nacional e os resultados obtidos até agora, demonstram que milhares de trabalhadores exerciam actividades em condições incompatíveis aos princípios constitucionais do trabalho digno, por essa razão, a campanha fez melhorar, significativamente, as condições de trabalho, promover novos empregos e aumentar a cobertura do Sistema de Protecção Social Obrigatória.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Angola, Ministério da Administração Pública, Trabalho e Segurança Social.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, highlighted on Monday, during a high-level meeting in New York on the United Nations “Women, Peace and Security” Agenda, the convergence between Morocco and Liberia in prioritizing this issue within UN bodies

Source: APO – Report:

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At the meeting, held under the chairmanship of Liberian president Joseph Boakai on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Bourita noted that Morocco and Liberia are following increasingly convergent paths, driven by shared commitments to advancing women’s leadership in the areas of peace and security.

In his address, the minister congratulated Liberia on the efforts it has made in advancing this Agenda, commending the proven experience of Liberian women who have been mobilized since 2003 as part of the “Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace” movement.

“Liberia’s experience reminds us that women’s role in peace is not defined by their vulnerability to conflict, but by their ability to prevent conflict, play a role in mediation, and support societies in resolving crises,” Bourita stressed.

“For Morocco, this conviction is fundamental. In accordance with the High Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, the Kingdom has sought to translate this conviction both through its diplomatic action and its continued international engagement,” he added.

At the heart of this approach, the minister went on, “lies the conviction that women’s participation must extend across the entire peace continuum,” recalling that Morocco, as a long-standing peacekeeping actor, has committed to strengthening the participation of Moroccan women among peacekeepers, as well as enhancing women’s capacities in mediation and conflict prevention.

During the meeting, Bourita announced that Morocco will host the 6th Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy in 2027, the first such conference to be held on African and Arab soil. He underlined that Africa has much to contribute to the “Women, Peace and Security” Agenda, as well as to the broader debate on feminist foreign policy.

As part of its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2028-2029 term, the Kingdom intends to make this issue a priority within the Council and to advance its Agenda, the minister pointed out.

He also stressed the need for collective reflection on the next steps to be taken under the “Women, Peace and Security” Agenda, taking into account emerging challenges related to women, peace and cybersecurity.

The minister noted that Morocco and Liberia could make a “distinctive” joint contribution by consolidating the gains achieved over the past 25 years in implementing this Agenda, while addressing the requirements of the next 25 years.

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

Qatar Participates in Joint Ministerial Meeting of GCC Foreign Ministers and French Republic

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 21, 2026

The State of Qatar participated on Monday in the joint ministerial meeting between the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the French Republic, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi represented the State of Qatar at the meeting.

Qatar Participates in High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Humanitarian Diplomacy, International Law

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, September 21, 2026

The State of Qatar participated on Monday in a high-level ministerial dialogue on humanitarian diplomacy and upholding international law, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad represented the State of Qatar at the dialogue.

In her remarks, Her Excellency affirmed Qatar’s unwavering commitment to respecting international humanitarian law and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected, particularly in areas affected by conflict and natural disasters. She noted that challenges to humanitarian access require effective multilateral engagement and urgent, coordinated efforts by international and regional humanitarian actors.

Her Excellency highlighted Qatar’s continued efforts to strengthen the role of humanitarian diplomacy in promoting a broader and more inclusive humanitarian response, guided by a foreign policy rooted in dialogue and grounded in the principles of international law and the UN Charter.

She pointed out that, through its mediation and good offices and in close partnership with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, Qatar has worked to open humanitarian corridors, facilitate the release of detainees, and reunite separated families, including children, across various conflict settings.

Kenya: Strong Families, Resilient Force

Source: APO

Behind every service member stands a family whose encouragement, understanding and support contribute significantly to the resilience required for military service. Recognising this important relationship, personnel from various military dioceses, together with their families, gathered at the Defence Headquarters Camp Administration Unit (DHQ-CAU) for the Roman Catholic Family Day Celebration.

The occasion provided a platform for military families to interact, strengthen relationships and share in fellowship away from the demands of routine duties. It also highlighted the important role of faith and family support in promoting the welfare, morale and resilience of military personnel.

Providing spiritual guidance during the celebration, the Bishop of the Catholic Military Ordinariate of Kenya, Rt Rev Wallace Ng’ang’a, emphasised the importance of faith, family unity and mutual support in strengthening the well-being of military personnel and their loved ones.

He observed that strong and supportive families provide personnel with a dependable foundation from which they can draw encouragement and strength as they undertake the unique responsibilities and demands associated with military service.

Representing the Kenya Army Commander and the Roman Catholic Patron,Lieutenant General David Ketter, the Deputy Army Commander, Major General John Nkoimo, underscored the central role of the family in sustaining the morale, welfare and resilience of military personnel. He noted that healthy family relationships provide stability and encouragement, enabling personnel to remain focused on their responsibilities while maintaining a balance between service and family life.

“The strength of our military community is deeply rooted in the strength of our families. When families support, encourage and stand together, they give our personnel the confidence and resilience required to serve with dedication and commitment,” said Major General Nkoimo.

The celebration further recognised the sacrifices made by military families as they support personnel through deployments, training commitments and other demands of service. Their emotional support, patience and encouragement remain integral to sustaining morale and strengthening the overall well-being of personnel.

Drawing inspiration from 1 Samuel 26:2, 7–9, 12–13, participants reflected on the theme of a family that respects and serves generously. The biblical account of David exercising restraint and respecting Saul despite having an opportunity to harm him highlighted the virtues of respect, self-control, integrity and service—values that are equally important in nurturing strong families and building a cohesive military community.

Beyond fellowship and spiritual reflection, the Roman Catholic Family Day Celebration reinforced the understanding that military effectiveness is supported by strong families and communities. Families provide an enduring support system that helps personnel navigate the demands of service while remaining grounded, motivated and resilient.

By bringing personnel and their families together, the celebration strengthened fellowship, mutual support and a shared sense of belonging, affirming the family as an important pillar of personnel welfare, resilience and mission readiness.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Is Set to Award West Africa’s 60 Most Promising Start-Ups This Week in Abuja

Source: APO

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to bring together 60 of West Africa’s most promising startups for the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards, taking place from 21–30 September 2026 at the new ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja. Under the theme “Scaling West African Startups for Digital Transformation, Regional Integration and Sustainable Value Chain Ecosystem Development to drive Market Access,” the initiative will spotlight home-grown solutions with the potential to transform businesses, create opportunities and accelerate regional integration.

The 10-day programme will move from a Virtual Masterclass (21–25 September) to a high-energy Pitching, Exhibition and Awards programme (28–30 September), connecting startups with investors, business leaders and development partners. The 60 startups span six strategic sectors — FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and Food Systems, EdTech and Skills Development, CleanTech, Climate and Green Innovation, and Tourism, Hospitality and Travel Tech — with the top three startups set to receive US$30,000, US$20,000 and US$15,000 in seed funding. The programme also targets US$5 million in deals across the thematic tracks.

Building on the inaugural Awards held in Niamey in 2021, the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards goes beyond a competition to create a lasting regional platform for entrepreneurship and innovation. A key legacy will be the ECOWAS Private Sector Development Academy, a permanent digital learning platform designed to strengthen the capabilities of startups, entrepreneurs and policymakers in enterprise development, trade and competitiveness. With support from partners including ITC, GIZ, ASKY, UNIDO and the Bank of Industry of Nigeria, ECOWAS is working to turn West Africa’s entrepreneurial energy into scalable enterprises, stronger regional value chains and greater access to markets across the region and beyond.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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