Category: MIL-OSI

Posted on

Qatar Condemns Hijacking of Oil Tanker Carrying Egyptian Sailors

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | May 12, 2026

The State of Qatar condemns the hijacking of an oil tanker carrying Egyptian sailors from the Yemeni territorial waters, and its diversion toward Somali territorial waters near Puntland region.

The State of Qatar describes the hijacking as a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to maritime navigation security and international trade routes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and with the families of the sailors, and emphasized the importance of ensuring their safety and security and accelerating the process of their release.

The Ministry also calls for concerted international efforts to ensure the security of maritime navigation and freedom of passage in international waterways, considering it a fundamental pillar of regional and global security and stability. 

Posted on

President Ramaphosa assures nation on disaster relief efforts

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa assures nation on disaster relief efforts

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that government is working closely with communities to address the impact of severe weather conditions that have claimed at least 10 lives across several provinces.

The President expressed deep sadness at the loss of life linked to heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, damaging winds and snowfall affecting parts of the country.

“The President’s thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the people who have died in events arising from heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, damaging winds and snowfall,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.

Government, through the National Disaster Management Centre, has declared a national state of disaster in response to the loss of life, damage to infrastructure, disruptions to essential services and the displacement of communities.

President Ramaphosa assured the nation that all spheres of government will continue working together to respond to the disaster and support affected communities.

“National, provincial and municipal authorities will work with communities to address the effects of the disaster,” the statement said.

The President also commended individuals, civil society organisations and businesses that have stepped in to assist communities affected by the adverse weather conditions.

President Ramaphosa further praised rescue and recovery teams operating under difficult conditions, noting that severe weather continues to affect rescue and recovery operations, including limiting air operations.

“As winter sets in, we are vulnerable to events which we may be able to forecast but whose actual intensity in specific locations we may not be able to predict.

“We are, however, making the best use of science to pre-empt some of these events and to respond to the aftermath,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the National Disaster Management Centre and Cabinet will continue to receive updates on critical weather forecasts and the impact of the disaster.

“The National Disaster Management Centre and Cabinet will be updated on critical forecasts and disastrous impacts and responses will be modified as conditions dictate,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM

0

Posted on

Durban abuzz as Africa Travel Indaba kicks off

Source: Government of South Africa

Durban abuzz as Africa Travel Indaba kicks off

Durban is abuzz with activity as it plays host to Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 which President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially open this morning.

The Indaba kicked off at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, with BONDay (Business Opportunity Networking Day) – which was officially opened by the Tourism Deputy Minister Makhotso Sotyu.

The BONDAY programme launched critical conversations around policy, entrepreneurship, destination competitiveness, sports tourism, culture and digital transformation. These are all designed to showcase new growth opportunities for African tourism economies.

From “Africa’s Narrative as the World’s Tourism Powerhouse,” to a TikTok Masterclass on converting digital inspiration into bookings, to thought-provoking discussions on sports tourism and the growing influence of music, fashion, and gastronomy on travel, BONDay reflected the evolving future of tourism and the many sectors shaping it.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 is taking place from 11- 14 May under the theme: “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy.”

Ahead of the President’s address on Tuesday, exhibitors at the centre were seen completing the final last touch-ups to their stands while police maintain a strong presence outside while traffic officials were guiding motorists as to where to park.

READ | President Ramaphosa to address Africa’s Travel Indaba

At the media launch of the Indaba earlier this month, Tourism Minister Patricial de Lille said the Africa Tourism Indaba 2026 is a powerful celebration of the continent’s extraordinary potential to drive economic growth through tourism. 

READ | Africa’s Travel Indaba to drive economic growth

“This is where travel industry professionals gather, including tour operators, hotels, airlines, and tourism boards, to showcase products, network, negotiate deals and form partnerships with buyers,” she said at that time.

De Lille pointed out that the tourism sector remains one of the continent’s most powerful economic contributors.

“Through the geographic spread of tourism, the sector creates job opportunities and stimulates investment even in the most remote villages,” she said.

Over the next three days, delegates, Ministers, exhibitors, buyers, media and tourism leaders from across Africa and the world will gather to discuss various topics and showcasing Africa’s extraordinary tourism diversity.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 takes place as the continent commemorates Africa Month providing an important platform to strengthen partnerships, and shape a more inclusive tourism future that benefits communities, entrepreneurs and nations.

According to the Department of Tourism, planning for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2027 is already underway, as Africa Travel Indaba goes through a revamp with the inclusion of sponsors and private partners, enhancing the destination’s global competitiveness and empowering rural and township tourism enterprises. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

0

Posted on

African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 to Spotlight Domestic Funding Avenues as Sovereign Wealth Funds Hit $164B

Source: APO


.

Africa’s sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are increasingly being positioned as active financiers of the continent’s mining sector and a vital tool for unlocking its over $8.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources. With combined assets now exceeding $164 billion, SWFs are emerging as a potential counterweight to volatile international capital, particularly as geopolitical risk reshapes global investment flows.

SWFs are no longer passive investors but are increasingly positioning themselves as active partners in mining development, with countries scaling up SWF participation to reduce reliance on external financing, accelerate exploration, enable local beneficiation and integrate artisanal and small-scale mining into formal value chains.

One of the clearest examples of this shift is in East Africa. Ethiopian Investment Holdings – with assets exceeding $45 billion – is playing a central role in advancing mining-led industrialization. In 2026, the fund signed an agreement with the country’s Ministry of Mines to invest in potash development, targeting fertilizer production amid rising global demand. It is also partnering with RUSAL on a $1 billion aluminum smelter, anchoring downstream beneficiation capacity.

Similar case studies are being seen in West Africa. In Senegal, FONSIS is co-investing in the country’s first gold refinery alongside Société des Mines du Sénégal – a move aimed at strengthening local value addition while integrating artisanal miners into formal supply chains. Guinea also plans to launch a sovereign wealth fund in 2026, leveraging revenues from the $20 billion Simandou iron ore project and signaling a strategic shift toward reinvesting resource wealth into long-term national development.

Meanwhile, Angola’s Fundo Soberano de Angola is backing economic diversification through mining investments, including equity participation in Pensana’s Longonjo rare earth project – expected to supply up to 5% of global magnet metals once operational.

As frontier and established mining jurisdictions compete for global capital, SWFs offer a stable, long-term funding source capable of accelerating project deployment while aligning with domestic development goals. This role becomes most critical in capital-intensive markets where scale, infrastructure requirements and long development timelines continue to deter traditional private investment.

For instance, as the Democratic Republic of the Congo seek to unlock an estimated $24 trillion in untapped resources, regional SWFs could support project development by offering alternative sources of finance. Similarly, as South Africa targets to raise R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential, SWFs could play a catalytic role in achieving this goal. 

Against this backdrop, the African Mining Week Conference and Exhibition – Africa’s most influential mining conference scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town – will position SWFs as a critical bridge between Africa’s mineral wealth and long-term industrial capital. The event will convene SWFs, project developers, investors and policymakers through high-level panels, deal-making platforms and project showcases – designed to accelerate partnerships and unlock financing for the next generation of mining projects.

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

Posted on

Utilities urged to close the performance gap in smart meter programmes

Source: APO

Smart meters have already been deployed across many utilities and municipalities, yet the expected returns are still not being fully realised.

Improved revenue collection, accurate billing and clearer visibility of consumption remain persistent challenges for organisations that have invested in smart metering infrastructure.

To address this gap, ESI Africa, part of VUKA Group, and GridLens Energy will host a live webinar titled “Maximising smart meter returns” on Tuesday, 2 June 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00 SAST.

The webinar will take a practical look at where smart metering programmes underperform after deployment and what utilities, municipalities and energy users can do to improve outcomes from systems already in place.

Across the sector, common challenges include underutilised data, poor system integration, revenue leakage, billing inaccuracies and limited operational visibility. For many organisations, the issue is not whether to invest in smart metering, but how to extract measurable performance from the investment already made.

The session will bring together experts from GridLens Energy, Drakenstein Municipality and eThekwini Municipality to unpack the technical, financial and operational barriers that prevent smart metering programmes from delivering their full value.

Webinar details

Title: Maximising smart meter returns
Date: Tuesday, 2 June 2026
Time: 14:00 to 15:00 SAST
Registration: https://apo-opa.co/4dCRUcD

Expert speakers

  • Carson Dean, Founder, GridLens Energy
  • Hilton Smith, Chief Accountant: Water and Electricity Billing, Drakenstein Municipality, South Africa
  • Sindisiwe Shozi, Chief Engineer, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa

Key discussion points will include:

  • Why smart meter programmes often fail to deliver expected returns
  • Where value is lost across data, systems and operations
  • How to improve billing accuracy and reduce revenue leakage
  • The role of integration and interoperability in improving performance
  • Practical approaches to extracting more value from existing deployments

The webinar is designed for utilities, municipalities, metering teams, billing departments, revenue managers, infrastructure decision-makers, large commercial and industrial energy users, technology providers and system integrators.

Smart metering investment has already been made. The priority now is performance.

Register for the webinar here:
https://apo-opa.co/4dCRUcD

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About ESI Africa:
ESI Africa is Africa’s trusted power, energy, water and utility multimedia platform. Positioned as an impartial industry mouthpiece, ESI Africa has delivered technical developments and analysis in print and digital formats since 1996.

Through its print, digital and webinar platforms, ESI Africa connects readers with solution providers and delivers insight into Africa’s energy, power, utility and water transformation.

Website: www.ESI-Africa.com

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa’s energy, mining, mobility, green economy and retail sectors through events, content and strategic networking. VUKA Group is a venture partner to The Global Trust Project and a leader of NPO Go Green Africa.

Website: www.WeAreVUKA.com

Media files

.

Posted on

DFFE pilots tree-planting initiative to curb wastewater plant odours

Source: Government of South Africa

DFFE pilots tree-planting initiative to curb wastewater plant odours

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is piloting an initiative to plant trees around wastewater treatment plants across the country to help mitigate odours generated by treatment processes and protect surrounding communities and the environment.

“The Wastewater treatment plants are essential for protecting public health and water resources;  however, they are often associated with persistent odour emissions that negatively affect surrounding communities,” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said on Monday in Pretoria.

The initiative will begin at the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT), which operates 19 wastewater treatment works. 

According to Swarts, odours generated from processes such as sludge handling, anaerobic decomposition and chemical reactions continue to present environmental and social challenges for nearby communities.

“These odours can lead to neighbouring community discomfort, complaints, and reputational risks, particularly in densely populated areas within the City of Ekurhuleni. 

“Inadequate odour mitigation measures may also weaken public trust and reduce the perceived acceptability of wastewater infrastructure, despite its critical role in service delivery.

“It is therefore important to develop green spaces through tree planting in and around the wastewater treatment plant, which offer buffers between the communities and add to the general wellness of the environment,” Swarts said.

The Deputy Minister was addressing the launch of the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme, which seeks to mobilise South Africans from all walks of life – including government, the private sector, business, interfaith formations, diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), youth formations and communities – to plant trees as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The launch follows the success of the 2025 One Million Trees Campaign, during which more than 1.3 million trees were planted across the country on Heritage Day in September 2025. 

The planting of trees in residential settlements, recreational facilities, parks and open spaces has been identified as a critical environmental management intervention to address the effects of climate change. 

The Deputy Minister underscored that greening is not only an environmental responsibility but also a social and economic necessity.

“As a country, we continue to confront the growing challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and food insecurity. These challenges affect us all, but they weigh most heavily on the poor and vulnerable people,” Swarts said.

She added that biodiversity loss also disproportionately affects the country’s poorest people, particularly in rural areas, who depend directly on natural ecosystems for food, water, medicine, and livelihoods. 

“As ecosystems degrade, these communities face reduced food security, decreased income, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, exacerbating inequality,” the Deputy Minister said.

She announced that the government plans to plant 10 million trees across the country on Heritage Day this year, working together with all South Africans.

“These trees will be planted across the country in our safe spaces such as schools, community parks, health facilities and in our residential spaces. It is therefore the President’s call that all South Africans participate in this programme by planting trees on Heritage Day,” she said.

The Deputy Minister called on all South Africans, including all spheres of government, organised business, organised labour, civil society and all citizens, to participate in the campaign to plant Ten Million Trees on Heritage Day in September 2026 as part of the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme.

She noted that properties that have been greened using trees and other plants have realised increased property values.

“This, in turn, ensures that Municipalities can collect more rates, thereby enabling increased service delivery in that particular local authority,” she said.

The Deputy Minister explained that the participation of municipalities will improve planning at the municipal level, enabling the identification of projects that can contribute to mitigating climate change, such as repurposing dumping sites into safe and peaceful parks.

“Trees also frequently bear the burden of pollution and industrial waste, especially in densely populated areas and industrialised zones with high levels of air pollution.

“Greening is thus inseparable from the pursuit of spatial justice in the context of a South Africa where the under-development of lower-income communities is the product of historical processes rooted in segregation

“Let us once again come together in the spirit of shared responsibility and common purpose. Let us plant not only trees, but the seeds of hope, dignity and lasting change in every community across our nation,” Swarts said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

nosihle

0

Posted on

Western Cape schools closed today amid severe weather conditions

Source: Government of South Africa

Western Cape schools closed today amid severe weather conditions

The Western Cape Education Department says that all schools in the province will be closed on Tuesday due to severe weather conditions affecting parts of the province.

The decision was taken following consultations between the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS), with authorities citing learner and teacher safety as the primary concern.

The closure applies to all public ordinary and special schools across the province.

“In the interests of learner and teacher safety, and after extensive consultation with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a decision has been taken to close all schools in the Western Cape on Tuesday, 12 May 2026,” the Western Cape Education Department said in a statement on Monday.

According to the department, Disaster Management and SAWS recommended the closures based on updated weather projections and current conditions.

“Our default position is always to keep schools open and only close schools in exceptional circumstances, but we are mindful of the severity of the warnings in place,” the department said.

Authorities said the situation will continue to be monitored to allow schools to reopen as soon as conditions improve.

“We will continuously monitor and evaluate the situation to ensure that schools can reopen as soon as possible, which is currently expected to be on Wednesday, 13 May 2026,” the department said. 

As of 13:30 on Monday, a total of 227 schools had applied for closure, in addition to schools already listed for closure in the Cape Winelands and Eden and Central Karoo districts.

The department also confirmed that a number of schools have suffered storm-related damage, which is currently being assessed.

Officials, school principals, teachers and parents were thanked for their cooperation in implementing the school closures.

The department also expressed appreciation to first responders, emergency services and disaster management officials assisting schools during the severe weather conditions. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM

0

Posted on

NSFAS releases private accommodation payments

Source: Government of South Africa

NSFAS releases private accommodation payments

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has confirmed that payments for private student accommodation at universities were released on Thursday, 7 May 2026.

In a statement issued on Monday, NSFAS said accommodation providers banking with First National Bank (FNB) receive funds immediately upon release, while those using other banks may experience minor delays due to standard interbank processing timelines.

The scheme noted that, in the current quarter alone, it has made three major disbursements to accommodation providers, amounting to over R1.1 billion and benefiting over 100 000 students nationwide.

“To date, 95% of accommodation providers listed on our solution partner portals have had their banking details successfully verified and are now included in direct payments for 2026. For the remaining providers, we are conducting one-on-one engagements to ensure full integration into the direct payment system,” NSFAS said.

NSFAS added that it will issue a monthly disbursement schedule to all accredited accommodation providers. It urged providers to confirm students’ funding status and ensure valid, signed lease agreements are in place, as these remain prerequisites for payment.

The scheme also explained that it is legally mandated to manage accommodation payment functions internally from the start of 2026. This transition has helped resolve several critical issues, including delays in institutional confirmation of students, which affected payment cycles; incorrect classification of some students as transport allowance recipients; and uncertainties regarding accommodation accreditation.

NSFAS acknowledged ongoing operational pressures faced by accommodation providers, including rising utility costs and municipal service challenges.

The scheme reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with sector associations and solution partners to address outstanding issues, including finalising 2026 rental rates, and implementing a more predictable and transparent payment system.

“NSFAS remains committed to the prompt, case-by-case resolution of all payment challenges. We encourage accommodation providers experiencing difficulties to contact us directly for assistance,” the scheme said.

NSFAS further expressed appreciation to accommodation providers for their ongoing partnership and assured all stakeholders of its focus on long-term stability, effective administration, and the wellbeing of NSFAS funded students. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK

0

Posted on

Minister of State for International Cooperation Meets Ukrainian Foreign Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Brussels| May 12, 2026

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met on Tuesday with HE Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha in Brussels.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance and develop it, as well as Qatar’s latest efforts in reuniting Ukrainian children with their families, as part of its ongoing mediation efforts aimed at reuniting families separated by the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

HE Ukrainian Foreign Minister also expressed his country’s gratitude for Qatar’s continued reunification efforts, commending Qatar’s diplomatic endeavors aimed at promoting international peace and security.

Posted on

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Stadium of Life Opens in Maseru

Source: APO

Today marks the official opening of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (https://FSC.org) Stadium of Life, Africa’s first stadium constructed with sustainably sourced timber. The structure, which sets a new standard for responsible construction practices in Africa, was independently certified by DNV Business Assurance against Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) requirements under project certification (DNV-PRO-002776).

The FSC Stadium of Life is the latest development at the Kick4Life Centre, a hub of social and economic development in the heart of Maseru, Lesotho’s capital city. The centre was first opened in 2011 as part of FIFA’s legacy for the 2010 FIFA Men’s World Cup in South Africa, with this initial support from world football’s governing body resulting in one of the world’s leading examples of a major tournament legacy achieving sustainable social impact.

Today’s event brings together stakeholders from Lesotho and internationally, to learn about the unique approach to sustainable design and construction that was used for the FSC Stadium of Life, as well as learning how the facility supports the wider work of Kick4Life FC, as a charity, social enterprise and football club dedicated to social change.

Gerard Busse, FSC’s Africa and Middle East Regional Market Development Manager, says: “Project certification verifies that the forest materials come from responsibly managed forests, ensuring the promotion of environmental stewardship and community development”.

Peter Alele, FSC’s Africa Regional Director adds: “The project highlights the continent’s potential to set global benchmarks in sustainable forestry, while demonstrating how responsible forest management can support wider social and economic development”.

Greg Markwell, Sales Manager for DNV Business Assurance Africa, says: “We’re proud to have supported the FSC Stadium of Life through our independent certification, helping to give confidence that the timber used is responsibly sourced and traceable. This was a passion project for me personally and the vision reflects DNV’s purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, and shows how sustainability and ingenuity can be embedded into landmark developments that deliver real community value – today and for generations to come”.

The design and construction process was led by Rise International through its ‘in loco’ design and build training programme, which supports the development of young professionals in the construction industry.

Pedro Clarke, the project’s lead architect at Rise International, says: “As the construction sector seeks materials with a lower carbon footprint, eyes are turning towards forest products”.

The stadium features 8,584 treated Eucalyptus poles, minimising concrete use and highlighting the potential of sustainable building materials. The poles were sourced from MTO Forestry’s FSC-certified plantations in Mpumalanga, South Africa, and by using FSC-certified timber, the project directly supports responsible forestry practices.

Daniela Gusman, Founder of Rise International, adds: “The Stadium of Life exemplifies a paradigm shift in sports infrastructure, combining sustainability, social impact, and cultural representation”.

The inclusion of a unique ‘Biodiversity Stand’ dedicated to showcasing diverse flora from across Lesotho’s ten districts further highlights the important relationship between sport and nature, and will be used for community education about the importance of promoting biodiversity.  A small outdoor amphitheatre – the Theatre of Life – has also been integrated, providing a stunning space for a wide range of educational sessions and cultural performances, and the opportunity to watch football through the lens of nature.

Steve Fleming MBE, Co-founder of K4L, says: “With the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup starting next month, we are proud to continue building on the legacy of Africa’s first tournament 16 years ago. Since the initial investment of a centre through FIFA’s ’20 Centres for 2010’ initiative, we have added a number of award-winning hospitality social enterprises, including No.7 Restaurant and Hokahanya Hotel & Conference Centre, which generate income to sustain our sports-based community programmes, as well as providing training and employment opportunities for young people”.

Fleming continues: “Combined with our health education, gender empowerment and life-skills development programmes, this pioneering approach to organisational sustainability and livelihoods saw us recognised with the 2025 Laureus Sport for Good Award, and the FSC Stadium of Life is the latest development which continues to push new boundaries in Sport for Good and the sports industry as a whole”.

Motlatsi Nkhahle, Kick4Life’s Country Director, adds: “The new facility will extend the impact of Kick4Life’s existing centre, serving as a home ground for our football teams, including our women’s team who became national champions of Lesotho in 2025, qualifying for the CAF Women’s Champions League. Through the Kick4Life Academy, the facility will also be used to prepare more young people – on and off the field – for genuinely life-changing student-athlete scholarships at international universities”. 

The launch event will also provide an opportunity for guests to observe a Sport for Good exhibition on Kick4Life’s 5-a-side pitch, with new artificial turf donated by SIS Pitches. There will also be an introduction to the centre’s latest social enterprise – Bophelo Gymnasium & Health Club, led by two young women who have been trained as gym and fitness instructors. Constructed using four repurposed shipping containers, the gym was developed as a part of SESLA (Sport for Education and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa) and the Sustained Insight and Impact Initiative, backed by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Nkhahle concludes: “The FSC Stadium of Life is more than just a place to watch football; it is a destination that combines sport, nature, art, culture and social impact. It is an inspirational place where you can become part of a special community dedicated to building a brighter future for the children and young people of Lesotho”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Forest Stewardship Council.

About Kick4Life FC:
Kick4Life FC is a multi-award-winning charity, social enterprise and football club based in Lesotho in Southern Africa. Their mission is to transform the lives of children and young people in Lesotho through the power of sport, with a range of interventions focused on health, education, gender, employability and nature. Through Kick4Life Assist, they also support organisations globally in developing and implementing Sport for Good programmes and social enterprises. Kick4Life’s work was recognised with the Laureus Sport for Good Award 2025.

About Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®):
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is a non-profit organization that provides a proven responsible forest management solution. Currently, over 170 million hectares of forests worldwide are certified according to FSC standards. It is widely regarded as the most rigorous forest certification system among NGOs, consumers, and businesses alike to tackle today’s deforestation, climate, and biodiversity challenges. The FSC forest management standard is based on ten core principles designed to address a broad range of environmental, social and economic factors. FSC’s “check tree” label is found on millions of forest-based products and verifies that they are responsibly sourced, from forest to consumer. https://FSC.org.

About Rise International:
Rise International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to partnering with rural African communities to create sustainable opportunities in education, architecture, and economic empowerment, with a special focus on women and children. Their innovative social enterprise model combines humanitarian mission with sustainable business practices, creating self-funding initiatives that generate both social impact and economic value within the communities they serve.

About DNV Business Assurance:
DNV Business Assurance is a leading global provider of accredited management system certification, supply chain assurance, and training services. Operating in over 100 countries, it helps companies across diverse sectors manage risk, improve performance, and ensure compliance, having issued over 70,000 certificates for safety, quality, and environmental standards.

Media files

.