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Mhlauli engages Motheo college students

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, is today hosting a G20 dialogue with students at the Motheo TVET College in the Free State.

Tuesday’s dialogue in Bloemfontein, forms part of the year-long G20 awareness outreach programme implemented by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with different stakeholders across the country.

“This programme will kick-start with an information exhibition wherein identified Government and non-government organisations will provide services and information to the students at the Motheo TVET College,” said the Presidency.

Last month the Deputy Minister addressed students at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. At that session, the Deputy Minister said South Africa will use its Presidency of the G20 to build a more inclusive and prosperous Africa and a better world, ensuring that no one is left behind. – SAnews.gov.za

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Gauteng police seize over 700 unlicensed firearms 

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Gauteng police have recovered 776 unlicensed firearms and 2030 rounds of ammunition between 1 July and 30 September 2025.

“During the three-month period, 247 suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and 224 apprehended for illegal possession of ammunition,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Monday.

The recovered firearms include automatic rifles, complete firearms, revolvers /pistols, rifles and shotguns, some with serial numbers filed off.

“These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of proactive policing efforts and collaborative work with other law enforcement agencies, private security companies, and government departments,” the police said.

This as the police added that they remain committed to ensuring the  safety and security of communities through continued efforts to combat crime and prevent the proliferation of illegal firearms. – SAnews.gov.za

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Summit to place water provision under the spotlight 

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, is set to deliver a keynote address at the uMzinyathi Water Summit later this week.

Taking place from 16-17 October 2025, at Battlefield Country Lodge in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, the summit is expected to address urgent water service delivery challenges across all 61 wards of the uMzinyathi District.

Central to the discussions will be the implementation of the Water Services Authority’s capacity building plan, in accordance with the Water Services Act.

The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG), through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), continues to support municipalities in infrastructure development and service delivery, as mandated by Section 154 of the Constitution.

The summit underscores the significant backlogs in water supply and infrastructure limitations facing the district.

The department said the gathering aims to address these through the lens of the capacity building plan, focusing on sustainable service delivery across all 61 wards, integration of provincial support under Section 154 of the Constitution, and leveraging grant funding for infrastructure upgrades.

This high-level engagement is expected to convene stakeholders from national, provincial, and local government to forge collaborative solutions for sustainable water provision. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Ramaphosa to undertake three-nation visit to Asia

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will embark on a three-nation visit to Asia from 22 – 28 October 2025.

The visits will include State Visits to Indonesia and Vietnam, followed by the President’s participation at the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit as a Guest of the Chair.

During a media briefing on Monday, Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the visit to the South-East Asian nations demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to “deepening strategic ties” with the region.

“These engagements underscore the growing importance of South-East Asia in South Africa’s efforts to diversify and expand its export markets, and to strengthen inter-regional cooperation. 

“The President’s participation in the ASEAN Summits follows South Africa’s recognition as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 2023, marking a significant milestone in advancing South-South cooperation and fostering inclusive, sustainable development through enhanced political, economic, and multilateral collaboration,” he said on Monday.

The visits form part of the drive for alternative markets for South African products.

“This visit to South-East Asia, including several that precedes it and a few still to follow this year, are part of an ongoing intensification of opening new trade opportunities and expanding existing trade markets for South African goods and produce. 

“Over and above a laser focus on trade, President Ramaphosa has been seeking more opportunities for skills development exchanges that will benefit the youth of South Africa. In all the visits, in engagements with Heads of State as well as with captains of industry, the President has sustained a consistent theme of seeking out more and more skills development opportunities for young people,” Magwenya explained.

Presidential diary
Before leaving on the tour to Asia, the President will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 respond to questions for oral reply in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town.

“The session will cover amongst other issues mechanisms to monitor the state of service delivery and quality of services that are offered by all government levels, progress in reviving local industries and strengthening the manufacturing sector, and an update on South Africa’s International Court of Justice case against the state of Israel,” Magwenya said.

Later on Tuesday, the President is expected to deliver the keynote address during a dinner of the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) 30-year Anniversary International Conference.
“Over the past thirty years, the PPSA institution has grown in leaps and bounds, and encountered a litany of challenges. 

“It has, however, through sheer institutional resilience and resolve, recalibrated itself and has managed to maintain its key strategic role in South Africa’s democratic ecosystem and continues to play an important role in enforcing the democratic values of good governance, the rule of law and quality of life.

“This Conference will bring together governance and accountability institutions from the BRICS group of nations, The Commonwealth, International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Africa Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), the European Union and the G20,” the spokesperson explained.

READ | Conference to reflect on 30 years of the PPSA

On Friday, the President is expected to deliver the keynote address at the 7th Social Justice Summit, to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The summit will bring together policymakers, legislators, civil society, traditional leaders, academics and the Judiciary for high-level dialogue under the theme: “Social Justice, Food Security and Peace: Pathways to Equality, Solidarity, Sustainability and Climate Resilience.”
“The summit aligns with the G20 Development Working Group priorities, including mobilising finance for development, promoting social protection levels and addressing global public goods to enhance resilience.

“The summit will also continue to propel forward the conversation on accountability for constitutional governance, which includes the advancement of equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. That is essentially advancing social justice through transformative governance and civil society action, incorporating the role of business and development partners,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Presidency dismisses links to corruption accused

Source: Government of South Africa

Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has dismissed any links between President Cyril Ramaphosa and corruption accused, Hangwani Maumela.

This after a video showing the President with popular DJ, Tbo Touch, and Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Jomo Sibiya outside Maumela’s house surfaced on social media.

“It is well known that President Ramaphosa loves to walk whenever he finds time, that is how he keeps himself fit. On this day, he had invited Mr. Sibiya on a walk, which it’s something he does regularly to invite his staff, even Ministers for walks. 

“They passed a house which is now well known as Maumela’s house. As they were passing this house, they were stopped by Tbo Touch, who was in the company of his mentor and friend, Bishop Noel Jones. They took pictures and recorded a video. During the walk, the President had stopped and spoke to several people along the way, including taking pictures with those people.

“Indeed, where you see them is in front of Maumela’s house, but they were not visiting the house or coming out of the house. It so happened that Tbo Touch stopped his car to greet the President as he was walking past what is now well known as Maumela’s house. The President did not even know whose house it was,” Magwenya said on Monday.

Maumela’s house – which was the site of a Special Investigating Unit raid related to the Tembisa Hospital looting scandal – is not far from the President’s Hyde Park home and is in a street “he would use when driving to and from Sandton”.

“As the President’s Office, we have gone further to obtain confirmation from Dj Tbo Touch that the video and picture was his original post. He was coming from the airport going to the Saxon Hotel with Bishop Noel Jones. At the time, what we now know as Maumela’s house was under construction.

“The President had no knowledge of whose house it was. Therefore, we reject the suggestion that the President may have been visiting Maumela’s house as being very far from the truth,” he said.

Magwenya further dismissed claims that the President “visits Maumela’s house every week” as a fabrication. 

“It’s a complete lie that the President visits Maumela’s house or anybody every week. With his extremely busy schedule, there are four categories of people that can say they see the President every week. His family, his security detail, his Union Buildings staff, in particular, Private Office staff and ANC [African National Congress] officials that he meets every Monday. 

“There are two homes that are visited by the President whenever he finds a gap, but not every week. His sister, who resides in Soweto, and the home of his long-time comrade and mine workers union friend, Mr. James Motlatsi. There’s no other household that can claim to be visited by the President every week. It is practically impossible with his work schedule,” he said.

Turning to allegations of a personal relationship between President Ramaphosa and Maumela, Magwenya maintained that no such exists with no relations “except that he was once married to Maumela’s aunt”.

“We note the ongoing desperate media attempts to link the President to this gentleman. 

“Just before the President was appointed Deputy President, he gathered his immediate family and relatives and sternly instructed all of them to either exit or stop any business that they did or intended to do with the Government or State institutions. Maumela was not part of that family gathering. 

“He couldn’t have been part of the meeting because he is not part of the President’s immediate family. It is for this reason that we’re going to consistently reject the narrative that seeks to link his existence and whatever else he is involved in, to the President,” Magwenya said.

The spokesperson pointed out that it was President Ramaphosa who signed the proclamation for the Special Investigating Unit to investigate the Tembisa Hospital scandal which “lifted the lid on the extent of the corruption and criminality in and around” hospital.

“In this regard, the President calls on all law enforcement agencies to accelerate their criminal investigations into the Tembisa Hospital matter in order to expedite the arrest of all those involved without fear or favour and regardless of who they are or purported to be related to,” Magwenya concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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Global Tech Economy Ushers in GITEX Ai Serbia as Southeast Europe Outruns the World in Tech and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ambition

Source: APO

  • GITEX Ai SERBIA to debut at Belgrade Fair from 26-27 May 2027 – organised by DWTC and KAOUN International in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
  • The inaugural GITEX show in Southeast Europe runs during EXPO 2027 Belgrade – Serbia’s first-ever edition of the world specialised exposition
  • New event aims to broaden cooperation, boost competitiveness, inspire investment, drive innovation, and open access to Southeast European markets for global digital economy stakeholders

As Southeast European nations pursue ambitious digitalisation frameworks, inspired by emerging technologies’ vast transformative potential, a new dawn beckons for this dynamic corridor linking European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets. In a landmark occasion with far-reaching digital transformation implications for Southeast European states, it was announced on Monday that GITEX (www.GITEX.com) – the world’s largest tech and AI network of events – is officially entering the region.

Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and KAOUN International, in strategic partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, GITEX Ai SERBIA (https://apo-opa.co/477EyAU) debuts at the Belgrade Fair exhibition complex from 26-27 May 2027. Launching as the official tech event of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, GITEX Ai Serbia aims to propel the Southeast Europe as a formidable nexus where emerging regional digital economies seamlessly connect with global frontiers of innovation, technology, and investment.

Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, said: “Staging GITEX Ai Serbia during EXPO 2027 marks an unprecedented opportunity to showcase our nation’s digital transformation journey on the world stage, uniting regional innovation with a global community of investors, partners, and visionaries. Coupled with the Expo and number of visitors we expect for both events, we hope to achieve dramatically better positioning of our country in business and economic circles. We aim to impress future investors with the capacity of our education system and to present Serbia as a country that offers significant technological opportunities.”

Echoing these sentiments, Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of DWTC & CEO of KAOUN International and global organiser of GITEX, added: “GITEX Ai Serbia embodies our vision to champion bold, future-shaping innovation on every continent and forge cross-border collaboration, which is especially imperative in the decade of AI. The strategic hosting of the inaugural GITEX during Serbia’s EXPO 2027 Belgrade is a genius manoeuvre to exert the soft power of AI and tech, rally inter-country cooperation, and openly co-create a new world paradigm. By connecting this vibrant region with the world’s most influential tech leaders, we shall inspire collaborations that yield new opportunities for investment, talent development, and transformative growth across borders and increasingly tech-critical sectors.”

Supporting Serbia’s ICT Exports & AI Development Mandate

Serbia has emerged as a digitalisation frontrunner in Southeast Europe, affirming its transformation leadership through a thriving ICT sector, advanced e-government services, dynamic tech ecosystems, and national AI strategy. Accounting for 10% of national GDP [1], Serbia’s ICT industry generated record exports of US$4.31 billion [2] in 2024 – a tenfold rise in 12 years – and now employs around 110,000 professionals, a figure expected to reach 140,000 by 2027, when the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications targets US$11.7 billion (EUR 10 billion) in ICT exports.

Additionally, the Serbian Government last year announced a US$82.1 million (EUR 70 million) [3] AI development investment plan through 2027 – aligning with its vision to strengthen leadership across AI, agritech, sustainability, and the circular economy. This followed Serbia establishing the first AI Research Institute in Southeast Europe, consolidating its position as regional benchmark for innovation and R&D – a position GITEX Ai Serbia will further elevate alongside that of the region.

Aligning with EXPO 2027 Belgrade’s theme, “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All,” the nation’s innovation drive reflects the creativity, unity, and human connection destined to define the upcoming showcase. By fusing technological progress with cultural expression, Serbia’s digital evolution exemplifies how innovation can harmonise with humanity – a vision that GITEX Ai Serbia is poised to amplify.

Southeast Europe: Building Momentum as a Thriving Digital Hub

Southeast Europe is undergoing a remarkable digital transformation, driven by robust government reform agendas, rising ICT investments, and private sector innovation. Digital public services, e-governance, and fintech adoption are expanding rapidly with emerging tech industries primed for immense growth. The regional data centre market is set to grow by nearly 50% in the coming years (JLL), underscoring the region’s accelerating digital infrastructure development and its emergence as a pivotal technology corridor connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Forging Bold Collaborations, Inspiring Transformative Growth

GITEX continues to offer unparalleled access to new markets, capital, talent, partnerships, and opportunities – reinforced by its rapid international expansion. In just three years, GITEX has built the world’s largest network of global tech events, staging editions across 14 cities and countries.

Leveraging its global public–private network of digital economy stakeholders, GITEX Ai Serbia will convene tech enterprises, thought leaders, policymakers, SMEs, startups, and venture capitalists from around the world in the Serbian capital. Its programme will prioritise broadening cooperation, boosting competitiveness, inspiring foreign direct investment, and opening access to national industry sectors and Southeast European markets – inspiring the co-creation of an inclusive digital future driven by innovation and opportunity.

The GITEX Ai Serbia announcement was made on Monday during the opening day of GITEX GLOBAL 2025 – the world’s largest tech, AI, and startup show – where the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, as the Future Digital Economy Partner, unveiled a pavilion featuring 24 exhibitors.

Showcasing the country’s fastest-rising entrepreneurs and most disruptive startups, exhibitors are demonstrating how Serbian innovation is shaping the future of AI – presenting applications across diverse fields including energy, healthcare, and social media.

For more information on GITEX Ai Serbia, please visit www.GITEXSerbia.com.

 

[1] Serbia – ICT and AI for a prosperous future – Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (http://apo-opa.co/477i8jd)

[2] Serbia’s revenue from ICT exports reaches record-high 4 bln euro in 2024 | Serbia Company News | SeeNews (http://apo-opa.co/474qA2F)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Global.

Media Contact:
Tayce Marchesi
PR Manager
DWTC
tayce.marchesi@dwtc.com
+971 58 552 3994

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About GITEX Ai Serbia:
GITEX Ai SERBIA is Southeast Europe’s  first-ever GITEX show. Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and KAOUN International in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, GITEX Ai Serbia takes place at the Belgrade Fair exhibition complex from 26-27 May 2027. Running during EXPO 2027 Belgrade, it aims to broaden international cooperation, boost regional competitiveness, inspire foreign direct investment, and increase access to Southeast European markets. Leveraging GITEX’s global network of relationships with public-private digital economy stakeholders, GITEX Ai Serbia stands to propel Southeast Europe as a formidable nexus where emerging regional digital economies meet global frontiers of innovation, technology, and investment. For more information, visit: www.GITEXSerbia.com 

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Live Games and 24/7 Basketball Programming to Power New NBA App Streaming Platform and Reimagined NBA TV

Source: APO


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The National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.NBA.com) today announced a new multi-platform streaming offering and the reimagined NBA TV, which will offer nonstop basketball content and original programming starting Wednesday, Oct. 15.  Accessible through the NBA App, the streaming platform and NBA TV will deliver a robust mix of live games, programming, highlights and original content, together serving as the home of global basketball.

The Association, a new weeknight primetime “basketball-cast” featuring MJ Acosta-Ruiz, David Fizdale, Rudy Gay, Chris Haynes and John Wall, among other contributors, will launch as the flagship program on the reimagined NBA TV and on the NBA App.  The Association will celebrate the game, players and the culture of the NBA; inform and entertain viewers with league news, analysis and storylines; and guide fans to the must-watch action across the league in real time.  

“NBA TV and the NBA App are designed to be a connected, global hub for basketball coverage, delivering nonstop access to live games, original programming and exclusive behind-the-scenes content,” said NBA Senior Vice President, Head of NBA App, Sara Zuckert.  “The NBA App streaming platform will provide a seamless, always-on digital experience for fans to access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

A full slate of basketball programming will be available on the NBA App and NBA TV, including: 

Live games and competitions, providing fans more live basketball action than ever before, including from the NBA and WNBA, as well as the NBA G League, Basketball Africa League (BAL), top international leagues and premier high school competitions featuring the next generation of stars: 

  • NBA TV will air 60 NBA games during the regular season, beginning Oct. 25 when the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder visits the Atlanta Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET/1:30 a.m. CAT).  
  • The NBA, in collaboration with Sportradar, will deliver hundreds of live and on-demand games, competitions and highlights, featuring top prospects in international leagues around the world, including Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), France’s Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB), Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), Spain’s Liga ACB, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and Korean Basketball League (KBL).
  • Future Starts Now will showcase top U.S. high school basketball tournaments and prospects, giving fans a glimpse at future NBA talent. 

Live programming and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, featuring analysis and news from top voices across the basketball ecosystem and all-access content bringing fans closer to their favorite teams and players, including:

  • A selection of top NBA podcasts and live programs from across the basketball community for fans to enjoy in one destination, including Thinking Basketball, No Ceilings, The NBA Front Office Show and The Athletic’s NBA Daily. 
  • Creator-driven and community-powered content, featuring diverse voices such as Bree Green, Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews, Jesser, Jenna Bandy and Tristan Jass.
  • Real Training Camp will deliver exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to how NBA teams are gearing up for the season, including the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
  • Loud City: The OKC Thunder’s Championship Season, narrated by Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams, will chronicle the team’s extraordinary journey to a dramatic seven-game NBA Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers.
  • Coaches Corner will feature one-on-one conversations between former NBA player and ESPN analyst Tim Legler and NBA head coaches from around the league.

Additional NBA TV highlights for the 2025-26 season include three tripleheaders, starting Dec. 20 when the Houston Rockets visit the Denver Nuggets (5 p.m. ET/12 a.m. CAT), followed by the Charlotte Hornets at the Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET/2:30 a.m. CAT) and the Lakers visiting the LA Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET/5:30 a.m. CAT).  NBA TV will also carry a full day of games on New Year’s Eve, starting at 1 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CAT) when the Warriors visit the Hornets followed by the Phoenix Suns facing the Cleveland Cavaliers at 3:30 p.m. ET (10:30 p.m. CAT).  NBA TV’s New Year’s Eve slate will conclude with the Thunder hosting the Portland Trail Blazers at 8 p.m. ET (3 a.m. CAT). 

Live NBA and WNBA games on NBA TV can be accessed on the NBA App streaming platform with an NBA TV subscription.  Additionally, fans will be able to watch games from the NBA G League and BAL. 

The full NBA TV game schedule for the 2025-26 NBA regular season is available here (https://apo-opa.co/3W1cASf). 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

About the NBA:
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries.  The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, www.NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.

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Call for G20 to invest in sustainability

Source: Government of South Africa

As the world faces the threat of a reduced global output in the coming years due to climate impacts, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George has stressed the importance of Group Twenty (G20) nations investing in sustainability.

Addressing third and final meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group in Cape Town, George pointed out that the G20 is the principal forum where economic and environmental priorities intersect. 

READ | G20 environmental group meetings to be held in Cape Town

“Its members represent more than 85% of global Gross Domestic Product, around 75% of trade, and about 80% of greenhouse-gas emissions. That reach brings both capacity and duty,” the Minister said on Monday.

Research has warned that climate impacts could reduce global output by several percentage points by mid-century if emissions continue unchecked.

“Yet decisive climate action is good economics. Investments in clean technology, renewable energy, and efficient systems generate employment and competitiveness. Energy security, public health, and food stability all benefit when we invest in sustainability,” George said. 

According to the International Monetary Fund, the world growth is projected to grow at about three percent in 2025, with performance diverging across regions and fiscal space tightening in many developing economies.

“The financing gap for sustainable development has widened to around four trillion US dollars a year. Public budgets cannot meet this need alone. 

“We must expand blended-finance models, use green bonds and taxonomies, and bring private capital into public purpose. Fiscal responsibility and climate ambition must work together,” George said.
The G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group is taking place under South Africa’s G20 Presidency under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”

Under South Africa’s Presidency, government has worked to ensure that the duty of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions is exercised with fairness and integrity. 

“The transition must include every region. The rules that govern it must be shaped by all. Our approach has been practical. 

“We have focused on turning declarations into measurable programmes and pilot projects into replicable models. We have encouraged countries to align environmental policy with growth strategy so that sustainability becomes a source of strength, not a constraint.

“The G20 can demonstrate that environmental responsibility drives economic performance. When governments invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, cleaner production, and ecosystem protection, they secure long-term stability and investor confidence,” the Minister said.

The work of South Africa’s Presidency aligns with the global and continental frameworks that guide sustainable development.

At the global level, the work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification.

The work also looks at the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy, which outline Africa’s pathway toward low-carbon and climate-resilient growth.

“At the national level, South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and the Climate Change Act 2024, assented to on 23 July 2024 and commenced on 17 March 2025, anchor sustainability within our economic planning. These frameworks express one idea: development and environmental responsibility are not separate objectives but parts of the same goal of human progress,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
 

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South Sudan: Residents of Ottalo call for safety and the enforcement of the rule of law in response to violence

Source: APO

Oman Obel, a 63-year-old farmer from Ottalo, Aduongo in Pochalla North County, urgently calls for action against the rising violence in his community.

Last year, he experienced an unbearable tragedy when armed assailants took the life of his daughter, who stood her ground against an abduction attempt while working on their family farm. Now, he finds himself facing another nightmare: his remaining daughter has been attacked and kidnapped by unidentified armed men as she returned to Ethiopia after pursuing her studies abroad.

“All perpetrators who commit such crimes must face the law, requiring the government to disarm the civilian population,” asserts Obel.

This request was made during a gathering this week in the rugged terrain of the Anyuak Kingdom.

Organized by Gola Boyoi Gola, Chief Administrator of Greater Pibor, with the support of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), this event aimed to reunite long-divided communities.

“The mission aimed to assist the new Chief Administrator in engaging Anyuak community leaders to heal divisions and improve relations with the Murle community, following a history of cattle raids and abductions. This outreach has fostered goodwill among the Anyuak towards the GPAA leadership and eased community tensions,” explained Khalif Farah, Senior Civil Affairs Officer with UNMISS Bor Field Office.

Ottalo is one of the most isolated areas in South Sudan, lacking roads, mobile networks, and essential services. Insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment have made the region vulnerable and disconnected.

Residents are forced to walk for five hours to reach Pochalla market for basic provisions, while traders endure a two-day bicycle ride to Ethiopia during the dry season. The road between Ottalo and the State capital, Pibor, is inaccessible, with many lives lost to armed ambushes by armed youth.

The youth leader of Ottalo, Mission Okuny Okech, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection.

“We believe the government can help create a safer environment and coordinate with the UN Peacekeeping mission for support, ensuring safety for residents and humanitarian workers,” Okech said.

Similarly, Acting King Gilo Omot advocated an end to child abductions and cattle raiding.

“We urge our government to disarm criminals to protect our communities swiftly. Children shouldn’t have to go to farms without parental supervision. We appeal for peace between the Anyuak and Murle to ensure safe access to farms and free travel between Ottalo, Pochalla, and Pinyudu,” he declared.

This gathering was a call for peace and an end to decades of violence. The people of Ottalo are tired of being overlooked and demand roads, schools, hospitals, and peace.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

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Egypt: Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Participates in the World Food Forum in Rome to Celebrate the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 80th Anniversary

Source: APO

Following the conclusion of her participation in the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the Belgian capital, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, headed to participate in the activities of the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF). 

The forum is organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at its headquarters in the Italian capital, Rome, during the period from October 10 to 17, with high-level participation from representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

This year’s forum coincides with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the FAO, with events being held under the theme: “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.”

Commenting on the forum, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of strengthening international partnerships to support the transformation of agricultural and food systems. She pointed out that Egypt gives high priority to achieving food security and raising the efficiency of agricultural value chains through investment in innovation, technology, and sustainable finance, which contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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

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