MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

Seychelles reaffirmed its dedication to education, culture, and sustainable development at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 29 October to 14 November 2025. The Seychelles delegation, led by Ambassador Georges Tirant, Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Seychelles to UNESCO, joined global leaders and representatives for this historic session – the first in 40 years to be held outside UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Chaired by Bangladesh’s Ambassador, H. E. Mr. Khondker M. Talha, the Conference brought together UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, and Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia, and Peter Pellegrini of Slovakia, among others. As UNESCO’s highest governing body, the General Conference adopted the Draft Programme and Budget for 2026–2029 and discussed key areas including education, sciences, culture, and communication.

In his address, Ambassador Tirant thanked UNESCO for adopting the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), describing it as vital for addressing the challenges of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). He emphasised Seychelles’ ongoing commitment to good governance, transparency, and inclusive development under President Patrick Herminie.

Highlighting education as central to sustainable growth, he acknowledged UNESCO’s support through the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD), a Category II Centre in Seychelles that promotes regional collaboration. The IECD will host its second regional workshop in Mahé in November 2025.

During the session, Ambassador Tirant also announced Seychelles’ preparation of a nomination dossier for Venn’s Town to join the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The delegation included senior officials and youth representative Victoria Alis, who participated in the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.

Source: APO

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The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, extend their heartfelt congratulations to the Proteas Women for their historic performance in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup.

While the team was narrowly defeated by India in the final, their journey to this pinnacle match marks a monumental first for a South African women’s cricket team. This milestone is a source of immense national pride and a powerful testament to the excellence and rising stature of women’s sport in South Africa.

Throughout the tournament in India, the Proteas Women demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. Their path to the final, including a particularly inspirational semi-final victory against Australia, captivated the nation and showcased their place among the world’s cricketing elite.

The Presiding Officers commend the entire team, players, coaches and management, for their professionalism, unity and unwavering dedication. Their success has elevated the profile of women’s cricket and serves as a beacon of inspiration for a generation of young South African athletes.

This achievement signifies the unique power of sport to unite the nation and strengthen our shared identity. The team embodies the very principles that define our democracy: perseverance, collaboration and national pride.

On behalf of the people of South Africa, Parliament expresses its profound gratitude to the Proteas Women. You have lifted the nation’s spirit and made us all profoundly proud.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament Spokesperson

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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Uganda has confirmed readiness to host the Edition of 15th East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games with major logistical, medical, and venue preparations finalised ahead of the December kickoff.

The Local Organizing Committee headed by Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliamenty, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa confirmed that all key venues have been inspected and approved, medical partnerships secured and hospitality arrangements completed.

“We are ready to host East Africa. Uganda is prepared both in facilities and spirit, and we look forward to welcoming our brothers and sisters from the region. A list of hotels that will provide accommodation has been finalised and shared with all our delegates,” Basalirwa said while addressing the press on Monday, 03 November 2025.

The games will be held from 05 -17 December 2025 across Kampala at venues including Philip Omondi Stadium (Lugogo), Hams Stadium, Wankulukuku Stadium, Kyambogo University, Makerere University  and Namboole Stadium, among others. The Golf events will take place at Kampala Golf Club and Serena Golf Resort, Kigo.

The committee confirmed medical readiness with Hospitals such as Kampala Hospital, Nakasero, Aga Khan and IHK.  Mulago and Nsambya Hospitals are expected to join. 
“These hospitals have agreed to partner with us to provide medical services during the tournament,” Basalirwa said.

All fixtures will soon be made public and admission will be free, which according to EAC MPs is a gesture intended to promote community involvement.

Parliament of Uganda which is the defending has vowed to maintain its dominance with Basalirwa vouching that, ‘we cannot afford to lose on home soil. Even with a tight national electoral schedule, we are training hard to remain on top’.

Delegations from  Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)  have confirmed full participation, under the theme, “One Region, One Community: Advancing Integration through Parliaments and Sports.”

Kenya’s delegation represented by Hon. Vincent Kawaya announced that both the National Assembly and Senate will compete in all eight disciplines.
“We will take as many trophies as possible because we know Ugandans are busy preparing for elections but what matters most is the unity these games foster,” he said adding that Kenya fully supports Uganda’s hosting efforts.

South Sudan’s delegation praised Uganda for its organizational efficiency and confirmed entry in all events.

The EALA Secretariat urged East Africans to turn up in large numbers, saying the games belong to the people and play a vital role in “deepening, widening, and tightening regional integration.”  
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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the continuing gruesome killings of civilians and attacks on essential services, such as healthcare centres, in Sudan.

He said the persistent acts of impunity that have resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe, leaving over half of the country’s population in dire need of life-saving aid, are unacceptable and regrettable. He said the committee welcomes the emergency meeting convened by the African Union Peace and Security Council to discuss the gravely worsening situation in the Republic of Sudan.

Mr Mahumapelo said: “The committee also welcomes the decisive intervention of the African Union at this critical juncture. It is imperative to stop what is happening in Sudan and to restore peace and stability.”

The committee adds its voice to that of the South African government calling upon the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces to immediately and unconditionally implement an verifiable cessation of hostilities, adhering strictly to their obligations, including protecting medical personnel and allowing safe passage for those seeking refuge, and to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected populations across Sudan.

“We also call upon all external actors involved in this crisis to adhere to international law, and to stop any form of supporting, supplying or enabling the armed belligerents,” added Mr Mahumapelo.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, MR SUPRA MAHUMAPELO.

For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Mr Mava Lukani
Cell: 081 503 1840
Email: mlukani@parliament.gov.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Mr Leon Basson, has noted with concern the reports of increasing cases of typhoid in Hammanskraal and Bronkhorstspruit in the City of Tshwane. While the Chairperson has noted assurances that the city, the Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) are working collaboratively to trace the source, he has called for effective communications to allay fears.

“In the context of the recent cholera outbreak in the area and the fact that the source was never officially confirmed, it is critical that stakeholders effectively communicate to allay fears within the community. While we don’t want to pre-empt the investigative work, it remains critical that quality and safe drinking water is always provided to citizens. This is their constitutional right,” Mr Basson emphasised.

While the Chairperson acknowledge that water is not the only source of the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, the reality is also that many of South Africa’s wastewater works do not produce quality water as per the South African National Standards, specifically SANS 241, which sets the minimum requirements for water to be considered safe for human consumption (potable). It is in this context that the city and the DWS must ramp up their water testing to ensure that the system is not responsible for the outbreak.

“It is important that those tests are ramped up to reassure users that they have clean drinking water. Above all, effective communications will ensure that there is no mass panic within the city,” Mr Basson emphasised.

Broadly, the current challenges in Tshwane should be a forewarning for authorities to get their act together and ensure that the entire value chain operates effectively to prevent such outbreaks. “In a country with technical skills and resources, such occurrences highlight the impact of poor planning and endemic corruption on the entire system,” Mr Basson emphasised.

Upon completion of the investigation by the city, NICD and the Department of Health, the committee will request a comprehensive report to ensure effective oversight and to ensure that such outbreaks are prevented.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND SANITATION, MR LEON BASSON

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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The first Regional Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action, held from 28 to 30 October 2025 in Dakar, concluded with a strong collective commitment from participants – including FAO’s Emergency and Resilience Unit (REOWA) – and a clear consensus on the need to act earlier and together in the face of recurring crises affecting West and Central Africa.

Organized by the Anticipatory Action Task Force (TFAA) in partnership with the Anticipation Hub, under the leadership of the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), the event brought together more than 150 participants representing national authorities, civil society organizations, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral partners, international and local NGOs, and regional institutions.

Over three days, discussions provided a regional overview of anticipatory action, identified existing synergies, and formulated operational recommendations to strengthen planning, financing, and implementation of early and coordinated interventions.

“Faced with the upsurge of crises, no institution can act alone. Under CILSS leadership, by pooling our resources, knowledge, and effective early warning mechanisms, we can build a collective, anticipatory, and solidarity-based response to protect lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities,” said Dr. Abdoulaye Mohamadou, Executive Secretary of CILSS.

FAO: A Pioneer and Key Actor in Regional Coordination of Anticipatory Action

Through its Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW), FAO plays a major role within the regional Task Force on Anticipatory Action (TFAA). It provides technical leadership on food security and livelihood resilience while supporting countries in integrating anticipatory action into their national preparedness and crisis response plans.

“Anticipatory action is no longer an option but a necessity, given the increasing frequency and intensity of crises. As FAO, we are committed to strengthening the capacities of countries in the region so they can act earlier, in a coordinated and effective manner. By anticipating, we sustainably protect agricultural livelihoods and food security for vulnerable communities. Let’s not forget that we have all committed to eradicating hunger by 2030 – and 2030 is only five years away. It is by anticipating better and more effectively that we will achieve this goal,” emphasized Mr. Koffy Dominique Kouacou, Head of the Emergency and Resilience Team (REOWA) at FAO’s Subregional Office for West Africa.

Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, FAO Subregional Coordinator for West Africa, reiterated the importance of this collective dynamic:

“FAO is fully committed, alongside CILSS and all partners, to strengthening early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms across the region. Together, we can build a more resilient West Africa, capable of acting before a crisis occurs.”

Towards a Strengthened Regional Dynamic

West and Central Africa remain among the most vulnerable regions to extreme climate shocks such as floods, prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. These hazards compound interconnected crises marked by conflicts, population displacement, and growing food insecurity, with at least 49 million people at risk of food and nutrition insecurity according to the March 2025 Harmonized Framework.

In this context, anticipatory action emerges as a strategic and proactive approach that enables action before crises occur – through forecasting, preventive planning, and pre-arranged financing. This approach reduces response costs, saves lives, and preserves the dignity of affected populations.

The first dialogue platform concluded with the development of national Roadmaps, in which each of the 13 participating countries outlined their priorities for anticipatory actions. This event laid the foundation for a regional collaboration framework that will ultimately facilitate the implementation of funded anticipatory actions integrated into national risk management and humanitarian response plans.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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The United Arab Emirates has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Republic of Kenya over heavy rainfall which caused landslides in the west of the country, and resulted in a number of deaths. 

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Kenya over this tragedy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: APO

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On this One Health Day of 2025, we the Regional Representatives/Directors in Africa representing the Quadripartite Regional Coordination Group comprising of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), hereby reaffirm our commitment to advancing the One Health approach as a cornerstone to  sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems, globally and regionally.

Indeed, the world continues to face complex and interconnected health challenges at the human–animal–environment interface. Many countries in Africa bear high burdens of zoonotic disease outbreaks – such as the on-going outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Western Africa, outbreaks of Avian influenza, Mpox, Marburg and Ebola across the continent, and persistence of neglected zoonoses including rabies, brucellosis, zoonotic tuberculosis, and also milliards of food-borne diseases.

Furthermore, the irrational uses of antibiotics in health care and agriculture leading to the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of critical concern to human, animal, plant and ecosystem health across the continent. The resulting effect not only impact on health of our people, animals and ecosystems, but also restrict local and international trade, driving food insecurity and negative effects on livelihoods. Environmental factors such as ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change, are further exacerbating the above situation, because unhealthy and degraded environments cannot provide the ecosystem services needed to sustain the health of animals, humans and plants.  

Tackling these complex health threats demands the involvement of whole-of-government, whole-of-society approaches, including the effective engagement of the private sector. Our collective efforts are needed to enhance One Health capacities in our Member Countries, to advocate for the One Health approach at global, regional, national and local levels, to bring about sustainable solutions for health of communities. The Quadripartite has developed the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA)  and its associated Implementation Guide  which offer a transformative framework and practical steps, respectively, to address these challenges through multisectoral collaboration, community engagement, and evidence-based action – leaving no one behind. Furthermore, the Quadripartite and other partners have taken initiatives to support countries and regional entities in implementing the OHJPA, including to establish their OH platforms to strengthen their multisectoral collaboration, including joint resource mobilisation.

Mobilizing financing for One Health implementation is an important consideration which requires collective action involving various partners. The Quadripartite Joint Offer, for instance, “is a strategic call for targeted One Health investment aimed at supporting member states in implementing the One Health Joint Plan of Action. It provides a coordinated platform that brings together resources and expertise across sectors to more effectively prevent, prepare for and mitigate health risks at the human-animal-environment interface. Preventive investments through a One Health approach have consistently demonstrated strong returns, significantly reducing the expected costs associated with health emergencies.  It advocates for investments that emphasize prevention over reaction or response as well as investment in preparedness, will be more impactful on the long-term.

To accelerate the implementation of One Health approach in Africa, the Regional Quadripartite Coordination Group makes a united call for increased investment towards implementing the foundational aspects of the One Health approach; including through policy and legislative support to strengthen national and regional One Health governance coordination mechanisms, building institutional and workforce capacity across sectors, and enhancing data systems and knowledge exchange platforms. An example is the Pandemic Fund projects  in Africa where 14 projects have supported 26 countries.  Such investments will secure great gains in anchoring upstream preventive measures  in One Health initiatives.

Recognising the limitations for funding and resources for Health, we call on all stakeholders to capitalise on the collective pooling of resources. We advocate for domestic investments through government budget allocations in respective countries, coupled with funding from development partners, and private sector partners to support One Health initiatives. Further, countries should explore mechanisms for innovative financing and expansion of partnerships for One Health initiatives beyond traditional donor aid and government budgets by tapping into public-private partnerships, blended financing, and others.

The Regional Quadripartite Coordination Group   stands ready to support African countries in implementing  One health initiatives through technical assistance, policy guidance, and strategic advocacy. We commend the collaborative spirit and commitment of African institutions, including the Africa Union agencies and Regional Economic Communities, Non-governmental organisations, development partners and national governments. We will continue to work with partners to ensure that the One Health approach is embedded in National development plans, , health security strategies, biodiversity strategic action plans, and climate resilience frameworks .

Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient Africa where the health of people, animals, plants, and ecosystems is sustainably protected and promoted.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.