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June 18, 2025

Merck Foundation’s 7th Edition of First Ladies Initiative Summit Brings Together 14 African and Asian First Ladies to discuss the impact of their programs

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

Link to Live Stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025: https://apo-opa.co/3G1Afxo

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 7^thEdition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 on 19^th and 20^th June in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative along with The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative” emphasized, “It is my great honor to welcome our esteemed Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and Ambassadors of our ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign to the 7^th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit.

Through this important platform, we have collectively exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, which are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues.”

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees added, “At Merck Foundation, our goal is improving overall health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and by providing access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in the Africa, Asia and beyond. I would like to sincerely thank our Ambassadors and partners. Together, with your unwavering support and collaboration, we will continue to work towards our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life.”

The First Ladies of 14 countries, who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, joined as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers. They are:

H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of the Republic of Angola
H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of the Central African Republic
H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic
H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya
H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives
H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Senegal
H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej stated, “I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2280 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties. Many of our Merck Foundation Alumni are becoming the first specialists in their countries. Together with our Ambassadors and Partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa and beyond. Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries.”

“During our Conference, we also marked together the World Infertility Awareness Month, observed in June, through our signature campaign “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, which aims to empower infertile and childless women by providing access to information, education, and change of mindset. I am happy to share that out of the total 2280 scholarships, more than 700 scholarships have been provided for training in Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, and Family Medicine, to improve access to fertility care and women’s health”, she further added.

During the 7^th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit, two important occasions were marked; the 8^th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs that started in 2012.

On the first day, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit took place, featuring a high-level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia. Moreover, a high-level ministerial panel discussion was held with African Ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe.

The Day 2 of the conference will have three key parallel session will be held- Two medical and scientific sessions covering Oncology and Fertility Topics, and a community awareness session, Merck Foundation Health Media Training. This session will emphasize the critical role of the media in influencing communities and driving cultural change, with regards to a wide range of social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls’ Education, Stopping GBV, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Empowering Women, Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.

The conference is being conducted in a hybrid format, enabling over 6,000 audiences from more than 70 countries to benefit, meet and discuss strategies and solutions for the health and social challenges in their countries safely and effectively.

Countries participating in the 7^th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative:

Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.

The 7^th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative is streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation:

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4edCwCi), X (https://apo-opa.co/4n8k2qI), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3G4ZQ8w), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4kQbVOf).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3ZBhIi7), X (https://apo-opa.co/3FT5D13), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3HNpOOr), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3ZF3Xiq).

Link to the Facebook live stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.co/3G1Afxo

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:

• 2280+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 52 Countries in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:

• 3700+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues

• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs

• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa

• 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages – English, French, and Portuguese

• 7 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education.

• Pan African TV Program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community

• 950+ Scholarships provided to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls to empower them to complete their studies

• 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8 Million Followers.

– on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613
+91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
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Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/460ClIk

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4edCwCi), X (https://apo-opa.co/4n8k2qI), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3G4ZQ8w), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4kQbVOf), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/460CnzW) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/460Conu).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

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June 18, 2025

7ª Edição da Cimeira da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck reúne 14 Primeiras-Damas Africanas e Asiáticas para debater o impacto dos seus programas

Link para transmissão ao vivo da sessão de abertura da Cimeira da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck – MFFLI 2025: https://apo-opa.co/3G1Afxo

Fundação Merck (www.Merck-Foundation.com), o braço filantrópico da Merck KGaA Alemanha, realizou a 7ª Edição da Cimeira da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck – MFFLI 2025 nos dias 19 e 20 de Junho em Dubai, Emirados Árabes Unidos. Foi inaugurada pelo Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Presidente do Conselho de Curadores da Fundação Merck e pela Senadora, Dra. Rasha Kelej, CEO da Fundação Merck e Presidente da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck juntamente com Primeiras-Damas de 14Países Africanos e Asiáticos, que participaram como Convidadas de Honra e Oradores Principais.

A Senadora Drª Rasha Kelej, CEO da Fundação Merck e Presidente da “Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck” enfatizou, “É uma grande honra para mim, dar as boas-vindas às nossas estimadas Convidadas de Honra e Oradoras Principais, as Primeiras-Damas de África e da Ásia e Embaixadoras da nossa campanha “Mais do que uma Mãe” na 7ª Edição da Cimeira da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck – MFFLI.

Através dessa importante plataforma, trocamos experiências valiosas colectivamente e envolvemo-nos em discussões significativas sobre o impacto dos nossos programas, que visam transformar o atendimento ao paciente e aumentar a conscientização sobre uma ampla gama de questões sociais e de saúde críticas. ”

O Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Presidente do Conselho de Curadores da Fundação Merck acrescentou: “Na Fundação Merck, o nosso objectivo é melhorar a saúde e o bem-estar em geral, fortalecendo a capacidade de atendimento à saúde e garantindo o acesso a soluções de saúde de qualidade e equitativas em África, Ásia e em outros lugares. Gostaria de agradecer sinceramente às nossas Embaixadoras e parceiras. Juntos, com o seu apoio e colaboração inabaláveis, continuaremos a trabalhar em prol da nossa visão de um mundo onde todos possam gozar uma vida saudável e feliz. ”

As Primeiras-Damas de 14 Países, que também são Embaixadoras da “Fundação Merck Mais Que uma Mãe”, participaram como Convidadas de Honra e Oradoras. Elas são:

S.E. Drª. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, Primeira-Dama da República de Angola
S.E. Drª. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, Primeira-Dama da República de Cabo Verde
S.E. Senhora BRIGITTE TOUADERA, Primeira-Dama da República Centro-Africana
S.E. Senhora ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, Primeira-Dama da República Gabonesa
S.E. Sr.ª FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, Primeira-Dama da República da Gâmbia
S.E. Sr.ª LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, Primeira-Dama da República do Gana
S.E. Sr.ª RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., Primeira-Dama da República do Quénia
S.E. Sr.ª KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, Primeira-Dama da República da Libéria
S.E. Sr.ª SAJIDHA MOHAMED, Primeira-Dama da República de Maldivas
S.E. Drª. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, Primeira-Dama da República de Moçambique
H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, Primeira-Dama da República Federal da Nigéria
S.E. Sr.ª MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, Primeira-Dama da República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe
S.E. Senhora MARIE KHONE FAYE, Primeira-Dama da República do Senegal
S.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, Primeira-Dama da República do Zimbabwe

A Senadora, Drª Rasha Kelej disse, “Tenho orgulho de partilhar que a Fundação Merck concedeu mais de 2280 bolsas de estudo a jovens médicos de 52 países em 44 especialidades críticas e carentes. Muitos dos nossos ex-alunos da Fundação Merck estão a tornar-se nos primeiros especialistas nos seus países. Juntamente com as nossas Embaixadoras e Parceiras, estamos a fazer história e a transformar o cenário do atendimento ao paciente em toda a África e além. Muitos deles estão a tornar-se os primeiros especialistas nos seus países. ”

“Durante a nossa Conferência, também celebramos juntos o Mês Mundial de Conscientização sobre Infertilidade, observado em junho, através da nossa campanha de assinatura “Fundação Merck Mais do Que uma Mãe”, que visa empoderar mulheres com infertilidade e sem filhos, proporcionando acesso à informação, educação e mudança de mentalidade. Tenho o prazer de partilhar que, do total de 2.280 bolsas, mais de 700 bolsas de estudo foram fornecidos para treinamento em Fertilidade, Embriologia, Medicina Sexual e Reprodutiva, Psiquiatria Clínica, Saúde da Mulher, Urologia, Habilidades Cirúrgicas Laparoscópicas e Medicina de Família, para melhorar o acesso aos cuidados de fertilidade e saúde da mulher”, acrescentou ela.

Durante a 7ª Edição da Cimeira da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck -MFFLI, duas ocasiões importantes foram marcadas; o 8º aniversário da Fundação Merck e 13 anos dos programas de desenvolvimento da Fundação Merck que tiveram início em 2012.

No primeiro dia, a Sessão Plenária da Cimeira da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck -MFFLI ocorreu, com a condução de um painel de discussão de alto nível com a participação de Primeiras-Damas de África e da Ásia. Além disso, foi realizado um painel de debate ministerial de alto nível com ministros africanos e importantes especialistas em saúde de todo o mundo.

O segundo dia da conferência contou com três sessões paralelas importantes: duas sessões médicas e científicas abordando tópicos de oncologia e fertilidade, e uma sessão de conscientização comunitária, o Treinamento em Mídia da Saúde da Fundação Merck. Esta sessão enfatizou o papel fundamental da mídia em influenciar comunidades e impulsionar mudanças culturais, em relação a uma ampla gama de questões sociais e de saúde, como o combate do estigma da infertilidade, o apoio à educação de meninas, o combate à violência do género, o fim do casamento infantil e da mutilação genital feminina, o empoderamento das mulheres e a conscientização sobre a diabetes e a hipertensão.

A conferência foi realizada num formato híbrido, permitindo que mais de 6.000 pessoas de mais de 70 países se beneficiassem, se reunissem e discutissem estratégias e soluções para os desafios sociais e de saúde nos seus países de forma segura e eficaz.

Países participantes da 7ª Edição Cimeira da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck:

Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Camarões, Canadá, República Centro-Africana, Camboja, Chade, Costa do Marfim, República do Congo, República Democrática do Congo, Egipto, Etiópia, França, Gabão, Alemanha, Gana, Guiné – Bissau, Guiné – Conakri, Índia, Indonésia, Quénia, Lesotho, Libéria, Malawi, Malásia, Maldivas, Mali, Mauritânia, Maurícias, México, Moçambique, Mianmar, Namíbia, Nepal, Níger, Nigéria, Peru, Filipinas, Rússia, Ruanda, Senegal, Serra Leoa, Somália, África do Sul, Sri Lanka, Sudão, Tanzânia, Tailândia, Gâmbia, Togo, Tunísia, Emirados Árabes Unidos, Reino Unido, Uganda, EUA, Vietname, Zâmbia, Zimbabwe e muito mais.

A 7ª Edição da Iniciativa das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck é transmitida ao vivo nas redes sociais da Fundação Merck e da Senadora, Drª Rasha Kelej, CEO da Fundação Merck:

@ Fundação Merck: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4edCwCi), X (https://apo-opa.co/4n8k2qI), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3G4ZQ8w), e YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4kQbVOf).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3ZBhIi7), X (https://apo-opa.co/3FT5D13), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3HNpOOr), e YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3ZF3Xiq).

Link para a transmissão ao vivo do Facebook da Sessão de Abertura do Painel de Alto Nível das Primeiras-Damas da Fundação Merck: https://apo-opa.co/3G1Afxo

Fundação Merck está a transformar o cenário de atendimento ao paciente e a fazer história junto com os seus parceiros em África, Ásia e além, através de:

• Mais de 2.280 bolsas de estudo fornecidas pela Fundação Merck para médicos de 52 países em mais de 44 especialidades médicas críticas e carentes.

A Fundação Merck também está a criar uma mudança cultural e a quebrar o silêncio sobre uma ampla gama de questões sociais e de saúde em África e em comunidades carentes por meio:

• Mais de 3.700 profissionais da mídia de mais de 35 países treinados para aumentar a conscientização sobre diferentes questões sociais e de saúde

• 8 Prémios Diferentes lançado anualmente para melhor cobertura da mídia, estilistas de moda, filmes e músicas

• Cerca de 30 músicas que abordam questões sociais e de saúde, por cantores locais de toda a África

• 8 livros de histórias infantis em três línguas – inglês, francês e português

• 7 filmes de animação de conscientização em cinco línguas – inglês, francês, português, espanhol e suaíli para aumentar a conscientização sobre a prevenção e detecção precoce da diabetes e da hipertensão e apoiar a educação de meninas.

• Programa Televisivo Pan-Africano “Nossa África pela Fundação Merck” que aborda questões sociais e de saúde em África por meio da comunidade “Moda e ARTE com propósito”

• Mais de 950 bolsas de estudo foram concedidas a estudantes africanas de alto desempenho, mas desfavorecidas, para empoderá-las a concluir os seus estudos

• 15 canais de mídia social com mais de 8 milhões de seguidores.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Merck Foundation.

Contato:
Mehak Handa
Gerente do Programa de Conscientização Comunitária
+91 9310087613
+91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Junte-se à conversa nas plataformas das nossas mídias sociais e deixe a sua voz ser ouvida!
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4edCwCi
X: https://apo-opa.co/4n8k2qI
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4kQbVOf
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3G4ZQ8w
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/460CnzW
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/460Conu
Site: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Baixar a Aplicação da Fundação Merck: https://apo-opa.co/460ClIk

Sobre a Fundação Merck:
A Fundação Merck, criada em 2017, é o braço filantrópico da Merck KGaA Alemanha, tem como objectivo melhorar a saúde e o bem-estar das pessoas e aprimorar as suas vidas atravez da ciência e da tecnologia. Os nossos esforços estão focados principalmente na melhoria do acesso a soluções de saúde de qualidade e equitativas em comunidades carenciadas, no desenvolvimento da capacidade de saúde e na investigação científica, no empoderamento das raparigas na educação e no empoderamento de pessoas em STEM (Ciência, Tecnologia, Engenharia e Matemática) com foco especial em mulheres e jovens. Todos os comunicados de imprensa da Fundação Merck são distribuídos por e-mail ao mesmo tempo em que são disponibilizados no site da Fundação Merck. Visite www.Merck-Foundation.com para ler mais. Siga a mídia social da Fundação Merck: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4edCwCi), X (https://apo-opa.co/4n8k2qI), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3G4ZQ8w), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4kQbVOf), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/460CnzW) e Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/460Conu).

A Fundação Merck está dedicada a melhorar os resultados sociais e de saúde para comunidades necessitadas. Embora colabore com vários parceiros, incluindo governos, para atingir os seus objectivos humanitários, a Fundação permanece estritamente neutra em questões políticas. Ela não se envolve ou apoia nenhuma actividade política, eleições ou regimes, concentrando-se exclusivamente na sua missão de elevar a humanidade e melhorar o bem-estar, mantendo uma postura estritamente apolítica em todos os seus esforços.

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June 18, 2025

Qatar Participates in Senior Officials Meeting on Afghanistan

Source: Government of Qatar

Brussels, June 18, 2025

The State of Qatar participated in the Senior Officials Meeting 2025 on Afghanistan (SOM 2025), which was held in the Belgian capital of Brussels, with the participation of representatives of the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), World Bank, the G7 countries, as well as several regional countries and humanitarian organizations.

In the meeting, the State of Qatar’s delegation was led by Acting Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Ahmed Al Asiri.

During the meeting, Al Asiri emphasized the importance of strengthening humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan and ensuring that aid reaches the most vulnerable groups in light of the political and economic challenges that the country is facing.

He also stressed the importance of collective action and coordinated initiatives to ensure a tangible and sustainable impact on relief and development efforts, highlighting the role that donor countries and humanitarian organizations can play in supporting Afghan society’s capacity-building for resilience and recovery.

Acting Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar’s commitment to continuing to support the Afghan people, working with international partners to ensure respect for the principles of international humanitarian law, and promoting comprehensive development solutions that guarantee stability and dignity for all.

June 18, 2025

HH the Amir Receives Written Message from Iranian President

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, June 18, 2025

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a written message from HE President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian pertaining to bilateral ties and the means to enhance them.

The message was received by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi during a meeting with HE Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the State of Qatar Ali Salehabadi.

June 18, 2025

HH the Amir Receives Written Message from President of Panama

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, June 18, 2025

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thaniآ received a written message from HE President of the Republic of Panama Jose Raul Mulino, pertaining to bilateral relations and means of supporting and developing them.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received the message during his meeting Wednesday with HE Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the State of Qatar Johnny Mayani.

June 18, 2025

African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 to Host Dedicated Energy Finance Track

The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – will host an Energy Finance Track, dedicated to exploring the opportunities, challenges and emerging trends across Africa’s investment environment. The Energy Finance Track – hosted across the three-day main conference agenda – covers a variety of topics and aims to reduce risk perception, identify strategic investment avenues while exploring innovative finance models that drive projects forward in Africa.

The Energy Finance Track features a suite of companies, all of which will tackle strategic topics. These include African and global national oil companies, global energy and intelligence firms, energy and technology service providers, downstream regulators, upstream operators, African E&P firms, renewable energy developers, and many more. From access to finance to investment risks to Merger & Acquisition (M&A) activity, regional projects and development finance, the track will support decision-making and deal-signing in Africa’s energy sector.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Africa’s energy sector continues to witness a surge in investment, as both operators and financiers expand their portfolios across the continent. In 2025, capital expenditure across the continent is projected to hit $43 billion, rising to $54 billion by 2030. Onshore projects are expected to represent the lion’s share of expenditure at 56%, while natural gas is estimated to draw the majority of capital by 2030, accounting for over 60% of hydrocarbon investment during this period. Deepwater exploration is also on the rise, particularly in frontier markets such as Namibia and Ivory Coast. Financing exploration and production projects remains a key challenge, however, as the global capital pool continues to decline. The AEW: Invest in African Energies Energy Finance Track will address this challenge, with panels geared towards exploring innovative strategies to raise capital for oil and gas projects. Sessions include Reducing Barriers to Entry in African Energy Investments; Financing Upstream Projects for Domestic Energy Security; Sourcing International and African Capital for the Acquisition and Development of Marginal and Undeveloped Fields; and African Equity Risk Premium.

Africa’s M&A landscape has also proven to be dynamic in recent years, with future projections showing a positive growth trajectory as companies seeks new investment and partnership opportunities across the continent. Driven by rising capital expenditure, a surge in exploration and a focus on frontier basins across the continent, M&A activity continues to grow in Africa. Amid this growth, the Energy Finance Track will address strategies for supporting future M&A activity. Sessions on Strategic Financing for M&A and Navigating Risk and Insurance in African M&A, will examine identified risk and liabilities between buyers and sellers and how access to capital, regulatory hurdles and shifting investment trends are impacting Africa’s M&A landscape.

Beyond oil and gas, Africa’s renewable energy and power landscape is on track for significant growth, as countries diversify their energy systems and seek to support broader economic growth. With over 600 million people living without access to electricity across the continent, African countries are accelerating the pace and development of power infrastructure, from generation to transmission to storage. Yet, financing challenges remain. The International Energy Agency projects that to meet the continent’s energy access, climate and development goals, Africa requires annual energy investments to more than double to over $240 billion by 2030. Key sectors include energy access, power systems and emerging industries such as clean energy technologies.

The Energy Finance Track will unpack the role innovative financing mechanisms and regional collaboration plays in achieving the continent’s energy and development goals. Sessions on Intra-Africa Commodities Trading and Financing Cross-Border Pipelines and Shared Infrastructure Projects will explore how increased regional trade can serve as a catalyst for economic development in Africa. Additionally, sessions on Integrated Energy Projects: Is Financing Easier and Energy Finance Strategies: Lessons Across Africa will examine how blended finance, public-private partnership models and development finance can support energy development.

“The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Energy Finance Track offers a unique opportunity for African financiers to gain insight into emerging opportunities across the continent. At the same time, the track offers project developers, governments and public institutions the chance to explore new methods of financing, while addressing critical challenges to energy development,” stated Oré Onagbesan, AEW: Invest in African Energies Program Director.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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June 18, 2025

Nigeria’s economy is growing but rural poverty is rising: 5 key policies to address the divide

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stephen Onyeiwu, Professor of Economics & Business, Allegheny College

The Nigerian economy grew at a robust rate of 3.4% in 2024, the highest it has been since 2019 (except 2021 when the COVID rebound occurred).

This should have been cheering news, worthy of firecrackers and champagne-popping. Rather it came with a catch: the country’s poverty profile worsened.

In its annual review of the country, the World Bank applauded Nigeria for its economic reforms. These include the removal of fuel subsidies, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market and maintenance of a contractionary monetary policy. This is a policy of raising interest rates, reducing money supply and increasing borrowing costs to rein in inflation.

But the bank also drew attention to the fact that the country’s poverty profile has become grim. About 31% of Nigerians lived in poverty prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. Since then, an additional 42 million have become poor, increasing the poverty rate to about 46% in 2024.

Poverty is even worse in Nigeria’s rural communities: 75.5% live on US$2.15 or less per day (based on 2017 prices). The average poverty rate for sub-Saharan African countries was 36.5% in 2024 and 0.8% for East Asia and the Pacific.

Nigeria’s poverty rate would have been higher if the multidimensional poverty index had been used. In addition to income, the index considers access to education, health, decent housing, nutrition, sanitation, electricity and water. Access to these critical services has worsened for many Nigerians, despite improvements in macroeconomic stability.

A challenge for policy makers is how to translate impressive macroeconomic outcomes into high-paying jobs, lower poverty rates and access to health, good sanitation, education, electricity and affordable housing. The question is even more acute for people in rural areas.

As an economist who has studied the Nigerian economy for over four decades and lived in a rural community, I believe Nigeria needs a radical shift in its economic policy approach.

One major step should be a change in the country’s growth drivers. Oil, information and communications technology and finance are the major drivers of growth in Nigeria.

These sectors are not employment-intensive, and they require skills that most Nigerians don’t have. Because of the lack of employment opportunities in these sectors, most Nigerians gravitate towards the informal sector, which accounts for about 90% of employment in the country.

By continuing to urge Nigerians to be patient for economic reforms to have a positive impact on their living conditions, the Tinubu administration appears to assume that improvements in macroeconomic performance will eventually manifest in lower unemployment and poverty rates. This notion of “trickle-down economics” is misconceived and illusory.

The government needs to intentionally create transmission mechanisms through which economic growth and macroeconomic stability can raise living standards.

Fostering growth with development

Concerted efforts will be needed to target poverty in general, and rural poverty in particular.

Five key policies could get Nigeria closer to this goal:

Building productive capacities: People who live in rural areas in Nigeria are eager to work and full of creative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. But they lack the resources and opportunity to fully unleash their potential.

Building their productive capacities would entail giving them access to basic education, technical and managerial skills, and other productive resources such as tools, equipment, finance and land. The government should identify the comparative advantage of different rural communities, and put in place policies that encourage those communities to use their comparative advantage and distinctive competencies.

Opportunity to diversify incomes: In developed countries, many people hold multiple jobs. Most rural dwellers in Nigeria, however, rely on agriculture as their only source of livelihood.

Because of limited access to inputs and modern technology, and outdated agricultural practices, their productivity is often very low. Their low income makes it difficult to save and invest in education, health and housing.

Non-agricultural activities, especially manufacturing, need to be located in rural communities, to give rural dwellers the opportunity to diversify their income sources.

Agriculture-led industrial strategy: This would involve the location of manufacturing plants close to the sources of agricultural raw materials.

Nigerian manufacturers locate their factories in urban areas. The result of urban-biased development strategy in Nigeria has been the lack of employment opportunities in rural communities, and a decline in the rural population, from about 85% in 1960 to 46% in 2023.

Moving manufacturing to rural areas would require massive investment in infrastructure such as electricity, water, roads and health services.

Ending patriarchy and male domination: Women disproportionately bear the burden of rural poverty in Nigeria. A study in rural south-east Nigeria found that the poverty rate among women was 98%, compared to 85% for men. Men are often given preference regarding access to land, education, skills acquisition and financial inclusion.

Women are also imbued with the responsibility of caring for children, the elderly and the sick, as well as household chores. This leaves them with little time for paid work or opportunities to acquire marketable skills.

Ability to absorb shocks and vulnerability: Rural poverty is often exacerbated by shocks and vulnerability such as extreme weather conditions, attacks by insurgents and other criminal groups, and illness. With no safety nets, and little or no saving, most rural dwellers are unable to withstand shocks.

The Tinubu administration plans to disburse N25,000 (about US$17) each to 60 million Nigerians. But these kinds of support are too small, non-pervasive, irregular and unpredictable.

What India and China have to teach

Nigeria could do well to borrow from the Indian model of an institutionalised safety net.

India issues “ration cards” to eligible households. The cards enable poor people to purchase essential food items such as grains, milk, eggs, cooking oil and bread at subsidised prices from designated stores.

Nigeria could finance this kind of programme with a special tax on oil companies and financial institutions, which frequently post huge after-tax profits.

China has had an impressive record of poverty reduction. Using the US$1.90 poverty line, China’s poverty rate decreased from 88.1% in 1981 to 0.3% in 2018.

The fall in rural poverty is even more dramatic, from 96% in 1980 to 1% in 2019.

This reduction was accomplished in stages, starting with an increase in agricultural productivity. It then shifted focus to the development of non-agricultural sectors of the economy, including manufacturing. These sectors were able to draw surplus labour from the agricultural sector, giving them skills that led to higher wages and poverty alleviation.

Next steps

The World Bank in its report noted that addressing pressing social and humanitarian challenges remains critical to ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth in Nigeria.

Cash transfers and social assistance programmes could provide temporary relief for the poor in rural communities. But a long-term solution is to build their productive capacities and transform rural communities in ways that provide opportunities for income diversification.

– Nigeria’s economy is growing but rural poverty is rising: 5 key policies to address the divide
– https://theconversation.com/nigerias-economy-is-growing-but-rural-poverty-is-rising-5-key-policies-to-address-the-divide-257152

June 18, 2025

What happens when aid is cut to a large refugee camp? Kenyan study paints a bleak picture

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Olivier Sterck, Associate professor, University of Oxford

Humanitarian needs are rising around the world. At the same time, major donors such as the US and the UK are pulling back support, placing increasing strain on already overstretched aid systems.

Global humanitarian needs have quadrupled since 2015, driven by new conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza. Added to these are protracted crises in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and DR Congo, among others. Yet donor funding has failed to keep pace, covering less than half of the requested US$50 billion in 2024, leaving millions without assistance.

Notably, the US recently slashed billions of US dollars from global relief efforts. The slashed contributions once made up to half of all public humanitarian funding and over a fifth of the UN’s budget. Other donors have been cutting aid as well.

As funding shortfalls widen, humanitarian agencies increasingly face tough choices: reducing the scale of operations, pausing essential services, or cancelling programmes altogether. Disruptions to aid delivery have become a routine feature of humanitarian operations.

Yet few rigorous studies have provided hard evidence of the consequences for affected populations.

A recent study from one of the world’s largest refugee camps in Kenya fills this gap.

Our research team from the University of Oxford and the University of Antwerp was already studying Kakuma camp and then had an opportunity to see what happened when aid was cut. We observed the impact of a 20% aid cut that occurred in 2023.

The study reveals that cuts to humanitarian assistance had dramatic impacts on hunger and psychological distress, with cascading effects on local credit systems and prices of goods.

Kakuma refugee camp

Kakuma is home to more than 300,000 refugees, who mostly came from South Sudan (49%), Somalia (16%), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (10%). They have been housed here since 1992. With widespread poverty, lack of income opportunities, and aid making up over 90% of household income, survival in the camp hinges on humanitarian support from UN organisations.

When the research began in late 2022, most refugees in Kakuma received a combination of in-kind and cash transfers from the World Food Programme. Transfers were worth US$17 per person per month, barely enough to cover the bare essentials: food, firewood and medicine.

Over the span of a year, the research team tracked 622 South Sudanese refugee households, interviewing them monthly to monitor how their living conditions evolved in response to the timing and level of aid they received. We also gathered weekly price data on 70 essential goods and conducted more than 250 in-depth interviews with refugees, shopkeepers, and humanitarian staff to understand the broader impacts.

Then came the cut. In July 2023, assistance was reduced by 20%, just as the research team was conducting its eighth round of data collection. This sudden reduction in humanitarian aid created a rare opportunity to assess the effects of an aid cut on both recipients and the markets they depend on.

Consequences of aid cut

The 20% cut in humanitarian aid had cascading effects, affecting not just hunger, but local credit systems, prices, and well-being.

1. Hunger got worse. As a Somali refugee interviewed by the researchers put it: “After the aid reduction, the lives of refugees become hard. That was the money sustaining them. […] Things are insufficient, and hunger is visible.”

Food insecurity was already widespread before the cut, with more than 90% of refugees classified as food insecure. Average caloric intake stood below 1,900 kcal per person per day – well under the World Food Programme’s 2,100 kcal target and about half the average daily calorie supply available to a US citizen.

Food insecurity further increased following the aid cut, with caloric intake falling by 145 kcal, a 7% decrease. The share of households eating one meal or less increased by 8 percentage points, from about 29% to 37%. At the same time, dietary diversity narrowed, indicating that households tried to mitigate the negative impacts of the aid cut by reducing the variety of foods they consumed.

2. Credit collapsed. As a refugee shopkeeper of Ethiopian origin reported: “When we give out credit we have a limit; since the aid is reduced, the credit is also reduced.”

Cash assistance in Kakuma is delivered through aid cards, which refugees routinely use as collateral to access food on credit. When transfers are delayed or unexpected expenses arise, refugees hand over their aid cards as a guarantee to trusted shopkeepers, allowing them to borrow food against next month’s aid.

But when assistance was cut, the value of this informal collateral plummeted. Retailers, fearing default, reduced lending or refused lending altogether. Informal credit from shopkeepers shrank by 9%. Many refugees reported being refused food on credit or having to repay past debt before receiving any new goods.

3. Households liquidated assets. With no access to credit, households began selling off possessions and drawing down food reserves. The average value of household assets fell by over 6% after the aid cut.

4. Psychological distress increased. The aid cut reduced self-reported sleep quality and happiness, indicating that reductions in aid go beyond physical impacts and also have psychological effects.

5. Prices fell. With reduced expenditure and purchasing power, the demand for food dropped, and food prices went down, partially offsetting the negative effects of the aid cut.

Implications

The study carries two major policy implications.

First, aid in contexts like Kakuma should not be treated as optional or discretionary, but as a structural necessity. It is the backbone of daily life. Mechanisms are needed to protect it from abrupt donor withdrawals.

Second, informal credit is not peripheral, it is central to economic life in refugee settings. In many camps, shopkeepers act as retailers and de facto financial institutions. When aid transfers serve as both income and collateral, cutting them risks collapsing this fragile credit system. Cash transfer programmes must therefore be designed with these dynamics in mind.

– What happens when aid is cut to a large refugee camp? Kenyan study paints a bleak picture
– https://theconversation.com/what-happens-when-aid-is-cut-to-a-large-refugee-camp-kenyan-study-paints-a-bleak-picture-259055

June 18, 2025

OPEC Fund Development Forum 2025 concludes with new commitments to accelerate global development impact

Announcement of over US$1 billion new financing: OPEC Fund signs US$362 million new loan agreements during the Forum and announces approval of US$720 million in new financing in the second Quarter
A Country Partnership Framework agreement with Rwanda earmarks US$300 million financing in the next three years
At the high-level Mauritania roundtable hosted by the OPEC Fund, the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) announced a pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next 5 years to support Mauritania’s development priorities.

The fourth OPEC Fund Development Forum (https://OPECFund.org) concluded today with a strong slate of new commitments, loan agreements and strategic partnerships to advance inclusive transition and sustainable development. The Forum brought together more than 700 global leaders, including government representatives, development institutions and private sector stakeholders, under the theme “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow”.

The OPEC Fund announced some US$720 million in new financing to support development efforts across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and saw the signing of US$362 million in new loan agreements. A new Trade Finance Initiative is set to secure vital supplies and help close trade-related liquidity gaps in partner countries.

OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund Development Forum reflects our conviction that partnerships must deliver results. Today we achieved tangible progress – with new signings, new partnerships and new approaches to help our partner countries turn ambition into action. Whether in energy, infrastructure, agriculture or finance, we are responding with solutions that make a difference.”

As part of its Small Island Developing States (SIDS) initiative, the OPEC Fund signed cooperation agreements with Grenada, and the Solomon Islands, expanding support for climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.

Deepening Country Partnerships for Long-term Impact

New country-level agreements and cooperation frameworks include:

A US$212 million loan agreement with Oman to finance the Khasab-Daba-Lima Road Project (Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road), improving local and regional connectivity, as well as a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to strengthen cooperation over the next five years.
A US$25 million loan agreement with Cameroon to strengthen the Rice Value Chain Development Project, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening food security in vulnerable regions, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Kuwait Fund.
A CPF with Rwanda to allocate up to US$300 million in financing for 2025 – 2028, supporting the country’s development priorities, including quality infrastructure, improved essential basic services and the promotion of entrepreneurship and the private sector.
Other country partnership agreements included: Azerbaijan to support infrastructure, energy transition and sustainable development; Botswana to support infrastructure, renewable energy, innovation and digital transformation, as well as private sector export-led growth over the next three years; Grenada to build resilience through sustainable development initiatives; Kyrgyz Republic to increase cooperation in transport, water supply and sanitation, energy, agriculture and banking sectors; and Solomon Islands to expand engagement and increase cooperation including in the private sector.

Scaling up Private Sector Support

The OPEC Fund continues to prioritize private sector-led growth with targeted financing to financial institutions across Africa:

In Côte d’Ivoire, a €30 million loan agreement with Coris Bank International Côte d’Ivoire and a €35 million loan agreement with NSIA Banque will facilitate access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
A US$40 million loan agreement with the East African Development Bank (EADB) will boost economic investments across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, strengthening regional integration and inclusive growth.

New Trade Finance Initiative

At the Forum the OPEC Fund also announced a new Trade Finance Initiative to boost trade resilience in partner countries by facilitating access to essential imports, closing liquidity gaps and strengthening resilience to external shocks in vulnerable economies.

Advancing global cooperation

The Forum also featured new agreements to deepen multilateral cooperation:

A new cooperation agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will strengthen collaboration in infrastructure, energy and human development projects across the Latin America and Caribbean region.
The OPEC Fund and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) formalized a cooperation agreement to coordinate efforts on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems.
A cooperation agreement with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) will support training programs to promote institutional transparency and anti-corruption capacity building in partner countries.

Ahead of the Forum, the OPEC Fund hosted the Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institutions of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). Delegates participated in a high-level roundtable with the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to strengthen development collaboration and mobilize investment flows to Mauritania. The roundtable resulted in an ACG joint pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next five years. This will be directed to vital sectors, including energy, water, transportation and digital infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. A dedicated Arab Donors Roundtable on the Sahel addressed strategies to mobilize greater support for the region’s urgent challenges. It was organized by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CLISS) and sponsored by the OPEC Fund’s partner institution, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of OPEC Fund.

Media Contact:
Basak Pamir
OPEC Fund for International Development
Head of Outreach & Multimedia
B.Pamir@opecfund.org
+431511564174
Telephone: +43-1-515 64-0
Fax: +43-1-513 92 38
www.OPECFund.org

About the OPEC Fund:
The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$29 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.

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June 18, 2025

KZN launches technological tools to curb fraud and wasteful expenditure

Source: South Africa News Agency

KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has unveiled the province’s new digital Supply Chain Management (SCM) system, which aims to reduce wasteful expenditure, fraud, corruption, and bias in government procurement processes.

Speaking at the official launch in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, Rodgers announced that KwaZulu-Natal is the first province in South Africa to implement such system, which is set to be piloted during the management of the province’s R158 billion budget in the 2025/2026 financial year.

Rodgers acknowledged that the province has experienced numerous challenges linked to manual procurement system, which he described as a major source of irregularities.

“Generally, the root of fraud, corruption, irregular and wasteful expenditure can be found in our SCM processes. The implementation of a digital procurement system has become a priority,” Rodgers said.

According to Rodgers, the digital procurement platform implementation may derive in the following benefits:

•    Enforcing transparency and efficiency in procurement processes. Minimizing supply SCM fraud, corruption, bias, and enabling a fair and just environment for all stakeholders involved.
•    Replacing all manual submissions and reduce human errors and the creation of audit trails which will foster accountability at all levels.
•    The electronic system will also foster a culture of openness, empowering suppliers to compete on a level playing field, irrespective of their size or background, whilst ensuring targeted procurement from priority groups.
•    Reduction of irregular expenditure through effective planning and contract management.
•    Compliance with SCM policies and regulations.
•    The system will allow for budget blocking especially at requisition creation stage.
•    The system will allow for price bench marking to ensure that the province obtains value for money and negotiates based on market prices.

Rodgers said the system has been approved by National Treasury, with full implementation expected to take place between January 2026 and April 2027, in the selected departments.

He said set-up costs are expected to range from R3 million to R5 million, with R20 million already allocated from the funds saved by the MEC through cost-cutting measures and curbing wasteful expenditure.

Provincial data analysis centre

In another first for KwaZulu-Natal, Rodgers announced that the Provincial Treasury will be setting up a Data Analysis Centre, which will allow the analysis of provincial financial data to enable MECs and all departments’ management to make timeous and informed financial decisions.

Rodgers said the centre will feature a comprehensive financial dashboard, which will allow real-time monitoring of provincial finances by MECs and departmental leadership.

“This tool will allow us to observe total expenditure and revenue collection to address timeously issues of over-spending and under-collection. The dashboard will also enable provincial government leaders to live-monitor human capital trends in all departments.

“The dashboard is imperative to the development of an ethical and capable state. It will also aid in the determination of the quantum of accruals (invoices received and not paid), quantum of debts (monies owed to government), whether governance committees are meeting and whether all invoices are paid within 30 days,” Rodgers said.

He added that through the dashboard, the provincial government will be able to tell the extend of critical vacancy rates across government departments. – SAnews.gov.za