Latest news with #AFD
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Veolia and AFD Sign Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Ecological Transformation in Developing Countries
PARIS, July 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Veolia (Paris:VIE), a global leader in ecological transformation, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a partnership agreement on July 18, 2025, to strengthen their collaboration in support of environmental services and sustainable development. This three-year strategic partnership aims to combine Veolia's technical and operational expertise with AFD's implementation capacity and local presence to address environmental challenges in emerging and developing countries. The partnership will focus primarily on Latin America, Central Asia, the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. This strategic alliance, designed to bring private sector expertise to environmental services, targets three key sectors: water and sanitation, waste management, and energy. It includes concrete actions to: reduce inequalities in access to water and sanitation, a core priority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preserve water resources, improve governance and regulatory frameworks related to waste management, develop innovative circular economy solutions, advance bioenergy innovation, decarbonize district heating networks. This partnership reflects a shared commitment by AFD and Veolia to strengthen collective action for sustainable transitions. It aims to promote dialogue and collaboration between the two international stakeholders, notably through technical workshops, exchanges, and site visits. The partnership will also be brought to life through joint Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. "We are proud to join forces with AFD to amplify our positive impact on sustainable development, especially in the fields of water access, waste management, and the energy transition," said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. "Our operational excellence and on-the-ground expertise, combined with AFD's strong local presence, will help us accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the regions where we operate. This partnership is fully aligned with our GreenUp strategic plan and our ambition to be a catalyst for ecological transformation in all territories. It is a concrete demonstration of how French expertise can act as a powerful accelerator of global ecological transition." Rémy Rioux, CEO of the AFD Group, added: "We are very pleased to formalize and strengthen our partnership with Veolia, with whom we already have a rich history of concrete projects—particularly through its subsidiary Seureca in Chad, Guinea, and the Balkans. This agreement will enhance our synergies at the scale of both our organizations to ensure safe and sustainable access to drinking water for populations in our partner countries, and to support their ecological transitions in line with our SDG commitments. Ultimately, this partnership embodies our shared vision to contribute to France's policy of solidarity-based and sustainable international investment." ▁▁▁ ABOUT AFD The AFD Group finances and accelerates transitions toward a fairer, safer, and more resilient world by working hand-in-hand with local partners around the globe. Through its complementary entities — AFD for public financing, Proparco for responsible private investment, and Expertise France for technical cooperation — the Group addresses all facets of sustainable development. Active in more than 160 countries, including French overseas territories, AFD tailors its actions to local realities and supports community-driven initiatives. With more than 4,000 projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFD acts on behalf of the French people to mobilize all stakeholders involved in promoting economic development and preserving our global commons — climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, and global health. With others, for a shared ABOUT VEOLIA Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024. View source version on Contacts VEOLIA MEDIA RELATIONS Laurent Obadia - Evgeniya Mazalova Anna Beaubatie - Aurélien Sarrosquy Charline Bouchereau Tel. + 33 (0) 1 85 57 86 AFD MEDIA RELATIONS Sophie Noel Tel. +33 (0) 1 53 44 31 31noels@
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Veolia and AFD Sign Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Ecological Transformation in Developing Countries
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Veolia (Paris:VIE), a global leader in ecological transformation, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a partnership agreement on July 18, 2025, to strengthen their collaboration in support of environmental services and sustainable development. This three-year strategic partnership aims to combine Veolia's technical and operational expertise with AFD's implementation capacity and local presence to address environmental challenges in emerging and developing countries. The partnership will focus primarily on Latin America, Central Asia, the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. This strategic alliance, designed to bring private sector expertise to environmental services, targets three key sectors: water and sanitation, waste management, and energy. It includes concrete actions to: reduce inequalities in access to water and sanitation, a core priority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preserve water resources, improve governance and regulatory frameworks related to waste management, develop innovative circular economy solutions, advance bioenergy innovation, decarbonize district heating networks. This partnership reflects a shared commitment by AFD and Veolia to strengthen collective action for sustainable transitions. It aims to promote dialogue and collaboration between the two international stakeholders, notably through technical workshops, exchanges, and site visits. The partnership will also be brought to life through joint Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. 'We are proud to join forces with AFD to amplify our positive impact on sustainable development, especially in the fields of water access, waste management, and the energy transition,' said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. 'Our operational excellence and on-the-ground expertise, combined with AFD's strong local presence, will help us accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the regions where we operate. This partnership is fully aligned with our GreenUp strategic plan and our ambition to be a catalyst for ecological transformation in all territories. It is a concrete demonstration of how French expertise can act as a powerful accelerator of global ecological transition.' Rémy Rioux, CEO of the AFD Group, added: 'We are very pleased to formalize and strengthen our partnership with Veolia, with whom we already have a rich history of concrete projects—particularly through its subsidiary Seureca in Chad, Guinea, and the Balkans. This agreement will enhance our synergies at the scale of both our organizations to ensure safe and sustainable access to drinking water for populations in our partner countries, and to support their ecological transitions in line with our SDG commitments. Ultimately, this partnership embodies our shared vision to contribute to France's policy of solidarity-based and sustainable international investment.' ▁▁▁ ABOUT AFD The AFD Group finances and accelerates transitions toward a fairer, safer, and more resilient world by working hand-in-hand with local partners around the globe. Through its complementary entities — AFD for public financing, Proparco for responsible private investment, and Expertise France for technical cooperation — the Group addresses all facets of sustainable development. Active in more than 160 countries, including French overseas territories, AFD tailors its actions to local realities and supports community-driven initiatives. With more than 4,000 projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFD acts on behalf of the French people to mobilize all stakeholders involved in promoting economic development and preserving our global commons — climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, and global health. With others, for a shared world. ABOUT VEOLIA Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024.
Russia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
When aid turns into ideology: What France is really doing in Moldova
Rémy Rioux, the CEO of the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement, AFD) recently visited Ukraine and Moldova to reaffirm France's position as a 'leading bilateral partner' within the framework of the Eastern Partnership and the 2025-2027 European Growth Plan. Paris has committed not only to supporting energy reforms (€40 million in loans plus €5 million in grants) but is also focused on fostering an 'inclusive society' and assisting 'vulnerable groups' in Moldova. But what lies beneath this rhetoric? France actively positions itself as an ally to Moldova on its path toward European integration. Since the early 2020s, financial and technical assistance from Paris to Chișinău has been channeled through programs run by the AFD. Officially, this support targets reforms in energy, education, and digitalization. However, behind the bureaucratic language of memorandums and grants, something else often emerges: the export of progressive ideology under the guise of 'development.' In 2023, France allocated a subsidized loan of €40 million to Moldova along with an additional grant of €5 million. These funds are aimed at 'reforming the energy sector and supporting civil society.' Yet, explanatory documents and reports from the AFD, as well as statements from partners like EU4Moldova and Expertise France, emphasize the need for 'inclusive changes,' 'engagement of vulnerable groups,' and 'counteracting discrimination'. Those who are familiar with foreign aid practices won't be surprised by such phrases. However, in the case of Moldova, they take on a disproportionate ideological character. Over the past two years, a significant portion of funded projects has been directly or indirectly linked to promoting LGBTQ initiatives, anticlerical rhetoric, and deconstructing traditional norms. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, facing the highest population outflow rates: over a million people have left the country since the early 2000s. Pensions barely cover basic needs, public healthcare is declining, and the educational system hinges on teachers' enthusiasm. Yet, the symbol of 'successful modernization' and the 'achievement of European standards' highlighted in the Moldovan press and Western NGO reports has been the 2025 Pride March in Chișinău, which took place under police protection despite being banned by City Hall. Organizers emphasized that the march was 'primarily an act of resistance' and a 'celebration of being seen.' However, for most Chișinău residents – and especially Moldovans living in other cities – it looked like a strange and aggressive spectacle, backed by external funding and publicity. Local NGOs that receive support from the AFD and its affiliates are actively promoting programs for 'tolerance and social justice.' Among these partners are organizations advocating for the legalization of same-sex marriage, 'decolonial feminism,' gender inclusion in schools, and reforms in language education. Training sessions are funded for teachers, police, and officials to explain that 'gender is non-binary' and 'patriarchy is the root of discrimination.' Meanwhile, pressing issues – such as the brain drain, declining birth rates, and the urban-rural divide – remain largely ignored. Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who was elected largely thanks to votes from the Moldovan diaspora, has practically handed the national agenda over to international donors. In Moldova itself, Sandu is supported by only about 25% of voters. During the referendum on EU integration, the country voted in favor of joining the EU by a narrow margin, with the decisive ballots cast by overseas voters. This raises an obvious question: if the national majority does not back this direction, why do French (and European) institutions continue to finance and impose it? The answer is clear. Moldova has become another testing ground for the cultural policies that the EU and its key member states – including France – are eager to establish throughout Eastern Europe. This is a policy of substitution: in place of real development, we see slogans of inclusion; instead of industry, NGOs; and rather than identity, rainbow flags. When speaking about Moldova, the French Foreign Ministry never addresses issues such as freedom of speech, the rights of the opposition, or protection of traditional values. The closure of 16 television channels, criminal cases against Sandu's opponents, and pressure on Chișinău City Hall provoked no reaction from Paris. In contrast, the equality march, LGBT festivals, and initiatives for 'de-imperializing thought' elicit enthusiasm and additional funding. Unfortunately, France – a country with a rich culture and traditions – is transforming into an exporter of not values, but ideology. Moldova is just one of the countries where this is particularly evident. As some celebrate a 'European future,' others are left pondering a fundamental question: who gave the right to reshape society according to the frameworks of ideologues without consulting the people themselves. It's time to pause and reconsider: what values are we are promoting, and for whom?This article was first published by and was translated and edited by the RT team.
El Chorouk
5 days ago
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Finally, France Admits it Does Not Provide Development Aid to Algeria
Another card in France's political bargaining with Algeria has fallen: development aid. Many politicians and media figures in Paris have used this as a lucrative tool to mislead public opinion, in an attempt to mobilise it amid the escalating political and diplomatic crisis between the two capitals, which is approaching its first year. In this regard, Rémy Rioux, Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD), ended the controversy sparked by statements made by several French officials regarding 'alleged' aid to the Algerian state within the framework of bilateral cooperation. This statement came too late, after the issue had reached the French judicial authorities and sparked a protracted, false political controversy. Rioux also refuted the recurring rhetoric of certain members of the French far right about France's alleged annual aid to Algeria, statements recently relayed by MP Sarah Knafo, and which Algeria has officially denied, going so far as to initiate legal action. Rémy Rioux finally admitted in a program broadcast on the French public parliamentary channel LCP with frankness and clarity that debunked these allegations during his appearance two days ago, declaring that the agency he heads 'does not finance any projects in Algeria.' He clarified that the only existing support is limited to scholarships awarded to Algerian students pursuing their studies in France, thus exposing the instrumentalisation of this issue by the extreme right in its hostile discourse towards Algeria. 'We do not provide funding. What is announced as aid relates only to scholarships provided to Algerian students in France and is not the responsibility of the French Development Agency,' he explained. This statement raises several questions about its timing and why this official did not break his silence when the debate was spurious and clarify the situation. He added unambiguously that the AFD 'does not carry out any activity in Algeria and does not provide any direct financing,' stressing that 'Algeria does not borrow from us and does not ask for money,' unlike Morocco, with which, according to him, the agency 'has been collaborating closely recently', as Paris's strong partner referring to the period following the recent French position on the Western Sahara issue. According to sources familiar with the matter, the aid the French were discussing was directed exclusively to certain private Algerian schools, to strengthen the status of French in Algeria. The condition was that various subjects be taught in French, a measure that violates the laws of the Ministry of Education. However, this was subject to strict instructions from the relevant ministry requiring teaching in a Western language. The ministry also issued a decision prohibiting private schools from receiving any financial aid from France, after the issue of bogus aid was raised. Last February, a false debate erupted regarding French aid to Algeria. Extremist European MP Sarah Knafo, elected from the far-right 'Reconquest Party' led by Éric Zemmour, claimed that Algeria would receive 800 million euros each year, while refusing to repatriate its illegal immigrants, a claim that Algerian authorities considered unfounded. The French embassy in Algeria soon issued inaccurate clarifications. It indicated that the amount of French development aid granted to Algeria in 2022 was 132 million euros, the largest share of which went to scholarships for Algerian students in France, subject to conditions that did not necessarily adhere to clear and precise criteria. This issue sparked official Algerian astonishment at the time, expressed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who addressed the French in a press statement without naming them: '…There are those who say we give them aid and money. Algeria needs only God Almighty and its children. We embrace and love our friends, and whoever wants to antagonise us, that's their business.' The Algerian Press Service also weighed in, denying the existence of French aid to Algeria and accusing the French far-right of being behind this fake news. The agency wrote: 'European Commission statistics for 2022 indicate that the total value of this aid does not exceed 130 million euros. It confirmed that 80% of this money did not even leave French territory, being paid directly to support its educational institutions that receive Algerian students, under its economic priorities. The remaining 20% financed programs aimed at promoting the French language, culture and economic interest in Algeria.' The agency also mocked French politicians who adopted this rhetoric: 'If this aid exists, Algeria would gladly give it up.'
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: French delegation, MC discuss water supply project funding
A high-level delegation from the French development agency Agence Française de Développement (AFD) held a crucial meeting with officials of the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) on Tuesday to discuss the city's 24x7 Pan-City Water Supply Project. During the meeting, MC officials raised several queries, particularly about the project's funding structure and overall implementation viability, before taking the final call on rolling it out across the city. The Pan-City 24x7 Water Supply Project is designed to cover all 35 wards of Chandigarh and aims to replace the current intermittent water supply system with a continuous, round-the-clock model. (HT photo for representation) The AFD team visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Centre to assess the technological backbone and project preparedness. Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar and chief engineer Sanjay Arora gave a detailed presentation on various technical and financial aspects of the project. The French delegation also visited Manimajra to evaluate the pilot project on ground, which has recently drawn scrutiny from the vigilance department over multiple implementation concerns. 'Various aspects like finances, project viability and implementation process were discussed in detail. MC officials, after consulting with the high power committee, will officially raise queries in a letter to the AFD, so that all concerns can be resolved,' said a senior MC official familiar with the discussions. The Pan-City 24x7 Water Supply Project is designed to cover all 35 wards of Chandigarh and aims to replace the current intermittent water supply system with a continuous, round-the-clock model. Following the implementation of the Manimajra pilot, the MC intends to begin full-scale execution of the project, which includes replacing nearly 270 km of the city's aging water pipeline network not suited for high-pressure supply. The city has been divided into 55 district metering areas (DMAs) for phase-wise rollout, with each DMA comprising approximately one sector. The first DMA is expected to receive 24x7 supply by 2025, while the complete city-wide transformation is targeted by 2029. The earlier deadline was 2024. However, while the project promises significant infrastructure upgrades, it also brings with it a considerable financial burden for city residents. Of the total estimated cost of ₹510 crore, AFD will provide ₹412 crore as a loan to be repaid over 15 years. Additionally, the European Union is contributing ₹98 crore as a grant. The loan agreement was formalised in December 2022. Beginning December 2029, the MC will be required to repay approximately ₹40 crore annually to the French government. To meet this financial obligation, the Chandigarh administration will hike water tariffs after the project's completion, with rates expected to be nearly double the current charges.
