Latest news with #Agenda2063
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Health experts, officials convene in Uganda for HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis elimination across Africa
KAMPALA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Health experts, policymakers, and researchers on Monday began a three-day meeting in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, to accelerate the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B across Africa. The event, held under the theme "Unifying Actions, Transforming Futures: Achieving Triple Elimination in Africa by 2030," is dubbed as Africa's first-ever high-level conference focused on the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, represented by Vice President Jessica Alupo, emphasized the importance of unity and innovation in tackling the continent's health challenges, especially in the face of shifting global health priorities and diminishing funding. "As Africa, and as a global community, we must act with unity, innovation, and purpose to advance maternal and child health and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B," said Museveni. He noted that the interconnected epidemics of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B pose a significant burden to public health, particularly through mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Uganda's Minister of Health Ruth Aceng told the gathering that while progress has been made in HIV prevention, care, and treatment, major challenges persist, particularly in addressing syphilis and hepatitis B. She said that by the end of 2024, Africa had approximately 26.3 million people living with HIV, accounting for 65 percent of the global total. Meanwhile, syphilis cases are rising worldwide, with eight million adults infected, 700,000 congenital cases, and 230,000 deaths annually. While Africa has recorded the highest increase in syphilis cases globally, with only Botswana and Namibia currently on track to eliminate mother-to-child transmission, 65 million people across the continent are chronically infected with hepatitis B, contributing 63 percent of the world's new infections, the minister added. "Integration is the way to go now, especially in this era of unprecedented funding challenges, where we are already seeing a reduction in funding from development partners," said Aceng. According to the event organizers, the conference aligns with the World Health Organization's 2030 disease elimination targets and the African Union's Agenda 2063, both of which envision a healthier, more resilient Africa.
Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- Observer
Oman joins key African climate talks in Nairobi
NAIROBI: The Sultanate of Oman actively participated in the 20th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) held in Nairobi, Kenya, under the leadership of Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of Oman's Environment Authority and President of the 7th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Marking the 40th anniversary of AMCEN, the conference celebrated four decades of regional environmental progress in sustainable development, biodiversity protection, climate action and pollution control. Dr Abdullah praised AMCEN's historic achievements and its pivotal role in unifying Africa's environmental agenda and strengthening its global voice. During the event, Dr Abdullah emphasised the robust partnership between AMCEN and UNEA, highlighting cooperation aimed at achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and Africa's Agenda 2063. He outlined future plans focusing on scientific policymaking, sustainable climate financing, AI-driven environmental monitoring and promoting inclusive green transformations. On the sidelines, Dr Abdullah engaged in high-level discussions with representatives from the Group of 77 and China, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, focusing on preparations for UNEA's seventh session and key environmental initiatives, including the global plastic pollution treaty. The Sultanate of Oman's participation underscores its ongoing commitment to regional and global environmental cooperation and sustainable development. — ONA
Daily News Egypt
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Ethiopia Engages Diplomats on Climate Finance Ahead of Africa Climate Summit
Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has held consultations with the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa ahead of the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), calling for stronger international financial and technical support to address the continent's climate challenges. The meeting, held this week, focused on mobilizing global climate finance for Africa's green development agenda, with particular attention to equitable support for African-led climate solutions. ACS2 is scheduled for September 8–10, 2025, at the Addis International Convention Centre under the theme 'Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa's Resilient and Green Development.' The consultations were opened by Foreign Minister Dr. Gedion Timothewos and moderated by Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa. Officials emphasized that while Africa contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. The Ministry of Planning and Development presented the summit's concept note, outlining the summit's vision and objectives. Abas Mohammed, CEO at the Ministry, said ACS2 would seek to unlock grant-based climate finance and drive sustainable investment across Africa. Participants highlighted Ethiopia's own initiatives, such as the Green Legacy reforestation campaign, as examples of domestic climate leadership that require international support to scale. The Government of Ethiopia, in partnership with the African Union, has also launched the official ACS2 website. In a welcome message posted on the platform, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the summit will be 'a vital opportunity to redefine Africa's aspirations for a climate-resilient and prosperous future.' Abiy said the summit would be guided by Agenda 2063 and Africa-led solutions, adding that 'African leadership must shape fair and practical global climate action.' ACS2 follows the first Africa Climate Summit (ACS1), which was held in Nairobi in September 2023. That summit resulted in more than $20 billion in pledged financing and the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration, which called for expanded investment in renewable energy and carbon markets. According to organizers, ACS2 aims to build momentum for Africa's unified climate finance position ahead of major global forums, including COP30, G20, and the UN General Assembly. Key expected outcomes include: The Addis Ababa Declaration on climate finance and resilient development; A push for scaling grant-based climate finance; Promotion of African-led climate solutions; Strengthening of country platforms and local systems to deliver climate finance; Strategic partnerships to support just transition and climate justice efforts across the continent
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
East African Community (EAC) Champions Harmonised Africa Resource Mobilisation Strategy as it assumes EAC-Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Leadership
As the African continent continues to grapple with limited resources to finance its development agenda and ambitions, the East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Hon. Veronica M. Nduva, has called for a unified, continent-wide resource mobilization strategy to replace fragmented and duplicative efforts and to strengthen Africa's resource coalition. The Secretary General observed that while the region has held various forums deliberating on strategies to pool resources for the continent, there is need for a harmonized and streamlined approach to deliver a common strategy. She emphasized the importance of coordinated action to unlock large-scale financing capable of advancing the goals of the African Union's Agenda 2063. Hon. Nduva was speaking at a high-level roundtable convened by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on the sidelines of the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms. The meeting brought together the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, heads of African Union institutions, Regional Economic Communities, African Union Member States' representatives, development partners, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on how to fast-track the realization of Agenda 2063 through more effective and African-led resource mobilization. The Secretary General advocated for blended financing that leverages public, private, and philanthropic capital. She urged greater involvement of African philanthropists and the private sector in defining and deepening their contributions. 'It is also critical that we consider the adoption of austerity measures to ensure that resources allocated for projects deliver the intended outcomes,' she stated. Hon. Nduva further underscored the importance of integrating technology into all efforts to strengthen planning, coordination, and implementation. Echoing this call for transformation, the AU Commission Chairperson,H.E. Youssouf stressed the urgency of moving away from donor dependency towards a model anchored in African ownership and alignment with the continent's priorities. 'As we prepare for the official launch of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Agreement during the 4th Tripartite Summit, it is essential that the key instruments critical to the operationalization of the TFTA are adopted by the next Meeting of the Tripartite Council of Ministers,' he emphasized. At the same Summit, the EAC took over the Chairmanship of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Task Force (TTF) from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) , for the next one Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Agreement officially entered into force on 25 July 2024, having reached the required 14 ratifications by Member and Partner States. Preparations are now underway for its formal launch during the forthcoming 4th Tripartite Summit. As a key building block of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the TFTA seeks to integrate the economies of the three regional blocs, eliminate trade barriers, ease the movement of goods, services and people and stimulate industrial growth across the region. Hon. Nduva noted that the EAC will focus on advancing the finalization and exchange of tariff offers, completion and adoption of the rules of origin, ratification of the TFTA Agreement by the remaining Member/Partner States and ratification of the Tripartite Agreement on the movement of business and persons. 'We are committed to prioritizing the operationalization of the agreements made and the revival of the Industrial Development Pillar,' she stated. Hon. Nduva also underscored the importance of strengthening the institutional framework around the TFTA, including the need for a dedicated Tripartite Secretariat to drive coordination and implementation. 'We see the Tripartite FTA as a strategic lever to deepen integration, enhance competitiveness, unlock intra-African trade and advance inclusive industrialization,' she added. The meeting also explored options for mobilizing resources to support the TFTA's operations and activities. The COMESA-EAC-SADC TFTA was first launched in June 2015 in Egypt by Heads of State and Government from the three blocs. It is anchored on three core pillars: market integration, infrastructure development and industrial development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Seychelles represented at the 47th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union
Ambassador Selby Pillay represented Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles, at the 47th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from 10th to 11th July 2025. The 47th Ordinary Session was conducted under the theme: ' Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through reparations '. It adopted the African Union Commission budget for 2026, assessed the implementation of the Agenda 2063, considered the roadmap on the theme of the year 2026, and endorsed decisions on critical issues affecting the African Continent. During the discussions on the roadmap of the theme for the year 2026: ' Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063 ', Ambassador Pillay recognised the inseparable linkage between water and other factors such as health, agriculture, and climate resilience. He further underscored that 'Seychelles, as a Small Island Developing State, will always be a strong advocate for environment sustainability and climate change, due to its vulnerabilities mainly from the devasting effects of climate change'. The Ordinary Session further witnessed the election of Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona from Burundi as the new African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) and Mrs Francisca Tatchouop Belobe from Equatorial Guinea as the new Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM). This completes the election and appointment process of the Senior Leadership of the African Union Commission, a process which started in February 2025. Ambassador Pillay was accompanied by Mrs Patricia Ilunga, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Seychelles in Addis Ababa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.
