Latest news with #AntónioGuterres
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
New African Development Bank President Has A Chance To Shift The Continent To Clean Energy, For And By Communities
29 May 2025, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The African continent is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, but the election of Sidi Ould Tah as the new president for the African Development Bank is an opportunity to pave a new path for the continent's energy future - to shift toward a just and transformative approach to energy access, one that harnesses Africa's vast renewable resources and affirms the rights, dignity, and agency of its people. As the debt crisis reaches new heights for the continent, scaling up grant-based, concessional funding is vital to ensure countries are financially able to pursue a clean energy transition that is just, equitable, people-centred, and democratically governed. Now is the time for transformative public finance models which serve the people of Africa, not fossil fuel interests. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, investment in Africa's renewable energy is 'the economic opportunity of the century.' With 60% of the world's best solar resources and wind potential capable of powering the continent 250 times over, Africa is uniquely positioned to lead. It's time for President Sidi Ould Tah to close the gap for the 600 million people who remain without electricity and over 970 million that lack access to clean cooking. Accelerating the adoption of decentralised, community-based renewable energy is not just a technical fix, it is a transformative, justice-driven solution which makes the most economic sense. It can empower local ownership, enhance resilience, create jobs, develop local economies, and reduce dependence on expensive, unreliable, and centralised energy infrastructure. Civil society demands for the President Sidi Ould Tah are: A comprehensive ban on fossil fuel financing by the AfDB, including gas, and rejection of false solutions such as destructive hydropower, carbon capture, usage and storage, and hydrogen for export. A roadmap to 100% renewable energy systems that prioritises decentralised solutions and enables Africa to become a leader in green industrialisation and energy sovereignty. A just transition approach that avoids creating new debt traps and includes local communities in all decision-making through Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Karabo Mokgonyana, Just Transition Campaigner from Power Shift Africa, 'The election of Dr. Sidi Ould Tah as President of the African Development Bank marks a critical moment for Africa's energy future. With over 600 million people still living without electricity, just 2% of global clean energy investment reaching the continent, and vast untapped solar and wind potential, the urgency for action could not be clearer. We call on the new President to make renewable energy the cornerstone of his leadership, to drive a just, equitable, and homegrown energy transition that rejects harmful fossil fuels and embraces Africa's immense clean energy promise. These AfDB Annual Meetings have shown us that progress is possible. Now, with bold leadership and renewed clarity, we must turn possibility into power - for every home, every enterprise, and every generation to come.' Fiza Naz Qureshi, Gas Campaigner from Big Shift Global Campaign, said, "With the election of the new President, Sidi Ould Tah, civil society calls for bold leadership that breaks from fossil fuel dependency. Continued support for gas — including through Mission 300 and clean cooking initiatives — risks locking communities, especially women, into harmful energy systems. Women and frontline communities suffer most from extractive projects and weak safeguards. Under new leadership, the AfDB must champion a just energy transition rooted in truly clean, renewable solutions that uplift women, protect people and ecosystems, and fulfill Africa's climate commitments. Africa's future lies in leapfrogging fossil fuels - not repeating their mistakes.' Gloria Kafui Kuzo, Lead on Energy Transition, from Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND) Ghana said, "Africa's innovation landscape holds immense potential to drive sustainable transformation, and AfDB has a pivotal role in shaping it. We urge that innovation across the continent be driven by solutions that harness Africa's green, resilient human and natural capital. This must be pursued through an inclusive approach that ensures women, youth, and local communities are not merely passive beneficiaries, but empowered as active participants and leaders in the innovation ecosystem. By aligning sustainability with equity and inclusion, AfDB can help catalyze transformative growth that is not only impactful but enduring for all Africans". Mamadou Barry, Executive Director, from Action Solidaire International said, 'While we welcome the ambition of Mission 300 by the AfDB and the World Bank, we firmly call for it to fully exclude fossil fuels like gas. To truly deliver for communities, strong safeguards must be established to prevent the private sector from capturing the benefits at the expense of those most affected — especially women and frontline communities.' Anja Gebel, Policy Advisor for Development Banks and Climate at Germanwatch said: 'In difficult geopolitical times, when climate action is facing headwinds, the new President must keep the African Development Bank on course for climate action. It is important that he honours and continues to implement the bank's Paris alignment commitment. Shareholders should actively support him in this mission and make clear that a just and climate-compatible energy transition is an integral part of Africa's development.' Rajneesh Bhuee, Campaign Manager from Recourse said, 'Congratulations to Mr. Sidi Ould Tah on becoming the new President of the African Development Bank. With millions of Africans still living without electricity, we hope he'll use this moment to double down on public funding for renewable energy that actually reaches people and communities. Mission 300 can be a game-changer, but only if it leaves fossil fuels behind and puts real access first. Civil society is here, as a partner, to help make that happen and hold the Bank to its promises.'
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israel's new settlements ignite global condemnation
Shafaq News/ Israel's decision to approve 22 new settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank has drawn widespread international criticism, with governments across Europe, the Middle East, and the G7 bloc warning that this move could further diminish the prospects for a two-state solution. The Israeli government confirmed the settlement approvals earlier this week. The G7 foreign ministers, representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, issued a joint statement opposing the expansion. Moreover, France, Germany, and Spain released separate statements reaffirming that settlements in occupied territories are illegal under international law. Germany's Foreign Minister emphasized, 'Such actions threaten to unravel the fragile framework for peace and must be reversed.' In the Middle East, Egypt and Qatar condemned the settlement expansion, calling it a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, also warned that the measure ''threatens regional stability'' and undermines peace initiatives. Jordan labeled the approvals a clear violation of international law and Palestinian rights. The United Nations reiterated its opposition, with Secretary-General António Guterres stating that settlement activities in the occupied territories are illegal and must cease immediately. Guterres stressed, 'Continued settlement expansion dims the hopes for a just and lasting peace.' Israeli officials defended the authorizations as necessary to provide housing and infrastructure in strategically important areas. Notably, peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians remain frozen. Palestinians seek the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza for a future independent state. The international community largely considers Israeli settlements on occupied land illegal and a fundamental barrier to peace.
Libya Review
3 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
UN Extends Libya Arms Embargo Ship Inspection Mandate
The United Nations Security Council has extended its authorisation for member states and regional organisations to inspect vessels suspected of violating the arms embargo on Libya. The extension, granted under Resolution 2780, will last for six more months. The draft resolution was submitted by France and Greece and adopted with 13 votes in favour. However, both Russia and China abstained, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the mandate. They voiced particular scepticism about the European Union's Operation Irini, which remains the only active naval mission conducting inspections. Russia and China also expressed reservations about the disposal mechanisms for seized materials, questioning transparency and accountability in the process. The resolution allows UN member states and regional bodies, including Operation Irini, to inspect vessels in international waters heading to or from Libya. Such inspections can be carried out if there are reasonable grounds to believe the ships are carrying arms or related materials in breach of the international embargo. The arms embargo on Libya has been in place since 2011, following the uprising that led to the ousting of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. In 2016, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2292, expanding the mandate to include maritime inspections to ensure compliance. Operation Irini, launched in 2020 by the European Union, has been the primary tool for maritime enforcement of the embargo. Despite its efforts, the operation has faced criticism from some quarters for allegedly being selective in its targeting and limited in scope. The renewed resolution also requests UN Secretary-General António Guterres to submit a report within five months detailing the implementation of the mandate and its outcomes. The extension of the mandate comes amid ongoing instability in Libya, with rival factions still vying for control. Tags: Arms EmbargoIRINIlibyaSecurity Councilun
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
UN could cut thousands of jobs under reform plans: Internal memo
The cash-strapped United Nations could slash 20 percent of jobs—or thousands of positions—in its executive arm under ongoing reform plans, according to an internal memo seen Thursday by AFP. 'The Secretary-General has set an ambitious target, to achieve a meaningful reduction (between 15 percent and 20 percent) of the regular budget for 2026, including a reduction of 20 percent of posts, for the UN Secretariat,' UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan wrote in a message this week to dozens of department heads. The UN's budget for 2025 totals $3.7 billion. The Secretariat, one of the main bodies tasked with carrying out the decisions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, employed about 35,000 people as of late 2023—most of them in New York, but also in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. The UN 80 reform initiative launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in March aims to streamline operations at the world body amid budgetary constraints. Guterres recently warned of 'painful' changes ahead, including staff reductions, and did obliquely raise the specter of a 20 percent cut in staffing. The memo seen by AFP, dated May 27, asks all department heads to prepare lists of posts to eliminate by June 13, focusing on 'redundant, overlapping or non-critical functions.' 'I count on your cooperation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognized,' Ramanathan wrote. If approved by the General Assembly, which must adopt the 2026 budget, the staff cuts would go into effect on January 1, 2026 for those posts already vacant, and later for those occupied, in accordance with UN regulations. The memo says that agencies like the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), and UN Women—which are partially funded out of the UN's regular budget—would receive separate instructions. The UN has for years faced a chronic liquidity crisis because some member states do not pay their expected contributions in full, and others do not pay on time. The United States, the top contributor to the UN ordinary budget at 22 percent of the total, was $1.5 billion behind in its payments by the end of January, a UN spokesman said. And in 2024, China, the number two contributor at 20 percent, only paid its contribution in late December. Beyond the liquidity woes, some fear that funding will drop under US President Donald Trump. Several UN agencies have already been hit hard by deep cuts in US foreign aid.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Honours Service And Sacrifice Of Its Peacekeepers
29 May 2025 The first UN peacekeeping operation was established in 1948 and today more than 68,000 civilian, military, and police personnel are posted at 11 missions in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The Day pays tribute to their unwavering service and sacrifice while honouring the more than 4,400 blue helmets who have died in the line of duty over the past 77 years - 57 in 2024 alone. This year's theme focuses on the future of peacekeeping and UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that 'peacekeepers face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world.' Deadly misinformation He highlighted growing polarization and division across the globe, threats such as terrorism and deadly misinformation targeting peacekeepers, as well as challenges that transcend borders ranging from climate change to transnational crime. 'Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations – and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges,' he said. The Secretary-General stressed that ' it is essential that peacekeepers have what they need to do their jobs ' and 'this is the shared responsibility of the United Nations and Member States.' The commemoration at UN Headquarters in New York includes a wreath-laying ceremony as well as the presentation of awards to two outstanding women peacekeepers whose work helps to advance gender equality in the field. 'A very rewarding job' Meanwhile, peacekeepers have been sharing what it means to serve under the UN flag. "It's a very rewarding job because you really do have a lot of contact with the civilian population and their concerns, their culture, their needs," said Lieutenant Colonel Agustín García from Spain, deployed at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The mission was established in 1978 to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and its mandate was most recently defined in a 2006 Security Councilresolution which called for a full cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel following their 34-day war on Lebanese territory that year. Despite conflict between the sides last year, UNIFIL remains on the ground, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in its efforts to restore government authority in the south and providing vital assistance to local communities including security, humanitarian aid and reconstruction of schools and hospitals.
