Latest news with #BMZ
Trade Arabia
23-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
UN Tourism calls for inclusive employment, accessibility
UN Tourism has joined Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to shift the mindsets of destinations and businesses regarding workers and customers with disabilities. About 1.3 billion people live with a significant disability worldwide, with 80% of them living in developing countries and emerging destinations. When people with disabilities do travel, they are accompanied by 2 to 3 other people. Including accessibility in a business strategy entails new sources of revenue and better economic performance, according to UN Tourism. Yet despite progress in recent years, discrimination and other barriers still prevent people with disabilities from travelling or working in tourism. Many job applicants with disabilities don't see tourism as a viable career path; businesses are missing out on immense resources of workforce talent and new clients, it says. Solutions for the inclusive employment UN Tourism and BMZ came together at ITB Berlin 2025 to raise awareness of the wide range of benefits of accessible tourism and called for a more inclusive sector through international cooperation - to create more jobs, open up travel to more people and build more resilient communities. They called for a tourism that: * Fosters awareness of the benefits of implementing accessibility, not as a charity - but as a long-term investment; * Engages in social and digital innovation benefitting people and communities; and * Better serves this billion-dollar market of consumers and employees. The joint event at ITB brought together industry leaders to discuss approaches for creating better workplaces and services in tourism for all, in developed and emerging economies. A report is also planned to showcase good practices promoted in Berlin. These include examples from Albania, Austria, Ecuador, Germany, India, Jordan and Morocco, as well as international success stories championed by the World Sustainable Hospitably Alliance, Amadeus, European Network for Accessible Tourism and European Disability Forum. The recommendations, to be also published within the report, will focus on: * Working with end-users with disabilities to understand their needs; * Building a business case of accessibility; * Upskilling employees; and
Zawya
17-03-2025
- General
- Zawya
East Africa: EAC4Nature Project launched to foster sustainable natural resources management in the region
The East African Community (EAC), in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), today launched the EAC4Nature Project, a transformative three-year initiative designed to enhance sustainable natural resource management across the region. The EAC4Nature Project, titled 'Support to Management of Nature-Based Solutions with the East African Community' will run from January 2025 to June 2028 with a total funding of 8 million euros (5.5 million Euros from BMZ and 2. 5 million Euros from the EU). The groundbreaking project focuses on integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) into regional policies, enhancing transboundary cooperation and strengthening the capacities of regional basin organisations — Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), and Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Basin Authority (ABAKIR). The overarching objective of the project is to bolster the capacity of key actors within the EAC to implement climate-resilient and gender-responsive nature-based solutions, ensuring regional environmental policies address both climate adaptation and community resilience. The project is commissioned by BMZ and co-financed by the EU with GIZ providing technical implementation support. The EAC4Nature Project will focus on three (3) key areas, namely: (i) Integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into EAC policies and regulations while ensuring gender-sensitive approaches. (ii) Strengthening the institutional capacities of Lake Victoria Basin Commission and Lake Tanganyika Authority for effective NbS planning and coordination; and (iii) Enhancing information management to support climate-resilient water and environmental solutions. Speaking during the official launch of the EAC4Nature Project in Entebbe, Uganda on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, H.E Veronica Nduva, the Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), Eng. Richard Gatete, reaffirmed the EAC's commitment to integrating nature-based solutions into regional climate policies and frameworks. 'As we launch the EAC4Nature Project today, let us remember that this is not just a project; it is a call to action. It is a call to work together, across borders and sectors, to protect our natural wealth, build climate resilience and secure a sustainable future for the people of East Africa,' said Eng. Gatete. Eng. Gatete hailed the invaluable support provided by the BMZ) and the EU, adding that such partnerships had been instrumental in driving transformative change across the region. Eng. Gatete said the project will promote the use of Nature-Based Solutions to provide a transformative pathway to address climate change while enhancing biodiversity and improving livelihoods. 'Through the EAC4Nature Project, the region seeks to foster stronger partnerships between regional institutions, development partners, and communities to jointly safeguard ecosystems'', added Eng. Gatete. Julia Kronberg, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Tanzania, emphasised Germany's strong partnership with the EAC in advancing climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, public health, trade and regional integration. 'Germany has an interest to build strong international partnerships to promote nature-based solutions and even more so nature-based resilience. We are proud to collaborate with the EAC and EU in addressing a triangle of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss focusing on fresh-water nature-based solutions in and for East Africa', said Ms. Kronberg. On behalf of the EU, Mr. Pierre-Yves Renaud, Manager for Energy, Water, Sanitation, and Environment at the EU Delegation to Burundi, reaffirmed the EU's long-standing commitment to sustainable water management and regional cooperation in the Great Lakes Region. 'Tanganyika Kivu Water Management (TAKIWAMA) reflects the EU's dedication to environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and transboundary water governance. We are proud to support regional institutions and partners in their efforts to protect water resources, enhance livelihoods, and advance regional integration,' said Mr. Renaud. In her remarks, Eng. Coletha Ruhamya, the Deputy Executive Director of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and Mr. Kwibisa Linywalii, the Director for Monitoring and Evaluation of Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) both underscored the importance of the project, highlighting its potential to enhance data-driven decision-making, strengthen institutional cooperation and foster innovative approaches to managing the shared water resources and ecosystems within the region. On his part, Mr. Jean Paul Nyembo Mwamba, the Coordinating Director from Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Basin Authority (ABAKIR) said that the project was not just about conservation but also integrating nature-based solutions in the regional policies, frameworks, and practices to ensure sustainable natural resource management and climate resilience. The EAC4Nature Project builds on the 6th EAC Development Strategy, which prioritises transboundary environmental management and climate resilience. It also aligns with the EAC Gender Mainstreaming Policy and IUCN standards for Nature-Based Solutions, ensuring that women, youth, and vulnerable communities actively participate in project implementation and decision-making. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).
Express Tribune
07-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt seeks Germany's support for climate goals
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, has sought Germany's technical support in developing Pakistan's climate action plans and accelerating the transition to clean energy. During a meeting with a three-member delegation from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), led by Christiane Amari, Alam underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation on climate change and sustainable development. Discussions focused on ongoing and future initiatives related to environmental protection, climate adaptation, and mitigation, particularly in combating Pakistan's climate challenges, including floods and droughts. She reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing the National Climate Change Policy and the Pakistan Climate Change Act while meeting climate goals under the Paris Agreement. Amari assured Germany's support for Pakistan's climate objectives, emphasising collaboration in knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and financial resources. "Integrating climate change adaptation into national development policies is paramount," she said. "We must ensure the transition to a green economy is inclusive and resilient." Alam also stressed the need for increased financing and capacity-building for vulnerable communities. Potential partnerships were discussed in areas such as water management, clean energy, carbon reduction, glacier protection, and global climate risk financing. Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Climate Change, Ahmed Atteeq Anwar, joined the meeting, advocating for climate education in schools and youth engagement through tree planting and community cleanups. "Media and social platforms play a crucial role in spreading awareness and inspiring youth to take climate action," he noted. Aisha Humera Moriani, Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change, highlighted Pakistan's investment potential in green skills and the role of German companies in advancing climate adaptation, food security, and nature-based solutions. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to enhancing Pakistan's climate resilience and sustainability through continued collaboration.
