Latest news with #GIZ
Jordan News
2 hours ago
- Business
- Jordan News
Jordan Valley Authority Implements Precautionary Measures to Protect Al-Wuhaydi Dam in Ma'an - Jordan News
The Jordan Valley Authority has carried out a set of precautionary measures to protect Al-Wuhaydi Dam located in Dabbat Al-Karam, in the Ma'an Governorate, as part of its strategic plans to safeguard and develop water resources and reduce water loss. اضافة اعلان These activities were implemented with the support of the German government, through the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), under the project titled "Protection of Water Dams in Jordan through Labour-Intensive Activities – Cash for Work", in partnership with World Vision. The project included: Construction of gabion and concrete retaining walls Installation of concrete stilling basins Maintenance work on the dam structure Improvements to the downstream flow channel These interventions aim to increase the dam's capacity to handle larger volumes of floodwater and enhance its resilience against flooding. Al-Wuhaydi Dam, established in 2011 with a storage capacity of 750,000 cubic meters, plays a vital role in collecting rainwater and flood runoff in the region. These protective measures are expected to safeguard local communities and their properties, while also promoting environmental stability in the area.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Carbon Markets Africa Summit reveals packed programme featuring continent's entire carbon markets value chain
The upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) programme features the continent's entire carbon markets value chain in what is a compelling combination of successful early carbon market movers, climate-finance-ready projects, regulatory bodies as well as global institutional development organisations and investors. The event is taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 October, with pre-conference sessions on 21 October. CMAS is dedicated to unlocking Africa's carbon market potential, incorporating integrity, investment and impact. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) are official supporters of the event. Shifting global landscape Day 1's opening session will focus on the continent's pivotal opportunity to define its own carbon trajectory, attract meaningful investment and align carbon market growth with the priorities of climate resilience, equity and sustainable development. Speakers already confirmed include: - Iain Banner, Chairman, South Africa - Fenella Aouane, Global Green Growth Institute, Luxembourg - Maxwell Gomera, UNDP - Javier Manzanares, Allen Manza, Panama - Caroline Tixier, EU Delegation to South Africa - Angela Churie Kallhauge, Impact, Environmental Defence Fund, USA Aligning strategy with global agendas The session on the "Road to COP30: Aligning Africa's Carbon Strategy with Global Agendas" will look compare Africa's carbon strategy with global frameworks such as Article 6. High-level representatives from the GMEX Group, AfDBm Verra and ACMI will be part of this panel discussion. Carbon market frameworks As African countries move from climate ambition to implementation, regulatory clarity is becoming the cornerstone of carbon market development. A session titled 'Turning Policy into Action,' will explore how national frameworks are evolving post-COP29, what integration of Article 6 looks like on the ground and how public-private collaboration can drive effective execution. Strong representation from across the continent and value chain bodes for an enlightening discussion, including the UNDP, Government of Nigeria, the South African Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment, Zambia's Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and Uganda Climate Change Department. The challenges with regards to integrity that carbon markets have faced will be tackled head-on during CMAS. Promethium's Principal Climate Change Advisor Olivia Tuchten will lead the panel discussion around standards, verification and market oversight with experts from Verra, Gold Standard and Anthesis. Financing Africa's carbon pipeline Day 2 of the packed CMAS programme features investor roundtables in a more intimate setting, aimed at 'Connecting Climate Capital with Scalable Carbon Solutions,' during which a select group of carbon market investors and financiers can present their funds, strategies and investment opportunities to both potential capital partners and carbon project developers. Keynote on investment Day 2's keynote session on 'Financing Africa's Carbon Pipeline: Derisking, Scaling and Innovating" will address both sides of the investment equation with participants from Shell Nature Based Solutions, Standard Bank, MIGA, AfDB and South Pole. Jonathan First, Senior Advisor at Climate Policy Initiative will also unpack the question of how to mobilise private capital for Africa's carbon markets with several financiers from TransEnergy Global, FSD Africa, the JSE and JP Morgan. Pre-conference day The CARBON 101 masterclass will provide investors, policymakers and developers with the necessary insights into the burgeoning business of carbon markets. The expert facilitators in this relatively new field will cover everything from international frameworks, African policy landscapes, credit integrity and investment fundamentals. 'Trust plays a key role' As part of CMAS 2025's mission to catalyse high-integrity, African-led carbon markets, Dominic Wilhelm, Executive Director of the Global Trust Project, will also lead a high-impact dialogue working session. 'While the current value of carbon markets as of 2023 is about $950 billion, within the next 10 years, it's going to be worth $16 trillion,' says Wilhelm. 'However, the full value chain of carbon markets is very fragmented, and it's not transparent. Therefore, the full value chain needs to rapidly come together in a high-level dialogue, in which trust plays a key role to solve some of these challenges.' VUKA Group Carbon Markets Africa Summit is organised by VUKA Group, which has more than 20 years' experience in serving the business community across Africa. Event dates and location: Dates: 21 October: Pre-summit day 22–23 October: Summit Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group. Additional Information: Download the Carbon Markets Africa Summit Programme Brochure here: Contact details for Carbon Markets Africa Summit: Tailor-made partnerships: Natalie Kruger Cell: +66 (0) 65 614 8605 Email: Project Lead: Emmanuelle Nicholls Cell: +27 83 447 8410 Email: Event website:
IOL News
2 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Strengthening pandemic readiness: South Africa's collaboration with Germany and the EU
This funding will allow CERI to continue surveillance of high-priority pathogens, including respiratory threats such as Avian Influenza H5N1 and emerging coronaviruses. Image: File South Africa is reinforcing its leadership role in global pandemic preparedness through a major expansion of its genomic surveillance partnership with Germany and the European Union. The next phase of the Genomic Surveillance Project was officially launched on 24 June at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), Stellenbosch University's premier epidemic response institute based at its Tygerberg campus. The project is a collaboration between CERI and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), under the broader SAVax Programme. SAVax is co-funded by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), and is implemented in partnership with South Africa's Department of Health and Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. The new phase brings an additional R9 million in funding, bringing the total investment in the project to R12 million. This funding will allow CERI to continue surveillance of high-priority pathogens, including respiratory threats such as Avian Influenza H5N1 and emerging coronaviruses. 'South Africa is uniquely positioned to play this role,' said Katja Fuehrer, Specialist for Monitoring and Evaluation, Communication, and Commission Management at GIZ. 'The country has a strong industrial base, a highly skilled workforce, and some of the world's leading research institutions. With SAVax, we are tapping into those strengths to bolster Africa's ability to respond to future pandemics more independently and effectively.' The first phase of the project, which ran from 2023 to 2024, sequenced over 1,000 pathogen genomes, trained more than 50 African scientists, and improved data-sharing protocols to support more effective outbreak responses. The new phase aims to scale these efforts even further by expanding genomic surveillance of respiratory pathogens, strengthening lab capacity in under-resourced provinces, and investing in the training of scientists at historically disadvantaged institutions in South Africa. Establishing robust systems to monitor and analyse genetic information from pathogens helps South Africa to quickly detect and track changes in viruses proactively. This allows for faster responses to outbreaks and enhances pandemic preparedness in the country and the entire region. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The launch event at CERI featured a tour of laboratories, a panel discussion, and a grant award ceremony attended by senior officials and diplomats. 'We are delighted to expand the collaboration with South Africa,' said Fulgencio Garrido Ruiz, EU Deputy Ambassador to South Africa. 'There is one aspect at the core of the approach which is research and development. A robust local research framework that enhances self-sufficiency and empowers nations to respond independently to health crisis.' To date, the Team Europe Initiative MAV+ has mobilised more than 700 million euro's in South Africa, with 10 million euro's allocated to research infrastructure alone. Sven Hartwig, Deputy Consul General at the German Consulate General in Cape Town, echoed this sentiment. 'It is an honour for the German cooperation to contribute to the Team Europe Initiative MAV+ and to work alongside dedicated partners like CERI,' he said. 'This launch highlights that surveillance for pandemic preparedness relies on partnership and collaboration between the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society. Germany is therefore particularly proud to continue supporting genomic surveillance and remains steadfast in its commitment to share global health goals.' The launch event at the CERI Headquarters on Stellenbosch University's Tygerberg Campus included a tour of laboratories, a panel discussion and a grant award ceremony attended by senior officials and dignitaries. Image: Stellenbosch University Dr Anban Pillay, Deputy Director General from the National Department of Health, emphasised the local value of the initiative. 'The work of CERI and the University of Stellenbosch foster a culture of collaboration.' Claudia Aguirre, head of the GIZ SAVax programme, underlined the importance of capacity building in this next phase of the partnership. 'In this new collaboration these capacity building efforts will be expanded. We look forward to supporting CERI in its journey to develop science on the African continent and contribute to the development of solutions by African scientists for Africa.' The broader SAVax programme also aligns with the African Union's ambitious target to locally produce 60% of the continent's vaccines by 2040. By strengthening surveillance, vaccine development, and training programmes, the partnership aims to reduce Africa's dependency on imported vaccines and diagnostics. 'This partnership exemplifies how science, government, and international cooperation can come together to strengthen public health systems and respond more effectively to epidemic threats,' said Professor Tulio de Oliveira, Director of CERI. 'This is especially important for respiratory pathogens and new pathogens like Mpox, which have pandemic potential. The economic cost of a pandemic is so large that preventing it is a very wise and cost-effective investment.' Fuehrer added that South Africa is now one of only two countries in the Southern Hemisphere conducting real-time genomic tracking of respiratory pathogens, a development that not only strengthens national capacity but fills critical global gaps. 'The data generated in South Africa is shared publicly through international databases, enabling the global health community to monitor pathogens, identify emerging threats, and refine pandemic preparedness,' said Fuehrer. 'It's about shifting the centre of gravity in global health — bringing Africa to the table not just as a recipient, but as a producer, a leader, and a partner.'
India Today
4 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Surat launches India's first solar smart bus stand with Wi-Fi, charging facilities
Surat on Wednesday launched India's first solar-powered smart bus station. Developed by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), the innovative electric bus depot at Althan has been built at a cost of Rs 1.60 crore and is being seen as a model of sustainable urban infrastructure for the rest of the high-tech facility is equipped with a 100 kW rooftop solar power plant and a 224 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Designed in collaboration with the German development agency GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit), the station provides 24x7 green charging support through solar energy and repurposed second-life batteries. advertisementAdditionally, the station offers amenities such as free Wi-Fi, lighting for buses, and charging points, contributing to an improved commuter experience. Prakash Pandya, Executive Engineer at the Light and Energy Efficiency Cell of SMC, said that the solar power plant captures energy during the day, which is then stored in second-life batteries and used to charge electric buses at night. This approach not only eases the pressure on the local electricity grid but also advances the use of renewable energy in public transport. According to estimates, the solar bus depot is expected to generate about 1 lakh units of electricity annually, translating to energy cost savings of approximately Rs 6.65 lakh. More importantly, it serves as a crucial step towards achieving net-zero energy goals and fostering sustainable transport solutions in the project as a blend of advanced technology and environmental responsibility, Pandya said the initiative sets a benchmark in the reuse of batteries and clean energy deployment. "This is not just about infrastructure," he noted. "It's a long-term effort to make public transport green, efficient, and future-ready," he added.- Ends
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Raya Holding completes final accelerator cycle in partnership with GIZ, with Raya FutureTECH
10 high-potential startups pitching innovations in logistics, fintech, retail, renewable energy, EVs, and smart mobility Raya Holding provides executive mentorship, commercial collaboration, and investment opportunities through its diverse investment portfolio The Raya-GIZ partnership aims to empower youth and support the digital economy under the framework of the DevelopPPP program Cairo, Egypt: Raya Holding for Financial Investments has officially launched the third and final cycle of its startup accelerator program, Raya FutureTECH, in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), under the DevelopPPP program, an initiative by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) designed to foster impactful partnerships between the private sector and development efforts in emerging markets. The Raya FutureTECH accelerator targets startups working in strategic sectors aligned with Raya's areas of operation, including information technology, customer experience, logistics, fintech, retail, clean energy, and smart mobility. The program offers hands-on mentorship from Raya's senior executives, proof of concept creation, opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders, and access to the group's broad expertise and capabilities, helping entrepreneurs move from concept to real-world application and growth. This cycle kicked started in March, and over the past few months, all participating startups have received personalized one-on-one sessions and mentorship from experts at Raya Holding and specialists in their respective fields. The final cycle concludes with a flagship pitching night, where 10 startups will present their innovative solutions to a jury including representatives from Raya Holding, GIZ. Winning startups will receive additional support and potential funding from Raya to continue developing their solutions and scale their impact, further reflecting Raya's commitment to open innovation as a strategic tool for inclusive, sustainable growth. The Investment Readiness Program will support five winners from this cycle, offering both group and one-on-one guidance on financial modeling and valuation, while also connecting startups with potential customers, partners, and investors Ahmed Khalil, CEO of Raya Holding for Financial Investments, stated: "At Raya Holding, we believe that supporting startups is not just a social responsibility, it's a natural extension of our role as an investment company that places innovation at the core of its strategy. We open our doors to visionary founders, offering them the mentorship, collaboration, and even direct investment they need to grow. These new ideas don't just enhance our investment portfolio, they fuel an entire ecosystem of progress. Our investment philosophy is clear: the future belongs to those we empower today." He added, 'While this may be the final cycle within our current partnership with GIZ, the journey of Raya FutureTECH continues. Our commitment to the entrepreneurial ecosystem remains strong, and we will keep supporting the next generation of founders through bold, future-focused initiatives that reflect Raya's role as an active enabler of innovation and growth in Egypt.' Sameh Hammad, Implementing Head of Project at GIZ Egypt, shared, 'GIZ is a strong supporter of private businesses in emerging economies and markets with new technologies. By partnering through programmes like DeveloPPP for jobs, we help these businesses grow, create jobs, and boost economies. Our work with Raya on growth-stage scale-ups is one of three key initiatives to support startups at different stages.' He continued, 'With this programme, we've assisted 34 growing companies in tech sectors like agri-tech, logistics tech, e-commerce, and fintech. We've seen promising ideas from Egypt's startup scene, providing them with technical support, skills development, and networking opportunities. Our aim is to connect them with investment opportunities, helping them thrive and strengthening Egypt's tech and business landscape for the future.' Participating Startups: For Wheelz: A mobility tech platform that integrates real-time vehicle diagnostics, a centralized spare parts marketplace, and InsurTech solutions to reduce breakdowns, costs, and accidents. Tayara: Egypt's first EV-Fleet-as-a-Service platform, transforming delivery fleets with affordable, eco-friendly electric bikes and inclusive rider services. Nanovate: Builds AI-powered chat and voice agents that automate sales, support, and engagement across digital platforms with human-like fluency. Mezatech: Offers integrated retail, repair, refurbishment, and recycling solutions for tech devices, covering the full product lifecycle with dedicated brands. Card-Y: A cross-border virtual payment platform empowering individuals and businesses in Africa with seamless financial freedom. EVRaid: Egypt's first AI-driven EV powertrain manufacturer, developing high-performance, locally produced energy systems for electric vehicles. Oaaps: Simplifies logistics and customs operations by digitizing international trade processes, targeting e-commerce, factories, and global traders. WinFi: A cloud-first Wi-Fi solution enabling businesses to control their networks, gather customer insights, and unlock new engagement channels. TGS (The Green System): Tackles food security and climate change through year-round agricultural technology that ensures efficient, sustainable food production. Meyahh: A digital procurement platform transforming the water treatment supply chain by connecting contractors, distributors, and manufacturers in one ecosystem. Launched in 2020 by Raya Contact Center (RCX), a portfolio company of Raya Holding. Raya FutureTECH joined the Global Accelerator Network (GAN) in 2021, granting Egyptian startups access to one of the world's largest entrepreneurial communities. Since inception, the program has hosted 12 digital webinars, 6 hackathons, and 3 full acceleration cycles, leaving a tangible impact on Egypt's innovation and startup landscape.
