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21 March 2025

UNIDO and Japan Highlight Longstanding Partnership for and With Africa at Special Event

Location: News

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
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The Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) jointly hosted the “UNIDO-Japan partnership for Africa” event at the Vienna International Centre this week. Held in the framework of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), it showcased achievements through a week-long panel exhibition and a series of thematic discussions.

An opening ceremony on 17 March 2025 in the Rotunda featured remarks by UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller (via video message) and the co-host, Ambassador Atsushi Kaifu of Japan. Ambassador Maimounata Ouattara of Burkina Faso, Chairperson of the African Group in Vienna and UNIDO Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director Yuko Yasunaga also provided opening remarks. A musical performance by the My Heart String Quartet Hiroshima accompanied the ceremony.

In his video statement, Director General Müller underscored the strength of the partnership between UNIDO and Japan, noting, “UNIDO and Japan together address poverty and hunger, advance climate action and foster a circular economy. We create jobs and livelihoods around the world, offering perspectives for the future”. Ambassador Kaifu of Japan underscored the significance of the year 2025, as the TICAD 9 Summit will be held this August in Yokohama, Japan. He expressed the hope that “this week's event provides an opportunity to explore innovative solutions for Africa and serves as a significant milestone in advancing the TICAD process”.

Ambassador Kaifu of Japan underscored the significance of the year 2025, as the TICAD 9 Summit will be held this August in Yokohama, Japan. He expressed the hope that “this week's event provides an opportunity to explore innovative solutions for Africa and serves as a significant milestone in advancing the TICAD process”.

Ambassador Ouattara reaffirmed the importance of the UNIDO-Japan partnership with Africa stating that it “played a transformative role in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization across our continent”. She further highlighted that “this partnership has contributed to economic growth, job creation and the adoption of sustainable practices that empower Africa industries and communities”. Deputy to the Director General Yuko Yasunaga highlighted UNIDO's ongoing commitment to supporting Africa's industrial development and acknowledged Japan's significant financial contributions.

The opening ceremony included the presentation of newly funded projects in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and a regional project (Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia). Following the opening ceremony, a reception provided attendees with networking opportunities, while discussions continued in informative sessions.

The first session was a presentation on the activities of the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Tokyo in Africa, by Fumio Adachi, Head of ITPO Tokyo. The session informed about seminars and events, the delegate programme and African business advisors programme of the ITPO in Tokyo, as well as its Sustainable Technology Promotion Platform (STePP) and Global South programme.

Another session focused on plastic circular economy initiatives and challenges in Japan and Africa. Government representatives from seven African countries —Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania— discussed efforts to address plastic pollution through circular economy approaches. The discussion underscored how Africa's increasing plastic consumption, driven by population growth and urbanization, can benefit from sustainable waste management solutions.

A seminar on UNIDO's data-based lean manufacturing showcased the success story of the digital tool “U-SPARK” (UNIDO smart performance analytics for real-time Kaizen) which helps enhance enterprise performance management in Ghana's food processing sector. UNIDO is now working with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to expand the initiative across the continent.

Throughout the week, the results of the UNIDO-Japan cooperation in Africa were on display in a panel exhibition, showcasing our work in Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia, as well as the activities of ITPO Tokyo.

Through the week-long event, UNIDO and Japan reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing industrial development in Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

20 March 2025

Human Rights Festival celebrates liberation heroes

Location: News

Human Rights Festival celebrates liberation heroes

Constitution Hill will this weekend host one of Gauteng’s key events – the 2025 Human Rights Festival from 20 to 23 March 2025.

“Celebrating it’s 7th year, the event invites the public to commemorate South Africa’s Human Rights Day and celebrate the memory of those liberation heroes who took a stand for human rights in the Sharpeville 1960 massacre.

“The festival aims to build greater awareness and knowledge around human rights and to promote the importance of an active citizenry,” said Constitution Hill in a statement.

This as South Africa marks Human Rights Day on 21 March 2025. Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, deliver the keynote address at the commemoration event scheduled to take place at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium, in Kariega.

The 2025 Human Rights Festival serves as both a global inspiration and a display of the strength of South Africa’s ubuntu culture in working towards a just and inclusive society.

Civil society organisations have worked with Constitution Hill to shape a unique programme for the event.

Hosted on the apron of the Constitutional Court and using venues in the Old Fort and Women’s Jail, the festival will bring together a public audience; community-based organisations; social movements; government and non-governmental organisations, and international organisations.

The four-day event is free to all and gates open at 10h00 on all three days.

On Thursday, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile will deliver a powerful public lecture at Constitution Hill’s Women’s Jail Museum to honour the life and legacy of Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

The opening of Qhakaza: Pain Undefined Curated by Gift Kgosierileng, explores how Mama Winnie Mandela used fashion as a form of resistance and empowerment.

“Through carefully selected pieces, photographs, and multimedia installations, the exhibition highlights how her iconic style became a tool for reclaiming agency and asserting dignity in the face of systemic oppression,” said the statement.

There will also be non-governmental organisation (NGO) capacity building sessions; learners programs and public dialogue sessions. The day will end with an NGO and film makers networking session.

On Friday, the official opening ceremony will include the 1000 Drums for Solidarity. Drumming serves as a powerful tool to amplify marginalised voices and foster solidarity within community groups.

There will be multiple interactive sessions including workshops and dialogues; family fun at the children’s village; a local authors book fair and book readings; film festival showcasing local and global talent; live poetry segments and a curated maker’s market.

A live show will take place from 17h00 – 21h00, headlined by renowned jazz artist Mandisi Dyantyis.

On Sunday, Constitution Hill invites the public to the last day of the event to take a stand and join together for Human Rights in the 8km WeThePeopleWalk Walk through the city with a fun filled program kicking off from 7am.

The walk will return back to the site for various activities and a local makers market.

The festival takes place at Constitution Hill, formerly a site of prisons, where many great liberation leaders were incarcerated.

Today Constitution Hill has been transformed into a beacon of light for democracy and social justice. A living museum that executes multiple education, creative development, human rights and constitutional public programs throughout the year.

For more information visits www.humanrightsfestival.co.za. – SAnews.gov.za

Janine
Thu, 03/20/2025 - 10:23
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18 March 2025

Local procurement drives progressive change and creates jobs

Location: News

Local procurement drives progressive change and creates jobs

Local procurement is more than a policy instrument, it is a strategic lever that drives progressive change, creates jobs and ensures that belief in South African talent and resilience translates into tangible economic growth.

This is according to Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Acting Director-General, Dr Malebo Mabitje-Thompson, who was speaking at the 13th annual Proudly South African Buy Local Summit and Exhibition, currently underway in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Speaking on behalf of Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Parks Tau, Mabitje-Thompson underscored the critical role of local procurement in South Africa’s economic development and the need for a resilient domestic industry.

Reflecting on the Proudly South African campaign’s 24-year history, Mabitje-Thompson emphasised that buying local strengthens South Africa’s manufacturing sector and enhances the country’s ability to compete globally.

“We need to embrace local procurement for economic empowerment. Local procurement is more than a policy instrument, it is a strategic lever that drives progressive change, creates jobs, and ensures that our belief in South Africans' talent and resilience translates into tangible economic growth,” said Mabitje-Thompson.

She further emphasised the importance of ensuring that government agencies align with local procurement legislation, as demonstrated by entities such as Transnet, which have committed to investing in South African enterprises.

“When we procure locally, we bolster our economy and enhance its resilience. In a world where global supply chains are increasingly uncertain, it is vital that we can rely on our industries to supply our critical needs.

“Local procurement is not about shutting out foreign markets, rather, it is about creating a foundation for sustainable economic growth that benefits all,” she said.

Mabitje-Thompson encouraged stakeholders to actively engage in discussions on policies that support industrial growth, including master plans, tariff measures and initiatives to combat illegal imports.

She reiterated that while incentives and industrial financing play an essential role, they cannot replace the fundamental need for a strong and reliable domestic market.

The Buy Local Summit and Exhibition remains a pivotal platform for businesses, governments, and consumers to collaborate in fostering a thriving local economy.

The dtic continues to support efforts that prioritise South African enterprises, ensuring their ability to grow and compete both locally and internationally. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 03/18/2025 - 09:15
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