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Government activities for the week, 16 to 20 October 2023

Location: News

Government activities for the week, 16 to 20 October 2023

Government has scheduled the following briefings/activities for the week: 16 to 20 October 2023. 

From Monday, 16 – Tuesday, 17 October, the Ministry in The Presidency for Electricity hosts the second iteration of the South Africa Green Hydrogen Summit (SAGHS). The summit will on Monday be addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

On Monday, 16 October, the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Bernice Swarts, will lead the signing of the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Development Model (DDM) “One Plan” document in the North West province.

From Monday, 16 October – Wednesday, 18 October, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, will conduct a three-day visit in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in the North West. The Minister will undertake various activities, including engagements with farmers and communal property associations on challenges facing them in the agricultural sector and the Barolong Boo Modiboa Community.

On Tuesday, 17 October, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, in partnership with the South African Federation for Mental Health,  will host a webinar to commemorate National Mental Healthcare Awareness Month.

On Tuesday, 17 October, the Minister for Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, will host the Pitch for Funding Competition in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

On Friday, 20 October, the North West province will host the second leg of the Presidential Imbizo in J.B. Marks Local Municipality in the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

Matona
Mon, 10/16/2023 - 11:51

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President: South Africa derives worthy benefit from BRICS membership

Location: News

President: South Africa derives great benefit from BRICS membership

“Rest assured, BRICS is a great benefit to our country and it’s an association that we are very proud of and that we intend to continue with.”

These were the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa as he fielded questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the benefits of South Africa being part of the BRICS group of countries.

The group is now known as the BRICS Plus group following the addition of six new member countries - namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

“We, as a country, have benefitted a great deal [through] the association with other BRICS countries. China today is our largest trading partner and this has largely been cemented, upheld and encouraged by our membership of BRICS,” President Ramaphosa said on Thursday.

The President said South Africa continues to reap economic benefits from its association with the group, with talks during bilateral events going beyond political engagement.

“Indeed, many other BRICS members, who have now been admitted, are going to find that BRICS is an important forum that goes beyond just the political engagements at that level but also involves economic development, trade extension, technology extension and many other beneficial areas that advance humanity.

“[Just] the association in BRICS leads to a great deal of economic benefits for our country and we have seen such. Our trade with BRICS countries has grown in leaps and bounds, and many of the areas in which our trade has grown has been by virtue of being associated in BRICS. So there is a clear economic benefit there,” he said.

The President said the expansion of the BRICS group of countries, up from five members to 11, will give a “great boost, particularly to the Global South”.

He hinted at the possible further expansion of the group, which would give further credence to the group’s growing influence in global matters.

“We are, as it is now, going to consider membership applications from many other countries that want to be part of BRICS. So BRICS continues to grow. It continues to grow in importance, economically, politically, as well as [where] trade is concerned.

“BRICS is the great attraction that many countries now see for development and we want to keep BRICS as an important forum, as an important partnership that progresses countries that are associated with it or part of it,” he said.

Answering a question on the financial impact of South Africa’s hosting of the BRICS Summit in August, President Ramaphosa insisted that the economic benefits outweigh the costs.

“The summit that we held here was… a hugely successful summit and we are proud that the people of South Africa were part of it, embraced it and also enabled it to happen here on South African soil.

“The mere holding of a summit as large as the BRICS Summit – and this, by any measure, was the biggest BRICS Summit – brings together a huge number of people, many of whom come to South Africa either for the first time, and they come to spend their money here.

“One country alone, China, brought up to 600 people who, due to their presence here, needed beds to sleep in, needed food and transportation, etc,.. Many other countries brought a number of delegates just to come and attend.

“When you have an event like that, it inevitably leads to an economic benefit immediately because many of these people come with money from their own countries to spend here, so it increases the number of people who work,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Thu, 10/12/2023 - 15:17

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Read morePresident: South Africa derives worthy benefit from BRICS membership

President Ramaphosa to appear in the NCOP

Location: News

President Ramaphosa to appear in the NCOP

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to field questions related to, among other things, women empowerment and youth unemployment when he appears in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday.

According to the Presidency, President Ramaphosa will outline government’s approach to these and other matters during the Questions for Oral Reply session in the NCOP.

“The President will also outline government’s progress in institutionalising gender mainstreaming across departments, provinces and districts for gender equality through responsive planning, budgeting and reporting.

“He will also address progress in advancing the economic empowerment of women, especially in townships and rural areas.

“On youth unemployment, the President will set out government's initiatives and collaboration in developing a comprehensive youth employment and economic empowerment strategy,” the Presidency said.

President Ramaphosa will also answer questions related to other key developments in the country.

“Among questions put to the President are the outcomes of the recent XV BRICS 2023 Summit and action against construction mafia. The President will discuss the outcome of the 2023 BRICS Summit and South Africa's plans to use the outcomes to advance Agenda 2063.

“Regarding the government's commitment to global climate change mitigation efforts, the President will elaborate on the balance between ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply and contributing to climate goals,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 11:35

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Read morePresident Ramaphosa to appear in the NCOP

Critical Minerals Africa 2023: Securing Supply Chains into the Future

Location: News
Energy Capital & Power

A forward-looking panel at Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) 2023 (https://CriticalMineralsAfrica.com/) will explore how technology, sustainable practices and localization can ensure stable and secure critical minerals supplies, under the theme, The Future Minerals Economy and the Resilience of Supply Chains.

Panelists include Dr. Marit Y. Kitaw, Interim Director of the African Minerals Development Center (AMDC), Ethiopia; Deshan Naido, Managing Director of AQORA, South Africa; Duma Sisulu, Co-Founder & Chief Analyst at Parime Battery Minerals, South Africa; Alex Benkenstein, Head of the Climate and Natural Resources Program at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA); and Kwasi Ampofo, Head of Metals and Mining at BloombergNEF. The panel will be moderated by Olimpia Pilch, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Critical Minerals International Alliance, UK.

As demand changes and complexities increase, African and global mineral supply chains are undergoing several transformations to better manage supply disruptions and price fluctuations, from adopting digitalization to strengthening local and regional outputs. The panel will explore how market instability – triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war – has accelerated the need for localized supply chains and how African countries can ensure their demand for critical and industrial minerals is met, while foreign markets like the US and Europe seek to secure their own supplies.

The panel will evaluate the strength of Africa's existing local and regional supply chains, strategies for improving operational efficiencies and the role of cross-border cooperation and partnerships in ensuring supply chain stability and resilience. Discussions will also address best practices for decarbonizing mining activities and how circular economy principles can be integrated to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste, with a view to establishing green supply chains of the future.

Other key developments in the critical minerals space include mining companies diversifying their operations across multiple sectors, while fostering synergy among mining, energy, and oil and gas in the quest for transition minerals. As the sole high-level, dedicated summit for African critical minerals, CMA 2023 will bring these discussions to the forefront, as Africa emerges at the center of global hub activities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

The Critical Minerals Africa 2023 summit on October 17-19 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is organized by Energy Capital & Power and held alongside the African Energy Week 2023 conference (https://AECWeek.com) on October 16-20, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town.

Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting  sales@energycapitalpower.com 

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AfricaIgnite Hosts the African Leg of the Start-up World Cup at Africa Tech Festival

Location: News
Africa Tech Festival

Wait for it…AfricaIgnite, formerly AHUB, Africa Tech Festival's (https://tmt.knect365.com/Africa-Tech-Festival/) flagship event for the African continent's start-ups and innovators, has been announced as the host for the African leg of the globally prestigious Start-Up World Cup 2023, and 10 African start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch for a spot at the grand finale to be held in San Francisco, USA on 1 December 2023.

USD1 million up for grabs – The AfricaIgnite Start-up Pitch showcase will take place at Africa Tech Festival in November in Cape Town, South Africa.  To enter, African early-stage start-ups and scale-ups with seed fundings of up to $15million will need to apply (https://apo-opa.info/3PGV3Lz) by 15 October.  The finalists, to be unveiled on 30 October, will then need to make their way to Cape Town and pitch in front of hundreds of investors and tech leaders on 16 November.

The winner of Africa Tech Festival's pitch competition will then be invited to compete in the grand finale of the Startup World Cup, to be held in San Francisco on 1 December, for that impressive 1 million US dollar investment, in front of industry greats such as ABC's Shark Tank Barbara Corcoran, Sundeep Jain, Chief Product Officer at Uber, Daniel Sturman CTO at Roblox and more.

Since launching in 2016, the festival's start-up platform has been committed to supporting the growth of Africa's nascent entrepreneurs and innovators.  The interest in the offering has grown significantly to the point where AfricaIgnite has now taken on a life-force of its own. 

James Williams, Director, Events | Connecting Africa | Informa Tech: “Africa's bright and forward-thinking minds need a platform to network, get inspired, and co-build a stronger tech start-Up investment ecosystem, which is exactly what AfricaIgnite offers. As Africa Tech Festival, we are excited to be partnering with The Startup World Cup to offer our African colleagues the opportunity they deserve to present their businesses on a global stage. This is a very exciting partnership, and the first, we hope, of many as the continent's innovation sector gathers momentum.”

Investment by the numbers

In 2022, Africa was the only region where start-up investment grew with around USD4.8 billion put into around 1,000 businesses.  That said though, this sum still only represents a paltry 1.2% of all start-up funding raised globally.  However, this is predicted to change quite rapidly in the years ahead as the continent's entrepreneur, start-up and SMME ecosystem fully embraces the digital revolution and connectivity, whilst Africans create the solutions to many of their own, and the world's challenges.

In the 2021 – 2022 period, 37% of investment was channelled to the FinTech space, but its dominance is now being challenged by innovation and new business ideas that solve Africa's energy and waste difficulties.  Other sectors that are attracting interest also include the likes of the telecoms, media and entertainment space, logistics and transport, retail, agriculture, and food, as well as the growing proliferation of deep tech.

“We are very happy to partner up with AfricaTech Festival for the Startup World Cup South Africa Regional and are delighted by the quality and enthusiasm of the start-ups who are competing,” said Anis Uzzaman, Founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, who created the Startup World Cup competition in 2016. “Each year we have been able to reach more entrepreneurs in more cities around the world and, in turn, connect more innovation ecosystems to Silicon Valley and the rest of the world.

“We hope this partnership creates new valuable opportunities for the competing start-ups from Africa.”

In good company

Africa Tech Festival also holds its own when it comes to the investor community, with databases of several thousand investors and venture capitalists predominantly spanning Africa and the United States, as well as a strong community of founders, entrepreneurs, and start-ups. 

Aside from the exciting early-stage start-up Pitch Showcase, AfricaIgnite in 2023 is looking to up the ante with a curation of content that is exciting, informative, and definitely going to take participants places.  The AfricaIgnite space located in the AfricaTech Hall will be a centre of activity with an offering of excellent networking and matchmaking between founders and investors, a start-up marketplace and demo area (no pitching required), along with a host of dedicated workshops and masterclasses presented by top professionals.

Delegates, start-ups, and those considering taking a leap of faith into the new world of business, can explore content that covers useful topics such as what to expect from year one as a founder – what to do, get good at and what to ignore; the power of collaboration in building a global company; perfecting the next “X”-tech for future generations; founding, funding and running your start-up in economically challenging times; concept to company – demystifying the entrepreneurial process plus a raft of funding talks and presentations, as well as the all-important insight into exit planning 101!

Never has the time been more right to head to Cape Town 13 – 16 November to be part of the action at Africa Tech Festival, the world's largest and most influential Africa-focused technology, telecoms, and media gathering.  In 2023, expect big things to happen in this space. 

For more information, please see website here: Africa Tech Festival 2023 - The Home of AfricaCom & AfricaTech (https://apo-opa.info/3myppVu)

To apply for the pitch competition, please click here: Africa Tech Festival 2023 – pitch competition (https://apo-opa.info/3PGV3Lz)

View all ticket options for Africa Tech Festival, including start-up passes, here (https://apo-opa.info/3Q04o2r)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

For media enquiries, interviews and/or images please contact: 
Kaz Henderson 
kaz@networxpr.co.za or call on +27 (0) 82 339 1199. 

(Please note that all requests are adjudicated and there may be some delay before you hear back from us).

Social Media Handles:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/3LIdCxG
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3EZ7RYB
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.info/3EcywR6

About Startup World Cup:
Startup World Cup is a global conference and competition with the goal of bridging start-up ecosystems worldwide. The competition gives start-up companies from all over the world a chance to win a US $1,000,000 prize in the form of an investment. This year, there will be 50+ regional events across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, leading up to the Grand Finale in San Francisco in September. Startup World Cup is organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based global venture capital firm.

About Africa Tech Festival 2023:
Africa Tech Festival, including anchor events AfricaCom, AfricaTech and AfricaIgnite is part of the Informa Tech Connecting Africa event series.  A vibrant celebration of Africa's diverse community of tech champions, Africa Tech Festival is the largest tech and digital connectivity conference and exhibition in Africa, attracting hundreds of exhibitors, more than 400 speakers and more than 12000 delegates.

Key themes for 2023 continue to explore the creation and sustainability of a connected Africa and the impact this can have for the people of the continent but also the commercial prospects for local and global businesses and governments.  Topics will include Telcos of Tomorrow, Connecting the Next Billion, Digital Infrastructure Investment, Sustainability & Climate Resilience, ICT Policy and Regulation, Fintech & MFS, Broadcast Media & Entertainment, Pioneer Tech, the Future of Work and Talent and Skills Development. Africa Tech Festival also incorporates and the Africa Tech Festival Awards, an exclusive ceremony celebrating Africa's tech pioneers and held at the luxury 5-star The Bay Hotel, as well as the LeadersIn Africa Summit, an exclusive, VIP-only feature offering high-level presentations and roundtable discussions to Africa's tech elite.

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Establishing Sustainable Raw Material Value Chains

Location: News
Energy Capital & Power

A high-level presentation on the European Union's (EU) AfricaMaVal initiative and related efforts to establish sustainable critical raw material value chains in Africa will be delivered at the upcoming Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) 2023 summit (https://CriticalMineralsAfrica.com). 

Led by Roberto Cecutti, Head of Trade and Economics, EU Delegation to South Africa and Sodhie Naicker, Managing Director of DMT and Kai Batla and Consortium Partner in AfricaMaVal, the presentation is one of several organized for the first day of the conference, serving to promote sustainable partnerships, policies and projects in raw materials and strengthen global critical mineral supply chains.   

The AfricaMaVal project – “Building EU-Africa Partnerships on the Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chain” – aims to ensure responsible mineral sourcing by European countries, while fostering sustainable development and ESG practices across the African continent. The project targets 10 case studies in Morocco, Senegal, Gabon, the DRC, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and Madagascar, with a view to evaluating their respective mining and refining potential and strengthening their existing links to European partners.

Launched in June 2022 and set to run through November 2025, the AfricaMaVal initiative comes as Europe takes a mounting interest in Africa's critical minerals as an alternative supply to China and Russia. The EU has classified rare earth minerals as critical to delivering its flagship Green Deal and digital transition, which targets carbon neutrality by 2050. 

The presentation aligns closely with the broader theme of CMA 2023 – Establishing the Critical Minerals Value Chain of the Future in Africa – which aims to position the continent as a global hub for sustainable mineral exploration, processing, technologies and trade.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Critical Minerals Africa 2023 summit:
Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the Critical Minerals Africa 2023 summit, scheduled for October 17-19, serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week 2023 conference (https://AECWeek.com) on October 16-20, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com

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Critical Minerals Africa Summit to Explore Current Investment Landscape

Location: News
Energy Capital & Power

A dynamic panel discussion on the second day of the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) 2023 summit will explore the current landscape for investing in Africa's critical minerals sector, as the global energy transition, geopolitical considerations and supply chain disruptions continue to impact the development of new projects.  

Under the theme, Investing in African Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Projects Today, the panel will address the challenges, opportunities and strategies associated with investing in Africa's critical minerals – and specifically, the Rare Earth Elements (REE) – sector, providing unparalleled insights into the region's resource potential and its role in meeting rising demand for these essential resources. 

Panelists include Jude Kearney, Chair of the Sub-Saharan Africa Committee for the Export-Import Bank of the United States and Managing Partner of ASAFO & Co., US Office; Lloyd Pengilly, Chairman of Qora Capital, South Africa; Patricia Rodrigues, Associate Director at Control Risks; Nick Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer of Renergen; Jonathan Veeran, Partner at Webber Wentzel, South Africa; and Petur Georgesson, Founder and CEO of Technology Metals Market. The panel will be moderated by Olivier Barbeau, Managing Partner and EMR Leader for Africa at Moore Global.

Uniting multi-sectoral expertise from financiers, project developers, consultants and trading platforms, the panel will discuss forecast shifts in critical minerals supply and demand curves between now and 2050, identify the most interesting critical minerals projects taking place on the continent and evaluate how these projects have been able to progress through various stages of development to generate returns for investors.

Panelists will also examine the role of partnerships among governments, companies and local communities in ensuring successful and responsible investments in the sector, as well as fiscal and policy incentives conducive to attracting and retaining investments in the sector.

The Critical Minerals Africa 2023 summit on October 17-19 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is organized by Energy Capital & Power and is held alongside the African Energy Week 2023 conference (https://AECWeek.com/) on October 16-20, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Western Cape Premier set to open pan-African clean tech pitch event at Green Energy Africa Summit

Location: News
Green Energy Africa Summit

On 11 October 2023, the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, will provide the opening remarks at Green Energy Africa Summit's (https://GreenEnergyAfricaSummit.com/) high-octane deal pitching platform, the Energy Investment Village.

A selection of ten African clean-tech start-ups will pitch their clean-tech solutions before a panel of judges and a room full of potential international investors on day 2 of the highly anticipated Green Energy Africa Summit. The Premier's presence at the Energy Investment Village signals the growing interest in - and serious consideration of - African clean-tech start-ups as viable clean energy investment assets.

This is the second year that Green Energy Africa Summit (https://apo-opa.info/3PLZHI8) has hosted the Energy Investment Village. The initiative was developed in partnership with Freeport Saldanha's Innovation Campus (https://www.InnovationCampus.co.za/) and advisory firm, the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) (https://EnablingInnovation.Africa/) and Anza Capital (https://Anza.holdings/), an early-stage tech start-up investment company. The Energy Investment Village is supported by Africa Scotland Business Network, JSE, Oceanhub-Africa, Savant, Firecracker, CHIETA, and Sasol.

The Green Energy Africa Summit itself provides an important role in enabling international investors to originate projects that will reduce the energy deficit whilst also contributing to developing low-carbon pathways. The Energy Investment Village is the action-based aspect of the Summit, providing a key moment for African clean energy projects and international investors to have direct sight of one another.  

According to a report by the International Energy Agency, African energy investment needs to double to over USD 200 billion per year by 2030, for the continent to meet its energy-related development goals. However, emerging and developing economies (except for China) remain stuck at 2015 levels, with no increase since the Paris Agreement was reached. 

Premier Winde says, “Our energy demands are currently outstripping supply. When ramping up capacity, clean energy solutions must be a priority. This is particularly important for South Africa if we are to reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2050, to which we've committed in our Low-Emission Development Strategy as part of the UNDP Climate Promise, and the Western Cape Government is committed to supporting. Initiatives such as the Green Energy Africa Summit's Energy Investment Village are excellent vehicles to enable clean energy innovation to flourish. As the Western Cape Government, we are investing heavily in making our province energy resilient. This involves striking a balance between driving economic growth while at the same time developing and harnessing renewable energy solutions.”

As well as finding potential investor-start-up linkages and synergies, the competing start-ups can win valuable prizes provided by the Energy Investment Village sponsors. This includes capacity-enhancing programmes such as:

  • Pitch preparation training programme sponsored by CHIETA (for all finalists);
  • JSE's Enterprise Acceleration Programme;
  • Build Acceleration Programme 2024 by Savant;
  • Enterprise Supplier Development Programme by Sasol; and
  • a half day brand workshop valued at R25k by Firecracker Events and Marketing.

Additionally, up to R5 million in VC funding (dependent on terms & conditions and company audit) will be made available by Anza Capital, and corporate membership to an international network worth R9k will be given to the top start-up by Africa Scotland Business Network. A cash prize of R100k from Sasol for a selected start-up.

Energy Investment Village finalists for 2023

  • Therm, pioneers in sustainable heating solutions, utilizing innovative technologies for efficient energy consumption. 
  • AET Africa, providers of renewable energy systems, specialising in solar and wind power generation across the African continent.
  • Ceneco Green Power, developers of environmentally friendly power plants focused on reducing carbon emissions.
  • Energy Cubes, innovators in energy storage, offering scalable and cost-effective solutions for optimising power distribution.
  • Powerstove, providers of clean cooking solutions in the form of efficient and clean-burning stoves for households and communities.
  • Revive Earth, turning organic waste into renewable resources while mitigating environmental impact.  
  • Green Share, providers of a decentralised energy management system, enabling communities to generate, store, and share renewable energy.
  • Think Bikes, providing sustainable urban transportation through the design and manufacture of electric bicycles for eco-conscious commuters.
  • Flx, offering cutting-edge electric vehicles with a focus on performance, affordability, and sustainability.
  • Impact-free Water, providers of sustainable solutions for clean and accessible water in resource-challenged regions.

Find out more about attending Green Energy Africa Summit and take part in the excitement as the Energy Investment Village finalists battle it out for pole position: https://apo-opa.info/3Q6u6Cp

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Green Energy Africa Summit.

Media Contact:
Amie Sparrow
PR Manager
amie.sparrow@hyve.group

About Green Energy Africa Summit:
The Green Energy Africa Summit is a high-level gathering advocating for policy reforms and the harmonisation of Africa's natural resources, to help pave the way for a just energy transition to ensure Africa remains competitive and attractive to global finance. The Green Energy Africa Summit takes place in the heart of Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 (CTICC2) from 10-11 October 2023.

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API Hospitality Forum takes a deep dive into the local and African market

Location: MyPR

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 04 October 2023 – This year’s API Hospitality Forum takes place next week on 11 October 2023 at the Marriott Hotel, Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, South Africa. Given the unparalleled changes of the past few years, and the evolving landscape of the hospitality sector, the forum provides a valuable platform for knowledge …

Read moreAPI Hospitality Forum takes a deep dive into the local and African market

Minister Pandor attends the Retreat of the African Union Executive Council Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda 1–3 October 2023

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has arrived in Kigali, Rwanda to attend a three-day Meeting of the African Union's Executive Council, from 1 October to 3 October 2023.

The Ministers responsible for Finance and Planning of the African Union member states will also attend the meeting.

Among key issues the meeting will deliberate upon is the evaluation of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP) of Agenda 2063 and the development of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan.

The Retreat will comprise five (5) panel discussions which will discuss five (5) thematic areas, chaired by the representatives of the five (5) regions of the African Union.

The thematic areas are as follows:

  • Reflections on the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan
  • Financing of Agenda 2063 and its Flagship Projects
  • Leveraging implementation arrangements of National Development Plans in the implementation of Agenda 2063 Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan: Domestication, Ownership, Popularisation and Communication
  • Agenda 2063 Flagship Projects
  • Coordination, alignment, and Capacity Building at all levels.

Minister Pandor as the representative of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will moderate the panel 2 discussion, dealing with the financing of Agenda 2063 and its Flagship Projects.

The outcomes of the Retreat will feed into the wider AU process currently underway of presenting a draft Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want (2024-2034), which will be tabled for the consideration and endorsement by the African Heads of State and Government at the AU Summit in February 2024.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Read moreMinister Pandor attends the Retreat of the African Union Executive Council Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda 1–3 October 2023

SA, Tunisia bolster relations

Location: News

SA, Tunisia bolster relations

South Africa and Tunisia should increase their political consultations to ensure a robust and dynamic utilisation of opportunities that exist between the nations, says International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor.

Pandor on Friday hosted Tunisian Foreign Minister, Nabil Ammar. 

“I'm really pleased, Minister and brother, to welcome you to Pretoria today on the occasion of our political consultations, which gives us a chance to discuss our bilateral relations - regional, continental and international issues - of mutual interest,” said Pandor.

Today’s political consultations are expected to provide an opportunity for the two Ministers to reflect on the state of bilateral relations between South Africa and Tunisia and discuss further strengthening bilateral cooperation in several areas. 

These include economic cooperation, security, health, science and technology.

“The meeting we're going to have today is also going to lay the ground for the future meeting of our Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC), which we established in 1996.

“However, the last meeting of JBCC was held in 2008. A further meeting is long overdue to revitalise its mission to ensure that we have focused programme areas of cooperation and projects that we execute together,” Pandor said.

The Minister said she hopes that officials in both countries are going to work hard to ensure they meet these ambitions and come up with concrete programmes of cooperation to work together.

“I do believe we have opportunities to expand and explore, and that these will benefit both our countries, as well as the people of our country. I've made reference to stronger cooperation between our business sector as well as stronger cooperation in skills, training and development.”

South Africa, according to Pandor, has a great ambition to enhance innovation and research capacity and has developed programmes in nanoscience and space science. 

“I know on satellites, previously, our researchers had been collaborating and it would be wonderful to revive that collaboration.” 

She also told Ammar that she was pleased his country has taken an interest in establishing the business forum, who was accompanied by the President of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Handicrafts, who also has business interests locally.

“So dear Minister, please know that we are absolutely committed to the relationship between South Africa and Tunisia. 

“I assure you that I would like to walk together with Tunisia as we advance the goals of Agenda 2063 as well as implement the African Continental Free Trade Area, and together, support our continent to achieve its Developmental Goals.”

Pandor also took the time to express her gratitude to Ammar for attending South Africa’s 15th BRICS Summit last month and leading his country's delegation.

“We were thrilled that your country was in attendance,” she said. 

She also applauded her counterpart after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced it was adding the Tunisian resort island of Djerba to its list of World Heritage Sites because of its ancient ruins, whitewashed villages, mosques, churches and synagogues.

“Minister, our bilateral relationship continues to be one that is strong and solidified through bilateral mechanisms which provide for political, economic, scientific and socio-cultural engagement,” she added. – SAnews.gov.za 
 

Gabisile
Fri, 09/29/2023 - 13:44

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BRICS offers SA prospects to deepen relations

Location: News

BRICS offers SA prospects to deepen relations

The expansion of the BRICS not only gives weight to the bloc but also grants South Africa the opportunity to deepen ties with the countries that are expected to join the formation next year.

South Africa hosted the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg last month where President Cyril Ramaphosa as chair of the bloc announced that Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will join the BRICS.

 “It gives the bloc more weight politically [and] economically in an international space. Domestically, we can gain from ensuring that there’s deepened trade ties with these countries which would expand economic opportunities within South Africa itself and the other emerging markets you find in the BRICS bloc.

“It increases your momentum within the global stage itself,” assistant lecturer at the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg, Ndzalama Mathebula told SAnews.

The six developing countries are set to become full members of the BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] bloc from January 2024.

Senior research associate at the think tank, Institute for Global Dialogue, Sanusha Naidu said there could be other developments leading up to the new year.                                                                   

“…when we come to January 2024, what will be some of the issues? Will countries automatically accept the invitation to become members of the expanded BRICS  or what will be some of the strategic orientation that will influence and the factors that will shape this?,” remarks Naidu.

Naidu adds that this poses “some serious questions, introspection and reflection around South Africa’s BRICS strategy going forward.”

She adds that South Africa now needs to be much more coherent about its strategy.

In his address to Members of Parliament earlier this month, President Ramaphosa said South Africa’s trade with the bloc has increased by an average of 10% every year over the period 2017 to 2021. According to the President, the country’s total trade with other BRICS nations stood at R830 billion in 2022 from R487 billion in 2017.

During the Questions for Oral Reply session held at the National Assembly, the President explained that BRICS is an important source of foreign direct investment in key areas such as mining, automotive, transportation, clean energy, financial services and information technology (IT).

New chapter

In his address to the nation post the summit, the President described the summit—which was attended by the five BRICS member countries and representatives of 61 other countries-- as a success that “heralded a new chapter” for the group.

Naidu said the expansion of the BRICS is very much part of the interest in Washington right now.

 “I don’t think it’s because [and] I say this with the most respect for the South African government and for South Africa. I don’t think it is because of South Africa that there’s interest in the BRICS. The interest in the BRICS right now is because the BRICS is expanding but it is not because of South Africa.”

The country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, was invited to join the bloc in 2010 and in 2011, South Africa attended its first summit of the group of leading emerging markets and developing countries.

Having been part of the bloc for over a decade, it was interesting to see other countries invited to join the bloc on African soil.

She notes that the first expansion of the BRICS that happened was with South Africa being invited to join the formation but that “didn’t get the attention” because the world at that time was not as “volatile, unpredictable and inflamed as it is now.”

The summit called for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations (UN) including the Security Council. Speaking at the summit, Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres said the Security Council and the Bretton Woods system are two areas which require a ”particularly important reform effort.”

He said if reform fails, “we risk fragmentation, and fragmentation can be one day a factor of confrontation.”

Naidu agrees with the Secretary-General’s comments.

“If reform is not happening; it is fragmenting and you can see that happening in a very real way. I think the expansion of the BRICS actually brings about a regionalisation of the geopolitics of the international system and you see that with the countries that are being invited to expand [the group].

Naidu said that this time around, the reform of the UN Security Council was not just a broad statement.

“My view was that for the first time in a long time, I think since the BRICS inception [that] the issue of the UN Security Council reform wasn’t just a broad statement. It kind of referred to the developing world and especially India, Brazil and South Africa.

“I feel that was a bit of a broad win in a way that [gets] Russia and China to kind of not to explicitly endorse, but to implicitly support the membership of India, Brazil and South Africa into the Security Council … where I didn’t previously see them doing that.”

Mathebula said that 15-years ago when the BRICS was formed, it was not thought that the group would one day challenge the United States.

“We never thought that it would challenge US hegemony but what we are seeing right now, is that we have this challenge of the US hegemony using emerging economies like South Africa [with] these countries being central to the global stage and determining policies instead of inheriting it.

“So considering that Russia and China are permeant members of the UN, it is an important indication of the changing global order,” Mathebula said.

Meanwhile, Naidu said South Africa must align its foreign policy to the new chapter.

“Yes the President was right that it brings a new chapter, but is South Africa understanding what that new chapter is? Is it aligning its foreign policy to the new chapter? You’ve got to think about the alignment of your strategic interests in where you want to position yourself in global affairs.”

The African voice

While the African voice was heard at the gathering, Mathebula said the question was whether or not “Africa will take what it needs.”

“Will Africa use the bloc in the right way to ensure that there’s development within their domestic markets?” she asked.

This year’s summit was held under the theme: ‘BRICS and Africa: Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism’.

Both analysts were of the view that South Africa did a good job in hosting the summit.

“Overall I think it was from a technical, transactional perspective, yes [South Africa] hosted the summit well. It showed that South Africa can host summits and has done so in the past and I think it will be difficult to nit-pick. The summit in itself did give some kind of transactional value to South Africa,” said Naidu.

Asked about what the country could have done better in hosting the summit, Mathebula said while a lot of people had something to say about the summit, there was also plenty of misinformation going around on platforms like TikTok.

“Not many people understood what it was about, the youth don’t know. [I] don’t know if its ignorance… the ignorance that you find in African states are [sic] actually the engineers of underdevelopment … I urge everyone to read on what [the] BRICS is,” said Mathebula. –SAnews.gov.za

 

Neo
Fri, 09/29/2023 - 14:31

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Inaugural Bi-National Commission deepens South Africa, Lesotho ties

Location: News

Inaugural Bi-National Commission deepens South Africa, Lesotho ties

South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho have held frank and fruitful bilateral discussions on wide ranging issues during the Inaugural Session of the South Africa – Lesotho Bi-National Commission (BNC).

This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who hosted his counterpart, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho Ntsokoane Matekane and that country’s delegation for the BNC in Pretoria on Thursday.

President Ramaphosa described the BNC as a “great opportunity to take stock of our bilateral relations as well as cooperation in a number of fields”.

“We have now come to the end of our inaugural bi-national where we’ve held outstanding deliberations between our two countries. Deliberations that have been frank and direct and in many ways also very fruitful. We’ve covered a lot of ground.

“We remain forever grateful for the strong ties that exist between our countries and peoples. The work we have just completed is the continuation of our endeavours towards the realisation of our shared aspirations,” President Ramaphosa said.

The BNC was attended by Ministers and senior government officials from both countries who – preceding Thursday’s summit – discussed matters including water, energy, crime, environmental issues, trade and economic challenges affecting both countries.

“The comprehensive report that was presented by our respective Ministers captures the real essence and the state of our bilateral cooperation in detail and this in itself speaks of the healthy relationship between the two countries.

“A relationship that continues to broaden and deepens…encompassing a whole number of new areas as the world continues to develop,” President Ramaphosa said.

He impressed upon officials and Ministers at the BNC the importance of ensuring that existing agreements entered into between the two governments are implemented.

“We emerge from this Inaugural BNC with renewed energy and vigour for the task of building our economies and developing our two nations. We should use this mechanism of the Bi-National Commission…to enhance and consolidate the implementation of existing agreements to ensure that those agreements are not just put on the shelf and…forever not to be seen again.

“We want the agreements that we have entered into to be live agreements and to be agreements that are fully and properly implemented,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, President Ramaphosa reflected on the mutual future that the two nations have.

“Just as our two countries share common histories, so too do we share a common future.

“So we are bound together to work together to build a sustainable and a prosperous as well secure future for all the people of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Thu, 09/28/2023 - 14:34

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MultiChoice celebrates African finalists in The Earthshot Prize

Location: News
MultiChoice Group

The Earthshot Prize has announced the 15 Finalists for this year's Prize at the second Earthshot Innovation Summit (https://apo-opa.info/3ZCnC1i), an event held alongside the UN General Assembly, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, to celebrate and champion innovators focused on solving our most pressing global climate challenges.

Out of over 1,100 nominations, the 15 Finalists for The Earthshot Prize stood out following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a panel of scientific, academic, and subject-matter experts. Each of these Finalists stands a chance to win one of the five £1 million prizes designed to propel their initiatives towards greater impact. The unveiling of the five Winners will take place at the third annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony scheduled later this year in Singapore.

Furthermore, all the Finalists will benefit from invaluable mentorship, resources, and technical support through The Earthshot Prize Fellowship Programme. This program will also provide them with access to a robust network of influential businesses, investors, and climate experts.

The Earthshot Prize revolves around five transformative 'Earthshots,' each embodying simple yet ambitious goals that represent the world we aspire to build for future generations.

In the spirit of celebrating African innovation, we are proud to highlight two remarkable finalists from the continent: Freetown the Tree Town representing Sierra Leone and ABALOBI from South Africa.

These African finalists come after Mukuru Clean Stoves, a start-up providing cleaner-burning stoves to women in Kenya to reduce unhealthy indoor pollution and provide a safer way to cook, won the coveted environmental prize during the inspirational awards ceremony hosted in Boston last year.

Freetown the Tree Town is a visionary initiative aimed at reforesting landscapes, restoring the degraded coastline of Freetown, and creating sustainable green jobs. The project meticulously tracks newly planted trees, assigning them to local tree guardians, and publicly documenting their growth, resulting in an impressively high survival rate for newly planted trees.

ABALOBI, on the other hand, is a community-centric mobile application supporting small-scale fishers in their quest for sustainable fishing practices while preventing the overfishing of at-risk species. It also enhances boat and fisher safety by providing real-time weather warnings and tracking capabilities. The initiative has already expanded its reach beyond South Africa, directly benefiting over 1,600 fishers with a substantial increase in revenue due to better access to profitable markets for sustainable species.

"We are immensely proud to see African innovation shining on the global stage through the Earthshot Prize. At MultiChoice, as a proudly African organization, we believe in the power of homegrown solutions to address the world's most pressing challenges. These African finalists exemplify that spirit, and we salute their remarkable efforts in safeguarding our planet for future generations,” says Keabetswe Modimoeng, Group Executive at MultiChoice Group.

By participating in this prestigious prize, African innovators gain a platform to showcase their solutions, inspire corporate entities to join the fight against climate change, and urge governments to prioritize climate action on their national agendas.

In addition to the chance to win the £1 million prize, all Finalists will receive tailored support and resources from The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance Members, an unprecedented network of private sector businesses worldwide dedicated to scaling innovative climate and environmental solutions to maximize their impact.

The five Winners will be carefully selected by The Earthshot Prize Council, a diverse team of influential individuals committed to leveraging their platforms to champion inspiring leadership and elevate urgent efforts to restore and regenerate our planet.

The Earthshot Prize is a truly global initiative, bringing together a diverse coalition of nominators from over 200 individuals and organizations worldwide. It encompasses a distinguished Expert Advisory Panel and The Earthshot Prize Council, comprising influential figures who wholeheartedly support positive environmental action.

The fifteen Finalists have earned their place through rigorous assessment and their potential to make a game-changing impact on a global scale, all while contributing positively to people, communities, and the natural world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

MultiChoice Group Contact Details:
Litlhare Moteetee
Corporate Communications
Tel: +27 11 289 3312
Litlhare.Moteetee@Multichoice.co.za

Follow The Earthshot Prize on: 
Instagram: https://apo-opa.info/3t9maY3
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/48xVIqZ
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.info/48zXXue
Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/458AlK6
YouTube: https://apo-opa.info/45pFAW5
TikTok: https://apo-opa.info/48xWiFb

About MultiChoice Group:
MultiChoice Group (MCG), which was listed in the Main Board of the JSE on 27 February 2019, is one of the fastest-growing video entertainment providers globally, delivering entertainment products and services to 23.5m households across 50 countries on the African continent. Its track record of more than 30 years is reflective of a commitment to providing audiences with only the best local, sports and international content.

MCG's strong partnerships with distributors, installers, and telecommunication companies, along with its well-established payment solutions, competitive pricing and choice of viewership packages continue to secure its place in the global market, while also providing solutions unique to the African market.

Its direct-to-home (DTH), digital terrestrial television (DTT) and over-the-top (OTT) solutions enable the business to stay relevant and aligned to changing consumer habits while capturing new markets.

Content is at the very core of the business. MCG aims to deliver quality content anywhere, anytime and on any device through a comprehensive video entertainment offering at different price points. As pioneers in African video entertainment, MCG plays an important role in making information and entertainment easily accessible to Africans.

MCG aims to secure content rights in a manner that is cost-effective and reflective of the diversity of its audiences. Its substantial portfolio includes award-winning local content (a key differentiator in its service offering), a leading sport offering (including production capabilities) and access to international content, which is all shared on the group's platforms: DStv, GOtv, Showmax, M-Net and SuperSport.

MCG has superior technology capability through the security solutions that Irdeto, its technology company, brings to the group. These solutions enable MultiChoice to protect its investment, create new offerings and combat cybercrime. With 50 years' expertise in software security, Irdeto's software security solutions and cyber services protect over 5bn devices and applications for some of the world's best brands.

About The Earthshot Prize:
Founded by Prince William and incubated in The Royal Foundation in 2020 for a year before becoming an independent platform/organization, The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental prize and platform designed to discover, accelerate and scale ground-breaking solutions to repair and regenerate the planet. Inspired by President John F. Kennedy's Moonshot, which united millions of people around the goal of reaching the moon, The Earthshot Prize aims to catalyze an Earthshot challenge to urgently encourage and scale innovative solutions that can help put the world firmly on a trajectory towards a stable climate, where communities, oceans and biodiversity thrive in harmony by 2030. The five challenges are: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build a Waste-Free World; and Fix Our Climate.

The Prize aims to turn the current pessimism surrounding environmental issues into optimism by championing inspiring leadership and helping to scale incredible cutting-edge solutions. It will discover 50 winners over 10 years with the power to repair the planet. More than an award, The Earthshot Prize works in partnership with a Global Alliance of Partners to support the scaling of the solutions discovered and selected each year. For more information about The Earthshot Prize, visit: www.EarthshotPrize.org. 

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Thought-Leaders to Deliver Technical Presentations at Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit

Location: News
Energy Capital & Power

With the aim of advancing dialogue around Africa's critical mineral opportunities and fostering new deals, the upcoming Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) summit (www.CriticalMineralsAfrica.com) will feature a strong slate of technical presentations delivered by thought-leaders and industry experts.

The technical presentations will address the most prominent challenges impacting industry growth, with speakers providing insight into sustainable solutions, capital and technology prospects and how the continent can create the mineral value chains of the future. The event takes place from 17 to 19 October 2023 at the Cape Town International Convention Center and runs concurrently with Africa's largest energy event, African Energy Week (AEW).

During the conference, presentations will be delivered under the theme Promoting Sustainable Partnerships, Policies and Projects in Raw Materials and Strengthening Global Critical Mineral Supply Chains.

Presentations include:

  • Futures of SADC Critical Minerals: Building Anticipatory Governance, presented by Dr. Deon Cloete, Head: South Africa Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Futures Program at SAIIA
  • Low Carbon Supply Chains: China has Plenty of Capacity, Others Lag, presented by Per Magnus Nysveen, Senior Partner & Head of Analysis at Rystad Energy
  • Critical Minerals Global Supply and Demand Update, presented by the International Energy Agency
  • AfricaMaVal Project Update, presented by Sodhie Naicker, Director at AfricaMaVal
  • Steenkampskraal: World's Rare Earth and Thorium Hotspot, presented by Graham Soden, Director, CEO and Mine Manager at Steenkampskraal
  • Building Local Battery Industries in South Africa: Exploring Opportunities for Localization, presented by Lesego Moshikaro, Senior Economist, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies

As global interest in Africa's critical minerals grows, the CMA 2023 technical presentations will support decision-making by providing stakeholders with the insight they need to make informed investments. Under the broader event theme of Establishing the Critical Mineral Value Chains of the Future, the presentations delve into the complexities of the industry and the strategic role Africa plays in supplying the global market.  

CMA and AEW (October 16-20) are poised to host over 5,000 combined delegates, who will have the opportunity to participate in country spotlights, investor roundtables and in-focus sessions on the energy transition, energy security, resource supply chains and new technologies.

Organized by Energy Capital & Power, Africa's premier investment platform for the energy sector, the much-anticipated global summit for African critical minerals will bring together a diverse group of global investors, energy and mining professionals, project operators and government leaders during a pivotal moment for the continent's energy and mining industries.

CMA 2023 represents the official dealmaking space for the industry and stands at the intersection of the energy and mining sectors in Africa. Since the launch, CMA has seen significant interest by global investors and buyers, all of which are looking at signing deals in Africa's mineral space. The program is filling up fast, and mineral, energy, technology and finance leaders are encouraged to secure their pass before the summit fills up.

Get involved at the CMA 2023 summit as a speaker, panelist, presenter, sponsor or exhibitor. For more information, visit www.CriticalMineralsAfrica.com or contact james@energycapitalpower.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Developed economies must carry out more to tackle climate change

Location: News

Developed economies must do more to tackle climate change

President Cyril Ramaphosa has re-emphasised the call for developed economy countries to fulfil their pledge to assist developing nations in their transition to low carbon economies.

The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter.

“While the nations of the world agreed in Paris in 2015 on urgent actions to limit global temperature rises and mitigate the impact of climate change, the effects of climate change are being increasingly felt with greater ferocity.

“Although developed economy countries promised to support developing economies as they transition to low-carbon, climate resilient societies, this support has not been forthcoming at the scale and with the urgency that is needed.

“Among other things, wealthy countries have not provided the promised finance that vulnerable countries need to adapt to climate change and to cover the cost of the loss and damage caused by climate disasters,” he said.

Last week, on the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), UN Secretary General António Guterres held a Climate Ambition Summit.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa used the summit to “reiterate our long-stated position that developed economy countries must fulfil their obligations and honour their past promises to developing economy countries”.

“This is not about charity. It is about economic and social justice. Africa’s people are literally paying the price for the industrialisation and development of the countries of the north.

“It is also about shared interests because the economic and social havoc caused by climate change will make the world more unstable, less secure and will increase competition for scarce resources like water and food,” he said.

Self-development

President Ramaphosa emphasised that although developed countries share the responsibility to assist developing nations, Africa is taking steps to ensure its own climate change resilience.

“As African countries, we cannot be bystanders to our own development. We are putting the necessary measures in place to de-carbonise our respective economies while pursuing sustainable development. 

“The transformation of the energy landscape in Africa is a priority. As African countries, we have called on the international community to support efforts to increase the continent’s renewable energy capacity while ensuring energy security for Africa’s people.

“This needs to take place alongside increased investment in smart, digital and efficient green technologies in carbon-intensive sectors such as transportation, industry and electricity,” he said.

The President described South Africa’s own efforts towards de-carbonising the country’s carbon intensive economy.

“As South Africa, we want to use our abundant solar and wind resources to position our country at the forefront of the clean energy transition.

“Regulatory reforms undertaken by this administration have resulted in a confirmed pipeline of renewable energy projects that are expected to produce in excess of 10 gigawatts of electricity,” he said.

A just transition

President Ramaphosa added that de-carbonisation of economies must be “just and inclusive” and also be consistent with “our national circumstances and development plans”.

He warned that some measures like the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism – aimed at increasing tariffs on imports produced through carbon intensive processes – may “simply further increase the vulnerability of developing economies”.

“This is likely to have a significant impact on South African producers, increase the costs of South African exports into European markets and reduce our economy’s competitiveness. 

“In my address to the Climate Ambition Summit, I said that trade mechanisms must enable products from Africa to compete on fair and equitable terms. Trade tariffs and non-trade barriers that have an environmental purpose should be the product of multilateral agreements,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said while South Africa remains committed to “contributing our fair share to the global climate change effort”, the circumstances of developing countries must “must be taken into account”.

“To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, unity of purpose and action between countries is vital, as is a common commitment to multilateralism in the global climate change effort.

“Ultimately, no country should be forced to choose between climate action and meeting their developmental aspirations,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Tue, 09/26/2023 - 09:24

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Urgent need to address Eskom transmission to deal with load shedding

Location: News

Urgent need to address Eskom transmission to deal with load shedding

Electricity Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has described load shedding as an economic problem that government is urgently addressing, as his department relentlessly tackles generation and transmission challenges. 

“It's a structural constraint to the economy of the country and therefore it's indispensable to the resolution of the economic question in the country,” he said on Thursday. 

The Minister is hosting a Transmission Financing Seminar with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).  

The gathering will discuss the financing of South Africa’s Transmission Development Plan, which seeks to expand, support and secure the sustainability of South Africa’s energy mix and electricity supply.

The seminar brings together government, energy industry veterans and potential private sector investors to engage in a critical conversation on South Africa’s energy crisis. 

Ramokgopa touched on the country’s Energy Action Plan (EAP), a comprehensive response by government to address the challenge of power cuts. 

“In 1997, we were told that at the rate at which you are connecting households to the grid and the economy is growing, you're going to run into a generation problem, a capacity problem 10 years later, and we know that we ran into that problem.” 

This is the reason he believes the country needs to speedily attend to transmission with the same vigour it is handling generation capacity. 

“We are saying also now if you don't resolve the issues on the transmission side, having that problem today might not be as pronounced and I want to argue that it will be pronounced in the next six to 12 months. 

“The similar amount of effort and exertion you’re placing on the generation side requires that they be placed also on the transmission side.” 

Eskom's transmission has the mandate to reliably control, maintain, plan, expand and provide access to an interconnected transmission system.

Ramokgopa told the summit that part of the problem that is confronting Eskom is structural constraint primarily presented by two issues – energy deficit and issues of logistics. 

The Minister spoke frankly about the impact of load shedding. 

He highlighted agriculture and manufacturing as sectors that are heavily impacted by severe shortages in power generation capacity.  

“And what this does really borrows from the modelling that has been done by the South African Reserve Bank, which begins to illustrate the kind of injury that is inflicted by load shedding on the South African economy, potentially contracting the economy.”

The Minister has since called for all hands on deck to contribute towards the resolution of this “bleak picture”.  

Ramokgopa, who has visited all power plants to better understand the challenges, said there are communities and businesses that have not had electricity for about six years. 

“This is not an exaggeration. And so as a result of the failure of the distribution infrastructure, I'm talking about transformers and substations, and this comes about as a result of municipalities being financially unviable.”

The Minister said he will introduce regular updates on the transmission side. 

“[This] is after we've gone to Cabinet [to present] the options that are available to us. Once that is adopted, then we will give feedback and then we're doing a significant amount of work on the distribution side (sic).”

These interventions will see the country significantly strengthen and increase South Africa’s electricity supply and capacitate the energy sector in meeting global decarbonisation targets, thereby ensuring South Africa’s long-term energy security and energy sovereignty. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 09/21/2023 - 11:17

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Developed economies urged to accelerate climate action

Location: News

Developed economies urged to accelerate climate action

President Cyril Ramaphosa says developed economy countries, in particular, must act with urgency to accelerate the reduction of emissions, fulfil their obligations and honour past promises.

The President was speaking at the Climate Ambition Summit on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.

The President told world leaders that Africa has witnessed with increasing alarm the effects of climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable production and resource scarcity on human health and well-being. 

“As countries across the globe seek practical ways to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple crises, we are presented with an unprecedented opportunity to set the global economy on a more equitable, environmentally sustainable and low-carbon developmental trajectory.

“Despite having little responsibility for causing global warming, Africa is warming faster than the rest of the world. Like other parts of the Global South, the continent is significantly affected by climate change. As such, climate actions cannot be separated from the drive for sustainable and inclusive development,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The President science sends a clear message that the world is not on track to meet the goals contained in the Paris Agreement. He emphasised that this Climate Ambition Summit must instil the necessary urgency and propel the actions that are needed now to prevent the destruction of the planet and the devastation of societies. 

Earlier this month, African leaders adopted the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action, which recognises that decarbonising the global economy is an opportunity to contribute to equality and shared prosperity.

To achieve this vision of economic transformation, African leaders have called on the international community to support efforts to massively increase Africa’s renewable energy capacity by 2030.

“They are seeking investment in smart, digital and efficient green technologies to decarbonise the transport, industrial and electricity sectors in African countries.

“They have called for support to strengthen actions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, deforestation and desertification. And to boost agricultural yields through sustainable agricultural practices,” the President highlighted. 

Structural reform to promote just and inclusive transitions 

President Ramaphosa said structural reform is needed to promote transitions that are just and inclusive.

He said global and regional trade mechanisms must enable products from Africa to compete on fair and equitable terms. 

“Trade related environmental tariffs and non-tariff barriers must be the product of multilateral agreements. They must not be unilateral, arbitrary or discriminatory.

“The multilateral financial system must build resilience to climate shocks and better leverage the balance sheets of multilateral development banks to scale up concessional finance. Developing economy countries also require new, predictable public finance to support climate adaptation and build resilience to loss and damage.”

The system, President Ramaphosa said, needs to provide interventions for debt management and relief to prevent debt default.

“The actions necessary now must not place an undue burden on the citizens of tomorrow.”

The President emphasised that financing for climate action should respect the right of all countries to pursue their own development pathways, while taking into account their specific national circumstances.

“As South Africa implements its ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution, which is aligned to the Paris Agreement temperature goals, we see new opportunities for green growth and development.

“With abundant solar and wind resources, with significant reserves of critical minerals, South Africa is positioning itself to be a leader in renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable industrialisation,” he said. 

Due to regulatory changes and a surge of investment, South Africa has a confirmed pipeline of renewable energy projects in development that are expected to produce in excess of 10 gigawatts of electricity.

South Africa has also established a Just Transition Framework to ensure that climate actions adhere to principles of procedural, restorative and distributive justice.

“We are committed to building resilience to the impact of climate change and reducing our emissions in ways that are appropriate to our national circumstances and development pathways.

“As South Africa, and as the African continent, we are working to give substance to our assertion that no country should ever have to choose between development aspirations and climate action,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa called on the summit to demonstrate that the leaders of the world are committed to ambitious climate actions that are inclusive, comprehensive and leave no one behind. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 09/21/2023 - 11:24

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Reform the international financial architecture – President Ramaphosa

Location: News

Reform the international financial architecture – President Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the reform and strengthening of financial architecture where developing countries participate equally in the decision making process of the international economic order.

The President said he welcomes the numerous initiatives to assist the most pressing needs of countries in dire stress. These include the Food Shock Window, Resilience and Sustainability Trust and the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment.

“However, sustainable and inclusive growth requires that more be done. We must strengthen and reform the international financial architecture. Developing economy countries must participate equally and meaningfully in the decision-making process of the international economic order,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa was delivering remarks at the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development Summit on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.

The statesman told world leaders that humanity is confronted with the convergence of a climate crisis, recession, increasing conflict, environmental degradation, rising food insecurity, deepening poverty and unacceptable levels of hunger.

He highlighted that when the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was agreed upon, the overarching principle was that the most vulnerable would receive the support they needed.

“Yet, at a time when solidarity was needed most, agreed international commitments were not honoured. Principles such as common but differentiated responsibilities are not being respected.

“Four decades since the right to development was established by the United Nations as a human right, the failure to act on commitments to support development is deepening the divide between the global north and south. 

“The Addis Ababa Action Agenda provides concrete plans for supporting development and we again call on our partners to support these plans,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa further called for the mandates of multilateral development banks to be reframed to respond to the needs of developing economies. 

He emphasised that “we must assert the principle of country ownership”.

“Multilateral development banks should support projects and programmes that are aligned to the development priorities and climate commitments of these countries.

“The international tax system must reflect the diverse needs and capacities of both developed and developing economies,” he said. 

The President added that more innovation is required to enable the private sector to play a greater role in addressing the finance gap. He said this includes a new approach to blended finance with a focus on the developmental impact of investments. 

He underscored that credit ratings of developing economies, and African economies in particular, need to be based on economic fundamentals and not on subjective assessments. 

Public finance is critical for development

President Ramaphosa said developed economy countries need to fulfil their commitment to contribute at least 0.7 percent of their gross national income towards official development assistance. 

They also need to fulfil their commitment to mobilise $100 billion a year to tackle climate change. 

“As South Africa, we therefore welcome the recommended actions contained in Secretary-General’s Report on ‘Our Common Agenda’. In the interests of our common progress and the survival and prosperity of future generations, we must act now.

“South Africa encourages all world leaders, global institutions and private sector partners to work together to address the current crises, close the finance divide, reduce inequality, eradicate poverty and make sure that no-one is left behind,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Thu, 09/21/2023 - 11:26

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President Ramaphosa concludes participation in UNGA78

Location: News

President Ramaphosa concludes participation in UNGA78

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his working visit to the United States of America, where he led South Africa’s participation in the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York.  

President Ramaphosa was accompanied by a delegation of Ministers, including the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy; Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla; Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and Minister in The Presidency for Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa. 

The President delivered South Africa’s National Statement on Tuesday under the theme: 'Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all'.

On Wednesday, President Ramaphosa participated in the Financing for Development Summit.

The President joined United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the UN General Assembly, Ambassador Dennis Francis, in advocating for the strengthening and reform of the international financial architecture. 

President Ramaphosa said developing countries must participate equally and meaningfully in the decision-making process of the international economic world order. 

"Four decades since the right to development was established by the United Nations as a human right, the failure to act on commitments to support development is deepening the divide between the global north and south," said President Ramaphosa. 

The President also addressed the Climate Change Summit, hosted by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, where he joined the call by African leaders for action in the implementation of the recently adopted Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action.

The declaration recognises that decarbonising the global economy is an opportunity to contribute to equality and shared prosperity.

President Ramaphosa said that financing for climate action should respect the right of all countries to pursue their own development pathways while taking into account their specific national circumstances.

“As South Africa implements its ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution, which is aligned to the Paris Agreement temperature goals, we see new opportunities for green growth and development.

“With abundant solar and wind resources, with significant reserves of critical minerals, South Africa is positioning itself to be a leader in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable industrialisation,” the President said. 

The President described South Africa's participation at the UNGA78 as progressive, as it continued to advocate for the reform of the United Nations Security Council and reiterated South Africa’s support for the United Nations Secretary-General's ambition of U$ 500 billion a year to meet the UN-driven global sustainable development goals.

On the sidelines of UNGA78, President Ramaphosa held several bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening strategic political, diplomatic and trade ties.

These included discussions with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu; Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye, and President Emmerson Mnagangwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe. 
 
Another highlight of the President’s working visit to the United States was the joint announcement by the South African and United States governments of South Africa’s hosting of the 20th US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, (AGOA Forum) in Johannesburg from 2 - 4 November 2023.

President Ramaphosa welcomed this development as an expression of South Africa's intention to remain part, beyond 2025, of the trade partnership enabled by the United States’ Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. 

This trade relationship carries mutual benefit for South Africa and the United States, as part of the broader cordial and strong relations between the two countries.

In his assessment of UNGA78, President Ramaphosa said: “The United Nations General Assembly is an important and strategic platform for South Africa, where we are able to interact at a high level multilaterally and bilaterally. 

“We have engaged in meaningful discussions that will contribute to the development of our country and our continent. I go home with my spirits lifted and enthused that the challenges we face will be resolved as we continue working with our social partners and business at home, and our trade and diplomatic partners globally." – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 09/21/2023 - 11:47

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Ramaphosa concludes participation in 78th United Nations General Assembly

Location: News

The Presidency: Republic of South Africa
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a working visit to the United States of America, where he led South Africa's participation in the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York.

The President delivered South Africa's National Statement on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, under the theme “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.

On Wednesday, 20 September 2023, President Ramaphosa participated in the Financing for Development Summit.

The  President joined United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the UN General Assembly, Ambassador Dennis Francis, in advocating for the strengthening and reform of the international financial architecture. 

President Ramaphosa said developing countries must participate equally and meaningfully in the decision-making process of the international economic world order. 

"Four decades since the right to development was established by the United Nations as a human right, the failure to act on commitments to support development is deepening the divide between the global north and south," said President Ramaphosa. 

The President also addressed the Climate Change Summit, hosted by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, where the President joined the call by African leaders for action in the implementation of the recently adopted Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action.

The declaration recognises that decarbonising the global economy is an opportunity to contribute to equality and shared prosperity.

President Ramaphosa said: “Financing for climate action should respect the right of all countries to pursue their own development pathways while taking into account their specific national circumstances.

“As South Africa implements its ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution, which is aligned to the Paris Agreement temperature goals, we see new opportunities for green growth and development.

“With abundant solar and wind resources, with significant reserves of critical minerals, South Africa is positioning itself to be a leader in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable industrialisation.”

The President described South Africa's participation at the UNGA78 as progressive as it continued to advocate for the reform of the United Nations Security Council and reiterated South Africa's support for the United Nations Secretary-General's ambition of  U$ 500 billion a year to meet the UN-driven global sustainable development goals.

On the sidelines of UNGA78, President Cyril Ramaphosa held several bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening strategic political, diplomatic, and trade ties.

These included discussions with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu; Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye, and President Emmerson Mnagangwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe. 

Another highlight of the President's Working Visit to the United States was the joint announcement by the South African and United States governments of South Africa's hosting of the 20th US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum,  (AGOA Forum) in Johannesburg from 2 to 4 November 2023.

President Ramaphosa welcomed this development as an expression of South Africa's intention to remain part, beyond 2025, of the trade partnership enabled by the United States' Africa Growth and Opportunity Act.

This trade relationship carries mutual benefit for South Africa and the United States, as part of the broader cordial and strong relations between the two countries.

In his assessment of UNGA78 President Ramaphosa said: “The United Nations General Assembly is an important and strategic platform for South Africa, where we are able to interact at a high level multilaterally and bilaterally. 

“We have engaged in meaningful discussions that will contribute to the development of our country and our continent. I go home with my spirits lifted and enthused that the challenges we face will be resolved as we continue working with our social partners and business at home, and our trade and diplomatic partners globally." 

The President was accompanied by a delegation of Ministers that included the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy; Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla; Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and Minister in The Presidency for Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

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Cybersecurity Summit Heads to Johannesburg

Location: News
IT News Africa

In a digital landscape fraught with cyber threats, the imperative for updated cybersecurity strategies in public institutions has never been more pressing. Recent high-profile cyber incidents, such as the ransomware attacks targeting key South African entities including the City of Johannesburg (https://apo-opa.info/3LvDAnI), Transnet (https://apo-opa.info/3Lwf1r3), and the Department of Justice (https://apo-opa.info/44Yl6U6), have underscored the vulnerability of public sector organizations and State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to the relentless pursuits of hackers and cyber criminals. To address this critical issue head-on, the stage is set for the upcoming Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2023 (https://apo-opa.info/3rc4GK1) (#PubliSec2023), scheduled for October 3rd in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Download the document: https://apo-opa.info/3t0Z7hY

Interpol's African Cyberthreat Assessment Report for 2021 (https://apo-opa.info/3t0Z7hY) cast a stark light on the situation, revealing that cyber attacks exact a staggering R2.2 billion toll on South Africa annually. Further compounding this statistic, an insightful report by Accenture on digital safety (https://apo-opa.info/3ZoGVuB) divulged that South Africa contends with an average of approximately 577 malware attacks per hour.

The significance of the cyber threat is neither localized nor restricted. The African Union encountered a crippling cyber onslaught (https://apo-opa.info/3rnX4Eb) earlier this year, resulting in the paralysis of its systems and rendering employees bereft of access to both work emails and the broader internet. Meanwhile, efforts to disrupt the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) (https://apo-opa.info/46iSXIo) and the country's major financial institutions were thwarted by Ethiopian authorities in 2022. Shumete Gizaw, the director-general of the Ethiopian Information Network Security Agency (INSA), underscored the gravity of the situation, revealing that a staggering 37,000 interlinked computers used by financial institutions had been targeted in the failed cyber attacks.

In the wake of this alarming surge of cyber incursions on public sector domains, the clarion call for proactive cybersecurity strategies has become resonant. Government departments, agencies, and State Owned Enterprises must now recalibrate their cybersecurity outlooks and undertake substantial investments in infrastructure, skills development, and cutting-edge technology. These proactive measures will be pivotal in not only mitigating existing vulnerabilities but also in erecting robust barriers against potential future attacks.

The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2023 (https://apo-opa.info/3rc4GK1) offers a rallying platform for stakeholders invested in safeguarding public sector interests against the escalating tide of cyber threats. By participating in this significant event, attendees will gain exposure to the latest insights, best practices, and case studies that collectively form the bedrock of effective cybersecurity measures. The summit also presents an invaluable networking opportunity, where attendees can connect with peers and solution providers to exchange perspectives, challenges, and innovative strategies.

To register for the summit and secure your seat among the vanguard of cybersecurity resilience, visit https://apo-opa.info/3rc4GK1. 

For organizations aiming to amplify their participation and engagement in this pivotal cybersecurity discourse, sponsorship opportunities are available. To explore these avenues further, download the summit brochure at https://apo-opa.info/3rc4GK1. The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2023 is a watershed moment in fortifying the digital defenses of government entities and State Owned Enterprises. The journey towards cyber resilience begins here.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of IT News Africa.

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African solidarity key to future pandemic preparedness

Location: News

African solidarity key to future pandemic preparedness

Africa’s pandemic prevention, preparedness and response should be characterised by unity, solidarity and coherence between countries as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who was addressing the Uniting Behind a Common Africa Position on Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR) Summit on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

“In the same way as we responded to COVID-19, Africa’s pandemic prevention, preparedness and response efforts should be defined by unity, solidarity and coherence. As far as I know, we in Africa are possibly the only continent that succeeded and managed to develop a clear strategy on how to respond to COVID-19. A well-articulated strategy, well developed strategy that enabled our continent, in more ways than one, to navigate its way through COVID-19.

“Likewise, Africa should set its own agenda to fit into the global plans. Africa is justified in wanting to have self-reliance in pandemic prevention, pandemic preparedness and response, or PPPR. Africa experiences over 100 infectious disease that have broken out quite often in a year, most of which we manage to contain,” he said.

Leaning further into Africa’s response to COVID-19, President Ramaphosa reminded those gathered at the PPPR Summit about the strides the continent made during the height of the pandemic.

“During COVID-19, Africa emerged as a leader in genomic surveillance. On two occasions, we were the first to alert the world to new COVID-19 variants. 

“The relative success of Africa’s COVID-19 Response Strategy should be studied and documented. We need to understand the effect of factors such as the high degree of cross-border cooperation, local expertise, the relatively young population and the impact of partnerships. These learnings can form the basis of an informed, proactive strategy.

“Together, we built a solid foundation for PPPR…by strengthening our public health institutions. We initiated a pharmaceutical manufacturing strategy, established a model for continent-wide pooled procurement and exposed African products to the global market through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform.

“If ever there was a moment when our continent really showed positive signs of integration in practical terms, going just beyond talking about integration, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that a combination of climate change and the increased movement of people has caused an increase in the frequency of outbreaks worldwide – making the need for pandemic preparedness a pressing matter.

“This means preparation is urgent and will not wait for us to make up our minds at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body. 

“It is for this reason that we support the establishment of an interim medical countermeasures coordination mechanism. However, it must correct the mistakes of ACT-A [Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator] and be founded on a firm principle of accountability and fair governance characterised by a partnership of equals. 

“We support the WHO consultative process towards establishing this mechanism and that it should align with the determinations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body,” he said.

Building preparedness capacity

President Ramaphosa said the continent now has a “window of opportunity to maintain political will and investor interest to drive significant investments towards developing regional PPPR capacity”.

He added that this will require focus on critical areas:

“Firstly, we need strong, sustainable, digitally-empowered primary health care systems and we need community-responsive national public health institutes. Because outbreaks happen at the community level, information must travel faster than the pathogen. Health services must be able to reach vulnerable groups on our continent, including those in conflict settings. Secondly, we need real-time surveillance and good cross-border cooperation.

“Thirdly, we need a capable and fit-for-purpose workforce. We need to urgently establish the health workforce task team to operationalise health workforce development. With such a large young population, Africa can be the hub of health workforce production to close the global health workforce shortage.

“Fourthly, we need equitable access to medical countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, through local manufacturing and functional last-mile delivery of goods and services. Fifthly, we need predictable financing for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response systems,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said Africa needs to speak with a “unified voice” but further emphasised that that voice must having a stronger say international fora.

“As we build our regional capacity, we must also position ourselves prominently in the global PPPR negotiations. We need a unified voice as well as demonstrate that we have common positions to advance the interests of our continent but more particularly, the people who live on our beloved continent Africa. 

“Africa needs to be well represented in key global fora, like the World Health Organisation’s consultative process towards an interim medical countermeasures coordination mechanism, the G20 as part of the AU’s new membership, the G7 MCM Delivery Partnership and the informal Johannesburg process,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Tue, 09/19/2023 - 10:27

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Read moreAfrican solidarity key to future pandemic preparedness

World leaders called to champion women, children health agenda

Location: News

World leaders called to champion women, children health agenda

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Heads of State and Government to join the Global Leaders Network to champion the women, children and adolescent health agenda. 

The President was addressing the High Level Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) event on Monday at the UNICEF headquarters in New York, USA. 

“As Heads of State, we can provide leadership and inspire ambitious action. We have the convening power to mobilise our peers and advance policies, programmes and financing initiatives for improved outcomes.

“As part of our agenda, we must challenge the disregard in many communities and countries for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The President spent the first and second day of his working visit to the United States - for the 78th United Nations General Assembly - discussing sustainable development goals and investments in South Africa. 

On Sunday, President Ramaphosa held a bilateral meeting with Professor Klaus Schwab, CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), to discuss South Africa’s participation at WEF and the progress the country is making on the reforms aimed at advancing inclusive economic growth. 

The President also met with United States Congressman, Gregory Meeks. Both President Ramaphosa and Congressman Meeks acknowledged the need for greater cooperation between the US and South Africa in tackling global issues that are impacting the African continent, primarily, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Africa. 

“Congressman Meeks welcomed the briefing on the conclusion of the investigation into the docking of the LadyR vessel in Simmons Town, South Africa, and expressed his commitment to contributing to the strengthening of US-Africa diplomatic and trade relations, and to attending the AGOA forum in South Africa later this year,” the Presidency said. 

President Ramaphosa concluded his first day of engagements with a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

The two leaders discussed developments related to the reform of the international financial architecture and other initiatives in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the reform of the United Nations Security Council. The Secretary General commended South Africa for its important role in advancing these efforts.  

The President also delivered remarks at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, where he joined the call to address the fundamental development challenges that have long characterised an unequal world. 

“The President emphasised the need for targeted investment, technology transfer and capacity building support especially in key areas such as industralisation, infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, education and health. The President further underscored the requirement for sustained financial support, including supportive trade policies from the international community,” the Presidency said. 

Later on Monday, President Ramaphosa led the business roundtable discussions with the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Africa Business Center. 

President Ramaphosa used the occasion to position South Africa’s economic reform agenda, which is focused on expanding industrial capacity as an opportunity for more US investment that can leverage off the demonstrated manufacturing base of South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Tue, 09/19/2023 - 12:01

117 views
Read moreWorld leaders called to champion women, children health agenda