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Category: ENVIRONMENT

  • G7 Pledges to Accelerate SDGs, Transition from Fossil Fuels This Decade

    G7 Pledges to Accelerate SDGs, Transition from Fossil Fuels This Decade

    The Group of 7 (G7) leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, with the EU, have wrapped up a three-day summit, united in their “steadfast commitment” to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They pledged to redouble their efforts to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, including by transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems in this decade.

    The G7 Leaders’ Summit took place in Apulia, Italy, from 13-15 June 2024.

    The 36-page Apulia G7 Leaders’ Communiqué reiterates the Group’s “enduring unity and determination to meet global challenges… as the international community confronts multiple interconnected crises.” It reaffirms the leaders’ “shared belief in democratic principles and free societies, universal human rights, social progress, and respect for multilateralism and the rule of law.

    ” The document further signals the leaders’ intention to support more effective, inclusive, and equitable global governance and to safeguard international peace and security while upholding “the free and open rules-based international order.”

    The leaders recognize that in the context of achieving the SDGs, “reducing poverty and tackling global challenges go hand in hand.” They indicate they are “doing [their] part” to make multilateral development banks (MDBs) better, bigger, and more effective, with the World Bank boosting its lending by USD 70 billion over the next ten years.

    According to the communiqué, the leaders are taking steps to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, including by submitting ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs), aligned with the 1.5°C temperature goal. They pledge to “spearhead global efforts to preserve forests and oceans, and to end plastic pollution.”

    With respect to energy, climate and environment, the communiqué states the G7 “will transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly, and equitable manner, accelerating actions in this critical decade, to achieve net-zero by 2050 in keeping with the best available science.

    ” The leaders “will operationalize these commitments” through domestic policies and actions and through “intensive efforts to reduce demand for and use of fossil fuels.” They “reaffirm [their] commitment to eliminate inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 or sooner and will report in 2025 on progress made.”

    At the same time, the leaders reaffirm that the transition to a net-zero economy “should be inclusive and leave no one behind,” enhance social development and economic growth, maximize benefits for local economies, and address “negative social or economic impacts that may arise from climate action.”

    Other commitments articulated in the leaders’ communiqué span the areas of sustainable development, food security, infrastructure, labor and employment, health, gender equality, inclusion and disability, and migration. Global economy and finance; trade; science, technology, and innovation (STI); artificial intelligence (AI); and cybersecurity are also among the issues addressed.

    The communiqué further discusses fostering partnerships with African countries and regional issues, including in relation to Ukraine and Gaza. Other areas of focus include disarmament and non-proliferation, safeguarding democratic processes, and anti-corruption, as well as countering terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational organized crime.

    The G7 leaders launched several initiatives, including the Apulia Food Systems Initiative (AFSI), the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative, the G7 Coalition to Prevent and Counter the Smuggling of Migrants, and the G7 Working Group on Transport Supply Chains.

    Other announcements made include:

    The leaders will unlock at least USD 20 billion over three years in investments to boost women’s empowerment.
    The leaders intend to launch “an action plan on the use of AI in the world of work and develop a brand to support the implementation of the International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI Systems,” welcoming the Italian Presidency’s decision to establish the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

    The leaders commit to establishing a G7 Working Group on Fusion Energy.

    The G7 leaders were joined by the leaders from Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritania, Tunisia, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission represented the EU. [G7 Italia 2024] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on G7 Hiroshima 2023]

    SOURCE

    SDG KNOWLEDGE HUB 

  • World’s oldest termite mounds discovered in South Africa – and they’ve been storing precious carbon for thousands of years

    World’s oldest termite mounds discovered in South Africa – and they’ve been storing precious carbon for thousands of years

    First Published June,16,The Conversation

    The landscape along the Buffels River in South Africa’s Namaqualand region is dotted with thousands of sandy mounds that occupy about 20% of the surface area. These heuweltjies, as the locals call them (the word means “little hills” in Afrikaans), are termite mounds, inhabited by an underground network of tunnels and nests of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator.

    I’m part of a group of earth scientists who, in 2021, set out to study why the groundwater in the area, around 530km from Cape Town, is saline. The groundwater salinity seemed to be specifically related to the location of these heuweltjies.

    We used radiocarbon dating; dating the mounds, we reasoned, would allow us to see when minerals that were stored in the mounds were flushed to the groundwater.

    The tests revealed far more than we expected: Namaqualand’s heuweltjies, it turns out, are the world’s oldest inhabited termite mounds.

    Some date as far back as between 34,000 and 13,000 years. The oldest previously known inhabited mounds were 4,000 years old (from a different termite species from Brazil) and 2,300 years old (from central Congo).

    This is more than just an interesting scientific find or historical curiosity. It offers a window into what our planet looked like tens of thousands of years ago, providing a living archive of environmental conditions that shaped our world.

    It is also hugely important today: there is growing evidence that termites have a substantial, but still poorly understood, role in the carbon cycle. By studying these and other termite mounds, scientists can gain a better understanding of how to sequester (store) carbon. This process removes CO₂ from the atmosphere and is vital for mitigating climate change.

    Carbon storage

    Namaqualand is a global biodiversity hotspot renowned for its spring flowers, but it is a dry area. Surface water is in short supply and the groundwater is saline.

    Although most of Namaqualand receives very little rainfall, there are rare, high intensity rainfall events. When these do occur, the termite burrows on the mound surfaces serve as water flow paths that can harvest rain and channel water into the mound.

    This causes the salts that built up in the mounds over thousands of years to be flushed into the groundwater system via flow paths created by the tunnelling action of the termites, pushing the dissolved minerals ever deeper. This process also pushes down the carbon that slowly built up in the centre of the mounds when termites collected plant material and brought it into the mound over millennia.

    The ability of these mounds to sequester carbon is linked to the termites’ unique behaviour. The insects transport organic material – such as small sticks about 2cm long and a few millimetres wide from small woody plants – deep into the soil.

    This way, fresh stores of carbon are continuously added at depths greater than one metre. Deep storage reduces the likelihood of organic carbon being released back into the atmosphere. So the mound acts as a long-term carbon sink.

    Not only do the termites take the organic carbon material deep underground into their nests, but their tunnels also allow dissolved inorganic carbon (known as soil calcite or calcium carbonate) in the mound soil to move into the groundwater along with other soluble minerals.

    So the termite mounds also offer a mechanism to sequester carbon dioxide through dissolution and leaching of soil carbonate-bicarbonate to groundwater. This is a long term carbon storage method that carbon storage companies are trying to replicate to reduce atmospheric carbon.

    The results of our radiocarbon dating of both the organic and inorganic carbon in this soil show that the mounds have been accumulating organic matter and nutrients, including carbon, for tens of thousands of years.

    This enrichment is one of the reasons that Namaqualand’s famous wildflowers are so prominent on the mounds in spring.

    During the mounds’ formation, the region experienced more rainfall than it does today. Studying the layers of the mounds and looking at the carbon, sulphur, and oxygen isotopes preserved in the mounds and in the groundwater showed that periods of higher rainfall in the region were associated with global climate cooling.

    These cooler and wetter periods were associated with the leaching of accumulated carbon and other minerals to the groundwater.

    Tiny engineers

    These findings are further evidence that termites fully deserve their reputation as ecosystem engineers. They modify their soil surroundings to maintain ideal humidity and temperature conditions, and their foraging paths extend many tens of metres.

    We argue that, given what we’ve uncovered in Namaqualand, termite activity should be incorporated into carbon models. These primarily focus on forests and oceans; including termite mounds can help provide a more comprehensive understanding of global carbon dynamics.

    In Namaqualand, mounds occupy 27% of the total area but contribute 44 % of the total soil organic carbon stock. This highlights the disproportionate contribution termite mounds make to carbon stocks in these semi-arid environments.

    Public awareness and policy integration are key, too. Termite mounds are often cleared for agriculture or termites are considered pests.

    Raising awareness about the ecological importance of termite mounds and integrating these findings into environmental policies can help promote practices that support natural carbon sinks.

    SOURCE

    THE CONVERSATION

     

  • Small Island Nations Demand Urgent Global Action at SIDS4 Conference

    Small Island Nations Demand Urgent Global Action at SIDS4 Conference

    The once-in-a-decade SIDS Conference opened in Antigua and Barbuda today, with a clear message: the world already knows the challenges that SIDS face—now it’s time for action.

    ANTIGUA, May 27 2024 (IPS) – “This year has been the hottest in history in practically every corner of the globe, foretelling severe impacts on our ecosystems and starkly underscoring the urgency of our predicament.

    We are gathered here not merely to reiterate our challenges, but to demand and enact solutions,” declared Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Brown at the opening of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States on May 27.

    The world’s 39 small island developing states are meeting on the Caribbean island this week. It is a pivotal, once-a-decade meeting for small states that contribute little to global warming, but are disproportionately impacted by climate change. The Caribbean leader reminded the world that SIDS are being forced to survive crises that they did not create.

    “The scales of equity and justice are unevenly balanced against us. The large-scale polluters whose CO2 emissions have fuelled these catastrophic climate changes bear a responsibility—an obligation of compensation to aid in our quest to build resilience,” he said.

    “The Global North must honor its commitments, including the pivotal pledge of one hundred billion dollars in climate financing to assist with adaptation and mitigation as well as the effective capitalization and operationalization of the loss and damage fund. These are imperative investments in humanity, in justice, and in the equitable future of humanity.”

    Urgent Support Needed from the International Community

    United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the gathering that the previous ten years have presented significant challenges to SIDS and hindered development. These include extreme weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He says SIDS, islands that are “exceptionally beautiful, exceptionally resilient, but exceptionally vulnerable,” need urgent support from the international community, led by the nations that are both responsible for the challenges they face and have the capacity to deal with them.

    “The idea that an entire island state could become collateral damage for profiteering by the fossil fuel industry, or competition between major economies, is simply obscene,” the Secretary General said, adding, “Small Island Developing States have every right and reason to insist that developed economies fulfill their pledge to double adaptation financing by 2025. And we must hold them to this commitment as a bare minimum.

    Many SIDS desperately need adaptation measures to protect agriculture, fisheries, water resources and infrastructure from extreme climate impacts you did virtually nothing to create.”

    Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS)

    The theme for SIDS4 is Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity and the small islands have been praised for collective action in the face of crippling crises. Their voices were crucial to the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement.

    Out of this conference will come the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS). President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, says that programme of action will guide SIDS on a path to resilience and prosperity for the next decade.

    “ The next ten years will be critical in making sustained concrete progress on the SIDS agenda – and we must make full use of this opportunity to supercharge our efforts around sustainability,” he said.

    The SIDS4 conference grounds in Antigua and Barbuda will be a flurry of activity over the next four days. Apart from plenaries, there are over 170 side events hosted by youth, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and universities, covering a range of issues from renewable energy to climate financing.

    They have been reminded by Prime Minister Gaston Browne that this is a crucial juncture in the history of small island developing states, where “actions, or failure to act, will dictate the fate of SIDS and the legacy left for future generations.”

    IPS UN Bureau Report

  • CIBAFI Introduces Innovative GHG Measurement Tool to Advance Climate Action in Islamic Finance

    The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI), the global umbrella of Islamic financial institutions, on May 21 st, successfully conducted a webinar titled “Unveiling the CIBAFI Greenhouse Gas Measurement Tool to Strengthen the Contribution of Islamic Financial Institutions to Climate Action”.

    Experts in climate action and Islamic finance discussed the crucial role of Islamic banks in advancing climate initiatives.

    This initiative aligns with the declaration made by the Islamic Finance Infrastructure Organizations during COP28 and CIBAFI’s commitment to sustainability. The webinar introduced a groundbreaking Greenhouse Gas Measurement Tool for Islamic banks.

    This tool helps banks assess the environmental impact of their investment portfolios, marking a significant step in CIBAFI’s environmental responsibility efforts.

    The webinar was inaugurated with welcoming remarks from Dr. Abdelilah Belatik, Secretary General of CIBAFI. Dr. Belatik underscored CIBAFI’s commitment to supporting Islamic banks by introducing this groundbreaking tool aimed at addressing climate change and promoting sustainability within the industry.

    He emphasized the potential benefits of this tool, expressing hope that Islamic banks will leverage it to enhance their operations and achieve greater sustainability outcomes.

    After the opening remarks by the Secretary General, Mr. Rachid Ettaai, Business Development Manager at CIBAFI, introduced the CIBAFI GHG Emissions Measurement Tool within the context of Islamic finance.

    Following this introduction, a panel session commenced featuring Mr. Peter Casey, Consultant from the UK; Mr. Noman Ali, Managing Director of Financial Controller ESG and Sustainable Finance at HSBC Group in the UAE; Dr. Wael Mohamed Aaminou, Managing Partner at Green for South in Canada; and Mrs. Sunita Devi, Senior Sustainability Manager at Frencken Group Limited in Malaysia.

    The speakers explored the integration of sustainability into Islamic banking, emphasizing collaborative efforts and adherence to global standards for managing climate risks. Additionally, they shared strategies for seamlessly implementing the GHG tool.

    CIBAFI remains dedicated to sustainability and climate action, supporting the Islamic financial services industry through dialogues on emerging issues and representation at global financial events.

     

     

     

  • Driving socio-economic transformation through technology: The young startup changing the face of Uganda’s automotive industry

    Driving socio-economic transformation through technology: The young startup changing the face of Uganda’s automotive industry

    KAMPALA, Uganda, May 14, 2024/ — In recent years, Uganda has witnessed a wave of technological innovation. In a country where access to traditional infrastructure and services can be limited, technology is emerging as a powerful catalyst for change, offering solutions to longstanding socio-economic issues.

    GITEX AFRICA, the continent’s largest tech and start-up event, taking place in Marrakech, Morocco from 29 – 31 May, will host a successful Ugandan startup that is proving that technology, along with a visionary mindset, is the perfect formula to meet the challenges facing the country’s automotive industry.

    AutoFore (https://apo-opa.co/3K5OhME) is a leading automotive aftersales support platform, aimed at supporting the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly automotive businesses, while providing decent employment opportunities.

    With a stated aim of transforming mobility in Africa through technology and skilled labour, AutoFore’s innovative solutions are reshaping the industry.

    One of the company’s flagship initiatives, Auto4, an online platform connecting car owners with automotive vendors, exemplifies the transformative potential of technology in addressing local challenges.

    Inspired by a lack of reliable spare parts, service centres, and technical support for used imported vehicles in Uganda, Auto4 streamlines the process of sourcing quality replacement parts and accessing dependable auto repair centres, thus ensuring efficient and safe vehicle maintenance.

    “Launching AutoFore in Uganda was informed by several factors. Firstly, Uganda’s automotive market presented a significant opportunity for innovation and improvement, particularly given the high percentage of used imported vehicles and the challenges associated with maintaining them.

    Secondly, as a local startup, we were passionate about making a positive impact in our community and contributing to the development of sustainable automotive businesses that provide meaningful employment opportunities,” said AutoFore CEO and Founder, Agatha Nambuya.

    As AutoFore gears up to participate for the first time as an exhibitor at GITEX AFRICA, their expectations are high.

    “In addition to showcasing our flagship product, Auto4, we’re looking forward to connecting with stakeholders within the African tech ecosystem, and exploring opportunities for growth, expansion, and collaboration.

    We’re excited about the potential of the event to accelerate our business and contribute to the advancement of the African automotive industry,” added Nambuya.

    Looking ahead, Uganda’s startup scene offers opportunities across various sectors, with immense potential to build on its 2022 total funding of almost US$25.76 million (https://apo-opa.co/3wC0PIF).

    Trends such as technology adoption, fintech innovation, e-commerce expansion, renewable energy, and healthcare advancement present fertile ground for entrepreneurs to make a meaningful impact.

    In addition, not only is AutoFore offering technology-driven solutions and fostering sustainability; it is also creating employment opportunities within the automotive sector.

    “We’re proud of the fact that our platform creates opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship within the industry,” said Nambuya. “We are currently working with 200 vendors and over 1,000 mechanics.

    By connecting car owners with local service centres and vendors, we support the growth of small businesses and create jobs for mechanics, technicians, and other automotive professionals. This not only contributes to economic development but also fosters skills development and capacity building within the local community.”

    However, navigating funding and investment opportunities remains a daunting challenge for startups in Uganda. Limited access to capital and a lack of investor awareness about the potential of startups hinder the growth and scalability of innovative ventures.

    AutoFore’s journey underscores the importance of networking, pitching, and relationship building in securing funding and overcoming these obstacles.

    Having a presence at GITEX AFRICA, the continent’s largest showcase of startups, with exposure to the most influential players and investors in the global startup ecosystem, is invaluable.

    Bolstering Uganda’s presence at GITEX AFRICA 2024 even further, and demonstrating the esteem in which the country’s technological progress is held, is the country’s Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero Masanza, who will be speaking at the GITEX AFRICA Digital Summit.

    Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, GITEX AFRICA is held under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, supported by the Ministry of Health & Social Protection, and hosted by the Digital Development Agency. The 2nd blockbuster edition, organised by KAOUN International, follows its pioneering debut in 2023.

    More information is available at www.GITEXAFRICA.com.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

    Media Contact:
    Tayce Marchesi
    PR Executive
    Tel.: + 971 58 552 3994
    Tayce.Marchesi@dwtc.com

     

  • AIM Startup and Unicorns Track: Insights and Innovation Take Center Stage at 2024 AIM Congress

    AIM Startup and Unicorns Track: Insights and Innovation Take Center Stage at 2024 AIM Congress

    Abu Dhabi, 9th May, 2024: The 2024 AIM Congress, held at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi from May 7 to May 9, showcased a dynamic exchange of visionary ideas and strategic insights during the AIM Startup and Unicorns Track sessions. These sessions, featuring esteemed moderators and panelists, unveiled groundbreaking perspectives and transformative opportunities across various industries.

     Middle East Unicorns Conclave: Unicorns and Mobility Industry

    Moderated by Mohamed Nagaty, the session illuminated the evolving landscape of unicorns and the mobility industry, with Mohamed Ezzat of Tech Logistics (Bosta), Salman bin Mohammed Al Suhaibaney of Morni, Maan Khalid Eshagi of Professional Wealth Management Venture Capital, and Faisal Hilal, CEO of Ahlan, sharing their expertise.

    “Becoming a champion in your own market is essential; smaller markets offer less competition and significant benefits. However, thorough financial analysis is imperative,” said Faisal Hilal, CEO of Ahlan.

     Korea Unicorn Investment Conclave: The Relationship Between Big Tech Cities and the Emergence of New Unicorns

    Under the moderation of Rachel Cho, the session explored the vibrant investment landscape in Korea, featuring insights from Dr. Kiho Park of LB Investment, Dr. Kim of Invest Korea, Kyungsoo Noh of Seadronix, and Jinkyung Kim of Big Value.

    “Founders are the most critical factor in the success of ventures. Strategic partnerships and a long-term vision are essential for sustainable growth,” said Kiho Park, CEO of LB Investment.

     China Unicorns: Electric Vehicles and Energy Transformation

    Moderated by Aly Ramji, the session delved into the transformative potential of electric vehicles and energy in China, with insights from Sean He, Founder of Silicon Harbor.

    “As investors, we must prioritize sustainability in our decisions. China’s commitment to environmental concerns underscores the importance of adopting technologies that reduce pollution and promote sustainability,” Sean He, Founder of Silicon Harbor.

    These sessions epitomize the AIM Congress’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration on a global scale, empowering attendees with actionable strategies to navigate an ever-evolving business landscape.

    AIM Congress 2024 is hosting more than 150 high-level dignitaries, with 900+ speakers and over 12,000 participants from 175 countries around the world participating. AIM Congress has also organized 27 joint events in cooperation with over 330+ local, international, and global partners.

  • 2024 AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi Sparks Conversation on Investment, with Focus on Asia and Europe

    2024 AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi Sparks Conversation on Investment, with Focus on Asia and Europe

    Abu Dhabi, 9th May, 2024:: The 2024 AIM Congress, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from May 7 to May 9 saw an huge convergence of industry leaders, policymakers, and visionaries.

    The  Congress sessions were held under the Investment Track, Regional Focus Forum Track,and Investment Destination Track, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and innovative solutions to global challenges.

    Investment Track

    The “Leader’s Panel: Geopolitical Tensions 2024: New Challenges and New FDI Destinations” session brought together speakers who discussed the landscape of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Participants underscored the significance of attracting new FDI to diverse global destinations amidst intensifying competition. Ms Biviana Riveiro Disla, Executive Director of the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic, highlighted her country’s streamlined investment process and strategic focus on sectors like AI and technology.

    Mr Daniel Silverman, Vice President of FDI in Quebec, addressed challenges facing FDI in the region, particularly in energy privatization, emphasizing the competitive dynamics with neighboring markets. Ms Ibtisam Al Farooji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Investment Promotion in Oman, emphasized the Sultanate’s commitment to attracting investment, leveraging its strategic location and natural resources to emerge as a leading global destination.

    Mr Raymond Siva, Head of Digital Investment at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, emphasized the importance of digital talent and infrastructure in fostering investment safety and growth in Malaysia.

    During the ‘Fireside Chat’ on FDIs in UAE, Mr Massimo Falcioni, Chief Competitiveness Officer of Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), highlighted the UAE’s innovative approach to challenges, transforming them into opportunities to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

    He underscored the UAE’s standing as a premier destination for foreign investors seeking a stable environment and a thriving economy, attributing this to the clear growth and diversification strategy set by the UAE’s president, coupled with efforts in trade agreements and infrastructure development. He emphasized the importance of infrastructure, local demand, and export opportunities, alongside geopolitical stability, as key factors in attracting FDIs.

    He also stressed the significance of talent, entrepreneurship, and education as a formula for success in the country.

    The session titled “Unlocking the Power of Sustainable Investment” delved into current trends to spur economic growth and attract investors. Speakers Ms Aziza Shaat, Economic and Trade Advisor at the Dutch Embassy in Egypt, and Dr. Pallavi Kishore, Head of Accounting and Finance at Middlesex University Dubai, highlighted that countries with robust economies are magnets for FDI inflows. Dr. Kishore noted that despite the FDI decline in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, emerging markets in the MENA region, particularly the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, continue to attract investments.

    Ms Shaat identified challenges such as the lack of ease of doing business and bureaucratic hurdles. However, participants expressed optimism about the future of FDI in the Middle East and Africa.

    The session “Leveraging FDI for Climate Change Mitigation” addressed the importance of sustainable investments in developing countries. Speakers Ms Marianna Bulbuc, CEO of Bizzmosis Group; Mr Marwan Alichla, Head of Investment Promotion at Sharjah FDI office; Mr Paul Holthus, Founding President of World Ocean Council; and Mr Zakaria Farahat, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policy of Morocco, highlighted the role of FDI in supporting climate goals in developing countries.

    Alichla discussed Sharjah’s strategy aligned with the UAE’s national agenda, emphasizing sustainability and advanced manufacturing. He noted Sharjah’s strategic location and its success in attracting FDI, resulting in job creation. Bulbuc praised the UAE’s model of collaboration between the public and private sectors in attracting FDIs.

    Regional Focus Forum Track

    The session titled “Korean International Economic Policy towards the Middle East,” presented by the Korean Institute for International Policy (KIEP). Mr Munsu Kang, a Fellow Doctor at KIEP, outlined the institute’s core objective of contributing to effective international economic policies for South Korea. KIEP has been instrumental in shaping and executing South Korea’s international economic strategies.

    The discussion highlighted the significant impact of global trends such as escalating competition between the US and China, protectionism, digital transformation, and regional conflicts on shaping KIEP’s medium- and long-term trade policy directions. Amidst these trends, alliances among middle power countries in the Global South are gaining importance. The session also examined the composition of trade between Korea and the Middle East.

    Looking towards future cooperation, the session emphasized energy transition as essential for the post-oil era, with hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (CS), and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chains emerging as key areas in the energy sector.

    The Korea-GCC Free Trade Agreement aims to open the service market, fostering economic diversification. Cooperation in digital payments, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, smart factories, entertainment, and gaming sectors was also proposed as areas of focus.

    Later, the session “Unlocking Asia’s Potential: Harmonizing Sustainability and Advancing Technology for Economic Development” featured an esteemed panel of speakers. Among these were Renuka Weerakone, Director General, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka; MsEvariste M. Cagatan, Executive Director, Advisor Embassy Investment Promotion, Philippine Board of Investments; Mr Wirat Tatsaringkansakul, Deputy Secretary General, Board of Investment Thailand; Mr V. Enkhbaatar, Director General Advisor, Embassy Investment and Trade Agency of Mongolia; and Mr Raymond Siva, Head of Digital Investment, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.

    Jonathan Wong, Chief of Innovation, Enterprise, and Investment in the Trade and Investment and Innovation Division at United Nations ESCAP, emphasized the criticality of addressing the SDG investment gap and highlighted Asia-Pacific’s attractiveness for investment due to its resilient economies and abundant opportunities.

    The panel discussed various topics including effective positioning of countries in Asia-Pacific as attractive destinations for sustainable development investments, compelling messaging for investors, challenges in attracting sustainable investments, fostering an enabling environment for sustainable FDI, and enhancing regional cooperation.

    Ms Weerakone discussed Sri Lanka’s commitment to renewable energy generation and its focus on infrastructure development and gender equality. Ms Cagatan outlined the Philippines’ aspirations to become a hub for sustainable manufacturing in Southeast Asia, emphasizing renewable energy and critical mineral processing. Mr Tatsaringkansakul emphasized collaboration between the public and private sectors in Thailand to transition to renewable energy.Mr Enkhbaatar highlighted Mongolia’s rich natural resources and investor-friendly regulations. Mr Raymond Siva showcased Malaysia’s transition to a digital economy and its focus on talent accessibility and sustainability.

    Another session titled “Empowering Europe’s Future: A Strategic Investment Drive for Growth and Competitiveness” unfolded under the European Regional Focus Forum. Ms Lucie Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the UAE, emphasized the importance of leveraging crises to build resilience and competitiveness. Prof. Henrick Von Scheel and Leon Delvaux underscored the EU’s significant role as a global investment player and highlighted the immense opportunities for investment, with FDIs in the EU totaling $8 trillion.

    The panel aimed to harness skills, expertise, and resources within Europe to foster cross-border opportunities and address economic challenges for a sustainable future. The focus was on policy initiatives, resilience building, and global collaboration.

    Other paneslists included: Alexis Rostand, Managing Director, Eiffel Investment Group, who stressed her Group’s focus on sustainable investment strategies and global expansion. Mr Jean-Mari Frentz, Executive Director, Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office, highlighted Luxembourg’s attractiveness for FDI and its leadership in green finance. Dr. Joseph Gerada, Regulator, The Family Business Office – Malta, discussed Malta’s support for family businesses and succession planning. Mr Luca Lazzaroli, Director General, Portfolio Management and Monitoring, European Investment Bank, outlined the Bank’s role in financing climate projects across regions. Mr Johannes Brunner, Commercial Counsellor, Austrian Embassy to the UAE. Mr Marios Tannousis, CEO, Invest in Cyprus, discussed the significant EU-GCC trade relations, emphasized Cyprus’s focus on tech startups, R&D, and collaboration for economic development in the European market.

    Investment Destination Track

    During the Oman Investment Destination Forum, a session titled “Country and Company Presentation” provided valuable insights into investment opportunities in Oman. Moderated by Omar Al Harthi, Senior Business Development Executive at Invest Oman, the session featured presentations from Invest Oman and Asyad Group.

    Al Harthi highlighted Invest Oman’s pivotal role in Oman’s economic transformation across sectors like logistics, food security, tourism, mining, and manufacturing.

    The company is pioneering new sectors such as green cement production and boutique luxury tourism. Oman’s appealing laws and legislation, offering incentives like up to 100 percent foreign ownership and tax exemptions, make it an attractive destination for investors seeking sustainable ventures.

    Mr Yasin Al Busaidi, Business Development Director at Asyad Group, discussed the group’s focus on enhancing trading activities through streamlined import and export processes.

    The group aims to become the leading hub in the logistics sector, leveraging Oman’s robust infrastructure, including ports and roads. The presentation highlighted the Hafeeth Rail Project, a significant initiative connecting Oman’s Sohar Port with the UAE rail network, fostering regional integration and economic growth.

  • Re-designing the African Rural Built Environment for Sustainability

    Re-designing the African Rural Built Environment for Sustainability

    By: Mohammed A. Abu

    The African rural built environment is where one still easily finds age-old residential buildings,mosques among others,constructed by using earthen and other forms of local materials. They constitute a somewhat near description of the contemporary day “Green Buildings” concept in their own right.

    The amazing durability of centuries-old mosques in Ghana’s northern sector including remnants of an ancient days security defense wall built with local materials to protect an ethnic kingdom from external aggression, has since attracted research interest from most especially, building engineering scientists in the African Sustainable Built Environment experts fraternity.

    The Gap

    However, an age-long big gap that is also associated with the African Rural Built Environment and which ought to be addressed today, is the conspicuous absence of a purposefully structured water, sewage and lavatory system as part of the rural residential ecosystem.

    .Bushes as place of pubic convenience

    Since time immemorial bush areas in typical African rural communities, have served and continue to serve the lavatory needs of most rural dwellers with the numerous associated inconveniences.

    Changing Socio-Economic Dynamics

    Over the last three decades, the upsurge of urbanization and transitioning of some African rural communities to peri-urban status, has come with a considerable loss of arable lands and bushes that use to serve the toilet needs of the people. Thus, the call for re-designing of the African  Built Environment to ensure  sustainability  in our cities must equally be extended to the rural Built Environments as well.

     Two Like-minded Pals take Affirmative Action

    It is therefore against this background that the efforts of two gentlemen, one from the US, Doc Reiss and Taouvik Boukari, from the West African nation of Togo as their modest contribution towards stemming the tide, cannot escape the lenses of your favourite, Eco-Enviro News, Africa magazine.

    How it all Started 

    “Gosh, it has been about ten years now since it all started.  There is a website, “Interpals,” (internet penpals) where I met first met Tao.  It is for people who want to practice language and exchange culture” recounts, Doc Reiss Consultant for Dignity Toilets,Togo,on how he first met Taouvik Aboukari online.

    “Back then, Tao was making less than a dollar a day.  Even then I never heard him complain. He was always positive, always upbeat. He showed kindness and compassion in his character by his actions.

    “A ship carrying refugees from Liberia went down and all were lost.  Tao and his friends went to the beach and spread flowers and prayers on the water so their souls would know that someone cared.

    “There were two families in his village who had no food for their children.  Tao and a friend went out and got day jobs for two days and bought them food.

    “One day out of nowhere Tao complained, “I get so tired of going to the bushes.”  I asked what he meant.  He told me his village had no water, no sewer, and no toilets in the houses so people had to go the fields to go to the bathroom.

    ” I asked why he couldn’t use a latrine.

    “The village was prone to flooding and people had gone to the fields for generations”Tao responded..

    “I asked about a self-composting toilet.  Tao had never heard of one before.

    “We each agreed to do research”Doc Reiss recounts.

    “I found a plastic one for $1100 but it would take shipping as well and there was no way I could afford that”Doc Reiss recounts..

    Concrete Toilet the Starting Point

    Tao located plans that the Togolese government had developed for one made of concrete.  We built that. Then a neighbor asked how they could get a toilet like Tao’s.  Tao’s toilet was way overbuilt; six-inch vent pipes, heavy hinged steel doors on the back, cement roof.  So we trimmed the details a bit to make it easier to build and less expensive.

    “I said we needed the neighbor to contribute 20% so they had a sense of ownership and we built #2. Soon we had a third. And when Tao came out of his door one morning around 5 a.m. and found people waiting for him, we started a waiting list for the toilets.  We capped it at 24 families.

    “In two years we had brought on three workers and had made eight toilets.  I was calling the project, “Toilets for Togo.”  People would hear the title and giggle at the alliteration.

    Dignity Toilet in Rural Togo

    How the Toilet got it’s  name, “Dignity”?

    “One day I asked Tao what having a toilet had done for his family.  He replied, “It has brought us dignity.”  When I changed the name to “Dignity Toilets for Togo” people took it seriously.

    Reaching out to Rotary Club

    “By the time we had done eight (8) we had the system down and could duplicate the design consistently.  That is when I approached my Rotary Club and asked them to take on the project.  They agreed” end of (PART ONE)

    Dignity Toilet is an innovative design that also takes into account circularity principles.Thus,it is water used efficient and takes care of water scarcity,a  natural limitation of the average African rural settings.In the extreme case rural women and children have to trek for many hours to fetch water for drinking,cooking,washing.That is not all,it also brings compost and urine fertilizer for organic farming among others .Watch out for the Part Two.

  • Africa Climate Roundtable to unify African voices on climate resilience and adaptation.

    Africa Climate Roundtable to unify African voices on climate resilience and adaptation.

    The African Risk Capacity (ARC) will be convening leading partners in Africa’s climate and food security space.in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 7-8 May 2024,according to a recent  official statement issued in Johannesburg on the 9th  April.

    Ahead of COP29, which will take place this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, the statement said, the Africa Climate Roundtable will bring together leaders from across the continent, “It is an opportunity to forge a common and decisive African voice on matters of climate resilience and adaptation”, it noted.

    Africa, the statement noted, has a clear role to play in terms of providing solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change, promote adaptation, and increase resilience, especially of vulnerable communities. In the last twelve months, it further noted, there’ve been important developments from the Conference of Parties (COP) discussions as well as the Africa Climate Summit.

    “The ground-breaking decision to establish the Loss and Damage Fund during COP 27 was a breakthrough for developing nations that are disproportionately impacted by climate change” it recounted.

    The roundtable will build on this momentum by elaborating on the Fund’s proposed framework over two days to facilitate the agreement of coordinated and cohesive climate action, promote essential conversation, and discuss innovative solutions.”

    Specifically, the roundtable will be an opportunity for stakeholders to, articulate the demand on the ground versus supply, elaborate on available opportunities, identify the challenges that stand in the way of implementation, use lessons learnt from our collective experiences, develop innovative solutions, identify potential areas of collaboration; and, mobilize additional resources.

    Expected Roundtable Participants:

    African leadership: AU organs, regional bodies (SADC, EAC, ECOWAS) and representatives from member statesman organizations, UNDRR, UNHCR, WFP, UN-Habitat, Donor partners in the climate space, Technical partners, the private sector, Youth and Civil Society Organizations.

    The African Climate Roundtable’s convening partners include: Afreximbank, African Adaptation Initiative, African Capacity Building Foundation, African Risk Capacity, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD),Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa; Global Green Growth Institute,UN Habitat and the United Nations World Food Programme(WFP).

    Distributed by IC Publications on behalf of African Risk Capacity

    Source:

    African Risk Capacity 

     

  • Ghanaian and Senegalese entrepreneurs to benefit from African Development Bank Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF) grant for green jobs in natural resources

    Ghanaian and Senegalese entrepreneurs to benefit from African Development Bank Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF) grant for green jobs in natural resources

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 8, 2024/ — The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), through its Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF) (https://apo-opa.co/3J81Cnx), has approved a $999,000 grant to support an initiative to foster green jobs for women, youth and people with disabilities.

    The Strengthening Women, Youth and People with Disabilities’ Micro-Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs (https://apo-opa.co/3U9MFqb) in Natural Resources (MicroGREEN) project aims to foster inclusive economic growth by providing up to 500 green job opportunities and business development services to marginalized groups in Ghana and Senegal.

    The target reach group includes women, youth and people with disabilities/special needs, engaged in managing natural resource sectors such as agroforestry, fisheries and biodiversity.

    The MicroGreen project, to be implemented over two years, will empower  with entrepreneurship capacities and business skills at least 1,000 youth aged 15-35 years with female youth-led (60%) , people with disabilities/special needs ( 10%) and other youth (30%) in both countries.

    By focusing on capacity building and utilizing value chain-based SME development models, the project endeavors to enhance employment creation, ensure the sustainability of micro-enterprises, and integrate beneficiaries into the economic systems.

    Implemented by Invest in Africa (www.InvestinAfrica.com), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering African SME growth and creating prosperous economies across the continent, the MicroGREEN project will leverage its expertise in market access, skills development, and access to finance to drive sustainable business growth and job creation in Ghana and Senegal.

    The African Development Bank founded the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund in 2017 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship as well as to create durable and sustainable jobs for youth on the continent. The trust fund provides grants to support the Bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (https://apo-opa.co/43RFw2b) programs and initiatives. The Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy aims to create 25 million jobs and equip 50 million youth with employable and entrepreneurial skills by 2025.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Media contact:
    Amba Mpoke-Bigg
    Communication and External Relations Department
    Email: media@afdb.org

    Technical Contact:
    Salimata SOUMARE
    Senior Natural Resources Governance Officer
    African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre
    Email: s.soumare@afdb.org