On September 23, 2024, Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), met with Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). They exchanged views on the financial cooperation between the Chinese mainland and the Macao SAR as well as other issues of mutual interest. Governor Pan noted that, Macao has successfully practiced the policy of “one country, two systems” and made remarkable achievements since its return to the motherland 25 years ago. The PBOC will continue to strengthen its financial cooperation with Macao, and support Macao’s endeavor to pursue a moderately diversified economy, promote modern financial services industry, and better integrate into China’s overall development.
Announcement on Central Bank Bill Issuance No.6 [2024]
(Open Market Operations Office, September 19, 2024)
In order to enrich the spectrum of RMB-denominated financial products with high credit ratings and improve the yield curve of RMB bonds in Hong Kong, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) is scheduled to issue the ninth batch of central bank bills in 2024 through the Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) bond tendering platform of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on September 25, 2024 (Wednesday), in accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation on Using CMU for Issuance of PBOC Bills, jointly signed by the PBOC and the HKMA.
The ninth batch of bills are 6-month (182-day) fixed-rate coupon bonds with a total issuance of RMB25 billion. The principal and interest will be paid at maturity. The bills will begin to accrue interest on September 27, 2024 and will mature on March 28, 2025, unless postponed in the event of public holidays.
The face value of each bill is RMB100. The issue will be placed by invitation for interest rate-bidding through Dutch auction.
Announcement on Open Market Operations No.189 [2024]
(Open Market Operations Office, September 23, 2024)
In order to keep liquidity adequate at a reasonable level in the banking system at quarter-end, the People’s Bank of China conducted 7-day and 14-day reverse repurchase operations in the amount of RMB160.1 billion yuan and RMB74.5 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on September 23, 2024, respectively. The rate on open market 14-day reverse repurchase operations equals that on the open market 7-day reverse repurchase operations plus 15 basis points. The details are as follows:
Skate park opened in Karelia with support from Bank “ROSSIYA”
Bank “ROSSIYA” supports projects that promote a healthy lifestyle: a modern skate park has opened in Sortavala, which will become a point of attraction for all lovers of active recreation and sports.
The skate park is located near the Serdobol Youth Center, which has been promoting the development of children and youth for many years with the support of Bank ROSSIYA. Multifunctional areas for athletes of different levels of training and space, simulating street skating, have been created on 2,000 square meters.
The structure consists of inclined side and radius figures. For beginner riders, there is a platform for learning basic tricks and a pump track for developing agility and endurance. Fans of amplitude tricks will enjoy a full-size funbox and a fly section – springboards for performing spectacular tricks in the air. A multifunctional double-sided ramp and an acceleration section allow you to create lines for unusual tricks and endless movement.
For all internal structural elements, moisture-resistant plywood was used as a working surface for athletes to skate on, so that weather conditions could not affect the training process.
The training will take place with a view of the largest lake in Europe – Ladoga. The sports ground has places for athletes and spectators to rest, fencing and lighting for training in the dark.
Bank “ROSSIYA” considers it important to support projects aimed at improving the health of the population, and will continue to promote the growth of sports activity among young people.
Reference:
The Serdobol Youth Center is a unique space for children and young people in Sortavala, where you can have an interesting time with friends or family, gain new useful knowledge and skills, and implement your ideas and projects.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
http://abr.ru/about/nevs/13665/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
A record number of Australians are accessing their superannuation early on compassionate grounds, mainly to fund their own medical procedures – or those of a family member.
Some 150,000 Australians have used the scheme in the last five years. Nearly 40,000 people had applications approved in 2022-23, compared to just under 30,000 in 2018-19 – an increase of 47%.
Some people think this flexible use of funds is a good way to ensure people can fund their own medical needs. But more transparency and better oversight is needed.
What are compassionate grounds?
Since July 2018, the Australian Tax Office has administered the early release of superannuation – meaning before retirement – under certain circumstances, including compassionate grounds.
modifying your home or vehicle to accommodate special needs for a severe disability
palliative care for a terminal illness
death, funeral or burial expenses
preventing foreclosure or forced sale of your home.
The medical treatment must be for a life-threatening illness or injury, or to alleviate acute or chronic pain, or acute or chronic mental illness.
The treatment cannot be “readily available” through the public system. Cosmetic procedures are excluded.
You also have to prove you cannot afford to pay part or all of the expenses without accessing your super, for example, by spending your savings, selling assets or getting a loan.
The ATO has not explained what is driving the surge. General cost-of-living pressures may play a role. People may have fewer savings to draw on for medical procedures.
But the treatments most commonly being accessed using superannuation – fertility treatments, weight loss surgeries and dental care – point to other systemic issues.
There have long been issues with IVF and dental care not being readily available or funded in the public health system.
Weight loss surgeries (including bariatric surgery) can help combat potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease. Recent research suggests there has been an overall drop in the number of Australians having bariatric surgeries since 2016. But of those, 95% are performed through the private system.
Australians are increasingly turning to their super to fund dental care, which is not covered by Medicare. Pixabay/Pexels
While early access to super can provide individuals access to critical treatment, there are issues with how compassionate grounds are defined and regulated.
For example, the meaning of “mental disturbance” is not defined.
You may not meet the criteria of having an acute or life-threatening illness, or acute or chronic pain. But if you can show a certain condition causes you acute mental disturbance, you may qualify to release your superannuation early.
People accessing their superannuation for IVF use this criterion, for example, by arguing they need to access funds to continue treatment and alleviate the acute mental distress caused by ongoing infertility issues.
Two registered medical practitioners are each required to submit a report demonstrating the treatment is needed, and one must be a specialist in the field in which the treatment is required. However, the regulations do not specify clearly that the specialist should have relevant qualifications.
In the IVF example, this means the specialist opinion can be provided by a fertility doctor rather than a mental health expert – and that person may stand to profit if they later also provide treatment.
A closed-loop system
Conflict of interest is another major issue.
There is nothing in the regulations to stop a medical practitioner – such as a dentist – being involved in all steps and then financially benefiting. They could encourage a patient to access superannuation for a treatment, write the specialist report and then also receive payment for the treatment.
Some clinics promote accessing superannuation as an option to pay for expensive treatments.
This raises important questions about the independence of the process, as well as professional ethics.
Medical practitioners making recommendations for early release of superannuation should be doing so on genuinely compassionate grounds. But the potential for exploitation remains an ethical concern, when a practitioner can financially benefit from recommending early access to nest egg funds.
Transparency around potential conflicts of interest are impossible to ensure without proper oversight.
What is needed?
1. Mandatory financial counselling
The ATO has warned accessing super early is not “free money”, with a spokesperson urging people to get financial advice. But the law should go a step further and make this compulsory. That way people making decisions during an emotionally charged moment can understand any future implications.
2. Tightening of the criteria
Greater clarity in the legislation – such as defining “mental disturbance” – would help prevent loopholes being exploited.
3. Better oversight
Less health-care industry involvement would promote greater transparency and independence. An independent body of medical practitioners could assess applications rather than practitioners who could financially benefit if applications are approved. This would help alleviate perceived and actual conflicts of interest.
Accessing superannuation early may be the only option for some people to start a family or access other life-changing medical care. But they should be able to make this decision in a fully informed way, safeguarded from exploitation and aware of the implications for their future.
Neera Bhatia receives funding from The UK Arts and Humanities Research Council for an unrelated project.
An ancient rock painting site has been discovered in the Tongtian River basin in the source area of the Yangtze River in northwest China’s Qinghai Province, according to local authorities.
The site is located on a cliff at an altitude of 4,094 meters in Chumarle County in the province’s Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The rock paintings of the site feature nomadic style of life on the grasslands in northern China, according to Jamyang Nyima, head of the Yushu research institute of history and culture.
The new discovery will provide important evidence for studying the culture at the source of the Yangtze River, Jamyang Nyima said, adding that the date of the site has not yet been determined.
So far, over 60 sites of nearly 10,000 rock paintings have been discovered in the Tongtian River basin, with the earliest dating back some 3,200 years.
The rock paintings are rich in images. In addition to human figures, there are animal images such as yaks, deer, wolves, tigers, horses and camels, as well as images of two-wheeled vehicles, among other symbols.
The City of Cape Town is playing host to the World Rugby’s WXV tournament where the Springbok Women will face off against five other nations.
The Springbok Women will kick-off the tournament on Friday, 27 September, when they go up against Japan at the DHL Stadium. Kick-off will be at 4pm.
In a statement on Saturday, the city said the DHL and Athlone Stadiums will host the matches.
“The WXV 2 tournament is part of World Rugby’s annual women’s rugby competition. It consists of three rounds over three weeks. Hosts South Africa will be joined by Japan, Australia, Wales, Scotland and Italy for the competition,” said the city.
On Saturday, 28 September, DHL Stadium will host a clash between Australia and Wales at midday followed by the clash between Italy and Scotland at 3pm at the same venue.
‘For the second year running, Cape Town is hosting this marquee World Rugby tournament, and this is testament to the Mother City’s reputation of hosting successful events. We are opening up two of Cape Town’s iconic stadiums to be the battleground for these titans of global women’s rugby.
‘We are extremely proud to be involved with a tournament that is aimed at growing the status of the women’s game, while also providing these skilled athletes with a platform to showcase their talent. I would like to urge our residents and visitors to show support to the teams by purchasing a ticket for as little as R35,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.
Round 2 of the games will take place in October with Wales facing Italy on 4October at the Athlone Stadium at 4pm and Japan versus Scotland on 5 October. The game will get underway at 2 pm.
South Africa will face Australia on 5 October at Athlone Stadium at 5pm.
Round 3 of the games will see Wales clash with Japan on 11 October at the Athlone Stadium at 4 pm.
South Africa will go against Italy at Athlone on 12 October at 2pm, followed by Australia versus Scotland on the same day at 5pm. The match will be played at Athlone Stadium.
A total of nine matches will be played between 27 September and 12 October 2024.
Tickets for the matches are available at Ticketmaster. –SAnews.gov.za
The NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will travel to New York from Monday, 23 September to Friday, 27 September 2024 to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
While in New York, Mr Stoltenberg will meet with world leaders and high-level officials.
On Monday, 23 September, the Secretary General will attend the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit.
On Tuesday, 24 September, the Secretary General will attend the Transatlantic Dinner hosted by the Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Antony J. Blinken.
On Wednesday, 25 September, the Secretary General will take part in a commemorative event on the 20th Anniversary of the NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, hosted by the Kuwait.
On Thursday, 26 September, the Secretary General will participate in a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Photographs will be available on the NATO website.
To Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S 23 September 2024 Announcement no. 80/2024
Data on debtor composition
Pursuant to S. 24 of the Capital Markets Act, we hereby publish data on debtor composition in bonds issued by Jyske Realkredit. Please find the data in the attached file.
The information will also be available on Jyske Realkredit’s web site at jyskerealkredit.com.
For further information about format of data and content of the file we refer to the web site of Nasdaq at www.nasdaqomxnordic.com.
Questions may be addressed to Christian Bech-Ravn, Head of Investor Relations, tel. (+45) 89 89 92 25.
Yours sincerely
Jyske Realkredit
Please observe that the Danish version of this announcement prevails
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has signed an agreement with the Management Company “Complex Energy Development Holding” (KER-Holding) for the production of a direct laser growing complex.
As part of long-term cooperation with KER-Holding, employees of the research laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport (NIL “LiAT” IMMiT) SPbPU restored elements of imported and domestic gas turbine engines. Some of the repaired components have already worked for 12 thousand hours. After comprehensive studies, the parts were approved for further use.
The laboratory staff demonstrated the ability to effectively solve the problems of restoring complex parts from superalloys. The developed technology significantly extends the service life of the equipment. The laboratory confirmed its reputation as a reliable partner in the field of restoring critical parts of power plants, – noted the director Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Anatoly Popovich.
As a result of fruitful cooperation, the partners chose SPbPU as a supplier of the direct laser growth installation. The sealed chamber of the technological complex is equipped with systems for creating, monitoring, maintaining and recirculating an inert atmosphere with excess pressure. The supply of equipment in the field of additive laser and welding technologies is carried out with a set of spare parts, personal protective equipment, transfer of the technological process, warranty and support.
Documentary confirmation of long-term cooperation between our laboratory and KER-Holding is very important for each employee of the department. Signing the contract for the production of a direct laser growth complex once again emphasizes the high level of trust of industrial partners in our competencies in the field of laser and additive technologies, – emphasized the head of the Scientific Research Laboratory “LiAT” of the Institute of Metallurgy and Technology of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Mikhail Kuznetsov.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
With diverse projects ranging from embryo production for animal conservation to mapping Great Barrier Reef seabirds, four Fellows will fly to the USA or Panama to embark on their respective research projects.
The Queensland Smithsonian Fellowship funds Queensland professionals to work within a Smithsonian Institution, either in the United States of America or Panama, giving them an opportunity to access sought-after expertise, collections, and facilities, and increase their knowledge and skills in their chosen field.
The latest Queensland-Smithsonian Fellows are:
Dr Lily Bentley, movement ecologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, receiving $23,000 in funding.
Dr Andres Gambini, senior lecturer in Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland, receiving $19,800 in funding.
Dr Ana Cecelia Villacorta Rath, Senior Research Officer at James Cook University, receiving $23,000 in funding.
Mr Christopher Salter, Head of Cultures & Histories at the Queensland Museum, receiving $19,800 in funding.
Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson said the Queensland Smithsonian Fellowship allows Queensland researchers to tap into the significant resources and expertise available at the world’s largest research and museum complex.
“Queensland’s program with the Smithsonian Institution is the only agreement of its kind in Australia, offering a unique opportunity for researchers to collaborate, connect and share mutually beneficial learnings in their chosen fields,” Professor Wilson said.
“I am eager to see the results of these research projects and how the knowledge and skills gained at the Smithsonian Institution can be brought back to the science ecosystem in Queensland.”
Dr Bentley’s research project aims to quantify the migratory connectivity of Queensland seabirds to improve conservation outcomes and ultimately support a healthy Great Barrier Reef.
By quantifying the known migratory connectivity of seabirds, the project will undertake a gap analysis to identify and map important but untracked species/colonies.
Dr Gambini’s research project aims to develop successful methods for producing embryos from dried sperm, with significant implications for the conservation of wild species.
Advancing assistive reproductive technologies for wild animal species is critically important for enhancing the genetic management and health of small populations.
Dr Rath’s research project aims to develop more accurate methods for assessing the health of the Great Barrier Reef. It will involve characterising bacterial communities to measure habitat health.
Outcomes of this project will improve our capacity to understand the impacts of industrial activities in the Great Barrier Reef catchments and on the reef itself through better understanding of processes such as coral bleaching.
Mr Salter’s research project aims to review and redescribe collection objects that reflect LGBTQ histories and lived experiences.
The project aims to analyse Smithsonian collection management practices, data, community engagement models and exhibition interpretation to implement a pilot program at the Queensland Museum, to determine how collections can reveal LGBTQ histories.
Since 2001, the Queensland Government has provided $1,083,801 through the Smithsonian Fellowship Fund to 60 Fellows from universities, science agencies, museums and art galleries across Queensland.
In the margins of the high-level week of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, held a series of meetings today with representatives from the innovation sector, and in particular with the CEO of Google-Alphabet group, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Motorola, Greg Brown, and the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman.
The meetings focused on global technological and IT development prospects, with particular reference to artificial intelligence, the opportunities to be seized and the risks to be prevented.
The different groups’ plans to invest in Italy were also discussed, along with initiatives that can be taken to boost Italy’s competitiveness in the most high-tech sectors, also given its strategic position in the centre of the Mediterranean, in particular by leveraging Italian excellence in higher education and research.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan arrived in Madrid, Spain yesterday and began his trip by leading a group of Hong Kong tech startups to visit the country’s innovation organisation Spain Startup.
Mr Chan met Spain Startup President Maria Benjumea and representatives from its partner IE University of Spain.
Spain Startup organises the renowned innovation and entrepreneurship event South Summit, which has been running since 2012 and brings together startups, tech talent, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Through a variety of programmes, including startup competitions, networking events, and workshops, the event offers startups opportunities to build global networks, exchange knowledge, and connect with investors. South Summit has now expanded to Brazil.
Spain Startup indicated that it is actively considering organising an Asian version of the summit.
Mr Chan said Hong Kong welcomes the event to be hosted in the city to attract startups and investors from the Mainland, particularly the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as well as the broader Asian region, adding that he will instruct relevant departments to actively follow up.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A case study of Forestry Commission and Forestry England staff on the support they’ve received to develop their careers in forestry.
Forestry is a highly rewarding career, as you, alongside other passionate people, are helping to look after something incredibly valuable. You can make a real difference to the environment, people’s enjoyment of the great outdoors, nature recovery and the green economy. The sector also offers a wide range of roles and encourages life-long learning.
Meet those across forestry making a difference and learn about the support they’ve received to develop the crucial skills needed to perform at their best.
Abi Davis, Recreation Ranger, Forestry England
Abi Davis on her mountain bike at work, Crown copyright
Abi started her career with the Forestry Commission in 2015 and over the years has taken on various roles including surveying, craftsperson and recreation support. Transitioning to a role in recreation introduced her to the exciting world of mountain biking, where she learnt alongside experienced colleagues.
As part of her role, Abi underwent ‘Cycling at Work’ training (Levels 1 and 2) with British Cycling. Over the 2 days, she honed her skills and knowledge in bike maintenance as well as her mountain biking abilities and confidence both on and off the trails.
Abi said,
A highlight was the support from one of the coaches who got me riding down a rock garden – something I didn’t think I was capable of!
Abi describes the training as invaluable. Inspecting cycle trails on her mountain bike allows her to experience them as visitors do. She can promptly identify issues with waymarking, vegetation management and trail flow. After stormy weather, she’s able to assess the trails quickly and safely for damage to enable faster reopening for visitors to enjoy.
Abi added,
Being a Recreation Ranger allows me to combine my love for the outdoors with my passion for helping others to enjoy nature, ensuring our forests are accessible and enjoyable for all.
Seeing people enjoy our forests, especially through initiatives like our off-road mobility scooters – otherwise known as ‘trampers’, is incredibly fulfilling. These scooters provide access to those who might not otherwise be able to experience the forest, and hearing how it changes their lives is truly humbling.
Tristan on a site visit for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant, Crown copyright
As a Woodland Creation Officer, Tristan provides expert advice on woodland design, site preparation and the grants available to landowners considering woodland creation.
Tristan must keep abreast of the latest guidance and forestry best practice, which led him to complete a 2-day training programme on soils and woodland resilience. The course contributed to his continued professional development and in-depth understanding of forestry. Learning about these highly technical elements means Tristan can apply his specialist knowledge to improve the standard of woodland plans put forward for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG).
The training provided an understanding of how site soil analysis can improve the results of Forest Research’s Ecological Site Classification (ESC) tool. It also gave insight into how soil analysis can inform what ground preparation and site maintenance operations are necessary ahead of planting. Tristan feels more confident in helping applicants and agents with deciding the optimal tree species to plant, to ensure the longevity and success of their tree planting scheme.
When asked what he loves most about working in forestry, Tristan said it was his involvement in the process of developing well-considered woodland creation plans and their future management.
Tristan added,
Woodlands contribute in so many ways to immediately improve social well-being, the wider environment and economy.
He feels his role is contributing towards further developments to the forestry sector and long-term sustainability of the wider rural sector in England.
As Compliance Manager, Ordel provides advice to ensure that teams adhere to legal standards, regulatory requirements and internal policies. Her role includes risk monitoring, assurance of grant processes and collaborating with grant managers.
Ordel is currently in her third year of a CMI Chartered Managers Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Cumbria.
Her degree is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and covers all aspects of business operations with a focus on taking responsibility for people, projects, operations and/or services to deliver long-term organisational success. The course has helped her to manage projects more efficiently and to effectively lead her team to deliver on the Forestry Commission’s objectives for woodland creation and management.
Ordel hasn’t always worked in forestry. Prior to her career change, she served in the Royal Navy for 23 years. This is her first degree, and she says that her line manager has been very supportive of her professional development, especially as over 20% of her working week goes towards her apprenticeship.
Her favourite part of her job is the team ethos. It was a big change for her to leave behind her military career and because of the team collaboration and support, she still feels she has that sense of community and belonging.
Ordel said,
It makes you feel valued by the organisation because they’re investing in you to get this qualification and ultimately, it’s going to benefit the organisation as well.
Katarzyna Bromek, Incentives Development Project Officer, Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission staff learning about a harvester on the ‘Forestry in a Nutshell’ course, Crown copyright
Katarzyna, otherwise known as Kasia, is an Incentives Development Project Officer who works within the Incentives Development Team. The team is responsible for supporting the operations team to develop and improve all aspects of the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).
As part of Kasia’s training, she took part in ‘Forestry in a Nutshell’, a highly sought after 2-day course offered to non-operational forestry staff acting as a crash course on forestry operations in the field.
Kasia gained valuable knowledge about different tree species and the direction that UK forestry is heading. She also learned a lot about the current forest operation policies and the ins and outs of the forester and woodland officer roles.
The course helped deepen her understanding of how the Forestry Commission operates and how her team contributes to the bigger picture. She says the course has inspired her to learn more about nature and the environment and is keen to take more forestry courses as a result.
Kasia added,
I love working for forestry and knowing that future generations will benefit from the woodland planting that I am involved in. It gives me a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. It is great to know that through my work I can contribute to addressing the climate emergency and create an environment which will be beneficial for wildlife and people.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (23 September 2024) — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and top UN officials met with the Heads of Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Group on Sunday in a joint effort to better support countries in accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The high-level dialogue, which included five Presidents and three Vice-Presidents of the major MDBs, further advances the partnership between the UN and the MDB systems. The International Monetary Fund Managing Director also attended the meeting.
MDB Heads shared with the UN leadership their reforms to become a better, bigger and more effective system with a renewed sense of urgency and determination. The Secretary-General underscored the importance of MDB reforms as part of his call to unlock greater volumes of affordable long-term resources to close the SDG financing gap.
UN and MDB leaders discussed enhancing collaboration at the country level, especially in fragile and conflict-affected countries, as well as their efforts to catalyze private sector resources towards sustainable investments.
MDBs also agreed to collaborate towards the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) next year in Seville, Spain, where public, private and civil society leaders and organizations will assess progress and chart a course forward on financing for the SDGs.
Following the working meeting, Canada, Jamaica, and Spain co-hosted an open dialogue with MDB leaders, UN Deputy Secretary-GeneralAmina J. Mohammed,and high-level UN Member State delegates.
MDB leaders highlighted their progress working as a system for greater impact and scale, the key role of concessional finance to support the poorest, and their work on financial innovation. MDBs also briefed Member States on their joint work, based on concrete deliverables outlined in the “Viewpoint Note”, a joint MDB workplan released in April 2024. These wide-ranging initiatives include scaling-up MDB financing capacity, boosting joint action on climate, and enhancing development effectiveness and impact.
MDBs also discussed how they can channel Special Drawing Rights to significantly increase financing for the SDGs, including supporting initiatives such as the G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.
Sunday’s meetings took placeagainst the backdrop ofthe Summit of the Future, a unique gathering ofworld leaders atthe UN General Assembly focused on strengthening multilateral cooperation, including on international finance, to tackle shared global challenges, including climate change, poverty and inequality.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
The following leaders attended the high-level dialogue:
Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank
Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group
Mark Bowman, Vice-President, Policy and Partnerships, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Nadia Calviño, President, European Investment Bank
Ilan Goldfajn, President, Inter-American Development Bank and Chair of MDB Group
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Zamir Iqbal, Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Islamic Development Bank
LI Junhua, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations
Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
Carlo Monticelli, Governor, Council of Europe Development Bank
Scott Morris, Vice-President, East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Asian Development Bank
Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary-General of the United Nations
Rodrigo Salvado, Director General, Operational Partnership Department, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
REO’s Electoral Information Centre Open Days to celebrate National Day open for public appointments REO’s Electoral Information Centre Open Days to celebrate National Day open for public appointments ******************************************************************************************
To celebrate with members of the public the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Electoral Information Centre (EIC) of the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) (address: 7/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon) will hold National Day Open Days from September 30 to October 2 (Monday to Wednesday). The Open Days will offer a wide range of programmes, including a talk on electoral information, a mock polling session and National Day-related interactive games. Visitors can not only take photos with the National Day decorations and the festively dressed Ballot Box Family mascots at the venue, but they can also receive souvenirs of the Ballot Box Family in the National Day special edition. The REO has earlier issued invitations to primary and secondary schools as well as non-governmental organisations and institutions, and the relevant group appointment quota is full. For individual appointments, members of the public who are interested in visiting may call the REO’s hotline at 2891 1001 during office hours from 8.45am to 6pm to make an appointment from today (September 23) until September 27. Throughout the period of the Open Days (from September 30 to October 2), there will be a total of 10 sessions open for individual visits, including three on the afternoon of September 30, five on the afternoon of October 1 and two on the afternoon of October 2. Each visit session will last for 30 minutes. All visits to the National Day Open Days are free, but quotas are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information, please visit the REO’s website (www.reo.gov.hk/en/service-desk/ecenter/openday.html) or call the hotline at 2891 1001.
Ends/Monday, September 23, 2024Issued at HKT 16:18
The City of Cape Town is on a campaign to hand over title deeds to qualifying residents in the city.
In a statement, the city said approximately 12 000 title deeds need to be delivered to qualifying residents and significant progress is being made towards reaching this goal “one title deed at a time”.
“The city’s mission of empowering residents is bearing fruit and we remain committed to helping as many residents as possible with our innovative title deeds programme. The city thanks beneficiaries, residents, city staff and all stakeholders for their support and we look forward to assisting more residents in as many communities as possible,” said MMC for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim.
The campaign was in Leonsdale at the weekend to hand over title deeds and will visit many more communities over the coming weeks.
“Our teams have been working hard and we are looking forward to empowering many more beneficiaries. This week we handed over title deeds in Leonsdale and in the coming weeks, we will be in Samora Machel, Delft and other areas,” said Pophaim.
If you or a family member is a beneficiary of a city unit without a title deed, here’s what you need to do:
Identify the easily recognisable title deed agents visiting your area.
Have the following documents ready:
owner ID and spouse ID (if applicable)
marriage certificate (if applicable)
In the event of a death, provide a letter of authority and death certificate.
Alternatively, bring along the required documents to the Human Settlements Kiosk at the Cape Town Civic Centre, Monday to Friday between 09:00 to 12:00.
For more information or to verify that the agents are legitimate contact 021 444 0333 or emailtitle.deeds@capetown.gov.zaor visit the local housing office. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Fourth Media Law School concluded in Mostar
The Fourth Media Law School on “Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs)” is held from 18 to 23 September in Mostar. (OSCE) Photo details
Mostar, 23 September 2024 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the EU in BiH and the Law School of the University of Sarajevo held the Fourth Media Law School on “Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs)” from 18 to 23 September in Mostar.
During the five-day event, 18 law students from all public law faculties in BiH, along with two additional students from the region, analysed the risks and dangers of SLAPP lawsuits and their impact on the enjoyment of freedom of expression. The students participated in a simulated trial, worked on a hypothetical case, and gained valuable practical experience. Their diligence and commitment were commendable, earning them three European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits towards their law degrees.
In addition to an accredited media law school program, a specialized Masters of Arts (MA) study will commence in the next academic year.
Dr. iur. Zinka Grbo, the Law School of the University of Sarajevo Dean underlined that “SLAPP lawsuits as an instrument of censorship of freedom of speech and expression (of journalists and activists) are a threat to civilization.” She elaborated further “Approaching the judiciary from the position of “arms inequality” is an abuse of rights and often unjustified pressure and a mechanism of demoralizing individuals and legal entities that present information of public interest. The reasons for filing any lawsuit must be not only legally based, but also morally justified.”
Ferdinand Koenig Head of Communications and Spokesperson of the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina said that it is encouraging to see a continuous interest among students to attend the Media Law School. “Media law is one of the most interesting areas of jurisprudence that is continually evolving to take into account the changing media environment. This year’s school addresses the problem of strategic litigation against public participation, so called SLAPP suits. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are worrying tendencies for civil suits to be used to silence critics or unfavourable reporting. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a candidate country for membership in the European Union and its legislative framework needs to be aligned with European standards, including anti-SLAPP legislation. I am glad that the EU is cooperating with the OSCE and University of Sarajevo Law Faculty on the Media Law School – it is very important that students, as future legal professionals are aware of the current jurisprudence on media law.”
“In 2021, the OSCE’s Representative on Freedom of the Media published a Special report on legal harassment and abuse of the judicial system against the media, elaborating on specific examples where the law is misused to prevent journalists from doing their work and reporting about matters of public interest”, added Jiri Rous, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mostar Field Office. “We are aware that this is yet to be regulated in BiH, but with the developments at the EU level and evolving international standards and case law in other jurisdictions, there is no doubt that the issue of SLAPP is becoming increasingly relevant for law students and future legal practitioners in BiH”, he concluded.
The Media Law School is part of the broader efforts of the OSCE Mission and the EU to promote and protect media freedom.
Scotland’s National Parks are playing a vital role for our environment and nature, and for local communities, says Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater MSP.
Ms Slater’s comments follow the publication of a groundbreaking new report by Scottish Environment Link, which has found that, as well as having vast benefits for nature, Scotland’s two existing National Parks regularly generate hundreds of millions of pounds a year for the economy.
At present the Scottish Government is considering whether a third National Park should be created in Galloway.
The pledge to create at least one new National Park in Scotland by 2026 was a key commitment of the Bute House Agreement that saw Scottish Greens entering government for the first time.
As the former Minister for Biodiversity, Ms Slater led on the project and oversaw a lot of the process that has led to the designation.
Ms Slater said: “Scotland’s National Parks are really special and beautiful places, and are rightly celebrated around the world. When the Scottish Greens were in government we pushed hard for a third one to be created.
“I have no doubt that if it is given National Park status, Galloway will be just as renowned and iconic as the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. The status will also lead to greater investment in the local economy while creating high quality jobs, especially for local young people.
“Our National Parks are jewels in our nation’s crown and have been the backdrop to millions of wonderful memories. They are having a transformative impact for local nature and communities, and they are responsible for a lot of vital investment, protections and opportunities.
“If we are to build a greener future for Scotland then our National Park network has a key role to play. I welcome this report and hope we will see even more National Parks across Scotland in the years ahead.”
An AI-enabled smartphone app to help skin cancer patients is being developed by scientists at the University of Aberdeen, thanks to funding of £421,000 from Cancer Research UK.
We believe this technology will not only be reassuring for patients, help them receive any treatment they need quickly but will also be more efficient, resulting in fewer NHS appointments, lower costs and less travel for patients.” Professor Peter Murchie
The app will help people previously treated for melanoma examine their skin regularly to reduce anxiety and help catch any recurrence of the disease.
A built-in AI chatbot will enable users to upload high quality images and information about worrying skin changes, so concerns can be quickly triaged and dealt with by human healthcare professionals.
The project, led by the University of Aberdeen, has already successfully trialled a tablet app called ASICA with a group of patients who had previously been successfully treated for melanoma.
Around 120 melanoma survivors used the app for a year to regularly check their skin and then send photos and text about any areas of concern to a specialist doctor for review.
The app was found to be effective, leading to quicker resolution of concerns and reducing anxiety for users. However, some users struggled to maintain monthly skin checks and provide high-quality text and images for the specialists to review.
The new funding will go towards developing an enhanced smartphone version of the ASICA app with an integrated AI chat bot which will better support users to check their skin monthly.
Professor Peter Murchie, Chair in Primary Care and lead of the Academic Primary Care Research Group at the University of Aberdeen, said:
“Melanoma can return, and we know the quicker recurrence is diagnosed, the more likely treatment is to be successful.
“If melanoma survivors check their total skin once per month, they are more likely to spot recurrence or if a new melanoma has appeared. They can then get medical attention at the earliest stage.
“We believe this technology will not only be reassuring for patients, help them receive any treatment they need quickly but will also be more efficient, resulting in fewer NHS appointments, lower costs and less travel for patients.
“AI will never replace the need for human healthcare professionals in diagnosing cancer but can be of great support and reassurance for patients and in directing them to healthcare professionals when needed.”
Each year around 17,500 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK*. With around 2,400 people in the UK sadly losing their lives to the disease annually, finding new ways to tackle the disease is vital**.
Primary teacher, Adele Hughes, from Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, welcomed the project. The mum of two was diagnosed with melanoma just a month before her 40th birthday.
After six surgeries and 18 cycles of immunotherapy, Adele has now been cancer free for three years, but lives with the awareness that the cancer could return and has regular surveillance scans and check-ups every six months at Albyn Hospital in Aberdeen.
Adele said: “This project represents a fantastic initiative for individuals like myself who have experienced melanoma and continually navigate the possibility of its recurrence.
“This app not only aims to relieve anxiety by providing access to professional healthcare support when necessary, but it also holds the potential to save numerous lives. Its proactive approach could significantly enhance the well-being of those affected by this condition.”
Dr Catherine Elliott, Director of Research at Cancer Research UK, said:
“We are delighted to support this innovative research which aims to use emerging technologies to ensure the best possible future for those who have already experienced the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis.”
The new app will be developed and tested with up to 50 melanoma survivors and around 20 healthcare professionals.
The study team would like to hear from people in region who have been treated for melanoma in the last five-years and healthcare professionals interested in taking part. They can get in touch via asica@abdn.ac.uk to find out more.
In future it’s hoped the project could be developed further to create a deep learning-based computer-assisted decision (CAD) model to support nurse triage.
Strabane Business Community welcomes funding announcement
23 September 2024
There was more good news for Strabane town in recent days as the Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, announced funding for the Strabane Public Realm scheme.
£7 million of capital investment will be channelled into the scheme which will improve the streetscape, lighting, footpaths and traffic flow within the town, with support from the Department in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Welcoming the news on behalf of the Strabane business community, Kieran Kennedy, Chair of Strabane BID said: “Strabane BID warmly welcomes the launch of the Strabane Public Realm scheme which will result in significant improvements to the town centre. This investment will improve the aesthetics of our town centre, making it a more attractive place to visit, work and stay.
“This project has been in the pipeline for many years and it is fantastic to see it finally approved for delivery. Strabane BID has worked closely with Derry City and Strabane District Council to drive this project forward and support the business case by communicating with our local businesses and reflecting their voice and needs throughout. “The project will attract increased footfall to the town and encourage increased dwell time in the town centre which will go a long way to boosting economic growth of our existing businesses and encouraging new investment. This, on the back of the signing of the £102 million Strabane Town Centre Regeneration Project through the City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund, will see a huge investment in Strabane and result in significant benefits to our local businesses and residents.”
The Council is leading on the delivery of the project, which will see significant works carried out in Railway Street, Derry Road, Castle Street, Abercorn Square, Market Street and Upper Main Street. The works will include improvements to footpaths, carriageways, street lighting and street furniture, along with planting of semi-mature trees and the installation of public artwork. It will also see enhancements to the junctions at Railway Street/Abercorn Square/Derry Road/Canal Street, as well as the junctions at Market Street/Butcher Street/Church Street and Main Street/Market Street/Bridge Street, resulting in a realignment of traffic flows and the creation of new public space in Abercorn Square on the opposite side of the street to where it is currently located.
A procurement process to identify and appoint an Integrated Supply Team to deliver the construction works will now be taken forward by DCSDC. Subject to the successful completion of this process, it is anticipated that construction works will commence in Spring 2025 and finish by late 2026.
A report indicating financial pressures among York residents reveals the level of need facing the council’s welfare benefit resources and how it plans to support those households.
In July 2024, 2,700 households, including 1,844 children were shown to be in relative poverty.
A measure of need in the city is the YFAS. In 2023 and 2024, it received 1,223 applications for help and the average award value has risen from £499 in 2022 and 2023 to £635 in 2023 and 2024. This is due to the level of need facing applicants and an increase in the cost of the items provided such as flooring which helps manage energy costs.
To ensure the council can continue to provide emergency support to the end of the 2024 and 2025 financial year, residents can apply to YFAS once a year.
Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive memberfor Finance, Performance and Major Projects, said:
Far too many people in York are struggling to afford to live. We cannot fix the entire system but we can work to ensure that our resources are directed to those who need them most.
“While I welcome the extension of the Household Support Fund up until March 2025, we have much to do to support residents with the continued pressures of the high cost of living. We’re writing to eligible residents and urging others to apply for Pension Credit. This could put £100s of extra a month individually in their pockets, totalling an additional £1.3m across York, while also unlocking benefits including automatic payment of the Winter Fuel Payment.
“It was good to hear from council officers the plans they are making to support those who may just miss out on Pension Credit but still face difficult choices this winter between heating and eating.
“We’re also continuing our Talk Money campaigns to encourage people to get all they’re entitled to, find out how to reduce costs and get good advice. The next campaign will be from 4 to 15 November when we’ll be encouraging applications for Council Tax Support and Attendance Allowance.”
Cllr Bob Webb, Executive member with joint responsibility for financial inclusion, said:
York households and families face more expensive daily lives than ever before. To give them a more secure financial footing, council services have collaborated and adapted to meet the increased needs and challenges facing residents, alongside the council’s own budgetary constraints.
“In close partnership with voluntary and community organisations, we continue to co-ordinate and make the best use of the resources to effectively support residents.”
City of York Council is carrying out road maintenance works on the A1079 Hull Road and B1228 Elvington Lane, and York Road, Dunnington starting next week.
From Monday 23 September the council will be resurfacing the A1079 Hull Road and B1228 Elvington Lane. This is expected to be completed by the morning of Thursday 10 October, weather permitting. To minimise disruption teams will be working between 9.00pm and 5.00an with the road being open to vehicle traffic during the day.
While the night work takes place during the first week of the works, from Monday 23 September to Friday 27 September, there will be a convoy system in place, with a 10mph speed limit, to safely escort vehicles through the road works. With effect from Monday 30 September to the morning of Thursday 10 October, there will be a road closure in place, between the hours of 9.00pm to 5.00pm, with signed diversions.
From Thursday 3 October until Friday 11 October, weather permitting, patching work will take place on York Road, Dunnington. This will see the road closed to vehicles (but still accessible for pedestrians and cyclists) between 7.00pm and midnight but it will be open during the day.
Weekend working is not expected to be necessary across both schemes.
Diversions are in place but there will be some disruption to the following bus services:
while the A1079 is closed, service 10L will operate a clockwise loop within Dunnington via Eastfield Lane and Petercroft Lane, stopping only at the Reading Room, Dunnington Cross and Church Balk stops. Services X46/X47 will divert through the village via Church Balk, Church Lane and Common Lane. During the convoy working phase, these services will remain on their normal route, but minor delays are likely
when only York Road is closed, services 10 and 10L will divert through the village via Church Balk, Church Lane and Common Lane. The X46/X47 will stay on their normal route
there will be no disruption to bus services using the B1228 Elvington Lane as these buses do not run at the times that the works will be taking place
Access through the closures will be provided for pedestrians and cyclists along the existing narrow paths. During the periods when the road closures are in place, cyclists will be asked to dismount during when using this route due to the narrowness of the path.
The works will be carried out by the contractor Lane Rental Services Ltd, working on behalf of the council.
Ambassadors and site staff will be on hand on site to advise and assist residents and businesses about any access restrictions once the works are ongoing.
While we’re working to minimise disruption, delays are expected, so please plan ahead when making any journeys in the area during the works. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Residents and nearby businesses have already been alerted to the closures. Emergency services will always be permitted through the works at all times.
Historic relics from Leeds’s very first railway station have helped rediscover the city’s fascinating track record after being unearthed during an archaeological dig.
The remains of the former Marsh Lane station, which opened exactly 190 years ago this week, were revealed during a recently completed excavation carried out in the city centre.
Experts from CFA Archaeology Limited, working with West Yorkshire Joint Service’s Archaeology Advisory Service, uncovered long-buried ironworks and foundations from the Georgian station, which was part of the Leeds to Selby Railway that once ran between Marsh Lane and a station on the River Ouse at Selby.
Spotting the chance to preserve an important piece of the city’s transport history, curators at Leeds Industrial Museum raced to secure some of the fascinating finds for their collection.
Now safely in storage at the museum are the remnants of one of the station’s huge cast iron pillars, which would once have held up the roof while passengers made their way around its platforms. The impressive iron columns also doubled as rainwater down pipes.
Also now at the museum are a pair of huge stone sleepers, used to secure tracks in the years before wooden sleepers were employed, and which still show the holes where railway spikes were driven into them.
John McGoldrick, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of industrial history, said: “Marsh Lane station played a huge part in establishing the rail network going in and out of Leeds, transporting both passengers and important freight for industries which helped the city thrive in the 19th century.
“It’s always exciting to have the opportunity to see such a real, tangible part of the city’s past in front of you, and even more so when it’s been buried beneath our feet for more than a century.
“Discoveries like this are a fascinating reminder of the history that’s all around us and the foundations of industry and innovation that the city we know today is built on.”
With a station dating from the earliest days of railway construction, the first official train to leave Marsh Lane departed at around 6.30am on September 22, 1834.
But with no known artistic drawings or paintings of the station still existing today, there was little to indicate how it may have looked in its pioneering heyday.
Archaeologists were surprised to discover that the station had been built on two levels, with the train tracks on a high podium above Leeds and an entrance for passengers at ground level off Marsh Lane.
They also found the remains of a U-shaped workshop which would have stored, serviced and carried out everyday repairs on the railway’s vintage locomotives. A 15 metre deep well was also dug to supply the railway with water.
In the 1860s, the original station was demolished to make way for a grain warehouse, before a revamped station was constructed in its place. That station remained in place until its closure in 1958.
The only visible trace of the early station to survive today are a boundary wall and gate piers on Marsh Lane.
It is now hoped the recovered pieces of the station can go on display at Leeds Industrial Museum.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “Leeds has evolved and transformed so much over the centuries, and the infrastructure of our modern city was built by those who literally laid the foundations of the urban landscape we know today.
“That history can be seen everywhere, but it’s important that we also preserve those parts of our city’s story which are no longer visible, so future generations can learn about how Leeds was built.”
Once the world’s largest woollen mill, Leeds Industrial Museum is home to models and machinery paying tribute to the city’s industrial heritage as well as its many inventors and engineers.
KATHMANDU – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes US$33 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance the National Mid-day Meal Programme in Nepal for more than 120,000 children annually.
The funds have been awarded to WFP’s Nepal office through a competitive process operated by USDA’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (McGovern-Dole), which has a long history of supporting Nepal’s efforts to promote food security and opportunities for education.
This award will support a comprehensive five-year initiative (2023-2028) focused on improving education, nutrition and health for children across the country, jointly implemented by WFP in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Embassy of United States of America in Nepal, cooperating partners World Education (a division of JSI), Integrated Development Society Nepal, and Mercy Corps.
“For many families in far western Nepal, food scarcity is a serious challenge that makes it difficult for parents to feed their children,” said Robert Kasca, WFP Nepal’s Representative and Country Director. “Offering school meals serves as an incentive for these parents to send their children to school, especially girls, creating opportunities for breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty.”
The school meals will be prepared with fortified rice and fortified vegetable oil, donated by the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. The rest of the ingredients will be sourced from local markets and smallholder farmers in the vicinity of schools, scaling up a home-grown approach to the Mid-day Meal Programme.
“In Nepal, the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program works through its implementing partner, the World Food Programme. Through the McGovern-Dole Program, more than 700,000 children have received a daily school meal in the most remote areas of Nepal. Building on previous success here in Nepal, the project will continue to carry out complementary activities with a strong focus on building the government’s capacity to eventually and successfully handover the project to the government of Nepal,” says Erika Beltran, Senior International Program Specialist, for USDA’s McGovern-Dole Program.
In addition to implementing the school meals programme, WFP will continue to support the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in strengthening government capacity at federal, provincial and local levels to ensure a full transition of the programme to the government by 2028. Moreover, the Ministry will receive technical assistance and capacity strengthening support from WFP in the areas of logistics and supply chain, planning and implementing cost-efficient and nutritious school meal menus, procurement and supply of commodities, and consolidating the national policy framework.
McGovern-Dole funds school meals and education and nutrition programs for women, infants, and children in countries with high food insecurity. By providing school meals, teacher training, and related education and nutrition support, McGovern-Dole projects help boost school enrollment, increase attendance, and improve reading outcomes and literacy results. The program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities, local and regional procurement of agricultural commodities, and financial and technical assistance to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects. It started providing school feeding assistance in Nepal since 2005. For more information, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/mcgovern-dole-food-education-program
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
KAMPALA – Through a multi-year commitment (2024-2027), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of US$19.6 million (EUR18 million) from the Government of Ireland to support the Government of Uganda to strengthen self-reliance initiatives for refugee communities and to enhance social protection and school feeding in the Karamoja sub-region.
“Support to Karamoja and refugee communities continues to be an integral part of our strategy in Uganda,” said H.E Kevin Colgan, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Uganda. “This contribution is part of Ireland’s commitment to keeping Karamoja children in school, improving food security and nutrition, strengthening people’s livelihoods, and boosting the local economy. Reaching the furthest behind is core to our international development policy.”
In Karamoja, this contribution will enable WFP to procure locally-available maize, beans, and vegetable oil for school meals, benefiting 220,000 school children and smallholder farmers, and thereby stimulating local economies. In this hotspot of the climate crisis, WFP will also boost community resilience by restoring degraded land, promote crop diversification and improve post-harvest management. WFP will also support the Government to extend social protection programmes, particularly through the dissemination of early warning information via radio and other channels ahead of climate shocks such as droughts and floods.
In refugee hosting districts, over 50,000 refugees will be empowered to transition from humanitarian assistance to self-reliance by supporting them to invest in alternative livelihoods so they can sustain their families. WFP is collaborating with the Government of Uganda and other partners to promote income generation for refugees and host communities through farming and other livelihood opportunities to support refugee and host communities in surrounding areas to become food secure. This Self-Reliance Model is funded by the governments of Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom.
“We are grateful for the contribution from the Government of Ireland supporting our efforts to encourage self-reliance and reduce the need for humanitarian assistance in Karamoja and in refugee settlements,“ said Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s Country Director and Representative in Uganda. “By providing life-changing assistance, WFP is creating a pathway to a brighter future for Uganda.”
Karamoja faces multiple development and socio-economic challenges. While Uganda is expecting improved crop production in 2024 due to increased rainfall, more than 400,000 people in Karamoja (30 per cent of the population) are projected to face crisis-levels of food insecurity (IPC3+) according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis (IPC). Similarly, WFP’s April 2024 Post-Distribution Monitoring indicates that 7 in 10 refugee households are still facing severe or moderate food insecurity levels.
Faced with limited resources and following extensive consultations with refugees and key stakeholders, WFP is prioritising the most vulnerable refugees for food assistance. While building pathways towards self-reliance, WFP continues to support close to 1.4 million out of 1.7 million refugees in Uganda with monthly food and cash assistance.
Ireland has previously contributed EUR 11.4 million to WFP’s operations in Uganda from 2020 to 2023.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak attended the kick-off ceremony of an entrepreneurship event for Hong Kong and Macau youths in Hengqin, Zhuhai this morning.
Themed “New Quality Productive Forces Strive for High-quality Development”, the event aims to help Hong Kong and Macau youths who are developing their careers in Guangdong to engage in exchanges and gain further understanding of the industry development of Guangdong Province through visits, research and discussions.
This will enable them to deepen their knowledge of new productivity, thereby facilitating their active integration into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Mak said young people are an important driving force for the country’s high-quality development.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government aims to provide more comprehensive support for Hong Kong youths through new rounds of two schemes – the Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the GBA and the Funding Scheme for Experiential Programmes at Innovation & Entrepreneurial Bases – helping them pursue innovation and entrepreneurship in the bay area, she added.
Miss Mak also noted that around 100 activities have been planned or held in Hong Kong and Guangdong by member organisations of the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurial Bases in the Greater Bay Area since its launch last year.
Gathering around 60 member organisations, the alliance was jointly established by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, and Guangdong’s Human Resources & Social Security Department.
Miss Mak finished her visit and returned to Hong Kong today.
Today the Council agreed to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France, relating to six natural disasters occurred in 2023. The European Union Solidarity Fund will be mobilised for a total amount of €1 028.54 million in commitment and payment appropriations, including the amount of €231.78 million as advance payments. The assistance will come from the EU’s 2024 budget.
Gauteng’s Acting MEC for Human Settlements Lebogang Maile is this morning expected to visit Cemetery View informal settlement following a fire that destroyed shacks in Pretoria East.
“MEC Maile will use the visit to outline government’s interventions to assist those affected. More than 2000 shacks were engulfed by the fire. MEC Maile is undertaking this important visit to ensure the safety, security and comfort of those affected by this unfortunate situation,” said the Gauteng Provincial government on Monday.
The MEC will be joined by the City of Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements, councillor Ofentse Madzebatela. This as the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to multiple shacks on fire in Woodlake Street in Pretorious Park on the morning of 21 September 2024.
“The multiple-shack fire was reported to the City of Tshwane Emergency Call Centre at about 04:07 am. The centre immediately dispatched multiple firefighting resources from Silverton Fire Station, Hazelwood Fire Station, Central Fire Station, Mamelodi Fire Station, Centurion Fire Station and Heuweloord Fire Station to the scene. These included two fire trucks, an industrial pumper, a mobile command unit, two rapid intervention units, a water carrier and a district commander’s unit,” said the city’s Emergency Services Department in a statement.
The City said that upon arrival firefighters reported that a large area in the informal settlement was on fire with multiple shacks well alight and many people standing outside.
Firefighters then started with firefighting operations and initiated evacuation procedures and the fire was extinguished at 5am. About 814 shacks burned down and about 2600 people were affected by the fire.
“One male patient was treated on-site and transported to Steve Biko Academic Hospital for critical burn injuries. Another female patient with a critical medical condition was also treated on-site and transported to Mamelodi Hospital. A third patient sadly suffered fatal burn injuries. Gauteng Provincial Government Emergency Medical Services are managing all emergencies pertaining to patients in this regard,” said the city.
The cause of the fire had not been determined.
“The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and the scene is a declared as a hot zone and a crime scene.”
The city urged residents to be cautious and to extinguish paraffin fires with sand or a fire extinguisher and to never overload electrical plugs, among others. –SAnews.gov.za