Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemoration event.
Category: Africa
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MIL-OSI Video: Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemorative event.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemorative event.
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MIL-OSI Video: Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemorative event
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemorative event
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MIL-OSI Video: Deputy President Pau Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemorative event
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
Deputy President Pau Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemorative event
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MIL-OSI United Nations: The G20 prioritises strengthening disaster resilience in 2025
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Marking its third year as a regular fixture in one of the world’s top economic forums, the first meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20) Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, under the South African Presidency took place on 5 March.
In recognition of the role of disaster risk reduction in reducing growing disaster losses, the President of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, declared at both the launch of South Africa’s Presidency in December 2024, as well as at the first G20 Finance Minister’s meeting in February 2025, that “our first priority is to take action to strengthen disaster resilience and response”.
This sense of urgency was echoed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa, who officially opened the inaugural meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group by stating that “disasters know no borders” and that efforts to prevent and mitigate them require “Solidarity and Global Cooperation”.
This is a core theme for the Working Group this year in line with the Presidency’s key pillars of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.” Minister Hlabisa also highlighted how this is a historic G20 as it is the first to be held on the African continent: “South Africa will bring the G20 to Africa and Africa to the G20”.
Opening remarks were also provided by Mr Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), who thanked South Africa for entrusting UNDRR with the role of Secretariat for the Working Group.
Mr. Kishore also underscored how disasters are “becoming a larger threat to economic prosperity” while at the same time, “economic development that is not guided by an understanding of disaster risks can inadvertently lead to more disasters.”
During the meeting, the South African Presidency presented their priorities and work plan for the year, as explained in their Issue Note. This was followed by the opening of the discussion for inputs and reflections from Member States and invited states and organisations, who were represented by 236 participants, reflecting a high turn for the inaugural meeting.
The meeting set a strong foundation for the work to come over the year, which will culminate with a ministerial-level meeting in October in South Africa. Until then, the next Working Group meeting is planned to take place in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality on 8-11 April.
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MIL-OSI Africa: The Gift of Water: How the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is Transforming Lives
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, March 24, 2025/APO Group/ —
“Water is life; when there is no water, it is as if there are no people living.”
These profound words from ‘Masechefo Sechefo, a Community Councilor at Ha Sekete village, capture the essence of existence in rural Lesotho before the African Development Bank’s transformative intervention.
In a country where water ironically constitutes 30% of the nation’s GDP, many rural Basotho paradoxically lived without access to clean water. This stark contradiction defined daily life until the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project began changing the narrative in the communities.
The Long Walk For Water
Before the project, women and girls in villages across Maseru and Berea districts would wake before dawn to begin their daily ‘pilgrimage’ to distant springs and unprotected wells. The journey often stretched more than a kilometer each way, with women carrying heavy containers while navigating challenging mountain terrain.
“Where we used to fetch water, it was so far that there could have been challenges, perhaps the risk of being attacked or harmed by criminals,” recalls ‘Masechefo.
At Sekete Primary School, the situation was equally dire. Headteacher Sello Matlali remembers: “We had to send children to fetch water from the unprotected wells around our communities. It was about one and a half kilometers walk from the school.”
This daily expedition meant losing children’s classroom time and productive hours for women. Worse still, the unprotected water sources harbored pathogens causing diarrheal diseases that disproportionately affected the community’s most vulnerable members.
A Project That Flows Like Life Itself
When the African Development Bank’s initiative reached these communities, it didn’t merely install infrastructure – it unleashed potential.
The project, set to conclude in March 2025 after more than a decade of implementation, has delivered remarkable results: 190 kilometers of pipeline to distribution networks, water storage reservoirs with a total capacity of 3.48 million liters, and 166 public water points serving approximately 28,266 people across eight zones in Maseru and Berea districts.
The numbers tell only part of the story. Moses Tembo, the project’s task manager at the African Development Bank, highlights the impact: “From the data collected through the project, you could see that many people’s lives have been changed. Most people were drawing water from springs and unprotected wells, and the incidence of diarrheal diseases was quite high.”
Beyond water supply, the project expanded sanitation infrastructure, – constructing 266 sanitation facilities for vulnerable households and 284 toilets at schools and healthcare facilities.
“It Was Like Our Birthday”
At Sekete Primary School, the transformation has been profound. “When water was supplied, it was like our birthday,” Sello Maltali exclaims, his eyes bright with emotion. “The African Development Bank came to our rescue when we were in serious problem.”
The school now boasts eight water taps and proper sanitation facilities – eight toilets for boys, seven for girls, and a dedicated facility for children with disabilities. This thoughtful design has created an inclusive learning environment where all 500 students can focus on education rather than basic survival needs.
“We live the life we never lived before,” Matlali reflects. “We forget the past. We talk of it as history.”
The impact extends beyond convenience. The school has witnessed increased enrollment and reduced disease transmission. Students can now pursue agricultural education, which teaches them self-reliance and food production skills.
Women Liberated, Communities Transformed
For women like ‘Masechefo, the project has delivered more than water – it has brought dignity and safety. “This project has brought a big change in our lives and our families. There is cleanliness in our homes and on our bodies.”
The transformation has touched every aspect of community life. Residents found employment during construction— collecting stones, laying bricks, mixing cement, and completing roofing work. This approach ensured that the community benefited from the completed infrastructure and the process itself.
Mamosili Kikine, the project’s technical adviser, explains: “The beneficiaries are using water for different purposes, like cooking and washing. The schools and clinics in these zones are also benefiting.”
Climate Resilience: Protecting the Future
As the base project nears completion, an additional component introduced in 2019 focuses on climate resilience. This component educates communities about preserving watersheds and forests to ensure sustainable water resources.
“Lesotho is very much dependent on water for its economy and the wellbeing of people,” task manager Tembo explains. “The water reserves 10 years ago, 20 years ago, are not the same at the moment.”
By protecting water sources through this education, the project aims to secure these life-giving resources for future generations.
Water: A Celebration of Life
As the African Development Bank joined in celebrating World Water Day on March 22, the communities served by this project understand its significance profoundly. They have experienced life with and without clean water –and know which they prefer.
“Without water, there is no life,” declares headteacher Sello Matlali. “Water shortage is death. We cannot have food. We cannot bathe. We cannot wash our hands. We are vulnerable to disease.”
The project’s legacy extends beyond pipes and reservoirs. It has fundamentally altered the relationship between communities and water – creating not just consumers but stewards of this precious resource.
For the people of Lesotho’s rural communities, water is no longer just a substance—it’s the embodiment of possibility, dignity, and future prosperity. In a country blessed with abundant water resources that benefit neighboring nations, the African Development Bank has ensured that Lesotho’s citizens can finally share in this natural wealth.
And for that, as Sello Matlali puts it, “It is very joyous.”
A Nurse’s Story
Mots’elisi Makhele, the only community health nurse serving approximately 2,000 people in her rural community, has witnessed a remarkable transformation thanks to the African Development Bank’s water supply and sanitation project.
“We used to have a small community tap where 2,000 people would queue, and because of the drought, we wouldn’t have enough water some days,” Makhele recalls, adding that this single tap served everyone—elderly women, small children, and her clinic.
The health consequences were severe. “I couldn’t do normal birth deliveries because there was no water,” said Makhele. “There was an increased rate of waterborne infections, and I had many babies with malnutrition because the water was not clean.”
The African Development Bank project transformed the community by providing individual household taps and proper sanitation facilities. The clinic received two proper toilets and a washing station where patients can wash their hands.
The impact has been profound. “After initiating this project, the incidence rate of diarrheal diseases and malnutrition has decreased,” Makhele said excitedly.
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MIL-OSI Security: More than 300 arrests as African countries clamp down on cyber threats
Source: Interpol (news and events)
LYON, France — Authorities in seven African countries have arrested 306 suspects and seized 1,842 devices in an international operation targeting cyber attacks and cyber-enabled scams.
The arrests were made as part of Operation Red Card (November 2024 – February 2025) which aims to disrupt and dismantle cross-border criminal networks which cause significant harm to individuals and businesses. In particular, the operation targeted mobile banking, investment and messaging app scams. The cases uncovered during the operation involved more than 5,000 victims.
As part of the crackdown, Nigerian police arrested 130 people, including 113 foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in cyber-enabled scams such as online casino and investment fraud. The suspects, who converted proceeds to digital assets to conceal their tracks, were recruited from different countries to run the illegal schemes in as many languages as possible. Nigerian authorities have established that some of the people working in the scam centres may also be victims of human trafficking, forced or coerced into criminal activities. Overall, the investigation led to the seizure of 26 vehicles, 16 houses, 39 plots of land and 685 devices.
In a significant case from South Africa, authorities arrested 40 individuals and seized more than 1,000 SIM cards, along with 53 desktops and towers linked to a sophisticated SIM box fraud scheme. This setup, which reroutes international calls as local ones, is commonly used by criminals to carry out large-scale SMS phishing attacks.
In Zambia, officers apprehended 14 suspected members of a criminal syndicate that hacked into victims’ phones. The scam involved sending a message containing a malicious link which, when clicked, installed malware to the device. This allowed hackers to take control of the messaging account, and ultimately the phone, giving them access to banking apps. The hackers were also able to use the victim’s messaging apps to share the malicious link within conversations and groups, enabling the scam to spread.
During the operation, Rwandan authorities arrested 45 members of a criminal network for their involvement in social engineering scams that defrauded victims of over USD 305,000 in 2024 alone. Their tactics included posing as telecommunications employees and claiming fake ‘jackpot’ wins to extract sensitive information and gain access to victims’ mobile banking accounts. Another method involved impersonating an injured family member to ask relatives for financial assistance towards hospital bills. Overall, USD 103,043 was recovered and 292 devices were seized.
Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, said:
“The success of Operation Red Card demonstrates the power of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, which knows no borders and can have devastating effects on individuals and communities. The recovery of significant assets and devices, as well as the arrest of key suspects, sends a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished.”
Ahead of the operation, countries exchanged criminal intelligence on key targets. This intelligence was enriched by INTERPOL with insights into criminal modus operandi using data from its private sector partners—Group-IB, Kaspersky and Trend Micro.
The seven participating countries were Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo and Zambia.
The operation was delivered through INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), an initiative funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
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MIL-OSI: A USD$25 billion public-private Ghana climate futures and socio-economic initiative is agreed
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
The Ghana Green Guard USD$25 billion climate futures initiative agreement commits to deliver a series of diversified regenerative solutions to drive a healthier and more sustainable future for all Ghanaians. The agreement is a public-private collaborative partnership between the developer CarbonPura Africa, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) representing the government of Ghana and PSPH (Private Sector Participation in Health). Leveraging carbon financing, and carbon and biodiversity monetisation, the agreement will drive environmental restoration, clean water access, and community-based social programmes in Ghana.
ACCRA, Republic of Ghana, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CarbonPura pioneers Ghana Green Guard, a transformative series of privately funded environmental protection, restoration, and climate-smart projects and initiatives bespoke to the landscape of Ghana. The Ghana Green Guard Agreement harnesses the power of leveraging a climate futures ecosystem combined with flows unlocked from carbon finance to address critical climate and sustainability challenges while advancing Ghana’s environmental restoration and socio-economic development goals.
Chief Executive Officer of the EPA of Ghana, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse says “the Ghana Green Guard Agreement is a significant milestone in Ghana’s environmental journey and marks the beginning of a new era in public-private stakeholder engagement to implement development practices and leverage international carbon markets to achieve sustainability, protect our water bodies and secure a healthier and more prosperous future for all Ghanaians.”
- One of the most significant nature-based project methodology solutions globally it will generate over 305 million high-quality, investment-grade carbon credits across 12 million hectares of diverse landscapes with a projected cumulative revenue of $10.4 billion over 25 years.
- Each project supports Ghana’s socio-economic and community enhancement programmes and initiatives to empower women, children, and the most vulnerable farmers and communities.
- Aligns international and local partners, government support, NGO and University Collaboration, all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Ghana’s net-zero and global climate commitments.
- Immediate intervention to enhance Ghana’s water security using the most effective and sustainable solutions and technologies that ensure long-term protection and safeguarding for the provision of clean water and the restoration of polluted water sources caused by illegal mining.
Ghana Green Guard combines the relationship driven socio-economic benefits of a public–private partnership to deliver projects that align seamlessly with President Mahama’s Policies for the Future of Ghana, Ghana’s net-zero and global climate commitments and all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The agreement will utilise restorative and ecosystem vision – not only in project execution but from new relationship driven economic models fuelled by investment grade biodiversity and carbon credit projects.
Dr. Fred Bedzrah, the Vice President of Operations for CarbonPura Africa, stated that “the Green Guard Ghana Agreement sets a new benchmark for environmental and socio-economic impact and is a bold step forward toward positioning Ghana as a leader in sustainable carbon finance by integrating transparent governance, investment grade carbon credit generation, and inclusive community engagement. CarbonPura is proud to deliver a framework that enhances global climate action and ensures tangible benefits for healthier local communities and ecosystems. Ghana demonstrates how high-integrity restorative biodiversity and climate smart projects can drive sustainability and long-term investment confidence.”
The Ghana Green Guard Project leverages 12 million hectares of risk assessed eligible land across various regions of Ghana, strategically and with scientific rigour, chosen for their ecological, biodiversity and socio-economic potential. The expansive project ensures scalable investment-grade carbon credit generation goals and sustained environmental improvement by carefully integrating targeted activities such as reforestation, regenerative agriculture, illegal mining restoration and coastal environment restoration.
The Executive Director of PSPH Dr. Francis Adjei adds that “True sustainability is not just about restoring the environment—it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and opportunity for the most vulnerable. Through the Ghana Green Guard initiatives, we are ensuring that climate action translates into better healthcare, stronger communities, and a future where no one is left behind.”
Cath Thrupp, the Chief Executive Officer of Carbon Planet, says that “Ghana is leading the way in terms of showcasing a sustainable future for their country and the world. They are actively originating large-scale decarbonisation and landscape restoration programmes that will support their country to transition to net zero. In working with the global carbon markets to support this transition, Ghana is actively creating new jobs and opportunities for local communities. As a company, Carbon Planet is honoured to work with the Government and people of Ghana to create a sustainable future, with no one left behind”.
Each project methodology activity is designed to deliver long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits, creating a positive feedback loop where ecological improvements—such as increased biodiversity, improved soil fertility, and enhanced coastal resilience—foster sustainable community development, employment creation, strengthen food security, provide clean water, eliminate species extinction, and drive long-term economic resilience across regions dependent on agricultural and coastal livelihoods.
Mark Phillips, the Chief Executive Officer of Carbon Capital Corporation, says that “through strategic collaboration with Carbon Planet we lead the Ghana Green Guard project origination and ensure that all credits are investment ready, meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance and financial integrity and achieve long term environmental and social impact. This initiative exemplifies how carbon finance can drive real change, protecting ecosystems, empowering communities, and supporting Ghana’s climate commitments. Through Ghana Green Guard, we demonstrate that carbon markets can be a force for equitable and sustainable development.”
The Parties to the Ghana Green Guard Agreement
About the EPA
The EPA is the leading statutory body for protecting and improving the environment in Ghana and is led by its Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse. Recognising the need for stronger oversight, the Environmental Protection Act 2025 (Act 1124) was enacted. Effective from January 6, 2025, this Act elevated the EPA to an Authority, expanding its mandate to regulate, protect, coordinate, and oversee all matters pertaining to the environment. This new legislation marks a pivotal moment in the EPA’s evolution towards greater environmental stewardship and governance.
For further information on Ghana EPA, please visit: www.epa.gov.gh/new/
For media enquiries, please contact: info@epa.gov.ghAbout CarbonPura
CarbonPura Africa is the Ghana Green Guard lead developer and is committed to advancing global sustainability through large-scale innovative carbon management and stewardship initiatives that transform environmental goals into impactful realities.CarbonPura is dedicated to pioneering projects that meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and propelling the world towards a greener and more prosperous future.
CarbonPura provides end-to-end expertise in net-zero advisory and bespoke solutions that ensure each project contributes to carbon reduction and enhances ecological and social value. CarbonPura integrates top-tier methodologies with community-based conservation efforts for land, forestry wetland and marine ecosystems protection and restoration with scalable carbon solutions.
The social capital and ecological model demand the highest degree of team expertise, including ecologists and environmental auditors, trusted partners and strategic alliances, to enhance the capabilities for CarbonPura in carbon-backed funding, project development, and community reinvestment. CarbonPura navigate market complexities with data-driven precision, ensuring each project maximises value and supports global sustainability.
For more information, visit: www.carbonpura.com/greenguard
For media enquiries, please contact:
Melanie Budden
melanie.budden@therealizationgroup.comAbout Private Sector Participation in Health
Private Sector Participation in Health (PSPH) is a leading not-for-profit organisation driving transformative healthcare and social development in Ghana’s most vulnerable communities. As a key partner in the Ghana Green Guard Agreement, PSPH integrates healthcare, education, and social empowerment into climate resilience efforts. Through innovative public-private partnerships, PSPH expands access to essential healthcare, empowers women and youth, and fosters alternative livelihoods, creating lasting socio-economic impact. By bridging corporate Ghana with grassroots needs, PSPH ensures that sustainability, health, and development go hand in hand; building stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities for generations to come.For further information on PSPH, please visit: www.psphghana.com
For media enquiries, please contact: DrFred@carbonpura.comAbout Carbon Capital Corporation [CCC]
CCC is an Australian registered company that operates under an Australian Authorised Financial Services License [278530]. CCC is part of the GBC Group and stands out in global carbon markets offering unique and specialised feasibility, origination, procurement, trading and advisory services for both the buy and sell side. With operations across Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Pacific CCC facilitates large scale carbon projects with stackable value methodologies that allow projects to generate multiple environmental and social co-benefits.CCC utilises an integrated approach that combines financial structuring, technical expertise, and advanced technology, delivering unmatched value in carbon markets. By optimising carbon and biodiversity credits to meet the high standards demanded by institutional buyers, CCC achieve both financial returns and measured sustainability impact.
For more information, visit: www.carboncapitalcorporation.com
For media enquiries, please contact: markphillips@greenbondcorporation.comAbout Carbon Planet
Carbon Planet is an Australian registered ecological company globally leading project feasibility, origination and technical development, bringing extensive expertise in carbon project execution and innovation. Carbon Planet picture a world where natural capital has value, investments are transparent, landholders can feed their families, and local communities can create new jobs and regenerative industries. This requires creating a world where trees and natural capital are valued.For further information on CarbonPlanet, please visit: www.carbonplanet.io/
For media enquiries, please contact: cath@carbonplanet.ioProfessor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, CEO of the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency with Dr Fred Bezrah, Vice President of CarbonPura Africa
Aerial photo in Ghana showing the decimated landscape and River Pra waterway caused by illegal mining (“galamsey”) that is a focus of Ghana Green Guard restorative initiatives.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2bde12b4-932a-4a25-a144-dc2edc0cb373
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0bb5dd6-e886-4d71-89d4-ddb793c08a70
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ad39039-d081-4987-862b-aae74c12cebf
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fb7393fb-aab6-4276-aa2b-757084c3764f
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1c55422-8468-4acc-ab59-282b4e076a3b
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21dffd0d-14f2-45af-afca-f3659132ba7a
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MIL-OSI Video: Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemoration
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers keynote address at the World TB Day Commemoration
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MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana’s Surging Gold Exports Propel Mining Sector Expansion
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
ACCRA, Ghana, March 24, 2025/APO Group/ —
Ghana is capitalizing on its gold exports (https://apo-opa.co/4iOXHfD) to drive economic growth, with revenues increasing to $11.6 billion in 2024 – a 52.6% increase from the $7.6 billion recorded in 2023. Gold exports accounted for 57% of the country’s total export revenue (https://apo-opa.co/4hHk0lZ), solidifying the industry’s role as a key contributor to GDP expansion. Notably, small-scale miners contributed $5 billion to the sector’s export revenue.
As Ghana continues to enhance gold production and exports, the upcoming Mining in Motion conference, taking place from 2 – 4 June, will connect global investors with opportunities in Ghana’s gold value chain. The event will facilitate deal signings and strengthen trade relations with Ghana’s leading gold export markets.
While Ghana has maintained its position as Africa’s largest gold producer, it has also emerged as a key supplier to international markets. Asia ranks as the primary importer of Ghanaian gold, followed by Europe and Africa. In 2024, gold accounted for 65.4% of Ghana’s total exports to Asia, 60.2% of exports to Europe and 49.4% of exports across Africa. More than half of Ghanaian gold exports to each continent were concentrated in a single country; 53.1% of exports to Asia went to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 60.2% of exports to Europe were directed to Switzerland and 60.5% of African exports were received by South Africa.
Asia strengthened its gold trading with Ghana, with countries such as China and India ranking amongst top export markets for Ghana. In Europe, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Bulgaria, Portugal, Poland, Gibraltar and Estonia accounted for a significant share of Ghana’s gold exports. In Africa, Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast, Togo and Mali rank as the top importers of Ghanaian gold.
Beyond these regions, Canada accounted for 58.6% of Ghana’s gold exports to North America, while Brazil received 94.1% of the country’s gold exports to Latin America.
Looking ahead, Ghana’s expanding gold production is expected to further strengthen trade with its top export markets, as these nations continue to invest in the country’s mining sector. The UAE’s Emiral Resources is the largest shareholder in Asante Gold Corporation (https://apo-opa.co/4bVIqXE), which is executing a $522 million expansion strategy, including the development of the Bibiani project. Meanwhile, India’s Rosy Royal Minerals holds an 80% stake in the Royal Ghana Gold Refinery, the country’s first gold refinery, positioning India as a key player in Ghana’s gold value chain.
Amid these developments, Mining in Motion will feature high-level discussions, networking sessions, and project showcases, reinforcing Ghana’s role as a key gold supplier to global markets.
Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting ASGM and medium to large scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting www.MininginMotionSummit.com. For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact Sales@ashantigreeninitiative.org.
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MIL-OSI Africa: Somalia joins Afreximbank as it seeks to boost Intra-African trade and economic growth
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
CAIRO, Egypt, March 24, 2025/APO Group/ —
Somalia has formally acceded to the Establishment Agreement of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), becoming the 53rd African member state of the African multilateral financial institution and bringing the Bank closer to its goal of broadening its product offerings to all parts of the continent.
In the instrument of accession signed by Hon. Hirsi Jama Gani, State Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, Somalia notified Afreximbank that Somalia “accepts, and hereby accedes, to the Agreement for the Establishment of the Bank” and pledged to undertake all necessary steps to expedite ratification of the Agreement.
Somalia’s membership of Afreximbank is a significant milestone that places the country on a path of sustainable economic transformation, upgrading of the country’s trade and industrial infrastructure, and most importantly joins the rest of the continent in the push towards continental integration and self-reliance through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Expressing deep satisfaction at Somalia’s decision to accede to the Agreement, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, emphasised the mutual benefits to both parties.
“We are delighted to welcome Somalia into the Afreximbank family. This is a significant milestone as it widens the opportunity for the Somali public and private sectors to access financing and other related interventions that addresses their real needs. By joining the Bank, Somalia embarks on a new journey of pursuing its developmental aspirations on its own terms, backed by unwavering support from Afreximbank, a bank with proven track record of supporting its Participating States in good and bad times. Today, we begin a collective journey to enable the Somali economy to realise the maximum value from its natural resources while hastening its integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
Hon. Hirsi Jama Ganni, Somalia’s State Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Afreximbank for Somalia’s membership: “On behalf of the Government of Somalia and its people, I sincerely thank Afreximbank for its efforts that led our country to become a member state of the Bank. This milestone agreement signals our commitment to becoming a key player in regional and continental development, especially through trade, under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This partnership is significant to Somalia’s ongoing reconstruction and economic diversification efforts, opening doors for financial and technical support.”
Hon. Ganni added: “We urge Afreximbank to accelerate the implementation of its programs and initiatives in Somalia, aligning them with Somalia’s National Development Plan and helping it meet its ambitious development goals. This is a critical step in realising the full potential of our country and for Somalia to regain its position as a strategic trade hub within East Africa .”
This accession follows proactive engagements between Afreximbank and the Somalia government, aimed at identifying and exploring opportunities to support the country’s development agenda. A collaborative roadmap has been established to guide these efforts. Additionally, Afreximbank has initiated discussions with Somalia’s corporate and financial sectors, recognizing their vital role in delivering the Bank’s developmental programs and fostering economic growth within the country.
In the meeting with the Afreximbank team, Hon. Abdirahman Abdullahi, Governor of the Central Bank of Somalia said: “Afreximbank’s visit to Mogadishu was timely as it came just after Somalia joined the East African Community regional trade bloc in 2024, and successfully completed the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief process. The Somali people are renowned for their trade and entrepreneurial spirit, and I urge the business community in Somalia to fully leverage the opportunities offered by Afreximbank under its financing programs, to expand their reach, drive sustainable growth, and contribute to a more connected and competitive economy.”
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MIL-OSI China: Jinhua launches global initiative to expand trade
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
A major manufacturing city in east China’s Zhejiang Province has kicked off its 2025 global trade promotion initiative in a bid to boost exports, amid rising trade protectionism and weakening demand in key global markets.
As the first step of this endeavor, a delegation of 55 companies from the city of Jinhua, home to some 2 million market entities, participated in the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas in the United States from March 18 to 20.
“Participating in exhibitions can help us win new customers and also strengthen relationships with old customers. It also allows us to better understand customer demands and experience,” said Li Xing, general manager of Jinhua Bangte Electric Co., Ltd.
Li’s company took over 10 types of hardware and electrical accessories to the exhibition to further tap the U.S. market. Ahead of the trade show, he visited clients in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York to gain deeper market insights and explore potential partnerships.
“As long as we step out overseas, there will be rewards,” said Li. His company, which mainly exports to the United States and Canada, has achieved annual exports of more than 100 million yuan (about 13.93 million U.S. dollars) on average over the past three years.
Amid rising tariffs on Chinese goods, Li acknowledged the challenges posed by increased costs. He revealed that his company was negotiating with clients to share the burden. He is also working on establishing a U.S.-based trading company to build overseas warehouses to reduce logistics and warehousing costs.
Zhejiang Seacoast Industrial Co., Ltd., another exhibitor, received positive feedback at the Las Vegas expo regarding its new balcony and courtyard tables and chairs.
“The United States is an important export destination for China’s hardware and garden products,” said Gao Junting, general manager of Seacoast Industrial. “Through this exhibition, we aim to expand our offline customer base and enter major U.S. supermarkets.”
Gao noted that rising living costs in the United States are driving consumers to seek affordable yet high-quality products. “This presents an opportunity for us.”
Beyond the United States, Seacoast Industrial has made significant progress in expanding into Europe, Australia, South America and Asia.
Currently, about 15 percent of its exports, approximately 5 million U.S. dollars annually, are achieved via online platforms like Amazon in the United States, while over 80 percent goes to clients in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia.
The city of Jinhua is intensifying its global trade efforts. In 2025, the city plans to organize delegations of exporters to participate in seven more trade exhibitions in Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Britain, Morocco and Türkiye.
These exhibitions will showcase a wide range of products such as hardware tools, gardening products, kitchen and bathroom products, and lighting equipment.
With the help of new trade models, including cross-border e-commerce, Jinhua reported strong trade growth in 2024, with total exports rising 16.4 percent year on year to 771.9 billion yuan. The number of local companies engaged in international trade surpassed 17,000 in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 10.3 percent.
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MIL-OSI China: China’s manufacturing hub launches global initiative to expand trade
Source: China State Council Information Office
A major manufacturing city in east China’s Zhejiang Province has kicked off its 2025 global trade promotion initiative in a bid to boost exports, amid rising trade protectionism and weakening demand in key global markets.
As the first step of this endeavor, a delegation of 55 companies from the city of Jinhua, home to some 2 million market entities, participated in the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas in the United States from March 18 to 20.
“Participating in exhibitions can help us win new customers and also strengthen relationships with old customers. It also allows us to better understand customer demands and experience,” said Li Xing, general manager of Jinhua Bangte Electric Co., Ltd.
Li’s company took over 10 types of hardware and electrical accessories to the exhibition to further tap the U.S. market. Ahead of the trade show, he visited clients in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York to gain deeper market insights and explore potential partnerships.
“As long as we step out overseas, there will be rewards,” said Li. His company, which mainly exports to the United States and Canada, has achieved annual exports of more than 100 million yuan (about 13.93 million U.S. dollars) on average over the past three years.
Amid rising tariffs on Chinese goods, Li acknowledged the challenges posed by increased costs. He revealed that his company was negotiating with clients to share the burden. He is also working on establishing a U.S.-based trading company to build overseas warehouses to reduce logistics and warehousing costs.
Zhejiang Seacoast Industrial Co., Ltd., another exhibitor, received positive feedback at the Las Vegas expo regarding its new balcony and courtyard tables and chairs.
“The United States is an important export destination for China’s hardware and garden products,” said Gao Junting, general manager of Seacoast Industrial. “Through this exhibition, we aim to expand our offline customer base and enter major U.S. supermarkets.”
Gao noted that rising living costs in the United States are driving consumers to seek affordable yet high-quality products. “This presents an opportunity for us.”
Beyond the United States, Seacoast Industrial has made significant progress in expanding into Europe, Australia, South America and Asia.
Currently, about 15 percent of its exports, approximately 5 million U.S. dollars annually, are achieved via online platforms like Amazon in the United States, while over 80 percent goes to clients in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia.
The city of Jinhua is intensifying its global trade efforts. In 2025, the city plans to organize delegations of exporters to participate in seven more trade exhibitions in Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Britain, Morocco and Türkiye.
These exhibitions will showcase a wide range of products such as hardware tools, gardening products, kitchen and bathroom products, and lighting equipment.
With the help of new trade models, including cross-border e-commerce, Jinhua reported strong trade growth in 2024, with total exports rising 16.4 percent year on year to 771.9 billion yuan. The number of local companies engaged in international trade surpassed 17,000 in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 10.3 percent.
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MIL-Evening Report: Mystery solved: our tests reveal the tiny algae killing fish and harming surfers on SA beaches
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Murray, Professor; Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney
Confronting images of dead seadragons, fish and octopuses washed up on South Australian beaches – and disturbing reports of “more than 100” surfers and beachgoers suffering flu-like symptoms after swimming or merely breathing in sea spray – attracted international concern last week.
Speculation about the likely cause ranged from pollution and algae to unusual bacterial infections or viruses. Today we can reveal the culprit was a tiny – but harmful – type of planktonic algae called Karenia mikimotoi.
The SA government sent us water samples from Waitpinga Beach, Petrel Cove Beach, Encounter Bay Boat Ramp and Parsons Headland on Tuesday. We studied the water under the microscope and extracted DNA for genetic analysis.
Our results revealed high numbers of the tiny harmful algal species – each just 20 microns in diameter (where one micron is one thousandth of a millimetre). While relatively common in Australian coastal waters, blooms of K. mikimotoi occur only sporadically. But similar harmful algal blooms and fish kills due to K. mikimotoi have happened in the past, such as the 2014 bloom in Coffin Bay, SA. And this latest one won’t be the last.
Sick surfers and dead marine life from strange sea foam (ABC News) Harmful algal blooms
Single-celled, microbial algae occur naturally in seawater all over the world.
They are also called phytoplankton, because they float in the water column and photosynthesise like plants. “Phyto” comes from the Greek word for plant and “plankton” comes from the Greek word for wanderer, which relates to their floating movement with ocean currents and tides.
Like plants on land, the microalgae or phytoplankton in the ocean capture sunlight and produce up to half the oxygen in our atmosphere. There are more than 100,000 different species of microalgae. Every litre of seawater will normally contain a mixed group of these different microalgae species.
But under certain conditions, just a single species of microalgae can accumulate in one area and dominate over the others. If we are unlucky, the dominant species may be one that produces a toxin or has a harmful effect.
This so-called “harmful algal bloom” can cause problems for people and for marine life such as fish, invertebrates such as crabs, and even marine mammals such as whales and seals.
There are hundreds of different species of harmful algae. Each produces its own type of toxin with a particular toxic effect.
Most of these toxic chemical compounds produced by harmful algae are quite well known, including neurotoxins that affect the brain. But others are more complicated, and the mechanisms of toxicity are poorly understood. This can make it more difficult to understand the factors leading to the deaths of fish and other marine life. Unfortunately, the toxins from K. mikimotoi fall into this latter category.
Introducing Karenia mikimotoi
Karenia mikimotoi under the microscope.
Shauna MurrayThe species responsible for recent events in SA beaches, K. mikimotoi, causes harmful algal blooms in Asia, Europe, South Africa and South America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. These blooms all caused fish deaths, and some also caused breathing difficulties among local beachgoers.
The most drastic of these K. mikimotoi blooms have occurred in China over the past two decades. In 2012, more than 300 square kilometres of abalone farms were affected, causing about A$525 million in lost production.
Explaining the toxic effects
Microalgae can damage the gills of fish and shellfish, preventing them from breathing. This is the main cause of death. But some studies have also found damage to the gastrointestinal tracts and livers of fish.
Tests using fish gill cells clearly show the dramatic toxic effect of K. mikimotoi. When the fish gill cells were exposed to intact K. mikimotoi cells, after 3.5 hours more than 80% of the fish cells had died.
Fortunately, the toxin does not persist in the environment after the K. mikimotoi cells are dead. So once the bloom is over, the marine environment can recover relatively quickly.
Its toxicity is partly due to the algae’s production of “reactive oxygen species”, reactive forms of oxygen molecules which can cause the deaths of cells in high doses. K. mikimotoi cells may also produce lipid (fat) molecules that cause some toxic effects.
Finally, a very dense bloom of microalgae can sometimes reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water column, which means there is less oxygen for other marine life.
The human health effects are not very well known but probably relate to the reactive oxygen species being an irritant.
K. mikimitoi cells can also produce “mucilage”, a type of thick, gluey substance made of complex sugars, which can accumulate bacteria inside it. This can cause “sea foam”, which was evident on beaches last week.
South Australia’s marine emblem, the leafy seadragon, washed up dead on the beach.
Anthony RowlandUnanswered questions remain
A question for many people is whether increasing water temperatures make blooms of K. mikimotoi more likely.
Another concern is whether nutrient runoff from farms, cities and aquaculture could cause more harmful algal blooms.
Unfortunately, for Australia at least, the answer to these questions is we don’t know yet. While we know some harmful algal blooms do increase when nutrient runoff is higher, others actually prefer fewer nutrients or colder temperatures.
We do know warmer water species seem to be moving further south along the Australian coastline, changing phytoplankton species abundance and distribution.
While some microalgal blooms can cause bioluminescence that is beautiful to watch, others such as K. mikimotoi can cause skin and respiratory irritations.
If you notice discoloured water, fish deaths or excessive sea foam along the coast or in an estuary, avoid fishing or swimming in the area and notify local primary industry or environmental authorities in your state.
Shauna Murray receives funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the New South Wales Recreational Fisheries Trust, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and the Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program. She is President of the Austalasian Society of Phycology and Aquatic Botany and past chair of the NSW Shellfish Committee.
Greta Gaiani does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Mystery solved: our tests reveal the tiny algae killing fish and harming surfers on SA beaches – https://theconversation.com/mystery-solved-our-tests-reveal-the-tiny-algae-killing-fish-and-harming-surfers-on-sa-beaches-252810
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MIL-Evening Report: France’s Southern Cross regional military exercise moves to Wallis
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk
Southern Cross, a French-hosted regional military exercise, is moving to Wallis and Futuna Islands this year.
The exercise, which includes participating regional armed and law enforcement forces from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga every two years, is scheduled to take place April 22-May 3.
Since its inception in 2002, the war games have traditionally been hosted in New Caledonia.
However, New Caledonia was the scene last year of serious riots, causing 14 deaths, hundreds injured, and an estimated cost of 2.2 billion euros (NZ$4.2 billion)
Southern Cross focuses on the notion of “interoperability” between regional forces, with a joint multinational command following a predefined but realistic scenario, usually in a fictitious island state affected by a natural disaster and/or political unrest.
This is the first time the regional French exercise will be hosted on Wallis Island, in the French Pacific territory of Wallis and Futuna, near Fiji and Samoa.
Earlier this month (March 3-5), the Nouméa-based French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC) hosted a “Final Coordination Conference” (FCC) with its regional counterparts after a series of on-site reconnaissance visits to Wallis and Futuna Islands ahead of the Southern Cross 2025 manoeuvres.
Humanitarian, disaster relief
FANC also confirmed this year, again in Wallis-and-Futuna, the exercise scenario would mainly focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and that it would involve, apart from the French forces, the deployment of some 19 other participating countries, with an estimated 2000 personnel, including 600 regional.A French Carrier Strike Group exercise Clémenceau25 deployment map of operations. Image: ALPACI-Forces armées en Asie-Pacifique et en Polynésie française Last week, still in preparation mode, a group of FANC officers travelled again to Wallis for three days to finalise preparations ahead of the exercise.
In an interview with public broadcaster Wallis and Futuna la 1ère, FANC inter-army chief-of-staff Colonel Frédéric Puchois said the group of officers met local chiefly and royal authorities, as well as the Speaker of the local territorial assembly.
In 2023, the previous Southern Cross exercise held in New Caledonia involved the participation of about 18 regional countries.
“It’s all about activating and practising quick and efficient scenarios to respond mainly to a large-scale natural disaster,” Colonel Puchois said.
“Southern Cross until now took place in New Caledonia, but it was decided for 2025 to choose Wallis and Futuna to work specifically on long-distance projection.
“So, the Americans will position some of their forces in Pago-Pago in American Samoa to test their capacity to project forces from a rear base located 2000 kms away [from Wallis].
“And for the French part, the rear base will be New Caledonia,” he added.
Port Vila earthquake
He said one of the latest real-life illustrations of this kind of deployment was the recent relief operation from Nouméa following Port Vila’s devastating earthquake in mid-December 2024.“We brought essential relief supplies, in coordination with NGOs like the Red Cross. And during Southern Cross 2025, we will again work with them and other NGOs”.
However, Colonel Puchois said not all personnel would be deployed at the same time.
“We will project small groups at a time. There will be several phases,” he said.
“First to secure the airport to ensure it is fit for landing of large aircraft. This could involve parachute personnel and supplies.
“Then assistance to the population, involving other components such as civil security, fire brigades, gendarmes. It would conclude with evacuating people in need of further assistance.
“So we won’t project all of the 2000 participants at the same time, but groups of 250 to 300 personnel”.
Cooperation with Vanuatu Mobile Force
FANC Commander General Yann Latil was in Vanuatu two weeks ago, where he held meetings with Vanuatu Mobile Forces (VMF) Commander Colonel Ben Nicholson and Vanuatu Internal Affairs minister Andrew Napuat to discuss cooperation, as well as handling and maintenance of the French-supplied FAMAS rifles.For two weeks, two FANC instructors were in Port Vila to train a group of about 15 VMF on handling and maintenance of the FAMAS used by the island state’s paramilitary force.
The VMF were also handed over more ammunition for the standard issue FAMAS (the French equivalent of the US-issued M-16).
French Armed Forces Commander in New Caledonia (FANC) General Yann Latil visits Vanuatu Mobile Forces (VMF) training in French FAMAS rifles maintenance. Image: FANC Forces Armées en Nouvelle-Calédonie During his visit, General Latil also held talks with Vanuatu Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat, who is in charge of the VMF and police.
FANC and Vanuatu security forces are “working on a regular basis”, Vanuatu-based French Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer said.
The three-star general (equivalent of a lieutenant-general) flew back to Nouméa about 500 km away on March 8.
French vessel on fishing policing mission
At the same time, still in Vanuatu, Nouméa-based overseas support and assistance vessel (BSAOM) the D’Entrecasteaux and its crew were on a courtesy call in Luganville (Espiritu Santo island, North Vanuatu) for three days.After hosting local officials and school students for visits, the patrol boat embarked on a surveillance policing mission in high seas off the archipelago.
One ni-Vanuatu officer also joined the French crew inspecting foreign fishing vessels and checking if they comply with current regulations under the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
On a regular basis, similar monitoring operations are also carried out by navies from other regional countries such as Australia and New Zealand in order to assist neighbouring Pacific States in protecting their respective Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) from what is usually termed Illegal Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing from foreign vessels.
Last month, the D’Entrecasteaux was engaged in a series of naval exercises off Papua New Guinea.
Further north in the Pacific, French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its strike group wrapped up an unprecedented two-month deployment in a series of multinational exercises with Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam), where “one third of the world’s maritime trade transits every day”.
This included its own Exercises Clémenceau25 and La Pérouse (with eight neighbouring forces), but also interoperability-focused manoeuvres with the US and Japan (Pacific Steller).
“The deployment of this military capacity underlines France’s attachment to maritime and aerial freedom of action and movement on all seas and oceans of the world”, the Tahiti-based Pacific Maritime Command (ALPACI) said this week in a release.
US Navy in Western Pacific activity
Also in western Pacific waters, the US Navy’s activity has been intense over the past few weeks, and continues.The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Vermont (SSN 792) returned on 18 March to Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam, following a seven-month deployment, the submarine’s first deployment to the Western Pacific, the US Third Fleet command stated.
On Friday, the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) left Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific.
The US Third Fleet command said the strike group’s deployment will focus on “demonstrating the US Navy’s unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific in which all nations are secure in their sovereignty and free from coercion”.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
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MIL-OSI Economics: The Gift of Water: How the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is Transforming Lives
Source: African Development Bank Group
“Water is life; when there is no water, it is as if there are no people living.”
These profound words from ‘Masechefo Sechefo, a Community Councilor at Ha Sekete village, capture the essence of existence in rural Lesotho before the African Development Bank’s transformative intervention.
In a country where water ironically constitutes 30% of the nation’s GDP, many rural Basotho paradoxically lived without access to clean water. This stark contradiction defined daily life until the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project began changing the narrative in the communities.
The Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is connected to the Metolong Dam Water Supply Programme, a collaborative initiative between the government and partners.
The Long Walk For Water
Before the project, women and girls in villages across Maseru and Berea districts would wake before dawn to begin their daily ‘pilgrimage’ to distant springs and unprotected wells. The journey often stretched more than a kilometer each way, with women carrying heavy containers while navigating challenging mountain terrain.
“Where we used to fetch water, it was so far that there could have been challenges, perhaps the risk of being attacked or harmed by criminals,” recalls ‘Masechefo.
At Sekete Primary School, the situation was equally dire. Headteacher Sello Matlali remembers: “We had to send children to fetch water from the unprotected wells around our communities. It was about one and a half kilometers walk from the school.”
This daily expedition meant losing children’s classroom time and productive hours for women. Worse still, the unprotected water sources harbored pathogens causing diarrheal diseases that disproportionately affected the community’s most vulnerable members.
A Project That Flows Like Life Itself
When the African Development Bank’s initiative reached these communities, it didn’t merely install infrastructure – it unleashed potential.
The project, set to conclude in March 2025 after more than a decade of implementation, has delivered remarkable results: 190 kilometers of pipeline to distribution networks, water storage reservoirs with a total capacity of 3.48 million liters, and 166 public water points serving approximately 28,266 people across eight zones in Maseru and Berea districts.
The numbers tell only part of the story. Moses Tembo, the project’s task manager at the African Development Bank, highlights the impact: “From the data collected through the project, you could see that many people’s lives have been changed. Most people were drawing water from springs and unprotected wells, and the incidence of diarrheal diseases was quite high.”
Beyond water supply, the project expanded sanitation infrastructure, – constructing 266 sanitation facilities for vulnerable households and 284 toilets at schools and healthcare facilities.
A massive water reservoir constructed as part of the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project
“It Was Like Our Birthday”
At Sekete Primary School, the transformation has been profound. “When water was supplied, it was like our birthday,” Sello Maltali exclaims, his eyes bright with emotion. “The African Development Bank came to our rescue when we were in serious problem.”
The school now boasts eight water taps and proper sanitation facilities – eight toilets for boys, seven for girls, and a dedicated facility for children with disabilities. This thoughtful design has created an inclusive learning environment where all 500 students can focus on education rather than basic survival needs.
“We live the life we never lived before,” Matlali reflects. “We forget the past. We talk of it as history.”
The impact extends beyond convenience. The school has witnessed increased enrollment and reduced disease transmission. Students can now pursue agricultural education, which teaches them self-reliance and food production skills.
Women Liberated, Communities Transformed
For women like ‘Masechefo, the project has delivered more than water – it has brought dignity and safety. “This project has brought a big change in our lives and our families. There is cleanliness in our homes and on our bodies.”
The transformation has touched every aspect of community life. Residents found employment during construction— collecting stones, laying bricks, mixing cement, and completing roofing work. This approach ensured that the community benefited from the completed infrastructure and the process itself.
Mamosili Kikine, the project’s technical adviser, explains: “The beneficiaries are using water for different purposes, like cooking and washing. The schools and clinics in these zones are also benefiting.”
Climate Resilience: Protecting the Future
As the base project nears completion, an additional component introduced in 2019 focuses on climate resilience. This component educates communities about preserving watersheds and forests to ensure sustainable water resources.
“Lesotho is very much dependent on water for its economy and the wellbeing of people,” task manager Tembo explains. “The water reserves 10 years ago, 20 years ago, are not the same at the moment.”
By protecting water sources through this education, the project aims to secure these life-giving resources for future generations.
Water: A Celebration of Life
As the African Development Bank joined in celebrating World Water Day on March 22, the communities served by this project understand its significance profoundly. They have experienced life with and without clean water –and know which they prefer.
“Without water, there is no life,” declares headteacher Sello Matlali. “Water shortage is death. We cannot have food. We cannot bathe. We cannot wash our hands. We are vulnerable to disease.”
The project’s legacy extends beyond pipes and reservoirs. It has fundamentally altered the relationship between communities and water – creating not just consumers but stewards of this precious resource.
For the people of Lesotho’s rural communities, water is no longer just a substance—it’s the embodiment of possibility, dignity, and future prosperity. In a country blessed with abundant water resources that benefit neighboring nations, the African Development Bank has ensured that Lesotho’s citizens can finally share in this natural wealth.
And for that, as Sello Matlali puts it, “It is very joyous.”
A Nurse’s Story
Mots’elisi Makhele, the only community health nurse serving approximately 2,000 people in her rural community, has witnessed a remarkable transformation thanks to the African Development Bank’s water supply and sanitation project.
“We used to have a small community tap where 2,000 people would queue, and because of the drought, we wouldn’t have enough water some days,” Makhele recalls, adding that this single tap served everyone—elderly women, small children, and her clinic.
Community nurse Mots’elisi Makhele stands by the tap that previously served around 2,000 people and indicates the houses now connected to modern facilities constructed through the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project.
The health consequences were severe. “I couldn’t do normal birth deliveries because there was no water,” said Makhele. “There was an increased rate of waterborne infections, and I had many babies with malnutrition because the water was not clean.”
The African Development Bank project transformed the community by providing individual household taps and proper sanitation facilities. The clinic received two proper toilets and a washing station where patients can wash their hands.
The impact has been profound. “After initiating this project, the incidence rate of diarrheal diseases and malnutrition has decreased,” Makhele said excitedly.
A stream that Kesete Village residents relied on for water before modern facilities were constructed through the AfDB-Funded Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project.
Deteriorated sanitation facilities at Hamaja Primary School prior to the intervention.
New sanitation facilities at Hamaja Primary School built under the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The project delivered more than 266 sanitation facilities for vulnerable households and installed 284 toilets in schools and healthcare facilities.
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MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Unveils New Refrigerator Lineup Equipped With Screens and Enhanced AI Vision Inside Feature
Source: Samsung
Samsung Electronics today announced the global rollout of its latest lineup of smart refrigerators, reinforcing the “Screens Everywhere” vision introduced at CES 2025. This expansion includes the introduction of the 9-inch AI Home screen1 on the 4-Door, 4-Door French Door and Side-by-Side refrigerators, as well as an enhanced Family Hub screen on select French Door and Side-by-Side models. An enhanced AI Vision Inside2 feature is integrated on select 4-Door and 4-Door French Door models, refining food identification and streamlining meal planning to ensure a more intuitive kitchen experience for users.
“By offering a wide array of refrigerator options across type and also screen sizes, we are expanding choices to meet diverse household requirements,” says Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head of the R&D Team for Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “Consumers can enjoy greater flexibility in choosing fridge designs while benefiting from the AI-powered smart home experience Samsung provides.”
A Smarter Way To Manage Food, Home, Family Communication and Entertainment
Samsung’s new refrigerators incorporate the intuitive 9” AI Home screen and 32” or 21.5” Family Hub screens, which are designed to enhance four key areas of daily life: Food, Home, Family Communication and Entertainment. The first category, food, is especially powered by the upgraded AI Vision Inside, which adds four more food items to the list of recognizable types for a total of 37. Furthermore, adding on to fresh food items, AI Vision Inside can now also recognize processed food items. Refrigerators with the enhanced AI Vision Inside will recognize and recommend users to save processed food items that have been placed inside multiple times, allowing up to 50 items to be saved with designated names.3 Based on the improved food list, the screen will provide tailored recipe recommendations and meal planning,4 making home cooking more seamless and personalized.
Beyond food, the screens also enhance smart home connectivity. The latest advancements provide deeper integration into the smart home ecosystem, making the refrigerator a central hub capable of controlling connected appliances throughout the entire home. With the integration of Map View, users can monitor and control Samsung appliances and even third-party smart home devices5 like lights and smart plugs. There’s also SmartThings Energy,6 which helps users track and optimize their energy consumption, facilitating greater efficiency in everyday life. The intuitive display provides users with access to a great deal of information about their home, with users also being able to issue voice commands through Bixby.7
The new Daily Board feature keeps everyone informed and connected. Placed at the heart of the home, the refrigerator screen delivers real-time updates throughout the day — whether it’s the morning weather and schedule before heading to work, or daily energy consumption reports in the evening. Users can also easily access their schedules through voice commands and receive tailored responses. By recognizing each family member’s voice and replying accordingly, Bixby will serve as both a helpful assistant for the entire household and for each person individually.8 Additional family-focused features include a shared gallery for storing precious memories and a calendar to help with daily planning.
Samsung’s latest refrigerators also redefine entertainment in the kitchen, allowing users to stay engaged while cooking or spending time with family. With Spotify integration, users can listen to their favorite music or podcasts directly from their fridge.9 SmartView Mirroring enables seamless screen sharing from smartphones or Samsung TVs, and the dedicated gallery feature lets families display their favorite photos, adding a personal touch to the kitchen.
The Next Generation of RefrigerationThe 4-Door Refrigerator is designed to meet the needs of modern households with its innovative features.10 The 9” AI Home applied on select models allows the refrigerator to integrate seamlessly with the smart home ecosystem. Models that incorporate Hybrid Cooling technology11 keep produce fresh for even longer, while also allowing extra space12 by utilizing a peltier module that is compact in size for cooling. By utilizing the conventional compressor and the Peltier module together, AI Hybrid Cooling is capable of providing additional cooling whenever necessary, such as when the internal temperature increases or when AI predicts a potential rise.13 When users put in a large amount of groceries after shopping or open the door multiple times in the summer, the Peltier module will assist the compressor to maintain a consistent internal temperature.
The 4-Door Refrigerator also comes in Kitchen Fit design, allowing agile installation that requires only a tiny gap of just 4mm from the sides and 20mm from the top. Also, the refrigerator’s doors have been enhanced with SpaceMax insulation technology that uses less amount of high-efficiency insulation, increasing the space in the doors by 56% compared to previous models equaling 10L in capacity.14 Users can also enjoy convenience with the wide opening door that opens more than 90 degrees, and the food showcase to store frequently used items.
The 4-Door French Door Refrigerator, launching in North America, is available in various configurations, including a 32” Family Hub and a 9” AI Home. This flexibility allows users to choose the best fit for their kitchen. The Auto Open Door15 feature ensures hassle-free accessibility with just a gentle tap, making it accessible to everyone in all kinds of situations to effortlessly access the inside of the fridge. It also has a Beverage Center that includes a water dispenser and a 1.4L Auto-Fill Water Pitcher that is dishwasher safe16 and BPA free.17 Apart from ensuring that fresh, filtered water is always available, the pitcher also allows users to infuse their water with fruits and herbs.
The Side-by-Side Refrigerator also offers multiple screen options, including the 21.5” Family Hub and 9” AI Home.18 The model, featuring an Auto Open Door that opens up widely makes it simpler to reach stored items,19 is designed for users who prioritize easy access and organization. Select European models are equipped with Hybrid Cooling technology — as seen in the 4-Door refrigerator — to maintain freshness by preventing temperature fluctuations.
All three types of refrigerators come with the AI Energy Mode feature, allowing users to reduce energy consumption by up to an additional 10%.20 Users can choose to activate the mode always or when electricity bills are expected to exceed the preset target.
With these latest innovative solutions, Samsung continues to push the boundaries of the connected kitchen, transforming the refrigerator into an intelligent hub that enhances food management, smart home integration and entertainment. By seamlessly blending AI-enabled convenience with energy efficiency, Samsung is redefining how users interact with their appliances and bringing the future of the smart home to life.
1 A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required to access the AI Home, our network-based service, including apps, and other smart features available through your refrigerator. You may need to use a separate device e.g. your laptop/desktop or mobile device, to create/log into a Samsung Account. If you choose not to log-in, you will not be able to enjoy any features available on the AI Home, such as the services available on the SmartThings App and the phone call features. Recipe recommendations and Bixby accessible through the AI Home utilize AI (based on deep learning models, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy). To access your AI recipe recommendations, click on the ‘Food’ service within the SmartThings App in the AI Home menu.2 Available on select T-Type and French Door refrigerator models. As of April 2025, AI Vision Inside can recognize 37 food items like fresh fruits and veggies. If the food is not recognizable, it may be listed as an unknown item. AI Vision Inside cannot identify or list any food items in the fridge door bins or freezer. It recognizes food items based on deep learning models, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy.3 Processed foods are limited to those that keep a certain packaged form. AI Home recommends to save the item after it has been input more than 4 times during 30 days.4 Requires login to the Samsung account. The recommendations and meal plans may not fit personal preferences in some cases.5 A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. Third-party devices must by SmartThings compatible.6 Available on Android and iOS devices. All devices should be connected to Wi-Fi or other wireless network, and registered with a single Samsung Account. The energy usage and estimated cost shown in SmartThings Energy may differ from your actual usage and cost. Availability may vary by country, region, service provider, network environment, or device, and may change without notice.7 Bixby is Samsung’s brand of Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant. Its service availability may vary depending on the country, language, and dialect.8 Available starting from 2025 May through over-the-network update. Customized answering is available on select usage cases such as accessing Calendar, Gallery, Find my Phone.9 Available in all countries excluding China, Qatar, Yemen, Russia, Sudan10 Available in North America, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East in 2025. Available screen sizes may vary.11 Available on select models of the 4-Door refrigerator in 2025.12 Based on internal testing, compared to existing Samsung RF9000D model (RF65DG9H*-Global, RF23DB99*-NA/LATAM)13 The Peltier element is a semiconductor-based component that cools using just electricity, without refrigerant. It operates when either the temperature in the refrigerator rises above the normal range or AI predicts that the temperature will rise in 5 minutes due to a long period of food storage or cleaning, based on an analysis of the user’s refrigerator opening and closing pattern.14 Based on internal testing, compared to Samsung RF60DB9KF*** model launched in Korea. The capacity may vary by models, region, and feature specifications.15 An automatic closing function is not available. The actual angle that the doors open may vary due to the installation circumstances and usage conditions, like storing heavy items in the door bins. The user may need to adjust how the refrigerator is installed if the doors don’t open properly. The touch sensors can be turned on/off from the display or SmartThings app and the default setting is ‘Off’. The Auto Open Door function may be activated inadvertently by contact with any body part or by a child or pet.16 Tested for 125 cycles in accordance with the “Mechanical dishwashing resistance of utensils” test method (BS EN 12875-1:2005) and certified as dishwasher safe by SGS.17 Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are often used in food and beverage containers, and has been linked with possible adverse health effects.18 Available in Europe, Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).19 You can select the door opening level using the SmartThings App (SmartThings is available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required). The ‘Wide-open’ option automatically opens the door by an angle of 80 degrees or more, but the door does not close automatically. The ‘Semi-open’ option reduces the force required to open the door, and automatically closes the door after a certain period of time if the door is left open. The actual angle that the doors open may vary due to the installation circumstances and usage conditions, like storing heavy items in the door bins.20 The test results are based on a comparison of the factory setting temperature when using AI Energy mode and without using AI Energy mode. Results may vary depending on the usage conditions and patterns. AI Energy Mode can be activated in SmartThings Energy, which is available on Android and iOS devices. SmartThings Energy requires Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account. -
MIL-OSI China: Trump’s ‘transactional foreign policy’ hits deadlock
Source: China State Council Information Office
In the two months since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has been aggressively pursuing its foreign policy agenda under the belief that everything is subject to “deals,” triggering wide backlash in international society.
The essence of Trump’s foreign policy is “purely transactional,” said an article on the U.S. website The National Interest.
“All I know, is… deals”
“My whole life is deals. That’s all I know, is deals,” said Trump following his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron about a month ago.
When it comes to the means to facilitate these deals, as Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, put it, “We could do that with carrots, and we can do that with sticks.”
On the issue of the Ukraine crisis, to facilitate negotiations between the parties, the Trump administration threatened that Russia would face U.S. sanctions if it refused to participate in talks, and that Ukraine would lose U.S. aid if it declined to negotiate.
The United States has also coveted Ukraine’s resources, initially demanding rare earth elements, followed by oil, natural gas and other mineral resources.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly opposed these demands at first. His fiery clash with Trump at the White House on Feb. 28 shocked the world, prompting the United States to suspend military aid to Ukraine and cut off intelligence-sharing.
When they spoke by phone on Wednesday, Trump even suggested to Zelensky that the United States could help run, and possibly own, Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, according to a statement by the U.S. presidential administration.
On the Palestinian question, Trump demanded that Hamas release detained Israeli hostages, threatening that “or it is OVER for you” on March 5 in a post on Truth Social.
Trump also proposed to “clean out” Gaza in late January and used the suspension of aid as leverage to pressure Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinians.
To address the issues of illegal immigration and fentanyl within the United States, the Trump administration wielded the “tariff stick” against Mexico and Canada. According to the Trump administration’s logic, these two major problems were caused by Canada and Mexico, and if they are not resolved, tariffs will be imposed.
Trump also set his sights on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
He said that the United States would take control of Greenland “one way or the other,” refusing to rule out economic or military coercion. Trump said he would consider imposing tariffs on Denmark “at a very high level” if it resisted his offer to acquire the territory.
Referring to Trump’s book where he talks about his experiences as a hotel developer, Sina Toossi, a fellow at the U.S. think tank Center for International Policy, told AFP: “He approaches diplomacy the way he approached real estate in ‘The Art of the Deal:’ — escalate tensions, maximize threats, push the situation to the brink of disaster and then, at the last minute, strike a deal.”
“Transactional foreign policy” reaches impasse
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier,” Trump declared in his inaugural address on Jan. 20. But how effective is his “transactional foreign policy?”
After Trump’s phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, U.S. media believe that Russia has in effect rejected the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire plan for Russia and Ukraine.
The Washington Post reported that the call between the U.S. and Russian leaders highlighted differences more than agreement.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is also dissatisfied with the proposal to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure within 30 days, hoping to extend the ceasefire to include other civilian infrastructure.
Zelensky said that Ukraine has no intention of transferring the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which the Trump administration is interested in.
As with Ukraine, Trump has pledged to bring “peace” to the Middle East, but his failure to facilitate “deals” through coercion and pressure has led to the rekindling of the flames of war in Gaza and Yemen.
After “full coordination with the United States,” the Israeli military resumed large-scale airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, signaling the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Additionally, the U.S. military began large-scale military operations against Yemen’s Houthi group on March 15. In retaliation, the Houthis claimed to have attacked U.S. aircraft carriers multiple times.
After the Trump administration launched its “tariff war,” many countries implemented countermeasures. On March 12, the Canadian government announced a 25-percent retaliatory tariff on 29.8 billion Canadian dollars’ (20.7 billion U.S. dollars’) worth of U.S. goods.
On the same day, the European Commission declared that the European Union (EU) would impose retaliatory tariffs on 26 billion euros’ (28.3 billion U.S. dollars’) worth of U.S. goods starting in April, targeting items such as beef, poultry, whiskey and motorcycles.
Trump’s tariffs “are an act of self-harm,” The Economist said in a recent article.
Trump’s remarks about Greenland have also increased anti-American sentiment on the island. To protest Trump’s remarks about acquiring the territory, an anti-American rally was held on March 15 in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, with thousands of demonstrators marching to the U.S. Consulate there.
Danish and EU officials also voiced their support for Greenland. “I believe that Greenland will remain part of the Danish Commonwealth for quite some time,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said recently.
“To all the people of Greenland and of Denmark as a whole, I want to be very clear that Europe will always stand for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.
The Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun commented Thursday: “Another major offensive has begun in the Middle East, and Russia declined to endorse a full ceasefire in Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump’s diplomacy based on deals has apparently stalled.”
A more dangerous world
Analysts believe that the root cause of the impasse in “transactional foreign policy” lies in Trump’s sole focus on U.S. interests. He disregards the demands and needs of others, especially those of conflicting parties, and makes no effort to address the underlying issues.
“For Trump, foreign policy isn’t about carefully negotiated peace deals. It’s about performance, leverage and crafting a narrative that sells,” Toossi said.
Trump’s ability to create bargaining chips out of thin air and force concessions through coercion and inducement rely on the United States’ military and economic strength, analysts said.
The essence of his “transactional foreign policy” is nothing more than coercion diplomacy rooted in power, serving the narrow self-interests of the United States. Rather than solving problems at their root, it ignores the concerns of relevant parties and pressures them to accept U.S. terms.
“Team Trump claims that its dealmaking will bring peace and that, after 80 years of being taken for a ride, America will turn its superpower status into profit,” said The Economist in an article.
“Instead it will make the world more dangerous, and America weaker and poorer,” it added.
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MIL-OSI Australia: Celebrating early warning collaboration on World Meteorological Day
Source: Australia Safe Travel Advisories
23/03/2025
Issued: 23 March 2025
Today is World Meteorological Day and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of national weather and water agencies across the world.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the specialised agency of the United Nations for meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences, commemorates World Meteorological Day on 23 March each year. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the WMO.
The Bureau of Meteorology continues to play a leading role in supporting Pacific Islands nations to prepare for and respond to the impacts of severe weather and a changing climate. The Bureau engages in several initiatives in the Pacific region aligned to this year’s theme of “Closing the early warning gap”.
In partnership with the Pacific Meteorological Council, the Bureau supports the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) program, to enhance early warning systems and increase climate resilience in the Pacific.
As part of the initiative, the Bureau provides technical guidance and advice to help the Pacific improve its infrastructure, systems and training.
General Manager of International Development, Dr Andrew Jones said the program supports the Pacific region in benefiting from advances in forecast and warning systems for weather, hydrological and oceanic events, enabling increased accuracy specificity and lead times of forecasts.
“Severe weather events devastate Pacific Island communities through loss of life and damage to homes and infrastructure, agricultural lands, livelihoods, and economies,” Dr Jones said.
“Climate change escalates the Pacific’s vulnerability to extreme events by increasing their intensity and/or frequency.
“The Bureau supports Pacific meteorological leaders in providing technical guidance and advice to ensure that every Pacific Island person will be safer from severe weather and the impacts of climate change.”
The Bureau also works with stakeholders in Pacific Island countries to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate variability through the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac) and, in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization and the Papua New Guinea Weather Service, the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems Papua New Guinea (CREWS-PNG).
Dr Jones said Papua New Guinea’s diverse topography and highly variable rainfall means a limited rain gauge network is insufficient to accurately assess rainfall distribution.
“The Bureau’s technical advice of extensive and uniform coverage of satellite-based precipitation observations provide a more precise picture of rainfall,” Dr Jones said.
“CREWS-PNG closes the early warning gap, benefiting over 200 users in agriculture, water, energy, and emergency services with improved decision-making and climate resilience.
“Meteorology operates outside of political and geographical boundaries. The Bureau works with partners in other countries, sharing information and resources to benefit people in Australia and around the world.”
Find out more information about the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) program here: Program Summary and about World Meteorological Day here: World Meteorological Day
ENDS…
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Six day “International Workshop on Land Governance” to commence in Gurugram, Haryana to tackle Global Land Challenges
Source: Government of India
Six day “International Workshop on Land Governance” to commence in Gurugram, Haryana to tackle Global Land Challenges
India’s SVAMITVA Scheme to Take Center Stage at the International Workshop, to be held during 24th – 29th March 2025Delegates from 22 Countries to participate; Workshop to showcase High-Resolution Mapping and CORS Technology for Land Administration
Posted On: 22 MAR 2025 3:36PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs under their Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program and the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), is organizing an “International Workshop on Land Governance” from 24th March to 29th March, 2025 at HIPA Complex in Gurugram, Haryana. The workshop will bring together delegates from 22 countries across Africa, Latin America and South-East Asia to explore innovative approaches for addressing land governance challenges globally. This six-day international workshop will showcase India’s pioneering SVAMITVA Scheme, which has successfully mapped rural inhabited areas using drone technology to provide legal ownership documents to property owners. More than 40 senior officials from 22 participating countries, including Turkmenistan, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Fiji, Mali, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Mongolia, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Equatorial Guinea, Kiribati, São Tomé and Príncipe, Liberia, Ghana, Armenia, Honduras, Eswatini, Cambodia, Togo, and Papua New Guinea will exchange best practices on land governance during the workshop.
The International Workshop will entail discussions on advancements in land governance and sustainable development and feature comprehensive sessions on drone-based land survey techniques, high-resolution mapping, and geospatial technologies that can transform land administration. Technical sessions will include hands-on demonstration of drone survey methods, data processing techniques, ground verification processes and GIS integration. Survey of India experts will conduct field demonstrations of flight planning and drone surveying in a nearby village, offering participants practical exposure to this technology. The International Workshop on Land Governance will also feature field visits and exhibitions to provide participants, hands-on exposure to modern land governance technologies. To showcase cutting-edge technologies, a Drone Vendors’ Exhibition will be organized on March 24 – 25, 2025, wherein 10 drone vendors will set up stalls, displaying innovations in drone-based land mapping and survey techniques. The exhibition will showcase survey-grade drones for high-precision mapping, advanced drone survey processes and technology, and GIS tools and applications for data-driven land management. State Governments will present digital innovations in end-to-end process automation, while demonstrations of Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) [CORS network has been established by Survey of India as public infrastructure, which provides 5cm accuracy positioning services for developmental works. This technology can be leveraged for sustainable development and disaster management] and Rovers will highlight real-time, high-accuracy land surveying techniques.
Industry partners including Survey of India, State Land Revenue Departments, National Informatics Centre, Geo-Spatial World, Hexagon, Trimble, Aereo, Marvell Geospatial, Idea Forge Tech, and AWS will participate as knowledge partners, exhibiting cutting-edge technologies and solutions for land governance. In addition, a series of classroom demonstrations will take place, including drone use cases, ortho-rectified imaging, feature-extracted maps, and ground verification technologies. These demonstrations will provide participants with insights into high-resolution mapping, data validation, and property card finalization, contributing to a deeper understanding of modern land governance practices.
This workshop recognizes the universal challenge of land governance, noting that according to a 2017 World Bank report, only 30% of the global population holds legally registered land titles. By contrast, India’s SVAMITVA Scheme has pioneered a comprehensive approach to mapping inhabited rural areas with 5cm accuracy at a resolution of 1:500, positioning India as a potential model for other nations. It will help in achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to land rights, with participants learning from India’s SVAMITVA model to empower their own citizens with clear land ownership documentation thus creating more reliable land administration systems.
For Agenda of the International Workshop: Click Here
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Aditi Agrawal
(Release ID: 2113999) Visitor Counter : 75
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First-ever export of Anthurium Flowers from Mizoram to Singapore, a fillip to India’s Floriculture Potential
Source: Government of India (2)
First-ever export of Anthurium Flowers from Mizoram to Singapore, a fillip to India’s Floriculture Potential
APEDA facilitates landmark export, strengthening North Eastern Region’s role in India’s floriculture exportsPosted On: 22 MAR 2025 12:14PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards enhancing India’s floriculture export potential, particularly from the North Eastern Region (NER), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Mizoram, successfully facilitated the flagging off of the first consignment of Anthurium flowers from Aizawl, Mizoram, to Singapore. The event, held in a hybrid (phygital) format, took place on February 26, 2025.
Chairman of APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev, and Special Secretary, Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Mizoram, Smt. Ramdinliani, flagged off the first consignment of Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Singapore. Officials from APEDA, the Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Mizoram, Zo Anthurium Growers Cooperative Society, IVC Agrovet Pvt. Ltd., and Veg Pro Singapore Pte. Ltd. participated in the ceremonial flag-off.
The consignment, comprising 1,024 Anthurium cut flowers (weighing 70 kg) packed in 50 corrugated boxes, was exported by IVC Agrovet Pvt. Ltd. from Aizawl, Mizoram, to Singapore via Kolkata. The flowers were sourced from the Zo Anthurium Growers Cooperative Society, Aizawl, Mizoram, and imported by Veg Pro Singapore Pte. Ltd., marking a milestone in the region’s floriculture export journey.
Anthurium is one of the most important flowers cultivated in Mizoram, playing a vital role in driving local economic activity, particularly benefiting farmers, including women. The flower’s cultivation has been a source of livelihood and empowerment for local communities. Mizoram also organizes the annual “Anthurium Festival,” which promotes tourism and highlights the flower’s beauty and ornamental value.
The first-ever export of Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Singapore follows the success of the International Conclave cum Buyer-Seller Meet (IBSM) organized by APEDA in collaboration with the Government of Mizoram on December 6, 2024, in Aizawl. The IBSM witnessed participation from nine international buyers from countries such as Singapore, UAE, Nepal, Jordan, Oman, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Ethiopia, along with 24 domestic exporters. The event established important trade connections and market opportunities for Mizoram’s floriculture products.
India’s floriculture exports reached USD 86.62 million in FY 2023-2024. This first consignment of Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Singapore marks a significant step toward expanding floriculture exports, particularly from the North Eastern Region. NER holds immense potential for the export of horticultural and floricultural products. APEDA remains committed to supporting this potential through export promotional activities and collaborations with various stakeholders in the region.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. APEDA’s mission is to develop, facilitate, and promote the exports of agricultural and processed food products from India, strengthening the nation’s footprint in the global food and beverage industry.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2113965) Visitor Counter : 39
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MIL-OSI Africa: Home Affairs, SIU to launch anti-corruption forum in border management
Source: South Africa News Agency
Sunday, March 23, 2025
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, and the Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Advocate Andy Mothibi, will launch the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum (BMIACF) in Pretoria on Tuesday, 25 March 2025.
According to the statement released on Sunday, this initiative forms a key
part of the intensified and coordinated effort to clamp down on corruption in this sector.Leaders from the Department of Home Affairs, Border Management Authority (BMA), the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and civil society organisations will attend the launch.“This significant event will bring together key stakeholders from government, civil society, and law enforcement agencies to discuss strategies for combating corruption in border management and immigration.”
The launch of the BMIACF will take place at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) auditorium. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: Majodina hands over Garden Route Dam raw water pump station
Source: South Africa News Agency
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, has marked World Water Day celebration by officially handing over a newly Garden Route Dam raw water pumpstation to the George Local Municipality, Western Cape.
Unveiled on Saturday, the newly upgraded Garden Route Pump Station and its association infrastructure, forms part of the Budget Facility Water Project being implemented at George Local Municipality.
The upgraded work at the dam and pump station involved replacing the old 600 millimetres (mm) diameter pipe with new 800 mm diameter steel outlet pipes to increase the pumping capacity of raw water into the balancing dam.
In addition, two 1 250 kilovolt-amperes (KVA) generators were installed to ensure uninterrupted pumping, even during power supply failures.
The department stated that this project is one of 12 sub-projects under the Water Security and Remedial Works Project underway in the municipality.
The total project value exceeds R1.1 billion and is funded by the National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) from the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The department allocated the funds to the municipality to implement the project over four years.
George Municipality, which is also the implementing agent of the project, has contributed an additional R305 million to make the total budget R1.4 billion.
The multiple-phase project started in 2022 and is anticipated to be completed by December 2025.
Speaking at the event, Majodina said the handing over of the completed project at George Municipality, reaffirms government’s commitment to expand access to safe drinking water to all citizens.
“George municipality is rapidly growing with the current daily potable water demand of 38 megalitres per day, and it is projected to increase to 106 megalitres per day over the next 50 years. Today is a demonstration of our commitment to ensure that we meet the rising water demand that is occasioned by the rapid population growth,” the Minister said.
She said the project was an example of a successful inter-departmental collaboration between the national, provincial and local governments.
She added that the project would ensure that the municipality has a sustainable supply of water for generations to come.
Mayor of George Municipality, Jacqueline von Brandis, expressed deep appreciation to the Minister and the department for the funding as it has unlocked economic and socio-economic opportunities for the tourism-inclined municipality.
“We are celebrating an example of intergovernmental success. We are here to showcase the outstanding work and service delivery that can be achieved if we work together. Our BFI grant has been instrumental in enabling us to make significant strides in ensuring that our ever-growing city is water-secured for generations to come,” von Brandis said.
The mayor also extended her gratitude towards the Department of Water and Sanitation and National Treasury for this investment.
George Municipality currently provides water services to over 294 942 residents from 85 931 households across 28 wards, including Pacaltsdorp, Thembalethu, and coastal areas such as Kleinkrantz, Wilderness, Victoria Bay, Herold’s Bay, and Gwaing.
Over the years, the municipality has experienced a substantial increase in its population.
The 12 phases of the project will improve water security and resilience for the current residents and support significant future expansion in various areas within George.
The projects will also prevent sewage spillages through upgrading critical sewage pump stations.
The core of the project is to increase the security of raw water supply to the Garden Route Dam and raw water balancing dams and to increase the capacity of two Water Treatment Works (WTW), which currently provide 38 megalitres (ml/d) to communities.
The project will therefore increase this capacity to 60 60 Megaliters Per Day (ml/d), through the construction of a new 20 ml/d extension and the upgrading of the old WTW.
The upgrade of the Kaaimans River raw water pump station, which transports water from the Kaaimans River to the Garden Route Dam, will improve the supply and storage of raw water.
This enhancement will increase the bulk availability and security of raw water for the current and future population of George.
The scope of the 12 sub-projects includes:
- A new 20 ml/d water treatment works adjacent to the old 38 ml/d water treatment plant
- Construction of a new sludge treatment plant
- Rehabilitation of old water treatment plant
- Refurbishment of the existing sludge discharge system in the old water treatment plant
- Upgrade of Garden Route Dam outlet supply pipework
- New Generator for Garden Route Dam Pumpstation
- New 40 megalitres balancing dam and pipeline to new water treatment plant
- Replacement of pumps for Kaaimans River pumpstations
- New reservoir for Pacaltsdorp (West)
- New reservoir, tower, and pump station of Pacaltsdorp (East)
- New pump station and upgrade of supply pipeline for Thembalethu (West)
- New reservoir, tower, and pump station for Thembalethu (East)
The department highlighted that George Municipality is geared for current and future residential and commercial developments in the east of George and two other more prominent future development areas to the east of Thembalethu and the south of Pacaltsdorp.
“Therefore, the water security and remedial works project will provide certainty that water services will be provided to new residential units as well as commercial and industrial sites,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: CGE to host dialogue with Parliament’s women, youth, and disabilities committee
Source: South Africa News Agency
Sunday, March 23, 2025
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) will on Monday, host the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities at its KwaZulu-Natal provincial office in Durban.
The meeting will discuss the programmes the CGE is implementing in the province.
The engagement will be followed by a week-long committee oversight into different service delivery areas that are meant to address gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and its intersectional recovery programmes.
The portfolio committee intends to embark on assessing the provision of services for victims and survivors of GBVF.
“The committee will also be visiting and meeting institutions that are providing services to young women and adolescent girls in respect of access to sexual reproductive health rights and education with a special focus on sanitary dignity pads and learner pregnancy,” the Commission said in a statement.
The commission’s research report titled “School Dropout of Adolescent Girls during Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Policy Dialogue“, will provide an opportunity for increased engagement based on its findings and recommendations from the oversight visit. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa concludes visit to the Republic of Namibia
Source: South Africa News Agency
President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his working visit to the Republic of Namibia, where he attended the inauguration ceremony of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The ceremony which coincided with the Republic’s 35th Anniversary of Independence Day, was held on Friday, 21 March 2025, at the State House in Windhoek.
The President joined other Heads of State and Government who attended the ceremony, to congratulate President Nandi-Ndaitwah on becoming the fifth and first female President of the Republic.
President Ramaphosa has described the occasion as a monumental celebration for women empowerment for embracing and recognising the role women play in the African continent and the opportunities given to women to show their capabilities and leadership.
“Our hearts are warm from what we witnessed here today that the role of women has been fully embraced, and we also embrace it. As many countries on the continent, we wait for the moment, when the women on our continent will rise to the top,” President Ramaphosa said.
The working visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strategic nature of the cordial bilateral relations between South Africa and Namibia and further consolidate bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
South Africa and Namibia enjoy excellent bilateral relations due to the deep fraternal and historic relationship cemented during the fight against colonialism and apartheid.
Namibia’s stability and the interrelated ties with South Africa make the country a natural strategic partner not only in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), but also in the broader African Union (AU) context and globally.
President Ramaphosa said he is looking forward to working closely with the new President and her government to advance mutual political and economic interest and the integration of the African continent.
Both countries pursue Africa’s renewal, South-South Cooperation, and the promotion of a rules-based international system.
The President was accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: Creecy unveils private sector role in revitalising rail and port infrastructure
Source: South Africa News Agency
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has officially unveiled a groundbreaking Request for Information (RFI), aimed at transforming the country’s struggling rail and port infrastructure through strategic partnerships with the private sector.
“Today, I am launching an online request for information to develop an enabling environment for Private Sector Participation (PSP) and enhance investment in rail and port infrastructure and operations,” Creecy said during a media briefing on Sunday.
The Minister described this decision as a significant step in government’s efforts to partner with the private sector, ensuring that the country’s rail network and ports reclaim their crucial role in enhancing trade and driving economic growth.
Creecy highlighted the urgent need for intervention, citing significant challenges, including infrastructure deterioration, vandalism, theft, underinvestment, and operational inefficiencies that have hindered economic growth.
“The limited availability of State resources to fund infrastructure development and address backlogs has intensified these challenges, severely restricting the ability of State-Owned Entities (SOEs) to fulfill their critical mandates.,” she explained.
The Minister told journalists that Transnet and government have received many “unsolicited“ proposals from the private sector offering investment skills and expertise to support the rehabilitation and reform of our struggling rail and port systems.
“This overwhelming interest has made it clear to the department and Transnet that we must engage in broad and inclusive market research before issuing requests for proposals in August this year.”
However, according to the Minister, these processes are not formal procurement methods, but rather a mechanism to gather and analyse information from the market.
She stated that the government recognises the importance of understanding the freight logistics landscape from the perspective of interested and affected parties.
The Minister believes that this will ensure that solutions are both effective and sustainable during this initial phase of PSP.
The RFI targets key mineral export routes, include the corridor from Northern Cape to Saldanha for iron ore and manganese exports, as well as the routes from Limpopo and Mpumalanga to Richards Bay for coal and chrome exports.
In addition, there is an intermodal supply chain project that focuses on the container and automotive sectors.
This project encompasses the port, container, and automotive port terminals, as well as back-of-port arrangements and railway and inland terminals.
It will also address the corridors connecting Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), Gauteng and Eastern Cape (East London, Port Elizabeth and Ngqura), and Gauteng and Western Cape (Cape Town).
“The RFI represents a pivotal step forward in our shared commitment to building a 21st-century transport system that goes beyond mobility to strengthen industrial competitiveness, deepen regional integration, and drive inclusive economic growth.”
Creecy believes this move will help the department express challenges in a structured and coherent manner, clearly defining their scope, context, and impact to guide the development of focused, strategic, and sustainable solutions.
Support for new and emerging players
Meanwhile, Creecy said the State has committed to principles of job retention, State asset ownership, localisation, and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and gender equality, by providing strong support to new and emerging players in the rail and port sectors.
A dedicated PSP unit, to be hosted by the Development Bank of South Africa, will oversee the initiative.
The eight-week online consultation process, running from 24 March to 9 May 2025, aims to gather comprehensive market insights before issuing formal proposals in August.
Stakeholders are encouraged to participate through the department’s website or dedicated online portal at www.psp-rfi.co.za, with all submitted information to be treated confidentially.
“I encourage all Interested and affected parties to actively engage in this RFI process, contributing to the PSP unit’s efforts in shaping the potential PSP programme of projects and designing future bid packages for procurement,” she added.
Government plans to release a second RFI focusing on passenger rail initiatives in May this year. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: SSA refutes ’Operation Sibonkolo’ report linked to Minister in the Presidency
Source: South Africa News Agency
Sunday, March 23, 2025
The State Security Agency (SSA) has dismissed claims regarding the “Operation Sibonkolo” report linked to the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
This follows a report by Sunday World, which alleged that an intelligence document released by the SSA accusing Ntshavheni of misusing State resources to target her political opponents.
According to the publication, which claims to have seen the report, the Minister initiated a covert operation named “Sibonkolo” to monitor and discredit Deputy President Paul Mashatile and other senior African National Congress (ANC) politicians, aiming to position herself among the party’s top six leaders.
In a statement issued by the Ministry in the Presidency on Sunday, the SSA said it does not normally comment on media reports. However, the diversionary tactics being applied through the allegations of the so-called Operation Sibonkolo go against the progress being made to transform the agency as recommended by the High-Level Review Panel.
“These tactics seek to paint the SSA as an agency stuck in a rogue mode. As a matter of fact, the SSA does not have an operation called Sibonkolo or any operation focused on the manipulation of the State apparatus to further or undermine any individual political ambitions.
“The work of the SSA is governed by established operational directives, while the process to establish the necessary regulations is underway. In addition, they said that the oversight mechanisms established through legislation are fully operational,“ the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Video: Minister of Health, Dr Motsoaledi at the PLHIV policy in action accountability meeting.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
Minister of Health, Dr Motsoaledi at the PLHIV policy in action accountability meeting.
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MIL-OSI Video: Minister Barbara Creecy briefs media about the Request for Information on Private Sector Partnership
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
The Minister of Transport, Ms. Barbara Creecy will brief the media about the Request for Information (FRI) to interested and affected parties on potential Private Sector Partnership (PSP) in rail and port freight logistics and passenger rail.
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MIL-OSI Europe: Angelus of the Third Sunday of Lent
Source: The Holy See
The following is the text prepared by the Holy Father Francis for the Angelus of this third Sunday of Lent:
Text prepared by the Holy Father
Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!
The parable in today’s Gospel tells us about the patience of God, who urges us to make our life a time of conversion. Jesus uses the image of a barren fig tree, which has not borne the anticipated fruit and which, nevertheless, the farmer does not want to cut down: he wants to fertilize it again since “it may bear fruit in the future” (Lk 13:9). This patient farmer is the Lord, who works the soil of our lives with care and waits confidently for our return to Him.
In this long period of my hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the Lord’s patience, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick. This trusting patience, anchored in God’s unfailing love, is indeed necessary in our lives, especially when facing the most difficult and painful situations.
I am saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip, causing many deaths and injuries. I call for an immediate halt to the weapons; and for the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages may be released and a final ceasefire reached. In the Strip, the humanitarian situation is again very serious and requires urgent commitment from the conflicting parties and the international community.
On the other hand, I am pleased that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the final text of the peace agreement. I hope that it may be signed as soon as possible, and may thus contribute to establishing lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
You are continuing to pray for me with great patience and perseverance: thank you very much! I pray for you too. And together, let us pray for an end to wars and for peace, especially in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
May the Virgin Mary keep you and continue to accompany us on our journey towards Easter.
