(AHC Compound Avele – Thursday, 19 September 2024 @ 6.00pm)
Rev. Siaosi Salesulu
Honourable Ministers of Cabinet
And Members of Parliament
Honoured Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps
Australian First Nations Men’s and Australian Women’s 7s Teams and Management
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Talofa lava and warmest greetings. Rev. Salesulu, we extend our
heartfelt gratitude for your uplifting message and prayers. Your words set a tone of unity and positivity for this special event. Thank you, and may you continue to be anointed and blessed in your ministry to the world.
This evening, it is both an honour and a pleasure to welcome the
Australian First Nations Men’s 7s Rugby team and the Australian
Women’s 7s team to our shores.
I have fond memories that I have shared with the Australian High
Commissioner, His Excellency Will Robinson on occasion about my
time on Policing missions to Timor-Leste, and the time I’ve spent in
Darwin and Alice Springs. I have also recently had the privilege to join the Australian High Commission for the launch of their Art Exhibition featuring Torres Straight artists on display for the people of Samoa to enjoy.
Language, culture and our own connection to land and sea is
important to our Samoan people. Tonight, we celebrate not only the remarkable achievements of these outstanding athletes but also the deep and meaningful connections between our peoples. Sport is more than just a game; it is a powerful bridge that connects communities, fosters understanding, and nurtures friendships across borders.
I acknowledge the efforts of the Australian Government to centre First Nations in your Foreign Policy and through your programs like
PacificAus Sports and Team Up.
Our two nations share a strong bond, united through our love for
rugby and a mutual commitment to supporting athletes from
grassroots to high performance. This includes the PacificAus Sports
support for Manusina 15s development pathways through Penina
Pasifika, and pre-olympic support for the Manu 7s.
The presence of three Australian teams in Samoa this week to
celebrate 100 years of Rugby is a testament to the strength of this
partnership. I hope your participation and dedication inspires us all
and reminds us of the true spirit of competition and collaboration.
You will no doubt be aware of the newly established Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the commitment by the Government of Samoa to fostering an environment where sports can thrive, and our athletes can achieve their full potential. One of our primary goals is to ensure that sports are accessible to all Samoans, regardless of their background. We are dedicated to developing programs that not only enhance performance but also instils values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience in our youth.
We are therefore deeply grateful for Australia’s unwavering support in the realm of sports, which helps elevate not just the game but also the lives of countless individuals resonating with the goals of the Ministry. It is through this spirit of camaraderie and shared passion that we continue to grow and succeed together. A spirit that was evident at the Manusina versus Australia A match on Monday, on and off the field.
As we move towards two Rugby World Cups hosted in Australia,
Samoa looks forward to exploring opportunities to further strengthen our partnership and Rugby in Samoa, at all levels.
Thank you for being here, for your dedication, and for the powerful
example you set for all of us. Let us celebrate the unity and friendship that sport brings into our lives.
Fa’afetai tele lava, and all the best on the competition this week.
May your time in our beautiful Samoa be a memorable and a joyous trip for everyone.
Thank you
Photo by Government of Samoa (Leota Marc Membrere)
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 28th Conference of Parties COP 28 decision to transition away from fossil fuels,
although did not go as far as we the most vulnerable countries wanted, it is the beginning of the end for Fossil Fuels.
The doubling of energy efficiency and tripling of renewable energy as part of the COP 28 decision, we hope will turbo charge the transition with financial flows to the needed private and public sector, innovation and availability of efficient technology, policy changes to support affordability and accessibility of such goods and services to the general public, and more importantly, in keeping the 1.5% temperature goal alive and help to stop us from signing our people and planet’s death certificates.
Transitioning away from dependence on fossil fuel is a key priority for Samoa and for the Pacific as a whole. It has been the Pacific and small island developing states biggest concern since the signing of the UNFCCC in 1992, for even back then, we had already witnessed first- hand the impacts of climate change on our islands, economies, and people.
So it is quite encouraging to be part of this summit and to hear from experts in the sector, the practical aspects that we need to be
addressing, the solutions that we need to be elevating, so that we are not too far off from what my country and our region have been asking for – a cleaner and sustainable development pathway.
Global Level
My attendance here is an opportunity for me to share views from the various ‘hats’ Samoa wears, which are very much interlinked to the discussions today. Samoa is currently the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), so in that capacity, Samoa is responsible for amplifying the voices of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from around the world. Samoa is also the Pacific Political Climate Champion for Mitigation consolidating the Pacific voices across all relevant forums including the UNFCCC and opportunities like this.
As small island developing states, we are very clear that phasing out fossil fuels is necessary to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is a scientific fact. More importantly, it is about ensuring that the future of our nations remain secure. So these summits where we showcase practical solutions to this issue that continues to be debated at the global level, is critical. It highlights that the solutions are there and instead of ‘talking’ we need to be actioning them.
Regional Level
At the regional level, our Leaders aspire to a Just and Equitable Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific. Given the diversity of our region, they also acknowledge that the pathway to achieving this is not immediate nor is it one-size fits all.
The discussions today and tomorrow is something that I am very much looking forward to. It looks at the full spectrum of issues that need to be considered in order to harness the potential opportunities renewable energy presents. We are hearing from practitioners who have gone through the trials and errors that we can learn from and inform our vision of a fossil fuel free Pacific.
Though this summit only focuses on the Electricity sector, it is the
innovation and the problem solving that is important and has the
potential to be replicated across other sectors. For the Pacific, the
transportation sector is one of the largest sectors highly dependent on fossil fuel and presents a potential opportunity for more efficient and greener models. National Level In the context of electricity – the Pacific presents a diverse landscape.
Access to electricity can be as low as 12% of the total population for some of our countries and up to more than 95% for others. Not all of our countries have hydro and wind power capabilities. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) could present potential opportunities but is very much untried and the economics is still very risky. Solar energy is common across the region, but even this can be a challenge for small motu or coral atolls with limited land. But in presenting these statistics, the opportunities to work with the Pacific is immense.
Some of our countries have set a goal of 100% renewable by 2020 while others have set their goal to 2030. For Samoa, we have an energy sector plan that will be implemented over a five-year period and currently is up to 2028. We have explored different kinds of renewable sources including wind, biomass, solar and hydro. Petroleum products make up 70% of Samoa’s total energy supply of which the transport sector accounts for 60% while the electricity sector accounts for 25%.
Samoa’s Pathway for sustainable development 2022 – 2026, sets a
target of 70% of renewable energy use by 2031 with the aim to provide affordable, reliable, safe, and clear energy supply for all in the long term.
However, we note the transition to renewable energy is not without its challenges. Samoa like other Pacific Islands, is uniquely challenged in its decarbonization efforts given its geographical isolation, financial and technological constraints, and high vulnerability to climate impacts.
To address these challenges, Samoa is committed to collaborating closely with international partners and interested investors to develop robust policy and regulatory strategies as well as upgrading of these infrastructures. Samoa’s Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, and Sector is leading the implementation of the Pacific Green Transformation Project in Samoa which aims to decarbonize the transport sector, a priority action under our Low Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS).
I am also pleased to share that our Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is scheduled to launch its Renewable Energy Rebate Scheme this year with the aim to accelerate decarbonization of the transport sector, the tourism sector and community sector through schools and community centers with the support of the New Zealand Government. Moreover, a National Carbon Offset Programme is also in the pipeline and will provide for an innovative financial avenue to promote green and renewable energy projects at the community level as part of our campaign to create sustainable communities in the long term.
On raising awareness around renewable energy and its contribution to climate change mitigation. Every year, Samoa celebrates Renewable Energy Day in December to showcase our government’s commitment to accelerate sustainable energy transition for our people. This annual event brings together our Energy sector stakeholders, partners and communities to reflect on the importance of renewable energy on our fight against climate change.
Like the rest of the Pacific, Samoa is doing its part to increase its
ambition, to meet the urgency of the climate crisis, despite our negligible global emissions. In this regard, Samoa’s 3rd Nationally Determined Contribution or NDC will continue to enhance emissions reductions and renewable energy adoption towards a low carbon economy. More focus will also be on adaptation approaches as we consider also including Loss and Damage as part of our NDCs.
Conclusion
Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you again for the opportunity to be part of this summit. I look forward to learning more over the next 2 days and I do hope that this conversation continues and involves more of our Pacific islands. And more importantly finding partners that can help us accelerate our transition to clean energy.
Peace best secured from position of strength, stresses Vice-President “National Security Paramount amid Global Shifts, says VP
Multilateral engagements are essential for addressing modern-day threats, stresses VP
Peace, Security, and Development: Minimum Essentials for Prosperity, says VP
VP addresses participants of the inaugural International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) at Vice-President’s Enclave
Posted On: 27 SEP 2024 1:33PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today underscored that Peace is best secured from a position of strength, thereby according paramount importance to national security. “Global peace is assurance for sustainable development, the only way to existence. But geopolitical configurations and conflagrations have affected a sea change in security outlook”, he remarked.
Ideating about peace and harmony is fundamental to saner humanity.
Global peace is assurance for sustainable development- the only way to existence.
This gathering in the land of Mahatma Gandhi apostle of peace and non-violence, carries great significance. #INSTEPpic.twitter.com/PaBE0iWFbg
Addressing the participants of the inaugural International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP), a collaborative effort between the National Security Council Secretariat, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Defence, at New Delhi today, Shri Dhankhar emphasized the fundamental connection between global peace and sustainable development, underlining that the current state of world affairs demands a redefined approach to security.
Highlighting the dynamic geopolitical shifts that have altered global security perspectives, the Vice-President noted that multilateral engagements are no longer optional but essential for addressing modern-day threats, ranging from cyber crimes and terrorism to climate change and disruptive technologies.
Shri Dhankhar also drew attention to the evolving global threats, many of which were unimaginable just a few years ago. “We are in a world that has suddenly appeared on our radar, with unprecedented challenges such as climate change, pandemics, cyber threats, and disruptions in global order,” he remarked. He pointed out that these challenges are not accidental but stem from policies and actions driven by power ambitions and a disregard for sustainable growth.
Addressing the significance of technological advancements, he emphasized the critical role that emerging technologies such as machine learning can play in shaping global narratives and mitigating misinformation. “Disruptive technologies must be harnessed to neutralize harmful narratives that may lack factual basis but have the potential to create dangerous global environments,” Shri Dhankhar stated.
Multilateral engagements have emerged as a compulsive facet of national security given the paradigm shift in this domain.
Countries could deal with security earlier, conventionally and on their own.
But now, conventional warfare has taken a back seat.
Reflecting on India’s philosophy of “Atithi Devo Bhavah,” the Vice-President reinforced the nation’s belief in welcoming all with warmth and respect, as embodied in the G20 motto: “One Earth, One Family, and One Future.” He stressed that these values are essential in fostering unity and cooperation in a world that increasingly faces challenges that transcend borders.
The Vice-President’s remarks highlighted the broader theme of the IN-STEP program: the necessity for nations to collaborate on peace, security, and development. He remarked, “Peace and security are fundamental to growth and development. These are not lofty ideals, but the minimum essentials on which we build our prosperity and ensure the well-being of our societies.”
The IN-STEP programme, as envisioned, will serve as a valuable platform for participants to exchange ideas, explore different perspectives, and develop strategies to address the pressing security challenges of our time. The Vice-President concluded by expressing hope that the programme would foster not only deeper understanding but also lasting partnerships between nations in the shared pursuit of peace, security, and sustainable development.
Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, IAS , Secretary to the Vice-President of India, Air Marshal Hardeep Bains AVSM VSM, Commandant, National Defence College, India and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
The IN-STEP programme features 27 international delegates from 21 countries, alongside 11 senior Indian military and civil officers. The programme is a collaborative effort between the National Security Council Secretariat, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Defence.
Today, the Public Service Commission (PSC) as part of its Talofa with a Smile customer service campaign proudly opens its refurbished Commission Lounge, a welcoming space designed for both the public and public servants to access services and engage with our Office.
At the PSC, we believe that exceptional customer service is not just important—it’s essential. It strengthens our public image and reinforces the values by which the Talofa with a Smile is premised on: respect, service, efficiency and effectiveness. Through the campaign, we are committed to creating a positive work culture within our organisation while building trust and satisfaction with the broader public. The Commission Lounge embodies these principles, offering a space where these values are seen in action, creating an enriching, and fulfilling experience as customers access the services and information they need, when they need it.
This lounge and reception area is not just a service point—it’s a reflection of how we at the PSC strive to operate every day.
During the opening event, Commission Chairman Nonu Lemauga Saleimoa Vaai said:
“I am honored to welcome the Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa to officially open the Talofa with a Smile Commission Lounge. My vision is that this space will serve as a place where the public can truly experience our commitment to respect and service.”
“We are eager to invite the public into this space. The lounge provides a gateway to the PSC— a go-to for information, services, and a positive experience. When you walk through our doors, expect a warm Talofa with a Smile and efficient, respectful service.”
He added, “I’m especially pleased that this lounge will also provide a peaceful environment where people can relax gather their thoughts and feel supported.”
The Commission Lounge and Reception Area was officially opened by the Prime Minister, and Minister for the Public Service Commission, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa, who praised the initiative, stating:
“I am delighted to open this space. The atmosphere of an office mirrors the well-being and satisfaction of the people within it. When employees thrive in a positive environment, they can deliver their best work and truly reflect the values of our exceptional, independent public service. I am confident this space will be a place for people to access information and services, with a smile.”
Secretary to the Public Service Commission, Mr. Kolone Tikeri, also emphasized the key drivers of the Talofa with a Smile campaign and importance of customer service, saying:
“Public service is about adding value through small gestures—whether it’s a warm smile, a kind word, or delivering the service someone needs when they need it. This is the message we are promoting through the Talofa with a Smile campaign and hope to see embodied in the new Commission Lounge.”
“We are very pleased to open the Talofa with a Smile office space today and look forward to customers making use of the Lounge as a first point of call to access the service they need.” Stated Mr. Kolone Tikeri.
Visit Us The Office of the Public Service Commission is located on Level 2 of the FMFM II Government Building and is open week days from9amto 5pm.Our dedicated staff are ready to assist you in accessing the services you need.
In our ongoing commitment to improving our service, the PSC also encourages feedback through our suggestion box, located in the Customer Service Reception area. This is just one more way we strive to embody the values of respect, service, and honesty in everything we do.
Background
Public Service Commission is proud of our service and reputation as the central Human Resource Management in the Public Service, providing quality customer services across the public services. Driven by PSC vision of Public service excellence, the mission is to provide quality public services.
The Talofa with a Smile or Talofa ma le Laufofoga Fiafia Campaign, officially launched on the Samoa Public Service Day in October 3rd 2023, aims to enhance customer service across the Public Service. The Public Service Commission recognises the critical role of effective customer service in achieving public satisfaction and trust
PSC is leading the TALOFA WITHA SMILE project, aimed at giving customers what they want and when they want it, delivered in the best possible way by the Samoa Public Service.
Faafetai Chaplain Lt Col (Todd) Brown for the thoughtful word of encouragement.
Your Highnesses, Head of State and Masiofo
Your Excellency, Council of Deputies and your good lady
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Honorable Cabinet Members
Honorable Chief Justice and the Judiciary
Honorable Speaker of Parliament
Honorable Members of Parliament
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Talofa lava and good evening,
It is truly a pleasure to stand before you this evening in the stunning backdrop of Samoa. The natural beauty of these islands, with their crystal-clear waters and lush landscapes, is a constant reminder of the vibrant culture and spirit that fills this land. I am honored to be here among you and to feel the warmth of your hospitality.
Each day since my arrival I am continuously encouraged by the joy, hope, and talent in Samoa.
If I’m being completely honest, I wish could sing, dance, and play sports half as well as everyone here! That said, these are very important skills I hope to improve upon during my time in Samoa. In terms of my background, I originally hail from a small town outside of Buffalo, New York and have served three overseas assignments, as well as three assignments in Washington, where I most recently served in the Secretary of State’s Operations Center. This is my first assignment in the Pacific and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.
Tonight, I would like to take a moment to introduce you to our newly expanded leadership team. First, join me in a round of applause to welcome our most recently arrived officer, our emcee Laila Gillam. Laila joined us last week as our first-ever Public Affairs Officer. Laila has more than 19 years’ experience as a diplomat and most recently served as Public Affairs Officer in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. She is originally from Colorado.
Many of you already know him, but for those who do not, I’d also like to introduce you to our Political/Economic Affairs Chief Donald Alderman. Donald arrived in Samoa three months ago.
He is also a highly experienced diplomat working on Asia and Pacific issues and has served in Germany, China, Nigeria and South Africa. Donald is originally from Alaska.
As our office continues to expand, so too will our programs and collaborations here in Samoa.
Together, we can explore new opportunities and creative solutions that directly benefit the community, ensuring that our engagement is meaningful and impactful.
Building on the incredible work of my predecessors, my primary aim is to further enhance the relationships we have cultivated, create new relations and to continue expanding upon the core principles that have guided us over the years.
The last several years the U.S. administration has worked to broaden and deepen its engagement with Pacific Island countries as a priority of U.S. foreign policy. As a Pacific nation, the United States has a clear and abiding interest in partnering with Samoa to advance a shared agenda: addressing the climate crisis, maintaining peaceful waterways and upholding freedom of navigation, promoting development and economic growth, and deepening people-to-people ties.
Regionally, in the past three and a half years, the United States has hosted two historic Pacific Islands Forum Summits at the White House; opened three new embassies in Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu; released the first ever U.S.-Pacific Partnership Strategy; and announced plans, working with Congress, to provide over $8 billion in new funding for the Pacific Islands.
The United States recognized Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign and independent states and established diplomatic relationships with them; expanded USAID offices in Papua New Guinea and Fiji; returned the Peace Corps to Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu; and increased the availability of U.S. consular services to enable easier travel. We have surged Coast Guard resources to help safeguard maritime territories against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; launched National Guard State Partnership Programs with Samoa and Papua New Guinea; and tended to tens of thousands of medical patients during missions by the hospital ship USNS Mercy.
We are committed to increasing our assistance in key areas such as health through initiatives like Soifua Manuia returning next month, and I am particularly excited about enhancing our exchange programs like our International Visitor Leadership Program. We hope to increase collaborations through our State Partnership Program, as evident in the Prisons and Corrections subject matter exchange that was held this week by the amazing team from the Nevada National Guard. Can my colleagues from the National Guard raise your hands – welcome and thank you!
One newest initiative just announced at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga is a funding opportunity called the Pacific Ambassadors’ Self-Help Small Grants fund, which will provide grants to local organizations to fund programs that address the impacts of climate change on the environment.
These are a few of the initiatives that not only strengthen our ties but also enrich the lives of those we serve.
Your commitment and dedication will undoubtedly pave the way for further successes as we all work together towards our shared goals. This new chapter comes with exciting opportunities, and I look forward to collaborating with each of you.
Thank you all for being here tonight. I look forward to working closely with each of you as we embark on this journey together. Let us celebrate the beauty of Samoa and the potential of our partnership as we move forward.
Fa’afetai lava! Thank you.
Now join me in raising your glasses to toast the continued friendship and partnership between the United States and Samoa.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Military College of Telecommunications Engineering forge strategic partnership to boost defence innovations under Atmanirbhar Bharat Empowering the Armed forces with indigenous solutions is crucial, and the proposed CDAC Centre of Excellence at MCTE is commendable: Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY
Need for collaboration between Army and researchers to unlock the true potential & gravitate towards Viksit Bharat: Lt Gen K H Gawas, Commandant, MCTE
Posted On: 27 SEP 2024 12:52PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)and Military College of Telecommunications Engineering (MCTE) have formalized their partnership to foster innovation and drive technological advancements for defence applications. As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, MeitY’s R&D organisationshanded overvarious indigenously developed products to MCTE for potential military use, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to self-reliance.
Accelerating adoption of advanced technologies
Building on the commitments made during the 2023 interaction between the former Minister of State, MeitY, and the Chief of Army Staff, the visit by Secretary, MeitY, accompanied by heads of the R&D organisations of MeitY, aimed to strengthen collaborative efforts for joint Research and Development (R&D) in key areas such as AI, Quantum, Chip Design, 5G & beyond, strategic electronics and communications etc. This partnership is poised to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies to meet the evolving needs and challenges faced by the Indian Army.
The initiative involves MCTE’s collaboration in MeitY’s R&D efforts in Electronics and IT, including joint research in cutting-edge technologies. It also aims to provide a platform for MSMEs through an incubation ecosystem, promoting cross-pollination of ideas and technologies.
CDAC Centre of Excellence at MCTE
Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitYhighlighted the importance of empowering the Armed Forces with indigenous solutions and commended the proposed CDAC Centre of Excellence at MCTE. He also appreciated the Letter of Intent with NIELIT to enhance military training programs and assured support for a National Military Technology Research and Incubation Centre at MCTE.
Collaboration with researchers to define battlefield needs
Lt Gen K H Gawas, Commandant, MCTEsaid that to unlock the true potential and gravitate towardsViksit Bharat, there is a need for collaboration between Army and researchers to understand battlefield requirements. He expressed confidence that this partnership would drive future defence innovations and equip the Indian Army to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving battlefield environment.
Abdallah Bouhabib, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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Huawei Advocates for Strong Collaboration Between Governments, Private Sector and Academia to Drive Innovation Leveraging Konza and Local Universities.
Huawei has called for deeper collaboration between governments, the private sector and academia as a key strategy to drive innovation, foster economic growth, and create sustainable development solutions.
Speaking at a Round Table on Partnerships for Development Through Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, on the sideline of the 41st IASP World Conference between September 24-27 2024 in Nairobi, Adam Lane, Director of Government Affairs and Policy at Huawei Kenya emphasized the importance of partnerships in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address pressing local, regional and global challenges.
“In the last 5 years we have worked closely with Konza in providing infrastructure and training for Jitume Labs as well as funding research into how to enhance their effectiveness; we also plan to support events to bring more partners on board to Jitume. We are collaborating with Machakos University to set-up an IoT Lab and contributing content for the Bachelors in IoT and Cloud Computing as well as supporting innovation competitions and hackathons with universities and TVETs across the country. Through these partnerships we can unlock the full potential of digital transformation” Mr. Lane said.
Collective expertise
Mr. Lane said leveraging the collective expertise of governments, businesses, and academic and research institutions will create innovative ecosystems that support digital transformation and foster environments where innovation thrives.
He noted that through collaboration, governments, academic institutions and businesses can jointly solve complex challenges and harness new opportunities in areas like smart cities, connectivity, and digital inclusion.
“Huawei has partnered with Konza Technopolis and Machakos University amongst others because we believe that the collective expertise of governments, businesses, and academic institutions can create a powerful engine for sustainable innovation,” Lane said.
He said that while Huawei embraces partnerships that bring greater impacts, the Company also recommends focusing on one’s strengths and niche areas; highlighting an ongoing program using AI for special needs as one example.
“At Huawei, we believe that technology can be a force for good. We are committed to collaborating with governments, academia and industry leaders to develop innovative solutions that address the unique needs of communities around us as we strive to create a brighter future for all,” Mr. Lane noted.
NEW YORK, Sept. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Recently, Twaao Exchange announced the establishment of a new office in Europe, aimed at providing more convenient localized services for Eurozone users. The platform plans to deepen its collaboration with European financial regulatory bodies to ensure all operations comply with local laws and regulations. This initiative is expected to enhance user trading experiences and expand Twaao influence in the European market.
The new office of Twaao is located in Frankfurt, one of the financial hubs in Europe. This strategic location not only facilitates better service for Eurozone users but also promotes closer collaboration with local financial institutions and regulatory bodies. By establishing a local office, Twaao can respond more swiftly to user needs and provide more efficient services.
In terms of compliance, Twaao will continue to strictly adhere to the financial regulations of European countries, ensuring that all business operations meet legal requirements. The platform will maintain close cooperation with European financial regulators, actively pursuing necessary compliance certifications and licenses. Through these efforts, Twaao is committed to providing users with a safe and reliable trading environment.
To improve user experience, Twaao will launch a series of localized services in the European market. The platform will support Euro trading pairs and offer various local payment methods, facilitating easier deposits and withdrawals for users. Additionally, Twaao will provide multilingual customer service to ensure users receive timely assistance and support during their trading activities.
The technical team at Twaao is continuously optimizing the platform features and performance to deliver an efficient and stable trading experience for European users. By introducing advanced trading engines and risk control systems, Twaao can better meet user trading needs, ensuring transaction security and reliability.
Looking ahead, Twaao will continue to increase its investment in the European market, consistently optimizing and enhancing its service levels. Through deep collaboration with European financial institutions and regulatory bodies, Twaao will introduce more innovative products and technologies, providing users with superior trading services. Additionally, Twaao will actively promote cooperation with local communities and industry partners to jointly foster the healthy development of the European cryptocurrency market.
Dominique Hasler, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education, and Sport of Liechtenstein, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Arnoldo Ricardo André Tinoco, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Elmer Schialer Salcedo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Peru, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Keir Starmer, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Racing of New Zealand, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Mbae Mohamed, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, responsible for the Arab World, Diaspora, the Francophonie and African Integration of Comoros, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Press Conference by The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the Quadripartite Principals (WHO, UNEP, FAO and WOAH) on the significance of the High-Level Meeting on AMR and its outcome.
Speakers:
– HE Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados
– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
– Ms. Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
– Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director-General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
– Mr. Thanawat Tiensin, Assistant Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
World leaders and health experts convened at the UN Headquarters in New York today (26 Sep) to address the “silent pandemic” of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with the adoption of a political declaration to confront this escalating global health threat.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High-Level Debate, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that AMR kills over a million people each year. He said, “the declaration is a strong signal from countries that they are committed to addressing this global trend. Today, AMR is one of the most urgent global health threats. AMR could unwind 100 years of medical progress, making infections that are easily treatable today a death sentence.”
Dr. Tedros further emphasized that no nation is exempt from this threat, although low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest burden. He noted the declaration’s goal to reduce global deaths associated with bacterial AMR by ten percent by 2030.
He also said, “achieving the target set in the declaration requires action beyond the health sector to protect and promote the health of animals, plants, and our environment.” he added. Dr. Tedros said that the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) are collaborating under a “One Health” approach to tackle the issue.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados described AMR as a “silent growing pandemic.” She cited the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials as the primary drivers of resistance.
Mottley said, “many of us get antibiotics. We use it for a few days. We don’t use it for the full course, as prescribed by doctors.” She continued, “we have to change behavior at the individual level, and that is a fundamental purpose, first and foremost, for this high-level summit and the political declaration to begin to effect change.”
Mottley painted a dire picture of the future if AMR is not addressed, saying “imagine what happens if you get an infection from going in a garden, or having a baby, or going to the dentist. These are the things that can bring your life to an end within 48 to 72 hours if the particular antibiotic that you’re using is not effective.”
Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of UNEP said, “this deadly AMR resistance could potentially lead to 40 million deaths attributable to AMR, and 160 million associated with AMR in just a period of 25 years between 2025 and 2050.”
WOAH Director-General Emmanuelle Soubeyran welcomed the political declaration’s emphasis on prevention, particularly in animal health and the use of vaccines. She said vaccines help “prevent diseases that could otherwise lead to the use of antimicrobials.”
Assistant Director-General of the FAO, Thanawat Tiensin, called for collective action to reduce antimicrobial use in agriculture. He said, “and we are expecting that by 2030 we will be able to reduce the global antimicrobial use in agri-food systems, but we need your support.”
Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Hendrikus Wilhelmus Maria Schoof, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).
World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
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مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
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United Nations Interpreters are on call permanently. They are available for every meeting to explain and relay the message of the speakers. How do they do it? Come backstage with Mònica Parés from the UN’s Interpretation Service to find out. The Interpretation Service at the UN facilitates communication by providing interpretation from and into the six official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). Its work covers a wide range of subjects including peace and security, sustainable development, human rights and the environment.
Secretary-General António Guterres today (26 Sep) said people in Gaza are “existing, not living,” and if “there is any outpost of hope in this hellscape,” it is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Addressing a Ministerial level meeting to discuss the situation of the agency, Guterres said, “attempts to evict UNRWA from its headquarters in East Jerusalem continue,” while on the political level, there are “systematic disinformation campaigns to discredit the agency’s life-long work.”
He noted that “draft legislation in the Israeli parliament seeks to label the agency a terrorist organisation and to make any activity by UNRWA on Israel territory Illegal.”
UNRWA’s Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini told the meeting that “Palestinians are no stranger to loss, but to be dispossessed from education, which has always been a source of tremendous pride, is new.”
He said, “we cannot afford to lose an entire generation and sow the seeds for future hatred and extremism.”
Disturbingly, Lazzarini continued, “senior Israeli officials have described destroying UNRWA as a war goal.”
He described efforts to evict the agency from East Jerusalem, and to revoke its privileges and immunities, and designate it as a terrorist organisation, which he said is “an unconscionable action by a member state against a UN entity mandated by the General Assembly.”
Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Aṣ-ṣafadī, Co-Chair of today’s meeting, said, “the indispensability of UNRWA cannot be questioned, nor can the fact that UNRWA cannot be replaced, for doing that is questioning the right of Palestinian children to food, to shelter, to education and to hope.”
Aṣ-ṣafadī said, “UNRWA schools, most of them were decimated. Those that still stand are sheltering Palestinians, children, women who are killed by Israeli bombs and starved by Israeli siege, denying them water, food, medicine.”
He said, “we need UNRWA because nobody can help the Palestinians in Gaza more than UNRWA now.”
The other Co-Chair, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Maria Malmer Stenergard, said, “the underfunding of UNRWA remains deeply concerning” and while she welcomed “generous contributions” from new and recurring donors “more steps must be taken towards a sufficient, predictable and sustainable funding for the agency, including by broadening the donor base.”
Today’s meeting emphasized UNRWA’s indispensable and irreplaceable role in the lives of Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza, and seeked to explore ways to bolster political and financial support for the agency.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, on the occasion of World Tourism Day, on 27th September, 2024 launched the Incredible India Content Hub on the revamped Incredible India digital portal (www.incredibleindia.gov.in). The Incredible India Content Hub is a comprehensive digital repository, featuring a rich collection of high-quality images, films, brochures, and newsletters related to tourism in India. This repository is intended for the use of a diverse range of stakeholders, including tour operators, journalists, students, researchers, film makers, authors, influencers, content creators, government officials, and ambassadors.
The Content Hub, which is part of the new Incredible India digital portal intends to make it easy and convenient for travel trade (travel media, tour operators, travel agents) across the globe to access everything they might need on Incredible India at one place, so that they can amplify Incredible India in all their marketing and promotional efforts. The Content Hub has around 5,000 content assets currently. The content available on the repository is a product of a collaborative effort by multiple organizations, including the Ministry of Tourism, Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture and others.
The Incredible India Digital Portal is a tourist-centric, one-stop digital solution designed to enhance the travel experience for visitors to India. The revamped portal offers essential information and services to travellers at every stage of their journey, from discovery and research to planning, booking, travelling, and return.
The revamped portal offers a wealth of information on destinations, attractions, crafts, festivals, travel diaries, itineraries, and more, utilizing multimedia content such as videos, images, and digital maps. The platform’s ‘Book Your Travel’ feature provides booking facility for flights, hotels, cabs, buses, and monuments, thereby enhancing accessibility for travellers. Additionally, an AI-powered chatbot functions as a virtual assistant to answer queries and provide real-time information to travellers. Other features include weather information, tour operator details, currency converter, airport information, visa-guide, and more.
Ministry of Tourism will continue to improve and develop the portal to include new features, add additional content through crowdsourcing, and partner with relevant organisations and institutions to make the digital portal a continual source of inspiration for all those who search and seek Incredible India.
strong>SANTA FE, NM – Those who experienced losses in the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire or subsequent flooding now have until Dec. 20 to start a claim under a deadline extension Congress passed Thursday as part of a temporary spending bill.
The measure, known as a continuing resolution or CR, adds 35 days to the original Nov. 14, 2024, filing deadline that congressional leaders set when they established a $4 billion compensation fund for those impacted by the historic fire and cascading effects such as flooding, debris flows, mold and smoke damage.
The CR also reopens a window to apply for five-year flood insurance until Dec. 20. The prior deadline for obtaining flood insurance was May 31.
Although affected individuals and businesses now have additional time to submit a Notice of Loss (NOL) to the FEMA Claims Office, they still are encouraged to take this first essential step as soon as possible and avoid filing during the busy holiday season.
“We know there are many residents who have been, and continue to be, impacted by this disaster. We appreciate our partners at FEMA and in Congress providing more time to those residents to get the compensation they are owed, said Ali Rye, State Director, New Mexico Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.”
“Extending the deadline and giving impacted people more time to start a claim is welcome news, and for some people it could prove essential to their personal recovery, said Jay Mitchell, Director of Operations for the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office. But people should not wait to file their NOLs even with the added time.”
Claims Office compensation is not taxable. Receiving payment from the Claims Office will not impact eligibility for government assistance programs. Contact a tax professional for specific tax-related questions. Questions and concerns can also be addressed by calling your claim Navigator or the Claims Office Helpline at 505-995-7133, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday.
The Claims Office is committed to meeting the needs of impacted people by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and cascading effects by providing full compensation available under the law as expeditiously as possible. At the time of publication, the FEMA Claims Office has paid more than $1.2 billion to claimants.
For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn notifications on to stay up to date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at facebook.com/HermitsPeakCalfCanyonClaimsOffice.
The United States, through USAID, is providing $5 million in humanitarian assistance to support refugees in Libya affected by the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Since the start of the crisis, nearly 2.2 million people have been forced to flee Sudan in search of safety elsewhere in the region, including Libya.
This assistance for two USAID partners, UNICEF and the UN World Food Program (WFP), will help meet the urgent needs of Sudanese families who have been forced to flee their homes to Libya. The support for UNICEF will help provide thousands of children under five years of age with vital nutrition support, including malnutrition screening and treatment for severe and moderate acute malnutrition. The support to WFP will provide critical food assistance to Sudanese families to help meet their most immediate needs.
The United States continues to stand with the people affected by this crisis and commends Libya for continuing to host refugees from Sudan. We urge other donors to join us in stepping up to support people affected by this crisis, both within Sudan and throughout the region.