Category: APO-OPA

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

April 25, 2014

South Africa’s Freedom Day

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I extend warmest wishes to the people of the Republic of South Africa on your Freedom Day on April 27.

This year’s celebration is especially poignant: it marks the 20th anniversary of your nation’s first democratic elections and follows the recent passing of the Rainbow Nation’s beloved son, Nelson Mandela.

Madiba was a stranger to hate. He rejected recrimination in favor of reconciliation. On this 20th anniversary, we reflect on South Africa’s transformation in these two decades as a testament to the power of reconciliation, forgiveness, and hope.

This year also marks an important milestone for the United States as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which expanded voting rights to racial minorities. Our own commemoration is yet another reminder of the work ahead in our shared struggle for democracy and human rights.

As you prepare to hold general elections next month – your fifth in the post-apartheid era – we remember the spirit of that historic election in 1994, one filled with tremendous hope, goodwill, and promise for a better future.

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
April 25, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to Sierra Leoneans as you…

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
April 25, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the citizens of Tanzania as you commemora…

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
April 25, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Togo as you celebrate your…

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Reforming Fossil Fuel Subsidies for an Inclusive Green Economy / Experts from UNEP, IMF, GIZ and Others Available for One-on-One Interviews

What:

Workshop on Reforming Fossil Fuel Subsidies for an Inclusive Green Economy, 2014

When:

Monday, 28 April 9:00 a.m. – Tuesday, 29 April 16:30 p.m.

Where:

Conference Room 3, UN Compound, Gigiri

Who:

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director

Benedict Clements, Division Chief, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF

Detlef Schreiber, Head of the Competence Centre for Environment, Resource Efficiency and Waste Management, German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)

Laura Merrill, Senior Researcher, Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI)

Numerous Ministers of Finance, Energy and Environment from around the world

In today’s complex economic environment, it is clear that we need to better understand the scale of fossil fuel subsidies and their potential for green investment. There is an urgent need to share countries’ experiences of subsidy reform and to identify remaining knowledge gaps in data, methodology and policy guidance.

To tackle these issues, some 80 participants are expected to attend the Workshop on Reforming Fossil Fuel Subsidies for an Inclusive Green Economy, 2014, including government officials; international/regional organizations; academic institutions; NGOs and local UN missions.

Discussions will focus on the many stark facts concerning fossil fuel subsidies.

For example, it is estimated that subsidies use up as much as 20 per cent of government revenues in Asia and amount to 15 per cent of the GDP in the Middle East and North Africa – resources that could be better spend on advancing economic and social goals.

Spending on fossil fuel subsidies can be inefficient, given that 43 per cent of the subsidy benefits the richest 20 per cent of the population, while only 7 per cent reaches the poor.

At the same time, fuel subsidies can divert government resources from pro-poor spending. For instance, in Africa, governments spend 3 per cent of GDP on average on fossil fuel subsidies, equivalent to their total health care allocation, despite the daunting health care challenges many countries in Africa struggle to face.

Fossil fuel subsidy reform is essential not only to fighting poverty but also to confronting the threats of climate change, as emissions from the energy sector account for 78 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions increase in the past decade.

Join the world’s leading experts in tackling these essential issues. One-on-one interviews are available upon request.

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Committee Against Torture is due to review Sierra Leone’s record for the first time on 1 and 2 May in sessions that will be webcast live.

Sierra Leone is one of the 155 States parties to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and is required to undergo regular examinations of its record before the Committee of 10 independent experts.

The Committee will engage in a dialogue with the Sierra Leone government delegation and also hear from NGOs. The public sessions, which will take place from 10:00 on 1 May and from 15:00 on 2 May, can be viewed here: http://www.treatybodywebcast.org/.

Sierra Leone’s initial report is available at:

http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=890&Lang=en. The Committee will publish its concluding observations here on Friday 23 May.

A press conference is tentatively scheduled for Friday 23 May at 14:00 at Palais des Nations when the Committee will discuss its concluding observations on Sierra Leone and the other countries being reviewed – Uruguay, Thailand, Holy See, Guinea, Montenegro, Cyprus, and Lithuania.

PARIS, France, April 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In 2013, Indigo Publications (http://www.indigopublications.fr) registered its 11th consecutive year of growth and profit. Its turnover increased 7.4% to €3.4 million and its operating result rose 25% to €535,000.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/indigo-en.jpg

These good results confirm the group’s excellent health and the durability of its economic model, based on exclusive paid-for information for professional subscribers.

They also show the positive impact of the digital development strategy it has been pursuing since 1995. Since April 2013, Intelligence Online and all the group’s Africa publications, which are now grouped together on the Africa Intelligence website, have been 100% digital.

• The digital products have shown remarkable growth. The Web accounted for 84% of the group’s growth last year across all publications.

• Electronic wallets, which offer the opportunity to buy single articles on Indigo Publications’ six web sites, increased strongly in number and the number of transactions carried out rose 24%.

• The group remains very international. Fifty two per cent of its subscribers are registered outside France and these subscribers divide up equally into anglophone and francophone readers. The number of new subscriptions to the English language publications rose by 44% in 2013.

• Indigo Publications also continued to strongly develop its overall readership with subscriptions up 15% in 2013.

The digital development should continue to progress in 2014. In France, the VAT rate for online publications has at last been brought into line with that of the printed press, thus reducing it from 20% to 2.1% as of February this year. The legislation making this possible was passed unanimously by the French National Assembly and Senate. It is the culmination of a long struggle over several years by Indigo and its fellow French online publishers via their professional body, the Syndicat de la Presse Indépendante d’Information en Ligne (SPIIL). The law will enable the whole of the French press to make available the necessary resources for its digital development.

As a result, for Indigo Publications, 2014 will, even more than previous years, be a year of investment in digital technology:

• In May, a free Africa Intelligence mobile application will be made available to subscribers (with devices using iOS, Androïd and Windows Phone).

• In September, La Lettre A will inaugurate a new formula and launch a mobile application.

• In October, the Africa Intelligence web portal will be renovated with a new graphic identity and new navigational system as part of an effort to constantly improve quality of service to readers.

Indigo Publications is pleased with its financial results and positive prospects, which enable it to guarantee its present and future editorial independence. An independent press group, it is not constrained by any dependence on advertising and is free of all political and commercial affiliation, with 100% of its revenues coming directly from its readers.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Indigo Publications.

Contact

Elsa Berry, head of communication – berry@indigo-net.com – + 33 1 44 88 57 32

Indigo Publications – 142, rue Montmartre – 75002 Paris – France

About Indigo Publications

Indigo Publications (http://www.indigopublications.fr), which styles itself the “smallest international press group in the world”, publishes eight newsletters in English and French and runs four web sites in French and two in English. Headed by the group’s founder, Maurice Botbol, its editorial team analyses and interprets the issues raised by political and economic power:

• The Africa Intelligence portal (http://www.AfricaIntelligence.com and http://www.AfricaIntelligence.fr) hosts all the group’s publications on Africa:

• The West Africa Newsletter, which covers political and economic issues in West and Central Africa;

• The Indian Ocean Newsletter, which focuses on politics and business relations in African countries in the Indian Ocean region;

• Maghreb Confidential, which follows developments in the power structures of the Maghreb;

• Africa Energy Intelligence, which covers political and economic strategy in the African energy sector;

• Africa Mining Intelligence, which reports on political and economic strategy in the African mining sector.

• Intelligence Online, which specialises in coverage of state and economic intelligence gathering on its websites, http://www.IntelligenceOnline.fr and http://www.IntelligenceOnline.com

• La Lettre A, a newsletter reporting on power in France in all its forms, with its website, http://www.LaLettreA.fr

• Presse News, a newsletter covering French media news, with its website, http://www.PresseNews.fr

Indigo Publications website: http://www.indigo-net.com/index.aspx?lng=EN

LONDON, United-Kingdom, April 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FCO Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds welcomes results of the first democratic elections in Guinea-Bissau since the 2012 coup.

On 23 April Guinea-Bissau announced the official results of the Presidential and legislative elections held on 13 April. The outcome of the Presidential election will now be decided by a second round of voting on 18 May.

Following the election results, Mr Simmonds said:

“I congratulate the people of Guinea-Bissau on the peaceful and orderly Presidential and legislative elections held on 13 April. The impressive turnout of over 85% demonstrates the importance of these elections to the aspirations of the entire country. They mark an important step not only towards ensuring lasting peace and security, but also towards the economic development and prosperity of Guinea-Bissau.

“I look forward to the establishment of the new National Assembly and hope that all parties respect the wishes of the people by maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in the second round of the Presidential elections.”

BANJUL, Gambia, April 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Her Excellency (Mrs) Zineb Jammeh, First Lady, The Gambia,

Her Excellency, Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy, Vice President,The Gambia,

Her Excellency, Mrs Sia Koroma, First Lady, Republic of Sierra Leone,

Her Excellency, Madame Marieme Faye Sall, First Lady, Republic of Senegal,

Her Excellency, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, First Lady Ogun State, Nigeria,

Ms. Almas Jiwani, President, UN Women (National Committee) Canada,

Mr. Peter Metcalfe, President, Foundation for the Development of Africa (FDA) amongst other First Ladies from Africa join WAF 2014

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/waf.png

Watch the video: http://youtu.be/zYUkaL5QCPs

Women Advancement Forum – WAF (http://www.womenadvancementforum.com), Africa’s most attended gender conference has consistently for 3 years made its foot print indelible as the formidable platform for deliberations and formulation of affirmative issues affecting the advancement, empowerment, and sustainable approach to motivating and inspiring women of Africa. Since 2010 WAF has become the annual rallying point for women of different race, age, on issues regarding women economic empowerment in business and global partnerships.

Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, Global Convener of Women in Logistics & Transport (WiLAT) speaking on the lunching of the Gambia chapter of Women in Logistics & Transport (WiLAT) at WAF 2014 said that it is a welcome trend adopted by WAF and WiLAT Africa because it will go a long way to address the issue of global partnerships among women. Women in Logistics & Transport (WiLAT) South Africa was formed and lunched at the WAF 2013.

At the 2014 WAF over 30 men and women in leadership roles are expected to deliver inspirational and lead delegates through gender advancement and empowerment; amongst them are First Ladies, Ambassadors, Women Business and Entrepreneurs, Professionals etc. Over 500 attendees are expected- with singular purpose of taking affirmative stand on issues on MDGs – empowering the woman, and giving the world a future beyond MDGs.

WAF-mdg and WAF Tribute Awards are coveted awards. These awards have unique value; offering the opportunity to honor distinguished women and men from Africa and around the world at a special Award/Charity gala night.

Women, develop your high level strategic network and business contacts – get introduced to the premium circles of business, politics and professionals of African women. Promote your product at the exhibition where buyers and sellers meet. Confirmed exhibitors are successful made in Africa products and services; developed for African women : dresses made from African fabrics, comestics and beauty products, business brands for franchise etc.

Learn from the best, at the High Performance Negotiation & Communicating Skills pre-conference workshop: find out the specific and essential contents for ambitious women in business, politics and society. Delegates will learn the secrets and insights which will get you to your goals faster!

Book your seat now : Visit www.womenadvancementforum.com

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Women Advancement Forum (WAF).

WAF is one unique African women’s rallying point – expect great thing at WAF 2014 in Banjul!

FOR REGISTRATION/EXHIBITION/SPONSORSHIP & PARTNERSHIP:

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mr. Charles Chikezie

Contact media: +27 837850397

e-mail : charles@womenadvancementforum.com

Website: http://www.womenadvancementforum.com

NEW YORK, April 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General followed closely the recent presidential elections in Algeria. Upon t…