The 15th Islamic Summit Conference of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (www.new.OIC-oci.org) commenced its deliberation in Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, in the presence of their Majesties, Excellencies, and Highnesses, heads of states, and governments of the OIC member States, and high-level dignitaries from non-member states.

The summit is being held under the theme: ‘Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development’, from 4 to 5 May 2024.

The session was addressed by the chair of the 15th Islamic Summit, President of The Gambia, H. E. Adama Barrow, who, as the Chairman of the OIC Summit, stressed that he pledged to promote unity, solidarity, and sustainable development within the Islamic world. He added that his approach will include prioritizing initiatives that enhance economic cooperation, foster cultural exchange, and address pressing issues, such as poverty and access to education and healthcare.

The 15th Islamic summit is being held in light of the dangerous and unprecedented developments taking place in the Palestinian cause, especially the crimes of the brutal Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip.

The Secretary-General emphasized that the Palestinian cause remains the OIC’s central issue and urged the member states to redouble efforts to mobilize the responsibility of the international community toward stopping the aggression and genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

H. E. Hissein Taha called on the OIC Member States to continue to mobilize international support for the recognition of the State of Palestine and help it attain full membership in the United Nations.

He announced the establishment of a media observatory at the OIC General Secretariat to document and highlight, within the media, the numbers of martyrs, wounded, detainees, and various crimes of the Israeli occupation. The OIC is also concurrently working towards activating the Legal Observatory to document Israeli crimes, in line with the decision of the recent Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the OIC’s commitment to addressing pressing political and humanitarian challenges facing the OIC Member States. He emphasized that the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir remains a priority for the OIC.

On Afghanistan, the OIC Secretary-General noted that the organization continued its engagement within the framework of its humanitarian approach and constructive dialogue with the de facto authority in Afghanistan.

He urged the member states to contribute generously to the OIC humanitarian efforts, particularly in Afghanistan, through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF) under the supervision and management of the Islamic Development Bank.

Recognizing the importance of dialogue and reconciliation, The Secretary-General emphasized the OIC’s support for conflict resolution in Member States such as Yemen, Libya, Sudan, and the Sahel region.

The Secretary-General Stressed that OIC continues to support the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan over its entire territory as well as for the unity, sovereignty, and security of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in addition to its solidarity with Turkish Cypriot Muslims, alongside cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

H. E. Hissein Taha, salutes the vanguard role played by  The Gambia, in defending the Cause of the Rohingya Muslim community before the International Court of Justice and calls on Member States to contribute to the financial costs required for this matter, which has recorded significant achievements. He also reiterates deep gratitude to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and other Member States for welcoming the Rohingya refugees.

In the field of humanitarian action, the Secretary-General Highlighted that the  General Secretariat and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are currently working to coordinate the arrangements for organizing the Donors Conference for the Sahel region and the Lake Chad Basin for the mobilization of adequate resources to support refugees and displaced people.

The 15th Islamic Summit Conference was also addressed by  H. E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chair of the previous 14th Summit H. H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Special Envoy of the President of China.

At the end of the two-day conference, the 15th Islamic Summit is expected to adopt a special resolution on the issue of Palestine and Al-Quds Ash-Sharif, a comprehensive communique, and the Banjul Declaration.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The African Union Commission (AUC) has officially invited the governments of Nigeria and South Africa to take advantage of the hosting rights benefits of the next 2 editions of the prestigious annual All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA (www.AFRIMA.org).

In a letter bearing reference number HHS/CUL/16/170.23 and signed by the AUC’s Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, Her Excellency, Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, the AU said the call aligns with its policies for the strategic transformation of Africa through social integration, as outlined in AU Agenda 2063, the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, and the AU Plan for Action on Cultural and Creative Industry.

The AU describes AFRIMA as a global platform for celebrating and developing Africa’s diverse musical talents and cultural heritage, highlighting the significant opportunities hosting the prestigious awards presents for the selected host country.

“Since 2014, the African Union has been partnering and working successfully with AFRIMA to develop, celebrate and promote African music globally for the purpose of integration/inclusivity, economic prosperity and world peace via its seven core pillars: (1) Music Awards, (2) Music Festivals; (3) AFRIMA creative Academy; (4) Talent Discovery and Promotions; (5) Music Business Hub; (6) Advocacy; (7) Advisory and Policy Debates,” the letter reads.

“AFRIMA is the biggest and longest running music award and platform in Africa, with a huge global appeal, diaspora audience, and youthful fans. The main event events of AFRIMA are usually broadcast live to over 84 countries around the world after a continental and global road show, with thousands of music artists, actors, celebrities, members of the diplomatic corps, professionals in the creative space, tourists, media and fans from all over the world converging on the host country.”

A letter received by the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa,  on behalf of the Nigerian government, a copy of which was seen by our correspondent, reads, “Nigeria, as a beacon in African music with huge young population, should it accept to host AFRIMA, stands a promising chance in elevating the country’s positive global presence, bolstering artistic, tourism and economic growth, fostering cultural exchange and job creation, and reinforcing a positive perception of our continent’s rich cultural heritage on a global scale.”        

The successful last edition of AFRIMA was hosted and partnered by the government of the Republic of Senegal in the city of Dakar. The hosting rights of AFRIMA are usually bestowed on a country that shows capacity and commitment to meet up with the requirement and conditions.

The Acting Director for Social Development, Culture, and Sports Division, African Union Commission, Ms. Angela Martins confirmed the invitation and request to bid for the hosting rights extended to the two countries.

She said that AFRIMA provides a unique opportunity for the host country to showcase its rich cultural heritage, develop her music sector, promote tourism, and stimulate economic growth.

“This call to action comes as part of the AU’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange, unity, and economic development across the African continent. We urge the governments of Nigeria and South Africa to seize this opportunity to strengthen intra-African collaboration (in line with AFCTA) within the music industry and enhance their international visibility positively.

“AFRIMA serves as a premier platform for African artists in Africa and diaspora to showcase their talent, gain international exposure, and connect with audiences worldwide,” she said.

She added that as the bidding process is itching towards its deadline, the African Union remains committed to providing support and guidance to ensure a successful hosting of AFRIMA.

She also reiterated the AUC’s readiness to work closely with the selected host country to maximize the impact of the event on the African music industry, tourism, general economy growth, and socio-cultural landscape.

Signed,
Adejuwon OSUNNUYI
Communications Officer

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

Between April 20-27, the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, hosted 40 participants—consisting of top 10 Heroes, other finalists and partners from across Africa—in Hangzhou, China. Participants engaged in an immersive experience at Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou and have returned to their home countries enriched with valuable insights to further enhance their entrepreneurial endeavors on the continent.

During their visit, the ABH Heroes (spanning cohorts from 2019 to 2023) participated in a wide range of activities. These included deep dives that explored various facets of the digital economy from cloud computing, AI-driven logistics to e-commerce villages. They participated in a series of workshops and site visits—all designed to elevate entrepreneurs to a higher level of success. The Heroes also exchanged knowledge and explored opportunities for collaboration with business leaders from Alibaba and with each other. These activities provided the participants with new knowledge and perspectives that they can potentially apply to overcome challenges, seize opportunities and scale their businesses.

Diarra BOUSSO, Founder&Creative Director of Diarrablu and ABH 2020 top 10 Hero, who was among the participants in the trip to China, expresses her gratitude for the experience, stating: “This trip was so inspiring in so many ways. First, meeting all these entrepreneurs who are the top entrepreneurs on the African continent and spending a week together was an incredible experience. And second: being immersed in the world of Alibaba and all the companies Jack Ma and his team built over time and understanding the vision behind it was like a dream come true.”

In another exciting development, ABH is extending its deadline for 2024 entries from May 19 to June 9 to accommodate more entrepreneurs eager to participate in the competition. Candidates selected for the top 50 will gain access to a host of resources, including training, mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as a supportive network of fellow African business leaders. US$1.5 million in grant funding will be distributed among the top 10 finalists; the first prize winner will receive an award of US$300,000.

This year, ABH has also hosted information sessions and community events across the continent to facilitate the application process and nurture a vibrant entrepreneurial community. These events have taken place in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, with upcoming sessions scheduled for Egypt, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Senegal. These events are conducted in partnership with local entrepreneur organizations and key ABH stakeholders including judges, Heroes and partners.

To date, ABH has received applications from entrepreneurs spanning all 54 African countries. Entrepreneurs from across the continent – regardless of sector, age or gender – are invited to participate. Applications can be submitted in English or French at: https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/en/apply-now.

Individuals are also encouraged to nominate eligible entrepreneurs who they believe are creating impactful and sustainable solutions to challenging issues here: https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/en/nominate

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).

Press Contact:
Africa’s Business Heroes Press Room: 
abh.press@list.alibaba-inc.com

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
English: 
Tracy Walakira 
tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com

French / Arabic: 
Malika Bouayad 
malika.bouayad@apo-opa.com

Follow ABH on:
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For more information about ABH 2024, please visit https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/en/.

About Africa’s Business Heroes:
The Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy. It aims to support, inspire and enable the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a brighter future for the continent, by offering grant funding, training programs and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over 10 years, each year the ABH Prize Competition features 10 entrepreneur finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money.

Aiming to increase production above 1.1 million barrels of oil per day (bopd) – while diversifying into gas monetization and value-added activities – Angola is spearheading the revitalization of its upstream landscape as a mature petroleum producer. International energy company Azule Energy has signed onto African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 as a Silver Sponsor, affirming its commitment to harnessing Africa’s energy resources and scaling oil and gas production to achieve long-term energy security.

Azule Energy – a joint venture between Eni and bp – represents Angola’s largest independent equity producer of oil and gas and a key player in achieving Angola’s production ambitions. The company holds 2 billion barrels equivalent of net resources and 20 licenses – of which 11 are operated – and is seeking to increase operated output to 250,000 bopd through the Agogo Integrated Wet Hub and PAJ Complex Upstream projects in Blocks 15/06 and 31, respectively. Block 15/06 is expected to become an integrated service hub for local industries, generating $5.6 billion and 1,400 jobs by 2044 as Azule Energy maximizes reserves and optimizes production from the Agogo and Ndungu fields.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Returning to AEW: Invest in African Energy as a Silver Sponsor, Azule Energy is expected to discuss Angola’s pathway to increasing oil output, as well as the country’s future role as a major LNG exporter. As operator of the New Gas Consortium (NGC) – the first non-associated gas project in Angola – Azule Energy is leading development of the shallow-water Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields to produce 4 billion cubic meters of gas per year via two offshore platforms, an onshore gas processing plant and a connection to the existing Angola LNG plant. The foundation stone was laid for the NGC’s operations facilities in Soyo last October and an estimated $1 billion of the project costs will be allocated to the procurement of local goods, services and materials.

The company maintains a broad, diversified energy portfolio that focuses on maximizing operational efficiencies and deploying emissions-lowering technologies. Affirming its commitment to innovation in the sector, Azule Energy is piloting an offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant on the Agogo FPSO, set to be the world’s first post-combustion carbon capture unit installed on an FPSO. With a view to advancing Angola’s energy transition, Azule Energy also launched Angola’s first solar photovoltaic (PV) plant – the 25 MW Caraculo solar farm – in partnership with national oil company Sonangol and is actively contributing to Angola’s goal of reaching 500 MW of renewable energy by 2025.

“Azule Energy is answering Angola’s call for upstream investment, from establishing new offshore production hubs to maximizing operational efficiencies to deploying first-of-its-kind CCS technologies. These achievements demonstrate that IOCs can and should continue to develop Africa’s hydrocarbon resources to meet growing energy demand, while still prioritizing sustainability and innovation in the sector,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.  

During AEW: Invest in African Energy, Azule Energy is expected to expand discussions around Angola’s upstream agenda while providing insight into the company’s long-term investment strategy. Through participation in various panel discussions, the company will discuss how balancing oil and gas production with low-carbon technology can bolster both energy security and a transition to a sustainable future. The company’s return to the conference showcases a strong commitment by Angola’s operators to drive investment in African oil and gas production.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.