Members of the Regional Committee for Disaster Management in West Africa (GECEAO) are meeting in Abuja from 10 to 12 September 2024 for the mid-term consultations to review progress made on the recommendations of the 15th consultations held in Niamey – Niger in May 2023, the draft ECOWAS recovery roadmap, and guidelines for Experts rosters.

The annual meeting organized by the ECOWAS Commission’s directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs has convened, bringing together members of the GECEAO to enhance their disaster preparedness and risk reduction capabilities. The meeting serves as a platform for sharing experiences, lessons learned, and best practices, aims to bolster regional coordination and strengthen the capacity of national disaster management agencies.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Head of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Risk Reduction, who represented the Director of ECOWAS Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr, Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, emphasized ECOWAS’s commitment to empowering disaster management agencies. Highlighting the importance of unifying national agencies, regional organizations, NGOs, and international partners to coordinate efforts, enhance regional resilience, and develop strategies to build community resilience against both natural and human-made disasters.

Mr. Ibrahim noted that while conflict remains a significant driver of displacement, climate change has increasingly impacted migration decisions across West Africa. He stressed the need for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address the overlapping challenges of conflict and climate disasters, urging member states to work together to break the cycle and enhance humanitarian access. “The ability of any state to respond effectively to disasters depends on their internal response capabilities and their capacity to deploy these mechanisms during emergencies before external assistance arrives,” he said.

Dr. Daniel Obot, Director of Disaster Risk Reduction at the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), called for stronger collaboration among member states to manage transboundary disasters effectively. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts and the harmonization of emergency response strategies. “The disaster management cycle is interconnected, and sustainable development cannot be achieved without resilience-building measures. The strategies reviewed during this meeting must be implemented across member states to see real progress,” Dr. Daniel stated.

The current Chairman of the GECEAO – Ghana, Director of the Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction department Mrs. Charlotte N. Norman and the Director General of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and Hon. Nana Agyemang Prempeh, represented by Mr. Frank Kwesi Nansam-Aggrey expressed concern over the increasing frequency and severity of extreme disasters in the subregion, calling for an urgent review of regional preparedness.

He outlined several steps Ghana has taken to reduce disaster risks, such as establishing an Emergency Disaster Fund, purchasing Drought Risk Sovereign Insurance for small-scale farmers, and improving flood and drought early warning systems. Mr. Nansam-Aggrey urged participants to engage openly with the strategies presented during the three-day meeting and identify ways to support local response efforts.

He also stressed the need for increased funding to help member states manage escalating disaster risks. “The vulnerability of our subregion to various hazards is evident in the annual devastation caused by disasters. Without adequate funding, it will be difficult to maintain or enhance resilience, let alone assist those affected by these disasters,” Mr. Nansam-Aggrey concluded.

The meeting is expected to yield a range of actionable recommendations to strengthen disaster risk management and resilience-building across West Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The road from Yambio to Tambura is a lifeline for communities caught up in catastrophic intercommunal conflict and for the United Nations peacekeepers deployed to protect them.

Over the past year, Bangladeshi engineers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have toiled in difficult and dangerous conditions to construct and repair this 189-kilometer stretch to help improve security and humanitarian access as well as connect communities for peacebuilding.

“You have performed these duties amidst unprecedented floods and risks of violence perpetrated by militia groups and organized forces. This work has helped improve the lives of thousands of South Sudanese and strengthened our ability to engage with local communities,” said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom.

He was speaking at a ceremony to recognize the contribution of the 275 peacekeepers, including 24 women, by the awarding them the UN Medal of Honor.

 “The soldiers of this contingent have consistently shown exceptional dedication to carry out their duties, and because of these efforts, they have constantly upheld an uncompromising commitment to excellence, ensuring that every action they take is guided by the core principals, values and ethos of UNMISS,” said UNMISS Sector South Commander, Brigadier General Dinesh Singh.

Outside of their engineering duties, the contingent actively supported local communities, providing medical care, distributing sports items and schoolbooks to children, renovating sports grounds, and repairing the Juba Central Prison. It has been a rewarding experience for the peacekeepers too.

 “We have worked with all the people around the world, hand and hand, together. I have got to know the culture of contingents from other countries and the culture of the people of South Sudan. I will take this back to my country and spread love and the joy amongst all of us,” explained Major Farjana Sharmin from the Bangladesh contingent.

Bangladesh is the second largest troop contributing country to UN peacekeeping globally, with 149 peacekeepers losing their lives serving under the UN flag, including five in South Sudan.

“In the face of adversity, whether it is the harsh climatic conditions, the complex socio-political landscape, or the physical dangers of this mission, you have conducted yourselves with honor, discipline, and professionalism,” said Mr. Haysom.

As the peacekeepers prepare to return home, they have a message for those they have served.

“You are passing through a difficult time, maybe you are passing through tough times, but surely there will be light and we, the flagbearers of the United Nations, we are here to bring peace, we are here to work for peace,” said engineer, Captain Saki.

 Their commitment to the cause of peace will be continued by a new contingent of Bangladeshi engineers that will deploy to South Sudan later this year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

World Football Summit (WFS) (https://WorldFootballSummit.com) is thrilled to announce Juventus Football Club as the winner of the prestigious WFS Award for Most Impactful Branding Initiative, presented by Summa Branding. This honor recognizes exceptional branding campaigns within the football industry, awarded to companies, clubs, institutions, or individuals who have demonstrated outstanding creativity and impact.

Juventus Football Club secured the award for their groundbreaking approach to storytelling through its Juventus Creator Lab initiative, which has played a pivotal role in connecting with fans globally through compelling content creation. This innovative project was inspired by an LA-style content house or gaming studio with diverse content capabilities allowing the company to quickly output documentaries, short-form content, live streaming, and podcasts. The Juventus Creator Lab has also forged numerous global influencer partnerships, significantly expanding its potential for scaled impact.

Jan Alessie, Co-Founder of World Football Summit, commented on Juventus’ achievement: “The Juventus Creator Lab effectively raises content as a new key pillar in the sports business model, thanks to its ability to reach, connect and engage different segments worldwide.”

Juventus Football Club succeeds last year’s winners, Fortuna Düsseldorf, who were recognized for their outstanding “Fortuna for All” campaign.

Mike Armstrong, CMO of Juventus Football Club, reflected on the accomplishment.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition and thank the World Football Summit and judges for the consideration. The Juventus Creator Lab was built with fans at the core of the idea and continues to deliver for us across all areas of the business. We’re just getting started!”

The award will be presented during the WFS Awards ceremony, hosted by Junta de Andalucía, on September 18 in Sevilla as part of WFS Europe.

Summa Branding, the award presenter, has a track record of developing remarkable branding projects for major players in the football industry, including FC Barcelona, Kings League, and World Football Summit itself.

This recognition underscores the importance of innovative branding strategies in modern football, as clubs and organizations strive to engage fans in increasingly creative ways.

The World Football Summit Awards Gala will be celebrated as part of the eighth edition of WFS Europe on September 18th-19th in Sevilla, a premier gathering of the global football industry. This landmark event is set to bring together over 2,000 football industry professionals and decision-makers from around the world. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from an impressive lineup of speakers, including Italian football legend Giorgio Chiellini, LaLiga President Javier Tebas, Hammad Albalawi (Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™ 2034 bid), and Toni Nadal, among others. WFS Europe is proudly supported by key partners such as Turkish Airlines, Junta de Andalucía, The Football Business Academy, Scoreplay, Meltwater, Radisson Hotel Group, and LaLiga, with additional representation from leading brands and institutions like Deloitte, the British Embassy, and CaixaBank. The event will also welcome representatives from major football organizations and clubs, including the European Club Association, UEFA, Atlético de Madrid, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Sevilla FC, Real Betis Balompié, Liverpool FC, and Juventus Football Club, alongside hundreds of other influential entities.

WFS Europe truly embodies the convergence of the entire football industry ecosystem, offering unparalleled networking and insights for all attendees. For more information about the WFS Awards and WFS Europe, please visit https://Europe.WorldFootballSummit.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Football Summit.

For press accreditation and media inquiries, please contact:
Jaime Dominguez
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World Football Summit
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For more information, visit World Football Summit (https://WorldFootballSummit.com).

About World Football Summit:
World Football Summit is the premier international event for the football industry, gathering the most influential professionals in the game to address the industry’s most pressing issues and generate business opportunities.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group (www.IsDB.org) co-hosted its inaugural IsDB Group Day with Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Brunei at the prestigious Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. This event marked a significant milestone in fostering economic collaboration and unlocking new Business opportunities between Brunei Darussalam and the 57 member countries of the IsDB Group.

The event started with an opening ceremony, featuring a welcome address by), The Honourable Dato Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Minister of Finance and Economy II, followed by a keynote speech from Mr. Amer Bukvic, Director of the IsDB Group Regional Hub of Indonesia. The event included presentations from key IsDB Group entities, and a workshop on Islamic finance and strategic partnerships, as well as B2B (Business-to-Business) meetings aimed at fostering direct business and investment opportunities.

A key focus of the event is to support Brunei’s private sector through IsDB Group entities such as the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), including the Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH), and International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). These engagements aim to strengthen Business-to-Business interactions, encourage knowledge sharing, and explore new markets for mutual benefit.

In his welcoming address, the Honorable Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, “highlighted Brunei’s significant growth in Islamic finance, with assets reaching B$13.3 billion, positioning the country as a key player globally. He discussed opportunities for deeper collaboration between Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank in infrastructure, agriculture, MSMEs, and sustainable projects, while also emphasizing the strong relationship between Brunei and OIC and the potential for further cooperation”

Mr. Amer Bukvic, Director of the IsDB Group Regional Hub of Indonesia highlighted, ” we mark the significant mile stone in our partnership as we gather to celebrate IsDB Group Day – a Day that symbolizes the strength of our shared commitment to fostering sustainable development and inclusive growth, he also added that the country engagement Framework (CEF) signals a new chapter in our cooperation, setting the stage for deeper engagement in areas that align with Brunei’s strategic vision”

The event also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BIBD and IsDB Group, which will pave the way for a partnership that focuses on joint financing, treasury activities, trade finance, human capacity development, sustainable development and investment, among many others. The MoU aims to enhance BIBD’s support for Brunei’s national economic objectives and advance IsDB Group’s mission of promoting sustainable development. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB Group).

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About the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group:
Rated AAA by the major rating agencies of the world, the Islamic Development Bank is the pioneering multilateral development bank of the Global South that has been working for 50 years to improve the lives of the communities it serves by delivering impact at scale. The Bank brings together 57 Member Countries across four continents, touching the lives of nearly 1 in 5 of the world population. Its mission is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place enabling them to fulfil their potential. Headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IsDB has regional hubs and canters of excellence in 11 of its Member Countries.  Over the years, the Bank has evolved from a single entity into a group comprising five entities: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) tasked with research and training, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

About Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam:
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) is Brunei’s largest Islamic bank and a leading financial institution in the country. Established in 2005, it offers a wide range of Shariah-compliant banking products and services, including retail banking, corporate banking, and investment solutions. BIBD plays a key role in promoting Islamic finance in Brunei and supports the country’s economic diversification efforts in line with Brunei Vision 2035. Known for its commitment to innovation and customer service, BIBD has earned recognition for its digital banking services and financial inclusion initiatives.

About Ministry of Finance and Economy, Brunei:
The Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE) in Brunei Darussalam is a key government agency responsible for managing the country’s fiscal policies, economic planning, and financial regulations. It plays a central role in ensuring the sustainable development of Brunei’s economy, aligning financial and economic strategies with the nation’s Vision 2035, which seeks to diversify the economy away from oil and gas dependency. MOFE oversees government revenue collection, budgeting, public expenditure, and financial institutions. It also focuses on enhancing economic growth through initiatives aimed at fostering private sector development, promoting trade and investment, and improving the overall business environment in Brunei. The ministry is crucial in formulating policies that enhance financial governance, encourage innovation, and support the country’s broader socio-economic goals.