President Wavel Ramkalawan welcomed the newly appointed Harbor Master, Captain Jean Paul Fanchette, during a courtesy call at State House this morning.

In this brief yet significant meeting, President Ramkalawan officially greeted Captain Fanchette, who assumed his role earlier this month. The appointment marks a pivotal moment in the leadership of Seychelles’ maritime operations.

During their discussions, President Ramkalawan congratulated Captain Fanchette on his new role and engaged in a constructive dialogue about the future of the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA). They exchanged views on the strategic direction and potential developments for the country’s ports and maritime infrastructure.

President Ramkalawan expressed his confidence in Captain Fanchette’s leadership and wished him success in steering the SPA toward its objectives.

Speaking to the press afterward, Captain Fanchette expressed his deep honour in taking on this vital role. He emphasized the significance of his appointment for the country and conveyed strong confidence in the SPA team, outlining his vision for fostering growth and development within the organization.

This courtesy call underscores the government’s commitment to supporting key appointments in critical sectors of the nation’s economy and infrastructure. It also highlights the central role of the maritime sector in Seychelles, an island nation that relies heavily on its ports for trade and economic activity.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Mr. Sony Payet, was also present at the meeting.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, participated at the United Nation’s Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETM) Panel held in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside government representatives, experts, and organizations. 

The UN CETM Panel exchanged views on important files related to the mining sector since its launch in April 2024, ensuring engagement in productive discussions on the development of global voluntary guiding principles on critical minerals.

During this last meeting, panel members stressed the importance of forming stronger foundations, and focusing on international cooperation to achieve mutual and collective benefits with respect to the mining industry.

H.E. Balalaa commended the outcomes of the UN Panel, which coincided with the urgent need to maintain the 1.5°C target, and global preparations to achieve the goal of net zero, and underlined the importance of enhancing an environmental response based on sustainable policies and practices, which ushers in a new era of climate action, and protects local communities from any climate or environmental damage associated with the mining process.

Furthermore, he stressed the significance of building confidence at a wider level in order to achieve the desired transformational outcomes, allowing mineral-rich countries to create a conducive environment that reinforces economic growth.

His Excellency noted the importance of attracting responsible investment in the mining sector, to support  these countries, enhance their adaptability and ensure a smooth transition to renewable and clean energy.

The UAE continues to showcase its commitments towards climate action domestically and internationally through the UNSG’s CETM Panel, green investments and global financial commitments.

In light of this, the UAE has announced it will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal, building on the success of hosting COP28 in 2023.

As part of the UAE’s efforts in climate action through the UN Secretary-General’s Critical Energy Transition Minerals Panel, in addition to investments in green energy, and support for climate action around the world, the UAE announced that it will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal.

This reflects the country’s strong commitment and continuous endeavors to provide innovative and effective solutions to issues related to climate change and sustainability, which include preserving natural resources and urging for their efficient management. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.

Leaders from landlocked developing countries, (LLDCs) will gather in Gaborone, Botswana, this December to tackle challenges, explore solutions, and build alliances for a more equitable and prosperous future.

At the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, known as LLDC3, innovative solutions and strategic partnerships will be outlined and leveraged to “unlock the full potential of these nations.”

LLDC3 is set to take place from 10-13 December.

Here’s what you need to know about LLDCs and plans for this year’s conference:

What are LLDCs?

LLDCs, according to the UN Office the deals with issues related to some of the world’s most vulnerable nations (OHRLLS), are countries that lack direct access to the sea, which isolates them and hinders their ability to engage in international trade, connectivity, and economic development.

OHRLLS said the average distance of LLDCs to the seaport is about 851 miles.

Therefore, these countries are forced to depend on “neighbouring transit countries” for accessing international markets which results in higher transportation trade costs – double the transport costs of their neighbours – and delays in commodities movement.

Their dependency on neighbouring nations for transport trade often leaves them with the possibility of political and economic instability in transit countries.

The challenges faced by LLDCs often leave them with “reduced foreign direct investment, limited export opportunities, and slower economic growth.”

Which countries are LLDCs?

There are 32 LLDCs across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. These include countries like Afghanistan, Botswana, Ethiopia, and Paraguay. Ethiopia is the largest, with a population of around 115 million, while Bhutan is the smallest, with fewer than one million people.

OHRLLS has reported that about 40 per cent of LLDC populations live in slums and nearly half of the countries experience severe food crises.

Further, the working populations of LLDCs reportedly earn just $1,500 annually which is significantly lower than the global average of about $11,000 annually.

What is the history of the LLDC conference?

The LLDC conferences began when the international community, especially the UN, recognised that landlocked countries required special attention and policies to address their unique challenges.

The first conference, held in 2003 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, was primarily driven by the UN through the OHRLLS.

That conference marked the launch of the LLDC agenda, focusing on improving transit cooperation and trade facilitation to better integrate LLDCs into the global economy. The Almaty Programme of Action, adopted at this conference, set the framework for ongoing international cooperation, leading to subsequent conferences that built on its progress.

The second conference, held in Vienna, Austria in 2014, aimed to thoroughly evaluate the progress of the Almaty Programme of Action and review trade and transit cooperation policies in light of new challenges and opportunities. It also sought to renew global commitment to supporting LLDCs by developing a new partnership framework for the next decade.

The Third UN Conference on LLDCs will serve under the theme “Driving Progress through Partnerships.”

Rabab Fatima, the Under Secretary-General and High Representative for LLDCs said this year’s theme captures the underlying need for the accelerated advancement of LLDCs.

“Given their unique territorial constraints, partnerships are not just beneficial but indispensable,” Ms. Fatima said.

“By collaborating closely with international organizations, the private sector, and neighbouring countries, LLDCs can develop integrated transportation networks, enhance trade, share best practices, and ultimately overcome their inherent challenges to achieve sustainable development,” she continued.

The High Representative further said as the time for the conference approaches, there needs to be an acknowledgement of the “persistent challenges” LLDCs face.

She said a new programme of action will address the concrete issues experienced by the landlocked developing countries with practical solutions.

“This programme represents not only a strategic roadmap but also a commitment to ensuring real, impactful change for the millions of people living in LLDCs,” Ms. Fatima said.

What are the hopes for this year’s conference?

Permanent Representative of Botswana to the UN for LLDC3, Gladys Mokhawa, said this year’s conference marks a “historic moment not to be missed” as this is the first such event focused on landlocked nations held in Africa.

“Botswana is ready to offer her unique hospitality and a platform for shaping a transformative decade of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries,” Ms. Mokhawa said.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Botswana, Zia Choudhury, said the country is excited to host the conference and together with governments, civil societies, and other partners will create the Gaborone Programme of Action – a 10-year plan which will outline what LLDCs and partners will do to overcome structural challenges of the landlocked countries.

Mr. Choudhury said the key to a successful conference is to ensure “we get the right people into the room,” which would include a diverse range of people from government officials to members of youth organizations.

“One thing personally, I’ll be asking the young people of Botswana to do is to make sure you know what the targets are set by the government here and other places and make sure that you are holding government and other players to account are the implementing the plan,” Mr. Choudhury said.

“So, this is the role for future generations,” he continued.

The Resident Coordinator said he hopes people will leave the conference with a sense that LLDCs are part of the future of development in Africa and across the globe.

“People will see how much we have to offer,” Mr. Choudhury said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Sr., has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and People of Republic of Ukraine on the occasion marking the Independence Anniversary of that Country on August 24, 2024. According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Boakai extended warmest felicitations and sincere best wishes to Mr. Volodymyr Oleksandrovch Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine and through him, to the great people of Ukraine on the occasion of the National Day Anniversary, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in his own name.

“As we join you in commemorating this historic event, Liberia continues to steadfastly support Ukraine’s right to self-determination and its efforts to build a stronger and more proactive nation”, the Liberian leader stated. President Boakai added that he is encouraged by the healthy relationship that exist between the two countries and peoples, and while pledging his government commitment to further enhancing the cooperation which is guided by the spirit of friendship and bilateral cooperation.

He expressed hope that peace will prevail in Ukraine in the soonest of time to enable the two countries to pursue other mutually beneficial opportunities for their respective nations and the world at large.  He then wished for President Zelenskyy personal well-being and happiness, as well as for the peace, progress, and prosperity of the people of Ukraine as they celebrate their Independence Day.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.