The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) are inviting start-ups with climate innovation solutions that are operational in Egypt to apply for a grant to support affordable, inclusive and high-impact innovations that enhance climate adaptation and food security.

The collaboration capitalises on Egypt’s ClimaTech Run global competition that supports entrepreneurs and innovators with the aim of addressing the most pressing climate and food security challenges in the country.

The ‘Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme’ (CAIAP) programme, is supported by the UN Adaptation Fund and is part of the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator’ (AFCIA) partnership with the WFP Innovation Accelerator in Munich.

The programme targets entrepreneurs, start-ups, companies, and non-governmental organizations in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon that work on solutions to meet distinct food security and climate adaptation challenges.

Successful proposals will receive mentorship, hands-on support, and access to WFP operations in addition to grants of up to US$200,000. For more details on the award’s terms and conditions, visit the website.

The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation is joining efforts with WFP to reach innovative climate ventures through its ClimaTech Run network, established in the run-up to COP27, and comprise tech entrepreneurs and digital artists.

Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat said: “Empowering startups and private sector participation are key drivers for innovation, economic development and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. In cooperation with WFP, the CAIAP will support and help scaling up high-potential climate innovation in Egypt, unlocking the power of local climate action initiatives through multi-stakeholder partnerships. In the last few years, we launched the global ClimaTech Run and to date, we’ve reached over 422 startups from 77 countries across continents in the competition’s 2 editions. Today, as the newly merged Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, we look forward to continuing our commitment towards empowering green-driven and tech-led startups through diverse initiatives, such as CAIAP.”

“The launch of the Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme is a powerful testament that innovation is crucial to tackle food insecurity and climate change. This partnership represents an important chapter in our fight for a food-secure future in a rapidly changing world,” said Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of WFP Innovation Accelerator. 

“We are proud to be working with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, supporting the programme’s launch in Egypt and harnessing the power of local innovations to provide lasting and substantial climate and food security solutions. For a country like Egypt that is both affected by extreme climate and is rich in local innovations and strategic private-public partnerships, this challenge provides a boost to sustainable solutions. This partnership strongly aligns and contributes to our shared mission to ensure food security for all,” said Jean-Pierre de Margerie, WFP Egypt Representative and Country Director. 

Last year, WFP launched its 2023-2028 strategic plan in Egypt that focuses on areas to enhance food security, including agricultural and rural development in Upper Egypt. In April 2024, Minister Al-Mashat and WFP representatives visited projects in Aswan dedicated to community development, capacity strengthening, enhancement of youth employability and vocational training.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

On Thursday, August 8, 2024 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Maneesh Gobin in the capital of Mauritius Port Louis.

This is the first visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to Mauritius since the establishment of bilateral relations in 1992.

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to Mauritius for consistent support of Ukraine, in particular, voting for important resolutions in the UN General Assembly and recently joining the Peace Summit communique.

Dmytro Kuleba explained in detail the logic of Ukraine’s next steps on the way to the second Peace Summit and called on Mauritius to take an active part in the implementation of the Peace Formula. Maneesh Gobin assured that Mauritius is ready to assist Ukraine in involving more African countries in the process of restoring a just and lasting peace based on the Peace Formula.

The parties emphasized the mutual importance of compliance with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, in particular the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

The Ministers discussed in detail the deepening of Ukraine’s ties with African countries, the development of our state’s relations with the African Union, and the prospects for trilateral trade and investment cooperation between Ukraine, Mauritius and certain African countries.

Dmytro Kuleba and Maneesh Gobin separately thoroughly discussed the development of trade and investment between Ukraine and Mauritius, which is one of the most successful economies in Africa with the highest GDP in terms of purchasing power parity, ranks first among African countries in the World Bank’s Global Competitiveness Index and 13th in the world for ease of doing business.

The Ministers agreed on further steps in preparation for the conclusion of an agreement on the mutual promotion and protection of investments and an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, which will significantly stimulate economic and trade cooperation, contribute to the attraction of investments in Ukraine and its restoration.

Dmytro Kuleba especially welcomed the interest of Mauritian businesses in the reconstruction of Ukraine. He invited Mauritius to participate in the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine next year in Rome.

At the end of the negotiations, the Ministers signed a visa-free agreement between Ukraine and Mauritius, which at this stage will primarily facilitate the trips of Mauritian investors and businessmen to Ukraine in search of new work opportunities in our country. After the end of the war, the agreement will help to increase the number of Ukrainian tourists in Mauritius. The agreement will enter into force after the completion of internal procedures in both states.

The Ministers also agreed to expand cooperation between the Sumy State University and the Mauritius Whitefield Business School.

Dmytro Kuleba invited Maneesh Gobin to visit Ukraine and organize a business forum to establish partnerships between Ukrainian and Mauritian businesses.

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

President Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles will join other Heads of State in Kigali, Rwanda, on August 11, 2024, for the swearing-in ceremony of President Paul Kagame, who has been re-elected as the President of the Republic of Rwanda.

During President Ramkalawan’s absence, Vice-President Ahmed Afif will fulfill the duties of the presidency as per constitutional provisions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

The 4th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Zambia were held in Lusaka on 8th August, 2024. The Indian side was led by Shri Puneet R. Kundal, Additional Secretary (East and Southern Africa), Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Zambian side was led by Ms. Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

During the FOC, both delegations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries including review of institutional mechanisms, scholarships, training and capacity building, cooperation in higher education, and trade and commercial relations. Discussions were also held on cooperation in sectors such as defence, health, agriculture, mines and mineral resources, small and medium enterprises, digital platforms, consular issues, cultural exchanges etc. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing bilateral ties and noted the need to strengthen them further. Discussions were also held on regional and international issues of mutual interest including co-operation in multilateral forums such as the UN.

The discussions provided an opportunity for both sides to assess the existing state of bilateral relations and explore ways to further strengthen these. Both sides agreed to hold the next FOC in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.