IHG Hotels&Resorts (www.IHG.com), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is proud to announce a new multi-year partnership with global NGO Action Against Hunger (http://apo-opa.co/4dmuW7j) in support of its invaluable work to combat food insecurity and hunger for millions of people around the world. 

It’s estimated that one in three people globally are uncertain where their next meal is coming from, due to poverty, conflict, inefficient food systems and climate change. Through thousands of hotels in communities across more than 100 countries, IHG has long supported efforts to improve food security, alongside supporting disaster relief efforts and providing skills training, as part of a pledge to improve the lives of 30 million people in its Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan.   

For decades, Action Against Hunger has been preventing, detecting and treating hunger, with its world-renowned screen, treat and sustain programme providing help across East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, Asia, the Americas, Middle East and Europe. IHG will help support and fund Action Against Hunger’s nutrition programmes, with a specific focus on screening initiatives designed to spot early signs of malnutrition in children and provide potentially lifesaving treatment through local community outreach programmes. IHG will also seek to grow awareness of this critical issue with millions of guests around the world and give them the opportunity to donate IHG One Rewards points to the cause (https://apo-opa.co/3yd9z9b), starting today. For example, every 10,000 points donated is enough to screen approximately 124 children for malnutrition, an essential first step toward the care they need and on average, 7,500 points can support a malnourished child with nutritious food for six weeks and help bring them back to health.

Elie Maalouf, CEO, IHG Hotels&Resorts, said “Food sits at the heart of our hotels and hospitality, nourishing people and communities, and yet sadly we know it remains in desperately short supply for millions of people, despite enough being produced to feed everyone on the planet.  

This is a problem the world can solve if societies, organisations and businesses work together. IHG Hotels&Resorts is proud to partner with Action Against Hunger on their life saving work, in addition to the many other long-standing partnerships we have with incredible charities in local markets. Collectively we want to help create lasting change in a world where people are nourished, always welcome, and always respected.”

Ashwini Kakkar, Chair, Action Against Hunger International Network, said, “While hunger is a widespread challenge, for the first time in human history, we have the ability to end chronic hunger for everyone, for good. Realising that vision will take bold action and we are grateful for IHG’s will, wisdom and leadership in advancing this vital cause. Hunger makes it harder for hundreds of millions of people around the world to learn, work, dream and realise their full potential. IHG’s generous support will help advance our work to create a world where every life is well nourished.”    

As part of IHG’s purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good, this work will complement existing partnerships IHG and its hotels have in many local markets that together aim to strengthen the food system in a community – from providing training and tools to reduce food waste, to diverting surplus food to those in need. Existing partnerships focused on food security for IHG include local foodbanks, No Kid Hungry in the US, OzHarvest in Australia and Too Good To Go in Europe.   

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of IHG Hotels&Resorts.

For further information please contact:
Ankita Chopra
Senior Manager
Corporate Affairs
IMEA
IHG Hotels&Resorts 
ankita.chopra@ihg.com

About IHG®:
 IHG Hotels&Resorts (http://apo-opa.co/3SuAzYE) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good. 

With a family of 19 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards (http://apo-opa.co/4fm3doq), one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,300 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a development pipeline of over 2,000 properties. 

Luxury&Lifestyle: Six Senses (http://apo-opa.co/3ynnx8l), Regent Hotels&Resorts (http://apo-opa.co/4d7VcSr), InterContinental Hotels&Resorts (http://apo-opa.co/4fv9XQX), Vignette Collection (http://apo-opa.co/3Szvled), Kimpton Hotels&Restaurants (http://apo-opa.co/4da7wBY), Hotel Indigo (http://apo-opa.co/3AbKmfN) 

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Essentials: Holiday Inn Express (http://apo-opa.co/3AbKmwj), Holiday Inn Hotels&Resorts (http://apo-opa.co/3SAhYdH), Garner hotels (http://apo-opa.co/4da7wSu), avid hotels (http://apo-opa.co/4frejIX)

Suites: Atwell Suites (http://apo-opa.co/3St3WKz), Staybridge Suites (http://apo-opa.co/3LQQ9tE), Holiday Inn Club Vacations (http://apo-opa.co/3yqzRES), Candlewood Suites (http://apo-opa.co/3A6jbD4)

Exclusive Partners: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts (http://apo-opa.co/4dmuZjv)

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 375,000 people work across IHG’s hotels and corporate offices globally. 

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations (http://apo-opa.co/4dmv0UB) and IHG One Rewards (http://apo-opa.co/4d6KxHE). To download the IHG One Rewards app, visit the Apple App (http://apo-opa.co/4cXOSNr) or Google Play (http://apo-opa.co/3LPncys)stores. 

For our latest news, visit our Newsroom (https://apo-opa.co/3Sy1L8E) and follow us on LinkedIn (http://apo-opa.co/4dpNvqH). 

About Action Against Hunger:
Action Against Hunger is a nonprofit leader in the global fight to end hunger for everyone, for good. With a 45-year track record of innovation, it has shaped how the world addresses malnutrition and stops life-threatening hunger in its tracks. Action Against Hunger collaborates with local communities and governments to promote food security and livelihoods; strengthen health systems and ensure quality nutrition; enable access to clean water and sanitation; respond to emergencies and advocate for lasting change.  

A trusted partner to the UN, governments, and companies around the world, Action Against Hunger is effective and efficient, earning 4-star Charity Navigator rating for 17 years in a row. With unbeatable knowledge and unstoppable determination, Action Against Hunger’s dedicated staff go where others don’t, operating in 59 countries – including the world’s hunger hotspots – and reaching millions of people each year. To learn more, visit www.ActionAgainstHunger.org.  

England and Wales charity number: 1047501 

The Country Office of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) in Benin – one of Africa’s leading cotton producers – organised a workshop in Cotonou on 31 July 2024 to provide feedback about a study on private sector players bringing fresh momentum to the country’s textile industry.

The meeting marked the end of a process that began on 9 March 2023 with a workshop dedicated to the sector. This has led to collecting important data for a better understanding of the issues in the industry faced by the West African country.

Attendees at the workshop included several experts and national authorities, including the Vice-President of Benin, Ms Mariam Chabi Talata Zimé Yérima, private-sector players operating at all stages of the local cotton value chain, support functions (finance, training, transport, logistics, etc.) and representatives from the country’s technical and financial partners.

The meeting helped to identify opportunities and make core proposals to strengthen efforts to dynamize the cotton industry.

The study revealed multiple opportunities for developing the textile value chain, ranging from production units for accessories to making, logistics, distribution and solutions for taking care of textile items. Other opportunities relate to producing textile items for medical use or for furnishing, cosmetics or the automotive or food industries. The sanitary towels sector alone could generate annual revenue of over USD 13 million (8 billion CFA francs) for the country.

The study emphasised the numerous opportunities for creating tens of thousands of skilled jobs for young people and women.

The report also highlighted the opportunities for the Bank to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the textile industry in Benin and called on senior leaders to take decisions that would support the development of new local industries.

As well as cotton-based textiles, the study pointed to the colossal economic potential and the opportunity to create over 45,000 jobs in a new industry based on pineapple-leaf fibre.

Ms Nathalie Daouda, an expert consultant in the private-sector textile industry at the African Development Bank’s Country Office in Benin, who carried out the study, commented: “The potential additional revenue for the Beninese economy is over USD 5 billion (FCFA 3,000 billion) a year. And it would not take much to make the forecasts a reality, since Benin already has the natural and human resources needed to do the work. The next step is to produce and implement a national plan. The Beninese government has provided ample evidence of its ability to tackle ambitious challenges.”

The Vice-President of the Republic, Ms Mariam Chabi Talata Zimé Yérima, congratulated the Bank on its commitment to supporting an inclusive economy in Benin but above all, for the “realism, completeness and feasibility” of the study. “This report (…) is a sort of strategic plan for strengthening our economy through the textile industry and is relevant to us because developing our economy by building on this sector will help create a large number of jobs,” she emphasized.

“This strategic plan is the first of the steps we need to take to move from ideas to action and from theory to practice,” added Ms Yérima. She highlighted the job-creation opportunities for women and young people but also the economic and social potential of the strategic use of pineapple-leaf fibre for the Beninese textile industry.

Ms Faridatou Yekini, the founder of Mod’Ukpè, which specializes in woven pagne cloth and producing clothes for women, recognized that several actions are underway to boost local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on women-led businesses. “I am especially pleased to see that it is now possible for young designers to get financial and other forms of support for their initiatives in the textile sector. This development marks a significant step towards the growth and sustainability of our industry,” she said delightedly.

“The African Development Bank has done well to create a favourable environment to encourage collaboration, particularly with visits to the Glo Djigbé industrial area and capacity-building sessions for small and medium-sized businesses. These initiatives helped to formalize and organize my business, Safari Textiles Afrique, and develop positive partnerships. The logical next step would be continuing to fund businesses that are working to bring themselves into line, backed by serious monitoring to ensure good management of the funds,” advocated Caleb Menou, co-founder of the Safari Textiles Afrique brand.

The head of the Bank’s Country Office in Benin, Robert Masumbuko, highlighted the economic and inclusive social development potential of the industry, which is a real windfall for Benin in his view. “The Beninese ecosystem is full of talented women and men who produce really beautiful textile items on a daily basis. But all of them have commented frequently on the need for a clear plan to help them increase not only volumes but also the quality of their training. They need help to acquire or access modern, quality equipment for processing and production and above all, to get access to local and international markets with high-quality, competitive textile solutions,” he commented.

One of the Bank’s missions in relation to the private sector is to intervene financially in a smart, agile manner to provide efficient support for actors in various value chains, concluded Mr Masumbuko. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Alexis Adélé,
Communication and External Relations Department, 
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier multilateral financing institution dedicated to Africa’s development. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NSF). The AfDB has a field presence in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, and contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

President Wavel Ramkalawan presided over the grand reopening of the newly renovated tennis facility at Roche Caiman yesterday afternoon. The President was accompanied by Minister of Sport and Family, Mrs. Marie Celine Zialor and Minister of Finance, Mr. Nadir Hassan, highlighting the government’s commitment to sports development in Seychelles.

The extensive renovation project, which included the complete overhaul of five tennis courts, was funded by the Government of Seychelles and the International Tennis Federation. This project marks a significant milestone in Seychelles’ tennis history, promising to elevate the nation’s tennis profile and provide athletes with an optimal training environment.

Ms. Fatime Kanté, President of the Seychelles Tennis Association, expressed her gratitude to the Government, the International Tennis Federation, and all sponsors for their unwavering support. She praised the new facility as “a remarkable leap forward” and encouraged users to make the most of the upgraded courts, reflecting the transformative impact anticipated for both grassroots and professional tennis in the country.

A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Minister Zialor and Mr. Marc Arrisol, CEO of the Seychelles National Sports Council, symbolizing the collaborative effort behind this monumental project.

In her address, Minister Zialor emphasized the government’s dedication to nurturing sporting talent and improving sports infrastructure. “The five new tennis courts are the first batch of major renovation inaugurated under the new administration; they embody the government’s commitment and our nation’s aspirations in sports excellence. We are investing in the dreams of our young athletes and the future of Seychellois tennis” she said.

The revamped tennis facility is poised to host national and international tournaments, fostering a competitive spirit and providing a platform for Seychellois athletes to showcase their skills on home ground.

Also present at the ceremony were Principal Secretary for Youth and Sports, Mr. Ralph Jean-Louis, members of the Seychelles Tennis Association, a group of young tennis athletes, sponsors, invited guests, and representatives from Green Island Construction Company, Adam&Sons, Dubai, and Civil Engineer Construction.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

President Wavel Ramkalawan welcomed a delegation from the Seychelles Soroptimist International Club of Victoria to State House yesterday morning for a courtesy call. Their visit coincided with the club’s 30th anniversary, marked by a generous donation of SCR 100,000 to the December 7th Disaster Fund. The club’s president, Mrs. Jannick Durup-Bibi, officially presented the cheque to President Ramkalawan.

“It is always a pleasure to meet members of associations who are making positive contributions to our society. Our sincere appreciation for your fund-raising effort towards such an important cause to help our fellow brothers and sisters in need. I wish to also take the opportunity to convey our appreciation for wide range of Seychelles other charities and projects over the past 30 years. You have sure touched many loves,” said President Ramkalawan 

During the visit, the Soroptimist delegation shared key achievements and projects implemented over the past three decades and discussed their future plans.

The delegation included President-Elect Dr. Vanessa Ferley, Public Relations and Marketing Officer Mrs. Rose-Mary Hoareau, Project and Action Committee member Ms. Myra Labiche, and Club Secretary Ms. Tania Laporte.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.