Latest news with #Agenda2063
Egypt Today
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Egypt Today
FM meets with members of Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping
CAIRO -19 June 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty held a meeting on Thursday with members of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) as part of efforts to follow up on the center's activities, particularly regarding peace and security on the African continent. The move comes in preparation for the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development. The meeting reviewed the center's recent activities and training programs aimed at enhancing capacity building in areas of conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding, especially in sisterly African countries; within the framework of Egypt's support for the continent's peace and development agenda, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The meeting also touched on ongoing preparations for the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, scheduled for October 19-20, with high-level African and international participation along with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations. Abdelatty emphasized the pivotal role played by CCCPA as a tool of preventive diplomacy and praised the tangible achievements it has made in recent years as regards training both civilian and military cadres from various countries, thereby enhancing Egypt's status as a regional and international hub of expertise in areas of peace and security. He also affirmed the need to continue developing the center's programs in line with the growing challenges facing peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts while paying special attention to empowering women and youth in these areas, in accordance with the African Union's Agenda 2063. The foreign minister pointed out the importance of ensuring that the upcoming edition of the Aswan Forum reflects the priorities of the African continent, particularly in light of escalating challenges linked with armed conflicts, climate change, food security, and development crises.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Revisiting Africa's Agenda 2063 in a time of flux
The African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 is the 50-year continental development framework adopted by the AU Assembly in 2015. It articulates aspirations and 20 goals of the 'Africa We Want in 2063'. From envisioning a high standard of living and well being of the continent's citizens, its wide-ranging goals specifically address education and health, economic transformation and job creation, Africa' confederation quest, infrastructure development, continental financial and monetary institutions, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, peace and security, cultural renaissance, gender equality, youth empowerment and development financing modalities. Its implementation is fashioned around 10-year implementation plans: the first of which covered the period 2014-2023. An assessment of that first implementation plan led by the AU's Commission and its Development Agency, NEPAD, revealed modest progress. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on Africa's socio-economic landscape is cited as one factor that negatively affected implementation progress during this phase. Overall, only 10 countries were judged to have implemented at least 50 percent of the Agenda 2063 goals. Rwanda leads the pack having achieved a 63 percent implementation milestone, followed closely by Ethiopia and Senegal (63 percent), Zimbabwe at 61 percent, Togo (60 percent), Tunisia and Uganda at 54 percent, Algeria (53 percent) and Kenya at 51 percent. Mauritius (50 percent) completes the list of 10 countries hitting the 50 percent implementation mark.11 countries have reached a 30 percent (or less) implementation rate. They are Botswana and Burundi (29 percent), Namibia (28 percent), Zambia (27 percent), Lesotho (26 percent), Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa are tied at 22 percent, while Mauritania and Benin have reached 11 percent and six percent performance, respectively. Of the Agenda 2063 phase one goals (20 in total), only five have reached a 70 percent plus attainment level. These are the goals related to citizens health and nutrition, infrastructure development, confederation, peace and security and gender equality. Progress in implementing the African Continental Free Trade area (AfCFTA) accounts for the score given to the confederation goal. In contrast, progress towards continental integration via an African passport to ease the free movement of people is terribly slow. Since its adoption in 2018, only four member states (Mali, Niger, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Principe) have ratified the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons. 15 ratifications are needed for a Protocol to come into force. In the meantime, given restrictive visa regimes, Africans continue to pointlessly face constraints on movement across countries within the continent. The slow-paced implementation of the Trans-African Highway Missing Link and the African High Speed Rail Network flagship projects further limit the aspiration for a more integrated and united Africa. Agenda 2063 profiles 15 flagship projects. The other 13 are: the AfCFTA, the Single Africa Air Transport Market, the African Commodity Strategy, the Pan-africa E-Network, Cyber Security, the Pan African Virtual and E-University, the African Outer Space Programme, the Great Museum of Africa, Silencing of the Guns and End Wars in Africa by 2020, the Free Movement of all Persons and African Passport, the Continental Financial Institutions, the Grand Inga Hydropower project and the African Economic Platform. Strikingly, the worst performing goal (at 17 percent level of implementation) is the economic transformation and jobs creation one. Which is an indictment on the continents progress on economic development, manufacturing, and industry. The other notable poorly ranked goal is the one related to transformative leadership and 'capable' institutions. Despite the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance by 39 countries (and being in force since 2012), an overall weak performance of 42 percent was recorded. On the aspiration towards a continent that fosters a people-oriented development, the assessment confirms that Africa did not meet Agenda 2063's 'youth-related goals and targets' citing especially the high youth unemployment rate and an increase in the incidence of child labor. The second 10-year implementation phase (2024-2033) is underway since last year, with seven 'moonshot' targets set in what the AU describes as the 'decade of acceleration' to soar up implementation based on the lessons and milestones from the first implementation phase. The 20 goals for this implementation phase have a similar orientation to the first phase and cover, wealth creation (so that all member states attain at least middle-income status), infrastructure development and energy security, 'responsive democracy', social cohesion, skills development for citizens and pro-active positioning of the continent as a strong and influential global player. There are obvious glaring gaps around the domestication of Agenda 2063 to ensure better alignment with national development plans. Related to this is limited citizens awareness of the plan which undermines its ownership at national levels. Moreover, the lack of costing and an anchor strategy for own financing as well as pooling of the requisite abilities and skills for execution are a self defeating own-goal. Given fast changing global trends, Agenda 2063 also requires a robust cushioning framework against external risks and shocks. It is an opportune moment for introspection and 'out-of the box' rethinking.
The South African
3 days ago
- General
- The South African
Global child labour: Millions exploited worldwide
Global Child Labour Joint Report of 2025 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) affirms that almost 138 million children globally are victims of forced labour. Of these, 54 million are doing life-threatening work; some of them are under 12 years old, and they are handling chemicals and using dangerous tools in harsh conditions. Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected area, with 87 million child labourers, or almost two-thirds of the world's total. Children in war zones are 21% more likely to end up working than kids who live in other places. According to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Target 8.7, UN member states pledged in 2025 to end child labour by 2025. UNICEF reports that 59% of working children do not attend school, and 71% of children in Asia-Pacific experience complete school exclusion. The African Union's plan to eliminate child labour by 2030 provides a roadmap for the entire continent, aligning with Agenda 2063. However, progress is still uneven, and UNICEF is demanding free, high-quality education, stricter enforcement of labour laws, and more investment in education and child protection in rural areas. UNICEF's Regional Child Protection Advisor for East and Southern Africa, Nankali Maksud, highlights both challenges and progress. Children's labour is common in informal agriculture, domestic work, and street vending. Poverty is one of the key drivers, often forcing children to contribute to household income when families can't afford basic needs. South Africa has made commendable efforts through legislation, education, and social grants, all components which lead to the reduction of child labour. However, not only in South Africa but also throughout sub-Saharan Africa, more focused action is required. In its 2024-2025 Global Education Monitoring Report, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) reports that 251 million children globally are still not attending school, a 1% decrease since 2015. Director-General Audrey Azoulay points out that by the time they are ten years old, three out of four children in developing nations are illiterate. She advocates for community-led, inclusive leadership in education, addressing gender disparities and assisting school administrators. According to the report, collaborative models that help keep kids in school and enhance learning outcomes should replace strict hierarchies. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 benefits Africa's new space agency can deliver
The African Space Agency was officially inaugurated in Cairo's Space City in April 2025. The event marked a milestone in a process that had been in the works since the early 2000s. Drawing inspiration from the European Space Agency, it unites African Union (AU) member states to harness space technology for development. This is in line with the AU's Agenda 2063, aimed at advancing Africa into a prosperous future. Read more: The agency's goal is to: coordinate and implement Africa's space ambitions by promoting collaboration among the AU's 55 member states harness space technologies for sustainable development, climate resilience and socio-economic growth oversee the African Space Policy and Strategy to enhance access to space-derived data foster partnerships with international space agencies like the European Space Agency and others. Over 20 African countries operate space programmes and more than 65 African satellites have been launched. It is my view as a global space diplomacy expert that the agency can help ensure that Africa isn't a bystander in the space economy. This sector is projected to be worth US$1.8 trillion by 2035. The space agency positions Africa to address pressing challenges and take advantage of opportunities in the global space economy. These include using satellite data, boosting connectivity, driving economic growth, fostering global partnerships and training future leaders. Valuable eyes in the sky Space assets, particularly Earth observation satellites, offer a number of advantages. The continent faces significant climate risks like droughts, fires and floods. This is particularly problematic as the agricultural sector is approximately 35% of Africa's GDP and employs about half of its people across over 1 billion hectares of arable land. Satellite data optimises crop yields, supports climate-resilient farming, and enhances sustainable fisheries and port modernisation. Nigeria's National Space Research and Deveopment Agency, for example, has used satellites like the NigSat-2 to monitor crop health and predict yields. Beyond agriculture, satellites assist in project planning in cities across Africa. Kenya uses a satellite to track urban development trends and enhance municipal urban planning capacities. Satellites also keep an eye on Africa's resource-abundant territories while tackling problems like armed conflict, deforestation, and illegal migration and mining. The African Space Agency will help provide access to AI-enhanced satellite data. This will enable even nations with constrained resources to tackle local needs. For instance, Côte d'Ivoire's first locally made satellite, launched in 2024, shows how African nations are building their own capabilities. Read more: By making it easier to share data, the African Space Agency also positions the continent to generate revenue in the global space data market. That fuels innovation. Enhancing connectivity and enabling cutting-edge technology Africa's digital divide is stark. Only 38% of its population was online in 2024, compared to the global average of 68%. The African Space Agency aims to bridge this gap through satellite-based communications. This technology can deliver broadband to remote regions where cell towers and undersea cables are impractical. Connectivity enables education, e-commerce and telemedicine. Satellite services, like those provided by SpaceX's Starlink in 21 African countries, will drive digital inclusion. In turn this promises to reduce unemployment and help entrepreneurs. The African Space Agency is also positioning Africa to embrace new space technologies. Examples include Japan's 2025 demonstration of beaming solar power from space, following a US achievement in 2023. This could revolutionise energy access. Space-based solar power captures solar energy in orbit via satellite and transmits it as microwaves to Earth. This offers a solution to Africa's energy poverty. It could provide reliable power to remote areas without extensive grid infrastructure. The African Space Agency's role in coordinating satellite launches and data sharing will make these technologies more accessible and cost-effective. Driving economic growth and innovation Africa's space sector, now worth over US$20 billion, is growing rapidly. The industry has seen an increase of private companies and investor support, moving beyond sole dependence on government funding. Investment is being fuelled by 327 NewSpace firms, a term used for the new emerging commercial space industry in nations such as Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. These firms often excel in satellite communication, Earth observation and component manufacturing. But many African nations lack resources. The agency will lower barriers by fostering collaboration, coordinating national space programmes, and reducing example, the African Space Agency's efforts to streamline satellite development and launches will spur local manufacturing and tech hubs. This means that smaller economies will be able to participate. Strengthening regional and global connections Africa's space sector relies on partnerships with space agencies and commercial space companies based in the 'space powers'. These include the US, Russia, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. These institutions provide launch services, satellite development and ground stations. An example is Senegal's GaindeSAT-1A, a CubeSat launched in 2024 via America's SpaceX with French collaboration. Meanwhile, countries like South Africa are exploring local rocket programmes to enhance the agency's self-reliance. Africa's space ground stations are already located across the continent, supporting the European Space Agency and commercial missions. They will soon host a deep space ground station for America's National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Funding remains a challenge. African nations allocated just US$426 million to space programmes in 2025. That's less than 1% of global spending. The European Space Agency has an US$8 billion budget. However, initiatives like the €100 million Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme (2025–2028) aim to boost Africa's space sovereignty and innovation. The agency's vision extends beyond Earth, with an eye on the Moon. Some members, notably Angola, Nigeria and Rwanda, have already signed the US-led Artemis Accords for lunar exploration. For their part Egypt and South Africa are collaborating with China and Russia on the International Lunar Research Station. Read more: Training the next generation A skilled workforce is critical to Africa's space industry. The Africa Space Agency Space City plans to host a training academy. It will build on Egypt's programmes in space project management, satellite design, and orbital simulation. Partnerships like the Africa-EU programme offer scholarships, while private initiatives, such as the Pathways to Space programme by Boeing and the Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy, engage students in 63 schools in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Scott Firsing, University of South Africa Read more: Australia should stand up for our feta and prosecco in trade talks with the EU Starlink is transforming Pacific internet access – but in some countries it's still illegal Nigerian children don't imagine women as political leaders: what shapes their view Scott Firsing does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson received the letters of credence from H.E. Dr. Mohamed Khaled, newly appointed Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
This morning, H.E. @ymahmoudali, Chairperson of the AU Commission, received the letters of credence from H.E. Dr. Mohamed Khaled, newly appointed Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia&Permanent Representative to the African Union. The Chairperson commended Algeria's steadfast commitment to the AU&its instrumental role in advancing continental priorities. The Chairperson&Amb. Khaled reaffirmed their shared resolve to further strengthen cooperation, with a particular focus on accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2063 in pursuit of Africa's shared prosperity&integration. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
