Latest news with #Embaló
New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Guinea-Bissau to be Malaysia's gateway into Africa, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau are set to strengthen bilateral ties by positioning each other as regional hubs to boost trade, investment and cooperation, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said Malaysia would serve as Guinea-Bissau's gateway to Asean, while Guinea-Bissau would act as Malaysia's entry point into Africa. "Of course, Guinea-Bissau and Malaysia have had very low-key engagements in the past. That's why I think President Umaro's (General Umaro Sissoco Embaló) visit is very significant. "He has that vision to work with us, to engage with Malaysia as a base for the Asean region, and we accept Guinea-Bissau's role in expanding our relations in trade, investment, and other fields. "He is meeting, hopefully, Petronas and FGV this evening to explore potential in both Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau — not only at the national level, but also to use this as a base to expand into the African subregion and continent, as well as Malaysia and beyond," Anwar said at a joint press conference held in conjunction with Embaló's visit today. He said both leaders had also discussed cooperation in halal certification, Islamic banking and finance, as well as training opportunities in fields such as semiconductors, oil and gas, and food technology. "We are ready to offer some assistance, as we have done under the MTCP (Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme), a large programme which will be coordinated by Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Ghani," he said. Anwar said they also discussed international affairs, adding that Embaló maintained strong ties with the United Arab Emirates, France, Russia, the United States, and across Africa. "I think we, as a trading nation, and with Malaysia's and Asean's policy of centrality, engage with all countries — and this aligns closely with the position taken by President Umaro. "So I would say that this is going to be your second home, and we, my colleagues and the people of Malaysia, are extremely glad that you have now taken the initiative to forge this new, close relationship based on trust and affinity with Malaysia." Embaló pledged his commitment to implementing the discussions, saying he had instructed his foreign minister to work closely with Malaysia to realise the agreements. He also expressed admiration for Malaysia's achievements in education, healthcare, and industry, saying Guinea-Bissau hoped to learn from its experience. "We want to be the key for Malaysia in Africa, and Malaysia can be the key for us — not just in Asia, but in the world," he said. Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations in November 1974. Ties remain cordial, with cooperation on bilateral and multilateral platforms including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with Guinea-Bissau stood at RM4.1 million — with RM4.04 million in exports and RM60,000 in imports.
New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia rolls out warm welcome for Guinea-Bissau president
PUTRAJAYA: President of Guinea-Bissau General Umaro Sissoco Embaló received an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex today. His arrival was greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at 9.00am. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fadillah Yusof, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Also in attendance were several deputy ministers, senior government officials and diplomats. Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa, bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east. Its capital is Bissau. Embaló, who is on a four-day visit, then inspected a guard of honour mounted by three officers and 103 officers of different ranks, led by Major Mohamad Waqiyuddin Abdul Rahman, from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment. This official visit marks his first visit to Malaysia since assuming office as the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in February 2020. Anwar will host Embaló and his delegation which includes the Republic's Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration, Soares Sambú, as well as senior officials from the Cabinet at a luncheon today. Wisma Putra in a statement yesterday said the visit reflects the shared commitment of both Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau to further strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation, building upon the warm and longstanding ties that have united the two nations. Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations in November 1974. Bilateral ties between the two countries remain cordial, based on a shared commitment to cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral platforms, including the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with Guinea-Bissau reached RM4.1 million, with Malaysian exports amounting to RM4.04 million and imports standing at RM0.06 million.
Zawya
17-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
African leaders appoint a new African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Chair President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana; taking over from HE President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau; and commit to Change the Story on malaria and demand a big push to achieve malaria elimination including a successful Global Fund replenishment
Against the backdrop of the 2024 Africa Malaria Progress Report, which reveals stagnating progress and mounting threats to malaria elimination across the continent, Heads of State and Government at the African Union Summit committed to mobilising domestic resources and scaling up integrated and innovative financing. Leaders also urged global partners to recommit to the fight against malaria through the replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. As a new chair takes over the helm of ALMA; African leaders underscored the need for a unified and decisive response. This call to action was supported by the launch of a new stage of the 'Change the Story' campaign, which amplifies children's stories of how malaria has impacted their lives. The 'perfect storm' threatens to reverse decades of progress Released at the Summit, the 2024 'Africa Malaria Progress Report' paints a picture of a defining moment in Africa's fight against malaria, showing that progress continues to stagnate leaving Africa's ambitious goal to eliminate malaria by 2030 in jeopardy. The report warns that malaria elimination in Africa is facing serious threats including insufficient resources, rapid population growth, climate change, biological resistance including insecticide and drug resistance, and the devastating impacts of humanitarian crises. Together, these factors create a 'perfect storm', which threatens to reverse decades of progress, making the fight against malaria harder. Leaders underscored that lifting the continent out of this storm will require intensified resource mobilisation, including through innovative financing, domestic resource mobilisation and rapid introduction and scale up of new interventions and commodities. H.E. President Embaló hands over ALMA chairmanship to President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, of the Republic of Botswana. Concluding his tenure as Chair of the ALMA after more than two years of strong leadership in malaria advocacy across the continent, H.E. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau officially handed over Chairmanship to President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko who pledged to continue advancing the malaria elimination agenda while emphasising the importance of prioritising increased resources across the board to prevent a catastrophic resurgence and put progress towards malaria elimination back on track. 'Africa must urgently rise to the challenge by mobilizing domestic resources, including by drawing down on the resources in our emergency funds and increasing our health budget allocations. We must also scale up innovative financing including through End Malaria Councils and Funds, and leverage platforms like World Bank IDA and the Green Climate Fund to ensure that our national programmes are fully equipped to drive the malaria agenda forward. ' said President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko. Present at the handover ceremony, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia and a former Chair of ALMA, noted that nine End Malaria Councils have since been established, and have collectively raised over $125 million in the fight against malaria. 'These multisectoral councils also promote primary health care including through the engagement of community health workers. These Community Health Workers are crucial in the fight against many diseases including malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia, are pivotal to primary health care and must be scaled up'. A successful Global Fund replenishment is vital to get back on track for elimination 'Malaria is a pathfinder for health systems strengthening, primary healthcare, and pandemic preparedness, and it exemplifies the pressing need to address the health impacts of climate change. This is why we must ensure sufficient resources to address malaria, HIV and TB and strengthen health systems, especially in the upcoming Global Fund replenishment.,' said Her Excellency Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the African Union Commission. The Global Fund is the largest source of funding for malaria, providing 62% of all international financing for malaria programmes. It is therefore essential that the Global Fund replenishment this year is successful. The report further highlights the urgency of scaling up next-generation tools, including dual insecticide-treated nets, new insecticides, new malaria medicines, and malaria vaccines. To this end, leaders called for the fast-tracking of these interventions and ensuring that they are deployed to address the growing challenge of biological resistance. Manufacturing this tools locally, in Africa, can drive economic growth while also advancing public health outcomes. Change the Story: A new campaign to galvanise action and drive increased political will and investment Also taking place at the summit was the premiere of a new film as part of the latest stage of the international 'Change the Story' campaign. Children are the most vulnerable to malaria and yet their voices often go unheard. This campaign captures powerful stories from children on malaria's impact on their lives, highlighting the human cost of the disease, underscoring the urgent need for action including increased investment in malaria elimination. The campaign encourages leaders to support this year's critical replenishment of funding into the Global Fund. It also provides a platform for malaria endemic countries to take further action to accelerate malaria reduction, including increasing domestic investment to tackle the disease. The campaign's latest stage is backed by high profile campaign supporters including Zero Malaria Ambassador, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who urged 'We need to listen to children's voices today as the decisions our leaders make will determine their futures tomorrow. Nigeria, where I was born, carries the greatest burden of malaria, so I know first-hand how this disease can stunt children's educations, steal their livelihoods and sometimes take their lives. This is why we urgently need to change the story of malaria. Leaders must turn the page and start a new, more hopeful chapter to save lives.' Through the new campaign film, we learn about the devastating impact of severe flooding in Mozambique, through the compelling story of a young girl, Gloria, who lives in Boane. 'I remember when the sky got really angry. The rain came down so hard it was like elephants dancing on the roof. The roof flew away and the house started to fill with water. Our house was gone, the greedy water took it all - our beds, our mosquito nets and my favourite toy. We ran to school to hide. It was the scariest time of my life,' shared Gloria. Celebrating Egypt's malaria-free certification by WHO Amid persisting challenges in the fight against malaria, Egypt's malaria-free certification marked a notable milestone in 2024. During the press conference President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko; and Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the ADG and Acting Regional Director of the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), presented Ambassador Ashraf Sweilam, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Organizations and Communities for the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Personal Representative of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt to AUDA-NEPAD, with an award in recognition of this achievement, noting that victory against malaria is attainable. Lasting progress is attainable with full commitment According to the 2024 Africa Malaria Progress Report, there has been a 38% reduction in malaria incidence and a 60% reduction in mortality since 2000, preventing 1.8 billion cases and saving 11.9 million lives in Africa over the past two decades. This progress illustrates that despite pressing challenges, lasting progress against malaria is attainable with full commitment. In his remarks, H.E. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló reminded leaders, policymakers, and partners of the critical need to act now and support a big push. Now is the time to accelerate the continent to malaria elimination. Access the 2024 AU Malaria report here Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA). Media inquiries and requests should be directed to: Wynne Musabayana Head of Communications | African Union Commission Email: musabayanaw@ Web: Thomas Davies African Leaders Malaria Alliance Email: TDavies@ Web: About ALMA: Founded in 2009, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) is a ground-breaking coalition of African Heads of State and Government working across country and regional borders to achieve a malaria-free Africa by 2030. All Member States of the African Union are members of ALMA. About Change the Story Campaign: For more information on the 'Change the Story' campaign, visit: . Change the Story is part of 'Zero Malaria'; a global movement committed to ending malaria in a generation by lifting the voices of people impacted by malaria, connecting communities with leaders and providing platforms and campaigns that unite everyone in solidarity to end malaria, one of the world's oldest and deadliest diseases. For more information, visit:
Gulf News
09-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
UAE, Guinea-Bissau Presidents discuss bilateral ties
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau. X Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau, who is on a working visit to the UAE. During their meeting at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed and Embaló explored various avenues of cooperation, particularly in the developmental, economic, commercial, and investment sectors, aligned with the development priorities of both countries and the aspirations of their peoples for continued growth and prosperity. The two leaders exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual concern and affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and expand opportunities for the benefit of both nations and their peoples. During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged medals as a gesture of appreciation and friendship. The UAE President conferred the prestigious Order of Zayed upon President Embaló in recognition of his efforts in strengthening ties between the UAE and Guinea-Bissau. The Order of Zayed is the UAE's highest honour awarded to heads of state and leaders for their contributions to fostering international relations. President Embaló conferred the Amílcar-Cabral Medal, the highest honour awarded by the West African country, upon His Highness Sheikh Mohamed in recognition of his outstanding efforts in strengthening bilateral relations across various fields. The medal serves as a testament to the deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect between the UAE and Guinea-Bissau. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Egypt Today
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
President Sisi discusses ways to strength bilateral relations with Guinea-Bissau President
CAIRO – 6 February 2024: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Sisi received on Thursday a phone call from President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló. Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the call touched on ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields. President Sisi commended the historical ties between Egypt and Guinea-Bissau, affirming Egypt's readiness to offer all necessary support to build the capacities of personnel in Guinea-Bissau in priority sectors. The significance of transferring Egyptian expertise to contribute to enhancing Guinea-Bissau's development path and achieving the aspirations of its people was confirmed during the call. The two presidents reviewed developments in the region, including the situation in the Gaza Strip. They affirmed the cruciality of fully implementing the ceasefire agreement in the sector, releasing hostages and detainees, and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. President Sisi and the President of Guinea-Bissau reiterated the necessity to accelerate the reconstruction process of the sector and start a political process based on the two-state solution to achieve lasting peace. Regarding the Libyan crisis, they pointed out the need to work towards a peaceful settlement condusive to the restoration of peace and stability in the country. The two presidents underscored the essentiality to continue joint coordination on issues related to the African continent and the African Union. President Embaló expressed his country's great appreciation for Egypt and its historical role in supporting the people of Guinea-Bissau. He also lauded Egypt's leading role on the African continent and its effective contribution to representing the interests of the African peoples and safeguarding the security and safety of African countries and the future of their peoples. President Sisi and President Embaló concurred on the need to continue working to strengthen bilateral relations in line with the aspirations of the two peoples, with a focus on forging closer collaboration in the economic field and increasing trade exchange. They also agreed to provide the necessary support to Guinea-Bissau to address security challenges, combat extremist ideology and strengthen state institutions.
