Latest news with #sustainabledevelopment
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: How Gov Ododo is leveraging multilateral partnership to transform road infrastructure?
In a bold move to bridge the gaps in Kogi State's road infrastructure and position it as a model of sustainable development, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has embarked on an ambitious strategy of leveraging multilateral partnerships to revitalize rural access, enhance connectivity, reverse environmental degradation, and boost agricultural productivity anchored on local content. While the state government is currently working on over 400 kilometers of township roads, including roads in Omala, Idah, Bassa in Kogi East, Mopamuro, Egbe, Ijumu in Kogi West and Okene, Okehi, and Adavi in Kogi Central, there are currently over 200 kilometres of rural roads connecting about 50 communities across most of the agricultural belts in several local government areas in the state, largely enabled by multilateral partnerships and strategic interventions. Central to this vision of innovative multilateral partnerships is the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), with its unprecedented erosion control projects at Etahi in Okene, Olubiojo in Ankpa, and Omigbo in Kabba, representing Kogi Central, East, and Western Senatorial zones, respectively, worth 29.9 Billion Naira. Equally pivotal is the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), which has already initiated construction of over 200 kilometres of rural access roads across the state. These initiatives, implemented in collaboration with multilateral organisations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Federal Government of Nigeria, among other donor agencies, are closely aligned with Governor Ododo's campaign promises anchored on a commitment of not only transforming Kogi's physical landscape but at the same time breathing new life into its economy by boosting agricultural output and creating jobs. RAAMP, an initiative by the World Bank, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has emerged as a cornerstone of the administration's strategy to link rural and agricultural production communities with markets and essential services. In October 2024, Governor Ododo flagged off the construction of 65 kilometres of rural access roads connecting major agro-producing communities in Lokoja, Adavi and Okehi local government areas. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at Apata, near Obajana, Governor Ododo emphasized that: 'These rural roads are not just transport links, they are lifelines that connect our traders, farmers, and communities, fostering economic growth and food security. By improving access, we are empowering farmers to compete in regional and national markets, thereby boosting incomes and reducing poverty.' The governor maintained that strategic connections to be enhanced by the project marked the beginning of a broader rural road network aimed at enhancing connectivity, lowering transportation costs for farmers, and improving access to markets. True to the governor's manifesto, which pledged to explore innovative financing models such as public-private partnerships for roads and other public infrastructure, the RAAMP initiative is a textbook example, blending international donor support with state-driven priorities to address critical infrastructure gaps in the state. While RAAMP tackles the rural connectivity challenge, ACReSAL focuses on another pressing concern: environmental degradation and the threat it poses to agricultural sustainability and peoples' wellbeing. In Etahi, Olubiojo, and Omigbo, years of unchecked seasonal erosion have carved deep gullies, devastating farmlands, and displacing communities. In response, the ongoing ACReSAL environmental remediation projects funded by its partners like the World Bank and implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment aim to restore these landscapes through bioengineering and climate-resilient techniques. Governor Ododo harped on the significance of these projects when he noted: 'We are not only building roads and bridges; we are building trust, inclusion, and ownership by ensuring our people benefit directly from the process.' He further stated that the projects are not merely technical interventions but people-centered solutions designed for long-term impacts, as he stressed during the recent project inspection tour in Kogi Central, emphasizing that the administration has evolved a statewide scope of interventions. 'What we are doing in Kogi Central is also taking place in Kogi East and Kogi West. Our project monitoring teams are also conducting inspections in other parts of the state. We will continue to monitor, evaluate, and complete projects that matter to the people,' he said. A testament to all-inclusiveness in the development of road infrastructure in the state is visible in the several rural road projects by RAAMP including the 24.1KM Ilai-Ifeolukotun road in Yagba East local government; 19.55KM Aku-Uro-Obajana road, 6.59KM Osara-Atami road, 6.83KM Elubi-Etiaja-Ajakwu-Ulaja road in Dekina local government area, 4.13KM Odidoko-Ugbamaka-Ubojo-Oloyo-Emakpe road in Olamaboro local government area, 16.03KM Eganyi-FFN road in Ajaokuta local government area, 1.33KM EMMCO-Umuaga road in Okene local government area, 2.41KM Aku-UrukuOdoba road in Adavi local government area and the 18.95KM Ibado Akpacha-Ojiaji-Ogudu road in Omala local government area. These projects are serving as engines of economic empowerment, inclusion, and promoting local content in project delivery. Current data reveals that over 5,000 skilled and semi-skilled youths are employed across the state, from road construction sites in Obajana, Omala, and Aku to erosion control sites in Ankpa, Okene, and Kabba-Bunu. As Benjamin Oguche, a mason working on one of the ACReSAL project sites in Ankpa, shared:'I am working on the gully erosion control sites. They (the construction firm) taught us how to lay asphalt and use machinery. Now I can get similar jobs anywhere in the country.' The ripple effects are already apparent. In Etahi, ongoing construction of roads coupled with erosion control has revitalized community life almost overnight. In Olubiojo and Omigbo, ACReSAL's land restoration, now over 65% complete, has restored access to fertile lands previously lost to erosion, enabling a return to farming and food production. As these projects progress across the state, they herald a new era for Kogi. Upon completion, RAAMP's road networks will connect rural dwellers to schools, healthcare centres, and markets, while ACReSAL's restoration efforts, supported by over three billion Naira in community revolving loans as well as plans to plant trees for reforestation on 10,000 hectares of land in the state, will safeguard Kogi's agricultural productivity, the environment and the wellbeing of the people. Overall, Governor Ododo's administration is proving that strategic multilateral partnerships can turn campaign promises into tangible progress. By aligning international and national interventions with a clear, community-focused development agenda, he is not just bridging infrastructure gaps, he is building a new Kogi State where collective commitment to sustainability and shared prosperity become a reality for all.
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Developing countries ‘need more debt relief' to fund education and health
Developing countries need a fresh round of debt relief, to prevent money urgently needed for health and education being diverted to creditors, according to a major new report commissioned by the late Pope Francis. The Jubilee report, produced by a panel of experts chaired by Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, argues for debt restructuring, along the lines of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative (HIPC). Stiglitz told the Guardian that many developing countries are facing a 'perfect storm' as they had little choice but to ramp up borrowing through the Covid crisis and subsequently faced sharply higher interest rates as central banks battled to tackle inflation. 'Now, because of Trump tariffs, there's a global slowdown expected and that will give them even less revenue, and potentially it could lead to higher inflation and that again would lead to even higher interest rates. It's one thing after another,' Stiglitz said. The report warns that many governments, fearful of the consequences of default, 'prioritise timely debt payments over essential development spending. This is not a path to sustainable development. Rather, it is a roadblock to development and leads to increasing inequality and discontent.' The HIPC debt relief programme emerged out of a concerted campaign by civil society groups, including churches, calling for a 'jubilee' for cash-starved developing countries. The initiative saw more than $100bn of debt cancelled – including as a result of commitments made at the Gleneagles G8 summit, chaired by the UK. With 2025 designated a jubilee year by the Catholic church, Pope Francis commissioned the new report, to explore how the current debt crisis could be tackled. He called last year for 'an international mechanism for debt restructuring based on the solidarity and harmony of peoples.' The report will be presented to his successor, Leo XIV, at the Vatican on Friday. The research underscores the gravity of the situation for many countries, warning: 'The consequences are particularly acute in Africa, where debt distress is most severe. Approximately 57% of the continent's population – 751 million people, including nearly 288 million living in extreme poverty – reside in countries that spend more on servicing external debt than on education or healthcare.' The authors warn that the impact is likely to be rising poverty and malnutrition, the 'erosion of hope' and 'deepening social fractures'. They also point out that the situation is more complex than in the early 2000s, when much of the debt was owed to governments, or other public sector bodies. 'The international community has a moral obligation to advance a 'HIPC II.' However, the challenges of implementing such a comprehensive solution today are greater than those faced during the original HIPC initiative,' the report says. As well as debt write-offs, the report argues for a series of technical and legal changes to the global financial system, to tackle the debt crisis and prevent it recurring again. Sign up to Global Dispatch Get a different world view with a roundup of the best news, features and pictures, curated by our global development team after newsletter promotion These include backing calls for legislation in the UK, where much sovereign debt is issued, that would force private sector creditors to bear their fair share of write-offs in any debt restructuring agreement. 'The private guys shouldn't get more than the public guys,' said Stiglitz. The authors also argue for a 'no bailout clause' that would stop rescue loans offered by the International Monetary Fund to hard-pressed governments being used to pay off private sector lenders. Governments are due to discuss debt relief at the UN Funding for Development conference in Seville at the end of this month. A draft outcome document was agreed this week, including a commitment to seek 'an intergovernmental process at the United Nations, with a view to make recommendations for closing gaps in the debt architecture and exploring options to address debt sustainability'. That was significantly weaker than language advocated by African governments, that would have promised 'far reaching reform' of the global system and 'a more comprehensive, fair and effective multilateral mechanism for preventing and resolving sovereign debt crises'. Keir Starmer has been urged by the directors of scores of UK charities and campaign groups to attend the summit in person and back plans for debt relief.
Coin Geek
21 hours ago
- Business
- Coin Geek
President Marcos Jr. approves 4 ecozones for H1 2025
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Pasay City — Strengthening its vision of eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) continues to spur countryside development through the creation of more ecozones, seen to facilitate the growth and development of our regions and attract new and strategic investments in the country. PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said, 'As a medium-term strategy under the Philippine Development Plan, the ecozones will play a vital role in attracting the much-needed investments in the country, generating more jobs for Filipinos, and contributing in accelerating the nation's socio-economic progress.' For the first half of the year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved four (4) ecozones—two (2) expansions of a manufacturing zone in Batangas, and two (2) new IT Parks in Tagbilaran City and Bacolod City. Aboitiz-led Lima Technology Center Expansions President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the expansion of Lima Technology Center in Batangas and the creation of a new IT Park in Bacolod City. On 21 May 2025, Proclamation No. 910 was issued by the Office of the President, designating 23.49 hectares of land located in Barangays Bagong Pook and Luta Sur, Malvar, Batangas to be included in the existing Lima Technology Center (LTC). More than PhP 980 million will be invested in the development of the area, which is expected to be completed by June 2027. Additionally, another expansion area for LTC was also approved by the Office of the President in March under Proclamation No. 846, adding 19.23 hectares to the ecozone. These expansions are expected to further amplify Aboitiz InfraCapital's contributions and better enable PEZA to execute its commitment to sustainable economic progress and national development. Megaworld's The Upper East IT Park Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation No. 919 last 02 June 2025 which creates and tagbilarandesignates 33.96 hectares of land in Barangay 41, Bacolod City as an IT Park to be called The Upper East. The IT Park, to be operated by Megaworld, is projected to attract over PhP 1 billion in investments for the construction of two IT buildings. Five (5) IT-BPO companies are expected to operate in the park, creating over 2,500 local jobs. The development of this IT park solidifies the position of Bacolod City as an emerging IT-BPM hub in the country and will further create opportunities for innovation and development. Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2 Apart from these new ecozones, PEZA also formalized the proclamation of Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2 as an IT Park in Bohol with the signing of its registration agreement on May 08. The President signed Proclamation No. 821 designating three parcels of land in Brgy. Dampas, Tagbilaran City with an area of about 11,237 sqm as an IT Park. Building on the success of the 1.4-hectare Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 1, the zone significantly boosted local economic activity and employment. With a projected investment of over PhP 200 million, the expansion aims to generate additional jobs and attract more IT-BPM locators. A prospective locator has already expressed interest in investing upwards of PhP 70 million and hiring over 500 Filipinos. PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga and TURC President Albert M. Uy following the signing of the Registration Agreement for the Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2 According to the latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the majority of the top 10 local government units (LGUs) outside of Metro Manila—ranked by GDP contribution and foreign investment inflows—are home to economic zones (ecozones), highlighting their role as key drivers of regional economic growth. PEZA continues to engage with local governments and developers in advancing ecozone development in the country. With PEZA's pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of these zones, this further solidify the Philippines' position as a premier investment destination in the region. 'At PEZA, under my watch, we continue to engage with our partner developers like Aboitiz and Megaworld in creating more ecozones that attract investments and drive growth, prosperity, and innovation nationwide. Together, we strengthen our shared commitment to eco-zoning the Philippines toward inclusive and sustainable development— para sa Bagong Pilipinas! ' said DG Panga. Under the Marcos Jr. Administration, a total of 32 ecozones have been proclaimed, bringing in PhP 13.406 billion in committed investments. PEZA is also working to establish the Palawan Mega Ecozone—the first of its kind in the country—and the Pantao Ecozone, eyed as the fifth public ecozone, both targeted for proclamation within the current administration.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Hong Kong Baptist University Showcases World-Leading Research in Digital Health & Systems Medicine at THE Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 June 2025 – Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) illuminated the path to global well-being as the Global Health Innovation Partner and sponsor of the Health and Wellbeing Track at the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2025, from June 16-19, 2025. At this gathering of over 5,000 global thought leaders, HKBU presented its comprehensive, interdisciplinary strategy for health and well-being, spearheaded by its Health & Drug Discovery research cluster. HKBU's 'Well-being Zone' showcases interdisciplinary global health, with sessions like Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Mindfulness Karate reflecting its 'exercise is medicine' approach to holistic well-being. Firmly aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, HKBU's vision for health transformation drives from data to actionable insight. It comprehensively integrates mental and digital well-being, real-time analytics, and innovative interdisciplinary approaches. This includes blending traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting-edge sciences like chemical biology and data analytics, complemented by advancements in environmental, physical, and social sciences. A Hub for Holistic Health A highlight of HKBU's presence was the 6,000-square-foot 'Well-being Zone', thoughtfully designed to embody the principle that health is holistic and interconnected. This innovative Zone brought the concept of interdisciplinarity to a global audience by seamlessly integrating diverse fields, from martial arts and mindfulness to cutting-edge digital health monitoring: HKBU scholars presented cutting-edge research on global health and Chinese Medicine at GSDC 2025. Highlighting HKBU's research strength in the transformative power of technology for global health, Professor Martin Wong, Provost & Chair Professor of Computer Science, emphasised, 'HKBU's recent top-50 global ranking in databases, design automation, and artificial intelligence underscores our collaborative ethos. By integrating advanced AI methodologies with clinical, pharmaceutical and social-science expertise, we are optimising diagnostics, accelerating drug discovery and enhancing surgical assistance. This interdisciplinary approach reinforces Hong Kong's reputation as a global hub for cutting-edge research and higher education.' Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research & Development), highlighted HKBU's strategic edge, 'Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead East–West integration in digital health and systems medicine. HKBU combines the rigour of life sciences with robust Chinese Medicine research, underpinned by advanced data analytics. This powerful synergy enables us to tackle complex health disparities at biological, social, and environmental levels, and build resilient, equitable health systems to meet future global challenges.' In addition to numerous insightful presentations and the interactive experiences, HKBU Provost Professor Martin Wong gave a keynote at the session entitled 'Reframing Sustainability through the Lens of Chinese Heritage and Innovation' convened by the China Education Association for International Exchange. HKBU also released the 'Evolving Legacy: Decoding the Scientific Trajectory of Chinese Medicine' Report ( in collaboration with Elsevier. This report examines the development and evolving research landscape of Chinese Medicine and its growing influence on modern healthcare. Hashtag: #HKBU The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Russia signs nuclear energy deal with African state
Russia and Burkina Faso have formalized a deal to expand peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, including joint projects in radiation technologies and the training of specialists from the West African country. The agreement was signed on Thursday by Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, and Burkina Faso's Energy Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). 'The signing of this Agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening the partnership between Russia and Burkina Faso,' Likhachev stated, according to a Rosatom press release. 'We are ready to provide advanced technologies and expert support to implement joint projects aimed at sustainable development and enhancing the region's energy security,' he added. According to the statement, the new pact builds on a roadmap signed in March last year between Rosatom and Burkina Faso's Ministry of Energy during the ATOMEXPO forum in Sochi. Key areas of cooperation outlined in the document include the development of Burkina Faso's nuclear infrastructure in line with international standards, regulation of nuclear and radiation safety, and the use of radioisotopes in industry, medicine, and agriculture. Moscow and Ouagadougou have been engaged in nuclear cooperation since 2023, following a request by Burkina Faso's interim leader, Ibrahim Traore, to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the second Russia–Africa Summit in St. Petersburg. Last year, Rosatom representatives visited Burkina Faso to discuss plans for constructing a nuclear power plant in one of the world's least electrified countries. The Sahel state had earlier signed an agreement with the Russian firm in October 2024 to build the facility. NovaWind – the wind energy division of Rosatom – is also working with the government of neighboring Mali to build a 200-megawatt (MW) solar power plant near the capital, Bamako. Last year, NovaWind's director, Grigory Nazarov, said the $217 million facility would boost the country's electricity production by 10%. Apart from striking its latest deal on peaceful nuclear cooperation with Burkina Faso, Moscow also announced last week the approval of similar agreements with Mali, which have yet to be formalized.
