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Akinwumi Adesina Urges Stronger Korea-Africa Collaboration at KOAFEC Conference
In the bustling city of Busan, South Korea, an echo for strengthened ties and unified strides toward sustainable future resonated prominently as the 7th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference commenced. The call for solidarity was led by Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank Group, as he encouraged delegates to harness the conference as a pivotal juncture to catalyze support for Africa\'s transformation into a global breadbasket and a hub of universal energy access. Adesina highlighted the pressing need to galvanize additional resources for the attainment of these lofty goals. A key facet of this ambition involves the prospective reallocation of the International Monetary Fund\'s Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to the African Development Bank, a move he posits could potentially be a \"game changer for Africa\'s development\". He passionately called upon Korea to align with other countries in contributing to this pivotal reallocation, which promises to spearhead unprecedented development in Africa. As discussions unfolded at the conference, co-hosted by the African Development Bank Group and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea, the air was charged with anticipation and optimism for the mutually beneficial partnerships on the horizon. The theme of the event, “Embracing a Sustainable Future: Just Energy Transition and Agricultural Transformation in Africa,” echoes the critical development priorities of the continent, setting the stage for a synergy between Korea\'s technological prowess and Africa\'s vibrant young demographic and abundant resources. Emphasizing the considerable untapped agricultural potential of the continent, Adesina remarked, \"Africa must be a solution to feeding the world, as it has 65% of the uncultivated arable land left in the world.\" He underscored that Africa\'s trajectory in the agricultural sector would play a decisive role in shaping the global food landscape in the coming years. The conference also served as a platform for the unveiling of several collaborative initiatives, including the Korean government\'s K-Rice Belt project which aims to assist eight African nations in cultivating 30 million tons of rice. This initiative resonates with the African Development Bank’s Feed Africa strategy and echoes the outcomes of the Dakar 2 Food Summit held earlier this year, both endeavoring to lead Africa to food self-sufficiency within a half a decade. Addressing the energy crisis that plagues the continent, where nearly 600 million individuals lack access to electricity, Adesina underscored Africa\'s vast renewable energy potential. He highlighted that the continent is home to an impressive 11 terawatts of solar potential, of which only a fraction is currently utilized. Despite the significant strides in renewable energy investments, Adesina cautioned against an exclusive reliance on renewables due to their inherent variability, advocating for a judicious utilization of Africa\'s newly discovered abundant natural gas resources as part of a balanced energy portfolio. The African Development Bank, under Adesina\'s stewardship, has embarked on an ambitious journey to foster collaborations with global partners in fostering a just energy transition. This involves substantial partnerships with nations including the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, focusing on sustainable energy initiatives in African nations like South Africa and Senegal. As the conference drew to a close, Adesina\'s optimistic note left an indelible mark on the attendees. He envisaged a radiant future for Africa, powered by a robust partnership with South Korea. Together, they aspired to forge a path of accelerated growth and development, working hand in hand to realize a vision of a prosperous, self-sufficient, and sustainable Africa, making strides toward a brighter tomorrow for all its inhabitants.
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- 21 September 2023
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Akinwumi Adesina calls on Oxford MBA graduating class to be change-makers
In the 2023 commencement address at Oxford University\'s Saïd Business School, the African Development Bank President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, urged the graduating MBA students to apply their newly acquired skills and knowledge to address pressing global issues such as climate change and world hunger. He emphasized the unacceptable reality of 2.3 billion people facing hunger daily and underscored the graduates\' responsibility as change-makers equipped with world-class education. He highlighted various global challenges, including the lack of access to essential amenities such as electricity, clean water, sanitation, and basic financial services that billions face worldwide. Adesina urged graduates to work towards ensuring a better future for the 244 million children not attending school, including 129 million girls. Adesina insisted on the need for a restructured global financial system to address these challenges more effectively and urged the graduates to lead efforts in directing the $145 trillion managed by global pension funds and institutional investors towards the collective good. He also encouraged them to be selfless, promote transparency and inclusion, and avoid corporate greed\'s corruptive influences.In addition to Adesina, Saïd Business School faculty members encouraged the graduates to dream big, take up leadership roles, and make positive impacts in the world. They were also advised to forge their paths confidently, while promoting unity and addressing global issues such as the looming new Cold War and global warming.At the end of the event, Adesina engaged with some of the African graduates, discussing leadership, the future of Africa, and the role of youth in its development.
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- 842
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- 20 September 2023
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Climate adaptation finance to Africa must increase tenfold, research shows
Countries forced to choose between climate resilience, fighting poverty and paying debts, says Ban Ki-moon. Former UN Secretary-General and current chair of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), Ban Ki-moon, stressed the pressing need to augment climate adaptation finance to Africa by up to ten times by 2035, during the ongoing Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi. This escalation is deemed essential to address the rapidly worsening impacts of the climate crisis in the region. Ban Ki-moon emphasized that no country should be in a position where they have to choose between combating poverty, fostering climate resilience, and fulfilling their debt obligations, a predicament that many African countries are currently facing. According to GCA\'s recent research, without an investment surge of around £80m annually until 2035, Africa stands to forfeit approximately £4.8tn in economic benefits over the next decade. Ban Ki-moon noted that earlier assessments of Africa\'s contributions to climate resilience were gross underestimates, conceived during a time when the impending climate repercussions were not anticipated to manifest as swiftly and severely as they are unfolding presently. Ban Ki-moon\'s comments come in the backdrop of an array of extreme weather phenomena exacerbating the continent\'s vulnerability, with several regions grappling with lethal cyclones, catastrophic floods, and extended periods of drought, escalating food insecurity amongst millions. These adversities are attributed to heightened likelihoods due to climate change. The summit also saw discussions surrounding the shifting focus from the historical liability regarding carbon emissions to exploring other avenues for funding and innovative solutions. Kenyan President, William Ruto, advocated for exploring business solutions to the climate dilemma, including the implementation of global carbon taxes and financial reforms to avail more climate funding, alongside advocating for debt alleviation for African nations. While concerns remain about the reliance on private financing for addressing climate issues, the consensus underscores the dire necessity for amplified climate financing in Africa to prevent further hardships and a potential cascade of societal issues stemming from climate impacts. Activists and agricultural organizations are also tirelessly working on the ground to assist communities in adapting to the changing climate conditions.Ban Ki-moon, chair of the Global Center on Adaptation, at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi
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- 743
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- 13 September 2023
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Akinwumi Adesina: Why Africa’s GDP must be revalued
Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), says Africa’s carbon sequestration capacity must be accounted for in its overall gross domestic product (GDP).Carbon sequestration is the capturing and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean.Speaking on Tuesday at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, Adesina said Africa has a rich natural wealth and the largest carbon mass, yet the emissions it sequesters are not being accounted for.“We must revalue the wealth of Africa by accounting for the proper valuation of our abundant natural resources, including the diverse forests that sequester the carbon,” he said“The Congo forest basin is the world’s largest carbon mass, larger than the Amazon forest. Yet Africa’s rich nature wealth and the global value of this carbon it sequesters for the world are not accounted for, in the estimation of its GDP.“It is not enough to praise Africa for its rich natural capital, its GDP must take that into consideration. Africa’s GDP must therefore be revalued based on its carbon sequestration and biodiversity to provide global public goods.“If this is done, the test to adjust the GDP ratio of several African countries must offer more funds to support their economy, including investing in the greening of their economies.“We must therefore turn Africa’s economies green, not because others asked us to do so but because it is in our interest to do so. Africa must develop its own carbon markets, properly drive it and turn its vast carbon sinks into new sources of enormous wealth.”FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICAAdesina enumerated initiatives that the AfDB will be financing to tackle climate change in Africa.The AfDB president said the bank hopes to address issues bordering on food insecurity, power, marginalised groups, youth entrepreneurship and climate disasters.He said addressing the climate crisis requires action at three levels – meeting the $100 billion climate finance pledge at the global level; changing the global climate financial architecture to prioritise the needs of Africa; and accelerating action on climate adaptation at the national level.“That is why the African Development Bank has committed to providing $25 billion towards climate finance by 2025,” he said.“We have also launched the African adaptation acceleration programme together with the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), the largest climate adaptation programme in the world.“We must fully unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential. That is why the African Development Bank is implementing a $20 billion designated power programme to harness the power of solar and deliver electricity for 250 million people.“We must power every home, every school, every hospital and provide stable, affordable and reliable power.”Adesina also announced a $1 billion initiative to support youth-led solutions as well as a $72 billion to support African countries in ensuring food security within the next five years.African Development Bank President Adesina with former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, other global climate champions and African youth at the University of Nairobi’s Wangari Maathai Institute of Peace and Environment.
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- 666
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- 13 September 2023
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Akinwumi Adesina receives Nigerian diaspora awards
July 28, 2023African Development Bank GroupAfrican Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina has been honoured by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) with the prestigious National Diaspora Merit Award in recognition of hi selfless service and contributions as a Nigerian Diaspora Global Icon.Other recipients in the Global Icon category are United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed, and Director General of the World Trade Organization Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.NIDCOM is an agency under Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for engaging with the Nigerian diaspora community. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday 26 July 2023 at the State House Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja during National Diaspora Day 2023 organised under the theme “Consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National Development”.Guests included Bank Group Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management Professor Kevin Chika Urama, as well as Dr Adesina’s Adviser on Stakeholder Engagement, Ms Lola Visser-Mabogunje. Also present at the award ceremony in Abuja were executives and members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) from across the world, senior government, officials, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic community.Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the conferment of a National Diaspora Merit Award on Dr Adesina was “in recognition of his selfless service and contributions as a Nigerian Diaspora Global Icon. Dr Dabiri-Erewa said NIDCOM appreciated Dr Adesina’s “unflinching love and contributions to national development”. “This award is predicated upon the importance of recognising and celebrating Nigerians in the diaspora who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour and contributing to the development of Nigeria,” Dr Dabiri-Erewa said. “These exceptional Nigerians have, over time, contributed to making Nigeria a better place in their own capacities. It is thus important that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Commission, recognises their remarkable feats,” she said.Receiving the award on behalf of the President, the Director General of the African Development Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, Lamin Barrow, expressed gratitude to NIDCOM for the great recognition of President Adesina’s outstanding achievements and contributions to Nigeria and the continent’s development efforts. “The award will inspire him further to continue his unrelenting efforts for Nigeria and Africa’s transformation,” Mr Barrow said.Dr Adesina thanked NIDCOM in a written statement. “I am pleased to accept the award with humility. I am deeply touched by this acknowledgement of my modest contributions to finance and economics and my recognition as a role model to other Nigerians in the diaspora,” Dr Adesina stated. Often described as “Africa’s Optimist-in-Chief”, Dr Adesina is widely lauded for his visionary leadership and passion for Africa’s transformation. His bold reforms as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture turned the sector around in four years, benefiting 15 million farmers through an electronic wallet system. As President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Adesina achieved the highest-ever capital increase and led swift responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. He has received numerous accolades, including the World Food Prize and African of the Year.More than 20 other Nigerians in the diaspora, including Emeritus Professor Augustine Esogbue, Professor Mobolaji Aluko and Professor Rotimi Jayesimi, received awards in various categories on Wednesday, including education, politics, information and communications technology, leadership development, medicine and healthcare, automobile, philanthropy and sports.
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- 801
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- 7 August 2023
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More African countries to receive lifesaving malaria vaccine
July 5, 2023UN NewsTwelve African countries will receive 18 million doses of the first-ever vaccine against malaria over the next two years, care of global vaccine alliance GAVI, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Wednesday. The RTS,S vaccine has been administered to more than 1.6 million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi since 2019 and has been shown to be safe and effective.It has resulted in a substantial reduction in severe malaria and a fall in child deaths. A top killer WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest diseases, killing nearly half a million children under the age of five every year, and accounting for approximately 96 per cent of global malaria deaths in 2021.“With the climate crisis changing weather patterns, mosquitoes that carry these diseases are increasing in density and spreading further afield,” said Tedros, speaking during his regular media briefing from Geneva. Rollout in 2024 The initial 18 million dose allocation will enable nine more African countries to introduce the vaccine into their routine immunisation programmes for the first time.Those nations are Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda.The first doses are expected to arrive during the last quarter of the year, with rollout set to start by early 2024. “This vaccine has the potential to be very impactful in the fight against malaria, and when broadly deployed alongside other interventions, it can prevent tens of thousands of future deaths every year,” said Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programmes Delivery at Gavi, in a press release.The partners said at least 28 African countries have expressed interest in receiving the RTS,S vaccine, while a second malaria vaccine is currently under review for pre-qualification, and if successful provides additional supply in the short term. Concern for PalestineDuring his briefing, the WHO chief also expressed deep concern over the renewed violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the past few days across the West Bank city of Jenin, which has left 12 people dead, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced. He said roads have been destroyed, which has made it difficult to reach those who have been wounded.“Across the occupied Palestinian territory, WHO has been using contingency funds for emergencies to train medical staff for mass casualty events and pre-positioning supplies to help health systems and health workers,” he told journalists.Tedros added that the UN agency also calls for a de-escalation of tension and for talks to maintain peace in the long-term, so that health systems can recover.
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- 745
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- 11 July 2023
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Kettering-born Covid-19 vaccine developer Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert honoured with locally-nomi...
June 13, 2023Northants TelegraphThe Kettering-born professor who created a life-changing vaccine has accepted an international award from a worldwide women’s organisation at a homecoming lunch in her honour.Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, co-developer of the Oxford–AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, was nominated by Kettering Inner Wheel lunchtime group members for the Margarette Golding Award to mark her achievement.Inner Wheel members gathered alongside members of Kettering High School Old Girls Association, church representatives and members of Kettering Operatic Society to welcome the Kettering-educated scientist ‘home’ yesterday (Monday) at Kettering Park Hotel.Much in demand, Professor Gilbert squeezed in the ceremony and a talk about her work before jetting off to the USA to teach in Boston.And it was one of her Kettering teachers who inspired her and holiday jobs based in Kettering that she says are her fondest memories.She told the Northants Telegraph: “I had a very inspirational teacher called Mrs Slater. She didn’t always stick to what we were supposed to be learning – she was an inspiration for me.\"It’s quite a long time since I’ve been back to Kettering. My mum passed away in 2017 and my father lived in Corby.\"I have fond memories of Wicksteed Park. I worked there in the holidays for two seasons selling fish and chips and ice creams.”My dad used to be a manager at Loake so I also did some work in the factory. I always wanted to be a skiver but I wasn’t allowed. I can still remember the smell of the leather.”Awarded a Damehood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021 for her ground-breaking work, she was also awarded the Albert Medal by the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce – her name now standing alongside Marie Curie, Winston Churchill and Stephen Hawkins.Thanking The Inner Wheel at the awards ceremony event, Professor Gilbert said: “It’s quite overwhelming. We just did our jobs.”Joint presidents Pat Smith and Lesley Johnson welcomed Professor Gilbert and handed over the certificate and a special lapel badge. She will also receive a special rose.Mrs Smith said: “We are really really delighted that Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert is here. We are very proud of the fact that she was educated in Kettering.”Mrs Johnson added: “It shows that it doesn’t matter where you come from. She came from a very ordinary family and she has achieved all this – it’s about tenacity. She’s very keen to say it’s about a team effort. When you think about how many people have had the vaccine, it’s incredible.”The first Margarette Golding Award (MGA) – an award be created in honour of the founder of the Inner Wheel – is awarded for highly commendable personal service through Inner Wheel or in the community.The award has been available since September 2001 and more than 200 people have now received an MGA.Ann Buckby, secretary of Kettering Inner Wheel, said: “Sarah is a woman whose life work is determined to help other. We at Kettering Inner Wheel are so proud of this daughter of our town.”She is now wholly engaged on working on vaccines, to keep check on the many variants that are appearing throughout the world.”
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- 811
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- 21 June 2023
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S. Korea to provide US$70 mln for global anti-COVID-19 fight
June 16, 2023Yonhap NewsPark Sang-hoon, South Korean ambassador to Spain, speaks during the 2023 Gavi Mid-Term Review forum, held June 13-15, 2023, in this undated file photo provided by Seoul\'s foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to donate US$70 million this year to an international health organization designed to facilitate the development and distribution of vaccines, the foreign ministry said Friday.Park Sang-hoon, South Korean ambassador to Spain, made the announcement during a Mid-Term Review of Gavi, a vaccine alliance that helps run the global COVAX program aimed at delivering COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries.At the meeting, Park noted Gavi\'s important role in vaccine distribution and stressed the South Korean government\'s strong commitment to improving the global health system, the ministry said.Last year, Seoul pledged to make an annual contribution of $100 million in 2023-2025 to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, an initiative launched by the World Health Organization and various partners to focus on vaccines, treatments and tests for COVID-19.The latest contribution is part of the $100 million fund South Korea has set aside for this year. The remaining $30 million will be provided to the United Nations Children\'s Fund and Unitaid, according to the ministry.
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- 766
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- 20 June 2023
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Gavi is On Track to Vaccinate 300 Million More Children by 2025
June 13, 2023Health Policy WatchInternational vaccine alliance Gavi is on track to immunize 300 million more children by 2025 despite setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it announced on Tuesday.“Despite the huge strain placed on countries’ health systems by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re on or ahead of schedule on eight of the 11 key commitments that we made for the period 2021 to 2025. These include efforts to immunize a further 300 million children, prevent between seven to eight million future deaths, and unlock $80 to $100 million in economic benefits,” said Gavi CEO Dr Seth Berkley The alliance released its mid-term review report that tracks the progress of its goals for the 2021-2025 period. Every year Gavi provides vaccines to protect nearly half of all children on the planet. The report coincides with a meeting of world leaders in Spain’s capital of Madrid for the Global Vaccine Impact Conference, where they are discussing the lessons from the COVID-19 vaccine access platform, COVAX, which was co-led by Gavi.Improving Africa’s manufacturing capacity is a long-term goalIn the coming years, countries in Africa have pledged to improve vaccine manufacturing capacity as COVID-19 exposed their vulnerability. While Gavi expressed confidence in the continent’s ability to scale up, it tempered expectations by adding that this was likely to be a long-term process.“This is a long road. It is important to acknowledge that it takes time,” said Marie-Ange Saraka-Yao, Gavi’s Managing Director for Resource Mobilisation, Private Sector Partnerships and Innovative Finance. “A lot of pieces have come into play,” Gavi also said it is working to ensure there is enough advance procurement so that manufacturers can produce vaccines at scale while keeping the cost low.Neonatal deaths, weak malaria vaccines are challengesGavi flagged neonates’ deaths, the low efficacy of malaria vaccines and climate change as key challenges.While there has been considerable progress in reducing childhood deaths, deaths of neonates (babies in the first 28 days of life) remain high.“The RTS,S vaccine which is the first malaria vaccine, had an efficacy rate of 39%. Now that may sound low, but given how prevalent malaria is, for every 200 children vaccinated, you save one life. So, in terms of impact, this vaccine is really important,” Berkley said.Climate change is compounding challenges. As rainfall patterns change, droughts become more frequent and intense, and food insecurity is expected to rise.“In my country, where climate change and displacement are making it harder, not easier, to deliver health services – vaccines are an essential way to manage outbreaks and save lives,” said Dr Abdelmadjid Abderahim, Minister of Public Health and Prevention in Chad. Countries returning to pre-pandemic vaccinationWhile Gavi has presented an optimistic picture, a number of countries reported their post-pandemic struggles less optimistically at the recently concluded World Health Assembly weren’t so optimistic, including the re-emergence of polio cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, after the pandemic disrupted routine vaccinations.Gavi said nearly 57 low- and middle-income countries are on track to return to pre-pandemic level of routine immunization. “According to the data we’re seeing from countries, we believe there are encouraging signs that resilient health systems in the now 57 Gavi implementing countries are having some success in recovering following the pandemic,” Berkley said.
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- 716
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- 20 June 2023
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Former President of Kiribati tours Torres Strait communities in solidarity with climate case
April 24, 2023NITThe former President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, has been visiting communities in the Torres Strait between in solidarity with Uncle Paul Kabai on Saibai island and Uncle Pabai Pabai on Boigu island in their landmark climate case against the Australian government demanding emissions reduction in line with the science.President Tong has been visiting the Islands from 17 April to 24 April as part of the Pacific Elders Voice, a group of former Prime Ministers, Presidents and high level officials in the Pacific.On Monday these communities issued the Mura Kalmel Sipa (all together we stand) statement of solidarity between Saibai, Boigu and Pacific Elders.\"At the invitation of the Saibai and Boigu Island Elders, the Chairman of the Pacific Elders\' Voice and former President of Kiribati, HE Anote Tong, visited the Islands in April 2023 and noted that climate-related threats faced by the communities there are similar to those faced by other Pacific Island countries like Kiribati, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, as well as other Pacific communities on the frontline of climate change impacts,\" it said.\"The Pacific Elders\' Voice, together with Saibai and Boigu Elders, stand in solidarity with each other\'s homelands and peoples, and our shared experience in the face of the climate crisis.\"We stand together in calling for governments to move away from subsidising fossil fuel projects and take urgent and decisive climate action that will ensure global warming remains below 1.5C.\"We stand together in friendship and solidarity in the pursuit of climate justice. We stand together in asking Australia and those responsible for perpetuating the climate crisis, including the fossil fuel industry, to hear our voices and act immediately to ensure the survival of our homelands, peoples, cultures and way of life.\"During President Tong\'s tour of Boigu and Saibai the community members taking part in workshops and training about the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change run by the Edmund Rice Centre\'s Pacific Calling Partnership.Elders have been taking President Tong on tours of their islands to examine the damage caused by climate change and discuss the impacts on community, culture, food security and fears of displacement due to sea level rise.Organisers of the tour noted that Pacific nations residents are facing similar climate change impacts as people living in the Torres Strait, such as erosion from rising seas, salt water inundation of fresh water areas, salt water pollution of soil preventing families from growing fruit and vegetables, changes to fishing patterns, and impacts on cultural sites including the flooding of cemeteries.Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul\'s landmark climate case will argue that by failing to prevent climate change the Australian government has unlawfully breached its duty of care to Torres Strait Islanders, because of the \"severe and lasting harm\" that climate change would cause to their communities.They are seeking an order from the court requiring the government to prevent this harm to their communities by cutting greenhouse gas emissions in line with the best available science. The first hearing will be held by the Federal Court on-country in Boigu, Saibai and Badu, followed by Cairns in June.The Mura Kalmel Sipa statement was signed by Herbert Warusam Saibai Mura Buway PBC chair and Dhoeybaw Clan Chair and community member; Conwell Tabuai Saibai Councillor, TSRIC Director and Ait Koedal Clan and community member; Uncle Ialatie Gilbert Akiba, Saibai Migi Buwai Clan Elder and community member; Uncle Elvis Terrigton Warusam Koey Buwai Clan Elder and community member; Aunty Vera Toby, Custodian of Boigu Island; Uncle Dick Gibuma, Boigu Samu Clan Elder and community member; Uncle Percy Maitie, Boigu Koedal Clan Elder and community member; Brian Peter, Boigu Karbay/Baidham Clan and community member; Pastor Namia Marama, Boigu Spiritual Leader and community member; Tanaio Anau Boigu Dhoeybaw Clan/Environmental health worker with TSIRC; and HE Anote Tong, former President of the Republic of Kiribati and Pacific Elders\' Voice chair.
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- 772
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- 25 April 2023
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Gavi launches new learning initiative to address the final barriers to immunisation equity
Geneva, 13 April 2023reliefwebGavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) has launched the Zero-Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH), a new mechanism to improve how data and evidence are leveraged to successfully identify and reach the millions of children who have not yet received a single routine vaccine shot – “zero-dose” children – and the missed communities in which they live. The goal of the ZDLH collaboration is to supplement existing and ongoing monitoring efforts by building deeper understanding and sharing learning on the complex array of factors that impact efforts to reach zero-dose children, particularly in lower-income Gavi implementing countries.Funded and coordinated by Gavi, ZDLH is composed of Country Learning Hubs in Bangladesh, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda, as well as a global hub led by JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), with support from the Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) and The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF). The global hub will provide technical and operational support to countries; and disseminate learning across immunisation stakeholders at the community, national, regional and global levels.“Zero-dose children face significant and complex systemic barriers that impact their ability to access basic services, including immunisation,” said Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programmes Delivery at Gavi. “Since the inception of our Alliance, Gavi has taken a data-driven approach to address immunisation challenges. This new investment will help inform and improve immunisation programmes to reach the most vulnerable children in urban slums, rural and hard-to-reach areas, and fragile and conflict settings – using tailored approaches and addressing gender-related barriers. Today’s new partnership is another important step in our mission to ensure no child misses out on life-saving vaccines, no matter where they live.”While incredible progress has been made in immunisation coverage, particularly in lower-income countries in the last few decades, it is clear that a percentage of children consistently miss out, with the pandemic hampering progress. The number of zero-dose children in Gavi implementing countries reduced by 14% from 2015 to 2019. However, this number increased during the pandemic; and in 2021, there were 12.5 million zero-dose children in the 57 lower-income countries supported by Gavi.As a result, during the 2021–2025 strategic period, Gavi and Alliance partners are focused on reaching zero-dose children and missed communities, aiming to leverage the power of innovation and new partnerships to reduce the number of zero-dose children in Gavi-eligible countries by 25% by 2025. Today’s ZLDH launch represents the latest initiative in this effort, alongside Gavi’s Zero-Dose Immunization Programme (ZIP), an innovative initiative that is providing two consortia of partners with up to US$ 100 million to identify and reach zero-dose children living in displaced communities and fragile and conflict settings.“JSI is uniquely positioned to lead the ZDLH and address the complex socio-cultural, political, geographic and economic root causes of under-immunisation. Our team will draw on years of successful implementation of innovative and finely tailored approaches to immunisation equity,” said Kate Onyejekwe, Director of JSI’s International Division. “We have convened a dynamic roster of partners to implement the ZDLH’s charge.”GENERATING KNOWLEDGE AT THE COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY LEVELSA country-driven and community-driven approach to evidence generation will be vital. The Country Learning Hubs – led by in-country partners and supported by Gavi, JSI and IIHMR – will first engage with government and other key stakeholders to identify country learning priorities. Once priorities are aligned, the hubs will begin work on strengthening routine information systems, and implementing research studies – with regular reporting of progress and results shared across the Alliance at the country and global levels. A Learning Innovation Unit will leverage digital peer networks to help accelerate at scale how national and subnational immunisation staff share, learn and apply evidence-based practices within and across Country Learning Hub countries, and at the regional and global levels.A populous country, Nigeria has one of the biggest zero-dose burdens globally, with more than 2.2 million children missing out on routine vaccines in 2021. However, there is increasing momentum and engagement at both the national and subnational levels to address this challenge. Bangladesh, Mali and Uganda made progress through 2020–2021, with the number of zero-dose children in all three countries declining, but obstacles remain: over 157,000 children were unprotected in Mali; nearly 50,000 in Uganda; and close to 30,000 children in Bangladesh.The four Country Learning Hubs – in Bangladesh, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda – will be led by a variety of organisations with specific in-country knowledge:
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- 804
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- 25 April 2023
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Darpan Power Women of Influence Gala 2023
24 March, 2023DarpanLess than 2 weeks away to go for the Power Women of Influence Gala 2023, we\'re so excited to announce our power-packed panel, — The Hon Attorney General of British Columbia, Niki Sharma, Business Leader and Regional Vice President of RBC, Devinder K. Gill; Social Activist also known as the \"Mother of Education\" in Afghanistan, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi; Indian Actor and the Winner of the Miss Universe pageant 2000, Lara Dutta Bhupathi; Media Personality and Host of CBC Vancouver News at 6, Anita Bathe. Neetu Garcha from Global BC will be the moderator.Be it in the form of a gentle, soothing touch from our selfless mothers, or the fearless and bold leadership of global leaders, we are surrounded by women of excellence in more ways than one. As mothers, daughters, and sisters, we are no strangers to the many sacrifices the female figures in our lives continue to make, going above and beyond to contribute to the betterment of our families and society.In the workforce, we have seen an uprising of women who, everyday, break the shackles of gender inequality and shatter glass ceilings to realize not only their own full potential, but really that of humanity overall! While world-renowned names may often grace the media and high profile events, sometimes, local heroes who are close to home may go unnoticed. Undoubtedly, it is these gifted and driven women who are making impactful positive contributions to society, which creates a ripple effect and leaves a global footprint. The time has come to recognize these women for all that they are, and for all that they have done for our communities. Having experienced the South Asian community inside out, DARPAN Magazine wholeheartedly takes on its next calling by humbly taking on the noble responsibility and honor of creating a platform to celebrate, admire, and recognize esteemed and accomplished women in our community. We take this opportunity to invite you to partner with DARPAN Magazine as we embark on this journey and urge you to join hands with us in celebrating the very females that build our homes and strengthen our communities, at the first ever DARPAN Power Women of Influence 2023. While world-renowned names may often grace the media and high profile events, sometimes, local heroes who are close to home may go unnoticed. Undoubtedly, it is these gifted and driven women who are making impactful positive contributions to society, which creates a ripple effect and leaves a global footprint. The time has come to recognize these women for all that they are, and for all that they have done for our communities. Having experienced the South Asian community inside out, DARPAN Magazine wholeheartedly takes on its next calling by humbly taking on the noble responsibility and honor of creating a platform to celebrate, admire, and recognize esteemed and accomplished women in our community. We take this opportunity to invite you to partner with DARPAN Magazine as we embark on this journey and urge you to join hands with us in celebrating the very females that build our homes and strengthen our communities, at the first ever DARPAN Power Women of Influence 2023. The first ever Darpan\'s Power Women of Influence 2023 event, proudly hosted by DARPAN Magazine, will take place on Friday, March 24, 2023.Ranging from business leaders and local politicians to young activists and TV personalities along with our chief guest (a world renowned celebrity) who will be walking for a cause and a power packed panel discussion. Our attendees witness their inspiring journey, which is then revered and celebrated by the community as a whole. DARPAN Power Women of Influence 2023 event will be one of the most-anticipated events in the Lower Mainland drawing 500-600 influential members such as key stakeholders, respected community and business leaders, and political dignitaries.The evening will consist of a Cocktail and Networking hour/ Extraordinary keynote speakers and a Panel Discussion by BC’s most influential South Asian women, followed by top-notch entertainment, and a gourmet meal.
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- 25 April 2023
- Sunhak Peace Prize
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Future generations refer not only to our own physical descendants
but also to all future generations to come.Since all decisions made by the current generation will either positively
or negatively affect them, we must take responsibility for our actions.
