Africa

Burkina Faso, Rosatom sign peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement

Published

6 months ago

March 26, 2024

Russian nuclear state corporation Rosatom and the Ministry of Mines, Quarries and Energy of Burkina Faso signed a roadmap for establishing cooperation on peaceful use of nuclear energy at the Atomexpo 2024 forum, the press service of the state corporation reported.

“The road map defines concrete steps to build the West African country’s human resources capacity in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, develop nuclear infrastructure and create a positive public opinion regarding nuclear energy in Burkina Faso,” the statement said.

Based on the results of the formation of an international legal framework for cooperation, the parties intend to work on implementing nuclear generation projects and non-energy applications of radiation technologies in agriculture and medicine in Burkina Faso.

In 2023, the Minister of Mines, Quarries and Energy of Burkina Faso, Simon-Pierre Boussim, announced that his country expects to build a nuclear power plant in the country by 2030. Respectively, the Ministry of Mines, Quarries and Energy of Burkina Faso and Rosatom signed a relevant memorandum of understanding.

Africa

UNGA79: Nigeria, other ECOWAS nations project 30% of global oceans by 2030 – Salako

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2024

New National Star - News

BY AKUDORO GLORIA

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with other ECOWAS countries in ensuring full implementation of BBNJ Agreement for the effective protection of at least 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030.

The Minister stated this in his address at the High Ambition for High Seas holding on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) Session in New York on Tuesday, 24th September, 2024.

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction was adopted on 19 June 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.

The Agreement is said to be open for signature by all States and regional economic integration organizations from 20 September 2023 to 20 September 2025, and will enter into force 120 days after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification, approval and acceptance or accession.

Thrilled by the participation of some West African nations, the Minister said their engagement resonates yet another clear signal that the ECOWAS region is united in actively pursuing the effective protection of at least 30 per cent of the global ocean by the year 2030.

“We all know that the BBNJ Treaty is the only international agreement available for establishing marine protected areas outside national boundaries. The West Africa is on a clear path towards ensuring we are proactive and equipped to designate the first generation of highly and fully protected marine protected areas in the high-seas.

“In sub-region, we are acutely aware of how fast our oceans are being drained of their ability to support us. We know healthy oceans are essential for our region and we recognize with deep concern that our oceans are affected by processes far beyond our national boundaries.

“I have said it a number of times, each time with more urgency and today with much more urgency, the BBNJ Agreement will enable us to highly and fully protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 by establishing enormous marine protected areas in the global ocean.

“We cannot afford to wait and I am proud to announce that Nigeria is committed to continue working with the 15 other ECOWAS countries and other ambitious countries, most them here present to seek the designation of effective marine protected areas in the global ocean.

“We must hit the ground running the very moment the BBNJ Agreement comes into force because we are already behind. We must act immediately and use mechanisms approved in the BBNJ Agreement to establish highly and fully protected MPAs covering at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030,” the Minister stated.

Speaking further, Dr. Salako expressed optimism that with huge technical support from organizations like the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative and the Natural Resources Defense Council, more than half of all ECOWAS member States will have signed the BBNJ Agreement by the end of UNGA 79 session and be on the path to ratification.

“The road towards ratification remains arduous but we are definitely making progress and we are now projecting ourselves in the future to ensure we play an active role in the implementation of the treaty by seeking the designation of effective marine protected areas covering at least 30% of the Planet. Let us work to have 60 ratifications as soon as possible but not later than June 2025,” the Minister said.

Africa

China’s investment in Nigeria responsible for economic growth, job opportunities, must be sustained- Reps committee chair

Published

3 weeks ago

September 17, 2024

New National Star

The Chairman House Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, has said that China’s investment in Nigeria and the continent of Africa at large has been instrumental in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure in Nigeria and other African countries and should be sustained.

Yakubu stated this Tuesday in Abuja, while speaking at an event organised by the CMG to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with the theme ‘Written in the Sky: My China Story”.

The lawmaker said that China’s investment in Nigeria and the continent of Africa at large has been instrumental in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure in Nigeria and other African countries.

He said: “The theme, “Written in the Sky, My China Story,” is particularly befitting, as it invites us to reflect on the profound impact that China has had on countless individuals around the world.

“As an ardent lover of the People’s Republic of China for many years and now in my capacity as the Chairman, House Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the remarkable progress that China and Nigeria have made together. Our partnership is one of mutual respect, cooperation, and shared prosperity. China’s investment in Nigeria and the continent of Africa at large has been instrumental in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure.

“During my visits to China, among stories of developmental strides that are too numerous to be mentioned, I am particularly impressed by the Belt and Road Initiative, a visionary project that aims to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through infrastructure development. This initiative has the potential to transform the global economy and bring prosperity to countless people. Nigeria’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative has already yielded tangible results, and I am confident that it will continue to be a source of growth and development for our two countries.

“Furthermore, China’s commitment to cultural exchange and people-to-people diplomacy has been invaluable. By fostering understanding and friendship between our peoples, we are building a stronger foundation for our partnership. The “Written in the Sky, My China Story” initiative is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to connect people from different cultures.

“As we move forward, I believe that it is essential to continue to strengthen the China-Nigeria partnership. By working together, we can address the challenges facing our continent and build a more prosperous and sustainable future for all.

“Still in the spirit of celebration, as we commemorate China’s 75th anniversary, let us also reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the China-Nigeria partnership. By working together, we can build a brighter future for our two nations and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world.

“Once again, I congratulate the People’s Republic of China on its 75th anniversary. May this milestone be a catalyst for continued progress and prosperity.”

Africa

WMO raises alarm over climate change, adaptation costs in Africa

Published

4 weeks ago

September 8, 2024

New National Star - News

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI, ABUJA

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has observed that Africa suffered increasingly heavy burden from high costs for essential climate adaptation.

This was made known during the release of a new report on the state of the climate at the 12th Climate Change for Development in Africa (CCDA) Conference held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire recently.

A press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the public information officer, at the WMO regional office in Africa, Dr. Kosmos Ebenezer Akande-Alasoka urged African countries to prioritise increased investment in national meteorological and hydraulogical services, and to accelerate implementation of early warnings for all initiative to save lives and livelihoods.

Akande-Alasoka explained that on average, African countries were losing 2 – 5 percent of its Gross Domestic Product, (GDP) while many diverted about 9 percent of their budgets responding to climate extremes.

The statement noted that the cost of adaptation in sub-saharan Africa is estimated at between USD 30 to 50 billion annually over the next decade or 3 percent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product, (GDP).

He noted that by 2030, about 118 million extremely poor people would be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat in Africa if adequate measures were not put in place.

Akande-Alasoka explained that his organisation’s report focused on climate change indicators in 2023 which also marked the world’s hottest year on record, adding that the report supplements the WMO state of the Global Climate Report and one in the region’s series which provides the observational basis to help drive action as well as support decision making.

In her words, the Secretary General of WMO Celeste Saulo, noted that in the past 60 years, Africa has observed a warning trend that has become more rapid than the global average.

“In 2023, the continent experienced deadly heatwaves, heavy rains,floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts.

While many countries in the horn of Africa, Southern and North-west Africa continued to suffer exceptional multi year drought, others experienced extreme precipitation events in 2023 leading to flooding with significant casualties.

These extreme events led to devastating impacts on communities with economic implications. This pattern of extreme weather has continued in 2024.

Parts of Southern Africa have been gripped by damaging drought, exceptional seasonal rainfall has caused death and devastation in East African countries, and most recently in Sudan and South Sudan. This exacerbates an already desperate humanitarian crisis.”

The state of climate in Africa 2023 report highlights the urgent need for meteorological services and early warning systems to help adapt to climate change and build resilience in Africa.

Commissioner for Agriculture,Rural Development, Blue economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, Amb. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, noted that as the impacts of climate change continue to manifest globally, the African continent stands at a critical juncture.

World Meteorological Organization Deputy Secretary General, Ms KO Barrett released the State of the Report at the occasion, while Dr. Agnes Kijazi, Regional Director for Africa moderated.