Day: March 11, 2023

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South Africa to work with BRICS countries to advance African agenda: Pres Ramaphosa

Through its chairmanship, South Africa will work with its BRICS partners to advance the African agenda for growth, development and integration and to advocate for the needs and concerns of the Global South.

President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed these sentiments while updating Parliament on state capability for economic recovery and the fight against crime in Cape Town.

The President was responding to a question on what strategic focus areas will South Africa advance during its tenure as chair of BRICS.

South Africa is chairing the BRICS group of countries in 2023 under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”.

South Africa will host the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China at the 15th BRICS Summit on Aug 22-24.

The BRICS group brings together some 3.2 billion people. After the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS is among the largest bloc of countries by total population.

“As part of our strategic intent to further advance the African development agenda within the BRICS  group, we are inviting several other African leaders to the summit.

“One of the priorities during our chairship is to build a partnership between BRICS and Africa to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities for increased trade, investment and infrastructure development.

“We are focusing in particular on opportunities that will generate economic growth on the continent, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and infrastructure,” the President said.

The President told Members of Parliament that there are great opportunities for BRICS countries to participate in infrastructure development and the AfCFTA by locating production and services activities in the continent and partnering with local companies and entrepreneurs.

Responding to how South Africa will ensure the advancement of the South-South Agenda, President Ramaphosa said that the country’s priorities are responsive to the needs and concerns of the broader global south.

“Another strategic priority is strengthening multilateralism, including working toward real reform of global governance institutions and strengthening the meaningful participation of women in peace processes.

“Our priorities respond to challenges and opportunities that are shared by South Africa and other BRICS members. They are also responsive to the needs and concerns of the broader global South,” he said.

The President shared that one of the founding values of BRICS is the need to restructure the global political, economic and financial architecture to be more equitable, balanced and representative.

He said that BRICS countries agree that the United Nations must remain at the centre of multilateralism and be reformed to make it more effective, inclusive and representative of the global community.

“This includes reform of the UN Security Council to ensure that African countries and other countries of the Global South are properly represented and that their interests are effectively advanced.

“The BRICS relationship extends beyond the governments. Bodies like the BRICS Business Council, BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, BRICS Think Tanks Council and BRICS Civil Forum ensure that the opportunities of this association are explored across society,” President Rmaphosa said.

He added that the relationship seeks to promote people-to-people contact, including among youth formations. Among other things, he said, this person-to-person contact enhances travel and tourism between BRICS countries.

In all, there are some 190 meetings and events taking place during the course of this year.

 

Source: Nam News Network

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South Africa energy crisis: Electricity Minister launches Resource Plan to accelerate Energy Action Plan implementation

Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says collaboration between government, business and society is imperative if South Africa is to overcome the current electricity crisis gripping the nation.

The Minister was speaking during the launch of the Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF).

The RMF is a collaborative effort between government and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) to provide resources and expertise that will assist government to fully implement the Energy Action Plan.

“The establishment of the Resource Mobilisation Fund is a significant step in this regard. It is only through a collective national effort that we will be able to end load shedding and enable our economy to grow.

“The RMF is an example of the collaborative approach between government and social partners which the President has always prioritised. Most importantly, it shows what we can achieve if we roll up our sleeves and go beyond debate and discussion to engage in real, practical action on the issues that confront our society,” he said.

Ramokgopa explained that the fund is expected to play a critical role in assisting government to implement government’s Energy Action Plan (EAP) with more drive.

“The RMF will provide crucial expertise and resources to turbocharge the work of NECOM [National Energy Crisis Committee] and ensure that we put the best minds in our country and indeed across the world to work on this problem.

“The tremendous support which this initiative has already received from businesses and philanthropies alike is evidence that we can work together as Team South Africa to get our country back on track. We look forward to a strong partnership with the RMF as we move to ensure swift and full implementation of the President’s plan,” he said.

Minister Ramokgopa said although the RMF comes as a boon for turning around the current energy crisis, government has already been hard at work to bring more urgently needed megawatts onto the power grid.

 

Source: Nam News Network

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South African Government condemns violent protests

The South African Government has condemned the disruptive actions of some protesting workers at some government facilities.

“The government condemns the disruptive actions displayed yesterday and continuing today by some members of trade unions at some health and other government facilities around the country,which affected access to urgently required health care by citizens whose right to life and health is constitutional,” the Department of Public Service and Administration said.

The department said government is concerned about protests that are currently ongoing in the country and are taking on a nature that is not reflective of defending democracy and human rights.

“Government welcomes the call by the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) for all parties involved in the public service wage negotiations to return to the bargaining council to continue with negotiations.

“Government reiterates that no one has the authority to block anyone from accessing healthcare and other government facilities in the country.

“The right to have access to healthcare services is a basic human right guaranteed by the Constitution. The government acknowledges the right of labour to raise their concerns, however, the infringement on the basic human right goes against the law and will not be tolerated,” the department said.

Government has called upon all parties to remain committed to the process of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council Collective Agreement to arrive at a solution that serves the best interests of the country.

“Government is alive to the challenges affecting society; however, we cannot use violence to make our voices heard. Our democracy offers many avenues for people or communities to address any grievance. All stakeholders involved are urged to engage in discussion and resolve issues peacefully.

“Whilst the right to protest is guaranteed in the Constitution, it has to be done so within the confines of the law. Any deviation from the law, such as illegal protests, destruction of property, infringement of the rights of others, intimidation, violence, and damage to infrastructure, amongst others are viewed as criminal activities,” the department said.

The department said the principle of no work no pay will apply to public servants taking part in the strike during working hours.

 

Source: Nam News Network

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Des organisations de la Société civile lancent la Charte mondiale pour la transparence des pêches lors de la conférence Our Ocean 2023

Une nouvelle feuille de route visant à faire progresser la gouvernance marine dans le monde est présentée lors du lancement de la Charte par la Coalition pour la transparence des pêches.

PANAMA (VILLE), Panama, 10 mars 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  La Coalition pour la transparence des pêches (une nouvelle communauté internationale d’organisations de la société civile) a lancé aujourd’hui la Charte mondiale pour la transparence des pêches. La Charte identifie les priorités les plus essentielles pour lutter contre la mauvaise gestion des pêches, la pêche illégale et les violations des Droits de l’Homme en mer. Des experts, des ministres et des délégués d’organisations et d’entreprises internationales à travers le monde ont discuté des avantages de la Charte jeudi et vendredi au Panama lors de la conférence Our Ocean – , une rencontre annuelle permettant aux pays, à la société civile et à l’industrie d’annoncer des actions importantes pour sauvegarder les océans du monde.

« Le Ghana reconnait le rôle essentiel que la transparence joue dans la lutte engagée contre la pêche illégale afin de protéger les moyens de subsistance et d’assurer la sécurité alimentaire de nos communautés côtières », a déclaré l’honorable Mavis Hawa Koomson, ministre ghanéenne de la Pêche et développement de l’Aquaculture. « Au vu des progrès significatifs que le Ghana a réalisés au cours de l’année dernière pour mettre fin aux pratiques de pêche nuisibles qui ont favorisé la pêche illégale dans nos eaux, nous travaillons désormais à redoubler d’efforts pour soutenir la transparence des pêches au Ghana. »

La Professeure Maxine Burkett, sous-secrétaire adjointe du Département d’État américain pour les Océans, la Pêche et les Affaires polaires, a souligné comment les États-Unis jouent un rôle de premier plan dans l’amélioration de la transparence des pêches mondiales.

Elle a déclaré : « L’année dernière, le Président Biden a publié un mémorandum sur la sécurité nationale qui reconnaît l’importance de la transparence dans la lutte contre la pêche illicite, non déclarée et non réglementée (INN) et les abus associés au travail forcé ». « En améliorant le partage d’informations productives, la Charte mondiale pour la transparence des pêches servira de complément important aux activités du gouvernement américain afin de mettre fin à la pêche INN grâce à l’amélioration de la gouvernance des pêches et des océans, à l’intensification des efforts d’application des lois, et au renforcement de l’ambition de mettre un terme à la pêche INN à l’échelle mondiale. »

Par ailleurs, des initiatives de partenariat mondial, comme l’Initiative pour la Transparence des Pêches (FiTI), ont souligné l’importance d’une collaboration égale et multipartite visant à accroître la transparence dans les pays côtiers afin de parvenir à une gestion durable des pêches maritimes.

« Compte tenu de la complexité de la gouvernance de la pêche, de multiples efforts de transparence sont nécessaires pour faire face aux différents défis de la pêche marine non durable, tels que la surpêche, la pêche INN, l’inégalité d’accès à la ressource, a déclaré le Dr Valeria Merino, Présidente du Conseil d’administration de l’Initiative pour la Transparence des Pêches (FiTI). « Les 10 principes de la Charte mondiale pour la transparence des pêches reconnaissent le besoin d’une approche globale et coordonnée de la transparence des pêches, et ont le potentiel de soutenir les efforts mondiaux existants, tels que la FiTI, grâce à une mobilisation indispensable des organisations de la société civile pour garantir que les activités de pêche marine sont légales, éthiques et durables”. »

Pour finir, M. Wakao Hanaoka, Président-Directeur général de Seafood Legacy (Japon) et membre du comité directeur de la Coalition pour la transparence des pêches, a souligné le rôle de la société civile visant à maximiser l’impact collectif pour améliorer la transparence. « Notre adhésion à la Coalition pour la transparence dans la pêche représente la voix d’une communauté internationale qui nous permet de renforcer et d’amplifier nos efforts au sein de l’industrie des produits de la mer et du gouvernement pour atteindre notre objectif de faire du Japon un leader mondial en matière de durabilité environnementale et de responsabilité sociale”, a-t-il expliqué. » a-t-il expliqué.

La Charte mondiale pour la transparence des pêches présente une nouvelle feuille de route visant à faire évoluer la gouvernance maritime au niveau international en fournissant un ensemble de principes de sensibilisation à la fois efficaces et réalisables par toutes les parties prenantes engagées dans la gouvernance et la gestion des pêches.

« Des efforts de sensibilisation continus déployés par les organisations de la société civile sont essentiels pour améliorer la gouvernance des pêches au niveau international ainsi que pour protéger l’océan et les personnes qui dépendent de ses ressources », a commenté Maisie Pigeon, directrice de la Coalition pour la transparence des pêches. « La mission de la Coalition, qui est de réaliser un changement urgent vers une plus grande transparence dans les pêcheries, sera accomplie grâce au soutien de nos membres dans le développement de stratégies communes, l’harmonisation et le renforcement des efforts, et enfin en comblant les lacunes politiques en matière de transparence dans la gouvernance des pêcheries”, a-t-elle conclu “, a-t-elle conclu », 

Par le biais d’organisations de la société civile du monde entier, la Coalition pour la transparence des pêches appelle les gouvernements à appliquer les principes de la Charte dans la législation et la pratique.

Contact avec la presse : Agata Mrowiec agata@fisheriestransparency.net +34 608 517 552

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