ADF

The African Development Bank’s Group Board of Directors approved an African Development Fund (ADF) grant of USD 19.2 million to Eritrea on November 30, 2011 to improve equitable access, quality and relevance of technical, vocational education and training.

The project will be financed jointly by an ADF grant of USD 18.65 million and an Eritrean Government’s contribution of USD 2.06 million.

“The project was in line with the Bank’s Higher Education, Science and Technology strategy and the State of Eritrea’s prioritization in these sectors.

It will contribute to foster inclusive economic growth”, said AfDB Vice President Kamal El Kheshen during a signing ceremony with the Director General of Eritrean Treasury Department, in Tunis where the AfDB is located temporarily.

The key outcome of this project will be an increase in the supply of quality middle level technicians needed by the Eritrean economy.

It will support the provision of quality intermediate level technical and vocational training skills needed in the manufacturing and other sectors to foster economic growth and reduce poverty.

Specifically, the project will mainstream entrepreneurship while institutionalizing studies to measure the external efficiency of training systems.

In addition to the 50,000 students targeted by the project, other beneficiaries will include instructors, adults living near the technical institutions who will have access to training or retraining in selected modules in various trades.

To date, the African Development Bank has already financed two education projects in Eritrea for a total amount of USD 50.47 million.

Eritrea Condemns Denial Of Its Right To Address Security Council

State-of-Eritrea

Eritrea has requested the United Nations Security Council for an alternative date for President Isaias’s address to the Council, citing the “extremely short notice” it was given as well as the need to make necessary travel arrangements.

Eritrea had formally requested the Security Council to grant an audience to President Isaias on 24 October 2011. After being held up by the objection of the United States for over five weeks, the Security Council informed Eritrea at the end of the working day on Wednesday that it had scheduled the President’s for Monday. The fact that Eritrea received the Security Council’s notification on Thursday meant that it had only one working day to complete preparation for the trip. The President and his delegation had also not received visas to the United Stated as late as Friday afternoon and no information on when these visas would be available.

Two years ago sanctions against Eritrea were rushed through the Security Council during the festive Christmas period. The United States is now working on a repeat, going to the extent of begrudging the Head of State the time to have a rightful hearing before the Security Council.

Eritrea has therefore called on Security Council members to reaffirm their suppert for the participation of President Isaias in the Council’s deliberations, as there is no justifiable reason to rush a decision that will have incalculable consequences on the peoples of Eritrea and the Horn of Africa.

State-of-Eritrea

In the afternoon hours of Wednesday 30 November 2011, members of the UN Security Council were suddenly summoned and asked to immediately endorse a resolution drafted by Gabon and the United States designed to tighten sanctions resolution against Eritrea.

The ploy came as a surprise to the members of the Council. Whereas the Russian Ambassador to the UN, Mr. Vitaly Churkin, declared: “We were asked to approve the draft following a very sudden summons; we could not understand why in such a hectic manner.” Similarly, many members of the Council did not accept the very rush move either. And certainly, why the need to adopt a resolution in a hasty and restless way? As close observers assert, the reason behind adopting a resolution on Wednesday pm. is that the Presidency of the Security Council is scheduled to be handed over to Russia from Portugal. Thus, is it because it was ‘deemed’ an opportune moment to press for the adoption of the resolution before Russia assumes the Presidency?

As stipulated in Article 32 of the UN Charter, “Any State, be it a UN member or not, is entitled to appear before the Council to defend its case whenever an issue concerning it is presented to the Security Council”. Why deny Eritrea, a member of the United Nations, this very right? In opposition to the move, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Li Baoding, declared: “We do not accept any resolution adopted in haste… it is proper that we invite the President of Eritrea to appear before the Council in person and explain the matter”.

All members of the Security Council, with the exception of the United States, have not only opposed the adoption of a resolution on an issue of major importance like that of sanctions but also underlined as being illogical denying the leader of the state concerned the right to appear before the Council and explain the case.

In the wake of mounting opposition, the US Ambassador to the UN was compelled to heed the obligation that the United States, as host country, is “obliged to issue a visa to any Head of State wishing to visit the UN Headquarters”.

It is to be recalled that the unjust anti-Eritrea UN sanctions resolution 1907 was adopted in the end of 2009 under similar hectic circumstances, i.e. on the eve of Christmas merriment through misleading members of the Security Council. This time too, resort is being made to a repetition of the same drama. But why opt for adopting resolutions in such a bizarre manner?

Eritrea Festival

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

am 3. Dezember 2011 wird der – im Jahre – 2001 gegründete „Eritreische Verein für Körperbehinderte in Stuttgart e.V.“ ein Benefizfest zu Gunsten körperbehinderter Kriegsveteranen veranstalten und gleichzeitig das 10-jährige Jubiläum feiern.

Bei diesem jährlich organisierten Fest geht es primär darum, mit dem generierten Geld und durch verschiedene Projekte den bedürftigen Veteranen das Leben im Alltag zu erleichtern, aber auch den Gästen eine tolle, abwechslungsreiche und spannende Show zu bieten!

Aus gegebenem Anlass haben wir keine Mühen gescheut und dafür gesorgt, dass wir hochkarätige Gäste begrüßen dürfen werden.

(Meet you in paradise, Air,…) wird den Abend mit musikalischem Wohlklang gestalten, Tedros “Teddy” Teclebrhan (durch YouTube bekannt geworden, bekommt bald seine eigene Personality-Show auf ZDFneo) wird für einige Lacher sorgen und zusammen mit Hadnet (MTV, ProSieben,…) als Moderator fungieren und uns durch den Abend geleiten. Das sind selbstredend nicht alle vorgesehenen Acts und neben den eben genannten Personen wird es noch diverse Künstler wie VusCapee, IVERY, QLzIM, JR und andere Programmpunkte geben, die für eine kurzweilige Zeit sorgen werden!

Überdies wird es auch eine Tombola geben, für deren Gewinner wir ein paar tolle Preise vorgesehen haben.

Damit es den Gästen vor Ort an nichts mangelt, werden natürlich auch Getränke und verschiedene Speisen zu sehr fairen Preisen angeboten. Wir hoffen auf zahlreiches Erscheinen, da Wohl und Wehe einer solchen Veranstaltung natürlich zu einem großen Teil von der Anzahl der Gäste abhängen!

Das Benefiz Festival finded am Samstag, 3. Dezember um 16:00 – 4. Dezember um 00:00

Robert-Bosch-Schule

Hohensteinstr. 25, 70435 Stuttgart, Germany

Eritreischer Verein für Körperbehinderte Stuttgart e.V.

Benefiz Festival zu Gunsten des Eritreischen Verein für Körperbehinderte in Stuttgart e.V.

Samstag – 03.Dezember 2011

16Uhr – 00Uhr

Aftershowparty @ proTON ”Light it up”

23Uhr – 05Uhr

–

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

With Europe and North America currently enduring economic hard times it should come as little surprise that a number of companies and enterprising individuals have begun to seek out new and potentially lucrative markets.

Africa is seeing unprecedented growth in a variety of sectors ranging from aggregates and agriculture to telecommunications and the service sector.

What might once have been seen as frontier markets are now entering the mainstream and such is the demand for solid market intelligence and credible contacts that the Horn of Africa Business Association (HABA) has been launched in London with the intention of facilitating business engagement with and within the Horn and the Greater Horn. HABA works with the following countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Somaliland (The Horn of Africa), Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda (The Greater Horn) as well as forging further business links with Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.

“China and India have both recognized the opportunities and we are aware that businesses in other countries are waking up too. HABA is endeavouring to meet a real need and the market is considerable: 12 countries – 278 million people – 1 dynamic region.” – Mohamed Ali, Operations Director, HABA.

As well as having a consultancy division HABA offers a range of benefits to its members:

• Supplying them with a wealth of useful information through programs and communications, including policy and market developments

• Offering seminars, symposiums and workshops with a view to more effective understanding of the dynamics and opportunities of the region

• Facilitating networking between members

• Leveraging on commercial/ trading relations; key relationships with embassies and high commissions in London and with governmental entities throughout the Horn and the Greater Horn.

Such has been the interest in HABA that it has already been approached to establish chapters in Dubai (UAE), Kampala (Uganda) and Mumbai (India).

The Government of Eritrea finds extremely regrettable the remarks attributed to the Foreign Minister of Kenya, H.E. Moses Wetangula,regarding the fabricated story of Eritrean arms shipments to AI Shabab in Somalia. The comments were unfortunate particularly in light of the expected visit of the Eritrean Foreign Minister to Kenya.

Eritrea had on Wednesday replied to the sensational and ill-motivated allegations stating categorically that they were false and baseless. Eritrea had also affirmed that it could not and would not send arms to AI Shabab as it firmly believes that there can be no military solution to the problem of Somalia and given AI Shabab’s well-known antipathy towards what it calls the “secular Eritrean state.”

In his meeting with Foreign Minister Wetangula,Eritrea’s ambassador in Nairobi, Beyene Russom, also stressed that Eritrea had no intention or interest to arm AI Shabab and that the allegations were a continuation of a systematic disinformation campaign aimed at tarnishing Eritrea’s image and creating a schism between Eritrea and its neighbours in the Horn of Africa.

The Eritrean ambassador reminded the Kenyan Foreign Minister that his Eritrean counterpart had been requesting to visit Kenya since July of this year. At that time the Eritrean Foreign Minister was able to visit Uganda with a message from President Isaias Afwerki to President Yoweri Museveni. In August, the Eritrean President visited Uganda and held extensive and fruitful talks with his Ugandan host, a visit that led to the consolidation of political and economic relations between the two countries.

Eritrea hopes that the forthcoming visit of its Foreign Minister to Nairobi will not only clear any misunderstanding but enhance relations between the two friendly countries.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

05 November 2011

Asmara

Newspapers in Kenya published stories on Tuesday accusing Eritrea of delivering weapons to AI Shabab in Somalia. The claims were been variously attributed to “one high-ranking East African official,” “some officials,” “internet sources,” and “a Somali politician.”

The Government of Eritrea states categorically that these accusations are pure fabrications and outright lies as Eritrea has not sent any arms to Somalia. Moreover, Eritrea has consistently maintained, and on the record, that “there can be no military solution to the problem of Somalia.” Instead, it has been repeatedly calling for “a Somali-owned political process, inclusive of Somaliland, Puntland and all other key stakeholders.” Eritrea’s sole interest in Somalia is to see peace and stability return to this important Horn of Africa country and an end to the suffering of the Somali people.

In its comprehensive response to the United Nations Monitoring Group Report, Eritrea has conclusively shown that there is no evidence to support claims of Eritrean financial backing to AI Shabab, the Monitoring Group itself having acknowledged that it had no proof of any Eritrean military involvement, including arms supplies, in Somalia. Claims of Eritrean backing for AI Shabaab are indeed preposterous not only because of Eritrea’s political stance but also because of AI Shabab’s deep antipathy towards the “secular Eritrean state.”

Tuesday’s baseless accusations are the latest product of a disinformation campaign orchestrated to undermine Eritrea and frustrate its constructive regional and international engagement. Chief among the authors of this campaign is Ethiopia, which is not only occupying sovereign Eritrean territory, in violation of international law and UN Security Council Resolutions, but is also the main cause of destabilization in the Horn of Africa. It is also Ethiopia that is leading the effort to block Eritrea’s reactivation of its activities in the sub-regional organization, IGAD.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Asmara, November 2, 2011

KIGALI, Rwanda – The President of the Senate of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo has emphasized the need to overcome fragmentation that exists at various levels of climate change management.

He explained that in Africa there are many initiatives that are engaged in climate change matters, including the East African Community through the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, Inter Governmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations Environmental Programme. “There is need for synergistic interventions that optimize and ensure beneficial use of the available resources,” H.E. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo added.

Speaking as Guest of Honor during the 3rd Nile Basin Development Forum in Kigali, Rwanda on 26th October, 2011 organized under the theme ‘Climate Change and its implications for Sustainable Development and Cooperation in the Nile Basin – Threats and Opportunities to Nile Basin Cooperation’ he said, “It is essential that policies, strategies, institutional and legal frameworks be developed, coordinated and harmonized at the global and regional level”.

Hon. Charity Kaluki Ngilu, Kenya’s Minister for Water and Irrigation and Chairperson of the Nile Council of Ministers in charge of Water Affairs, told participants that “the Nile Basin region is faced with a declining level of Lake Victoria. For us to guarantee water security for our citizens, I would encourage the Nile Basin Member States that are yet to sign the River Nile Cooperative Framework Agreement to do so.” She added that “Water security for Sudan and Egypt is not a matter for debate, but a right. To secure this right it is important the River Nile Cooperative Framework Agreement is ratified by all the Nile Basin States.”

Earlier, Dr. Wael Khairy, Executive Director of the Nile Basin Initiative, noted that achieving sustainable socio-economic development and management of the Nile Basin presents a great challenge, which calls for joint regional action as well as explicit political-will and financial commitment from all Nile Riparian States and development partners. He said the “Nile Basin can be resilient to climate change if, and only if, our Riparian States work together as one body”

The 3rd Nile Basin Development Forum was closed today 28th October, 2011 by the Host, Hon. Ambassador Stanislus Kamanzi, Minister of Natural Resources of the Republic of Rwanda.

He noted that participants have ably deliberated on the challenges, existing opportunities and the ever growing threats of climate change to development agendas, not only in NBI but in the whole of Africa.

“We received captivating key note speeches, deliberated on core issues and what can be done in Governance, Finance, Food and Energy Security in enabling us adapt to climate change”, he added.

Participants from the Nile Basin countries namely, Burundi, DR Congo Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, The Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda issued a ‘Kigali Declaration’ in which they called for cooperation among their respective countries in preserving and managing the Nile Basin environment by giving due attention to its water and land resources, wetlands and biodiversity and by addressing the impacts of climate change.

They also highlighted the need to support the empowerment of the Nile Basin Initiative to take more rigorous and effective steps towards implementing pertinent climate change adaptation measures, thereby contributing to the efficient water management and optimal use of the resources as well as poverty eradication leading to promotion of economic integration in the Nile Basin.

Participants further called for strengthening participatory and integrated approaches in planning and decision making, including the meaningful participation of the civil society and non-governmental organizations in our efforts on responding to climate change at national and regional levels.

During the Forum, NBI launched some of its key products relevant to the subject of climate change. These include the second release of the Nile-Decision Support System (Nile-DSS), which is a world class analytical tool for NBI Member States and NBI as an institution that supports rational decisions and promotes sustainable outcomes. It provides a trans-boundary framework for sharing knowledge, understanding river system behavior, as well as designing and evaluating alternative development scenarios, investment projects, and management strategies.

The first ever River Nile State of Basin report, which is currently under preparation, will be introduced. Among other things, this report provides access to accurate, credible and timely information to help in raising awareness and increasing understanding and appreciation about the natural environment, the people, communities and economic development of the basin.

The Nile Basin Sustainability Framework, a suite of policies, strategies and guidelines through which the NBI will ensure that its activities are sustainable. It will also be used ensure that the development and management of the Nile Basin water resources undertaken by NBI Member States with facilitation of the NBI are in accordance with the principles of integrated water resources.

The Nile Information System (Nile-IS), a web-based knowledge management tool that allows for easy storage, searching, organizing, retrieval, analyzing as well as disseminating and exchanging information collected from NBI programs and projects.

A number of FAO-Nile Information Products prepared between 1996 and 2008. These products are ‘policy neutral’ instruments for examining a linked future between the land and water in the Nile Basin– and exploring the issues related to the people that depend on the continued access to land and cycle of nutrients and water. They are tools for understanding the impacts of rising demand for food and water against a variable hydrological regime.

More than 200 participants from within and outside the Nile Basin countries, including Ministers in charge of Water Affairs and Members of Parliament in the Nile Basin countries, environmentalists, water managers, researchers, River Basin Organizations, International and Regional organizations, civil society, private sector, media, diplomatic missions and development partners attended the 3rd NBDF organized by the Nile Basin Initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources of Rwanda.

The 4th Nile Basin Development Forum will take place in Nairobi Kenya in 2013

Dubai, UAE

The first Rice International Conference and Exhibition (RICE) 2011 will be held in Madinat Jumeirah from 3rd to 5th November 2011.

This exhibition is a showcase for manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers around the world, representing all key sectors within Rice trade to expand their client base and venture into emerging markets.

RICE will serve as an ideal platform for more than 160 companies from over 30 countries to showcase 160 exhibitors, attracting 10,000 trade visitors for the event. This event will be organized by Ideal Idea Events Management, one of the leading event organizers in the region.

“Rice International Conference & Exhibition (RICE) – Dubai 2011 is the first and only international event in the region to gather all stakeholders of international rice market under one roof.

It is therefore a global stage, where different associated industry players can demonstrate their capabilities, services, products, and scientific outputs, and make these available for businesses. They can also establish new deals and business relations” said Dr.Faisal Ali Mousa, chairman of Ideal Idea Events Management. Dubai’s proximity to major rice producers, excellent shipping infrastructure, storage facilities, trade promoting environment and financing options provides competitive advantages to rice traders intending to expand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

VISITOR & EXHIBITOR SEGMENT

ADH

Please find below a Press Release of Aktion Deutschland Hilft (an umbrella organisation founded by 10 of Germany’s most renowned aid organisations) about famine in East Africa.  The Press Release below is a google translated article of the German version (02.09.2011).

To read the original in German please visit: Aktion Deutchland Hilft

Today, the deputy chairman of Terra Tech, Dr. Gangolf Seitz, and Terra Tech Staff Christian Schmetz returned from their trip to Eritrea. They stayed ten days in the East African country to assess the status of agricultural projects in the Debub Province .

Together with its local partner, Vision Eritrea and the Eritrean authorities, a water supply for two villages and an irrigation system for the surrounding fields in the higlands were introduced.

The project started in January 2009 began the construction of a dam with a reservoir to ensure year-round water supply. Below the dam resulted in two wells. One is used to irrigate the fields, the other the drinking water supply for the neighboring villages and Abi Adi Adi Itay. A total of four miles were laid pipes, through which the water using a solar-powered pump in two high tanks.

In the villages, two collection sites were constructed. In order for 1,200 people with clean drinking water supply is secured. The irrigation system for the fields allows three harvests a year and result in a revenue increase of 60% for the affected farmers.

Eritrea is one of the East African countries affected by drought for years. However, agricultural projects such as the one from Terra Tech clearly reduced the exposure to climate variations. Therefore, Eritrea is not as strongly affected by famine as the neighboring countries.

“The current rainy season is rich and our lake is well stocked. The water supply of Abi Adi and Adi Itay ensures even during the next drought, “says Schmetz. Also Gerezghiher Hagos, project manager of Vision Eritrea is happy with the success of the project: “The inhabitants of the villages take the drinking water supply to enthusiastic, and a few days ago we could start sowing on the newly created fields. Thanks to the all-season irrigation farming activities can now be scheduled reliably for many years. “

Terra Tech is also active in countries in need of acute emergency assistance in the face of the current drought in East Africa. “Our efforts focus on the more affected Kenya,” says Dr. Seitz. “Together with our partner, the St. Consolata Hospital in Kisumu, we distribute food to starving families in the northern Turkana district.” The families can thus remain in their homes and not have to relocate into already crowded emergency camps.

To mitigate the effects of future droughts, Terra Tech is planning in Kenya the implementation of irrigation projects, similar to the project in Eritrea

If you want to help countries affected by the drought please donate to:

TORONTO (March 4, 2011) – One of the three rescue capsules built to rescue 33 Chilean miners trapped underground last year will be on public display at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange, to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (south building) from Sunday, March 6 to Wednesday, March 9.

The 21-inch wide, bullet-shaped capsule, called Phoenix 1, will be standing tall and proud on the ceremonial floor of the convention centre and will be a fascinating reminder of the remarkable rescue that kept a billion people around the world riveted to television screens and internet monitors last October as, one by one, the miners were brought to safety.

They had spent a record 69 days underground. This is the first time that any of the three capsules has been on display in North America.

The PDAC will pay tribute to the team responsible for the rescue, believed to have been the deepest ever at 700 metres, by presenting a special achievement award to its leader, Laurence Golborne, Chile’s Minister of Mining, at an awards ceremony on Monday, March 7 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

Minister Golborne will be heading a large Chilean delegation attending this year’s convention, which attracts people and companies involved in mineral exploration from all over the world. A record attendance of more than 22,000 is anticipated.

About the PDAC:

The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is a national association representing the mineral exploration and development industry. Its 7,000 individual and corporate members are involved in the exploration, discovery and development of new mines and new wealth. The association’s convention is the world’s largest annual gathering of the mineral industry. PDAC Convention 2011 will be held March 6-9 in Toronto.