UN 77th Anniversary: Call for Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges

Zimbabwe today celebrated the 77th anniversary of the United Nations belatedly due to unavoidable circumstances, with a call for transformative solutions to a plethora of challenges. The UN Day is officially commemorated each year on 24 October – the anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. At the event in Harare…

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Egypt, FAO launch FAST Initiative to transform agri-food systems, improve food security

Egypt’s COP27 Presidency and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation or FAST, at COP27 yesterday. The new initiative will increase climate finance contributions for agriculture and food systems to support the most vulnerable communities. FAST will reimagine agrifood systems to deliver triple wins for people, climate action, and nature….

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Pan African Parliament, AUDA-NEPAD pushing for continent’s food and nutrition security

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is pushing legislation toward the promotion of food and nutrition security on the continent as evidenced by a model law on the theme that it tabled during the first session of its sixth Parliament in Midrand, South Africa while the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is leading the awareness of the…

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Stakeholders converge for NetOne Albinism Fun and Talent Day 2022

Stakeholders from all walks of life gathered in the Midlands Province on Saturday for the highly subscribed NetOne Albinism Fun and Talent Day 2022 which was meant to spotlight the need for collaboration in ameliorating challenges faced by people with albinism. In remarks by the Netone Head of Marketing and Public Relations, Ms. Roselyn Chisveto,…

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Protection of journalists topical at regional workshop

By Nhau Mangirazi The police and the judiciary are key players in promoting the safety of journalists, a top Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Governing Council member, Father Barnabas Simatende has said. He said these key players ensure a conducive working environment for journalists. He revealed this while speaking in Victoria Falls at…

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COP27: Zimbabwe launches Climate Change Gender Action Plan

During the ongoing COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt yesterday, Zimbabwe launched the Climate Change Gender Action Plan as parties have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes. Speaking during the launch, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium…

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Zimbabwe National Zakat Fund provides water to Harare’s Tafara community

The community borehole sunk at Mwanandishe Primary School by the Zimbabwe National Zakat Fund (Zimnzaf) is set to ease water woes bedeviling the school and Tafara community at large. In an interview during the drilling process on Tuesday, Zimnzaf Finance Director Philemon C. Chari said this intervention is part of the organisation’s water and sanitation…

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Nestlé injects US$ 100 000 in Africa Food Prize

By Hillary Munedzi Nestlé in conjunction with Africa Food Prize will award US$ 100 000 to individuals and institutions that are pioneering agricultural and transforming food systems in Africa and strengthening the continent’s food security as rich and emerging economies come together under a “climate solidarity pact to keep the 1.5 degrees celsius within reach.”…

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First Ever Children and Youth Pavilion Opens at COP27

Yesterday, the first ever Children and Youth Pavilion in the history of climate conferences opened at COP27, contributing to further visibility, engagement, and empowerment of voices of children and youth networks, and fostering their inclusion in the global climate conversation and policy making.  Attendees included: Dr. Omnia El Omrani, COP27 Presidency’s Youth Envoy, Kate Hampton,…

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Thousands of Pfumvudza/Intwasa farmers receive Crop Insurance Pay-out from AFC Holdings

AFC Holdings, partnered with a consortium of insurance companies and the Government of Zimbabwe to run a pilot project on Area Yield Index Insurance for farmers who received Pfumvudza inputs in the 2021/2022 Season in Rushinga and Mwenezi districts. The project was monitored and evaluated through the assistance of PULA, a technical advisor on Area…

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New Africa Carbon Markets Initiative Inaugurated at COP27

Carbon markets offer an incredible opportunity to unlock billions for the climate finance needs of African economies while expanding energy access, creating jobs, protecting biodiversity, and driving climate action. However, Africa currently produces only a tiny percentage of its carbon credit potential. Led by a thirteen-member steering committee of African leaders, CEOs, and carbon credit…

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ICT Minister commissions 10 community information centres in Harare

In a clear sign of commitment to upscaling digital penetration and inclusion, Harare Province has been blessed with 10 community information centres (CICs) commissioned today. The initiative is in sync with the  National Development Strategy (NDS1) that emphasises the Digital Economy as one of the fourteen national priorities for the period 2021 – 2025. This…

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AU20 Residency Programme: 10 African writers and visual artists selected

Ten (10)African writers and visual artists who will contribute their creative ideas to the African Union’s 20-year celebrations have been selected as part of the AU20 Artists & Writers Residency Programme. Following an Africa-wide call, 10 successful applicants were selected for the AU20 Artists & Writers Residency Programme which received close to 1000 submissions in…

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Early warning systems save vulnerable communities from climate disasters

The availability of early warning systems saves vulnerable communities from climate disasters, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has said. He delivered the remarks at the launch of the Early Warnings for All Executive Action Plan Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt. As it stands, he said vulnerable communities in climate hotspots are being…

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UN Secretary-General warns against putting climate change on the back burner

As Planet Earth is fast approaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible, United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has warned stakeholders including world leaders against putting the phenomenon on the back burner. He made the remarks today at the high-level opening of the COP27 Climate Implementation Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The Secretary-General said…

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Government urged to involve communities affected by human-wildlife conflicts

By Nhau Mangirazi The government has been challenged to consult widely communities most affected by human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) before the endorsement of funding compensation announced by the cabinet last week. Members of Parliament whose constituencies are affected called for community input before endorsement of the funding. Mbire Member of Parliament Douglas Karoro said his constituency…

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PAP working to strengthen protection of rights of migrants

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) is working on legislation to strengthen the protection of the rights of all migrants as an essential element that is at the heart of migration governance. Today, a report on the joint seminar between the Pan-African Parliament (APAP) and the African Union Labour Migration Advisory Committee (AU-LMAC) is being presented…

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State of the Global Climate Report: UN Secretary-General reveals gloomy picture

In his message for the launch of the World Meteorological Organization provisional State of the Global Climate Report 2022, United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres on 6 November said as COP27 gets underway, the planet is sending a distress signal. “The latest State of the Global Climate report is a chronicle of climate chaos. As the…

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COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh to Focus on Delivering on the Promises of Paris

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 6 November 2022 – The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 opened today with the key aim of ensuring full implementation of the Paris Agreement. Discussions at COP27 begin near the end of a year that has seen devastating floods and unprecedented heat waves, severe droughts and formidable storms, all unequivocal signs of the…

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Mithika Mwenda among 100 Most Influential People in Climate for 2022/23

Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has been named among the 100 most influential people in climate advocacy for the 2022-2023 period. In this installment, Spiked Online Media focuses on the Top 20 as well as International Non-Governmental Organisations. The climate crisis is here. Emissions are still too…

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PAP, church partnership promotes regional integration and stimulates development

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) recognises the important role that the church plays in addressing conflicts in pursuit of promoting peace and development. Addressing a gathering of thousands of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members led by Bishop Dr. Nehemiah Mutendi in Rayton, Pretoria in South Africa today, Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the…

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PAP Conference: Women demand set parameters for their empowerment

Despite significant progress in terms of gender equality in Africa, more needs to be done to truly empower the continent’s young women. This was one of the key messages on the second day of the 13th Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) Conference on Women’s Rights held in Midrand, South Africa held under the theme: “Women empowerment and…

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Turkiye Diyanet Foundation awards scholarships to four bright high school students

By Hillary Munedzi The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation has awarded scholarships to four bright high school students from the Muslim community in Zimbabwe to study in Turkiye up to the university level. The students were urged to bring their skills back home after finishing their studies. The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation was established on 13 March 1975….

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Botswana to host high-level roundtable and luncheon at COP27

By Baboloki Semele President of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi is scheduled to host a high-level roundtable and luncheon during COP 27 at Sharm El Sheikh Convention Centre, Blue Zone, Africa Pavilion on 7th November 2022. Scheduled for 13:15 hrs, the luncheon will serve to reshape the conversation about climate diplomacy and empowerment in…

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Address twin challenges of women oppression and poverty: SA Parly Speaker

Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has called on stakeholders to collaborate to ensure the challenges faced by the continent’s women and girls who have suffered the twin obstacles of oppression and poverty are addressed. She made the remarks today at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Women’s Conference on women’s rights…

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Gonarezhou the Movie takes wildlife conservation issues to the global stage

The critical issue of wildlife conservation issues has been brought to the fore on the international scene through the exhilarating yet educative Gonerezhou the Movie. The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Hon Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu officiated at the premiere of the screening of Gonarezhou the Movie yesterday in Nairobi, Kenya. In his…

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History in the making: PAP amends Rules of Procedure

History was made when a motion on the amendments to the Pan African Parliament’s (PAP) Rules of Procedure was moved, seconded, and adopted in the First Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) held in Midrand. The long-awaited process effectively addresses loopholes and legal ambiguities contained in the Rules of…

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13th PAP Women’s Conference: NEPAD pledges support for gender mainstreaming

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has pledged to give its support to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in advocating women’s empowerment and gender equity and equality. In a statement delivered on her behalf by Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, the Director of Programme Innovation and Planning, Madam Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD during the…

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Making the schools’ sanitary wear budget work for girls

By Theresa Nyava-Machadu In 2020 there was a landmark development in the menstrual health management space, following the signing of the Education Amendment Act into law by President Mnangagwa. We celebrated Section 4(1a) of the Act which requires the State to “ensure the provision of sanitary wear and other menstrual health facilities to girls in…

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Karoi Council pushing for water kiosks

By Nhau Mangirazi Karoi Town Council is pushing for an ‘ambitious project’ aimed at easing the precious liquid affecting residents through water kiosks. Town acting finance director, Fred Mumiriki, told stakeholders recently that the council is looking forward to drilling solar-powered boreholes at strategic points in some wards. ‘‘Part of short-term plans from our next…

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UNESCO calls for renewed commitment to protecting journalists

As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is calling for a renewal of commitment to protecting journalists everywhere. This was revealed by Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO in…

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United Nations thanks Zimbabwe for its contribution to peacekeeping

Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix thanked Zimbabwe for its strong support to United Nations Peacekeeping and for the service and sacrifice of its military and police personnel deployed in missions around the world. Zimbabwe is a longtime contributor of peacekeepers to the United Nations. It currently provides 72 military and police personnel, including 41…

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COP27: ICIEC, CIB on Bankability of Climate Adaptation Projects Focused on Food Security

The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (https://ICIEC.IsDB.org/), the insurance arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, in cooperation with Commercial International Bank (CIB), Egypt’s largest and leading private sector bank, is organising an important Panel Discussion on 9 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh during COP27. Two important…

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COP27: Ensuring transition minerals don’t undermine just, equitable energy transition

The world needs to stop burning fossil fuels. Climate change is already happening and to prevent the worst impacts we must accelerate the just transition to cleaner, safer energy. In moving to renewable energy technologies, the world will be swapping reliance on one set of natural resources for another. An estimated sixfold increase in the production…

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Participation of children in climate change, green initiatives pertinent

By Elvis Dumba Harare – Stakeholders are calling for greater involvement of children and young people in strategies and actions meant to counter climate change-induced challenges. Various stakeholders from the government, environmental organisations, and UN agencies met yesterday during a high-level dialogue on climate change ahead of the 27th Conference of the Parties of the…

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Hon Stars Mathe has confidence in the PAP to deliver on its mandate

Hon Stars Mathe-Thebe, the Member of the National Assembly for Nkayi South Constituency in Zimbabwe has expressed confidence in the power of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) to deliver on its mandate. She revealed this to Spiked Online Media on the sidelines of the ongoing First Session of the Sixth Parliament of the PAP. “We…

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Pfumvudza inputs inadequate: Banket peri-urban farmers

By Elvis Dumba Banket – Smallholder farmers practising peri-urban agriculture who receive free inputs under the Presidential Climate Smart Agriculture Inputs Scheme commonly known as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, are crying foul after the government reduced the number of inputs being distributed. Peri-urban farmers are being offered 2kg of maize seed per farmer whilst three people share a…

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The unknown side of food processing and value addition in African countries

By Charles Dhewa There is no shortage of abandoned small to medium-scale food processing plants in many African countries. After getting into a community and seeing abundant tomatoes, mangoes, pineapples, and many other types of fruits, some development agencies and government departments have been compelled to mobilize resources for setting up a processing plant. However,…

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Unsung community heroines at the centre of COVID-19 response

Community-based organisations and individuals living among the public played a critical role in ameliorating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this installment, Spiked Online Media casts a spotlight on these champions. Kumbirai Mahaso, an activist in the HIV sector She carries the Batanai HIV Aids Support Organisation, (BHASO)  legacy. Born in Masvingo, Mahaso is…

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Nature-based solutions: another way to obstruct food system transformation?

By IPES Food   With international climate negotiations in Egypt fast approaching (COP27), and food systems high on the agenda for the first time, the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) is warning that a growing number of green buzzwords are being used to obstruct food system transformation.  Our new briefing, ‘Smoke…

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African Lead Negotiators map out strategy for approaching COP27

The African Lead Negotiators are currently meeting in Sharm El Sheikh to map out a strategy to approach the negotiations at COP 27 focusing on the need to accelerate action for climate adaptation and mitigation solutions. Mr. Washington Zhakata who is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) focal person for Zimbabwe and…

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