Speaking after the encounter, Mr. McCulley told journalists:"First of all I congratulated her on the presentation of her report on the evolution of the situation in Côte d'Ivoire to the Security Council. We then discussed our analysis of the situation in Côte d'Ivoire and I assured her of the continued support of the United States Government and our embassy here in Côte d'Ivoire ".

Ambassador McCulley said he has regular meetings with the Special Representative, Mrs Mindaoudou to discuss joint efforts to accompany the Ivorian Government in promoting national reconciliation, equitable justice and preparing elections.

Ambassador Swing met with newly appointed interim President Catherine Samba-Panza and the Foreign Affairs Minister Kongo Doudou. “The CAR government recognizes that the greatest needs are security and humanitarian assistance. They aim to initiate a process leading to national reconciliation and co-existence – key requirements for national unity,” said Ambassador Swing.

“The humanitarian community needs to come together to provide immediate aid and to assist with peace building in CAR. IOM will continue to expand its efforts to provide support,” he added.

The Director General discussed the country's humanitarian needs with UN partners, NGOs and the diplomatic community. He then visited some of the 70 displacement sites where IOM is providing assistance, including the Central Mosque, the Military Airport and a Catholic church. He also met with representatives of displaced communities.

On Thursday Ambassador Swing witnessed the number of Muslims taking refuge at the Bangui Military Airport increase from a few hundred to over 1,500, following the arrival of a convoy from outside the city. As of today there are 6,000 people at the site. Those taking shelter at the site include migrants from Chad, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan, as well as CAR nationals.

Originally designed as a transit site, the Military Airport has become a safe-haven for the Muslim community and longer-term assistance and enhanced services will be required. IOM is leading the effort of UN agencies and NGOs to provide water, health services, and basic relief items. The population does not feel safe in surrounding areas and is heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance.

IOM is currently running a site facilitator programme. Through the site facilitators, seconded to IOM by five national and two international NGOs, IOM facilitates the collection of relevant data to inform the activities of the humanitarian community. The 47 site facilitators visit 77 IDP sites throughout Bangui daily.

IOM has appealed for USD 17.5 million for CAR, but has only received USD 2.8 million. It has already spent USD 4.4 million, digging deep into emergency reserves to support it CAR assistance programme.

To date IOM has evacuated 4,792 third country nationals from CAR, the vast majority to Chad. The Organization still urgently needs contributions to increase its humanitarian aid and to evacuate third country national in dire need of protection.

The returnees were expelled from Tanzania following a July 2013 presidential directive requiring all undocumented migrants in the country's Kagera region to leave by 11th August 2013 or be forcibly removed by the security forces.

“We assume that the vast majority of Rwandans without the required “valid residential documents” have now been expelled, as the number of expellees arriving at the border is very small now,” said IOM Rwanda Chief of Mission, Catherine Northing.

By 21st January, 14,461 Rwandans, nearly a third of them women, many of them pregnant, had arrived at Tanzania's border with Rwanda.

Many were in bad physical and mental condition after sustaining injuries in the expulsion process. Most arrived at the border without any belongings. Returnees included people who had been married to Tanzanians and been separated. Others had been born in Tanzania, had never lived in Rwanda and had no family links.

IOM responded to the crisis by providing transport from the Rusumo and Ndego border crossing points to reception and transit centres. To relieve pressure on the centres, it also provided onward transportation to districts of origin and relocation, and transfer between centres, in a programme funded by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.

During the process, returnees stayed at three locations in Kirehe and Kayonza districts. IOM assistance included provision of transport and support for Rwanda's Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) to rehabilitate emergency shelters and manage camps, including the provision of necessities such as housing materials and firewood.

All returnees have now been moved back to their districts of origin or to relocation sites. But many have no homes to go back to and are staying in small district camps in 30 different locations.

District officials are providing them with land and other assistance, but lack adequate resources to provide reintegration assistance, including shelter.

“The humanitarian emergency phase is now over, but the returnees are still in desperate need of reintegration assistance in their districts of origin or relocation. IOM can help, but it needs funding from international donors,” said Northing.

Aiming to raise awareness on FGM on this day, IOM and SWDC reached approximately 400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Al-cadaala and Walalo Biyole settlements in Mogadishu through community-based social mobilization.

Anecdotal evidence indicates that FGM is widely practiced in Somalia and there is an urgent need to increase awareness of the impact of the harmful practice on the health of women and girls. According to a 2012 joint programme report by UNICEF and UNFPA, an estimated 98 per cent of women have undergone FGM in Somalia.

Reports from IOM partners in 2013 indicate that most FGM survivors are girls between the ages of 9 and 12 who were mutilated with the consent of their mothers. The prevalence of the practice predisposes Somali women of child bearing age to various complications and in some instances puts their lives at risk during child birth.

“FGM is against Islamic religion as well as international law. A huge number of women suffer during childbirth and some of them even die due to complications caused by FGM.” said SWDC Legal Advisor Zahra Mohamed Ahmed, calling for international agencies and NGOs to organize campaigns to combat the practice.

“IOM has been working against gender-based violence (GBV) in Somalia by strengthening referral systems with partners, providing psychosocial first-aid and counselling to survivors of GBV, building capacity of relevant institutions, providing protection for vulnerable women, and improving security in IDP settlements by providing solar lanterns,” said IOM Somalia's Ruth Mbugua.

In 2013 alone, IOM also provided primary healthcare services to over 12,000 IDPs throughout Somalia, with financial support from various donors such as the Government of Japan and the Government of France.

The US diplomats observed a speedboat training of ten PNC trainers organized by IOM and the Uruguayan Riverine Patrol Company (URPAC) in Bukavu-South Kivu province, supported by the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

“This is an important initiative towards improving the security along DRC's frontier with its eastern neighbors, and I am supportive of INL's involvement,” said Special Envoy Feingold.

In addition to funding the training, INL has also paid for repairs to PNC boats used on the rivers and lakes that form the eastern DRC's borders.

IOM has expressed its readiness to widen the scope of the project to build the capacity and equip 12 PNC river units comprising 280 trained marine police. The force would be deployed along all DRC river and lake frontiers as part of the DRC's border management strategy for 2014-2017.

“Measles is one of the most highly contagious diseases and it can spread like wildfire. It affects primarily children, and can involve severe medical complications so it is critical that action be taken in order to avoid the catastrophe that occurred in 2009, when ten children lost their lives,” explained Corinne Benazech, MSF's Head of Mission in Conakry.

Working in co-operation with the Ministry of Health, MSF has deployed 32 teams throughout the Matam, Matoto and Ratoma neighbourhoods of Conakry. Placed strategically close to the people who need it, in areas such as community centres, private homes and public spaces, the MSF teams expect to vaccinate 394,000 children, ages six months to ten years. 400 personnel from MSF and the Ministry of Health will be working for three weeks to orchestrate this emergency operation requiring powerful logistics. There is no charge to those who receive the vaccine.

MSF estimates that during this epidemic some fifty children infected with measles will be at risk of developing serious, and potentially fatal, complications, so it will be supporting targeted health structures, primarily by providing medical treatment to children infected with measles.

“Measles and its complications can be fatal, so it is critical that we vaccinate all children in order to protect them, now and for several decades to come,” explained Gemma Dominguez, MSF Medical Coordinator in Conakry.

Measles can be avoided with a safe and effective vaccine which, when it is part of a routine vaccination program, is given to all children, starting from the age of 9 months. But overall, just 37% of the country's children have received both the vaccine doses that are needed to provide them with full protection. Even in Conakry, the vaccination coverage remains insufficient, because just 80% of the population has been vaccinated.

As part of its campaign, MSF will be able to provide no-charge diagnosis of those children that are sick, so that they can be treated. “Children showing symptoms that begin with a high fever need to be seen by a physician. This can save their lives,” explained Dr Daloka Delamou, Medical Coordinator with MSF. Follow-up in cases involving complications will also be provided at no charge.

The Guinean government announced that the vaccine stock used for routine vaccinations will be exhausted by February 15, and so it has asked for MSF support in organizing the emergency vaccination campaign in the three communities where an epidemic has been declared.

MSF has been working in Guinea for the past 25 years. In addition to its regular projects involving the provision of treatment to AIDS patients, it provides regular support to the government of Guinea in response to emergencies and epidemics.

“The Government of the Sudan has made some progress in developing policies as well as legislative and institutional mechanisms necessary for improving the human rights situation in the country,” Mr. Baderin said, announcing his fourth mission to the Country.

“Sudan now needs to concentrate on implementing these policies through the adoption of a results-oriented culture that promotes the tangible realization of the adopted human rights policies across the relevant institutions in the country,” he stressed.

During his nine-day mission, the human rights expert will travel to Khartoum, North, Central and East Darfur, as well as South Kordofan states, where he will meet with Government officials, civil society actors, humanitarian organisations and UN agencies.

At the conclusion of his visit on Wednesday 19 February, the Independent Expert will hold a press conference at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Khartoum at 1:30 pm

Mr. Baderin will present his findings and recommendations in a comprehensive report to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2014.

(*) Check the latest reports by the Independent Expert: http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?m=95&m=172

“Canada strongly condemns the upsurge of violence in the Central African Republic that reportedly claimed the lives of 75 people in the town of Boda during sectarian clashes that took place in the week of January 27. Canada also condemns the brutal February 5 lynching of an onlooker at the end of the official ceremony marking the reinstatement of the country's armed forces.

“Canada condemns these reprehensible acts and calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice quickly.

“While the international community is rallying to improve the humanitarian situation and security in the Central African Republic, Canada urges all the parties involved in this conflict to exercise restraint to end the cycle of violence undermining the country. The people of the Central African Republic, anxious to rebuild their country, will be able to do so only in a context of peace and security.”

In 2013, Canada contributed $6.95 million to address the urgent needs of people affected by the conflict in the Central African Republic. Through international and Canadian humanitarian organizations and other partners, Canada has provided clean water, food, basic health care and protection to those most affected by this crisis.

On Wednesday, February 12, the House of Commons will hold a take-note debate on the situation in the Central African Republic.

Jen Psaki

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

February 8, 2014

We are deeply concerned by reports of violations by both the Government of South Sudan and anti-government forces of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement that was signed in Addis Ababa on January 23. We urge the redeployment or phased withdrawal of foreign forces invited by either side, and warn of the serious consequences which could result from any regionalization of this conflict.

We welcome the arrival in Juba of the first component of the team that will eventually monitor and verify the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement. We strongly urge the Government of South Sudan to facilitate its important work, which will provide both sides with a mechanism to report any breaches of the agreement.

We look forward to the beginning of the IGAD-led political dialogue and inclusive reconciliation process. We urge the government of South Sudan to support these efforts and to release the remaining four political detainees. The expeditious release and transfer of all of the detainees would reduce tension and build confidence in an inclusive reconciliation process.

We also call on the government of South Sudan to fully cooperate with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). It is imperative that the government ensure that any assaults on and threats against UNMISS facilities and personnel immediately cease. The Mission's ability to carry out its mandate is critical to establish peace and meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of South Sudan.

The workshop was organized for the benefit of 11 Sahelo-Saharan AU Member States more directly exposed to the threat of Kidnapping for Ransom (KFR) by terrorists.

It was a platform for open discussion, awareness raising and exchange of experience between member states and other relevant stakeholders on the KFR problem, the challenges it poses and the pernicious consequences of ransom payment. The workshop sought to identify and formulate strategies and standard operating procedures for implementing the Algiers Memorandum.

This workshop is the first of the four planned regional workshops on the same subject: two dedicated to AU Member States in the North, Sahel and West African regions, and the other two for Member States in the East Africa and the Horn of Africa Region.

The workshop was attended by more than 80 participants from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Libya, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Senegal and Tunisia, as well as experts from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, USA, Canada, European Union Commission and the United Nations.

The 10 sessions of the workshop covered a broad range of issues including:

The reasons that lead terrorists and criminals to use KFR as tactics; the local and regional vulnerabilities that favour terrorists' use of KFR; Comparison and contrast of trends in KFR tactics regionally and internationally; discussion on the broader economic and societal effects of KFR; identification of KFR-relevant international, regional, and other frameworks and agreements; discussion on the stipulations of international and/or regional frameworks related to KFR and how they are being applied; discussion on the challenges to the adoption or implementation of good practices; evaluation of different approaches to public awareness and prevention of terrorist use of KFR; explanation of the importance of developing security and criminal intelligence sources in KFR networks pre-crisis; discussion on benefits and challenges of sharing information with the private sector and methods for so doing; developing action plans and strategies for implementing or improving prevention efforts; discussion on interrupting kidnappings methods (e.g., tip lines) and their successes / challenges; explanation of model processes and procedures for investigations and interventions; comparison of different approaches of cooperation and coordination across disciplines and borders. Developing action plans to help implement or improve integration and information sharing efforts; media Engagement Strategies and other communications management strategies; working with Families and the Private Sector; prosecutions and Rule of Law.

AU delegates valued the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the frameworks, law enforcement mechanisms, type of military action and intelligence operations that may be resorted to to effectively combat the use of KFR by terrorists and deny them the benefits of hostage taking.

They also expressed their gratitude to the ACSRT for organizing such high quality event which significantly contributed to enhance their technical and scientific capacity on the KFR phenomenon.

Ambassador Francisco Madeira expressed appreciation for the experts' excellent presentations and the lively discussions that ensued. He thanked participants and the resource persons for their contribution to the successful outcome of the workshop. He highlighted the good cooperation between the ACSRT and GCTF which led to the fruitful results of the workshop

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/clitoraid.png

Download the flyer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/flyer.jpg

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/kamkaso.jpg (The world's first clitoral repair hospital for victims of female genital mutilation (FGM), located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, will open on March 7)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/nadine-gary.jpg (Clitoraid Communications Director Nadine Gary)

Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/marci-bowers-md.jpg (Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., and Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it)

Photo 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/harold-henning-md.jpg (Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., and Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it)

The hospital was built with donated funds and through the efforts of worldwide volunteers.

“Having Chantal Compaore's support and presence on March 7 is such a wonderful way to celebrate this opening!” said Clitoraid Communications Director Nadine Gary. “She has been a steadfast voice against the horrors of FGM, and we're honored that she will be there.”

Gary said hundreds of women are already on Clitoraid's waiting list to have the surgery, which will be free for any woman who wants it.

“Their wait is almost over,” Gary said. She said the new facility, called “the Kamkaso,” which means “the house for women,” has been nicknamed “the Pleasure Hospital,” since the surgery “will restore their dignity as women as well as their ability to experience physical pleasure, which was taken from them against their will.”

Gary went on to explain how the idea of the hospital came about.

“After spiritual leader Maitreya Rael heard about a clitoral repair procedure developed by Dr. Pierre Foldes in France, he launched Clitoraid and the idea of building clinics that offer free surgery for FGM victims. After the United Nations adopted a resolution banning FGM, there's been universal agreement that it's a violation of human rights and the integrity of individuals. And eliminating FGM is essential for women's health, so governments must keep passing laws against it. But Rael realized that it's also important to repair the damage already caused to living victims. This hospital is the result of his vision.”

Gary said Clitoraid volunteer surgeons from the United States, Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., and Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it.

“The goal is to help as many victims as possible have this surgery, which will also help discourage the barbaric practice of FGM,” Gary said. “When its effects can be surgically reversed for free, what would be the point?”

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Clitoraid.

Media contact:

Abibata Sanon

avfe@clitoraid.org

+226-78886092

About Clitoraid:

Clitoraid (http://www.clitoraid.org) is an international non-profit organization offering clitoral repair surgery to FGM victims.

Follow us at facebook.com/clitoraid and twitter.com/clitoraid

Logo Go Green in the City: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ggitc_logo_2014.png

Logo Schneider Electric: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/schneider_electric.jpg

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/mohammed_saad_president_africa_schneider_electric.jpg (Mohammed Saad, President Africa, Schneider Electric)

A total of 725 African students, representing 24 countries, have already signed up for this 2014 edition of Go Green in the City. These students come primarily from Nigeria (149 applications), Egypt (142 applications), Algeria (29 applications), Morocco (138 applications), Algeria (86 applications), Ghana (43 applications), and Kenya (47 applications).

Students from Engineering and Business Schools, Master's and MBA Programmes in Africa and from across the globe have until 15 February 2014 to sign up at: http://www.gogreeninthecity2014.com.

"The young generation in Africa is increasingly aware of the mounting electricity and energy needs which go hand in hand with social progress and environmental protection. This growing interest by African students is key for Schneider Electric. The challenge lies not only in producing more electricity, but also in generating smart energy so as to enable intelligent growth in Africa", states Mohammed Saad, President of Schneider Electric in Africa.

Go Green in the City 2014 is consolidating its reputation as the leading global challenge for green energies aimed at students from Africa and across the globe.

Students from Engineering and Business Schools, Master's and MBA Programmes in Africa and from across the globe have until 15 February 2014 to sign up for the challenge in teams of two, with at least one female member. Each team must submit a business case illustrating their idea as a viable energy management solution for one of the five main urban sectors (residential, university, commercial, water and hospital). In order to receive expert tips for their business case and gain unique insight into the global leader in energy management, students can now take part in a creative challenge, via an online questionnaire.

On 28 February 2014, the 100 best teams will be short-listed and have one month to work with a mentor from Schneider Electric to present a synopsis and video outlining their business case. The top 12 teams will then be invited to Paris in June 2014 to take part in the final. The winning team will travel to various Schneider Electric sites across the world and meet with staff and management from the Group. They will also be offered a permanent position within the Group.

For more information and to sign up, please visit: http://www.gogreeninthecity2014.com

Go Green in the City on Twitter: @GoGreenCity

Go Green in the City on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoGreenintheCity

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Schneider Electric SA.

Media Contact:

APO (African Press Organization)

schneider@apo-opa.org

+41 22 534 96 97

About Schneider Electric

As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric (http://www.schneider-electric.com) offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructure, Industries & Machines Manufacturers, Non-residential Building, Data Centres & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the Group's 140,000 plus employees achieved sales of 24 billion euros in 2012, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy.

http://www.schneider-electric.com

http://www.gogreeninthecity.com

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/afrasia.jpg

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/afrasia_12.12.13_0159.jpg (Prashant Khattar, Founder and Managing Director of Infinia Services and Solutions with James Benoit, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of AfrAsia Bank)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/afrasia_12.12.13_0087.jpg (From left to right)- Didier Perrier – Manager at Scomat, Marie Agnes Legoff – Procurement Manager at MSM, Christophe Quevauvilliers – Finance Manager at UBP and Suneeta Motala, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at AfrAsia Bank)

XtraMiles is a new currency that clients can collect not only on everyday spending, but also on bank deposits and investments held with the Bank. With a secure, convenient and reliable live platform, customers can complete an entire transaction with just a few clicks of the mouse, searching for fares, choosing a trip itinerary, booking a flight or hotel, and pay using their XtraMiles. Besides a complete accrual engine attached with Customer Relationship Management and communication capabilities, there is no manual processing of rewards as the platform will be accessed by clients for automatic redemption.

Cardholders have access to an extensive range of benefits including exclusive lifestyle experiences, local rewards and online merchandise among others.

“At AfrAsia Bank, we believe that it is important to anticipate our customers' needs and wants, and tailor the most rewarding experiences for them. We are thrilled to be the first bank not only in Mauritius but in the African territory to introduce this revolutionary rewards program and living up to the strides we have taken to become our clients' financial partner of choice. The collaboration with MasterCard and Infinia to introduce the XtraMiles rewards program cements our position as the best private bank in Mauritius, which is also in line with our strategy to serve our valued clients locally and globally,” says James Benoit, CEO of AfrAsia Bank.

“MasterCard and AfrAsia Bank have collaborated for more than six years to bring customers innovative products that complement their local and international lifestyles,” commented Daniel Monehin, Division President, sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard. “We are thrilled that the bank has selected two premium MasterCard payment cards to introduce the first air miles rewards program in Mauritius.”

Prashant Khattar, Managing Director of Infinia Services and Solutions said, "At Infinia we put our customer's customer at the forefront of our platform, offering them not only a wide range of products and services to choose from, but also a knowledge base to document behavioural spending."

On a concluding note, General Manager and Executive Director AfrAsia Private Banking Thierry Vallet pointed out that as a financial service's market leader in Mauritius, AfrAsia Bank tailors innovative banking solutions for customers, and partners with like-minded organizations. He pointed out that partnerships with MasterCard and Infinia, two organizations able to share global insight and experience, allows the bank to meet the demands of its affluent customers.

To learn more about XtraMiles, please log on: http://xtramiles.afrasiabank.com

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of AfrAsia Bank Limited.

For media contact:

Nthabiseng Magengenene

Marketing Manager, Africa

Tel: +2711 268 5780

Nthabiseng.Magengenene@afrasiabank.com

About AfrAsia Bank Limited

Headquartered in the Mauritius International Financial Centre, AfrAsia Bank Limited (http://www.afrasiabank.com) is a boutique private and corporate bank, with the ability to tailor innovative banking solutions for both the local and international markets focusing on:

- Corporate and Investment Banking

- Private Banking and Wealth Management

- International Banking Solutions

In addition to Mauritian shareholder, GML, other strong strategic partners include PROPARCO (subsidiary of the AgenceFrançaise de Développement), Intrasia Capital and Asiabridge. The Bank's core banking and transactional capabilities are bank representative offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, its asset management arm, AfrAsia Capital Management and its investment banking arm, AfrAsia Corporate Finance as well as its banking holding company, AfrAsia Bank (Zimbabwe) Limited.

environment in the Central African Republic, as authorised by the UN Security Council in

resolution 2134 (2014). Today's decision creates the legal basis for the operation entitled

EUFOR RCA and is another step towards its rapid deployment.

EUFOR RCA is to provide temporary support in achieving a safe and secure environment

in the Bangui area, with a view to handing over to African partners. The force will thereby

contribute to international efforts to protect the populations most at risk, creating the

conditions for providing humanitarian aid.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of

the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, said: "We have reacted swiftly to the serious

crisis in the Central African Republic. We are using all the tools at our disposal, from

humanitarian assistance to political support for the transition, to our long-term

development cooperation. But the absolute priority is to protect the civilian population

from any further violence, to ensure that the people of the Central African Republic can

live without fear and start rebuilding their country, and to make sure that humanitarian

aid can be provided. EUFOR RCA will deploy as soon as possible to back the remarkable

efforts of France and our African partners."

The Council also appointed Major-General Philippe Pontiès from France as EU Operation

Commander. Besides, it estimated the common costs of the operation at € 25.9 million for

a period of up to nine months comprising a three months preparatory phase and a mandate

of up to six months starting from the point of reaching full operational capability.

The operation headquarters will be in Larissa, Greece, while the force headquarters and the

troops will be located in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Preparations for the deployment are currently under way, following accelerated

procedures. The launch of operations will require a separate legal act.

At the Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership, taking place on 12-13 February in Addis Ababa, African and European political and business leaders meet to review successes in the African energy sector and further deepen energy collaboration of the two continents. The Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) is an established framework for energy cooperation between the two continents, offering a platform for dialogue and coordination of joint activities.

In 2010, at the First High Level Meeting of the Energy Partnership, African and EU ministers set ambitious targets in the areas of energy access, energy security, renewable energy and energy efficiency to be reached by the year 2020. Ever since, progress on achieving these targets has been tracked and collected in the First Status Report of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership: for instance the capacity of solar energy has seen rapid growth since 2010, and is projected to exceed original target – additional 500 MW by the year 2020 –by far.

At the current electrification rate, the target set by African and EU Energy ministers back in 2010 to provide 100 million Africans with access to modern and sustainable energy services may be met in 2020. However, with the African population rapidly growing, the share of the population without access to electricity in 2020 is expected to grow substantially. Strong political commitment and deliberate engagement of stakeholders is key to encourage investment and action towards bridging the gap of energy poverty in Africa. The Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership will thus be directed towards shaping a forward-looking vision for energy cooperation between Africa and Europe and to delivering concrete results – political commitment to realise sustainable energy solutions for our future generations.

“The African Union is committed to further strengthen energy cooperation with Europe. Technology transfer and investment are key for sustainable energy development in Africa.”

Aboubakari Baba Moussa,

Director, Infrastructure and Energy Department, African Union

“The Africa-EU Energy Partnership is a bold initiative founded on a simple fact: namely that energy is fundamental to development. No energy means no sustained or sustainable economic growth, no sustainable agriculture, no quality healthcare; no decent education. In short, no energy means no development.“

H.E. Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development Cooperation, European Commission

Special meeting of the Agriculture Development Working Group Leaders and Managers of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) National Agriculture Investment Plans ( NAIPs), on Country Post-Compact and Investment Plans Implementation

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

When: Tuesday, 11 February 2014 at 8:30 a.m.

Where: African Union Commission Conference Centre- Medium Conference Hall

Who: African Union Commission and NEPAD Agency

Objectives: Share NAIP implementation progress and challenges and identify lessons learned;

• Discuss and identify lessons from efforts to coordinate and align donor assistance to specific components of NAIPs;

• Review and discuss the 2014 areas of focus and work streams/thematic areas being proposed to sustain momentum and sharpen focus on implementation efforts;

• Review and discuss areas of focus to accelerate the impact of NAIPs and investments on poverty and hunger reduction.

Participants: Senior government representatives, representatives from the RECs, and country and headquarter donor representatives.

The Ethiopian Minister of Agriculture, H.E Ato Tefera Deribew, will make the official opening remarks for the meeting.

Journalists are invited to cover the official opening ceremony on Tuesday February 11, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. The working agenda is attached.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA), General Babacar Gaye, condemns this unnecessary and indiscriminate violence that creates a climate of fear and encourages the emergence of acts of banditry. He urges the Central African authorities to establish a functional criminal chain to bring to justice those responsible for these crimes and thus put an end to impunity.

The Special Representative reminds armed groups that the Security Council demands that they immediately lay down their arms. It is only in a stable Central African Republic, where communities are reconciled, that everyone will find a democratic way to satisfy its legitimate claims

　The type of ammunition in short supply was the same type possessed by Japan's Self-Defense Force (JSDF) unit. Given that among all the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) units currently deployed in South Sudan only the JSDF unit possessed stockpiles of the same type of ammunition, Japan determined that if it did not provide ammunitions the ROK unit would face the difficulties in protecting the lives of the ROK unit personnel and displaced people. For this reason, the Government of Japan decided to provide the required 10,000 rounds of ammunition to the United Nations based on the requests from the ROK Government and the United Nations.

　This contribution in kind was implemented in view of an urgent situation that required prompt action in order to protect the lives of both the ROK personnel and the displaced people. Given the urgent necessity and the highly humanitarian nature of the situation, the Chief Cabinet Secretary issued a statement announcing that the Three Principles on Arms Exports do not apply to this case and the provision of ammunition was implemented under the Contribution in Kind framework set forth in Article 25 of the Act on Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations.

　The 10,000 rounds of ammunition were returned to the JSDF unit through UNMISS on January 16, 2014 after the ammunition for the ROK units was restocked by the ROK.

[Reference Material 1] Contribution in Kind in relation to UNMISS (transition by time) (PDF)

[Reference Material 2] Act on Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations (excerpt) (PDF)

[Reference Material 3] Provided Goods(5.56mm ammunition)）and Weapons in Use (PDF)

The meeting is an implementation of the Decision of the Executive Council adopted at the January 2013 AU Heads of State and Government Summit, on the Report of the Second Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers responsible for Meteorology and the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) held in October 2012.

The Summit endorsed the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology and recommended the establishment of two Taskforces to draft the Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan for the Integrated Strategy on Meteorology.

Further endorsed was the investigation of the feasibility of developing an African Regional Space Programme as well as a recommendation to the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Partners to establish a Regional Climate Centre in Central Africa.

Officially opening the experts meeting, AMCOMET Bureau Chief and Head of International Relations of the Zimbabwe Meteorological Department, Dr. Elliot Bungare, said the Implementation Plan would be comprehensive in nature and would take into consideration the numerous issues affecting climate and meteorology.

He further said the implementation plan would support activities in line with the AU declared Year of Agriculture and Food Security.

Dr. Bungare also urged Regional Economic Communities to consider the integrated African Strategy whenever they discuss meteorology and climate change issues.

African Union Commission, Director for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel said the development of the Implementation Plan under discussion was cardinal as it would improve the generation of climate information on the African continent.

He said improved generation of climate information would enhance the capacity of National and Hydro-Meteorological Services to explore the potential of Earth Observation (EO) technologies in monitoring droughts, floods, weather, climate, fisheries, rangelands, forests, etc, as a tool for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

“The drafting of the Implementation Plan is also very timely as we are still discussing our African Agenda 2063 on: Pan Africanism and African Renaissance; and in addition we are commemorating the 10 years of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programm.” Dr. Abebe said. “Furthermore, the recently held 22ndSession of the African Union Assembly launched the Year 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security. I have no doubt that the Implementation Plan being developed will support climate change adaptation in the field of agriculture which contributes to over 80% of rural livelihood needs and over 40% of GDP in Africa,” he added.

The Integrated Strategy was developed as a policy document to enhance the cooperation between African countries; and to ensure that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) have the capacity to fulfill their responsibilities including the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).

The Strategy identifies five key pillars for action as follows: (a) Increase political support and recognition of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and related Regional Climate Centres; (b) Enhance weather and climate service delivery for sustainable development; (c) Improve access to meteorological services for in particular for Marine and Aviation Sectors; (d) Support the provision of weather and climate services for climate change adaptation and mitigation; and (e) Strengthen partnerships with relevant institutions and funding mechanisms.

The Strategy further sets out priority actions that can be undertaken at national, regional and global levels. These priority actions are supported by a set of institutional partnerships that bring together AMCOMET and Development Partners to support meteorological (weather and climate) services in Africa.