Latest news with #Rizk
Al-Ahram Weekly
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt wins 1st-ever FAO council chairmanship with historic election of Mina Rizk - Foreign Affairs
Egypt has secured the chairmanship of the Executive Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the first time since its founding in 1945, with the election of Mina Rizk as Egypt's Deputy Permanent Representative to the FAO. Rizk's election marks a significant diplomatic milestone, coming after a highly competitive vote against other candidates, including ministers and senior officials. The candidates included Azad Jafarli from Azerbaijan, Winston G. Pinnock from the Bahamas, Tomás Duncan Jurado from Panama, and Maria Helena Semedo from Cabo Verde. The Egyptian nominee was unanimously elected during the FAO Conference's general session on Thursday for a four-year term, following a rigorous race against four other candidates from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. According to Egypt's Ambassador to Italy, Bassam Rady, this marks the first time an Egyptian representative has assumed this senior leadership role. At just 38 years old, Rizk is also the youngest person to have ever led the council. He said that the embassy led the nomination and diplomatic campaign, positioning the candidacy as part of the country's broader effort to empower young professionals and enhance Egypt's role in strategic international forums. The state also aims to equip future generations of Egyptian diplomats through hands-on international experience, building a strong, capable cadre that will drive the Ministry of Foreign Affairs forward, Rady said. He noted that Egypt's successful bid for the FAO Council presidency was also the result of months of focused diplomatic work by the Egyptian embassy in Rome. These efforts aimed to showcase the strength of Egypt's candidate and highlight the country's readiness to lead the council at this critical time, the ambassador noted. This comes amid rising global attention to issues of food security, water, agriculture, and irrigation — sectors that are a top priority for Egypt. These efforts align with Egypt's broader national development strategy, which includes major projects in the food security and agricultural sectors, Rady emphasized. He explained that the FAO Executive Council is the organization's main governing body, responsible for shaping its policies, comprising approximately 25 percent of its member states and is elected for three-year terms. According to Rady, Egypt also chairs the FAO's Finance Committee, while the Egyptian Central Auditing Organization has been selected to conduct the organization's legal and financial audits. Additionally, the Egyptian Food Bank was awarded the FAO Partnership Award for this year, recognizing its outstanding cooperation with FAO. The FAO also plans to hold its annual international conference for its regional offices in Egypt's New Administrative Capital later this year. The FAO, a United Nations (UN) agency founded in 1945, aims to lead global efforts in eradicating hunger and improving food security. It supports sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and rural development while addressing issues like climate change, water scarcity, and nutrition through international cooperation and policy guidance. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
04-07-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Secures Historic Leadership Role at FAO
Taarek Refaat In a landmark moment for Egypt's diplomatic engagement on the international stage, the country has, for the first time in the history of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), been elected to lead its Executive Council. Egypt's Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to UN agencies in Rome, Ambassador Bassam Rady, announced that Mena Rizk, Deputy Permanent Representative of Egypt to the FAO, was elected Chair of the Executive Council for a four-year term during the FAO's General Conference held in Rome. The decision was made by unanimous consensus, following a highly competitive election involving five candidates from across all major FAO regional groups—including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Rizk's election marks a historic first: he is the first Egyptian—and the youngest ever—elected to the FAO Executive Council Chairmanship since the organization's establishment in 1945. At just 38 years old, his appointment also reflects a strategic shift in Egypt's foreign policy approach toward empowering younger generations in international forums. 'This success is not just personal or national—it is a reflection of Egypt's vision under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to invest in and prepare young professionals for global leadership,' Ambassador Rady said. 'Rizk's candidacy was carefully prepared by the Egyptian Embassy in Rome and aligns with the broader national goal of building highly qualified diplomatic cadres capable of representing Egypt on the global stage.' The election result is widely seen as a testament to Egypt's growing international credibility in fields such as agriculture, water, and food security—sectors that have become increasingly urgent on the global agenda. Ambassador Rady noted that the embassy's diplomatic efforts over the past months were instrumental in garnering support for Egypt's bid, reinforcing the country's qualifications to guide the FAO Council during a period of mounting international concern over food systems and sustainability. The FAO's Executive Council serves as the organization's main governing body, responsible for setting strategic direction and policy oversight. It includes only a quarter of the FAO's 194 member states, elected for three-year terms. Egypt not only retains its elected membership but now leads the council itself, in addition to chairing the organization's Finance Committee. Egypt's recent presence in the FAO has been marked by a string of significant achievements. The Egyptian Central Auditing Organization has been appointed as the FAO's official financial and legal auditor, and the Egyptian Food Bank was awarded the organization's annual honorary prize for its contributions to combating hunger. Further cementing Egypt's growing influence within the FAO, the organization is also preparing to hold its annual conference for regional and country offices in Egypt's New Administrative Capital later this year—a recognition of Egypt's emerging status as a regional hub for agricultural development and food policy. 'These successes reflect Egypt's rising stature in global development forums and the credibility it has built within international organizations,' Ambassador Rady stated. 'They also highlight the increasing importance of Egyptian leadership in shaping the future of food security and sustainable agriculture.' The election of Mena Rizk is being hailed not only as a diplomatic victory for Egypt but also as a sign of generational change and renewed energy within the FAO—an institution at the heart of the global response to hunger, agricultural sustainability, and climate-resilient food systems. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
CairoScene
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CairoScene
Egypt Becomes First Arab Nation to Chair FAO Council
Egypt becomes the first Arab country to hold the Independent Chairperson position at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Council. Jul 04, 2025 Egyptian diplomat Mina Rizk has been elected as the Independent Chairperson of the Council of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the first Arab official to assume the post since the agency was founded in 1945. The election took place during the FAO's 44th session in Rome, where Egypt also secured a seat on the General Committee of the FAO Conference. The role, held for a renewable one-year term, includes guiding consensus on strategic policies, programme priorities, and budgetary decisions within the Council. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rizk's election reflects Egypt's expanding role in multilateral governance related to agriculture, sustainability, and food systems. It aligns with the country's broader agenda of increasing influence within global development institutions. The FAO Council, comprising 49 regional member countries, acts as the organisation's executive arm. As Independent Chairperson, Rizk will oversee high-level discussions on critical issues such as climate resilience, food insecurity, and sustainable agricultural development.
Techday NZ
24-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Granicus launches Engagement Cloud to boost public sector trust
Granicus has launched its Engagement Cloud offering for government agencies and organisations in Australia and New Zealand. The Engagement Cloud platform combines personalised communication tools, real-time data insights, accessible feedback mechanisms, and strategic support designed to enhance relationships between governments and their communities. The solution aims to assist public sector organisations in streamlining operations, delivering secure services, and building community trust. Features and capabilities Engagement Cloud provides a unified environment for running communication campaigns across multiple channels, such as email, web, and social media. The platform includes built-in deliverability and scheduling tools, supports targeting capabilities, and ensures that communications comply with accessibility and data sovereignty standards in line with local requirements. Engagement Cloud conforms to WCAG 2.2 AA standards and is designed to meet Australian data handling obligations. The platform enables data collection and analysis for improved resident engagement. By unifying various data points, it allows agencies to understand residents' interactions and preferences, facilitating consistent, personalised engagement across all touchpoints. Granicus Experience Services, included with every Engagement Cloud subscription, provides public sector expertise to assist with onboarding, strategic planning, user journey design, and ongoing training for agency staff. This support is intended to enable organisations to improve their digital maturity without the need for additional hiring. Quotes from leadership "Engagement Cloud is a powerful enabler for Australian government agencies striving to meet the ambitions of the national digital strategy. By fostering genuine engagement, streamlining operations, and providing actionable insights, it helps public sector organisations deliver simple, secure, and connected services that build trust and empower communities" said Francois Rizk, Director of Growth, ANZ. Rizk also highlighted the pressures faced by local governments in the region, noting the importance of reliable support and adaptable digital solutions. "Local governments are under growing pressure to deliver better digital experiences and improve community engagement. Having a trusted partner by their side is critical. From high-growth inner-city councils navigating changing populations and growing service demands, to rural and regional community leaders grappling with unprecedented natural disasters, Granicus serves as a trusted strategic partner to almost 60 per cent of local government in ANZ". Operational impact Engagement Cloud introduces features such as multi-channel messaging with high deliverability rates, real-time tracking and trend analysis, consent-based data profiling, and integrated feedback tools. The platform aims to replace standalone or incompatible communication and survey tools by providing an all-in-one solution. Organisations using the platform report improved outcomes and operational efficiencies. According to data referenced in the launch, Engagement Cloud has resulted in a 40% increase in targeted audience completion rates, a 90% reduction in the cost to engage per individual, and a tenfold rise in participation rates. In addition, local council partners using the platform have reported saving up to 20 hours per month compared to previous legacy processes. The solution can function as a standalone service or be integrated with other Granicus products and third-party systems, enabling flexibility for various government requirements. Sector context Public sector organisations in Australia and New Zealand are adapting to increased demands for digital service delivery and transparency. These pressures have intensified with rapid urban population changes and the need for disaster response in rural and regional areas. Platforms like Engagement Cloud seek to respond to these needs by enabling ongoing, personalised communication and data-driven interaction rather than one-off consultations. Granicus reports that nearly 60% of local governments in the Australia and New Zealand region utilise its services, reflecting established presence and partnerships with municipal bodies. The company states that it aims to support the public sector's transition to enhanced digital engagement and more responsive service delivery.
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Please do the test': 55yo Rachel had a plum-sized tumour removed
Swansea's Rachel Rizk had a few unused and expired bowel cancer screening kits sitting in her cupboard. She ordered another one and put it on her dressing table. "I'd look at it every day and say I'll do that tomorrow," Ms Rizk said. "My biggest message is I want everyone to please do the test. Take the stigma away." Ms Rizk was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 55, after seeing her doctor for erratic bowel movements. She had surgery in March. "I had to cancel a holiday to India. I had a holiday at John Hunter Hospital instead," she said. "They removed 15 centimetres of my bowel and a tumour the size of a plum. When they did the first colonoscopy, they couldn't get the camera through." When she was diagnosed, she said to her specialist, "With all due respect, are you sure you have the right person?" "I felt fit and fabulous. He took a second look at his screen and said 'Sorry, Rachel, it is you'." In the Hunter New England health district, only 42 per cent of people do the bowel screening test after receiving it in the mail. The district recorded 3804 bowel cancer cases from 2017 to 2021, and 1362 people died from the disease in that period. With June being Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the NSW government is urging eligible people to take the screening test. Available to those aged 45 to 74, it's the easiest way to detect the early signs of bowel cancer. Health Minister Ryan Park said, "Unfortunately, Australia has one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the world". "It's the second biggest cancer killer in NSW," Mr Park said. "We have this free screening test that is quick, easy and very effective in detecting the early stages of bowel cancer, but we need more people to take part." NSW chief cancer officer Tracey O'Brien said, "Bowel cancer can be successfully treated if caught early". "People who do the test are almost twice as likely to have their cancer detected at the earliest stage," Professor O'Brien, of Cancer Institute NSW, said "Bowel cancer is not just an old person's disease." Ms Rizk initially thought she had IBS symptoms. After doing the screening test, she was diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer. "I went into fight mode. I wanted to get straight in and get it removed. "The hardest part was waiting to get the results to know what stage it was and what sort of treatment that would mean." She said John Hunter Hospital was "absolutely fantastic". Her surgeon removed 32 lymph nodes. "They all came back clear, so that was good news," she said. "Thankfully, I haven't had to have any chemo or radiation because they got it at stage two. But I did have a follow-up colonoscopy last week." People can reduce their risk of bowel cancer by eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, cereals and wholegrains, having a healthy weight and being physically active. It is recommended to do the at-home screening test every two years from the age of 45. Swansea's Rachel Rizk had a few unused and expired bowel cancer screening kits sitting in her cupboard. She ordered another one and put it on her dressing table. "I'd look at it every day and say I'll do that tomorrow," Ms Rizk said. "My biggest message is I want everyone to please do the test. Take the stigma away." Ms Rizk was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 55, after seeing her doctor for erratic bowel movements. She had surgery in March. "I had to cancel a holiday to India. I had a holiday at John Hunter Hospital instead," she said. "They removed 15 centimetres of my bowel and a tumour the size of a plum. When they did the first colonoscopy, they couldn't get the camera through." When she was diagnosed, she said to her specialist, "With all due respect, are you sure you have the right person?" "I felt fit and fabulous. He took a second look at his screen and said 'Sorry, Rachel, it is you'." In the Hunter New England health district, only 42 per cent of people do the bowel screening test after receiving it in the mail. The district recorded 3804 bowel cancer cases from 2017 to 2021, and 1362 people died from the disease in that period. With June being Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the NSW government is urging eligible people to take the screening test. Available to those aged 45 to 74, it's the easiest way to detect the early signs of bowel cancer. Health Minister Ryan Park said, "Unfortunately, Australia has one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the world". "It's the second biggest cancer killer in NSW," Mr Park said. "We have this free screening test that is quick, easy and very effective in detecting the early stages of bowel cancer, but we need more people to take part." NSW chief cancer officer Tracey O'Brien said, "Bowel cancer can be successfully treated if caught early". "People who do the test are almost twice as likely to have their cancer detected at the earliest stage," Professor O'Brien, of Cancer Institute NSW, said "Bowel cancer is not just an old person's disease." Ms Rizk initially thought she had IBS symptoms. After doing the screening test, she was diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer. "I went into fight mode. I wanted to get straight in and get it removed. "The hardest part was waiting to get the results to know what stage it was and what sort of treatment that would mean." She said John Hunter Hospital was "absolutely fantastic". Her surgeon removed 32 lymph nodes. "They all came back clear, so that was good news," she said. "Thankfully, I haven't had to have any chemo or radiation because they got it at stage two. But I did have a follow-up colonoscopy last week." People can reduce their risk of bowel cancer by eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, cereals and wholegrains, having a healthy weight and being physically active. It is recommended to do the at-home screening test every two years from the age of 45. Swansea's Rachel Rizk had a few unused and expired bowel cancer screening kits sitting in her cupboard. She ordered another one and put it on her dressing table. "I'd look at it every day and say I'll do that tomorrow," Ms Rizk said. "My biggest message is I want everyone to please do the test. Take the stigma away." Ms Rizk was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 55, after seeing her doctor for erratic bowel movements. She had surgery in March. "I had to cancel a holiday to India. I had a holiday at John Hunter Hospital instead," she said. "They removed 15 centimetres of my bowel and a tumour the size of a plum. When they did the first colonoscopy, they couldn't get the camera through." When she was diagnosed, she said to her specialist, "With all due respect, are you sure you have the right person?" "I felt fit and fabulous. He took a second look at his screen and said 'Sorry, Rachel, it is you'." In the Hunter New England health district, only 42 per cent of people do the bowel screening test after receiving it in the mail. The district recorded 3804 bowel cancer cases from 2017 to 2021, and 1362 people died from the disease in that period. With June being Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the NSW government is urging eligible people to take the screening test. Available to those aged 45 to 74, it's the easiest way to detect the early signs of bowel cancer. Health Minister Ryan Park said, "Unfortunately, Australia has one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the world". "It's the second biggest cancer killer in NSW," Mr Park said. "We have this free screening test that is quick, easy and very effective in detecting the early stages of bowel cancer, but we need more people to take part." NSW chief cancer officer Tracey O'Brien said, "Bowel cancer can be successfully treated if caught early". "People who do the test are almost twice as likely to have their cancer detected at the earliest stage," Professor O'Brien, of Cancer Institute NSW, said "Bowel cancer is not just an old person's disease." Ms Rizk initially thought she had IBS symptoms. After doing the screening test, she was diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer. "I went into fight mode. I wanted to get straight in and get it removed. "The hardest part was waiting to get the results to know what stage it was and what sort of treatment that would mean." She said John Hunter Hospital was "absolutely fantastic". Her surgeon removed 32 lymph nodes. "They all came back clear, so that was good news," she said. "Thankfully, I haven't had to have any chemo or radiation because they got it at stage two. But I did have a follow-up colonoscopy last week." People can reduce their risk of bowel cancer by eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, cereals and wholegrains, having a healthy weight and being physically active. It is recommended to do the at-home screening test every two years from the age of 45. Swansea's Rachel Rizk had a few unused and expired bowel cancer screening kits sitting in her cupboard. She ordered another one and put it on her dressing table. "I'd look at it every day and say I'll do that tomorrow," Ms Rizk said. "My biggest message is I want everyone to please do the test. Take the stigma away." Ms Rizk was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 55, after seeing her doctor for erratic bowel movements. She had surgery in March. "I had to cancel a holiday to India. I had a holiday at John Hunter Hospital instead," she said. "They removed 15 centimetres of my bowel and a tumour the size of a plum. When they did the first colonoscopy, they couldn't get the camera through." When she was diagnosed, she said to her specialist, "With all due respect, are you sure you have the right person?" "I felt fit and fabulous. He took a second look at his screen and said 'Sorry, Rachel, it is you'." In the Hunter New England health district, only 42 per cent of people do the bowel screening test after receiving it in the mail. The district recorded 3804 bowel cancer cases from 2017 to 2021, and 1362 people died from the disease in that period. With June being Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the NSW government is urging eligible people to take the screening test. Available to those aged 45 to 74, it's the easiest way to detect the early signs of bowel cancer. Health Minister Ryan Park said, "Unfortunately, Australia has one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the world". "It's the second biggest cancer killer in NSW," Mr Park said. "We have this free screening test that is quick, easy and very effective in detecting the early stages of bowel cancer, but we need more people to take part." NSW chief cancer officer Tracey O'Brien said, "Bowel cancer can be successfully treated if caught early". "People who do the test are almost twice as likely to have their cancer detected at the earliest stage," Professor O'Brien, of Cancer Institute NSW, said "Bowel cancer is not just an old person's disease." Ms Rizk initially thought she had IBS symptoms. After doing the screening test, she was diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer. "I went into fight mode. I wanted to get straight in and get it removed. "The hardest part was waiting to get the results to know what stage it was and what sort of treatment that would mean." She said John Hunter Hospital was "absolutely fantastic". Her surgeon removed 32 lymph nodes. "They all came back clear, so that was good news," she said. "Thankfully, I haven't had to have any chemo or radiation because they got it at stage two. But I did have a follow-up colonoscopy last week." People can reduce their risk of bowel cancer by eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, cereals and wholegrains, having a healthy weight and being physically active. It is recommended to do the at-home screening test every two years from the age of 45.
