Latest news with #RémyRioux
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Veolia and AFD Sign Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Ecological Transformation in Developing Countries
PARIS, July 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Veolia (Paris:VIE), a global leader in ecological transformation, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a partnership agreement on July 18, 2025, to strengthen their collaboration in support of environmental services and sustainable development. This three-year strategic partnership aims to combine Veolia's technical and operational expertise with AFD's implementation capacity and local presence to address environmental challenges in emerging and developing countries. The partnership will focus primarily on Latin America, Central Asia, the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. This strategic alliance, designed to bring private sector expertise to environmental services, targets three key sectors: water and sanitation, waste management, and energy. It includes concrete actions to: reduce inequalities in access to water and sanitation, a core priority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preserve water resources, improve governance and regulatory frameworks related to waste management, develop innovative circular economy solutions, advance bioenergy innovation, decarbonize district heating networks. This partnership reflects a shared commitment by AFD and Veolia to strengthen collective action for sustainable transitions. It aims to promote dialogue and collaboration between the two international stakeholders, notably through technical workshops, exchanges, and site visits. The partnership will also be brought to life through joint Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. "We are proud to join forces with AFD to amplify our positive impact on sustainable development, especially in the fields of water access, waste management, and the energy transition," said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. "Our operational excellence and on-the-ground expertise, combined with AFD's strong local presence, will help us accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the regions where we operate. This partnership is fully aligned with our GreenUp strategic plan and our ambition to be a catalyst for ecological transformation in all territories. It is a concrete demonstration of how French expertise can act as a powerful accelerator of global ecological transition." Rémy Rioux, CEO of the AFD Group, added: "We are very pleased to formalize and strengthen our partnership with Veolia, with whom we already have a rich history of concrete projects—particularly through its subsidiary Seureca in Chad, Guinea, and the Balkans. This agreement will enhance our synergies at the scale of both our organizations to ensure safe and sustainable access to drinking water for populations in our partner countries, and to support their ecological transitions in line with our SDG commitments. Ultimately, this partnership embodies our shared vision to contribute to France's policy of solidarity-based and sustainable international investment." ▁▁▁ ABOUT AFD The AFD Group finances and accelerates transitions toward a fairer, safer, and more resilient world by working hand-in-hand with local partners around the globe. Through its complementary entities — AFD for public financing, Proparco for responsible private investment, and Expertise France for technical cooperation — the Group addresses all facets of sustainable development. Active in more than 160 countries, including French overseas territories, AFD tailors its actions to local realities and supports community-driven initiatives. With more than 4,000 projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFD acts on behalf of the French people to mobilize all stakeholders involved in promoting economic development and preserving our global commons — climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, and global health. With others, for a shared ABOUT VEOLIA Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024. View source version on Contacts VEOLIA MEDIA RELATIONS Laurent Obadia - Evgeniya Mazalova Anna Beaubatie - Aurélien Sarrosquy Charline Bouchereau Tel. + 33 (0) 1 85 57 86 AFD MEDIA RELATIONS Sophie Noel Tel. +33 (0) 1 53 44 31 31noels@
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Veolia and AFD Sign Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Ecological Transformation in Developing Countries
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Veolia (Paris:VIE), a global leader in ecological transformation, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a partnership agreement on July 18, 2025, to strengthen their collaboration in support of environmental services and sustainable development. This three-year strategic partnership aims to combine Veolia's technical and operational expertise with AFD's implementation capacity and local presence to address environmental challenges in emerging and developing countries. The partnership will focus primarily on Latin America, Central Asia, the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. This strategic alliance, designed to bring private sector expertise to environmental services, targets three key sectors: water and sanitation, waste management, and energy. It includes concrete actions to: reduce inequalities in access to water and sanitation, a core priority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preserve water resources, improve governance and regulatory frameworks related to waste management, develop innovative circular economy solutions, advance bioenergy innovation, decarbonize district heating networks. This partnership reflects a shared commitment by AFD and Veolia to strengthen collective action for sustainable transitions. It aims to promote dialogue and collaboration between the two international stakeholders, notably through technical workshops, exchanges, and site visits. The partnership will also be brought to life through joint Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. 'We are proud to join forces with AFD to amplify our positive impact on sustainable development, especially in the fields of water access, waste management, and the energy transition,' said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. 'Our operational excellence and on-the-ground expertise, combined with AFD's strong local presence, will help us accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the regions where we operate. This partnership is fully aligned with our GreenUp strategic plan and our ambition to be a catalyst for ecological transformation in all territories. It is a concrete demonstration of how French expertise can act as a powerful accelerator of global ecological transition.' Rémy Rioux, CEO of the AFD Group, added: 'We are very pleased to formalize and strengthen our partnership with Veolia, with whom we already have a rich history of concrete projects—particularly through its subsidiary Seureca in Chad, Guinea, and the Balkans. This agreement will enhance our synergies at the scale of both our organizations to ensure safe and sustainable access to drinking water for populations in our partner countries, and to support their ecological transitions in line with our SDG commitments. Ultimately, this partnership embodies our shared vision to contribute to France's policy of solidarity-based and sustainable international investment.' ▁▁▁ ABOUT AFD The AFD Group finances and accelerates transitions toward a fairer, safer, and more resilient world by working hand-in-hand with local partners around the globe. Through its complementary entities — AFD for public financing, Proparco for responsible private investment, and Expertise France for technical cooperation — the Group addresses all facets of sustainable development. Active in more than 160 countries, including French overseas territories, AFD tailors its actions to local realities and supports community-driven initiatives. With more than 4,000 projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFD acts on behalf of the French people to mobilize all stakeholders involved in promoting economic development and preserving our global commons — climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, and global health. With others, for a shared world. ABOUT VEOLIA Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024.
El Chorouk
14-07-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Finally, France Admits it Does Not Provide Development Aid to Algeria
Another card in France's political bargaining with Algeria has fallen: development aid. Many politicians and media figures in Paris have used this as a lucrative tool to mislead public opinion, in an attempt to mobilise it amid the escalating political and diplomatic crisis between the two capitals, which is approaching its first year. In this regard, Rémy Rioux, Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD), ended the controversy sparked by statements made by several French officials regarding 'alleged' aid to the Algerian state within the framework of bilateral cooperation. This statement came too late, after the issue had reached the French judicial authorities and sparked a protracted, false political controversy. Rioux also refuted the recurring rhetoric of certain members of the French far right about France's alleged annual aid to Algeria, statements recently relayed by MP Sarah Knafo, and which Algeria has officially denied, going so far as to initiate legal action. Rémy Rioux finally admitted in a program broadcast on the French public parliamentary channel LCP with frankness and clarity that debunked these allegations during his appearance two days ago, declaring that the agency he heads 'does not finance any projects in Algeria.' He clarified that the only existing support is limited to scholarships awarded to Algerian students pursuing their studies in France, thus exposing the instrumentalisation of this issue by the extreme right in its hostile discourse towards Algeria. 'We do not provide funding. What is announced as aid relates only to scholarships provided to Algerian students in France and is not the responsibility of the French Development Agency,' he explained. This statement raises several questions about its timing and why this official did not break his silence when the debate was spurious and clarify the situation. He added unambiguously that the AFD 'does not carry out any activity in Algeria and does not provide any direct financing,' stressing that 'Algeria does not borrow from us and does not ask for money,' unlike Morocco, with which, according to him, the agency 'has been collaborating closely recently', as Paris's strong partner referring to the period following the recent French position on the Western Sahara issue. According to sources familiar with the matter, the aid the French were discussing was directed exclusively to certain private Algerian schools, to strengthen the status of French in Algeria. The condition was that various subjects be taught in French, a measure that violates the laws of the Ministry of Education. However, this was subject to strict instructions from the relevant ministry requiring teaching in a Western language. The ministry also issued a decision prohibiting private schools from receiving any financial aid from France, after the issue of bogus aid was raised. Last February, a false debate erupted regarding French aid to Algeria. Extremist European MP Sarah Knafo, elected from the far-right 'Reconquest Party' led by Éric Zemmour, claimed that Algeria would receive 800 million euros each year, while refusing to repatriate its illegal immigrants, a claim that Algerian authorities considered unfounded. The French embassy in Algeria soon issued inaccurate clarifications. It indicated that the amount of French development aid granted to Algeria in 2022 was 132 million euros, the largest share of which went to scholarships for Algerian students in France, subject to conditions that did not necessarily adhere to clear and precise criteria. This issue sparked official Algerian astonishment at the time, expressed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who addressed the French in a press statement without naming them: '…There are those who say we give them aid and money. Algeria needs only God Almighty and its children. We embrace and love our friends, and whoever wants to antagonise us, that's their business.' The Algerian Press Service also weighed in, denying the existence of French aid to Algeria and accusing the French far-right of being behind this fake news. The agency wrote: 'European Commission statistics for 2022 indicate that the total value of this aid does not exceed 130 million euros. It confirmed that 80% of this money did not even leave French territory, being paid directly to support its educational institutions that receive Algerian students, under its economic priorities. The remaining 20% financed programs aimed at promoting the French language, culture and economic interest in Algeria.' The agency also mocked French politicians who adopted this rhetoric: 'If this aid exists, Algeria would gladly give it up.'
Korea Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
PT SMI and AFD Renew Strategic Partnership for a Low Carbon Future in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI") and Agence Française de Développement ("AFD") continue their partnership to strengthen cooperation in promoting sustainable development, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and green financing in Indonesia. This cooperation is outlined in the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah, and the CEO of AFD, Rémy Rioux, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta. The signing of the MoU was also witnessed directly by the European Union Ambassador to Indonesia. and Brunei Darussalam, Denis Chaibi. This is the third MoU signed between PT SMI and AFD. The purpose of this latest MoU is to further promote cooperation between the two institutions, beyond the scope of the financing agreement. Some points of cooperation outlined in the MoU are: (a) Financing to support national development transformation; (b) Knowledge sharing and capacity building in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, healthcare, and solid waste management; (c) Publications and bilateral cooperation that highlight the partnership between the two countries. The MoU represents a strategic bilateral relationship between Indonesia and France in supporting inclusive low-carbon development. PT SMI consistently fulfills its role by engaging in synergy and active collaboration to support the achievement of the SDGs through the SDG Indonesia One (SIO) platform. "PT SMI is very pleased to continue collaborating with AFD, as both institutions share a common vision and goal in the effort to provide clean energy. This agreement is important to strengthen the legitimacy and reputation of PT SMI as a key player in the climate field. We have a variety of innovative platforms and tools to mobilize collaboration in financing environmentally friendly projects, such as SDG Indonesia One and the ETM Country Platform. Thus, we can become the right partner for anyone who wants to contribute and provide benefits in addressing the impacts of climate change," said the President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah. PT SMI and AFD have been collaborating on financing infrastructure projects that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation since 2015, particularly through the provision of a USD 100 million loan. In 2018, a partnership agreement was signed and an additional credit of USD 150 million was provided under the SIO PT SMI framework. Several projects developed as a result of the collaboration between PT SMI and AFD include the Pekanbaru Drinking Water Supply System in Pekanbaru, Riau, the Madong Mini-Hydro Power Plant in North Toraja, South Sulawesi, and the Ijen Geothermal Power Plant in Banyuwangi, East Java. - End – About PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI") PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI"), established on February 26, 2009, is a State-Owned Enterprise under the coordination of the Ministry of Finance, in the form of a Non-Bank Financial Institution (LKBB). PT SMI plays a role and has a mandate as an agent of sustainable development. PT SMI has 3 business pillars, namely Commercial Financing, Public Financing, and Advisory Service and Project Development. PT SMI has various functions and unique products/features to support the acceleration of infrastructure development, which not only serves as infrastructure financing but also as an enabler through the implementation of the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme involving various financial institutions, both private and multilateral. PT SMI actively supports the implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and encourages the acceleration of infrastructure development in the regions through regional loan products.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PT SMI and AFD Renew Strategic Partnership for a Low Carbon Future in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI") and Agence Française de Développement ("AFD") continue their partnership to strengthen cooperation in promoting sustainable development, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and green financing in Indonesia. This cooperation is outlined in the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah, and the CEO of AFD, Rémy Rioux, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta. The signing of the MoU was also witnessed directly by the European Union Ambassador to Indonesia. and Brunei Darussalam, Denis Chaibi. This is the third MoU signed between PT SMI and AFD. The purpose of this latest MoU is to further promote cooperation between the two institutions, beyond the scope of the financing agreement. Some points of cooperation outlined in the MoU are: (a) Financing to support national development transformation; (b) Knowledge sharing and capacity building in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, healthcare, and solid waste management; (c) Publications and bilateral cooperation that highlight the partnership between the two countries. The MoU represents a strategic bilateral relationship between Indonesia and France in supporting inclusive low-carbon development. PT SMI consistently fulfills its role by engaging in synergy and active collaboration to support the achievement of the SDGs through the SDG Indonesia One (SIO) platform. "PT SMI is very pleased to continue collaborating with AFD, as both institutions share a common vision and goal in the effort to provide clean energy. This agreement is important to strengthen the legitimacy and reputation of PT SMI as a key player in the climate field. We have a variety of innovative platforms and tools to mobilize collaboration in financing environmentally friendly projects, such as SDG Indonesia One and the ETM Country Platform. Thus, we can become the right partner for anyone who wants to contribute and provide benefits in addressing the impacts of climate change," said the President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah. PT SMI and AFD have been collaborating on financing infrastructure projects that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation since 2015, particularly through the provision of a USD 100 million loan. In 2018, a partnership agreement was signed and an additional credit of USD 150 million was provided under the SIO PT SMI framework. Several projects developed as a result of the collaboration between PT SMI and AFD include the Pekanbaru Drinking Water Supply System in Pekanbaru, Riau, the Madong Mini-Hydro Power Plant in North Toraja, South Sulawesi, and the Ijen Geothermal Power Plant in Banyuwangi, East Java. - End – About PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI") PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI"), established on February 26, 2009, is a State-Owned Enterprise under the coordination of the Ministry of Finance, in the form of a Non-Bank Financial Institution (LKBB). PT SMI plays a role and has a mandate as an agent of sustainable development. PT SMI has 3 business pillars, namely Commercial Financing, Public Financing, and Advisory Service and Project Development. PT SMI has various functions and unique products/features to support the acceleration of infrastructure development, which not only serves as infrastructure financing but also as an enabler through the implementation of the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme involving various financial institutions, both private and multilateral. PT SMI actively supports the implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and encourages the acceleration of infrastructure development in the regions through regional loan products. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) Sign in to access your portfolio
