Latest news with #South-North
Morocco World
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Liberia, Ecuador Reaffirm Support for Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara
Rabat – Liberia and Ecuador have both reaffirmed their strong support for Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara during official visits to Rabat on Friday. Liberia's Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, said her country fully supports Morocco's territorial integrity, including the Sahara region. Speaking at a joint press conference following her meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, she described Morocco's autonomy plan as the 'only serious, credible, and realistic solution' to the conflict. Nyanti also said that Liberia, which will become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in January 2026, will continue backing Morocco's position during its term. She commended the growing international support for the autonomy plan and the momentum led by King Mohammed VI to resolve the Western Sahara dispute peacefully. Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Liberian counterpart In a separate meeting the same day, Ecuador's Foreign Minister, Gabriela Sommerfeld, also voiced her country's support for Morocco's autonomy plan, calling it 'the basis for resolving the regional dispute.' Speaking after talks with Bourita, she said that Ecuador supports a political, realistic, and lasting solution to the conflict, within the framework of the United Nations. Ecuador withdrew its recognition of the self-styled 'Sahrawi Republic' on October 22, 2024, and ended all contacts with the separatist group. Stronger bilateral ties During the meetings, both Liberia and Ecuador acknowledged the need to strengthen bilateral ties with Morocco and work together on global challenges. Morocco and Ecuador, in particular, expressed their commitment to improving cooperation in many areas, including climate change, gender equality, human rights, food security, health, and fighting corruption. They also spoke of the importance of South-South and South-North cooperation through Atlantic partnerships and shared goals for development, security, and solidarity. Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Ecuadorian counterpart Both Bourita and Ecuador's foreign minister celebrated efforts made under international migration frameworks like the Marrakech Pact, the Rabat Process, and the Los Angeles Declaration. They agreed to promote safe and orderly movement of people. Both countries outlined the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an inclusive and integrated way, particularly by fighting poverty, managing water resources, and protecting the environment. To boost diplomatic cooperation, Morocco and Ecuador signed two agreements. The first is a memorandum of understanding between Morocco's diplomatic training institute and Ecuador's diplomatic academy. The second agreement establishes a formal mechanism for political consultations between the two countries. The ministers also expressed a desire to strengthen economic cooperation by encouraging investment, supporting private sector partnerships, and exploring opportunities to diversify trade. Tags: autonomy planEcuadorLiberiaWestern sahara
Jordan Times
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
Austrian embassy celebrates success of ‘Listen to Me' series
The Austrian Embassy in Amman hosts a reception at the Austrian Residence to celebrate the success of the series Listen to Me, produced by Shezomedia and supported by the Austrian 'South-North' Fund 2024 (Photo by Ahmad Khlifat) AMMAN — The Austrian Embassy in Amman hosted a reception at the Austrian Residence to celebrate the success of the series Listen to Me, produced by Shezomedia and supported by the Austrian 'South-North' Fund 2024. The project, which received funding from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, features five "powerful" episodes that were released online throughout Women's Month in March, beginning on Saturday, March 8, International Women's Day. Listen to Me provides a platform for women's voices, highlighting the realities of gender-based violence, social stigma, and the everyday struggles of women, particularly in Jordan's rural communities, according to an embassy statement. By amplifying voices that are often unheard, the series aims to raise awareness of systemic challenges facing women and promote gender equality through storytelling. Each episode shares real-life experiences of discrimination and violence, told with honesty and resilience. These human stories transcend geographic and cultural boundaries, reinforcing the urgent need for dialogue, understanding, and change. In her opening remarks, Austrian Ambassador Marieke Zimburg praised the production team for their impactful work, saying, 'There is no easy recipe, but a first, courageous, and immensely important step is raising awareness. This may not change things immediately, but it lays the foundation for transformation. Without awareness, we tend to accept things as they are, without questioning, thereby perpetuating injustice.' The South-North Fund supports cultural initiatives that promote cooperation, shared learning, and mutual understanding between Austria and the Global South. Listen to Me stands as a compelling example of how creative media can drive social change and humanise critical issues, the statement said. The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that foster inclusivity, dialogue, and gender equality in Jordan and beyond.
African Manager
05-02-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia-Nigeria: Drivers of unprecedented economic and trade cooperation
Tunisian businessmen appear to have made an irreversible resolution to establish a strong presence in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria. In a bid to foster economic growth and regional development, the government of Kano State has pledged to strengthen bilateral relations with Tunisia. This announcement was made during a high-level meeting between Kano State officials and a Tunisian delegation led by the Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria. The meeting, held at the Kano State Government headquarters, focused on exploring areas of mutual economic interest, including agriculture, education, technology, and trade, as reported by Naija247news. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf emphasized the need for collaboration to address shared challenges and unlock new opportunities for both regions. The Kano State government expressed its commitment to leveraging Tunisia's expertise in agricultural innovation and renewable energy. 'Tunisia has made significant strides in sustainable agriculture and solar energy, and we believe this partnership will greatly benefit our farmers and industries,' stated Governor Yusuf. The Tunisian delegation expressed enthusiasm about the potential for cooperation, particularly in vocational training and youth empowerment. Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, noted that the partnership could serve as a model for South-North cooperation. 'We are eager to share our knowledge and resources to help Kano State achieve its development goals,' he said. Discussions also centered on establishing a joint trade commission to facilitate business interactions between Kano and Tunisian companies. The commission will focus on reducing trade barriers, improving logistics, and promoting investment opportunities in both regions, according to the same source. Furthermore, the Kano State government announced plans to send a delegation to Tunisia in the coming months to strengthen the partnership. The delegation is expected to include representatives from Kano's agriculture, education, and commerce sectors. This initiative aligns with Kano State's broader strategy to position itself as a hub for international trade and investment in northern Nigeria. Analysts believe that strengthening ties with Tunisia could attract more foreign investors to the region, boosting job creation and economic stability. Kano: The Gateway to West Africa As the partnership takes shape, stakeholders in Kano and Tunisia remain optimistic about the potential for transformative growth. This collaboration marks a significant step in promoting intercontinental economic ties and addressing the pressing needs of both regions. With the groundwork now laid, all eyes are on the next steps as Kano State and Tunisia work to turn their shared vision into reality. Notably, participants explored the possibility of establishing a commodities exchange in Kano to stabilize market prices and improve access to international markets. The Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, Investment, and Industry highlighted the importance of diversifying trade partnerships and invited investors to consider Kano's vast commercial potential. He emphasized the need to improve packaging and export standards to enable local products such as gurasa (a traditional snack) and kilishi (dried meat) to reach global markets. The Chairman of the Kano State Council of Traders and Entrepreneurs (KASCOTE) expressed optimism about the meeting's impact. He noted that previous engagements with Tunisia had already led to trade missions and knowledge exchange programs in health, education, and food production. 'Kano, with its population of 25 million, is the gateway to West Africa. We are committed to fostering partnerships that will boost trade, create jobs, and attract investments,' he affirmed.
