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Conclusions of the 29th session of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa’s Executive Committee in Kisumu

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Ibrahim Saber Khalil

Members received from the Deputy Governor Of Cairo, Mr. Ibrahim Saber Khalil, the assurance that Africities 2025 in Cairo will follow in the footsteps of Kisumu

KISUMU, Kenya, June 9, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The 29th ordinary session of the Executive Committee of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) (http://www.UCLGA.org) took place on June 3rd 2023, at Ciala Resorts in Kisumu (Kenya).

The proceedings were led by Mrs. Fatimetou Abdel Malick, President of the Region of Nouakchott (Mauritania) and President of UCLG Africa, in the presence of 12 of the 18 members of the Executive Committee.  In her introductive speech, she expressed her joy « to return to Kisumu, the city that hosted the last Africites Summit during which the current members of the Executive Committee of UCLG Africa were elected. We can never thank enough the Governor of Kisumu County, The Council of Governors of Kenya and the Government of Kenya, for the quality of the welcome we received at the Africities Summit and for the resounding success of this 9th edition of the Summit with over 13,000 delegates, a participation record broken, even though the Summit was being held in an intermediate city for the very first time. Once again, thank you and bravo! ».

Governor of Kisumu, Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyongo’o, welcomed participants and particularly, the Deputy Governor of Cairo : « This meeting brings back nostalgic feelings when the family of decentralized governments gathered here last year for the Africities conference. It is indeed a privilege and honor for this honorable Committee to have chosen Kisumu for this 29th Session. Let me take this opportunity to recognize in a special way, the Deputy Governor of Cairo Governorate who are the flag bearers for the next Africities to be held in 2025 ».

Members received from the Deputy Governor Of Cairo, Mr. Ibrahim Saber Khalil, the assurance that Africities 2025 in Cairo will follow in the footsteps of Kisumu.

The 29th session of the Executive Committee was mainly devoted to the approval of the 2022 financial accounts of the organization and review the implementation of the 2023 UCLG Africa action plan in consistency with the 2021-2030 development strategy of UCLG Africa, also known as the Governance, Advocacy Program for Decentralized Development in Africa (GADDEPA 2.0).

The Executive Committee adopted the 2022 financial report and audit accounts of the organization, and gave discharge to the Secretary General of UCLG Africa, Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, for the management of the financial year 2023.

This meeting brings back nostalgic feelings when the family of decentralized governments gathered here last year for the Africities conference

On the Climate Agenda, the Executive Committee acknowledged with satisfaction that UCLG Africa has succeeded to put subnational and local governments on the map as far as climate action is concerned. In fact, UCLG Africa is from now on the representative of subnational and local governments on the implementation platform of the Africa Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) and delivery partner of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Also UCLG Africa  has  partnered with the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) to launch the “African Green Climate Finance National Designated Authorities Network” (AfDAN). For the first time also, at the Biodiversity COP15 in Montreal, UCLG Africa has succeeded in carrying the voice of African subnational and local governments in the debates on the implementation process of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, integrating the Nagoya protocol on access and sharing of genetic resources. 

Concerning the Agenda of Culture, UCLG Africa led a series of events in the framework of the celebration of Rabat, African Capital of Culture, organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty, King Mohammed VI. The activities of the celebration were implemented within the framework of a collaboration between the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of Morocco, the City of Rabat, and UCLG Africa. Among more than hundred activities, three very relevant were mentioned: In partnership with the Movement of Creative Africas (MOCA), a major festival gathered over 40 representatives of networks of professionals of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) to reflect on the present and future of CCIs; a Forum of Mayors and Leaders of Local governments on Culture that brought together over 100 delegates, and during which the City of Lagos, Nigeria, applied to be the second African Capital of Culture. The deadline for African cities to submit their candidacy is on June 30th, 2023, and the designation of the African Capital of Culture by the competent UCLG Africa bodies will take place at the end of July 2023; the Meeting of African Ministers of Culture that gathered 30 ministerial delegations, and promised to share the resolutions adopted to the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Culture during its meeting which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 24-26 May 2023. Delegates that participated in these different events praised the instrumental and facilitating role played by UCLG Africa in the organization of the celebration of Rabat, African Capital of Culture, and for its effort to have culture recognized as the fourth pillar of sustainable development beside the economic, social and environmental pillars.

The Executive Committee also acknowledge progress made in the implementation of the Africa Territorial Trade and Investment Agency (ATIA), the vehicle set up to facilitate  access of subnational and local governments to the capital market. 

The Executive Committee further approved the organization of annual or biennal exhibitions and conferences on the mandates of subnational and local governments and their proposed venues as following: (1) in the City of Tangiers, Morocco, for the Exhibition and Conference on the management of mobility, urban transport and logistics in African cities (TRANSLOG), the first edition to take place in October 2023; (2) in the City of Kisumu, Kenya, for the Exhibition and Conference on the management of Basic Education in African cities, in January 2024;  (3) the City of Cairo, Egypt, for the Exhibition and Conference on Waste management in African cities, in February 2024; (3) again in the City of  Cairo, Egypt, for the Exhibition and Conference on the management of Water and Sanitation services, in May 2024.

A presentation of the partnership between the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and UCLG Africa, was made. The goal of this MoU is to improve the level of investments at the sub-sovereign level of governance. The Executive Committee appreciated this initiative and indicated that the Africa Territorial Trade and Investment Agency (ATIA) form integral part of the activities to be implemented under the MoU between Afreximbank and UCLG Africa.

This 29th session of UCLG Africa Executive Committee registered the participation for the first time of the network of the Young Elected Local Officials of Africa (YELO), whose Constitutive Assembly was held in Tangier On October 31, 2022.

As a reminder, the Executive Committee of UCLG Africa is the body in charge of the political leadership of the organization. The Executive Committee is composed of 18 members, 15 members elected by the General Assembly of UCLG Africa (3 for each of the 5 regions of Africa), and 3 members ex-officio, namely, the President of the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA) which is the UCLG Africa Standing Committee for Gender Equality; the President of the Forum of the Regions of Africa (FORAF); and the President of the network of the Young Elected Local Officials of Africa (YELO).  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa).

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Canon releases LI7070SAC / LI7070SAM Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors

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The LI7070SAC can capture full-HD video even in low-illumination environments measuring 0.08 lux, whereas the LI7070SAM operates at a minimum of 0.04 lux

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Canon Inc. (Canon-CNA.com) and Canon Marketing Japan Inc. announced today the release of two new 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensors, the LI7070SAC (color) and LI7070SAM (monochrome), with approximately 2.12 (1,936 x 1,096) effective megapixels, for security, industrial, and medical uses. They boast enhanced near-infrared shooting capability, which is increasingly in demand, in addition to a high-dynamic-range capturing function for operating in environments with significant contrasts between light and dark, and high-sensitivity shooting capability under low-illumination environments.

In recent years, there has been growing demand for near-infrared imaging capabilities applied to surveillance cameras and industrial cameras. Accordingly, there has been an increase in uses for CMOS sensors with near-infrared capability including monitoring traffic and industrial applications. The near-infrared sensitivity of the LI7070SAC has been increased by roughly 2.4 times [1] in comparison to the LI7050 [2] (released in October 2020) which similarly measures 1/1.8 inches and features approximately 2.12 effective megapixels. This enables monitoring in dark environments which cannot be performed by the naked eye. The sensors can also be applied for industrial usages such as inspections in dark areas and medical uses such as fluorescein angiography.

In addition to the aforementioned near-infrared capability, both sensors feature an HDR drive mode that extends 120dB through a double exposure method which layers two images with differing exposure times. This makes it possible to capture images in high quality while restricting overexposure and crushed shadows in conditions where there is a large difference in brightness, such as when illuminating a light for inspections within tunnels. The sensor achieves a range of 75dB even when operating during normal drive operation.

The outstanding low-illumination shooting capability of these sensors further enhances their applicability. Although the sensor size is compact, the pixel composition has been engineered to enable high sensitivity, while suppressing noise level. The LI7070SAC can capture full-HD video even in low-illumination environments measuring 0.08 lux, whereas the LI7070SAM operates at a minimum of 0.04 lux [3], making them particularly suitable for nighttime surveillance of public facilities, roads, and transportation facilities, etc., in addition to cameras equipped to underwater drones and cameras used in microscopes, which require compact image sensors with a high degree of sensitivity.


[1] The quantum efficiency of the LI7070SAC at a wavelength of 850 nm (near-infrared wavelength) is 33%, whereas that of LI7050 is 14%.

[2] Colour sensor only

[3] The estimated illumination level from a full moon is 0.3 lux, while that of a crescent moon is 0.01 lux.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) Leads Key Discussions on Sustainable Development and Green Finance at Conference of the Parties (COP29)

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COP29

On November 18, ICD organized a session on financing women and youth-led businesses in post-conflict regions

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (www.ICD-ps.org), part of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, hosted several high-level sessions at COP29 in Baku, focusing on sustainable economic development, climate finance, and the private sector’s role in green growth.

On November 18, ICD organized a session on financing women and youth-led businesses in post-conflict regions. Eng. Hani Sani Sonbol, Acting CEO of ICD, emphasized the importance of inclusive financing for long-term peace. Remarks were also made by Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Champion, and Dr. Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan. The panel featured experts such as Dr. Sahar Nasr, Executive Director of the Zakat Fund, Ms. Jhale Hajiyeva, Executive Director of AMFA Azerbaijan, Dr Elvin Afandi, Division Manager of ICD and Mr. Dayanat Sadullayev, President of AMCHAM addressing the barriers women and youth face in accessing finance.

ICD also hosted two other key sessions. On November 16, a panel discussed leveraging multilateral climate funds to support sustainable projects through public-private partnerships, featuring experts like Dr. Mohammed Alyami, General Manager of the Development Effectiveness Office at ICD, and David A. Dodd, CEO of the International Sustainability Resilience Center. On November 19, a session explored how financial institutions can promote green finance, with participants including Dr. Fatih Yilmaz, Senior Fellow at KAPSAR,Mr. Shahin Mahmudzade, Executive Director at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, Dr Elvin Afandi , Division Manager of ICD and Mr Nabil Kadri, Managing Director of BNDES.

ICD’s participation at COP29 highlights its commitment to advancing sustainable development, green finance to private sector, and empowering marginalized business communities. Through collaborative initiatives, ICD continues to drive the role of the private sector in achieving global sustainability goals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

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HELI Aims for #1 Position in Middle East and Africa with New Forklift Models and Strategic Investments

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HELI

Company Expands Regional Footprint, Hosts 40 Regional Partners at Exclusive Distributors’ Conference in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 22, 2024/APO Group/ — 

HELI (www.HELIChina.net), China’s leading forklift manufacturer and a global player in the material handling industry, has unveiled three new forklift models at the opening of its UAE distributor Hala’s state-of-the-art showroom and workshop in Dubai Industrial City.

This launch marks another significant step in HELI’s ongoing expansion in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, as the company continues its drive to become the leading forklift brand across the region.

HELI’s mission, Lifting the Future, is driven by a vision to become a global leader, and a singular aim to be ranked among the world’s Top 5 forklift manufacturers. Founded in 1958, HELI has consistently delivered innovative, intelligent logistics solutions, establishing itself as a global first-class integrator of industrial vehicles and intelligent logistics systems. With a people-oriented approach and a commitment to repaying society through high-quality products, HELI’s brand proposition—Empower the World—reflects the company’s dedication to empowering industries worldwide.

Ranked among the top ten forklift manufacturers globally since 2006, HELI’s streamlined strategies in capital, industrial, and innovation chains have fueled rapid growth. Today, HELI’s products are sold in over 150 countries, and in the MEA region, the company has already secured the leading position in 15 African countries, with an expanding presence in the Middle East. With continued investment in new product launches and strategic partnerships, HELI is on track to achieve its ambitious goal of becoming the leading forklift brand across the region.

The new HELI G Series 2.0-ton lithium battery forklift, specifically engineered for the beverage industry, was also introduced at the event. Building on the proven reliability and advanced technology of HELI’s G Series, this model incorporates several innovative features tailored to the unique demands of beverage logistics. These include a flexible adjustable cab height for enhanced operator visibility and safety, an intelligent steering system that prevents sharp turns for smoother operations, and an active safety protection system that decelerates or brakes when personnel approach danger zones, reducing workplace risks. Designed with beverage industry needs in mind, it includes features like single/double pallet forks and a 360-degree vision optimization system for better maneuverability.

The G3 Series forklifts, available in 2-3.5 Ton and 5-10 Ton models, offer key shared advantages that enhance efficiency, safety, and performance. Both models are energy-efficient, with the 2-3.5 Ton version reducing consumption by 15% and the 5-10 Ton featuring a low-noise system. They incorporate advanced safety features, such as pedestrian detection, AI-powered collision warnings, and an optional reversing camera, ensuring a safer work environment. Designed for high performance and reliability, both models require minimal maintenance and are built to handle demanding industrial tasks. The 2-3.5 Ton version offers an enhanced load capacity up to 4.5 meters, while the 5-10 Ton excels in climbing performance. Additionally, ergonomic features like reduced steering effort and low-noise operation improve operator comfort and productivity.

With the increasing focus on electrification, we are providing customers with clean energy alternatives that align with global sustainability goals

Together, the G3 Series forklifts deliver a reliable, cost-effective solution for businesses seeking safety, efficiency, and durability in their material handling equipment.

“These new models reflect HELI’s commitment to addressing the growing demand for sustainable and efficient material handling solutions in the region. With the increasing focus on electrification, we are providing customers with clean energy alternatives that align with global sustainability goals and empowering our partners to achieve #1 status in their respective markets,” said Guan Lei, General Manager of HELI Middle East FZCO.

During the showroom opening, Mathew Abraham, Managing Director of Hala, HELI’s UAE distributor, emphasized the potential of the partnership, noting, “With HELI’s world-class technology and our deep understanding of the regional market, we are well-positioned to offer comprehensive solutions, ensuring the highest standards of after-sales support and sustainability.”

HELI’s growth in the region is underscored by its ongoing investment in infrastructure. The company is currently leasing between 6,000 and 8,000 square meters of space in the Middle East to expand its service capabilities and provide quicker, localized support. These efforts are aligned with HELI’s strategic goals and reinforce its position as a key player in the material handling and logistics sectors.

At a closed-door distributors conference held this week, 40 partners from across the region gathered to discuss HELI’s product innovations and regional growth strategies. The conference highlighted the company’s vision for the future and its strong partnerships with regional distributors. The theme of the conference, “Together We Thrive, Limits We Defy,” reflected the shared ambition to work harder with determination, pushing past boundaries and striving for excellence.

Recent industry data from the World Industrial Truck Statistics (WITS) shows HELI’s growing presence in the UAE, where it is now the second-largest forklift brand. This growth, coupled with a rising shift toward electrification, further positions HELI as a leader in the MEA region. The company’s success in Africa, where it holds the #1 position in 15 countries, demonstrates the strength of its offering and its ability to meet local market needs.

Chen Xianyou, Vice General Manager of Anhui HELI Co., Ltd, emphasized, “Our continued investment in the MEA region is a testament to our long-term vision. We are focused on achieving sustainable growth, backed by our strong after-sales service network, and building lasting relationships with our regional partners.”

With its leadership position in China for 33 consecutive years and a growing footprint in the Middle East and Africa, HELI is poised to become a globally recognized brand in the material handling industry.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of HELI.

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