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Mondelēz International signs Memorandum of Understanding with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Women, Family and Children

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Mondelēz International

The MoU reaffirms the company’s continued efforts in public-private collaboration and ambition to scale up Cocoa Life in alignment with national strategies to help tackle systemic issues in the cocoa supply chain

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 12, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Strengthens efforts to help protect children in cocoa communities; Reaffirms the company’s continued focus in private-public collaboration to help tackle systemic issues.

Mondelēz International is proud to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of  Women, Family and Children, to strengthen joint efforts on child protection via the company’s cocoa sustainability program Cocoa Life and work towards the common vision of a child labor free cocoa sector. The MoU reaffirms the company’s continued efforts in public-private collaboration and ambition to scale up Cocoa Life in alignment with national strategies to help tackle systemic issues in the cocoa supply chain.

Building on 10 years of experience and learnings from working with more than 200,000 farmers in key cocoa producing countries, Mondelēz International recently announced the next phase of its Cocoa Life program (https://apo-opa.info/48RExB6), backed by an additional $600million through 2030, bringing the total investment since the start of the program in 2012, to US$1billion. In this next phase, the goal is to increase cocoa volume at scale and work with about 300,000 farmers by 2030. With this investment, Mondelēz International aims to drive smart innovation and catalyze sector collaboration to help address systemic environmental and human rights challenges.

As outlined in the Cocoa Life program’s latest Strategy to Help Protect Children (https://apo-opa.info/3rOBDfG), the company focuses on working with governments, suppliers, NGOs, independent partners, farmers and their communities to help prevent child labor, implement Child Labor Monitoring & Remediation Systems (CLMRS), and to help enable systemic solutions which involves strategic initiatives with governments.​

“Since 2013, Cocoa Life has been working with partners in Côte d’Ivoire to help lift people and protect landscapes where cocoa grows. By the end of 2022, we already reached around 64,000 farmers in over 1,400 cocoa communities in Côte d’Ivoire with our integrated approach[1]. We are determined to play a part and be a solutions-oriented partner as we aim to work toward a child labor free sector,” said Cedric Van Cutsem, Senior Director, Cocoa Life, Mondelēz International.  “Underpinning our strategy is the reality that helping to combat child labor is a shared goal and requires strong partnership with governments, suppliers, communities, NGO partners, peer companies and multi-sector partners, which is why we are keen to maintain and strengthen collaboration with ministries and agencies at all levels.  We are pleased to sign an MoU that both defines joint goals to help protect children and aligns with the national child protection strategy.”

The collaboration with the government of Côte d’Ivoire through the MoU will support the company’s efforts to implement and scale Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems in Côte d’Ivoire as we work toward our goal of covering 100% Cocoa Life communities in West Africa by 2025[2]. MDLZ will continue to partner with the national child protection authorities to build capacity with community child protection committees, raise awareness within communities and provide support to vulnerable children.

We are determined to play a part and be a solutions-oriented partner as we aim to work toward a child labor free sector

On behalf of Minister Nassénéba Touré, the Director of the Cabinet welcomed this important step by Mondelēz International with its Cocoa Life program, which includes key pillars aimed at improving livelihoods in cocoa farming communities.

He subsequently indicated that with this approach, Mondelēz International is working with the Ministry to implement community outreach aimed at helping to protect children and promoting collective behavior change in cocoa communities to fight against the worst forms of child labor.

“To see tangible results for the wellbeing of communities, it is important for us to collaborate with intergovernmental organizations and the private sector and its initiatives,” said Diarrassouba Moussa, Director of the Cabinet, Ministry of Women, Family and Children, Côte d’Ivoire.


[1] Reported information covers rounded data from Côte d’Ivoire in the annual reporting period from January 1 to December 31, 2022. This data is provided by third parties.

[2] Reported information for the period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 includes a community as covered by CLMRS if the work of identifying children, if any, in or at risk of child labor has been completed by the end of the year, even if any appropriate remediation and post-remediation follow-up occurs in the following year. CLMRS data is provided by third parties. Includes Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mondelēz International.

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Top 5 Reasons to Attend Congo Energy & Investment Forum 2025

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CEIF

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum takes place from March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 6, 2025/APO Group/ –Serving as the inaugural edition, this year’s Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025, scheduled for March 25-26 in Brazzaville, underscores the Republic of Congo’s growing role in Africa’s energy landscape. Under the leadership of Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons for Congo, the country has affirmed its commitment to maximizing its energy potential and streamlining licensing and regulatory processes, leading to a series of recent acquisitions and project developments.

Gain Insights into Congo’s Gas Master Plan

The Congolese government will unveil its new Gas Master Plan at CEIF 2025, which is designed to consolidate the position of existing companies and attract new investments to the sector. Developed in collaboration with global data and analytics provider Wood Mackenzie, the plan sets out a clear roadmap to capitalize on Congo’s gas resources, highlighting gas as a significant economic opportunity to diversify the country’s economy. The plan will allow Congo to engage more confidently with advanced regional and international players in the industry.

Participate in Congo’s 2025 Licensing Round

With aims to attract investment in both marginal and deepwater blocks, Congo is set to launch its 2025 international oil and gas licensing round. This initiative is part of the country’s strategy to increase oil production from the current 280,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 500,000 bpd and is expected to usher in a new wave of investment in sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth largest oil producing market.

This licensing round is designed to attract international oil companies (IOCs) with technical expertise and financial capacity to develop deepwater resources, as well as local and independent companies to exploit marginal fields.

Explore Congo’s Investment Potential

Congo is offering a number of investment opportunities for international and local companies and firms across all levels of the value chain.

A series of dedicated panel sessions, technical workshops and presentations at CEIF 2025 will provide an in-depth look at Congo’s efforts to sustainably increase its oil production. The conference will highlight crucial developments across the country’s energy sector as well as the broader strategic importance of Congo’s energy ambitions. CEIF 2025 will provide attendees with valuable insights into how ongoing and upcoming projects are helping the country meet its production goals while fostering economic growth and diversification in the sector.

Connect with Industry Leaders

Supported by Congo’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company (NOC) Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, CEIF 2025 will serve as an opportunity for local, regional and international delegates to collaborate and discover new avenues for partnerships. Delegates can connect with top energy investors and executives – from operators, IOCs, NOCs and independents – as well as government officials, industry innovators and financiers to expand their professional network.

Help Fuel Sustainable Development

Boasting immense potential for renewable energy, Congo is well-positioned to leverage Congo’s strong slate of upcoming projects to transform its energy landscape. In recent years, the country has implemented a number of initiatives to diversify its energy matrix and expand the share of renewable energy. The Congolese government is also making strategic investments in downstream infrastructure, including new refineries and gas-to-power projects, which will be on display at CEIF 2025 and are set to help drive electrification and socioeconomic development.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 Set to Drive Investment, Growth with Business Management Participation

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CEIF

The Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26 in Brazzaville, will feature the participation of Cabinet Gomes, Colibri Business Development and Royal Triangle Energy Solutions

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 6, 2025/APO Group/ –As part of a strategy to spur energy investment and socioeconomic development, the Republic of Congo has initiated a number of strategies to drive resource monetization, project development and local capacity building. As such, the nation has attracted a wave of international companies across its energy value chain, leading to a series of recent acquisitions and project developments in the country.

In light of Congo’s favorable legislative and fiscal landscape, the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF), taking place from March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, will feature a strong lineup of legal firms and business management companies. This year’s conference will feature the participation of Louis-Raymond Gomes, Managing Attorney at Cabinet Gomes; Ileana Ferber, CEO and Local Content Expert at Colibri Business Development; and Eric Williams, President and Principal Consultant at Royal Triangle Energy Solutions.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

The exchange of knowledge and expertise is vital to unlocking the full potential of Congo’s natural resources

Serving as one of the country’s foremost legal service companies, Cabinet Gomes offers services in labor law; banking and finance; hydrocarbons and mining law; and mergers and acquisitions. Earlier this year, oil and gas company Trident Energy finalized its acquisition of energy majors Chevron and TotalEnergies’ interests in operational fields in Congo. Set to add approximately 30,000 barrels of oil per day to Congo’s production capacity, this acquisition highlights the country’s immense potential for international companies to meet the country’s development goals.

Meanwhile, the participation of Colibri Business Development at CEIF 2025 is expected to show a unique insight into how international companies can participate in Congo’s burgeoning hydrocarbons sector. The country will launch its 2025 licensing round at CEIF 2025, offering onshore, offshore and marginal acreage to potential investors and developers while aligning with national efforts to increase output.

Set to showcase how Congo’s regulatory framework and fiscal regime can accelerate monetization of the country’s natural resources, Royal Triangle Energy Solutions’ experience in the African market has the potential to empower businesses with effective change management skills and knowledge for participating in Congo’s energy sector. The Congolese government is also set to release its Gas Master Plan at CEIF 2025, which will serve as a roadmap to Congo’s gas resources for both domestic consumption and export.

“The exchange of knowledge and expertise is vital to unlocking the full potential of Congo’s natural resources, driving economic growth and positioning the country as a key player in the global energy market. The participation of Cabinet Gomes, Colibri Business Development and Royal Triangle Energy Solutions at CEIF 2025 underscores the immense opportunities the country offers for international investment and collaboration,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director, Energy Capital & Power.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Geoff Thompson Makes Triumphant Return to the University of East London After Seven-Year Exile

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Geoff Thompson

His return marks a significant moment not only for the university but for the local and global communities as they seek to address critical issues affecting youth today

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ –Geoff Thompson, renowned sports leader and community advocate, has returned to the University of East London (UEL) after a seven-year absence, following his controversial removal as Chair of the University and subsequent eviction of the Dame Mary Glen Haig Sport for Development for Peace Office from the University Campus.

Geoff brought with him a powerful message of empowerment and action to the One Newham Conference. His return marks a significant moment not only for the university but for the local and global communities as they seek to address critical issues affecting youth today.

During his address, Thompson called upon individuals and organisations alike to harness the spirit and legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games. He emphasised the need for collective action to combat youth violence, urging communities to engage with the Bidding, hosting, and legacy of major sporting events through the Youth Charters innovative Community Campus initiative.

It is time for us to come together, to invest in our young people, and to build a brighter future

“The 2012 Games were not just about sports; they were a catalyst for change,” Thompson stated. “We have a unique opportunity to empower our youth by providing them with the tools, resources, and support necessary to thrive. It is time for us to come together, to invest in our young people, and to build a brighter future.”

Thompson’s vision includes a comprehensive approach to youth engagement, focusing on sports, education, and community development. Through the Youth Charter’s Community Campus, he aims to create a safe and inclusive environment where young people can explore their potential, develop new skills, and forge meaningful connections.

In addressing the pressing issue of youth violence on our streets, Thompson highlighted the importance of collaboration between local authorities, educational institutions, and community organisations. “We must unite our efforts and share our resources to create a sustainable impact,” he urged. “Together, we can turn the tide and inspire a generation to pursue positive pathways.”

As Thompson embarks on this new chapter, he invites everyone to join him in this vital mission. Together, we can create a legacy that transcends sport and fosters a culture of empowerment, resilience, and hope.

With the new IOC Presidential election taking place, prospective candidate in Lord Sebastian Coe understands what is required in this all-important and much needed sport for development for peace on our streets. He launched our ‘Call2Action’ and if successful, I will be calling on him to activate our plans.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Youth Charter.

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