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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.

Energy

Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

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

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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IsDBI

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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