The Ministry of Agriculture conducted an activity assessment meeting on 30 May in the port city of Assab. The meeting focused on the first quarter’s progress and the five-year strategic plan and was part of a series of similar meetings conducted across all regions since April 2024.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture; Ambassador Mohammed-Seid Mantai, Governor of the Southern Red Sea Region; Brig. Gen. Abraham Andom, Commander of the Eastern Command; and the Chairman and members of the Regional Assembly, Administrators of sub-zones, heads of line ministries, and other officials were also present.

During the meeting, reports were presented that highlighted the key elements of the five-year strategic plan, including land development, natural resource management, crop and livestock development, integrated and sustainable agro-business, and human resources development.

Eng. Omar Mahmud, acting Director General of Agriculture and Land in the region, reported on infrastructure developments, noting that micro-dams had been constructed in Afambo and Debaisima, while another in Romoda, South Dankalia, is under construction. He also detailed the agricultural activities being conducted in the region, utilizing both rainfall and irrigation farming.

Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the reports presented and adopted several recommendations. These included providing support to irrigation farmers, strengthening forestry safety, and developing sweet potato farming, among others.

Speaking at the event, Minister Arefaine Berhe highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural production. These initiatives include programs for exemplary farmers, small and integrated family agricultural programs, and small to medium agro-businesses, all of which are yielding encouraging results. Minister Arefaine called for reinforced efforts in developing household poultry farms, cultivating sweet potatoes, bee farming, and expanding date and other fruit farming. He urged all relevant institutions, agricultural experts, administrators, and the public to strengthen their participation in these efforts.

Ambassador Mohammed-Seid Mantai emphasized the need to strengthen the information and data systems to align with the new strategic plan, ensure water supply, and develop human resources and research activities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Eritrea’s delegation, led by Mr. Habtom Zerai, participated at the 77th World Health Assembly, held in Geneva, Switzerland from 27 May to 1 June 2024.

At the Assembly, Eritrea’s delegation expressed full support for the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group. The delegation emphasized that this year’s theme, “All for Health, Health for All,” resonates strongly with Eritrea’s health policy. They stated that for the last three decades, Eritrea has continuously focused on improving the quality of and access to healthcare.

The delegation further highlighted that healthcare in Eritrea is universally accessible to all citizens, irrespective of their social status or financial capacities. They noted that healthcare is heavily subsidized in Eritrea, where patients only make nominal payments, and financial support is provided to those in need.

Additionally, healthcare services have registered marked expansion over the years, with 70% of the population now living within a 5 km radius of a functioning health facility. The delegation also revealed significant improvements in disease remedy and prevention in Eritrea, noting that only 5 malaria-related deaths were reported in 2023, for instance.

Eritrea’s significant advancements in routine childhood vaccination have garnered recognition and multiple awards in the past two decades. The delegation added that Eritrea has sustained universal immunization coverage at around 98% since 2013.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Ambassador Alem Tsehaye Eritrea’s Ambassador to India presented credentials to President Ram Chandra Poudel of the Federal Republic of Nepal as Eritrea’s non-resident Ambassador to that country.

At the event held on 30 May in Kathmandu, Ambassador Alem conveying a message of goodwill from President Isaias Afwerki to President Ram Chandra Poudel, expressed readiness to work to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

President Ram Chandra Poudel, in turn, expressed his good wishes to the people and Government of Eritrea.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday a five-day visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

As part of the good office activities of the Special Representative, the objective of this visit was to pursue exchanges with the Mauritanian authorities and other key players to further strengthen the partnership with the United Nations, particularly in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled for June 29. The visit was also an opportunity to exchange views on regional peace and security issues, particularly in the context of Mauritania’s presidency of the African Union.

During his visit, the Special Representative was received in audience by H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. He also had a series of meetings with members of the government, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug; the Minister of the Interior and Decentralization, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine; and the Minister of Social Action, Childhood and the Family, H.E. Mr. Savia Mint N’Tahah.

The Special Representative also met with Mr. Diallo Mamadou Bathia, President of the Constitutional Council; Mr. Dah Ould Abdel Jelil, President of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Ms. Diyé Ba, President of the National Election Monitoring Observatory; Mr. Bouna El Hassen, President of the Bar Association; presidential candidates and political players, civil society representatives, including youth and women’s organizations, as well as representatives of the political parties ; Bouna El Hassen, President of the Bar Association; presidential candidates and political actors; representatives of civil society, notably youth and women’s organizations; as well as the diplomatic corps and the United Nations country team.

In his various meetings, the Special Representative praised the leading role played by Mauritania for peace and stability in the Sahel and the sub-region. He called on the Mauritanian authorities and stakeholders to pursue their efforts to engage in dialogue and collaboration in order to consolidate democratic gains and strengthen Mauritania’s sustainable development and prosperity. In this regard, the Special Representative stressed the importance of peaceful and inclusive presidential elections, which will contribute to strengthening good governance and peace.

Before leaving the capital Nouakchott, the Special Representative visited a refugee center, run with the support of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), where he held discussions with groups of women and young refugees.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel reaffirmed the support of the United Nations and the international community for Mauritania’s efforts to consolidate peace and democracy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).