Marking World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations in Somalia highlighted the important work Somali journalists carry out in reporting on the climate challenges facing their country and encouraged increased coverage.

“Somalia is on the frontline of climate change, with the climate crisis affecting the lives of millions of Somalis, especially the most vulnerable. Much more needs to be done to raise awareness of all aspects of the environmental crisis and journalism is indispensable for this purpose,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Catriona Laing.

“For Somalia to achieve its goals of stability and sustainable development, it is necessary for journalists to report accurately, timely, and comprehensively on environmental issues and their consequences, as well as on possible solutions,” she added.

In Somalia, the United Nations supports civil society to engage on the nexus between human rights and climate change – this includes understanding how climate-induced shocks intersect with fundamental human rights such as the right to life, right to health and right to access food and clean water. 

As part of the campaign to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights last year, the United Nations launched media campaigns to promote and gather youth perspectives on climate change and environmental issues to hear their voices on how climate change is impacting Somalia.

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1993, the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day is ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis’ and is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. 

It aims to highlight the significant role that the press, journalism, access and dissemination of information play in ensuring a sustainable future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

During the SWARM Summit in Uganda on 25 and 26 April 2024 in Kampala, Hive Colab, a technology incubator, celebrated the graduation of 40 start-ups from the Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU). 

The SWARM Summit, themed “The Future is Now: Emerging Trends Shaping Startup Ecosystems”, highlighted Uganda’s young and innovative minds and aimed to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth in Uganda’s start-up community. The programme included keynote addresses from industry leaders on the current state and future direction of the start-up ecosystem and insightful panel discussions. YSA Uganda graduates from previous cohorts were invited as panels to share their business experience and to inspire their alumni.

This year’s graduation of the third cohort of the YSA Uganda, represents diverse industries and the potential to revolutionize Uganda’s entrepreneurial landscape. The start-ups have undergone intensive bootcamps, which brought the needed skills and resources to launch and grow successful ventures and seek potential investments.

Emphasizing the importance of youth-driven innovation, the Korean Embassy to Uganda encouraged the present YSA alumni entrepreneurs in following their goals. Phyllis Kyomuhendo, founder of M-SCAN, said YSA to be different from other projects as she was directly linked to business partners.

The Youth Start Academy Uganda is a project funded by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) under its Ministry of SMEs and Startups Korea and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), a United Nations agency, and Hive Colab in partnership with the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U).

YSAU empowers aspiring young entrepreneurs by fostering a thriving start-up ecosystem in Uganda. The current graduating cohort represents over 700 young entrepreneurs who have been empowered to drive innovation and job creation across the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

In this message, the Sovereign expresses His warmest congratulations to Duda and His sincere wishes of progress and prosperity to the friendly Polish people.

His Majesty the King takes this opportunity to commend the steadily growing relations rooted in friendship and close cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Poland, underlining His determination to continue to work with the Polish President to strengthen and diversify bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two friendly peoples.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

President William Ruto has asked the newly appointed top command of the Kenya Defence Forces to uphold the institution’s integrity and professionalism.

The President said KDF has a rich history of unwavering dedication, commitment and discipline that have positioned Kenya in a very positive manner.

“Our KDF has a history of professionalism, loyalty and commitment. I exhort you to live up to that history,” he said.

President Ruto made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Chief of the Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, and other generals at State House Nairobi.

Also sworn in were Lt-General John Omenda (Vice Chief of the Defence Forces), Major General Fatima Ahmed (Kenya Air Force Commander) and Major-General Paul Otieno (Kenya Navy Commander).

The President said the new team should serve the country and people devoid of tribal and ethnic inclinations.

“You have my support and the goodwill of the people of Kenya,” he said.

He also asked them to be firm, but fair when dealing with their juniors.

In response to the flooding challenges the country faces, President Ruto said the government is mobilising the KDF to lead a multi-agency effort aimed at mitigating the impact of floods as a result of climate change.

He said KDF’s capabilities are essential to the success of the operation.

Present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.