Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) need robust information and evidence to access a proportionate share of climate finance needed to meet their livestock development potential, argues the Livestock Data for Decisions (LD4D) Climate Finance Solutions Group in a series of three new evidence briefs.

As a coalition of 20 international livestock and finance experts, the authors’ goal is to equip decision-makers ahead of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) and the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) to discuss how to unlock climate finance that helps livestock production reduce its emissions and support producers in adapting to more extreme and variable weather. 

“More than 1.3 billion people rely on livestock for food security  – and this number will only grow in the coming years. Supportive policies and more climate finance will help the sector finally unlock its full potential to reduce hunger sustainably,” said Carlos Gonzalez Fischer, a member of the group and Research Associate at Cornell University’s Department of Global Development.

The Mastercard Foundation will host two pivotal events at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) on September 22, 2024. Both gatherings will address the critical issues of girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment in Africa and will be held at the Millenium Hilton New York, One UN Plaza Hotel. 

Under the themes “Powering Parity—Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future” and “Invincible: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa,” the events will showcase successful educational models and explore solutions to create a more equitable economic landscape for women in Africa. 

“Powering Parity—Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future” will focus on effective strategies and programs to improve young African women’s learning access, outcomes, and transitions to and from secondary education. The session will also include an important announcement on the expansion of a key Mastercard Foundation partnership focused on initiatives for girls and young women. Additionally, it will explore the pivotal role of education technology in fostering resilient and inclusive learning in Africa. The Mastercard Foundation is committed to accelerating access to dignified and fulfilling work for 21 million young women in Africa by 2030 as part of its Young Africa Works strategy.

The Global AI Summit 2024 (GAIN), hosted by the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), is set to be one of the most important gatherings in AI this year and today announced its line-up of headline speakers. The summit, which aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, is designed to foster global collaboration and explore the transformative potential of AI across industries.

The deliberations of over 300 speakers, including innovators, academics, executives, regulators and decision-makers from 100 countries worldwide, will be centered around the summit’s theme: “Now, Next, Never”. Sessions will discuss technology’s transformative impact on people and communities, the real world benefits of AI, the technology’s future trajectory and the ethical considerations necessary to ensure responsible AI development across all sectors.

SITA, the global leader in technology solutions for the air transport industry, has appointed Selim Bouri as its new President for the Middle East and Africa region. Selim is taking over the position from Hani El-Assaad who had an extraordinary 30-year career during which he made an invaluable contribution to shaping SITA and the way it operates.

Selim is a seasoned leader in aviation, secure communications, and technology. He has held several high-profile roles during an illustrious career in the global aerospace, telecommunications, and security sector, including heading up the Critical Comms and Security business at Airbus for the Middle East/Africa and APAC regions, and spearheading business development across multiple leading telecommunications companies. He holds Masters degrees in Aeronautics, Aerospace Science, and Technology from ISAE-SUPAERO, and Executive Leadership, Strategy, and Business Administration from IMD.

“This regional leadership change comes as SITA expands its reach and capabilities, opening an exciting new chapter in our company, to which the Middle East and Africa are absolutely integral. SITA’s Executive Team and I are excited to have Selim on board and look forward to his contributions in driving SITA’s future growth,” said David Lavorel, SITA CEO.