Zoom Unveils Platform Evolution; Launches New Packaging and Translation Feature

  • Zoom One is a new offering that brings together options for persistent chat, phone, meetings, whiteboard, and more into a single, secure and scalable package
  • All-new translation feature allows meetings to be translated between English and any of the 10 languages, or from those languages into English

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) today unveiled the latest evolution of its communications platform with the introduction of Zoom One, a new offering that brings together persistent chat, phone, meetings, whiteboard, and more into secure and scalable packages. Additionally, Zoom also launched an all new translated and multi-language captions feature.

“Simplicity is at the core of everything we do. As the Zoom platform has evolved from a meeting app to a comprehensive communications platform, it was clear that introducing new packaging like Zoom One was the next step in the company’s evolution,” said Greg Tomb, President, Zoom. “By bringing together chat, phone, meetings, whiteboard, and more in a single offering, we are able to offer our customers solutions that are simple to manage, so they can focus on business issues that matter most.”

“Businesses continue to realize the time and cost saving a single provider can offer. According to Omdia’s latest end user survey, 40% of organizations are prioritizing investments around eliminating multiple cloud-based UC solutions that may be deployed within their organizations,” states Brent Kelly, Principal Analyst, Omdia Research. “The need to simplify business operations is a market trend that we see as being increasingly important, and Zoom One’s tiered bundles and common management console aligns well to this customer demand.”

Zoom One’s intuitive experience
Purpose-built to work together, Zoom One’s intuitive experience offers customers the choice between six tiered offerings according to their business needs.

  • Zoom One Basic provides free 40-minute Zoom Meetings for up to 100 attendees, persistent Zoom Chat for team messaging, limited Zoom Whiteboard for synchronous and asynchronous work, and real-time transcription.
  • Zoom One Pro provides everything Zoom One Basic offers without Meeting time limits, plus cloud recording.
  • Zoom One Business provides everything Zoom One Pro offers, plus Zoom Meetings for up to 300 attendees and unlimited Zoom Whiteboards.
  • Zoom One Business Plus provides everything Zoom One Business offers, plus Zoom Phone Pro with unlimited regional calling and Zoom’s all-new translation feature.
  • Zoom One Enterprise and Zoom One Enterprise Plus provide everything Zoom One Business offers with larger meeting capacity and additional features, like Zoom Webinars, to help modern businesses scale. Zoom One Enterprise Plus also includes Zoom Phone Pro with unlimited regional calling.

Zoom One Basic, Pro, Business and Business Plus plans are available for purchase online today. To purchase Zoom One Enterprise or Enterprise Plus, customers can speak to an account executive directly. For more information, visit https://zoom.us/pricing.

“If you provide a complete suite of reliable and easy-to-use communication tools that people can use to do their jobs, they are less likely to be using one-off solutions outside of our offerings – which in turn simplifies our support and delivery model,” said Rob Kerr, chief information officer at Cooley, a global law firm with 3,300 employees in 17 offices across the United States, Asia, and Europe. “Zoom’s secure portfolio of unified video, chat, whiteboarding, and telephony solutions aligns our global teams and allows Cooley to better serve its clients.”

For more information on the new, simplified offerings or to find the plan that is best suited for your business, visit the Zoom blog.

Introducing translated & multi-language captions
Launching first in Zoom One Business Plus and Zoom One Enterprise Plus packages, Zoom’s translated captions will allow users to view captions translated into the language of their choice. At launch, translations will be available between English and 10 additional languages, or from any of the 10 languages to English. The ability to translate directly to and from English is known as bi-directional translation. Translated captions display at the base of the screen while in a Zoom Meeting.

The bi-directional translations are available in the following languages: Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.

To access the translated captions feature, Zoom One customers must upgrade to either the Zoom One Business Plus (in applicable countries) or Zoom One Enterprise Plus packages.

Zoom also extended its automated captioning – the ability to caption in real-time what a speaker is saying in the same language as the one spoken – to include 10 additional languages. Automated captions previously were supported in English, but now can be displayed in the additional 10 languages referenced above. Multi-language automated captions are available in Business Plus, Enterprise, and Enterprise Plus packages with additional support for other plans coming soon.

About Zoom
Zoom is for you. Zoom is a space where you can connect to others, share ideas, make plans, and build toward a future limited only by your imagination. Our frictionless communications platform is the only one that started with video as its foundation, and we have set the standard for innovation ever since. That is why we are an intuitive, scalable, and secure choice for large enterprises, small businesses, and individuals alike. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Visit zoom.com and follow @zoom.

Zoom Public Relations
Candace Dean
Corporate PR Lead
press@zoom.us

ApplyBoard and Ireland Join Forces to Educate the World

The global education technology platform launches in Ireland to deliver innovation within the international education sector

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, June 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, ApplyBoard, the global technology platform powering an education revolution, is thrilled to announce Ireland as its latest study abroad destination. This is the fifth study abroad destination that ApplyBoard has expanded to as part of its ongoing mission to educate the world.

ApplyBoard is excited for this opportunity to help Ireland grow and reach its international education goals. To date, five higher education institutions in Ireland have partnered with ApplyBoard: Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Maynooth University, University College Cork, and the University of Limerick. ApplyBoard looks forward to building more momentum within Ireland’s international education sector.

“With a highly-regarded education system, rich history, and innovative culture, Ireland has so much to offer international students,” says Martin Basiri, CEO and Co-Founder of ApplyBoard. “Building this strong relationship with Ireland signifies an important step in expanding new opportunities for future students, supporting the long-standing legacy for excellence in the Irish education sector, and continuing to break down barriers to education for countless students around the world.”

Now, students and recruitment partners can look forward to having access to Ireland’s higher education institutions on the ApplyBoard Platform.

“ApplyBoard is incredibly well placed to partner with University College Dublin (UCD), to promote Ireland, to connect with international students who are looking for an educational experience that sets them apart and provides them with a competitive advantage,” says Una Watkins, Director International Student Recruitment, UCD. “Sharing our values in putting students first and supporting the success of all students, we very much look forward to working alongside ApplyBoard as they empower people around the world to study abroad and access the very best education.”

“Ireland is becoming an increasingly popular study destination for international students as the world-class standard of our education is matched by the post-study work opportunities available in Ireland,” says Giles O’Neill, Head of Education in Ireland. “ApplyBoard puts the student at the heart of what they do and keeps them there — this is a mission that we share and something that I am sure we can build on together into the future.”

ApplyBoard recognizes the need to continue to scale and expand its diversity of tech offerings to propel the international education sector forward. Most recently, ApplyBoard announced the acquisition of TrainHub, an education industry training ecosystem, to help strengthen international student recruitment. ApplyBoard also launched the ApplyBoard Insights Dashboard, a SaaS tool that leverages the latest study abroad data to help higher education institutions make important choices in international student recruiting.

To learn more about ApplyBoard growing in Ireland, visit here: www.applyboard.com/resources/ireland-resources

About ApplyBoard

ApplyBoard empowers students around the world to access the best education by simplifying the study abroad search, application, and acceptance process to more than 1,500 institutions across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. ApplyBoard, headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, has helped more than 300,000 students from more than 125 countries along their educational journeys since 2015. To learn more, visit: www.applyboard.com

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Alessandra Manieri
ApplyBoard
226 220 9826
alessandra.manieri@applyboard.com

Anaqua to Acquire Practice Insight to Round Out its Law Firm IP Management Solutions

Acquisition will enhance both AQX and PATTSY WAVE as IP practice management platforms for law firms by adding fully integrated IP time and billing capabilities

BOSTON, June 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anaqua, the leading global innovation and intellectual property (IP) management technology provider, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Practice Insight Pty Ltd, and its intelligent time capture software WiseTime, from IPH Limited.

In leveraging Practice Insight’s technology for integrated IP time and billing functionality, Anaqua continues its investment in both AQX® Law Firm and PATTSY WAVE® as end-to-end IP practice management solutions, while adding WiseTime, Practice Insight’s flagship autonomous time capture tool to its suite of standalone offerings.

“This acquisition underscores our steadfast commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the law firm market,” said Bob Romeo, CEO of Anaqua. “We have listened very carefully to practitioner feedback across the globe, and it is clear that law firms are seeking IP management solutions that offer advanced reporting and analytics, integrated document management, secure cloud hosting, collaborative client portals, intuitive user experience – and integrated time and billing. With the acquisition of Practice Insight, we will now have all of these features fully integrated into both AQX Law Firm and PATTSY WAVE.”

The Practice Insight team, led by co-founder and current CEO Thomas Haines, will maintain its footprint in Perth, Australia, joining Anaqua’s global R&D organization.

“Our companies share a deep passion for leveraging technology to drive efficiency within IP operations,” said Haines, a former practicing patent attorney, who will join Anaqua as Vice President and continue to lead the Practice Insight team. “We have quickly developed a strong rapport with the Anaqua team and look forward to joining the organization, as we execute against our shared vision for an end-to-end IPMS for law firms.”

“WiseTime’s service offering strongly aligns with Anaqua’s suite of IP management software and will provide the team growth opportunities,” said Andrew Blattman, IPH CEO and Managing Director. “We wish the team every future success as part of Anaqua.”

The transaction is conditional on regulatory approvals and other usual conditions and is expected to complete early in the third quarter.

About Anaqua
Anaqua, Inc. is a premium provider of integrated intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services for corporations and law firms. Its IP management software solutions, AQX and PATTSY WAVE, both offer best practice workflows with big data analytics and tech-enabled services to create an intelligent environment designed to inform IP strategy, enable IP decision-making, and streamline IP operations, tailored to each segment’s need. Today, nearly half of the top 100 U.S. patent filers and global brands, as well as a growing number of law firms worldwide use Anaqua’s solutions. Over one million IP executives, attorneys, paralegals, administrators, and innovators use the platform for their IP management needs. The company’s global operations are headquartered in Boston, with offices across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. For additional information, please visit anaqua.com, or on LinkedIn.

About WiseTime (also known as Practice Insight)
As a member of IPH, WiseTime (also known as Practice Insight) has been at the forefront of developing IP business intelligence software, including its flagship offering WiseTime, a seamless and automated timekeeping solution. For more information, please visit wisetime.com, or on LinkedIn.

About IPH Limited
IPH is the Asia Pacific’s leading intellectual property services group, comprising a network of member firms working in eight IP jurisdictions and servicing more than 25 countries. The group includes leading IP firms AJ Park, Applied Marks, Griffith Hack, Pizzeys and Spruson & Ferguson, and the autonomous timekeeping business, WiseTime, and employs more than 900 people working in Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand. For more information, visit IPH Limited, or on LinkedIn.

Company Contact:
Amanda Hollis
Director, Communications
Anaqua
617-375-5808
ahollis@Anaqua.com


Anaqua annonce l’acquisition de Practice Insight pour compléter ses solutions de gestion de la PI à destination des cabinets d’avocats

Cette acquisition viendra renforcer le positionnement d’AQX et PATTSY WAVE, les plateformes de gestion de la propriété intellectuelle à destination des cabinets d’avocats et conseils en propriété intellectuelle, en ajoutant des fonctionnalités de facturation du temps entièrement intégrées.

BOSTON, 22 juin 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anaqua, leader mondial de l’innovation et de la gestion de la propriété intellectuelle (PI), annonce aujourd’hui la conclusion d’un accord définitif pour l’acquisition de Practice Insight Pty Ltd, et de son logiciel de saisie intelligente du temps WiseTime, auprès de IPH Limited.

En s’appuyant sur la technologie de Practice Insight qui propose une fonctionnalité intégrée de facturation du temps passé aux activités de propriété intellectuelle, Anaqua continue d’investir dans AQX® Law Firm et PATTSY WAVE® pour en faire des solutions de gestion de cabinet conseils de bout en bout. WiseTime, l’outil phare de saisie du temps de travail de Practice Insight, viendra s’ajouter à la suite de logiciels indépendants d’Anaqua.

“Cette acquisition souligne notre volonté de répondre à l’évolution des besoins du marché des cabinets d’avocats et conseils”, a déclaré Bob Romeo, PDG d’Anaqua. “Nous avons écouté très attentivement les commentaires des professionnels à travers le monde, et il est clair que les cabinets recherchent des solutions de gestion de la PI capables d’offrir des outils de reporting et d’analyse avancés, une gestion intégrée des documents, un hébergement cloud sécurisé, des portails clients collaboratifs, une expérience utilisateur intuitive – et une facturation intégrée. Avec l’acquisition de Practice Insight, nous aurons désormais toutes ces fonctionnalités entièrement intégrées à la fois dans AQX Law Firm et PATTSY WAVE.”

L’équipe de Practice Insight, dirigée par le co-fondateur et actuel PDG Thomas Haines, maintiendra sa présence à Perth, Australie, et rejoindra l’organisation globale de R&D d’Anaqua.

“Nos sociétés partagent une passion profonde pour l’utilisation de la technologie afin d’améliorer l’efficacité des opérations de propriété intellectuelle”, a déclaré Haines, un ancien conseil en brevets, qui rejoindra Anaqua en tant que vice-président et continuera à diriger l’équipe Practice Insight.” Nous avons rapidement développé des liens étroits avec l’équipe d’Anaqua et nous sommes impatients de rejoindre l’organisation, pour développer notre vision commune d’un logiciel de gestion de la propriété intellectuelle de bout en bout pour les cabinets d’avocats et conseils.”

“L’offre de services de WiseTime s’aligne fortement avec la suite logicielle de gestion PI d’Anaqua et offrira à l’équipe des opportunités de croissance”, a déclaré Andrew Blattman, PDG et directeur général d’IPH. “Nous souhaitons à l’équipe beaucoup succès au sein d’Anaqua.”

Cette opération demeure soumise aux approbations réglementaires et autres conditions usuelles. Elle devrait être finalisée au début du troisième trimestre.

À propos d’Anaqua
Anaqua, Inc. est un fournisseur de premier plan de solutions et services technologiques intégrés de gestion de la propriété intellectuelle (PI). Ses logiciels, AQX et PATTSY WAVE, combinent les meilleurs outils pour définir une stratégie de propriété intellectuelle avisée. Ses technologies, qui reposent notamment sur des workflows et des capacités d’analyses avancés, offre un environnement de travail intelligent conçu pour une prendre de meilleures décisions et optimiser les opérations de PI. Aujourd’hui, près de la moitié des 100 premiers déposants de brevets américains et des marques mondiales, ainsi qu’un nombre croissant de cabinets de conseils dans le monde utilisent les solutions Anaqua. Plus d’un million de décideurs, avocats, parajuristes, gestionnaires et innovateurs utilisent la plateforme pour leurs besoins de gestion de la PI. Le siège de la société est situé à Boston, avec des bureaux aux Etats-Unis, en Europe et en Asie. Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez consulter le site anaqua.com, ou LinkedIn.

À propos de WiseTime (également connu sous le nom de Practice Insight)
En tant que membre de l’IPH, WiseTime (également connu sous le nom de Practice Insight) a été à l’avant-garde du développement de logiciels de veille économique dans le domaine de la propriété intellectuelle, y compris son offre phare WiseTime, une solution de comptabilisation du temps transparente et automatisée. Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter wisetime.com, ou LinkedIn.

À propos d’IPH Limited
IPH est le principal groupe de services de propriété intellectuelle de la région Asie-Pacifique. Il comprend un réseau de cabinets membres travaillant dans huit juridictions de propriété intellectuelle et desservant plus de 25 pays. Le groupe comprend les cabinets de propriété intellectuelle AJ Park, Applied Marks, Griffith Hack, Pizzeys et Spruson & Ferguson, ainsi que l’entreprise autonome de gestion du temps WiseTime, et emploie plus de 900 personnes en Australie, en Chine, dans la région administrative spéciale de Hong Kong, en Indonésie, en Malaisie, en Nouvelle-Zélande, à Singapour et en Thaïlande. Pour plus d’informations, visitez le site IPH Limited, ou LinkedIn.

Contact de la société :
Amanda Hollis
Directeur, Communications
Anaqua
+1-617-375-5808
ahollis@Anaqua.com

The Levers of Change: Gender Equality Attitudes Study 2022

UN Women Reveals Concerning Regression in Attitudes Towards Gender Roles During Pandemic in New Study

Findings of the 20-country study show attitudes towards gender roles have deteriorated amid COVID-19 as outdated social norms and stereotypes continue to hold society back from reaching gender equality.

Cannes, France, 20 June 2022 – UN Women and the Unstereotype Alliance, an industry-led coalition convened by UN Women to eradicate harmful stereotypes in advertising, today launched “The Levers of Change: Gender Equality Attitudes Study 2022, the latest iteration of a bi-annual global study that tracks attitudes towards gender. The 20-country-wide survey shows that some antiquated views of gender have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, developed under the leadership of UN Women in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, Kantar, Procter & Gamble and Unilever, examines perceptions across a multitude of areas including leadership and political participation, education, healthcare, the workplace, media representation, marriage and family life, safety and violence, and control over personal decisions. The results of the survey were revealed during the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, which has sharpened its focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion this year.

While the 20 surveyed countries saw some areas of improvement, the sobering findings demonstrate that discriminatory social norms continue to stifle progress. Overall, most respondents agree that gender equality in all areas is essential to their countries’ success (91%), yet attitudes towards domestic violence have slipped backwards and young men now hold some of the most regressive attitudes towards gender. Data from the survey also reflected the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the lives of women and girls in perceptions about gender roles, reinforcing trends of unpaid care responsibilities, gender pay gaps, and job segregation identified in other UN Women research.

Detailed breakouts by country along with additional context and perspective can be found in the full report available here. Some key findings include:

COVID-19 has set back attitudes towards domestic violence. 19% of all respondents believe that there are acceptable circumstances for someone to hit their spouse or partner—an increase of 2 percentage-points compared to 2018, most notably in India, Sweden and the United States.

Despite progress, women continue to face multiple barriers to political leadership and decision-making. 82% of respondents agree that having more opportunities for women in politics is important for their country’s success, an increase of 2 percentage points since 2018. However, 63% of respondents agree that it is easy for men to run for elected office and only 38% agree that it is easy for women to do the same.

Prevailing attitudes hamper progress for women in business and leadership positions. While 9 in 10 respondents agree that equal pay for equal work is important to their country’s future success, 52% of men aged 16-19 and 54% of men aged 20-34, agree that ‘women should work less and devote more time to caring for their family.’44% of all respondents agree that it is easy for women to be hired as skilled workers, while 57% believe that the same is true for men—a gender gap of 13 percentage points.

In times of hardship, gender attitudes and beliefs that drive people’s decisions can lead to reversals in the hard-won gains in gender equality. A surprising 25% of respondents agree that ‘in times of food shortages, priority should be given to men’, and 31% of respondents agree that ‘when jobs are scarce, men should have more right to a job than women’.

The media continues to portray traditional gender roles, particularly male roles. Respondents believe that the media portrays women and men in traditional roles and this perception has increased significantly since 2018. 68% of respondents believe that the media portrays women in traditional female roles, such as wives, mothers, or caregivers (+14 percentage points since 2018) and 72% of respondents believe the media represents men in conventional male roles, including as providers for the family, as leaders, or as businessmen (+20 percentage points since 2018).

Sima Bahous, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, said: “The study findings reiterate the urgency of addressing the social norms holding back women and girls. The positive attitudes towards opportunities for women in political leadership are welcome and much needed. However, the increase in acceptance of domestic violence, held in particular by young men, is deeply disturbing and an alarm bell for action. These findings show exactly why social norms are at the heart of our strategic plan for gender equality”.

Aline Santos, Chief Brand Officer & Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Unilever, said: “For those of us that work in ED&I we know that the work is never done, and the study results reflect this. Whilst over half of ads are now rated as progressive and marketers are confident in creating unstereotypical advertising, we are still at the halfway mark. The primary ingredient for progress is optimism – we must continue creating advertising that drives humanity forward and is a force for positive change”.

Caroline Frankum, CEO of Kantar’s Profiles Division, said: “For more than 50% of the world’s population, It is no longer sufficient to say that the arc of justice is long, but it bends towards justice. Steps must be taken across societies today to deliver a more equal world for women and girls. Our partnership with UN Women is one of our most important partnerships precisely because, in measuring the Gender equality gap, we inform the equality debate at the most crucial of times. COVID-19 has set back gender equality and societal attitudes towards domestic violence. Women must understand and demand their rights, and follow the inspiring examples set by young women aged under 20, who are unafraid to voice their demands. Men, of all ages, must discover the importance of allyship. Politicians must better protect and better promote women and girls’ rights, and hold those who seek to hold us back accountable“.

Across the study’s themes, attitudes towards gender equality vary vastly among the 20 countries. The findings aim to provide an evidence-based tool for decision-makers by highlighting locally nuanced beliefs and perceptions. The data can be leveraged by policymakers, advertisers and media owners, civil society organizations and more in their efforts to effectively address harmful gender stereotypes and the threats they pose to progress in their societies.

Source: UN Women

Time for a paradigm shift in Africa-Europe relations – ECOWAS chair

BRUSSELS, ECOWAS chair President Akufo-Addo of Ghana has called for an urgent rethink of the existing relations between Africa and Europe, noting that, the clear and present global dangers, cannot be resolved on the separate strength of the two continents, except by a combination of same.

Addressing his audience in Brussels, Belgium, at the 2022 edition of the “European Union Development Days Conference”, Akufo-Addo noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia invasion of Ukraine, has had and continues to affect several African and European countries negatively.

The ability to deal with these negative economic effects, according to Akufo-Addo, would require a joint and mutual effort between Africa and Europe.

“The combined effect of debt situation, rising interest rates, and rising cost of living are resulting in severe micro economic and financial instability”.

“What is clear is that the ensuing damage cannot be cured so easily with the limited physical tools at our disposal and national policy adjustments” Akufo-Addo said.

“The long standing relationship between Africa and Europe”, according to Akufo-Addo, which were founded “on tiers of blood, culture, geography and history should serve as a platform for enhanced cooperation between us (Africa and Europe)”.

“Indeed, no one needs to tell us that the issues of peace, progress and prosperity in Africa and Europe are deeply intertwined”.

“It presupposes that ensuring the development of Africa should be in our common interests” the President said.

“Now more than ever, strong partnership between Europe and Africa, re-enforced political dialogue and expanded cooperation in the fields of economic growth and international security are required” he added.

“We have to work together to achieve our goals including a fair, equitable process of energy transition which recognizes that the entire African continent is responsible for less than 4% global emissions and which safeguards the prospects of Africa’s development” Akufo-Addo further stated.

In his statement, the President welcomed the establishment of the €300-Billion-Euro global gateway package by the European Union.

He added that he is hopeful, the package will through innovative approaches, achieve its aim of boosting public and private investments infrastructure, digital transformation job creation, among others.

“It is for these reasons that the establishment of the €300-Billion-Euro global gateway package by the European Union, which aims to boost public and private investments in the areas on infrastructure, energy and green transition, digital transformation, growth and jobs, transport and human development over the next 7 years is very much welcomed” Akufo-Addo said.

“This package must be innovative in its approaches to infrastructure investments and financing and should be characterized by demand driven projects which deliver on Africa defined projects” he added.

The European Development Days (EDD) are Europe’s leading forum on international partnerships.

Organised by the European Commission, the forum brings key actors together to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

For its 15th edition, the EDD focused on “Global Gateway: building sustainable partnerships for a connected world.”

Global Gateway is the new European Strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport and strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.

It stands for sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet, to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from climate change and protecting the environment, to improving health security and boosting competitiveness and global supply chains.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

Aswan Forum Kicked Off In Egypt With Focus On Multidimensional Crises In Africa

CAIRO, The third Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, kicked off yesterday, with a focus on multiple crises faced by Africa, especially the food security, climate change and anti-terror fight.

UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, said in his video message to the forum, held in Egypt’s capital, Cairo that, “the people of Africa are facing unprecedented and multidimensional crises.”

The crises, Guterres said, include an economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic and deepened by the skyrocketing prices, caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a crisis of unequal access to vaccines, a financial crisis with countries unable to access debt relief, a crisis of instability, terrorism and conflict, as well as, a climate crisis.

Guterres added, the continent needs expanded access to financing and debt relief, so it can invest in job creation, poverty reduction, social protection, food security, and green growth, as the conflict in Ukraine, along with climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have affected it.

In his remarks, Egyptian President, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, highlighted the food crisis that Africa is experiencing and the serious repercussions it may have on the safety and stability of African communities, urging African countries to adopt a package of urgent and effective measures, in coordination with international partners and the international community.

“The challenges related to water scarcity and price hikes require us to find quick solutions to overcome this global crisis,” the president noted.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, told the gathering that, the AU has formulated a strategy to increase green areas and reduce emission of carbon, along with helping the less developed countries in increasing investments to achieve sustainable development.

The two-day forum is held in a hybrid format under the theme “Africa in an Era of Cascading Risks and Climate Vulnerability: Pathways for a Peaceful, Resilient and Sustainable Continent.”

With the participation of 900 representatives from 50 countries, the forum addresses a number of Africa’s priorities, including enhancing cooperation in combating terrorism, overcoming the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving food security, and advancing post-conflict reconstruction and development efforts, reported the Egyptian state-run Ahram newspaper.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK