The second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity kicked off in Montreal, Canada on Wednesday.
Under the theme of “Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth,” negotiators will set new targets and goals aimed at arresting the alarming destruction of nature due to human activity.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
LONDON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) — The adoption of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework is top of the agenda at a major upcoming United Nations conference as the world faces “the greatest loss of species on Earth since the dinosaurs’ demise.”
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), made the remarks ahead of the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) held from Dec. 7 to 19 in Montreal, Canada.
The CBD Secretariat said in a statement that COP15 in Montreal is expected to adopt a new global biodiversity framework with ambitious goals and specific action targets to achieve transformational change by the middle of the century.
The second phase of COP15 follows the first part held last year in Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, with the continued theme of “Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth.”
Mrema noted that as chair of COP15, China has made enormous efforts to consult counterparts globally, organizing various multilateral events and bilateral discussions to secure an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
by Maximilla Wafula
The African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC) has today held its fourth Permanent General Assembly (PGA) in Nairobi, Kenya. The General Assembly is to be attended by delegates representing Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from across member states of the AU.
The main purpose of the meeting is to usher in a new GA since the 3rd one in 2018.Since the establishment of the Secretariat, ECOSOCC has produced series of policy related documents, including an array of policy opinions and two policy booklets; and civil society toolkits to build the capacity of CSOs to operate effectively as strategic partners of the AU.
speaking during the event, Mr. William Carew, Head of Secretariat, AU ECOSOCC said that ECOSOCC has bolstered the ability of African CSOs to play an active role in charting the future of by giving them a platform to formally contribute to the principles, policies & programs of the AU.
“Be it conflict resolution, or matters of governance and democratic consolidation, and even in public health emergencies, the African civil society has established their significance as indispensable partners in the developmental processes of the continent.” Mr. Carew added.
Mr. Denise Kodhe, Outgoing Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC said CSOs are not enemies of governments but partners in development. Although we have a role to play as watchdogs, we are also champions of policy formulation of our governments…
“We (CSOs and government) need to work hand in hand as strategic partner.The 4th General Assembly of ECOSOCC being constituted today ensures that ECOSOCC continues to discharge and execute its mandate as per its statute.” He added.
Dr.Singoei Korir, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs said that ECOSOCC serves as important and focal interface between the African citizenry and the AU.
“Who is going to translate the AU’s vision, initiatives, policies and programs to citizens if not ECOSOCC via civil society? Your [CSOs] call is a great call and if you heed to it, there is so much work to be done and so much more to achieve.” He further stated
Kodhe said the importance of citizens participation in the development agenda of the African continent cannot be under-estimated, adding that decisions and policies of African leaders were of no use if their impact would not be felt by citizens at the grassroots, hence the establishment of ECOSOCC by the AU.
“As the outgoing Presiding Officer, I am confident and certain that the incoming leadership will be able to steer ECOSOCC to great heights. I wish to say election of the ECOSOCC leadership is done transparently and democratically giving every member an opportunity to elect leadership of their own choice,” he said.
By Fred Maingi
World Olympians Association(WOA) has promised to support Kenya Olympian Association (KOA) in their future engagements as a way of recognising Kenya Sports heroes.
The visiting Sandrine Billet who is the Olympic Development officer Africa,and a member from the World Olympian Association lauded Kenya for being a pacesetter and a game changer when it comes to sports especially Athletics.
“We are ready, added Billet, to support Kenya at all times, and especially at this time when you are trying to prepare to host a major event at the end of March”
During the occasion, Kenya entered into a partnership deal with WOA and the Emara hotel management.
Billet was subsequently presented with a glittering trophy as a symbol of partnership and the start of a new journey by KOA president Moses Tanui.
“Im delighted to be in Kenya for the first time. This occasion is historical not only for Kenya but the entire Olympian fraternity. We value Kenya as a great sporting country and we are ready to partner and work together as a family” she noted.
In his speech, Tanui confirmed that his Association has been registered and already they ave a certificate which they received a fortnight ago.
He added “This is a great moment for Kenya. We are now fully operational. We are now a registered Association with a board of 13 members and several professional volunteers.”
“We are now, added Tanui, calling upon members to register with the Association and get official recognition by receiving a special pin and certificate”
The KOA president who was flanked by his deputy Lydia Okech, events Director Delano Kiilu and top official/Cordinator Tobby Lyambila said service to Olympians is service to the society.
Tanui, on behalf of his members, lauded Billet for visiting Kenya for the first time adding that “We welcome her to enjoy the sights and sounds of our great country”
KOA deputy president Lydia Okech said the Association is planning to organise trainings,and seminar for their members,by teaching them on dangers emanating from dopping, drugs and how they can spend their money wisely among other issues “.
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) — A report examining contemporary Chinese outlook on human rights was released on Monday.
Jointly released by the China Foundation for Human Rights Development and the New China Research under Xinhua News Agency, the report said China’s outlook on human rights has been continuously enriched and improved in practice, with its own cognitive perspective and ideological connotation based on the actual conditions of the country.
It has formed a contemporary Chinese outlook on human rights with “people” as the center, “development” as the driving force and “a life of contentment” as the goal, read the report titled “For a Life of Contentment — The Rationale for China’s Human Rights Development.”
Noting that human rights protection in China means concrete actions, rather than lip service, the report said the country has made achievements step by step, raising the living standards of its people from poverty to bare subsistence, and from moderate prosperity in general to moderate prosperity in all aspects.
Embarking on a journey toward a higher goal of common prosperity, China is committed to providing a “happy and dignified life for some one-fifth of the world’s population,” said the report.
China’s novel ideas, measures and practices in terms of how to respect and protect human rights may also offer inspiration for the rest of the world, especially for developing countries, noted the report.
It attributed China’s success in promoting human rights protection to the determined leadership of the Communist Party of China, down-to-earth approach, being development-oriented, legal guidance, and open-mindedness.
China advocates enhanced exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, addressing the “governance deficit” of human rights, promoting fairer, more equitable, reasonable and inclusive global governance of human rights, and working together to build a human community with a shared future.
https://english.news.cn/20221205/be1e99b6c871492cbd50cc7bfebe9289/c.html
By Fred Maingi
The wildlife Industry got a massive relief after five Mountain Bongos were released into the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary for rewilding at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy .
This brings total number of the Mountain Bongos released into the sanctuary to 10.
The Local Kenyan rewilding programme, according to stakeholders, is on track to have re- introduced 40-50 fully rewilded Mountain Bongos by 2025.
In addition, Five more critically endangered Mountain Bongos have been successfully released into the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary.
In March 2022, the first five mountain bongos to have ever been rewilded were successfully released into the sanctuary. The new release brings the total number of rewilded Bongos in 2022 to 10.
The Bongos were released between Friday 25th November and Thursday 1st December, in an intricate procedure that involved selection, capture and translocation, and post-release monitoring to ensure their safe welfare in this sanctuary.
Rewilding is a process of providing suitable conditions that allow the wildlife originally under human care or degrade to regain their wild instincts (for animals) or for an area to regain its natural vegetation cover through succession. Therefore, translocation is a step to rewild, but does not necessarily mean that animals translocated have been rewilded till they completely regain their wild instincts for free survival.
Since the release of five Bongos in March 2022, the sanctuary has already registered one wild bongo birth providing further incentive that the first animals have fully settled in their new home in the wild since the programme began –
The translocation was overseen by Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC), in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), who are the government agency supporting the Mountain Bongo Breeding and Rewilding programme.
In line with the Government of Kenya’s Mountain Bongo National Recovery and Action Plan (2019-2023). According to last year’s National Wildlife Census in Kenya, less than 100 Mountain Bongos are left living naturally in the wild.
The International Union of Nature action is taken to address these threats.
The Mountain Bongo is associated with the montane forests in the Kenya highlands and is recorded to have become extinct in Kenya in 1995; critically endangered.
Through the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy’s dedicated conservation work spanning over two decades, Kenya now provides global] leadership in efforts to prevent the extinction of this special antelope. This entails, among other activities, ecosystem restoration work in close
Dr Isaac Lekolool, Head Veterinary Services at KWS, said
“At Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, we have the Bongo program. Currently we are doing the Bongo rehabilitation having set up the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary which was officially launched in the year 2022. For this program we are trying to see how to rewild the semi-captive Mountain Bongo which currently exist within MKWC.
“We currently have 10 Bongos within the Sanctuary and our plan is to introduce 5 individuals after every 6 months until we get a good population in the rewilding Sanctuary.*
“We have teams that are well trained, and we have set up camera traps to do remote monitoring so that we don’t interfere with the animal’s natural movements to monitor these animals are doing well after translocation” he noted.
Ends.
By Fred Maingi
The Tobacco control & health promotion Alliance has expressed fear that the number of Kenyans killed by Tobacco through cancer related disease is increasing at an alarming rate.
Joel Gitali, chairman of the Tobacco Control Alliance & Health lauded the Government for banning consumption of Shisha in 2017 but felt the vice is still rampant in some isolated pubs.
He said Kenya is set to lose all the gains of fighting cancer & related disease if remedial measures are not taken by stakeholders to tackle the vice.
Addressing the media at a Nairobi hotel, Gitali flanked by several stakeholders in the Industry, said the fight against Tobacco menace must be taken seriously. He lauded president Dr. William Ruto for showing concern and highlighting the dangers posed by overdrinking.
“Lets support the president,we know he means well for us, “
“When President William Ruto took the oath
of office on September 13,Gitali added, he promised Kenyans the highest
standards of health.
We intend to give full support to the President and his government
to make this a reality.”
“However, he added, we are concerned because despite the promise by the
President, it is likely the number of Kenyans killed by tobacco
through diseases such as cancer will increase.
By the end of this year, exposure to tobacco smoke and other
tobacco products will have killed more than 9,000 Kenyans.
At least 40,000 Kenyans will have been diagnosed with various
forms of cancer, many of them caused by tobacco use. These
estimates come from Kenya’s Ministry of Health and have been
ratified by the World Health Organization.
Ladies and gentlemen, these deaths are preventable.
The country began efforts to fight tobacco use 30 years ago in 1992
when Kenya first participated in the World No Tobacco Day
campaigns. The first tobacco control bill was drafted in 1998.
In 2004, Kenya made history by being the second country (after
Norway) in the world to sign and ratify the WHO Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control on the same day.
After that, Kenya passed the Tobacco Control Act in 2000 “he noted.
Leading ICT and biometric giant, Smart Applications International Ltd, fondly known as, Smart, today launched a virtual mode of medical access, aimed at enhancing patient experience, providing health on-the-go, and providing instant onboarding support to medical insurers, for enhanced provider transparency in healthcare administration.
The virtual access will be available on both a newly developed app dubbed Smart Access and through the short code *891# for Safaricom subscribers.
Smart has been providing biometric smart cards to all its clientele as the mode of identification for access to medical services installed in over 6,000 healthcare facilities across Africa. With the growing adoption of mobile technology globally the Smart Access will be a timely upgrade from physical biometric smart cards to virtual access.
Through the app, patients will be able to access healthcare insurance, view utilisation of their covers instantly, read informational articles about their health, and geolocate their healthcare providers of choice at the tap of their screens. This service will be available in the 11 countries that Smart currently operates in.
Speaking during the launch, Smart Applications International, Managing Director, Mr. Harrison Muiru, noted that, “millions of Smart customers will now be able to use virtual access to pay for services across all lines of healthcare. We are cognizant of creating transformative patient centric solutions that address current needs in such economic times”.
Mr. Muiru further noted, “Our team has worked on the Smart Access App to ensure that this unique and comprehensive solution offers accurate users an opportunity to manage access health education on various topics of interest, check for closest medical providers with specified services These features will go a long way in the promotion of trust within the healthcare ecosystem”.
“With our newly launched app, a customer traveling through the 11 countries covered by Smart can access healthcare by using the app across all lines of healthcare without having to worry about pre-authorization or even coverage,” said Esther Muiruri, Sales & Marketing Director, Smart Applications International. Smart Applications is committed towards pioneering digitization across Africa and beyond through provision of World Class Technology Solutions
By Fred Maingi
Football fans will get a rare treat after Chumz, a mobile app came up with a plan that will enable football fans to save money incase their team win, lose or draw. during the ongoing World Cup.
The App will allow Kenyans to invest as little as Ksh 5. The App launched comprise of in-app feature that will enable football fans save money while cheering on their favorite teams.
Dubbed #SuperFans Challenge, football fans can decide what amount of money they want to save should the team they are supporting win, lose or draw throughout the World Cup and Premier League season.
“We are excited to launch this functionality in the Chumz App especially around this time when the World Cup is ongoing and people are investing more time and money to follow the world’s biggest sports event,” noted Samuel Njuguna, CEO of Moneto Ventures Ltd, Chumz App developers.
“As part of discouraging consumerism and encouraging a saving and investment culture especially among the youth, we are challenging Kenyans to enjoy the game but also save a dedicated amount of money on the Chumz app which will earn them interest whilst creating lasting memories,” he added.
The launch comes in the midst of the ongoing Fifa World Cup which is being watched by billions of people across the world.
Teams that have already qualified for the round include African champions Senegal, reigning World Cup champions France, record winners Brazil, European champions Portugal as well as England and the Netherlands. African teams are still in with a shout with Ghana and Morocco placed second in their groups while Cameroon will advance to the knockout stages should they win their final group encounter against Brazil.
“We are rooting for our African brothers and hoping they go far. We hope Kenya will get there some day but until then, we want help put down an efficient saving structure for sports lovers,” said Njuguna.
The Chumz App allows anyone with a mobile money account to be able to create financial goals as an individual or as a group, invest their money towards the goals, and to track progress and earn interest.
