Better use of scarce water key to Middle East’s future: World Bank

Political stability and economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa could hinge on better management of scarce water resources, the World Bank said in a report released Tuesday. With poor access to water and poor sanitation, the region is suffering annual economic losses of as much as $21 billion, according to the report, published to coincide with the global ‘Water Week’ events which opened Monday in Stockholm focusing on innovative solutions for these issues. Water crisis may soon hit major Pakistan cities The estimate reflects costs from health care and lost productivity due…

UN envoy to Libya met HoR Speaker before his first Security Council report

The UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, arrived on Monday in Gubba district in east Libya and met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Aqilah Saleh. According to the Facebook page of the UNSMIL, Salame met with Saleh for two hours and exchanged ideas about the most vital solutions to Libya’s political crisis. “It was very significant to meet Saleh before giving my first report to the UN Security Council Monday evening and to congratulate Libyans on the coming of Eid Al-Adha.” Salame indicated. In the last…

Perenco takes half of Serept, Ashtart off Tunisia from OMV

Austria-based OMV has divested its 50 per cent stake in the offshore Ashtart oil field, located in the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia, and another 50 per cent stake in the Tunisian oil and gas company Serept to the Anglo-French petroleum company Perenco. With the move, Perenco will be jointly holding its stakes with the Tunisian national oil company, ETAP, who owns the remaining 50 per cent stake in Serept and Ashtart. OMV’s decision of divestment of Ashtart and Serept comes in line with the company’s strategy to optimise its…

After Morocco, Tunisia Looks to Join ECOWAS

Tunisia is following in the footsteps of Morocco, setting its sights on joining the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The announcement was made on August 22 by the Tunisian Head of Government Youssef Chahed during the Tunisian africain empowerment. According to the French magazine Jeune Afrique, ECOWAS is due to decide on whether to accept Tunisia’s membership during the organization’s conference in Lomé, Togo, scheduled for December. The event will mark the participation of Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi. During the regional African bloc’s recent conference in Monrovia,…

Joint anti Xylella plan bears first fruit

The technical cooperation programme launched in Tunisia in 2016 to combat the introduction and spread of the fatal Xylella fastidiosa bacteria affecting olive trees in North Africa and the Middle East is bearing fruit, but more needs to be done. Specifically, cooperation needs to be improved among affected countries and laws regulating imports of plant species and products need to be more strictly applied, according to a seminar organised in Tunis by the secretariat of the International Convention for the protection of plant species and the FAO regional office. Tunisia,…

G20 commits to Africa Partnership

In a recently concluded G20 meeting held in Hamburg, Germany, the world leaders vowed, among others, to commit to Africa Partnership. This was in a bid to recognise the opportunities and challenges in African countries as well as the goals of the 2030 Agenda. This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. It seeks to stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet. Africa, as a continent, is an integral part of the Agenda. An…

Arab films explore gender themes in festival return to Canberra

The 14th annual Arab Film Festival Australia (AFFA) returns to Canberra on September 1-2, focusing on gender themes with an impressive program of four features and four short films. AFFA will screen films from Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Tunisia and Australia, shining a light on the lives of generations of Arab women and how they navigate and overcome modern day prejudice.  The festival will also feature films that take an in-depth look at the lives of young men and how they battle with expectations of masculinity in today’s society. The 2017 Arab…

Tunisia: Dispute Between Parties Delays Ministerial Amendment

Tunisia- Stances expressed by Ennahdha Party and Al Nidaa Party have revealed a huge difference in points of view towards the ministerial amendment that was announced by Prime Minister of Tunisia Yousef El-Shahed, before he delayed its implementation later on. The ministerial amendment has been proposed since April when Shahed dismissed ministers of education, finance and investment. Reliable sources stated that Shahed hasn’t yet finalized the ideal figures to replace the three sacked ministers because of the considerable number of candidacies and pressure from opposition parties. Points of views regarding…

The 2030 goal to see world free from legislation that discriminates against women

Citizen activism is seeing ‘marry your rapist’ laws disappearing, finally. But laws protecting perpetrators of rape are still in place all over the world, writes Janelle Weissman from UN Women National Committee Australia There is a movement afoot. People all across the globe are vocally and visibly opposing laws that for too long have kept women from justice. The notorious ‘marry your rapist’ laws are toppling, because of citizen activism, government action, UN Women coordination and global voices speaking out. Wind back the clock. In 2012, Amina al-Filali was raped. Seven…

Libyan PM visit Khartoum to agree strategy amid border tensions

Libya’s Prime Minister, Fayez Al-Sarraj visits Khartoum today for talks with his Sudanese counterpart, Omar Al-Bashir aimed at reducing the presence of armed rebels groups on the joint border, the Sudan Media Centre (SMC) reported. The head of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) previously cancelled a visit in March after clashes between his government’s army and local militia in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Al-Sarraj’s two-day visit is expected to focus on political, military and security co-operation following an attack in May when Sudanese rebels staged an armed…