Afrique

BERICHT on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on promoting transnational governance on water in the interests of conflict prevention and peace
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Leoluca Orlando

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Une gouverneure derrière les barreaux, un ancien président du parlement en cavale, un successeur démissionnaire et des élections introuvables : la Gagaouzie, région autonome du sud de la Moldavie, est plongée dans une crise dont la Russie pourrait tirer profit.

- Articles / Une - Diaporama, Courrier des Balkans, Transnistrie, Moldavie, Politique, Relations internationales

Tout porte à croire que, au-delà du spectacle footballistique, cette Coupe du monde gigantesque restera dans les mémoires comme l'une des plus controversées de l'histoire.

An aerial view of a beach with a ferris wheel, Ain Dubai, Bluewaters, Dubai, UAE. Credit: Unsplash/Nelemson Guevarra

By Maximilian Malawista
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 12 2026 (IPS)

The global ocean economy continues its expansion, with ocean-related trade reaching USD 2.5 trillion as of 2025. Ocean services now make up the majority of the ocean trade, accounting for 58.9 percent of the composition, up from 47.8 percent in 2020.

Ocean services alone are now valued at USD 1.44 trillion dollars, an increase of USD 1.2 trillion since 2020; a rate greater than the entire global ocean trade in 2020. While 2020 was a year filled with disruptions, economies contracting, and consumer smoothing, this number is an increase of USD 476 billion dollars since 2015, a 49.5 percent growth from 2015, where the ocean services trade generated USD 961 billion.

“The ocean economy is expanding rapidly across sectors such as aquaculture, tourism, and shipping. While this growth is vital for food security, employment, and economic development, it’s increasingly constrained by the declining health of the ocean,” said Rafael González Quiroz, co-director of the United Nations ‘Third World Ocean Assessment’ and director of Spain’s Oceanographic center of Gijón (IEO-CSIC), during a press briefing held on World Ocean Day (June 8).

The UN World Ocean Assessment is a global integrated assessment of the world’s ocean following environmental, economic and social aspects, with interdisciplinary inputs from more than 650 experts to provide scientific basis for the consideration of ocean issues by governments and policy makers, among other stakeholders involved in the regulation and protection of the ocean.

Quiroz’s assessment reflect the broader expansion and changes within the ocean economy, where services have an increasingly dominant role in the global ocean economy. The strongest example of such is the recovery of marine and coastal tourism, which has turned sharply since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Credit: IPS/Maximilian Malawista

Today, marine and coastal tourism now accounts for 32 percent of global ocean trade, up from 16 percent in 2020. 32 percent representing USD 785 billion, over half of all ocean services trade. Maritime freight transport remains the second highest, at roughly USD 487 billion or 20 percent of total ocean trade. Quiroz emphasized that a “sustainable ocean economy can only exist if it’s built upon a healthy and resilient ocean”.

One of the key challenges highlighted during the briefing was marine pollution, especially plastics. Within global plastics trade, only 10 percent of all plastics are recycled. 52 million tonnes of such plastic waste every year enters the ocean, which the United Nations states is affecting at least 4,000 marine species.

In response, the international community has spent the past six years working on negotiating a “global plastics treaty”, an agreement which would put a ceiling on plastic production, and limit the USD 1.1 trillion dollar industry, ensuring waste management standards, recycling requirements, and creating market space for sustainable alternatives.

Achieving this may require changes to global trade incentives. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) finds that “the key barrier is an uneven national and trade policy field.”

According to UNCTAD, tariffs on plastics have fallen from 34 percent to 7.2 percent over the past 3 decades, giving plastic producers a larger incentive to keep making more plastic. While plastic tariffs have decreased, alternatives to plastics like bamboo, natural fibers, paper, and seaweed have had tariffs double to the rate of 14.4 percent. As a result of such tariffs, conventional plastics remain the cheaper option for manufacturers.

However, recent volatility in the energy markets stemming from the current Strait of Hormuz crisis has increased the cost of plastic production. Reports from UNCTAD show that because plastics are approximately 98 percent derived from fossil fuels, the cost of plastic prices has risen 70-80 percent in the European markets. This market shock could open the door for sustainable alternatives, giving real reason for companies to develop products free of polyethylene resin and other plastics, further developing the sustainable alternatives industry.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 15 – 18 June plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 15 – 18 June plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 15 – 18 June plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Geldregen in Wimbledon: Das legendäre Tennisturnier schüttet 2026 ein Rekordpreisgeld von 74 Mio. Euro aus – 20 Prozent mehr als im Vorjahr. Während die Einzel-Sieger jeweils 4,17 Millionen Euro einsacken, bringt selbst das Aus in der 1. Runde noch stolze 93'000 Euro.

Ein Auto mit ausländischen Kontrollschildern geriet in der Nacht auf Freitag auf der Axenstrasse bei Sisikon UR in Brand. Eine Person starb noch am Unfallort. Die Strasse blieb vier Stunden gesperrt.

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Une - Diaporama, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Une - Diaporama, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Une - Diaporama, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Une - Diaporama, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Une - Diaporama, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Une - Diaporama, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Une - Diaporama - En premier, Une - Diaporama, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Data cables connected on network switches in a computer server room. Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash Credit: Africa Renewal

By United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 12 2026 (IPS)

African leaders are sharpening their focus on digital sovereignty, warning that the continent’s economic future will depend not just on connectivity, but on who controls its data—and where it is stored.

At a high-level roundtable during the 58th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of Ministers, held in Tangiers, Morocco, in April 2026, policymakers and technology leaders signaled a decisive shift in Africa’s digital ambitions: from being consumers of technology to becoming architects of their own digital infrastructure and data ecosystems.

Central to this shift is the idea of “sovereign data”—ensuring that African data is stored, processed and governed within the continent.

Participants emphasized that digital independence is no longer optional; it is a prerequisite for economic security and national resilience.

“Digital public infrastructure is as vital today as electricity,” said Américo Muchanga, Mozambique’s Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation. But, he added, infrastructure alone is not enough. Governments must now decide how to classify and manage their data—what remains within national borders, and what can be shared—so that its value benefits African economies.

Beyond infrastructure: entering the “age of intelligence”

For years, Africa’s digital agenda has focused on expanding connectivity—laying fiber, increasing mobile access, and building platforms for public services. While that remains essential, leaders say the conversation must evolve.

Digital public infrastructure (DPI), often described as the “rails” of the digital economy, must now carry something more valuable: intelligence.

As artificial intelligence reshapes economies globally, Africa faces a critical question—will it simply adopt external systems, or build its own?

“Africa must prioritize local data processing and systems that reflect its realities,” said Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology. He warned that relying on imported models risks entrenching systems that do not capture African languages, contexts or economic needs.

The solution, participants argued, lies in investing in local talent and capabilities—from data science to AI model training—so that innovation is grounded in African realities.

Building the backbone: data centres and “AI factories”

A recurring theme was the urgent need for infrastructure that can support this transition. Data centres—described as the backbone of the digital economy—remain in short supply.

“Africa needs to increase its data centre capacity tenfold,” said Adil El Youssefi, CEO of Africa Data Centres at Cassava Technologies.

Currently, the continent generates less than 1% of global data despite accounting for nearly 20% of the world’s population.

To bridge this gap, participants called for the development of “AI factories”—facilities capable of storing and processing large volumes of data locally. These would not only support AI development but also ensure that the economic value derived from data remains within Africa.

However, such investments require reliable and affordable energy, as well as long-term financing—two persistent challenges across the continent.

A new model: data embassies and regional cooperation

Among the more innovative ideas discussed was the concept of “data embassies”—shared infrastructure that allows countries to store data securely across borders while maintaining sovereignty.

This model, participants said, could help smaller economies overcome the high costs of building standalone data infrastructure, while strengthening regional integration.

It also reflects a broader push toward collaboration.

Pius Chaya, Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Planning and Investment, stressed the need for strong public-private partnerships, underpinned by robust cybersecurity and data protection frameworks.

Without trust, he noted, digital systems cannot scale.

From policy to execution

While Africa has made strides in developing digital strategies, leaders acknowledged a familiar challenge: implementation.

Ndaba Gaolathe, Vice President and Finance Minister of Botswana, pointed to a gap between policy ambition and real-world impact. Botswana, he said, is addressing this by using a universal service fund—financed through a levy on mobile operators—to expand connectivity to underserved communities.

“The time for planning alone is over,” he said. “We must now focus on execution.”

This call for “mega execution” reflects a growing urgency to translate strategies into tangible benefits—jobs, services, and economic growth.

Inclusion and measurement

Despite progress, nearly one billion Africans remain offline, even in areas with mobile coverage. Industry representatives, including the GSMA, urged governments to remove taxes on mobile devices to make digital access more affordable.

At the same time, measuring the economic impact of digital transformation remains a challenge.

“If we cannot measure the contribution of technology to GDP, we cannot monetize it,” said Claver Gatete, UNECA’s Executive Secretary. Strengthening national statistical systems, he added, is essential for evidence-based policymaking and accountability.

A defining moment

As Africa accelerates its digital transformation, the stakes are becoming clearer. Data is no longer just a byproduct of the digital economy—it is its most valuable asset.

The discussions in Tangier point to a continent at a crossroads: one that must decide whether to remain a consumer in the global digital order, or to assert control over its data, technologies and economic destiny.

The message from leaders was unmistakable—Africa’s digital future must be built in Africa, and for Africa.

Source: Africa Renewal, United Nations

IPS UN Bureau

 

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Excerpt:

From data embassies to AI “factories,” policymakers say control over data will define the continent’s economic future.

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Morocco forward Abde Ezzalzouli and defender Nayef Aguerd withdraw from their squad because of injury, two days before their World Cup opener against Brazil.