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Nicht zuletzt aus Zeit- und Kapazitätsgründen kommen Managementaufgaben wie die Beobachtung von Wettbewerbern in kleinen Betrieben oft zu kurz – DIW-Studie zeigt, dass dadurch Produktivitätspotenzial brach liegt – Wirtschaftsverbände und -kammern sollten gezieltere Schulungs- und ...

Le président élu Karol Nawrocki est au cœur d’un différend avec le parti Droit et Justice (PiS), qui l’a soutenu durant la campagne. Le point de friction porte sur la composition de son futur cabinet présidentiel.

The post Pologne : premières tensions entre le nouveau président et le PiS appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Durant sa présidence du Conseil de l’UE, le Danemark souhaite éviter les sujets qui divisent. Le ministre danois de l’Agriculture, Jacob Jensen, a confié à Euractiv que son pays ne comptait pas s’engager dans les controverses autour de la viande artificielle ou la prochaine Politique agricole commune.

The post Viande artificielle, PAC : durant sa présidence du Conseil, le Danemark veut éviter les sujets qui fâchent appeared first on Euractiv FR.

In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about a divisive post-Qatargate lobbying crackdown, NATO scrambles to appease Trump, and so much more.

Contre l'avis du Conseil pour l'égalité et malgré les protestations de la communauté juive locale, le gouvernement libéral de Dorin Recean refuse de changer le titre du manuel d'histoire de terminale intitulé "Histoire des Roumains et universelle".

- Articles / Courrier des Balkans, Moldavie, Culture et éducation, manuels scolaires, Minorités Moldavie, Roumanie-Moldavie : gel, dégel et regel des relations bilatérales

Le ministre de l'Intérieur du Kosovo a émis un mandat d'arrêt contre le président du parti Démocratie serbe, Aleksandar Arsenijević. Le jeune politicien, poil-à-gratter pour Pristina comme pour Belgrade, dénonce un « complot » et « une persécution politique » orchestrés par le gouvernement d'Albin Kurti.

- Le fil de l'Info / Courrier des Balkans, Kosovo, Tensions Nord Kosovo, Populations, minorités et migrations, Défense, police et justice

Le ministre de l'Intérieur du Kosovo a émis un mandat d'arrêt contre le président du parti Démocratie serbe, Aleksandar Arsenijević. Le jeune politicien, poil-à-gratter pour Pristina comme pour Belgrade, dénonce un « complot » et « une persécution politique » orchestrés par le gouvernement d'Albin Kurti.

- Le fil de l'Info / Courrier des Balkans, Kosovo, Une - Diaporama, Tensions Nord Kosovo, Populations, minorités et migrations, Défense, police et justice, Une - Diaporama - En premier

Nawrocki’s resistance to appointing PiS heavyweight Przemysław Czarnek as top aide signals early friction between the president-elect and the party that backed him.

PSD's legal battle with Brussels has taken on broader significance – with the NGO claiming they were 'used' to cover up political failings.

Americas Teledyne FLIR Defense’s Black Hornet 4 drone has been approved for the US military’s Blue UAS List after meeting cybersecurity requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act and passing verification by the Defense Innovation Unit. The listing grants Authority to Operate and allows government agencies to deploy the system for official use. Middle East & Africa There is speculation that Iran might be closing the world’s busiest oil shipping channel, the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, and its most vital oil transit choke point. Bounded to the north by Iran and to the south by Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the corridor – which is only about 50km (31 miles) wide at its entrance and exit, and about 33km wide at its narrowest point – connects the Gulf with the Arabian Sea. Europe As part of a large-scale security and modernization campaign sparked by the invasion of Ukraine, the Estonian government is moving to set up and deploy a “drone wall” across its entire eastern border with Russia by the end of 2027.This massive, in-the-works fortification will include a combination of surveillance assets, multilayer sensors, countermeasure platforms, […]

Facing legal backlash and fears for endangered birds, Slovakia has pulled the plug on its High Tatras zoning plan.

Ongoing negotiations at Bonn, Germany, during the ongoing SB62. Credit: UNFCCC

By Umar Manzoor Shah
SRINAGAR & BONN, Jun 25 2025 (IPS)

A packed conference room buzzing with the energy of over 300 national experts, negotiators, and implementers discussed their submissions of the First Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) during the 62nd session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SB62) negotiations taking place in Bonn, Germany.

The workshop was convened as part of the ongoing SB62 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and was being held at a crucial time for global climate governance, providing a rare and vital platform for countries to exchange honest reflections on their first forays into enhanced climate transparency.

Daniele Violetti, Senior Director at the UNFCCC, while offering a snapshot of global progress, said, “As of today, 103 Biennial Transparency Reports have been submitted, of which 67 are from developing countries, including 15 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).”

The reports, which were due in December last year under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework, aim to enhance transparency and build trust among parties to the UNFCCC by providing a regular update on progress towards climate goals.

He lauded the extensive support provided through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other agencies, noting, “We at the UNFCCC Secretariat remain fully committed to collaborating with partners and enhancing the capacity of developing countries.”

Over the past five months, the Secretariat convened 17 country support events attended by 319 national experts and 11 sub-regional and regional workshops with 373 experts from 112 developing countries. Additionally, 1,700 review experts were certified under the BTR Technical Expert Review Training Program.

“This is a meaningful and valuable learning experience under the Paris Agreement,” Violetti said, stressing the importance of “reflection and mutual learning” to build “stronger national transparency systems that will serve countries well beyond this reporting cycle.”

The workshop’s agenda moved from introductory remarks to a series of concise presentations by key implementing agencies: the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Conservation International (CI), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Esteban Bermudez Forn, Climate Change Specialist from the GEF stated that the Facility has supported the preparation of 163 BTRs in 111 countries, including multiple reports from countries advancing to their second and third BTRs. “We encourage countries to see GEF support as a savings account—prepare your BTR, but also request access to ensure you have resources available when you need them,” he advised.

Highlighting  the continued availability of funds, Forn  said, “We still have USD 92 million available under the current replenishment cycle. Please, if you haven’t requested support from the GEF, do it as soon as possible before the replenishment cycle ends.”

Ricardo Urlate of Conservation International spotlighted the importance of nurturing local talent, referencing a project in Rwanda that partners the government with academia. “Normally, there is a big dependency on external experts—very expensive experts from outside—and this is something that cannot continue if countries want to be more efficient and engaged,” he warned.

Through the Evidence-Based Climate Reporting Initiative, Rwanda’s Environmental Management Authority and the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences trained over 50 staff in data analysis, climate modeling, and greenhouse gas inventories. Ricardo emphasized, “The important thing is that there are a lot of options… to identify at the country level which is the one that better fits their own needs and priorities.”

CI also highlighted a sub-regional project with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which aims to build capacity for enhanced transparency across member countries. “Reporting and transparency are two of the key elements they are supporting,” Ricardo said, pointing to the value of regional approaches.

FAO’s Marcel Bernhofs drew attention to a persistent challenge: finding appropriate executing agencies with the managerial capacity to lead projects. “This gap can create bottlenecks and delay implementation, slowing down the preparation and submission of funding requests,” he observed.

FAO’s approach emphasizes on-the-ground engagement, leveraging regional and national teams. Their Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) and Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) project, for example, “provides easy-to-access and knowledgeable technical experts” and focuses on supporting agriculture and land use sectors—areas that are “not easy, where we are really struggling quite a lot to do a good job,” Marcel acknowledged.

Marcel also stressed the importance of language accessibility: “Sometimes working in English is fine, but we also need, when we enter the detail and close discussion, to use the national languages.” FAO’s capacity-building activities, including a recent forest monitoring course in three languages, supported 2,500 participants from 141 countries.

The Value of Timely Technical Assistance

Richmond Azee from UNDP shared practical lessons on the importance of selecting the right executing partners and providing timely technical assistance. “Never let [countries] work alone on the BTRs but be ready beside them with some resources… to provide technical assistance as soon as possible and as needed to unlock some issues and overcome some challenges,” he advised.

He cited Guinea-Bissau’s experience aligning multiple reporting requirements and Niger’s successful correction of technical errors in their submission, both facilitated by UNDP’s hands-on support. “As a result, Guinea-Bissau, an LDC, submitted its BTR before December 2024… and Niger submitted on time, enhancing their understanding for the next cycle of BTRs.”

Funding Modalities and Sustainability Susanne Lecoyote, dialing in from UNEP, addressed the evolving funding modalities.

“Out of the total 111 countries that have accessed funding so far for BTRs, UNEP has supported 66,” she stated, describing how diverse modalities—such as bundled projects—help tailor support and ensure continuity for countries as they move through reporting cycles.

Susanne explained the streamlined approval process for expedited funding, typically taking just three to four months. She encouraged project coordinators to “be flexible to start preparing proposals while you are concluding your reports… do not mind about the technical review comments, because when they come in, we will provide a room for you to make amendments if needed.”

UNEP’s CBIT-GSP (Global Support Program) is a hub of collaboration, she said, “working closely with the Consultative Group of Experts, Climate Promise, Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC), Implementation and Coordination of Agricultural Research & Training (ICART) and many other initiatives to make sure that transparency-related services are provided to all countries, irrespective of whether they are supported by UNEP or other agencies.”

National Ownership and the Importance of Coordination

Rajan Dhappa from WWF shared Nepal’s experience, celebrating the country’s recent submission of its first BTR and its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), making Nepal the first in South Asia to do so.

“We tried our best to submit the document with the best available data and information. But BTR is a time-taking process; it requires coordination among agencies and also the technical and financial support,” he reflected.

He stressed the centrality of government ownership: “If there is a high level of ownership and if they tend to implement such projects… then every project gets a success result or every project receives its intended goal on time.”

Nepal’s work on establishing a national Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) mechanism is expected to pay dividends for future reporting.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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A new solar power plant at Africa University in eastern Zimbabwe. Credit: Farai Shawn Matiashe/IPS

By Farai Shawn Matiashe
MUTARE, Zimbabwe, Jun 25 2025 (IPS)

When load shedding was introduced over the past two years, Jose Tenete Domingos Lumboa had to deal with learning disruptions worsened by the backup generators in the eastern part of Zimbabwe.

Apart from the noise and air pollution from the diesel-powered generators, the backup system did not run the whole night.

“It was disruptive,” says the 26-year-old from Angola, who is studying Education at Africa University, a United Methodist Church-related institution.

“You have an assignment due and you are still researching online and if the electricity goes off, you cannot meet the deadline.”

Lumboa is lucky not to have missed the deadline for any of his assignments, but most of his fellow students have been missing deadlines due to rolling power cuts.

Students Jose Tenete Domingos Lumboa and Maria Kwikiriza at Africa University in eastern Zimbabwe. Credit: Farai Shawn Matiashe/IPS

A new solar mini-grid at AU, just outside Zimbabwe’s third-largest city of Mutare, is changing the lives of students like Lumboa.

The 250 kilowatt solar power plant, officially commissioned on 6 June, has 590 solar panels, a 250 kilovolt inverter system and a 600 kilowatt-hour battery bank.

The lithium batteries have a lifespan of 25 years.

The system is providing uninterrupted power to the AU’s main campus, including student hostels and laboratories.

“Annually, we had to spend a minimum of USD 216,000. That was our energy bill. Our maximum will be around USD 240,000. So, we will save around USD 240,000 per year,” says Professor Talon Garikayi, a deputy Vice Chancellor at AU, an engineer overseeing the solar power project.

In 2024, the southern African nation was hit by a punishing drought fueled by El Niño, a climate phenomenon that can worsen dry spells or storms, extreme weather events increasingly linked to climate change.

This led to a sharp drop in water levels in Lake Kariba, home to the country’s main hydropower plant, which is shared with Zambia.

The authorities were forced to roll out load shedding schedules lasting for more than 18 hours.

Lake Kariba was generating less than 20 percent of its installed capacity of 1050 megawatts (MW) at the time.

Jose Tenete Domingos Lumboa, a student at Africa University working on his laptop. Credit: Farai Shawn Matiashe/IPS

In April 2024, the government declared the drought a national disaster—the worst in 40 years—which left more than half the population food insecure.

Institutions like AU had to turn to diesel-powered generators, which are expensive to run.

And students like Lumboa had to bear the brunt of load shedding at AU.

Reverend Alfiado Zunguza, AU Board of Directors chairperson, says this makes education expensive.

“We felt like it was critical to invest in this solar power plant to ensure the university continues to be reliable in its operations and its systems that are critical in advancing the knowledge of the continent,” he says.

“The university was spending USD 240,000 a year for electricity, making education expensive. So we want to reduce the cost of education at AU, making it more affordable to as many people as possible.”

He says in the long run, AU is saving more, and the funds can be channeled towards infrastructure development, research labs, and capacity building.

The Zimbabwe government, through its National Energy Policy, is planning to generate 2,100 MW by 2030 from renewable energy and biofuels like ethanol.

Maria Kwikiriza, who is from Uganda and is studying law, says that by investing in renewable energy, the institution is contributing to a clean environment.

Lithium batteries at the new solar power plant at Africa University in eastern Zimbabwe. Credit: Farai Shawn Matiashe/IPS

“The campus is now quiet. The oil from the generator was affecting my breathing. We now have access to WiFi all night, which is essential for our studying,” says the 25-year-old who has asthma.

Zimbabwe, a country of 15.1 million people, has 62 percent electricity access and relies heavily on coal and hydropower for its energy needs.

The AU is improving electricity access to the community through its new solar power plant.

Reverend Peter Mageto, AU vice chancellor, says his institution is releasing electricity, which will benefit surrounding communities.

“So, we are glad that we are venturing into this so that the electricity supply authorities can provide electricity to the underserved communities,” he says, adding that this project is part of the AU’s strategic plan running from 2023 to 2027.

Mageto, who is from Kenya, says he brought with him lessons learned from Kenya, which is one of the nations doing well in renewable energy in Africa.

Dr. James Salley, chief executive officer of Africa University, Tennessee, says the solar mini-grid was funded by AU Tennessee Corporation, which founded AU Zimbabwe more than 30 years ago.

“No donor provided funding for this project and that is the uniqueness of it. That is what I am talking about—sustainability,” says Salley, who is also the associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement at AU.

Garikayi says AU is working to generate 1.4 MW by October, enough to cover the university’s farm and its residential areas.

This solar power plant will become the biggest in Manicaland Province after a 200 kW solar mini-grid in Hakwata in Chipinge, a 140 kW solar power plant at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital and a 150 kW solar power plant at Mutambara Mission Hospital, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He says if he has excess electricity, it will be extended to nearby Old Mutare, which has a school, an orphanage, and a hospital.

“We will be able to say there are 1,200 business units within Manicaland. Everyone within the region can now use the energy we would have been allocated,” Garikayi says, adding that the AU will reduce the load from the national grid.

Lumbo is planning to replicate this solar power plant in his country, Angola.

“I was talking to my fellow countrymen about taking this technology back home. It improves students’ welfare and boosts our confidence,” he says.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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As part of the operation, Israel also hit Tehran's infamous Evin prison, in an effort to destroy its gates.

Son Excellence Mohammed Saeed Al Kaabi, Ambassadeur des Émirats arabes unis (ÉAU) en République du Bénin, a participé à la séance inaugurale de la 5ᵉ édition du Cyber africain Forum (CAF), dont les travaux ont débuté le mardi 24 juin 2025 à Cotonou au Sofitel Hôtel.

Dans son intervention lors de la session d'ouverture de la 5ᵉ édition du Cyber africain Forum, Son Excellence Mohammed Saeed Al Kaabi a présenté l'expérience pionnière des Émirats arabes unis dans les domaines des technologies numériques, de la recherche scientifique et de la promotion de l'innovation, à travers l'adoption de stratégies nationales ambitieuses pour la transformation numérique, le renforcement de l'infrastructure cybernétique et le développement des compétences humaines, tout en mettant l'accent sur les partenariats internationaux et l'échange d'expertises.

Le diplomate émirati a souligné que la numérisation est devenue un levier fondamental pour atteindre les Objectifs de développement durable, tout en constituant un pilier de la croissance économique et de la construction de sociétés intelligentes.

L'ambassadeur a également mis en avant la vision stratégique à long terme des Émirats, incarnée dans la Vision Émirats 2071, la Stratégie nationale d'intelligence artificielle et la Stratégie du gouvernement numérique 2025, qui ont placé lee ÉAU parmi les pays les plus avancés au monde dans divers domaines.

Son Excellence a réaffirmé l'intérêt porté par les Émirats à renforcer leurs relations avec les pays africains amis dans les domaines de la numérisation et de l'innovation, à travers des projets communs, le transfert de connaissances et le renforcement des capacités.

La séance inaugurale s'est distinguée par la présence du Ministre des Affaires étrangères et de la Ministre du Numérique de la République du Bénin, ainsi que des Ministres du Numérique de la Côte d'Ivoire et de la République démocratique du Congo. De nombreux responsables d'institutions officielles, des entreprises technologiques de la région ouest-africaine, ainsi que des membres du corps diplomatique accrédités au Bénin ont réhaussé de leur présence la cérémonie d'ouverture du CAF.

Au quartier Djèroga, dans l'arrondissement de Bougou, commune de Djougou, deux jeunes hommes ont perdu la vie par noyade dans un puits ce lundi 23 juin 2025.

Lundi noir à Djougou. Dans cette commune du département de la Donga, deux jeunes hommes ont perdu la vie dans un puits à Bougou. Selon Banouto, l'un des jeunes est un gardien et devrait se rendre au terrain de sport pour l'entraînement. En attendant son second pour le remorquer, il prend la route et fini sa marche au bord d'un nouveau puits, près d'une nouvelle maison en construction. Quelques minutes plus tard, son second, un jeune étudiant, arrive sur les lieux et aperçoit les chaussures de son frère.
Au bord du puits, il entend les cris d'appel au secours de ce dernier, et décide de le sauver. Une fois à l'intérieur, il se rend compte qu'il ne peut pas le sauver comme il l'avait pensé.
Alors que les deux jeunes se débattaient pour sortir du puits, le voisinage a été alerté. Malheureusement, ceux qui sont venus en renfort n'ont pu sauver les deux jeunes. Leurs corps inertes ont été sortis de l'eau sous le regard impuissant des témoins, leurs parents et proches.
Les autorités locales ont alerté la police qui s'est déplacée sur les lieux. Après le constat, le procureur a ordonné la remise des dépouilles aux familles éplorées pour inhumation.

F. A. A.

Le président béninois Patrice Talon a été reçu par son homologue ivoirien, Alassane Ouattara, ce mardi 24 juin 2025, à Abidjan.

L'axe Cotonou-Abidjan se renforce. Le président ivoirien Alassane Ouattara et Patrice Talon, chef d'Etat du Bénin ont abordé, à Abidjan, ce mardi 24 juin 2025, plusieurs sujets d'intérêt commun.

Les deux chefs d'État ont échangé sur la sécurité régionale, la lutte contre le terrorisme, la libre circulation des personnes et des biens, le développement économique, selon une publication de la présidence ivoirienne sur sa page Facebook.

Ce n'est pas la première fois que les deux chefs d'État se rencontrent pour ces questions. Leur dernière entrevue officielle remonte au 21 juin 2023 à Abidjan. À l'époque, ils avaient affiché une volonté commune d'intensifier la coopération bilatérale et de défendre une position commune au Sommet de Paris sur le financement du développement.
M. M.

Ce mardi, le Président de la République, @AOuattara_PRCI, a eu un entretien avec son homologue béninois, @PatriceTalonPR, sur le renforcement des relations bilatérales ainsi que sur la situation dans la sous-région. pic.twitter.com/pk2J9MMxBm

— Presidenceci (@Presidenceci) June 24, 2025

Un ressortissant malien a été interpellé à l'aéroport international de Cotonou pour usage de faux document de voyage. Le prévenu a comparu, mardi 24 juin 2025, devant le Tribunal de première instance de Cotonou.

L'homme d'origine malienne, arrivé au Bénin pour célébrer la Tabaski avec ses proches, détenait un passeport équato-guinéen portant le prénom Miguel.

Le système de contrôle de l'aéroport l'a toutefois identifié comme étant déjà passé par Cotonou sous le nom de Mohamed, avec un passeport malien. C'est ce qui ressort des faits reconstitués lors des débats au Tribunal ce mardi 24 juin 2025.

A la barre, le prévenu a reconnu les faits. Il a expliqué avoir obtenu ce second passeport lors d'un séjour en Guinée équatoriale, où il a eu une relation avec une ressortissante de ce pays, mère de ses enfants. Il a affirmé avoir voulu bénéficier des avantages liés à la nationalité équato-guinéenne.

En larmes, l'homme a plaidé la clémence du tribunal.

Le ministère public a requis une peine de 24 mois d'emprisonnement avec sursis, assortie d'une amende de 500.000 FCFA.

Le tribunal a mis son jugement en délibéré au 1er juillet. En attendant, le prévenu a été reconduit en détention.
M. M.

Un jeune chauffeur de camion-citerne a comparu ce mardi 24 juin 2025 devant le Tribunal de première instance de Cotonou. Il est poursuivi avec mandat de dépôt pour avoir siphonné 200 litres de gasoil.

En pleine mission de livraison, un jeune conducteur de camion-citerne est surpris en train de siphonner du gasoil. Les faits se sont déroulés au parc de Maro Militaire, point de départ de la livraison.

Le chauffeur attendait les documents du chargement ainsi que les coordonnées de la station-service destinataire à Akpakpa.

C'est alors que le Chef service qualité de la société d'hydrocarbures remarque du carburant au sol. En s'approchant, il découvre un dispositif installé sur la citerne. Le chauffeur aurait utilisé ce montage pour remplir le réservoir de son propre camion, d'une capacité de 200 litres.

Le chauffeur est immédiatement arrêté. Le camion et sa cargaison sont immobilisés.

À la barre ce mardi 24 juin 2025, le mis en cause se défend. Il dit être tombé en panne. Selon lui, il voulait juste prélever un peu de gasoil pour redémarrer le moteur et assurer la livraison.

La société, elle, n'y croit pas. Elle estime que si le chauffeur était réellement en panne, il n'aurait pas rempli tout le réservoir. Elle parle de détournement de carburant destiné à la vente.

L'entreprise réclame 2.000.000 FCFA de dommages et intérêts.

L'affaire est renvoyée au 15 juillet 2025 pour la suite des débats.
M. M.

En réponse à la motion le désignant comme candidat du RHDP, Alassane Ouattara a servi une réponse qui entretient le flou sur ses intentions réelles.