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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is extremely alarmed at the tragic events in Palma, in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.

While verified information is scarce with Palma completely cut off, many men, women and children have fled their homes and found refuge in the surrounding bush. Others have been leaving Palma, trying to reach safety in other areas. Dozens have also reportedly been killed during the attacks.
UNHCR is deeply concerned by the violence committed against civilians in Palma, including against women and children, who account for most of the internally displaced people in the country.
Over a hundred displaced people arrived on Sunday by boat from Palma to Pemba, the capital of the Cabo Delgado province, while some 40 others were evacuated yesterday evening to Pemba on UN planes. Most were women and children, the majority of whom are traumatized and exhausted.
UNHCR staff are present at the local port and the airport as people displaced by the fighting arrive in Pemba. Our staff are referring vulnerable people – including older women and unaccompanied children – for immediate assistance and services. Many of them needed urgent medical attention.
On 29 March, two flights from UNHAS landed at the airport in Pemba carrying displaced people from Palma. UNHCR, together with Save the Children, managed to house all unaccompanied minors and single mothers with temporary host families for the night. Our quick intervention prevented them from spending the night at the airport.
There are also reports of people attempting to cross the border into Tanzania. A group arriving in Pemba told UNHCR staff about their initial attempts to seek safety across the border, which were thwarted by the difficult river crossing.
People arriving in Pemba have shared details of the extreme brutality of the insurgent group. One mother told us that her 14-year-old son was taken away by the armed group in 2020. She had to flee with her daughter and husband then to save their lives. The family is on the run again after the recent attack on Palma
UNHCR continues scaling up for a quick humanitarian response, conducting needs assessment and proceeding with referrals based on the most urgent needs identified. We are planning missions to remote areas such as Mueda, where displaced people have arrived from Palma.
More than 43,000 people were already displaced in the Palma area as a result of previous attacks in Cabo Delgado, one of the poorest provinces in Mozambique. In total, some 670,000 people have been displaced in the Cabo Delgado province, as well as in neighbouring Nampula and Niassa provinces, since the conflict started in Cabo Delgado in October 2017.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Media files

UNHCR alarmed at brutal attacks by insurgent armed group in Mozambique

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As the third wave of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic ripples across the continent, Ethiopians are hopeful that relief and protection are on the way. With a population of 112 million, and a health system that is increasingly stretched, Ethiopia has been working rapidly to strengthen prevention activities, improve rapid detection, and implement a strong national COVID-19 deployment and vaccination plan that is in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidance.

Ethiopia’s rapid mobilization and implementation of a COVID-19 emergency response is the fruit of concerted efforts between the Ethiopian government and the World Bank under the COVID-19 Emergency Response Project approved last spring. Through the project, the government swiftly adopted public measures to contain the spread of the pandemic in throughout the country. These measures included substantially increasing laboratory and testing capacity, mandatory screening at points of entry, rigorous surveillance and contact-tracing, strategic communication and community engagement campaigns, and the establishment of 332 isolation, 50 quarantine, and 64 treatment centers.
The $82.6 million Ethiopia COVID-19 Emergency Response Project is one of 40 projects in Africa that draws from the $160 billion Global COVID-19 Fast Track Facility which uses a multiphase programmatic approach to tackle the rapidly evolving health crisis. As the project enters its second phase, and COVID-19 vaccines have come on the market, its focus now turns to supporting the expansion of a sustained and comprehensive pandemic response that includes vaccination.
“Access to COVID-19 vaccines is critical to preventing more suffering and fatalities, and accelerating economic and social recovery in Ethiopia. This new phase of the Ethiopia COVID-19 Emergency Response Project presents an opportunity to strengthen our response to COVID-19 and execute an unprecedented vaccine rollout,” said Dr. Lia Tadesse, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health.
The country received its first batch of 2.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from the COVAX facility on March 7, 2021 and vaccination activities launched on March 13, 2021 at the national and regional level. In an effort to accelerate fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, the World Bank is providing additional financing in the form of a grant totaling $207 million to finance vaccine acquisition and deployment and strengthen the vaccination system under the parent project. This financing is part of the $12 billion envelope approved by the World Bank to support developing countries in their vaccination efforts.
“This additional financing will contribute to affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and effective vaccine deployment in Ethiopia by providing upfront financing to help the government of Ethiopia purchase and deploy COVID-19 vaccines and strengthen critical health systems,” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan, in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region.
Furthermore, it will enable the acquisition of vaccines from a range of sources to support Ethiopia’s objective to have a portfolio of options to access vaccines under the right conditions. The World Bank is supporting the country to source vaccines through the COVAX facility as a priority, but will also support the country in accessing vaccines beyond COVAX as needed.
The road ahead will not be easy. COVID-19 cases and deaths have dramatically increased in Ethiopia (as of the end of March, there were 94,524 cases and 2,741 deaths reported in Ethiopia), as has COVID’s economic and social impact given the closures of schools and businesses. Conflict, extensive flooding and the historic, devastating locust outbreak have exacerbated the humanitarian impacts. This additional financing will provide a critical boost to Ethiopia’s vaccination efforts across the country, and in areas with security challenges such as Tigray, a dedicated strategy to vaccinate the most vulnerable members of the population, including those in IDP camps, is under development. COVID-19 vaccine deployment will be a truly monumental effort for Ethiopia, however the economic and health benefits of this effort will mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic and help Ethiopia return to an inclusive economic growth path.
The World Bank working in collaboration with the WHO, UNICEF and other development partners, is committed to helping the Ethiopian government to overcome bottlenecks in the area of planning and management, supply and distribution, program delivery, systems and infrastructure as identified in the COVID-19 vaccine readiness assessment in the country. This new phase and additional financing will provide vital support and investments to bring immunization systems and service delivery capacity to the level required to successfully deliver COVID-19 vaccines to every Ethiopian.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group. Media files

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: Accelerating Broad and Equitable Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine in Ethiopia

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Twenty eight patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out today at Quarantine Centers in Southern, Anseba, Gash Barka, and Southern Red Sea Regions.

Out of these, twenty one patients are from Quarantine Centers in Senafe (9), Adi Quala (7), Mendefera (3), Tsorona (1), and Dibarwa (1), in the Southern Region. Three patients are from the Quarantine Center in Keren, Anseba Region. Two patients are from Barentu (1), and Adibara (1), Gash Barka Region. The last two patients are from Assab, Southern Red Sea Region.
On the other hand, thirty six patients who have been receiving medical treatment in hospitals in the Southern (30), and Central (6), Regions have recovered fully and have been discharged from these facilities.
The total number of recovered patients has accordingly risen to 3,029 while the number of deaths stands at nine.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has increased to 3,279.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea. Media files

Coronavirus – Eritrea: Announcement from the Ministry of Health (30 March 2021)

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New cases: 20 Cumulative confirmed cases: 33,525 Active cases: 2,119 Total recovered: 30,156 (118 new) Currently admitted in treatment units: 25 (3 new) New discharges from treatment units: 7 Total tests conducted: 218,032 (628 new) Total deaths: 1,116 (2 new) Total vaccinated to date: 123,097 (11,469 new)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Population, Republic of Malawi. Media files

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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Active cases: 222 New cases: 27 New tests: 488 Total confirmed: 5,447 Recovered: 5,060 (+10) Deaths: 165 (+1)
Vaccinated: 6,833
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, The Gambia. Media files

Coronavirus – Gambia: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 8,296 Severe cases: 828 New recovered: 1,435 New deaths: 16 New cases: 1,976

Total: Laboratory test: 2,348,871 Active cases: 45,053 Total recovered: 156,625 Total deaths: 2,841 Total cases: 204,521
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. Media files

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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1,530 people have tested positive, from a sample size of 8,010. Positivity rate is at 19.1%. Total confirmed positive cases are at 132,646. Cumulative tests so far conducted are 1,480,240.

129 patients have recovered. Total recoveries stand at 92,290.

12 deaths have been reported all of them being late death reports from facility record audits.
 Cumulative fatalities are now 2,147. Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.

1,308 patients are admitted in various health facilities countrywide
 4,760 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care. 
 152 patients are in the ICU, 46 of whom are on ventilatory support &#038; 97 on supplemental oxygen.
 9 patients are on observation.

89 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 78 of them in the general wards and 11 in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

COVID VACCINATION UPDATE: 1.12 million doses of Astrazeneca Vaccines have been delivered in the country as of today. 806,000 of those doses have been distributed countrywide.   130, 575 people have been vaccinated.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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Tests conducted: 9,844,835 Positive cases identified: 1,546,735 Total recoveries: 1,473,588 Total deaths: 52,788 New cases: 756
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa, Department of Health. Media files

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi&#39;s COVID-19 update on 30 March 2021:

New cases: 7 Total cases: 17,333 Active cases: 178 New recoveries: 54 Total recoveries: 16,481
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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121 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Lagos-40 FCT-15 Katsina-12 Kaduna-11 Imo-8 Kebbi-8 Nasarawa-8 Delta-7 Edo-3 Osun-3 Rivers-3 Ekiti-1 Jigawa-1 Kano-1

162,762 confirmed 151,532 discharged 2,056 deaths
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Media files

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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Total cases: 21,645 (+155) Recovered: 20,001 (+141) | 92.4% Active cases: 1,338 In critical condition: 7 Tests: 1,138,737 (+7,792) Test positivity rate: 2% Vaccinated: 348,926 Deaths: 306 (+1) | 1.4%
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda. Media files

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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As of 31st March 2021, we recorded 219 new cases out of 7,465 tests (3% positivity) and 73 recoveries and sadly 6 new deaths (MTSRIP).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). Media files

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (30 March 2021)

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On 30 March 2021, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) (www.ICC-CPI.int) delivered its judgments confirming, by majority, the decision of Trial Chamber VI (“Trial Chamber”) of 8 July 2019, which found Bosco Ntaganda guilty (https://bit.ly/3sJFplW) of 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2002-2003. Furthermore, the Appeals Chamber unanimously confirmed the Trial Chamber’s decision of 7 November 2019 (https://bit.ly/3sCWZaV), by which Mr Ntaganda was sentenced (https://bit.ly/3rEtvrQ) to a total of 30 years of imprisonment. The conviction and the sentence are now final.

Mr Ntaganda and the Prosecutor had appealed the verdict (https://bit.ly/3cAvmtG) and Mr Ntaganda appealed the sentencing judgment (https://bit.ly/3sCWZaV). In today’s hearing, Judge Howard Morrison, Presiding Judge in these appeals, read a summary of the judgments in open court in the presence of Mr Ntaganda. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions the judgment was delivered on a partially virtual basis, with participation either from the seat of the Court, or from separate locations outside the Court.
The Appeals Chamber found that Mr Ntaganda did not demonstrate that his right to a fair trial was violated and also determined that, in convicting Mr Ntaganda, the Trial Chamber did not exceed the facts and circumstances described in the charges. The Appeals Chamber also rejected his challenge to the Trial Chamber’s finding that the crimes for which he was found to be criminally responsible were part of an attack directed against a civilian population pursuant to, or in furtherance of, an organisational policy. It further rejected Mr Ntaganda’s challenge to the Trial Chamber’s findings on indirect co-perpetration. The Appeals Chamber also found that the Trial Chamber provided a reasonable assessment of the evidence regarding Mr Ntaganda’s knowledge and intent of the crimes of rape and sexual enslavement of individuals under the age of 15, the recruitment, conscription and use of individuals under the age of 15 in hostilities and in relation to the remaining crimes. The Appeals Chamber also rejected the Prosecutor’s grounds of appeal on the interpretation of the term ‘attack’ in article 8(2)(e)(iv) of the Rome Statute.
In relation to the appeal against the sentence imposed, the Appeals Chamber rejected Mr Ntaganda’s challenge to the Trial Chamber’s assessment of his degree of participation in and knowledge of the crimes, including the crime of sexual enslavement and rape of civilians. Likewise, Mr Ntaganda’s challenges to the Trial Chamber’s assessment of alleged aggravating circumstances (related to the crime of intentionally directing attacks against civilians) and mitigating circumstances (including the suffering and discrimination that he had endured as a result of his experience in the Rwandan genocide) were also rejected. Notably, with regard to the latter, the Appeals Chamber found that Mr Ntaganda’s personal experience in the Rwandan genocide could not diminish his culpability given his criminal conduct and the gravity of the crimes for which he was convicted.

The Appeals Chamber in these appeals was composed of Presiding Judge Howard Morrison, Judge Piotr Hofmański, Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa and Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji. Separate opinions were appended to the Appeals Chamber’s Judgments. In their opinions, Judges Hofmański, Morrison, Eboe-Osuji and Bossa discuss the meaning of ‘attack’ in article 8(2)(e)(iv) of the Statute. In his opinion, Judge Morrison discusses indirect co-perpetration. In her opinion, Judge Ibáñez discusses the contextual elements of crimes against humanity, in particular, the requirement of a State or organisational policy to commit a widespread or systematic attack against any civilian population, and indirect co-perpetration as a mode of liability enshrined in article 25(3)(a) of the Statute. Finally, in his opinion, Judge Eboe-Osuji discusses the use of prior recorded statements, indirect co-perpetration and the legal interpretation of a State or organisational policy to commit an attack directed against any civilian population.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Criminal Court (ICC).
Public redacted version of Judgment on the appeals of Mr Bosco Ntaganda and the Prosecutor against the decision of Trial Chamber VI of 8 July 2019 entitled ‘Judgment’ (https://bit.ly/2PpC5O6)
Public redacted version of Judgment on the appeal of Mr Bosco Ntaganda against the decision of Trial Chamber VI of 7 November 2019 entitled ‘Sentencing judgment’ (https://bit.ly/39sei6Y)
Separate opinion of Judge Howard Morrison and Judge Piotr Hofmański on the Prosecutor’s appeal (https://bit.ly/3sDuOIR)
Separate opinion of Judge Howard Morrison on Mr Ntaganda’s appeal (https://bit.ly/3sEh80t)
Separate opinion of Judge Luz Del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza on Mr Ntaganda’s appeal (https://bit.ly/2QUmMh1)
Separate opinion of Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa on the Prosecutor’s appeal (https://bit.ly/3syjrSF)
Partly concurring opinion of Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji (https://bit.ly/3dnHfSY)
Summary of the judgments read in Court (https://bit.ly/3u8qceb)
Questions and Answers on the Appeals judgments: English (https://bit.ly/3rDoMqr); French (https://bit.ly/2PjUk7C)
Audio-visual materials:
Photographs of the hearings (https://bit.ly/2O7xcsu)
Full hearing:
 	YouTube (for viewing): English (https://bit.ly/2PkQLOF); French (https://bit.ly/3rDoZdd); Swahili (https://bit.ly/3cEIQVn) 	Video (MPEG-4) for viewing and download: English (https://bit.ly/3fu4duk); French (https://bit.ly/3rDoZdd); Swahili 	Audio (MPEG-3) for download: English (https://bit.ly/3cAuWmU); French (https://bit.ly/3w7GkhU); Swahili (https://bit.ly/3dobitt) 
Background: The trial of Mr Ntaganda opened on 2 September 2015. On 8 July 2019, ICC Trial Chamber VI found Bosco Ntaganda guilty (https://bit.ly/3sJFplW) of 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed in Ituri, DRC, in 2002-2003 namely the following crimes against humanity: murder and attempted murder, rape, sexual slavery, persecution, forcible transfer and deportation ; and the following war crimes: murder and attempted murder, intentionally directing attacks against civilians, rape, sexual slavery, ordering the displacement of the civilian population, conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into an armed group and using them to participate actively in hostilities, intentionally directing attacks against protected objects, and destroying the adversary&#39;s property. On 7 November 2019, he was sentenced (https://bit.ly/3rEtvrQ) to a total of 30 years of imprisonment. On 8 March 2021, Trial Chamber VI delivered its Order on Reparations to victims (https://bit.ly/3diS7kZ) against Mr Ntaganda, to be made through the Trust Fund for Victims.
For further information on this case, please click here (https://bit.ly/31CgxAx).
For further information, please contact: Fadi El Abdallah Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit International Criminal Court Telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 46448938 E-mail at: fadi.el-abdallah@icc-cpi.int
You can also follow the Court&#39;s activities on Twitter (https://bit.ly/2QPhIu9), Facebook (https://bit.ly/3dBe5Qv), Tumblr (https://bit.ly/2PMkBLD), YouTube (https://bit.ly/3dm3vMT), Instagram (https://bit.ly/3ft1iBX) and Flickr (https://bit.ly/2PlhBGo)
Media files

Ntaganda case: International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber confirms conviction and sentencing decisions

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The Mozambican Oil and Gas Chamber condemns the terrorist attacks in Palma on the 25th of March in the strongest possible terms and expresses its heartfelt condolences to all the victims of the attacks. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the bereaved, injured and displaced.

Terrorism is a scourge and it must never be let to prevail. The Chamber will therefore like to express its full support to the Mozambique Armed Defense Forces under the leadership of H.E. President Filipe Nyusi who responded swiftly to contain the attacks to save lives and property. We are confident, that the government will eventually secure a lasting solution to the problems in Cabo Delgado and provide a conducive environment for the realization of multi-billion-dollar investments in Mozambique.
“We are committed to working with the government, energy companies and civil society to ensure that such acts were not allowed to disrupt stability of Mozambique and the execution of important energy projects that are so important to our country’s economic growth and the advancement of global prosperity”. Said Florival Mucave, CEO of the Mozambican Oil &#038; Gas Chamber.
The three-year insurgency in Cabo Delgado province has to date killed more than 2,600 people and displaced an estimated 670,000, according to the UN. These attacks are especially directed at disrupting investment in oil and gas projects in Mozambique and terrorizing the local population. The attack on Palma was specifically aimed at undermining the $23bn game changing Mozambique LNG project led by Total.
As the largest Foreign Direct Investment on the African continent, the Mozambique LNG project positions Mozambique to become the third largest gas exporter globally by 2045. It is expected to double Mozambique’s GDP by 2035, underscoring the transformational impact of this project on the country, it’s citizens and neighboring states. It will fundamentally recast the fortunes of Mozambique from one of the poorest countries in the world to possibly a middle-income country.
We call on the international community to support the government of Mozambique in its efforts to deal with terrorism in Cabo Delgado. Terrorism is a global problem and Mozambique must therefore not be left to deal with it alone.
The chamber continues to strongly advocate for the gas developments and associated projects in Mozambique as a key driver of economic opportunity. Economic development is the only way to promote sustainable development, eradicate poverty, reduce unemployment amongst Mozambique’s youthful population and build competent local capacity in Mozambique.
The Mozambican oil and gas chamber pledges to work closely with the Mozambican Government, foreign investors and local stakeholders to build capacity amongst local entrepreneurs and position them to take the numerous opportunities that Mozambique offers. We will work tirelessly to fulfil the expectations of millions of Mozambicans by ensuring the delivery of Mozambique LNG’s first gas by 2024.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. Media files

The Mozambican Oil and Gas Chamber condemns the terrorist attacks in Palma

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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a scathing report about plastic and environmental inequality, which shows how countries within the Global South are being force-fed plastic pollution by wealthy countries.

The report, titled Neglected: Environmental Justice Impacts of Plastic Pollution (https://bit.ly/3fuZ3hp), exposes the truth about how the plastic industry is capitalising on “false solutions” such as recycling when, in fact, single-use plastic waste is more likely being shipped off to developing countries than being recycled.  It also demonstrates the impact of plastic, at every stage of its production, on  underprivileged communities &#8211; from the oil extraction to its disposal in the environment, to its incineration, should it even reach this point. 

Responding to the report’s findings, Greenpeace Africa Pan-African Plastic Lead, Angelo Louw (http://Greenpeace.org) said:

“This report is a big wake up call as far as the extent to which the plastic industry is willing to go make a quick buck, at the expense of everyone else &#8211; especially people of colour, who are the majority in these types of communities and countries. They have no consideration for the disadvantaged communities that they are driven even further into disarray.

“The plastic industry even bullies our governments, who are trying their best to manage the plastic pollution crisis, into bending their laws so that they can continue with their profit making agenda. Last year, we exposed an example of corporate attempts to destabilise Africa’s plastic-free ambitions, where the American Chemistry Council lobbied to include clauses in on-going Kenya-US free trade agreement negotiations (https://bit.ly/2QP9KkJ) which undermine their single-use plastic bans.

“In countries like the DRC, corporations are ignoring anti-plastic legislation and this is forcing governments to make large investments into the enforcement of these laws (https://bit.ly/3m5nVxy). Why should our countries be burdened with the additional cost? Why can’t corporations respect our laws? Why can they respect our decision to achieve a healthy life?”
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Greenpeace.
Note to Editors: ● Photos of plastic waste in Kinshasa available for download and use (with credit): https://bit.ly/31wBk8n ● The report recommends that governments need to implement extended producer responsibility schemes to hold businesses accountable for their plastic waste and encourage the transition to more circular economies ● Greenpeace Africa plastic lead exposes plastic-related environmental injustice in his neighbourhood: video (https://bit.ly/3rEpbsC)

Contact for Questions and Interviews: Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: pressdesk.africa@greenpeace.org
Hellen Dena Communications and Story Manager hdena@greenpeace.org +254 717 104 144

Greenpeace Africa reacts to Alarming UN Plastic Report Findings

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By-lined to Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications and Marketing Services Director &#8211; Canon Middle East and Canon Central and North Africa (www.Canon-CNA.com).

Adapting to new working practices presents an incredible opportunity (https://bit.ly/2O6wlrY) to assess and adjust our approach to sustainability. Changes don’t have to be extreme; they can include a range of small but effective actions such as embracing recycling and reusable materials, switching to more eco-friendly modes of manufacturing and reviewing transport or packaging best practice. Small wins across a wide range of areas can have a big impact. 

Reduce, reuse, recycle From separating the paper, plastic and cardboard used in the office, to reducing the use of disposable cutlery, sustainability initiatives often start with the little details first. One of those details needs to be equipment and technology decisions (https://bit.ly/2PGMDIK). The reason is obvious: technology – such as PCs, laptops, and smartphones – represented just 1 per cent of the world’s carbon footprint in 2007. Today, that’s already tripled and is on its way to exceeding 14 per cent by 2040 [1]. Whilst technology is intrinsic to the modern business, there are still small – yet hugely beneficial – changes organisations can make to address one of the most serious problems for the environment.

For example, keeping a business phone for three years instead of two, or a laptop for six years instead of five, can make an impact on a company’s use of materials. If enterprises are doing this on a national scale, there will be less demand to create as many new devices each year, reducing the overall amount of raw materials mined to match this demand. When companies need new products, they can opt for remanufactured or refurbished equipment. (https://bit.ly/3rDuKYD) [2]. As well as being better for the environment, companies can save on average 30-50 per cent of the selling price compared to the same equipment that has been made new [3]. Furthermore, thanks to ratings programmes and awards schemes, customers have greater visibility of brands and products that are less harmful to the environment [4].

Cut the commute Greener ways of commuting to work each day – or not commuting at all – can also be beneficial. The average co-working space, for instance a communal office closer to home, can help generate carbon emission savings of 118 metric tonnes annually between now and 2029 [5]. Prior to the pandemic, a select number of companies had introduced more flexible working policies – allowing people to work from home or cultivate a co-working space in an agile environment. Now, many companies support a mixture of remote and office working [6] &#8211; reducing carbon emissions while improving staff wellbeing.

Technology is making this all possible. With the right solutions and printing capabilities, workers can seamlessly transition between the office and their remote working environment. For example, before 2020, video conferencing had already become a staple in workplace communication, connecting colleagues around the world, but under pandemic working conditions its usage increased dramatically to facilitate everyday meetings that could not be done face-to-face.

Reap the benefits With so many opportunities to meet sustainability goals through incremental steps, it’s important to remember why they will remain so valuable over the next decade. A report published in 2020 [7] found that 80 per cent of Europeans think big companies and industry are not doing enough to help the environment – suggesting that businesses who strive to make a positive difference can attract customers, while those who don’t may lose them.

Taking action on sustainability can also increase the chances of attracting and retaining talent. Some 26 per cent of UK workers said they would accept a lower salary to work for a sustainable organisation [8], while half of those surveyed said they would consider declining a job offer from a company with harmful practices. A 2020 survey on the opinions of millennials across 43 countries found that the proportion who thought ‘reducing its impact on the environment’ is something their employer is doing well (61 per cent) was 22 per cent higher among those who intend to stay in their jobs for five or more years compared than those expecting to move on fairly soon [9].
Sustainability for businesses today is less about ‘if’ and more about ‘how’. The good news is that by working on the details and making small changes, businesses can make a significant impact. All it takes is the first step forward.
[1] https://bit.ly/3ft0c9x
[2] For example, the EQ80 range from Canon: https://bit.ly/2Pnac9p
[3] https://bit.ly/3sFPWhL
[4] At Canon, our sustainability performance has enabled us to retain EcoVadis Gold rating for a sixth consecutive year: https://bit.ly/3sJy7P6 The EcoVadis Rating reviews companies across a number of areas that are key to meeting sustainable targets, including the environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement impacts.
[5] https://bit.ly/3cCdbDI
[6] https://bit.ly/31ASa6m. Canon is supporting remote working in a number of countries.
[7] https://bit.ly/3dnzxbu
[8] https://bit.ly/2O8Ru4Z
[9] https://bit.ly/2PlY3ld
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).
Media enquiries, please contact: Canon Central and North Africa Mai Youssef e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com
APO Group &#8211; PR Agency Rania El Rafie e. Rania.elrafie@apo-opa.com
About Canon Central and North Africa: Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2015 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region &#8211; by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
For more information: www.Canon-CNA.com.
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Sustainability, it’s in the details (By-lined to Mai Youssef)

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UCB (www.UCB-sd.com) is planning to launch more Visa products for a growing customer base; Sudanese banks attracted about US 500 million dollars following the recent decision on the exchange rate.

Sudanese Prime Minister, Dr. Abdalla Hamdok, hailed the first Visa card issued in Sudan as a symbol of Sudan’s long-awaited reintegration in the global economy. The card issued by United Capital Bank (UCB), a leading bank in the market was presented to Hamdok by Yousif Ahmed El-Tinay, CEO and General Manager of UCB.
Dr. Hamdok expressed his appreciation of the efforts exerted by UCB to comply with all the international standards required to issue the first Visa card in Sudan and described it as a great achievement. “This card and our recent economic decision on the unification of the exchange rate is testament to our resolve to take the necessary measures to develop our economy and reintegrate our country in the global economy. We are determined to continue the path of reform, build our economy, and attract foreign direct investments,” added Hamdok.
The decision on the exchange rate resulted in curbing the currency black market and attracted about US 500 million dollars to the formal financial system in less than four weeks.
Yousif Ahmed El-Tinay said: “We take pride in presenting the first Visa card to the Prime Minister and we are privileged to be the first Sudanese bank to be able to issue the card. We understand the responsibility that comes with leadership and we fully realize that issuing the card is the first step towards building a complete ecosystem that drives electronic payments culture as well as financial inclusion. We are currently working on building this ecosystem to empower all our cardholders, merchants, and the country.”
Ahmed Gaber, Visa’s General Manager for North Africa, said: “We are pleased to be part of Sudan’s growth journey in the global economy, and we have been working closely with our partner, UCB, to provide their Visa cardholders with a reliable, convenient, and secure payment option that is accepted globally. Sudan is a promising market that is witnessing many positive economic developments, and we look forward to continue bringing Visa’s world class payment technology to support our partners and the Sudanese government in their drive towards achieving financial inclusion and economic growth for Sudan.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Capital Bank (UCB).
About United Capital Bank: United Capital Bank (UCB) is a leading a financial institution in Sudan that offers a wide range of financial products and services to corporates and individuals. UCB offers a unique guest experience to its customers and helps drive financial inclusion efforts in Sudan. The bank supports the Sudanese economic development by injecting funds to finance key industrial, agricultural, and infrastructure projects. UCB is equally committed to social impact through executing several social programs and activities across various sectors.
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