African Comms @AfricanComms

Costa Rica has outlawed recreational hunting, solidifying its role as a worldwide leader in animal protection and a safe haven for the remarkable 5% of global biodiversity it hosts. Home to an astonishing proportion of Earth's plant and animal species, Costa Rica stands as one of the planet's most vital biodiversity hotspots. Yet this extraordinary natural heritage faces ongoing threats from human activities—including unsustainable wildlife tourism, illegal wildlife trade, domestic animal neglect, and organized animal fighting. As encounters between people and wildlife grow more frequent, the country's fragile ecosystems require proactive safeguards to protect their most vulnerable residents. Costa Rica has responded with groundbreaking animal welfare laws that reflect a deep national commitment to conservation. Building on its landmark 2012 nationwide ban on sport and trophy hunting, the country introduced stringent anti-trafficking measures in 2017 to combat poaching and biodiversity loss. By imposing mandatory prison sentences for animal cruelty and creating a national registry of offenders, Costa Rica demonstrates that effective conservation demands strong legal enforcement alongside widespread societal resolve to safeguard all living beings within its borders.

A new United Nations 🇺🇳Secretary General will ​be elected later this year for a five-year term starting on January 1, 2027. There are currently 4⃣ declared candidates. Next week the SG race reaches a pivotal moment with the kick off of two days of "interactive dialogues" with the candidates at UNHQ in New York. Here is how it will work⬇️ The President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, will convene the interactive dialogues. Each of the four current candidates will have 3 hours to take questions from civil society and UN Member States who request to address each candidate(s). This will take place in the Trusteeship Council Chamber. Each candidate will have 10 minutes for an opening statement to lay out their vision for the UN followed by the Q&A portion. The President of the General Assembly has suggested the discussion be focused on the three pillars of the UN - peace and security, development, and human rights. ⬇️Here are the time slots for each candidate⬇️ ⚠️Tuesday April 21 10am - 1 pm - Michelle Bachelet - Chilean, and two term former President of Chile, former head of UN Women and previously High Commissioner for Human Rights. Nominated by: Chile, Brazil, Mexico. (Chile later withdrew nomination) 3 pm - 6 pm - Rafael Grossi - Argentine and currently Director General of IAEA. Nominated by: Argentina ⚠️Wednesday April 22 10am - 1 pm - Rebeca Grynspan - Costa Rican and Secretary General of UN Trade and Development (she recently took a leave to run for SG) and former Vice President of Costa Rica. Nominated by: Costa Rica. 3 pm - 6 pm - Macky Sall - Senegalese and former President of his country. Nominated by: Burundi After each candidate have completed their interactive dialogue they will be given an opportunity to take make remarks and take questions from the media at the UN GA media stakeout area. The dialogues will be broadcast live on UNTV webtv.un.org/en All dialogues will have live interpretation in all six UN official languages Regional rotation? While it is not written in the UN Charter, rotating the UN Secretary General by region has become an important informal rule and powerful diplomatic precedent that ensures different parts of the world take turns leading the organization. It is currently the turn for the Latin America and Caribbean group; hence why three of the four candidates are from Latin America. A woman? Since the founding of the UN in 1946 there have been nine Secretary General's. None have been women. There is a big push for a woman this time around. "It's time," is the public and private thinking by many diplomats / UN staff who walk the halls. Could more candidates run? Short answer is, yes. While the President of the General Assembly has set an informal deadline of April for candidates to be nominated, nothing prevents a "late entry" into the race. Official UN website on selection and appointment of the next Secretary General ⬇️ un.org/en/sg-selectio…

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📰 JUST RELEASED: Official Press Release – Africa's Urban Future on the Line as Continental Forum Opens in Nairobi with Call to Move 'From Conversation to Execution' #AUF2 #AFRICAURBANFORUM #AUF2026 Ministerial Plenary, Country commitments, and Historic launch of the AU Urban Resilience Report. Africa is building the future. Today. 🔗 peaceau.org/en/article/afr… #AdequateHousingForAll #Agenda2063 @_AfricanUnion @HousingUrbanKE @2ndauf @UNHABITAT @UNHABITAT_ROAF

Second Africa Urban Forum #AUF2 Theme: "Adequate Housing for All: Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation towards the realization of Agenda 2063." 8-10 APRIL 2026, NAIROBI, KENYA @housingurbanKE @UNHABITAT More @ au.int/en/newsevents/…

The AUC Chairperson @ymahmoudali, recently visited the Knowledge Management Unit in the Directorate of Information & Communication, underscoring the vital role of knowledge and institutional memory in advancing Agenda 2063. The AU’s knowledge resources, available in both physical formats through its archives and library, and digitally via its online platforms, offer significant support to policy and decision making to AU staff members, Member States, researchers, and students. They are also a source of content for creators across Africa and beyond. Knowledge is central to the AU’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan. The Chairperson’s visit to the KM Unit reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to strong knowledge systems that shape Africa’s future. Visit the African Union’s knowledge platforms here: archives.au.int library.au.int Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas… #knowledge #knowledgemanagement #librarysystems #libraries #communications

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@2ndauf Have you signed up to be an exhibitor in the upcoming Africa Urban forum ? The forum is taking place on 8-10 April 2026 and will bring together decision makers , investors and other stakeholders. Sign up today @_AfricanUnion @2ndauf #AUF2 #AUF2026

LIVE: Final Press Conference of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly Floor: vimeo.com/event/5729349?… English: vimeo.com/event/5732917?… French: vimeo.com/event/5732918?… More @ au.int/summit/39 x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

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The 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union will take place on 11–12 February 2026, followed by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 13–14 February 2026. Opening statements at the Executive Council will be delivered by: 1. H.E Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission 2. H.E Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 3. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of UNECA 4. H.E Téte António, Chairperson of the Executive Council and Angola Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Council will then proceed into a closed session to adopt the agenda and organisation of work, consider key reports, review AU participation in the G20, and conduct elections and appointments to AU Organs #Agenda2063. 📄 Download the full programme to follow the sessions #AUSummit au.int/en/newsevents/…

At the margins of the 39th African Union Summit, the AU will host a series of Statutory Meetings and Side Events, creating spaces for dialogue, partnerships, and action in support of continental priorities under #Agenda2063. 📄 Download the full Schedule to follow all sessions and engagements. au.int/en/documents/2…

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The African Women in Media 2025 Conference kicked off yesterday under the theme “Beyond Commitments: Advancing Policies for Gender-Safe Media.” #AWiM25 is all about moving from promises to practical action creating media environments where women and youth can work, speak, and lead safely. Anchored in key continental instruments such as the AU-CEVAWG, the Maputo Protocol, and the Kigali Declaration, the conference is tackling the real gaps that persist across the sector, from weak policy enforcement to new digital threats. Over the next sessions, delegates will dive into: • Media, Policy & Regulations • Digital Rights & Technology • Youth & Gender Inclusion • Safer Media Workplaces #AWiM25 Stay Tuned for more updates

The 13th High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights, Democracy & Governance was held in Accra, Ghana from 29th to 30th July, featuring insights from former Heads of State and Government, experts & change-makers. The dialogue aimed to assess, identify structural and normative enablers of democratic governance in Africa, under the theme Justice, Rights, Reparations and State Building. It is one of the African Union’s mechanisms to build stronger and more resilient democracies across the continent. Read more at: au.int/en/newsevents/… #Yearofreparations @AGA_Platform @AUC_PAPS

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In a time where misinformation spreads faster than ever, AU Media Fellows @JibiMoses41143 (South Sudan) and Maurice Thantan @seigla (Benin) are stepping up to strengthen #FactChecking and #CivicTech skills for journalists across Africa. As part of their #AUMediaFellowship project, they developed a Fact-Checking & Civic Tech Toolkit and have trained over 200 journalists through online and in-person sessions. Journalists from #Botswana, #Benin, #TheGambia, #SouthSudan, and #Tunisia took part in 40+ hours of hands-on training, covering election fact-checking, verification techniques, and writing fact-check reports. Today, they officially launch the Fact-Checking & Civic Tech Toolkit a powerful resource designed to equip journalists with the tools and skills needed for credible, impactful storytelling. Don’t miss this webinar Register here: ow.ly/eUzp50WvBUY

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The 13th #AfricanGames are being held in Ghana till the 23rd of March 2024 under the theme #experiencetheAfricanDream 4000 athelete participating, 29 sporting codes incl 8 Olympics qualifiers. Watch opening on Friday 8th March 14H30 – 20H00 (GMT+0) at  youtube.com/live/L7uVd1PkH…

@AkhonaTshangela @walemaiye @womenlifthealth Congratulations @AkhonaTshangela. Wishing you the very best 💕

Key dates for the #AUSummit 2024: . Opening of the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council on 14th Feb at 10:00 EAT . Opening of the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly on 17th Feb at 10:00 EAT Watch at au.int/en/summit/37 #Africandevelopment #Africa

@EmmanuelIgunza I am glad you are now well Emmanuel. Looking forward to working with you again. All the best to you and the family 💕

#DigitalTransformation high on the agenda as experts gather at the #AU HQs to discuss the future of #ICT & Communication in Africa. Their report will guide #Ministerial deliberations on 23NOV on strategies to optimize opportunities & mitigate risks in a fast changing digital envt