Ministers, deputy ministers, diplomats, representatives of multilateral institutions, entrepreneurs, among other personalities from Africa and across the world, participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Tokyo International Conference for Africa Development (TICAD) held in Maputo, August 24 -25, 2017.

Building on the forum’s twin principle of African ownership and international cooperation, TICAD stakeholders will discuss the state and prospect of the continent’s development, including achievements, opportunities, risks and challenges in realizing the outcomes of TICAD VI, and ensure that the implementation of the Nairobi Implementation Plan keeps Africa on a firm path to achieving sustainable inclusive growth.

June 5 is World Environment Day. Celebrated every year on this date, World Environment Day is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations (UN) stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. is a chance to reconnect with nature and celebrate the places that matter to each one of usnationally owned sustainable development strategies. This is line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), the strategic recommendation from the Third International Conference on Financing for Development held in Ethiopia in 2015.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has a new Administrator. Mr. Achim Steiner was confirmed to the post by the General Assembly in April and is expected commence his mandate in mid-June 2017.

The UN system in the Country, particularly, the United Nations Development, has embarked on developing an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) to support cohesive nationally owned sustainable development strategies. This is line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), the strategic recommendation from the Third International Conference on Financing for Development held in Ethiopia in 2015.

UN Secretary-General’s Message on Africa Day – 25 May 2017 notes that Africa Day 2017 comes at an important moment in the continent’s endeavours towards peace, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

Construction materials are part of the ‘Development Minerals’ sector, which comprises the range of minerals and materials mined, processed, manufactured and used locally in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. Endorsed by the African Union as a priority sector for the achievement of Africa’s Blueprint for Development: Agenda 2063, ‘Development Minerals’ are increasingly recognized for their potential to spur domestic economic development.

The Provincial Government of Mozambique’s Inhambane indicates that the death toll from the cyclone stands at seven, while 51 others suffered injuries. 152,000 people were affected by the storm, particularly in the coastal districts

Mozambique National Institute for Disaster Management (INCG), has strengthened its capacity to assess and respond to disasters with the commissioning of a new information management, data collection and analysis system for monitoring extreme events during emergencies. The equipment is part of the support provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners.

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, in an article for Africa Renewal Online on February 3, gives his view of Africa, describing it as a Continent of Hope.