The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will host its Twelfth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) in Ankara, Turkey, from 12 October to 23 October 2015. The conference will take place at the Congresium Ankara-ATO International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Decision-makers from 195 member states will attend COP12 to discuss solutions to issues related to desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD).
Land rehabilitation is one of the pathways to sustainable development. By rehabilitating degraded land, many of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) would be more attainable. Land that is properly nurtured fosters food and water security and reverses negative climate change impacts, such as forced migration, by cultivating opportunities for growth and ensuring stability. To invest in the land is to invest in sustainable livelihoods, therefore the goal of COP12 is to provide practical steps to make the rehabilitation of degrading land areas a reality. The Parties are also expected to identify ways to contribute to the success of the 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Government of India have pledged to make the Bank Group’s 2017 Annual Meetings a resounding success. The Meetings are scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, the capital of the state of Gujarat, from May 22-26, 2017.
The commitment followed a Memorandum of Understanding endorsed by both parties on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at the end of the Bank’s first Annual Meetings Preparatory mission to assess facilities and logistics for the event in Ahmedabad.
“For us this is a special moment. It officially kick-starts preparations for the 2017 Annual Meetings and underscores the growing cooperation between the Bank and India in particular, and between India and Africa in general,” AfDB Secretary-General, Vincent Nmehielle, said after he signed the MOU on behalf of President Akinwumi Adesina.
The Meetings, taking place on the heels of the India-Africa Summit held in New Delhi last year, would further boost the long-standing economic cooperation between the two sides and open up new avenues for fruitful business engagements between them, he added.
The Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Bandana Preyashi, who signed on behalf of the Finance Secretary, said that the Government and people of India highly appreciate the opportunity they have been given to host the Bank’s most important annual event.
Mobile is a transformative technology that has already had a significant economic and social impact upon the Middle East and North Africa. Identifying and addressing the key challenges and opportunities disruptive technologies is having across these markets is the core mission of Mobile 360 Series – MENA 2017.
Mobile 360 – MENA includes a mix of keynotes speakers, panel discussions, workshops, in-depth case studies, productive networking, and a technology showcase aimed at senior-level decision makers from Mobile Network Operators, governments, brands and verticals from across the MENA region.
High profile speakers together with leaders from across the mobile ecosystem come to discuss relevant topics including regulatory modernisation, digital transformation, customer experience, social video networks, 5G, AI, cyber security, smart cities, connected cars, digital identity and the blockchain, financial inclusion and mobile-commerce, and disaster response. This year, our event will also include a brand new North Africa Regional Focus session.
Join us at Mobile 360 –MENA in Dubai, UAE on 9-10 October 2017 as we progress towards a fully connected society. Register to attend at www.mobile360series.com/mena.