NEW YORK, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement on the death of Nelson Mandela, in New York on 5 December:Nelson Mandela was a singular figure on the global stage — a man of quiet dignity and towering achievement, a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration.I am profoundly saddened by his passing. On behalf of the United Nations, I extend my deepest condolences to the people of South Africa and especially to Nelson Mandela’s family and loved ones.Many around the world were greatly influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity,…
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NEW YORK, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gérard Araud ( France):The members of the Security Council are profoundly saddened to hear of the death of President Nelson Mandela. He was an inspirational leader who transformed the lives of millions of people around the world. The members of the Security Council extend their deepest condolences to his family and to the Government and people of South Africa at this time.The members of the Security Council express their deepest admiration for the outstanding qualities of moral and political…
BEIJING, China, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei announces at the regular press conference:Vice Chairman Wan E’xiang of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress will go to Kenya upon invitation as the special envoy of President Xi Jinping to attend the celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Kenyan independence on December 12.
ROME, Italy, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “We have lost one of the world’s passionate defenders of the right to food,” said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva, on learning of the death of Nelson Mandela, former South Africa president. “As a true champion of human rights, Nelson Mandela understood that the hunger of millions of people was unjust and unsustainable,” said the FAO Director-General. “At FAO, we have been inspired over the years by Mandela’s repeated calls to address hunger and the many social and economic ills that either led to hunger or resulted from a lack…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With the death of Nelson Mandela the world has lost a great and visionary leader – a global hero for whom a democratic and free society was “an ideal, which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”.Mandela’s commitment to overcome prejudice and hate inspired not only his determination to break down barriers between different races, but also to eliminate discrimination against those living with HIV, calling on people to give publicity to HIV/AIDS and no…
BERLIN, Germany, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Minister Westerwelle issued the following statement to express his condolences after hearing the news of Nelson Mandela’s death:“South Africa and the world have lost a great human being and an outstanding statesman.Nelson Mandela’s political visions of peace and freedom, of the indomitable power of reconciliation and compassion, were and remain a source of hope and inspiration to people in Africa and throughout the world.His name will always be associated with the peaceful transition from the iniquitous apartheid regime to democracy and the rule of law. And not only that –…
WASHINGTON, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — RemarksJonathan ShrierActing Special Representative, Office of Global Food SecurityJohannesburg, South AfricaDecember 4, 2013The U.S. government currently partners with South Africa as a “strategic partner” in Feed the Future, the U.S. global hunger and food security initiative. As our whole-of-government initiative, Feed the Future works hand-in-hand with 19 partner countries to develop their agriculture sectors and break the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger. Our goal is to reduce the prevalence of poverty and stunted children by 20 percent in the specific areas where we work, which will help families lift themselves out…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ITU membership, management and staff join the people of South Africa and the whole world in mourning the passing of Nelson Mandela, the revolutionary South African anti-apartheid leader who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and who is hailed as one of the most transforming personalities the world has ever seen.Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in 1918 to the Thembu royal family in Transkei, South Africa. He spent the better part of his life in an epic struggle against apartheid in South Africa and served 27 years…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Calling Nelson Mandela a leader with hard-won wisdom and maturity unparalleled in our time, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary gave thanks to God for Mandela’s life, which he described as a gift to South Africa and the whole world.A renowned anti-apartheid activist and Nobel peace laureate who served as South Africa’s first black president, Mandela, 95, passed away on Thursday 5 December at his home in Houghton near Johannesburg.“He will be recalled as the leader who acted to unify a nation once deliberately divided along the lines of…
WASHINGTON, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved US$228.5 million for a new push to boost water management in the Senegal River Basin and further improve the development prospects of Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. More than 4.5 million people living within the Senegal River Basin are expected to benefit directly from this multi-country project. Their countries rank among the world’s poorest with 42-53% of the population, mostly subsistence or smallholder farmers, living below the poverty line. Annual population growth is estimated at 2.7 percent and the population is expected to…
WASHINGTON, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — RemarksJonathan ShrierActing Special Representative, Office of Global Food SecurityJohannesburg, South AfricaDecember 4, 2013The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates 842 million people suffer from chronic hunger. By 2050, global agricultural production will need to rise by at least 60% to meet the demands of a growing population with changing dietary requirements, all in the face of climate change and drastically increasing pressure on water and other natural resources.We understand that climate change and environmental degradation can affect the sustainability of investments in agricultural development and food security, impede long-term economic growth, and…
BERN, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — It is with great sadness that the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ueli Maurer, heard the news of the death of Nelson Mandela. On behalf of the people of Switzerland and the Federal Council, Mr Maurer conveys his sincere condolences to the people and government of South Africa. The President of the Swiss Confederation extends its deepest sympathies to the family of the former President of South Africa. He shares with the South African people their great pain on this very sad occasion.With the passing of Nelson Mandela, South Africa, the…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The international football community has today learnt the sad news of the passing of former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter:“It is in deep mourning that I pay my respects to an extraordinary person, probably one of the greatest humanists of our time and a dear friend of mine: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. He and I shared an unwavering belief in the extraordinary power of football to unite people in peace and friendship, and to teach basic social and educational values as a…
DUBLIN, Ireland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — It is with deep sadness and regret that I learned tonight of the passing of Nelson Mandela, a man who holds an extraordinary place in the hearts of the Irish people. Nelson Mandela had a truly global presence. We all feel part of his extended worldwide family, sharing in the sadness at his death and the celebration of his life. No few words can express the debt of gratitude that is due to Mr. Mandela for all that he achieved and stood for. Quite simply, he transformed South Africa, and he…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following the death of Nelson Mandela, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Nelson Mandela. “Nelson Mandela was one of the greatest moral and political leaders of our time. His life story is a compelling and inspiringly profound political journey. An international icon and inspiration to millions, his appeal transcended race, religion and class. He was at once a leader of immense character and strength, and a man closely attuned to the needs of his people. “Nelson Mandela once wrote,…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today, we bid farewell to a man who dedicated his life to advancing the cause of equality for all of humanity. In 2006, the South African Red Cross Society honoured Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela as their first humanitarian award recipient for his outstanding achievement on humanitarian issues. Presenting the award, the society’s President Mandisa Kalako-Williams said: “Nominating Nelson Mandela for this award was easy. Mandela has taught us to forgive.”Nelson Mandela, a former political prisoner and later thefirst black President of South Africa, inspired millions in his quest for…
WASHINGTON, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCDecember 5, 2013Madiba’s ‘long walk to freedom’ gave new meaning to courage, character, forgiveness, and human dignity. Now that his long walk has ended, the example he set for all humanity lives on. He will be remembered as a pioneer for peace.There are some truly brave people in this world whom you meet and you’re forever changed for the experience. Nelson Mandela remains Teresa’s hero, and a person who inspired her as a young woman to march with her classmates against apartheid. We had the honor of…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “Millions of people, including many who never met him, will feel deep personal sorrow at today’s news, since Nelson Mandela was perhaps the greatest moral leader of our time.Despite 27 years in prison, he never followed the path of vengeance. I remember well how, when he was finally released, feelings in South Africa were boiling: feelings of hatred, a thirst for revenge, a burning desire to discriminate against those who had so ruthlessly discriminated against us. I shared some of those feelings – it was hard not to, after living so…
WASHINGTON, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today, we have lost one of history’s great leaders. I extend my deepest condolences to the Mandela family and to the government and people of South Africa, the Republic that President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela helped free from the cruelty and hatred of apartheid and forged anew into a rainbow nation of hope and healing. I will always cherish the honor and memory of knowing him.Even as we mourn, we remember how privileged the world was to witness the transformation he wrought by changing minds and hearts. He was apartheid’s captive but never…
PLANO, TX, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — DreamTrips™ Vacation Club (https://dreamtrips.com), one of the world’s leading travel and vacation club membership organizations, was named “World’s Leading Travel Club” at the 2013 World Travel Awards Grand Final, the highest honor awarded in the global travel industry. The awards ceremony, which recognizes the elite in the travel and hospitality industry, took place at La Cigale Hotel in Doha, Qatar, on November 30, 2013.“It is a great honor to be recognized by our global industry as the world’s best travel and vacation club,” said Jim Menge, Vice President, DreamTrips Product Marketing.…