Reports earlier on Thursday quoted presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya as saying France acted after “sustained pressure” from the United States, including an alleged threat by Washington to boycott if South Africa attended.

Speaking to journalists later the same day, Ramaphosa contradicted that account. He said he had no information indicating any country, “the United States or any other country”, had leaned on France to rescind the invitation.

The president also sought to downplay the diplomatic significance of not being invited, noting that South Africa is not a member of the G7 and does not attend every year. Many countries are not invited to the forum, he said, and South Africa participates only when asked to present a message or engage on specific issues.

The conflicting statements have raised questions about what prompted the change in plans and whether the decision reflects shifting politics among G7 members.

However, Ramaphosa’s office has not provided a detailed explanation for why the invitation was withdrawn, beyond the president’s insistence that it was not the result of US pressure.

Xi announced that from May 1, 2026, China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. He said the move would expand high-level opening-up and create new opportunities for African exports to enter the Chinese market.

In addition to tariff removal, China will promote the signing of a common economic partnership agreement for development and further expand market access for African goods. This includes upgrading so-called “green channels” to speed up customs clearance and facilitate trade.

“The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century,” he said, noting the growing influence of the Global South and the African Union’s role in advancing continental integration and defending Africa’s interests.

The announcement comes as China and Africa mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. Over the decades, China has become one of Africa’s largest trading partners and a major source of infrastructure financing.

Xi said China is ready to work with African nations to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen people-to-people ties and build what he described as an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future.”

Ortega highlighted the continued relevance of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), arguing that the bloc has endured despite sustained political and economic pressure from the United States. He said the alliance remains active and resilient in the face of sanctions, threats and external pressure.

A central part of his address focused on US military activity in the Caribbean Sea, particularly operations near Venezuela that Washington has described as efforts to combat drug trafficking and organised crime. Ortega rejected that justification, portraying the deployments as part of a broader strategy of military encirclement and regional isolation, with Venezuela as a focal point.

He also criticised what he described as US interference in domestic political processes in Latin America , citing Honduras as an example, and warned of consequences for governments that do not align with Washington. Ortega concluded by saying that opposition to US measures is growing across the region and predicted a collective response aimed at defending peace and national sovereignty. “There is rejection of all the measures that the United States government has been taking… And the people will react, and the North American people will react, and peace will have to be established in the world,” he said.

On 6 December 2025, the government of Daniel Noboa formalised a new International Treaty for the Promotion and Protection of Investments with the United Arab Emirates, aiming to open the door to foreign capital and strengthen economic ties. The agreement promises to channel resources into strategic sectors in Ecuador infrastructure, renewable energy, agroindustry, logistics, digital economy, tourism and responsible mining. The government frames this as a clear signal that Ecuador is ready to become a stable, competitive partner for long-term investment. Alongside the treaty, memorandums on anti-corruption cooperation and a technology innovation corridor were signed, indicating a broader push towards economic modernisation.

Vice-Presidency expanded, now also takes on Ministry of Health amid crisis

The office of the Vice-President, currently led by María José Pinto, has undergone a significant restructuring: staff numbers have nearly doubled, new functions have been added, and – in a surprising move – the Vice-Presidency now also oversees the Ministry of Health. This reflects the government’s decision to entrust Pinto with leading health policy amid one of the worse hospital crises in recent memory — hospitals suffering supply shortages, unpaid private providers and scarce medicines. The expanded remit also incorporates social-policy areas such as childhood development, mental health, education and adolescent pregnancy prevention. he change signals an attempt to centralise and strengthen health and social governance under a consolidated institutional roof.

President Noboa set to host binational summit with Peru focusing on transnational crime

Ecuador will host the next edition of the binational summit with Peru on 12 December 2025, with Daniel Noboa as host. The main agenda point will be the joint fight against transnational organised crime, including narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and cross-border criminal networks. The summit reflects a renewed commitment from both countries to collaborate on security, border controls, environmental protection, cross-border water-management and shared infrastructure projects. A new Presidential Declaration and Action Plan — the “Quito 2025 Plan” — will be signed to formalise the cooperation for 2025–2026. The summit underscores how the transnational crime challenge remains a high priority for the Ecuadorian government.

Artificial Intelligence to become mandatory in national school curriculum under new education reform

A legislative proposal presented on 5 December 2025 aims to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a compulsory component in Ecuador’s national curriculum, covering from initial education to high school. The plan seeks to equip future generations with digital and technological skills deemed essential for the rapidly changing economic and social landscape. The measure reflects the government’s ambition to integrate innovation and modern educational standards, preparing students for jobs in technology-driven sectors. If approved, Ecuador would position itself among the few countries in Latin America to institutionalise AI education at all school levels.

Insulin shortage deepens nationwide health crisis, threatening diabetic patients

Ecuador faces a critical shortage of insulin and other essential medicines, a situation that has severely affected diabetic patients across the country. Leading voices such as Aquiles Álvarez have accused authorities of blocking insulin supplies at a standard price (USD 5.28), while official procurement processes were paused or delayed. The situation highlights long-standing structural problems in the national health supply chain, especially concerning access to vital medicines. For thousands of Ecuadorians dependent on insulin, the shortage is a matter of life and death, exacerbating existing inequalities in health access.

In an official statement, the foreign ministry said the move was made after consultations with key partners, including the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Inter‑American Development Bank (IDB), to ensure the event remains inclusive and representative of all Latin American governments.

The postponement comes amid criticism over the exclusion of nations such as Venezuela , Cuba and Nicaragua from the forum, a move that has undermined participation and raised fears of a weakened regional dialogue.

Additionally, regional observers point to other underlying pressures: increased military and security operations in the Caribbean and broader hemispheric rivalry, which the Dominican government cited as factors complicating productive engagement.

For global stakeholders, the postponement signals that multilateral mechanisms in the Americas are under strain. The decision underscores the challenge of achieving consensus in a landscape increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition and ideological divides.

The US president marked his arrival with his trademark fist-pumping dance — a move that has long drawn both amusement and ridicule during his political rallies.

Beyond the theatrics, Trump’s visit carries weight. 

His first order of business is to oversee a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, two neighbours whose border tensions have turned deadly in recent years.

Trump is also expected to raise issues of trade and regional security with Southeast Asian leaders, many of whom are increasingly anxious about China’s assertiveness in the region.

Even some top honchos will mark a first at the ASEAN Summit, too. 

Of course, leaders of the 10 ASEAN member states are present: Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia’s Hun Manet, Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto, Laos’ Sonexay Siphandone, Philippines’ Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Singapore’s Lawrence Wong, Thailand ’s Anutin Charnvirakul and Vietnam’s Pham Minh Chinh. 

Only Myanmar’s titular leader, Min Aung Hlaing, will not attend the high-level summit. A military junta leader, he has been banned from the ASEAN Summit since 2021 for rejecting the bloc’s five-point peace plan. 

Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of the big continental player Japan, will mark her diplomatic debut in Kuala Lumpur. There, she is expected to talk with US President Donald Trump about their strategic alliance in the contested waters region.

Parallels have been drawn between Takaichi and Trump; both rose to power by climbing the conservative ranks, have been viewed as polarising leaders, and have had a hardliner stance on immigration . 

Trump himself marks a first in ASEAN. It will be the first stop of his three-country Asia tour that will also include Japan and then South Korea, which is his first journey around the region since returning to the White House in 2024. 

On the other end of the global powers totem, China’s delegation will be led by Premier Li Qiang. Other attendees from Asia-Pacific include Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. 

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Canrey will be present, too. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend, albeit virtually. 

Non-state leaders who will participate include United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Carlos Jaramillo. 

These leaders are expected to pore over some of the most contentious issues hounding Southeast Asia, including threats of Chinese aggression, border disputes between member states Thailand and Cambodia, and Trump’s tariffs. 

The summit marked the continuation of a complicated diplomatic relationship that has spanned years and several countries.

The map of their meetings tells a story of evolving political theatre. Their first face-to-face encounter took place at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, in July 2017, followed by the APEC Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, later that year.

They met again during the Helsinki Summit in Finland in June 2018 and at the WWI Armistice centenary in Paris that November. The G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019 rounded out the early chapter of their encounters, before geopolitical realities and Trump’s departure from office paused direct talks.

The Anchorage Summit reignited global attention. According to CBS News , discussions focused heavily on the ongoing war in Ukraine, sanctions, and global energy prices.

However, much like their previous meetings, the summit produced more symbolism than substance, with no significant breakthroughs on ceasefire agreements or troop withdrawals. Reuters described the talks as “cordial but inconclusive.”

Now, attention is turning toward Budapest, Hungary, as the potential venue for their next meeting. Following a phone call between Trump and Putin on October 16, both sides signalled openness to further negotiations in the Hungarian capital, a move widely supported by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

In remarks quoted by AP News , Orbán said Hungary was proud to serve as neutral ground, calling his country “the only place in Europe” capable of hosting such high-stakes diplomacy.

For Ukraine, the timing couldn’t be more sensitive. Just days after Trump and Putin’s call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington to push for advanced U.S. weapons and reaffirm support for Kyiv.

Still, expectations remain cautious. Analysts cited by AP News and The Kyiv Independent note that previous summits between the two leaders, often long on photo ops and short on policy outcomes, suggest the upcoming Budapest meeting may not deliver sweeping results either.

Trump arrives on a high note after Hamas and Israel agreed to the first phase of a plan he has drafted for Gaza. The timing coincides with the Nobel Prize Committee’s announcement week, including the coveted Peace Prize that Trump has long sought.

At least 43 people were killed in early August after five days of fighting along the Cambodian–Thai border. The clashes ended on August 7, following a ceasefire mediated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Four diplomatic and Malaysian government sources told This Week in Asia that Trump wanted the ceremony to showcase his role in initiating the peace process. Politico reported that the White House made the ceremony a condition for Trump’s attendance and requested that Chinese officials be excluded from the event.

Washington has not issued any formal demands to Malaysia as this year’s ASEAN chair. “(The peace deal ceremony is) potentially happening, yes, but it has yet to be finalised,” a source told This Week in Asia, adding that it also depended on Thailand ’s approval.

Border tensions remain high despite the ceasefire. Both sides have accused each other of violations, with militaries still on alert. Nationalists in Thailand and Cambodia have pressured their governments not to concede territory.

Thailand’s new prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, took office last month after parliament voted out Paetongtarn Shinawatra for an ethics breach linked to a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Anutin has pledged to dissolve parliament within four months to allow new elections and a constitutional referendum.

The 2025 Asean Summit is expected to draw global attention, with confirmed attendance from China’s Premier Li Qiang, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.

All 10 ASEAN leaders are expected to seek bilateral meetings with Trump to discuss trade relief, following the imposition of US tariffs ranging from 10% to 40% on exports from the region since August. Economists have warned that the tariffs could slow Southeast Asia’s growth and push countries to find new export markets.

Washington has overtaken Beijing as Kuala Lumpur’s largest export market, with bilateral trade reaching $78.3 billion in 2022. Across Asean, however, China remains the dominant partner for the 16th straight year, with trade totalling $597 billion in the first seven months of 2025.

A recent regional survey found that 52.3% of Southeast Asian respondents preferred the US as a long-term strategic partner, compared with 47.7% for China. Those figures came before Trump’s new tariffs, which have hit ASEAN members at varying levels: Laos and Myanmar at 40%, Brunei at 23%, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia , Thailand, the Philippines, and Cambodia at 19%, and Singapore at 10%. 

As Asean leaders prepare to focus on trade and regional stability, Trump’s attention appears fixed elsewhere — on a symbolic peace deal, and the Nobel Peace Prize he still hopes to claim.

What they said

“It is not acceptable that individual member states of ECCAS, including the DRC, be permitted to manipulate the regional organisation against a fellow member state,” Rwanda’s cabinet stated , condemning DRC’s actions during its 2023–2024 ECCAS chairmanship. The DRC, however, accused Rwanda of fueling the eastern conflict by supporting M23 rebels, a claim backed by UN reports and Western governments but denied by Kigali.

In Sarawak, Chung Hua Primary School Boards Association president Datuk Jonathan Chai urged all schools to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to better respond to emergencies. At a safety seminar attended by over 180 teachers, Chai emphasised that educators must also be protectors, highlighting the importance of CPR and AED training. The event, organised with the Malaysian Red Cross, aimed to equip teachers with vital life-saving skills, The Borneo Post reported.

Southeast Asia seeks joint tariff talks with Trump

Southeast Asian nations will present a united front to address U.S. tariffs and other challenges, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at the ASEAN summit. Anwar, this year’s ASEAN chair, is pushing for a joint meeting with President Trump to discuss tariff impacts, which range from 10% to 49% across member states. ASEAN has formed a task force to coordinate responses, while some members pursue bilateral talks. Anwar also highlighted Tuesday’s historic meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the Gulf Cooperation Council, aimed at boosting regional cooperation. Leaders will unveil a 20-year plan for deeper integration. However, tensions remain with China over the South China Sea, with Philippine President Marcos Jr. urging a binding code of conduct. Anwar warned that the rules-based international order is under threat from arbitrary actions.

China's premier urges stronger trade ties with Malaysia

Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged deeper trade and investment ties with Malaysia during a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to Xinhua. Visiting Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN-GCC-China summit, Li emphasised defending multilateral trade and cooperation amid rising protectionism. Li’s call follows recent regional visits by Chinese leaders as Beijing looks to strengthen ties beyond the U.S. amid ongoing tariff tensions. He pledged closer economic collaboration with Malaysia and ASEAN-GCC nations to tackle global challenges.

Vietnam to export renewable energy to Malaysia, Singapore

At the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam signed a tripartite agreement with Malaysia and Singapore to export clean electricity, marking the first step toward cross-border renewable energy trade. Witnessed by Prime Ministers Pham Minh Chinh, Anwar Ibrahim, and Lawrence Wong, the deal supports ASEAN’s vision of a regional power grid. Malaysia’s MY Energy Consortium (TNB and Petronas) will partner with Vietnam’s PTSC and Singapore’s Sembcorp to harness Vietnam’s offshore wind energy for export. The deal aligns with Vietnam’s Power Development Plan 8, which targets up to 10 GW of renewable energy exports by 2035. Vietnam has over 470 GW of offshore wind potential within 200 km of its coast.

Malaysia PM hails key progress on Myanmar at ASEAN Summit

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday praised "significant" steps to engage Myanmar’s warring sides, as ASEAN leaders gathered in Kuala Lumpur to address the ongoing conflict and U.S. trade threats. Myanmar has faced turmoil since a 2021 military coup sparked a nationwide rebellion, displacing over 3.5 million people. As ASEAN chair, Anwar has led renewed peace efforts, including recent meetings with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and Myanmar’s shadow government. He emphasised that while progress remains fragile, “even a fragile bridge is better than a widening gulf.”

To support Ukraine's defence capabilities, the United Kingdom pledged £1.6 billion ($2 billion) in export financing to procure over 5,000 air defence missiles manufactured in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This initiative complements a previously announced £2.2 billion loan for military aid to Ukraine, funded by frozen Russian assets. ​

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also introduced the "ReArm Europe" plan, proposing to unlock €800 billion (approximately $840 billion) to enhance defense capabilities across member states. This plan reflects the EU's recognition of an "era of rearmament" and aims to reduce dependence on external powers for security.

​In a decisive move to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, European leaders convened an emergency summit in London on March 2, 2025. The summit aimed to bolster support for Ukraine and assert Europe's role in seeking a peaceful resolution, especially in light of shifting U.S. policies.​

The summit occurred amid strained relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, following a contentious meeting at the White House. This tension has prompted the suspension of military aid to Ukraine.

During a panel discussion at the Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, World Bank Group President, Ajay Banga, commended the Tanzanian government’s efforts to electrify both urban and rural regions, which has empowered citizens to boost their economies with reliable power. He described Tanzania as a "lighthouse" for other African nations to emulate.

"This is something we need across the continent," Banga said . "Tanzania serves as a lighthouse and beacon for others to follow."

The summit, which kicked off at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC), aims to accelerate electricity access throughout Africa. The Energy Compact initiative, which was launched during the event, aims to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030, with a focus on setting achievable goals for each nation.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), praised Tanzania's success and suggested that neighbouring countries learn from its strong electric access methods.

“We cannot develop in the dark,” Dr Adesina said, emphasizing the need for partnerships to bring power to the millions still living without it.  

The discovery can potentially dispute the belief that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit first.

In June 1924, Irvine and Mallory embarked on an ambitious expedition to become the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest. They were last seen on June 8, 1924, about 800 feet below the summit.

For nearly a century, whether they succeeded in reaching the top has remained unanswered. The discovery of Irvine's foot could provide crucial evidence to solve this mystery.

The preserved boot, revealed by melting ice on a glacier, was found on the Central Rongbuk Glacier by the north face of Everest. The sock inside the boot had a name tag stitched with "A.C. Irvine," strongly suggesting that the remains belonged to Sandy Irvine.

This finding is significant because Irvine was believed to be carrying a camera with undeveloped film that could show whether he and Mallory reached the summit.

If the camera is found and the film is developed, it could provide photographic evidence that Irvine and Mallory were the first to summit Everest, 29 years before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's successful ascent in 1953.

For Irvine's descendants, the discovery has been profoundly emotional. Julie Summers, Irvine's great-niece, expressed her astonishment and relief upon hearing the news.

"I just froze.... We had all given up any hope any trace of him would be found," she told the BBC .

The family has provided a DNA sample to confirm the identity of the remains, and the climbing community eagerly awaits the results.

During their September descent from the Central Rongbuk Glacier on Everest's north face, the Chin's team of climbers discovered an oxygen bottle dated 1933. This bottle was linked to an Everest expedition that had found an item belonging to Irvine that same year.

Motivated by the possibility that Irvine's body might be nearby, the team searched the glacier for several days. Eventually, one of them spotted a boot popping out from the melting ice.

Peaks, especially Mount Everest, the highest in the world, have long been magnets for adventurers and mountaineers. Climbing Everest is considered the ultimate mountaineering challenge.

Interestingly, On October 9, 2024, Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old from Nepal, became the youngest climber to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, known as the “eight-thousanders."

After a five-year suspension, school sports in Botswana have officially returned. The suspension, caused by a 2018 boycott over unpaid coaching duties, ended following successful negotiations between the government and the teachers’ union, the Voice reports. The government has allocated P55 million (approximately $4 million) to fund the program for the current financial year. “There is no need to dwell on why school sports took so long to return. What’s important is that school sports are back, and we can now continue our mission of placing sports development at the forefront. We faced numerous challenges in bringing the program back - we were constantly in meetings with the teachers’ union, looking for common ground. But today, I am proud to say that school sports are back, and they are here to stay,” Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports, and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, announced during a homecoming ceremony for Botswana’s Olympic athletes at Maun Sports Complex. 

Bank of Botswana cuts interest rate

The Bank of Botswana has reduced its Monetary Policy Rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down from 2.15 percent to 1.9 percent. The decision follows concerns over the country's economic prospects, particularly the slowdown in the diamond sector and a 5.3 percent contraction in real GDP in the first quarter of 2024, the Gazette reports. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) highlighted the impact of reduced export earnings on government spending and overall economic activity. The MPC noted in a statement that, “the reduced export earnings are likely to constrain government spending, which in turn will have a negative impact on overall economic activity.”

China-Africa summit

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has confirmed his attendance at the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, scheduled to take place from September 4-6. The summit, themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," will feature a keynote address by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The event is expected to be the largest gathering of African leaders in China since 2018 and it will also count as Jinping’s third appearance at the event since ascending to power in 2014. 

Air access project

Botswana has launched the Botswana Air Access project, an initiative aimed at improving international air connectivity and positioning the country as a key business and logistics hub in Southern Africa. The project is a concerted effort involving the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), and other stakeholders, local news portal Mmegi reports. CAAB CEO Bao Mosinyi emphasised the importance of enhancing the country’s connectivity to accelerate development. 

Budgetary concerns

Botswana's budget transparency has come under scrutiny, with the latest Open Budget Index (OBI) revealing a drop in the country’s transparency score from 38 in 2019 to 34 in 2021. UNICEF's recent analysis of Botswana's 2022-2023 national budget has raised concerns about declining public involvement in the budgeting process. The report highlights that the public participation score, which measures citizen input in the budget, dropped from 9 to just 6 out of 100 during this period, the Sunday Standard reports.

China has also sent hundreds of thousands of workers to Africa to develop megaprojects while tapping into the continent's rich natural resources, including copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth minerals. 

African leaders will gather in Beijing this week for the China-Africa summit, to seek funds for large-scale infrastructure projects 

Ovigwe Eguegu, a policy analyst at the consultancy Development Reimagined, highlighted the potential for collaboration in new and emerging technologies. "China now leads in areas like car batteries, solar panels, and other renewable technologies, which Africa, being energy-hungry, can benefit from," Eguegu said. "This could be a key area where both sides can achieve tangible results."

China, Africa's largest trading partner, saw bilateral trade reach $167.8 billion in the first half of this year, according to Chinese state media. Last year, Beijing’s loans to African nations hit a five-year high, with Angola, Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya as top borrowers. However, Eguegu cautioned that African countries have limited leverage against China. "Some believe that the US can be used to balance China, but that is a privilege only a few countries have," he added.

Tang Xiaoyang, a professor at Tsinghua University, emphasised the broader implications of the summit. "China-Africa relations now extend beyond geographic boundaries, becoming part of the South-South cooperation framework. How both sides integrate their cooperation into the Global South vision could be the most crucial outcome of this Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)," Tang said.

The forum will be Beijing’s largest diplomatic event since the COVID-19 pandemic and will see participation from leaders of South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and other nations.

The summit is a platform for both parties to deliberate on a vision statement to guide their partnership. High-ranking officials from South Korea and Africa have already convened to craft this pivotal document, which will be unveiled as the defining outcome of the summit.

“Korea is willing not only to increase the quantity but also the quality and efficacy of its assistance to Africa. To this end, it provides tailored support to meet the needs and conditions of each African nation,” Chung Byung-won , South Korea’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The summit also reflects South Korea's willingness to share its expertise and technology to expedite the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This will further contribute to Africa's economic development. Both sides have expressed the need to enhance economic cooperation by promoting trade and investment and expanding the institutional frameworks.

This is reiterated by the director-general for the Technology Cooperation Bureau of the Rural Development Administration, Kim Hwang Yon , who said, "Even if the technology is small, as long as it is rooted in the local people, it will have a significant impact. When Korea was in poverty, we received a lot of help from the international community, now we feel it is our turn to help,” when he spoke to a group of African journalists invited to Seoul ahead of the summit.

In preparation for this event, the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit Preparatory Office and Hyundai Motor Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for vehicle support. This collaboration will provide approximately 120 official protocol vehicles to facilitate the transportation needs of African leaders and their spouses during the Summit.

Over 500,000 unregistered SIM cards have been suspended in Namibia. Citizens with suspended SIM cards risk permanent loss by the end of June. According to ITWeb Africa , users must register by June 30 to prevent permanent loss. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology issued a cautionary statement after mobile operators met the government's deadline to deactivate non-compliant clients by March 30. As a result, thousands of unregistered SIM cards were suspended across various networks. The registration process has, however, been contentious, with some claiming it's a government attempt to monitor residents' activities.

Cough syrup controversy

Namibia is reported to be unaffected by the Benylin paediatric syrup recall after the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority identified high levels of diethylene glycol in certain batches. The Namibian reports that Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services, has assured that the Benylin pediatric syrup is presently not registered in Namibia. Other African countries like Tanzania and Zimbabwe have recalled the affected batches as a precaution. Diethylene glycol is toxic and has been linked to recent deaths in Cameroon and The Gambia.

Oil investments

Namibia is considering a significant oil discovery off its shores with a potential final investment decision by 2024. TotalEnergies SE and Shell Plc discovered an estimated 11 billion barrels of crude oil in the waters off the southwest African nation's coast in 2022. The estimated 11 Bbbl of crude oil could greatly impact the country's economy. Additionally, a sovereign wealth fund has been established to manage the potential revenue, Bloomberg reports . The nation is also considering joining OPEC+ once the commercial viability of the discovery is confirmed.

Big energy sector moves

Namibia plans to invest potential oil revenue into a sovereign wealth fund and is awaiting confirmation on the commercial viability of recent oil discoveries. The government aims to ensure sustainable and beneficial investments for long-term economic growth, reflecting Namibia's commitment to responsible resource management. Freight News posits that Total Energies and Shell's recent oil discoveries off the southern coast of Namibia have spurred the initiation of a sovereign wealth fund. This signifies a strategic step by the government to manage and distribute the expected oil revenue proficiently. Energy development also has the potential to impact Namibia's GDP.

Global African Hydrogen Summit in Namibia

The Global African Hydrogen Summit will be held in Windhoek, Namibia from September 3-5 2024. The summit aims to drive investments into African green energy projects and will feature prominent speakers and projects from countries across the continent. In a KZN Industrial & Business News report , the event will focus on developing the thriving hydrogen market, building partnerships, stimulating investment, and fostering green industrialisation. It will also highlight the potential of renewable hydrogen to provide energy security and decarbonize various sectors. The Government of Namibia fully endorses the summit which will include a strategic conference, investment roundtables, and an international exhibition.

The White House will host the first trilateral summit between the Philippines, Japan, and the United States on April 11, aiming to strengthen ties based on historical friendship, economic relations, democratic values, and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders will also reaffirm the ironclad alliances between the United States and the Philippines, and the United States and Japan, local media Money Control reports.

Gaming market

The Philippines is expected to become the second largest gaming market in the ASEAN region, after Macau, with PAGCOR Chairman, Alejandro H Tengco, predicting gaming revenue to reach a new high of $6.1 billion this year. News outlet AGB reports that the privatisation and regulatory reforms are expected to attract more integrated resorts and boost the electronic gaming sector.

Wildlife award

The Wildlife Sentinel Award (WiSe) Philippines has been launched to recognise outstanding achievements in combating wildlife crime in the country. Nominations are open until May 31, 2024, and open to individuals, units, and groups in investigation and law enforcement agencies and prosecution services. The award aims to honour those who contributed excellently to protecting the Philippines' biodiversity, reports local media Traffic .

Earthquake

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of at least 7.5 struck Mindanao in the southern Philippines, triggering tsunami warnings that were later lifted. The earthquake resulted in at least one death and caused evacuation orders in both the Philippines and Japan, reports media agency Aljazeera .

Free trade

The EU and the Philippines have announced the restart of free trade talks after a seven-year halt, with the EU being the fifth largest trade partner for the Philippines in 2023. Talks were previously halted in 2017 during Rodrigo Duterte's presidency. Media agency Bloomberg reports that the trade deal will ensure mutual market access and diversify supply chains, offering more opportunities for professionals and service providers.

What they said

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in May during his visit to Ethiopia said, "We want to make our contribution to advancing peace and security. That is why we have been addressing the various difficult security issues in different regions of Africa. I made a very important statement here for the African Union. We want to support that the African Union gets a seat in the G20 so that it can participate and have a say. This is out of respect for the continent and its many states and also its growing population."

African heads of state in attendance

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, interim President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, President Prithvirajsing Roopun of Mauritius, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine of Niger were among the African leaders in attendance.

Key discussions and regional issues

The leaders engaged in discussions on military unrest in countries like Palestine and Sudan. Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby expressed the need for resolution, citing displaced Sudanese citizens receiving support in Chad.

“I take this opportunity to mention that there are a lot of displaced citizens of Sudan (in Chad) and we have called multiple times to resolve the issue and Chad is providing the necessary support," he is quoted by reporters.

The summit addressed economic development, trade, and investment opportunities aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The Saudi Development Fund pledged SAR18.75 billion ($5 billion) for African development projects until 2030, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

African leaders' remarks

Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council expressed Sudan’s support for the Saudi-African partnership, highlighting Sudan's geographical significance.

He said, “Sudan will always be a supporter of the Saudi-African partnership, benefiting from its geographical location that links the continent of Africa with the Horn of Arabia, and we are happy for the partnership and look forward to its success."

President Deby of Chad also called for mutual development support and partnerships across various sectors.

“I call upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and African nations to support development for the mutual benefit of all countries and forge partnerships based on mutual interests and respect of all parties in various areas, whether these be political, economic, trade, humanitarian or environmental,” he said.

Landmark agreements and collaborations

Over 50 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, spanning tourism, finance, energy, renewable energy, mining, transportation, agriculture, and more. Cooperation deals with Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast were among the notable agreements.

Formation of working groups

Four working groups were established in politics and military, trade and investment, culture and education, and humanitarian and health. These groups are scheduled to commence operations within six months post-summit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Emilie Simons, the deputy White House press secretary, stated,  "I don't want to get ahead of where we are in the logistical planning process, but we have agreed to a meeting in principle.”

She also mentioned that close coordination with the Chinese government is ongoing to finalize the arrangements.

During President Joe Biden's trip to Minnesota, Simons spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One and emphasized that both countries are in sync regarding the significance of leader-to-leader communication in managing their bilateral relationship.

Last week, China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, held meetings with President Biden, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Following these discussions, which spanned approximately 10 hours over two days, both sides expressed their commitment to working towards a summit between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This meeting is slated to take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum's leaders' meeting in mid-November in San Francisco.

However, Chinese officials, including Wang, have been cautious in their statements about the proposed face-to-face talks between the two presidents, indicating that more work needs to be done to address differences on key issues before the summit. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday refrained from confirming whether a basic agreement on the Biden-Xi summit had been reached with the United States.