Global One Health Day Celebration in Somali Region Ethiopia
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The 2025 Global One Health Day was celebrated in Jigjiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia under the theme “Strengthening One Health Collaboration for Resilient Communities.”
The event brought a wide range of partners into one forum, with over 100 participants, including high-level officials such as H.E. Mr. Ahmed Yasin Shek Ibrahim, delegate from the Somali Region President's Office; H.E. Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI); and Mr. Mohammed Ayanle Hassan, Deputy Head of the Somali Region Health Bureau.
Participants represented a wide range of sectors, federal ministries, regional bureaus, academia, community representatives, UN agencies, donors, development partners, and civil society organizations.
In her remarks, Ms. Senait Tekeste, representing the World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia, forwarded three key calls to action:
- Strengthen multisectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration through sustained coordination, communication, and joint planning. She emphasized translating the national One Health Strategy into a regional action plan, and enhancing surveillance and analysis to improve capacity to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from health emergencies.
- Invest in education and capacity building by fostering interdisciplinary training and curriculum revision across human, animal, and environmental health fields. She highlighted the importance of information sharing to prevent zoonotic disease spread and ensure optimal outcomes for communities and ecosystems.
- Leverage advanced tools and technologies to integrate data from human and animal health sectors and support modelling of zoonotic diseases for early detection of emerging and re-emerging threats.
In his keynote address, Dr. Mesay Hailu underscored the importance of partnership and coordination, stating:
“Health challenges such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related health risks cannot be addressed in isolation. Strengthening collaboration among sectors — human, animal, and environmental health — is essential to build resilient communities and protect our collective health security.”
Echoing this call, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Yasin Shek Ibrahim reaffirmed the Somali Region's commitment to advancing the One Health agenda:
“Today's celebration is a reminder to renew our collective commitment to work together — across sectors and disciplines — to safeguard the health of our people, our animals, and our environment. The regional government stands ready to strengthen collaboration and translate the One Health approach into concrete action.”
The program featured keynote statements from government officials, donors, UN agencies, academia, and development partners, as well as progress reports from national and regional One Health platforms. Both federal and regional leaders reaffirmed their commitment to institutionalizing the One Health approach in the Somali Region. The event was co-sponsored by the WHO, with financial support from the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
Following the formal session, participants took part in interactive workshop presentations that showcased best practices and innovative approaches to implementing One Health at regional and community levels. The event also featured a gallery walk exhibition, where partners and local institutions displayed successful initiatives and collaborative models demonstrating the power of the One Health approach in action.
The celebration concluded with a panel discussion on operationalizing One Health in Ethiopia, complemented by technical presentations and open dialogue among experts from human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia.WomenIN Festival 2025 Culminates in Two Days of Holistic, Transformative and Unapologetic Empowerment
The WomenIN Festival 2025 (http://WeAreWomenIN.com/) wrapped up a powerful two-day celebration at Newlands Cricket Ground on 13–14 November, bringing together hundreds of women from across South Africa for an immersive programme focused on empowerment, leadership development, wellbeing, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, creativity and social impact.
Guided by the theme “Limitless: No Labels. No Limits. No Apologies,” the festival created space for meaningful conversations, real connections and practical tools designed to support women across every dimension of their lives.
The curated programme included panel discussions, interactive dialogues, wellness conversations, entrepreneurship sessions, financial literacy masterclasses and storytelling-focused engagements. Each segment was designed to explore identity, leadership, resilience, innovation and holistic wellbeing.
Leigh-Anne Williams, acclaimed Radio & TV Presenter, guided the programme as MC. Her vibrant personality, dynamic delivery and warm connection with the audience created an atmosphere of energy and unity, anchoring the festival's flow across the two days.
With the event taking place during South Africa's national Entrepreneurship Month, the festival placed a strong emphasis on business and economic empowerment. Women were equipped with practical tools for starting and scaling businesses, understanding financial behaviour and navigating the realities of entrepreneurship.
Empowerment partner FNB led key sessions on financial literacy and business growth. Reflecting on the festival's impact, Nicole Sykes, the Head of Women in Business, FNB shared: “WomenIN brings together courage, collaboration and practical tools in a way that genuinely empowers women. The women who attended left with financial knowledge, business skills, emotional resilience and personal safety strategies that will continue to uplift them long after these two days.”
Raksha Naidoo, Chair of Women in Mining South Africa and CEO of the Particle Group, offered an important perspective on women transforming one of the country's most male-dominated industries. Her insights centred on structural change, decisive leadership and expanding real influence for women across the sector.
Thando Hopa, Cultural Leader for the African Albinism Network, lawyer, activist, fashion model and UN Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion, delivered a profound session exploring representation, identity and the power of narrative — highlighting how culture, policy and media shape society's understanding of women.
Joni Peddie, Vice President of the Global Speakers Federation and behavioural strategist, shared insights on emotional agility, resilience and intentional leadership. Her contribution reminded women of the importance of leading from self-awareness and authenticity.
The women in sport conversation featuring Babalwa Latsha highlighted the rise of women's rugby and the resilience of female athletes breaking new ground. She spoke about investment gaps, visibility, cultural perceptions and the importance of creating pathways that allow young women to see sport as a viable, respected career.
In the Wellness Resolution session, Dr. Kate Klaasen and Dr. Simone Silver explored burnout as a growing concern for women, emphasising an integrated approach to wellbeing across physical, emotional, social and spiritual spheres.
The festival also featured a powerful gender-based violence session titled Breaking the Silence, Rebuilding Lives. Moderated by GBV Advocate & COO - Women For Change (https://apo-opa.co/44ok8ms), Merlize Jogiat, the discussion brought together MOSAIC and Women For Change to address the silence that often surrounds the trauma of GBV in South Africa. The session amplified survivor voices, called for systemic change and shared practical tools for healing, safety and support — offering clear pathways toward empowerment and justice.
Marketplace: A Celebration of Women-Owned Brands
The marketplace added a vibrant dimension to the festival, showcasing a wide range of women-owned brands across beauty, wellness, fashion, jewellery, food, homeware and lifestyle essentials. It created a lively space where entrepreneurs shared their stories and connected with customers. The marketplace reinforced WomenIN's commitment to uplifting women economically and supporting small businesses.
The festival concluded with a personal safety session led by Fight Back SA, offering practical awareness tools that supported the festival's broader mission to empower women mentally, emotionally, economically and physically.
Festival Founder Nazlee Fredericks-Maharaj, Founding Portfolio Director of WomenIN Festival stated: “This year reminded us of the power that unfolds when women gather with purpose and without apology. When women refuse to be boxed and boldly own their space — holistically and phenomenally — systems shift. WomenIN 2025 brought that vision to life in the most powerful and authentic way. We are already shaping something extraordinary for WomenIN 2026. For those who missed it this year — this wasn't just a festival, it was a revolution. In 2026, it's coming back louder, bolder and more unapologetic than ever.”
The event concluded with the prestigious 2025 Good Hope FM Warrior Women Awards, recognising women whose leadership and impact continue to shape industries, communities and national narratives.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.For press & media enquiries or interviews please contact:
Tishala Communications
Elize Engle
pr1@tishalacommunications.com
063 574 5249
About WomenIN (WiN):
WomenIN (WiN) is a dynamic women's empowerment portfolio within the VUKA Group, dedicated to inspiring, supporting, and uplifting women from all walks of life. WiN creates platforms for connection, collaboration, and capacity-building across sectors including mining, mobility, energy, gaming, green economy, customer experience, and more. Through in-person events, masterclasses, wellness activations, and networking initiatives, WiN fosters leadership, amplifies voices, and drives lasting impact.
For more information, visit www.WeAreWomenIN.com
About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group brings people and organisations together to connect through platforms that drive growth and transformation across Africa's industries. With over 20 years of experience on the continent, VUKA delivers sector-leading platforms across Energy, Mining, Mobility, Retail, and Women Empowerment.
Director General of Operations at Senegal’s Energy Ministry to Speak at MSGBC 2025
Papa Samba, Director General of Control and Monitoring Operations at Senegal's Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines has been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition – taking place from December 8-10 in Dakar.
Samba's participation comes at a pivotal moment for Senegal, as the country's energy sector draws heightened global interest amid efforts to unlock its full resource potential for economic growth and energy security. With multiple exploration campaigns underway and notable discoveries awaiting development, the recent commissioning of the Sangomar oilfield and the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project placed Senegal on the global energy map as an emerging oil and gas exporter. Leveraging extensive experience in overseeing operational performance and regulatory compliance across Senegal's growing energy portfolio, Samba will share insights into the country's most promising investment opportunities at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference.
Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region's oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Samba is expected to showcase upcoming projects aimed at ensuring the sustainable growth of the country's oil and gas sector, including a $1 billion, 400 km national gas pipeline project led by State-owned Réseau Gazier du Sénégal. Once operational, the pipeline will connect offshore fields – including the GTA gas hub and the upcoming deepwater Yakaar-Teranga field – to power plants and industrial zones across the country, driving the country's energy security, affordability and access agenda. The pipeline will transport up to 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually.
Senegal is also prioritizing the expansion of its refinery capacity to enhance local value addition to cater for growing petroleum demands locally and across the region. The Société Africaine de Raffinage is progressing its SAR 2.0, $2–5 billion expansion project, which will increase refining capacity from 1.5 million tons per year to 5.5 million tons by 2029.
“Papa Samba's experience in operational control and monitoring is critical for demonstrating how Senegal is embedding excellence and reliability across all phases of energy development. His contribution will be invaluable for stakeholders exploring investment, partnership and growth opportunities in the country's oil and gas sector,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director, Energy Capital & Power.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.