Marking World Pneumonia Day, on 12 November, UNICEF chief Henrietta Fore, highlighted the coronavirus factor, noting that “while the world grapples with the pandemic and the severe consequences it poses for the most vulnerable, we must not lose sight of the fact that pneumonia continues to claim more than 2,000 young lives every day.”
UNICEF pointed out that medical oxygen, coupled with antibiotics, could save the lives of many children suffering with severe pneumonia.
However, cost can be prohibitive for the poorest families, as can access to health facilities with functioning oxygen supplies, and trained health workers – all of which are scarce in poorer countries.
Moreover, the pandemic has seen a surge in demand, making the shortages even more prominent.
Fortunately, oxygen can be produced locally in even remote parts of the world, at affordable cost. A key part of UNICEF COVID-19 response has been delivering oxygen concentrators, devices that take in air from the environment, remove nitrogen, and produce a continuous source of oxygen.
As of Wednesday, UNICEF had delivered 15,188 oxygen concentrators to 93 countries.
“Medical oxygen can help save some of these lives”, stressed Ms. Fore.
One size does not fit all
The response, however, is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Some settings may have available oxygen plants, cylinder-delivery networks and reliable electricity sources to use a concentrator, while others may not.
And some areas face import restrictions for certain health supplies, or dwindling health budgets and rising prices set by oxygen suppliers.
To address this, UNICEF is working with governmentsand partners for unique country solutions, mostly involve a mix of oxygen sources from cylinders, concentrators, plants and liquid oxygen.
The UN agency’s response has been global, rapid, and multi-faceted as it has supplied medical oxygen to over 90 countries to help fight COVID-19 and keep children and newborns with pneumonia alive.
Oxygen is the answer
Although this complex commodity can be challenging to provide, especially in rural settings where electricity, infrastructure and essential health equipment may be in short supply, UNICEF has noted a shift in policy worldwide.
Over the past year, governments, donors, UN agencies and partners have begun to recognize the importance of this essential medicine in helping people recover from pneumonia, whether COVID-19-induced or not. UNICEF is calling on everyone, to “amplify efforts to bring life to those fighting for breath”.
UNICEF country initiatives
Peru: Providing oxygen concentrators to help indigenous communities.
Senegal: Along with the Government, providing oxygen to 64 health facilities in regions with high rates of pneumonia.
Malawi: Helped establish an oxygen generating plant at Kamuzu Central Hospital, contributing to building a new “oxygen ecosystem” for the country.
Sierra Leone: Investing in refurbishing and installing oxygen plants.
Bangladesh: Expanding oxygen systems to prevent new-born deaths.
India: Along with the Government, investing in over 3,000 oxygen concentrators to support the fight against COVID-19.
Caritas Internationalis held a webinar on Thursday, entitled, “Fratelli tutti, what does it mean for Caritas’ work,” with the aim of analysing some of the Holy Father’s text in the context of caritas, or ‘love’. The goal of the webinar was to explore how Pope Francis’s encyclical Fratelli tutti can become a concrete reality for communities around the world.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the President of Caritas Internationalis, began his intervention by encouraging all those present to read the encyclical in its entirety, because, he explained “Pope Francis brings some of his previous ideas into a new synthesis as a respnse to the present conditions of a closed world”. He does this, continued Cardinal Tagle, “always drawing from the rich biblical tradition of the Church and the teachings — dogmatic, moral and social teachings — of the Church”.
“Let us join him in this extended reflection”, he said.
Cardinal Tagle then went on to reflect on the “very sad signs on the lack of love” that our world is suffering. We can see that there are “many manifestations of a world that is closing in on itself”, he said. In this closed world, all of us suffer, but the poor suffer the most, the Cardinal added. They are the ones who are easily forgotten, neglected, thrown away; and “we should be disturbed by the consequences of the closed world”, as they are consequences for human beings, for the future and for creation.
Universal love
Cardinal Tagle then focused on two main points brought up in the Pope’s encyclical. The first is universal love. Cardinal Tagle explains that in Fratelli tutti, the image of charity is that of universal love, because “that’s how God loves. God loves everyone”. That is the love that Jesus shows, explained the Cardinal. “He loved everyone, especially those that society considered unloveable. Outcasts. From there we find the parable of the good samaritan, someone who exhibits to us universal love towards a stranger”, said Cardinal Tagle.
A culture of encounter
The second main point concerns a culture of encounters. Universal love, says Cardinal Tagle, “could easily become a slogan”; but universality can only become true if it is accompanied by encounter and concretenness. “The Holy Father says if you engage in dialogue you must also know your identity so it is not denied, and your religious identity is secured and so you are open to interreligious diaologue”, Cardinal Tagle explained. Similarly, every nation is entitled to its political system and policies, but national politics must lead to international political charity in international relations.
Hopefully, continued Cardinal Tagle, “through a culture of encounter, the meetings of different cultures, we will find a better way of doing politics, dealings with the economy… a better way of establishing cultural friendship and resolving conflicts”. All this, he concluded, should lead to the common good: the good of all, which in the end will also benefit each individual.
Finally, Cardinal Tagle noted some lessons that Caritas can learn from Fratelli tutti. Among them was that of joining the Holy Father in “being sensitive to the sign of closing hearts, hands, minds and territories and cultures”. These signs are very subtle, he concluded, but Fratelli tutti is asking us to “open our eyes and be sensitive and discerning to these threats to universal openness”.
After the signing of a permanent countrywide cease-fire agreement last month in Geneva, this latest development provides more hope that the country is on the path to normality.
Representatives of the internationally recognized Libyan government and Khalifa Haftar’s self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) made the announcement at a United Nations sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Tunisia.
The dialogue was established by the Berlin Conference Outcomes, and endorsed by the UN Security Council.
A new roadmap addresses the problems of displaced people and tackles the steps needed to be taken for a unified governance framework and to initiate reconciliation.
Prior to the recent ceasefire, the conflict had been especially violent. Libya has been dogged by war since the ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Since then, it is estimated that around 400,000 Libyans have been displaced.
In a separate development, more than 100 migrants were rescued from a sinking boat off the coast of Libya on Wednesday. According to reports, a six-month-old baby died onboard a rescue ship soon after he and his mother had been plucked from the water.
“The Council today extended the EU sanctions regime against Venezuela for one year, until 14 November 2021,” the EU body said in a press release.
According to the release, the measures include an embargo on arms and on equipment for internal repression, as well as a travel ban and an asset freeze on 36 listed individuals in official positions “who are responsible for human rights violations and/or for undermining democracy and the rule of law”.
At the end of June, the EU Council expanded the list of Venezuelan officials subject to sanctions over “their role in actions and decisions that undermine democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela”, adding 11 names to it, bringing the total number of the sanctioned individuals to 36.
Caracas condemned the EU pressure on the Latin American country. President Maduro ordered to expel EU diplomat Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa from Venezuela saying that the nation will no longer tolerate “European colonialism against Venezuela”, but the decision was reversed.
EU punitive measures against Venezuela were introduced in November 2017. These include an arms embargo, as well as travel bans and asset freezes on a number of Venezuelan officials.
During Lithuania’s second presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will take place in 2027, the European Union could already declare Ukraine a candidate for EU membership, Lithuanian Ambassador to Ukraine Valdemaras Sarapinas has said.
“The main goal of the Ukraine-2027 initiative of former Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius is to help unite the efforts of the member states and EU institutions to help Ukraine implement reforms and, at the same time, ensure the transparent use of investments, contribute to faster growth of its economy. During the second presidency Lithuania in the Council of the EU, which will be held in 2027, the European Union could already declare Ukraine the candidate for the EU,” he told Interfax-Ukraine.
Sarapinas said that this is an excellent prospect for mobilizing Ukraine in the implementation of further democratic reforms.
“Undoubtedly, this is an ambitious plan. For its implementation it is important for Ukraine to consolidate its successes and resolutely commit reforms in the future, and for the EU to support Ukraine’s European choice in every possible way,” he said.
The ambassador said that in the middle of 2021, it is planned to organize the fourth conference of reforms in Ukraine in Vilnius, which will help strengthen the reform process.
“Ukraine faces a difficult task: to simultaneously address the problems of the occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine and commit structural reforms. In addition, like other countries, you need to fight against [coronavirus] COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has taken a huge step towards fulfilling important reforms,” he said.
Sarapinas said that Lithuania consistently supports the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“I like to say that Lithuania’s support for Ukraine is an axiom,” the diplomat said.
Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola has been elected first vice-president of the European Parliament, the most senior role ever occupied by a Maltese.
She will serve in the second-highest post in the EP until January 2022, like president David Sassoli.
The European Parliament has 14 vice-presidents and they can replace the president in performing duties when necessary.
The appointment marks the first time a Maltese MEP was selected to hold one of the top jobs within the European institution.
Metsola was nominated by the European People’s Party, of which she has been a member since 2013. There were no other submissions for the role and nobody opposed the nomination, including members of other political groups. She was declared elected by acclamation.
Thank you everyone for your support.
Being elected Vice-President of the European Parliament is such an honour. It means a great deal and I will work hard to continue to build bridges between citizens and the European decision-making process.
I will not let you down. #VEEP
— Roberta Metsola MEP (@RobertaMetsola) November 12, 2020
The vacancy for vice-president was created when former vice-president Mairead McGuinness became European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union in September.
The MEP is expected to inherit her predecessor’s responsibilities, including a seat on the Conciliation Committee that is convened to resolve any disagreements between the Council and the EP.
Reacting to the appointment, Metsola said: “This is a role that I look forward to and I am determined to use the new responsibilities I am afforded to continue to be a strong voice for European citizens, for Malta and Gozo and continue to work to build bridges across the political divide.
“We have to hit the ground running. With the economic and health recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, terror threats, the BREXIT negotiations,; a new President in the United States, the situation in Belarus, continued migration challenges and a new rule of law framework all high on the agenda – I, together with President Sassoli and other MEPs, will continue to do our part to ensure that the European Parliament remains a strong link between citizens and the European decision making process.”
Among those congratulating Metsola were President George Vella and PN leader Bernard Grech.
Independent journalism costs money. Support Times of Malta for the price of a coffee.
The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.
Nov 12, 2020 (MARKITWIRED via COMTEX) --
The certified organic cocoa market represents a very small share of the total cocoa market, estimated around 0.5% of total production. However, the demand for organic cocoa products are growing at a very strong pace, the supply side faces a strong challenge to meet the demand of organic cocoa. Since, farmers are paying ample amount for producing organic cocoa, production of organic cocoa is more in least developed countries. Organic cocoa has many nutritional benefits such as more fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese and many other minerals. Moreover it also contains antioxidants, which helps to protect skin. Organic cocoa also helps to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Demand for organic cocoa products are very high in U.S, U.K and Germany, hence organic cocoa are supplied to developed economies of North America and Western Europe to manufacture organic cocoa products. Currently, Dominican Republic is dominating the organic cocoa market in terms of production that holds around 70 percent of the total market share; Peru, Ecuador and Mexico together hold around 20 percent of the market share in terms of production; rest around 10 percent is held by Bolivia, Ghana, Brazil and others.
Organic Cocoa Market Segmentation:
On the basis of product type the organic cocoa market is segmented into cocoa powder, cocoa paste, cocoa butter, cocoa beans and others (products containing cocoa). Products containing cocoa holds the highest market share in terms of value followed by cocoa beans and cocoa butter.
On the basis of application organic cocoa market is segmented into confectionaries, bakery, functional food, health drinks, home cooking use and others (pharmaceuticals, ointments, and toiletries). Organic cocoa is majorly used in food industry as a main ingredient of chocolate.
Geographically, Organic cocoa market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Latin America is dominating worldwide followed by Middle East and Africa (MEA) in terms of organic cocoa production. Majority of organic cocoa is exported to Western Europe followed by North America. U.K and U.S are the largest manufacturing countries of organic cocoa products in the world, since organic chocolate is more popular in U.K, U.S and Germany and consumers from those countries owe a significant inclination towards organic chocolates irrespective of high pricing of organic products.
Organic Cocoa Market Dynamics:
Chocolate is the main application of organic cocoa which is the main growth driver of organic cocoa market. Also, the organic cocoa market is expected to be largely driven by the health consciousness among consumers. However, lack of proper supply of organic cocoa restrains the global organic cocoa market which also leads to increase in price of organic cocoa. There is a huge opportunity in the North America and Western Europe and Japan. Asia Pacific excluding Japan is an untapped market which is also a potential market for organic cocoa. This is attributed to increasing inclination of consumers towards organic products, rapid urbanisation, strengthening supply chain for organic cocoa and rising health consciousness among consumers.
Organic Cocoa Market Key Player:
Some of the leading players are Kraft Foods Inc., Cargill Incorporated, Tradin Organic Agriculture B.V., Ciranda, Blommer Chocolate Company, Artisan Confections Company, PASCHA Company, InterNatural Foods LLC and Wilmor Publishing Corp.
The report covers exhaustive analysis on:
Organic Cocoa Market Segments
Organic Cocoa Market Dynamics
Historical Actual Market Size, 2012 – 2014
Organic Cocoa Market Size & Forecast 2015 to 2025
Supply & Demand Value Chain
Organic Cocoa Market Current Trends/Issues/Challenges
Regional analysis for Organic cocoa Market includes
North America
US & Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Argentina & Others
Western Europe
EU5
Nordics
Benelux
Eastern Europe
Asia Pacific
Australia and New Zealand (ANZ)
Greater China
India
ASEAN
Rest of Asia Pacific
Japan
Middle East and Africa
GCC Countries
Other Middle East
North Africa
South Africa
Other Africa
The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.
Report Highlights:
Detailed overview of parent market
Changing market dynamics of the industry
In-depth market segmentation
Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value
Recent industry trends and developments
Competitive landscape
Strategies of key players and product offerings
Potential and niche segments/regions exhibiting promising growth
A neutral perspective towards market performance
Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprints
NOTE – All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed in reports are those of the respective analysts. They do not necessarily reflect formal positions or views of Future Market Insights.
COMTEX_374345787/2612/2020-11-12T08:21:49
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Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola was elected as First Vice-President of the European Parliament, replacing Mairead McGuinness who became European Commissioner.
Until the deadline on Monday, the only MEP to have been nominated for the post was Ms Metsola, who was put forward by her political group, the EPP. As a result, she was declared elected by the President on Thursday. Ms Metsola is the first Maltese MEP to become a Vice-President.
After her election Ms Metsola said, “It is a tremendous honour to have been elected First Vice-President. I will continue to be a strong voice for European citizens and for Malta and continue to work to build bridges across the political divide.”
“With the economic and health recovery from the COVID pandemic, terror threats, the Brexit negotiations, a new US President, the situation in Belarus, continued migration challenges, and a new rule of law framework all high on the agenda, I, together with President Sassoli and the other Vice-Presidents, will continue to play my part in ensuring that the European Parliament remains a strong link between citizens and the European decision-making process.”
Background
Roberta Metsola was first elected to the European Parliament in 2013. She was re-elected in 2014 and 2019. She was previously a lawyer by profession, specialising in European law and politics.
Between 2004 and 2012, Ms Metsola worked in the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU. She subsequently joined the team of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, as a legal advisor.
Within the European Parliament, Ms Metsola is the EPP’s Group Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and heads her national party’s delegation within the EPP group. She is also the Co-Chair of the EP Anti-Corruption Intergroup.
Born in 1979, Ms Metsola is married and is the mother of four boys. She graduated from the University of Malta and the College of Europe in Bruges.
