Angola’s population expected to reach 67 million by 2050

 Luanda – Angola’s population growth is expected to reach 67 million inhabitants by the year 2050, according to projections of the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

 INE’s deputy general director Anália da Silva Nunda on Thursday said at a round table on "Demographic trends and families", that the Angolan population has grown rapidly over the last 40 years, and the high fertility rate is still prevalent, particularly in the rural area.

 According to INE data, in 2014 Angola had a population of around 24 million people, with current estimates pointing to more than 30 million.

 Meanwhile, she said that in the coming years a reduction in the gross birth rate is expected as a result of modern contraceptive methods that will reach a significant part of the population.

 Anália da Silva Nunda highlighted that a reduction in the gross mortality rate is also expected due to the improvement of social policies and, in particular, the health and education sector, as well as the decline in fertility caused by a favorable demographic structure.

 She added that the increase in the working-age population, combined with appropriate policies, could lead the country to more sustainable socioeconomic development.

 The "Demographic trends and families" was organized by the 8th Commission of the National Assembly, within the framework of the International Day of the Family.

Parliamentarian advocates population increase focused on development

 Luanda - The 3rd secretary of the National Assembly Rosa Albino on Thursday advised the government to setup adequate policies so that the population increase becomes a factor of economic development.

Speaking at a round table on “Demographic trends and families”, promoted by the 8th Working Commission of the National Assembly, within the scope of the International Day of the Family, the Member of Parliament said that families must be strengthened and enjoy protection and support.

Rosa Albino suggested that this social core should benefit from “friendly” policies that promote gender equality, child protection and a balanced life schedule for work and family care in order to foster solidarity between generations.

She pointed out that the family planning and maternal and child health services should also be expanded and the government should promote campaigns to raise awareness of families about fertility regulation and its value, improve everyone’s living conditions.

As the population increase, factors such as the reduction in mortality rates, access to health, education and professional training are essential to transform population growth into a strategic advantage, Member of Parliament said.

However, she warned of the fact that population growth could have some consequences, such as food shortages, increased pollution, the degradation of natural ecosystems, the spread of epidemics, greater demand for jobs and housing, the need for more transport, schools, hospitals and other essential services.

The round table had, among others, the objective of raising the population's attention to the importance of the family as the vital nucleus of society and their rights and responsibilities, as well as promoting knowledge on social, economic and demographic issues that affect them.

Angolan president João Lourenço wins CPLP Aparecido de Oliveira Prize

 Luanda - Angolan head of State João Lourenço won the 6th Edition of “José Aparecido de Oliveira Award”, promoted by the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

In a press note released Thursday (18th) by the institution’s "cplp.org"" portal states that the decision stemmed from the meeting of permanent representatives of the Member States of CPLP, held on May 15, 2023.

 

The source referred to the "unique contribution" to the international promotion of the CPLP, especially for the implementation of the Agreement on Mobility among the Member States of the Community.

The work performed by the Angolan Statesman on integrating the principles of representativeness and gender equality in the organisation's statutes, also contributed to this recognition.

The jury praised the professional career of the President João Lourenço, in the defence of public causes and the leadership of regional processes on the African continent.

 

The award will be handed over during a public ceremony to be held on the sidelines of the XIV Conference of Heads of State and Government of the CPLP, set for 27 August this year in São Tomé and Príncipe.

 

Established in 2011 and held every two years, “José Aparecido de Oliveira Award” consists of the attribution of a diploma of merit and a cash payment.
 

The candidates for the “José Aparecido de Oliveira Award” are presented by the Member States, the Associated Observers and Consultative Observers of the CPLP.

Here are the winners of José Aparecido de Oliveira Prize from previous Editions:

 

2021 – Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic.
 

2018 – António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN).
 

2016 – Jorge Sampaio, former President of the Portuguese Republic,
Carlos Lopes, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa, and Lauro Moreira, career diplomat
from Brazil and first Permanent Representative to the CPLP (ex-aequo).
 

2014 – Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, former President of East Timor,
and the Timorese Catholic Church - Episcopal Center of East Timor
(ex-aequo).

 

2012 – Lula da Silva, former President of Brazil.

Ethiopian president praises Angolan statesman’s efforts to achieve peace, security

 Luanda – Ethiopian president Sahle-Work Zewde has praised the efforts made by the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, focused on promotion of peace and security in the African continent, mainly in conflict between the Democratic Republics of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda and, more recently, in Sudan.

The recognition was expressed Thursday in Addis Ababa during a meeting with the Angolan top diplomat, Téte António, who has been in the Ethiopian capital since Wednesday in the context of consultations with Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros and acting African Union (AU).

The meeting discussed bilateral issues, with stress to the consolidation of the legal basis, aimed at conclusion and signing the three (3) pending projects.

They (projects) include the General Cooperation Agreement in the Economic, Technical, Scientific and Cultural domains, Agreement on the Exemption of Visas on Diplomatic and Service Passports and the Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of Political Consultation Mechanisms.

At the time, the head of Angolan diplomacy praised Ethiopia's experience in the sector of industry and agro-food technology, presented as a space for the future pharmacist to act.

He also spoke of the urgent reassessment of the only two existing bilateral legal instruments in the fields of the air services, 1977, and trade, 1981, with a view to their revision.

Government takes 2050 strategy to public consultation

 Luanda - Angolan Government has announced plans to carry out the presentation and public consultation for the completion of the process of Review and Extension of the Long Term Strategy (ELP) 2025-2050 (ELP - Angola 2050).

This is contained in a note from the Press Office of the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP) reached ANGOP, stating the said process starts Friday.

 

The source stresses that on Friday the ELP - Angola 2050 will be launched with the intention of obtaining contributions from major public actors and private individuals – collective and individual – with high experience and knowledge in the different sectors of action.

 

The document says that the Long-Term Strategy is the fundamental instrument for drawing up the National Development Plan (PDN), which presents the strategic options for the country's long-term development, being based on analysis of scenarios, for levels national, sector and territorial.

 

The strategy will bring a global vision to Angola and its role at the international level in the next 30 years, presenting five (5) priority axes of development such as "a diversified and prosperous economy", "modern and competitive infrastructure", "society that values and enhances its human capital”.

 

The axes “resilient and sustainable ecosystem” and “a fair nation with equal opportunities” are also included.

 

Schedule

 

For the 19th of May, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning, a KICK-OFF Meeting is planned, with International Organisations, Development Agencies and Diplomatic Missions, and with the Private Sector.

 

The events close on the 23rd of May, in a meeting with Civil Society and Social Communication, at the National Institute of Statistics.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy makes surprise visit to Saudi Arabia

 President arrives in the kingdom as Arab leaders hold a regional summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a surprise trip to Saudi Arabia, where the Arab League is hosting a summit.

“Beginning my first-ever visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world,”
Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter on Friday.

He said he would discuss “political prisoners in Crimea and temporarily occupied territories, the return of our people, peace formula [and] energy cooperation”.

Saudi Arabia “plays a significant role and we are ready to take our cooperation to a new level”, Zelenskyy added.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

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Angola increases number of health units

 Talatona - The National Health System has recorded, over the last five years, an increase of 163 new modern health units, the minister of State for Social Affairs, Dalva Ringote Allen, disclosed the data.

The minister, who was speaking at the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said with the new structures equipped with modern technology, the health system now has 13,426 more beds.

Among the main hospital units built over the last five years are the Specialised Treatment Centre for Endemic Diseases and Pandemics, Cardinal Dom Alexandre do Nascimento Cardiopulmonary Disease Hospital Complex, the Dra. Victória do Espírito Santo Paediatric Haematological Institute, Azancot Menezes Maternal and Child Hospital and Bié General Hospital.

Ringote Allen said that the analysis of the actions undertaken by the government is  positive, given the change in the distribution of spending in the social sector, including health, of around 45.1 percent between 2022 and 2023 and an increase in total spending from 4.8 percent to 6.7 percent.

The Human Resources sector, the minister said, has also seen an increase over the last five years, with the hiring of 33,093 professionals, making up 35 percent of the total workforce.

"The majority of health technicians are young people. The investment made shows the increase of staff at the health posts, which rose from 25 percent in 2017 to 70 percent in 2022," Allen said.

For the Minister of State, the growth of public health interventions regarding children and adolescents has made it possible to reduce under-five year mortality, with access to comprehensive child care that rose from 25 percent in 2017 to 93 percent in 2022.

 The official explained that the coverage of the cost of the 14 main vaccines for children has reached 64 percent for routine vaccination coverage, as well as an increase in antiretroviral drugs in HIV-positive pregnant women from 25 percent in 2017 to 73 percent in 2021, with a reduction of HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child from 28 percent to 15 percent.

According to Dalva Ringote, the Born Free to Shine campaign has increased the access of pregnant women to HIV/AIDS diagnosis in prenatal consultations.

 In turn, WHO representative in Angola, Djamila Cabral,  said the organisation is convinced that by strengthening primary health care, including community health, it is possible to tackle persistent health challenges in a more integrated way, accelerate progress and significantly improve the health of the Angolan population.

 "We reiterate our commitment to work with the Government and other partners to reposition primary health care and ensure that equity of access to health services, especially for the most vulnerable such as women, children and the elderly, is accelerated and the country can move swiftly towards achieving health for all," Cabral said.

The opening ceremony of the WHO 75th anniversary celebrations, to run until April 7, 2024, was attended by members of the Government, representatives of United Nations agencies, diplomatic corps accredited in Angola, key health partners, among others.