Equatorial Guinea News

West African Nation is Sixth African Country to Join Community

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea officially joined the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) at the 10^thSummit of Heads of State and Government of the CPLP held on July 23, 2014 in Dili, East Timor.

“The Heads of State and Government adopt the adhesion of Equatorial Guinea as a member State of the CPLP, reiterating the commitment of the community to continue to support the authorities in full compliance with the statutory provisions of the CPLP, in terms of adoption and the effective use of the Portuguese language, the adoption of the moratorium on the death penalty until its abolition, and other interests of the CPLP in the national legislation of Equatorial Guinea,” stated the Dili Declaration, which was signed by the CPLC attending presidents.

During his remarks, President Obiang talked about the historical ties between Equatorial Guinea and the lusophone community as one of the reasons his country joined the organization, as well as the need to strengthen trade and cultural exchanges with the states of the institution.

President Obiang recalled that Equatorial Guinea was under the rule of Portugal from 1648 to 1778, when it was transferred to the kingdom of Spain by the treaties of San Ildefonso and El Pardo.

Equatorial Guinea now joins CPLP members Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor. During the summit, the presidency of the CPLP passed from Mozambique to East Timor, whose President will lead the Portuguese-speaking community until 2016.

Equatorial Guinea is the sixth African country to join the CPLC, which was founded in 1996 and now has nine member countries. The summit aims to promote cooperation among the member countries. Equatorial Guinea has been an observer nation since 2006. Portuguese will become the third official language of the country, following Spanish and French.

Under the theme “The CPLP and globalization,” the CPLP recognized the need to provide the CPLP with a strategy on economic and business cooperation to identify possible mechanisms for the support of investment and business within the Community with a view to energize the insertion of the CPLP in the context of Globalization.

Forum will provide insight on country’s investment opportunities

The Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea will host an economic forum in partnership with the Corporate Council on Africa and Greenberg Traurig, LLP in Washington, D.C. on August 8, 2014.

The economic forum will provide insight on the country’s commercial activity, present investment opportunities, and introduce investment incentives to attendees. The panel will discuss the President’s Horizon 2020 development program, and the next steps towards reaching the objectives of PEGI 2020.

Equatorial Guinea will bring experts from several economic sectors to showcase the different opportunities that it has to offer, to accelerate economic transformation and maximize the country’s resources. Presentations and discussions from government representatives will serve as an opportunity to showcase government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for foreign investment from the United States.

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo will address the forum and welcome business leaders, investors, as well as political leaders from the United States and Africa, who will be in the capital for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit hosted by President Barack Obama on August 4-6.

The Equatorial Guinea delegation will hold three sessions during the economic forum: 1) international cooperation, where Agapito Mba Mokuy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will address the audience and discuss the partnership between the United States and Equatorial Guinea; 2) planning of resources as a key factor for social development, where guests will learn about the country’s strategic Horizon 2020 development plan, health system and other institutions; and 3) diversification, an opportunity for partnership aimed at sharing information about the country’s business environment and investment opportunities in the agriculture and forestry sector.

The impact of social programs executed in partnership with U.S. corporations will be discussed at the forum, including the Marathon Oil-led Bioko Island Malaria Control Project, Hess Corporation’s Program for Educational Development of Equatorial Guinea, and Exxon Mobil’s Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program.

To learn more about the economic forum, please visit http://www.egindc.com/

Country prepares to host Economic Forum in Washington, D.C.

Equatorial Guinea’s president, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, attended the U.S-Africa business forum hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S Department of Commerce as part of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit taking place in Washington, D.C. this week.

The business forum brought African and U.S. leaders together to participate in the following sessions: expanding opportunities, the new era for business in Africa; open markets, financing the Africa of tomorrow; powering Africa, leading developments in infrastructure; and game plan, shaping the future of a fast-growing continent. U.S. President Obama will close the forum, which is being held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. This afternoon President Obiang will join his counterparts at a dinner at the White House in honor of the U.S.-Africa leaders summit.

The Equatorial Guinea delegation is preparing to host an economic forum on Friday, August 8^th, aimed at providing insight on the country’s investment opportunities. The Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy has guided the development of Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas resources from a production of 5,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) in 1992 to 270,000 bopd in 2013. Minister Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima will describe efforts to broaden economic development at the forum.

Tomorrow, President Obiang and the Equatorial Guinea delegation will participate in the leaders session of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit to take place at the U.S. State Department.

While in Washington, D.C., President Obiang joined African leaders at a welcome reception held at the Russell Senate Office Building. He also participated in a U.S.-Africa CEO business forum dinner.

The Equatorial Guinea delegation, led by President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, participated in the leaders session that took place at the U.S. State Department on the last day of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, which is being held in Washington, D.C.

Today’s agenda focused on the following leaders sessions: investing in Africa’s future, where attendees held a dialogue on inclusive, sustainable development, economic growth, and trade and investment; peace and regional stability to discuss shared concerns regarding peace and security, including a conversation on long-term solutions to regional conflicts, peacekeeping challenges, and combating transnational threats; and governing for the next generation, where leaders discussedthe greatest challenges and opportunities for Africa’s continued political and economic progress and a specific focus on governance.

The last day of the summit will conclude with a leaders press conference. The inaugural U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit has brought African and U.S. leaders together to discuss and address issues of shared interest and mutual concern.

Equatorial Guinea’s First Lady, Constancia Mangue Nsue de Obiang, joined other African First Ladies at a spousal program focused on the impact of investments in education, health, and public-private partnerships, which was hosted by the United States First Lady Michelle Obama, in partnership with former First Lady Laura Bush and the Bush Institute. The program is being held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

On Friday, August 8^th, Equatorial Guinea will host an economic forum where Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima will speak about progress in the country and discuss the ways the global energy market is changing and companies are looking outside of traditional Western markets to identify new and emerging economies. The transformations happening in Equatorial Guinea provide a snapshot of what is happening across the African continent and throughout most of Asia.

In the last several years, some of the world’s largest resource exploration companies, Marathon, Exxon Mobil, Noble Energy and many more, have laid the foundation for development and economic growth in many other aspects of the Equatorial Guinean economy. The growth of the Equatorial Guinean economy benefits more than just the business community in the country. It trickles down and is having a positive impact on the entire population in the form of improved infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems. With the essential infrastructure in place, President Obiang is working to transform more than just the economy of Equatorial Guinea.

Equatorial Guinea Reaffirms commitment to eradicate malaria from the country

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo called on American companies to increase cooperation with African countries in remarks during a meeting marking the 10^th anniversary of the Malaria Control Program on the Island of Bioko (PCBIB).

In his closing remarks, president Obiang gave his observations of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and the discussions of African and American leaders about the possibilities for greater cooperation between the U.S. and the African continent.

“Our relationship with American companies is a clear example of a positive partnership on public and private investment that benefits both of our nations. I would like to invite other private American companies to join to this positive journey we are experiencing,” said Obiang.

President Obiang highlighted the importance of the malaria-eradication program as an investment in public health in Equatorial Guinea. He said, “We have partnered with American private companies to reduce the transmission and the morbidity of this disease. For this reason, the government of Equatorial Guinea and American private partners have invested over $90 million in the last 10 years. This investment has been key to reverse the adverse tendency of this disease.”

The biggest impact of this program has been the vaccine project aimed at eliminating malaria in the country by 2020. “Equatorial Guinea is in the process of finalizing an agreement with our partners and Sanaria, an American biotechnology company specialized in malaria vaccination, to reach our objective to eradicate malaria not only from our country but the world,” he said.

Since Equatorial Guinea discovered oil, the government has used its revenues to improve the quality of life of its citizens. The PCBIB is a clear example of how the government is investing oil revenues in the country. The program is sponsored by the Equatorial Guinea government, Marathon Oil, Noble Energy, AMCO Methanol, GePretrol and Sonagas.

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo presented the opportunities offered in Equatorial Guinea to foreign investors and said that American companies operating in the country can take credit for pioneering a national industry that is now contributing to the development of both Equatorial Guinea and the American economy.

Referring to American companies operating in Equatorial Guinea, president Obiang said, “They are true ambassadors of the opportunities offered and Equatorial Guinea will be presented to them in this forum.”

The Equatorial Guinea Economic Forum, which was held at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., aimed to highlight the strategic commitment of Equatorial Guinea to economic diversification and encourage investment by American companies. The forum presented opportunities for growth in the sectors of agriculture, finance, health, mining and hydrocarbons. In addition, it presented the new structure of governance in the country, the status of the Horizon 2020 economic and social development program, and the country’s commitment to ensure the security of foreign investments in Equatorial Guinea.

In his opening remarks, President Obiang said that Equatorial Guinea is committed to reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2020, including reaching the status of “emergent economy,” which he described as a self-sufficient economy.

“Our country is devoting all efforts to achieve economic diversification by developing other sectors and services that allow us to reduce dependence on the hydrocarbon sector,” he said.

“In order to associate the American private sector in the implementation of this vast program of economic diversification, and based on the positive experience of oil companies operating in our country,” he said, “we are here again to share opportunities that our country can offer to those who wish to invest in the many sectors.”

Equatorial Guinea has used its petroleum resources to vastly improve basic economic and social infrastructure, which is essential for establishing a profitable investment climate.

“In this sense,” he said, “the country has secured ports and airports, road network throughout the country, electrification throughout the nation, health, telecommunications, urban development and the transport network and other services, so that any investment is made in the country with the maximum comfort.”

He said the nation had established a national co-investment fund that will support national and foreign private initiatives in the priority productive sectors of interest. The fund is capitalized at one billion dollars.

“We are gathered here to exchange information, know each other better and create an environment of trust to facilitate the investment of foreign capital in Equatorial Guinea,” he said.

President Obiang said Washington, D.C., was political center of Africa this week. He said that leaders at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit discussed the present and future of our continent and the possibilities for mutual beneficial partnership between Africa and the U.S.

Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Agapito Mba Mokuy, signed an open skies air transport agreement with United States Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, Charles Rivkin aimed at formalizing the liberalization of their bilateral aviation relationship on august 7, 2014.

Equatorial Guinea and the United States initialed the agreement in December 2013, and it has been applied via comity and reciprocity since that time. The open skies air transport agreement goes into effect upon the signing by the two parties. The agreement allows unrestricted air service for the airlines of both countries and eliminates restrictions on the frequency of flights, the type of airplanes that can be used and the prices each airline charges.

The agreement will allow for the strengthening and expansion of trade and tourism links between Equatorial Guinea and the United States, which should benefit both countries. Business travelers and tourists alike will benefit from expanded opportunities for air service and greater price competition by airlines, while commitments to aviation safety and security will be maintained.

Air service to Equatorial Guinea has grown significantly over the last several years. The country currently is served by Air France, Ethiopian, Iberia, Lufthansa, Royal Air Maroc, and Equatorial Guinea’s national carrier, Ceiba International, among others.

Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy, Gabriel Obiang Lima, recently met with U.S. Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudgeto discuss the development of important cultural and economic ties between the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the United States of America’s institutions.

“The Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy is more than willing to open the doors for any potential investor who is willing to develop the country and contribute to our efforts of diversifying our economy. We want to develop all industries as we have the capacity and the willingness,” said Minister Obiang Lima during the meeting with Congresswoman Fudge.

Minister Obiang Lima invited Congresswoman Fudge and members of the Congressional Black Caucus to visit Equatorial Guinea to see the developments the country is experiencing.

West African Nation takes early, proactive approach steps to contain potential spread of the disease

The government of Equatorial Guinea has created a national health crisis committee as part of its efforts to mount a campaign to prevent the spread of ebola to the country.

The ebola prevention campaign aims to purchase the necessary materials to control the infection and manage cases of infection that might arise, as well as two special ambulances to transfer ebola patients, and two thermographic cameras for the airports in Malabo and Bata. The campaign also plans to acquire 8 ambulatory hospitals (tents), train health personnel assigned to these health units and purchase drugs for palliative treatment.

The government is also considering taking body-temperature readings with laser thermometers at the country’s entry points and with thermographic cameras at airports in Malabo and Bata and creating awareness campaigns for governors, the government delegates and the presidents of neighborhood communities and village councils in order to provide information down to the village level on ways to prevent the transmission of ebola.

The government will also deliver notification forms to the airports, ports and airlines; raise awareness among the population and emphasize how ebola can be transferred from infected animals to humans and from person to person; create massive awareness at the national level on protective measures through television, radio spots, churches, schools, and markets; and organize teams at the national, provincial and district levels to carry out a comprehensive campaign on the prevention of this pandemic in the provinces and districts.

Minister Diosdado Vicente Nsue Milang and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have been leading the campaign efforts with the cooperation of the Ministry of Information, Press and Radio, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Local Corporations, and the Ministry of Justice and Religious Affairs.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea has been proactive in implementing awareness campaigns to fight diseases affecting the African continent. Earlier this year, they implemented a comprehensive campaign to immunize the nation’s children against polio. The government worked closely with World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, United Nations (UN),Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others to implement this proactive campaign.

The government of Equatorial Guinea has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas from neighboring countries and cancelled regionals flights by its national air carrier, Ceiba International, as measures to protect the country against the spread of the Ebola virus.

This is one of a number of preventive measures taken by the country after it formed a national commission to lead anti-Ebola efforts.

The government is also preparing to purchase additional ambulatory hospitals (tents), train health personnel assigned to these health units and purchase drugs for palliative treatment, among other initiatives.

Indicators of Public Health are Steadily Improving

Equatorial Guinea’s infant mortality rate has decreased from 111 in 1994 to 65 per one thousand in 2011, said the country’s Health Secretary of State, Maria del Carmen Andeme Ela. She also reported that the percentage of pregnant women receiving prenatal care from skilled health personnel has increase from 61% in 2000 to 91.3% this year.

Secretary of State Andeme Ela recently discussed the national health system and programs available in the country at the Equatorial Guinea Economic Forum, held at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on August 8. The economic forum aimed to highlight the strategic commitment of Equatorial Guinea to economic diversification and encourage investment by American companies.

The government of Equatorial Guinea has heavily invested in the country’s health sector as part of UN Millennium health goals and the country’s Horizon 2020 development plan. Secretary Andeme Ela highlighted how the country’s social-health profile are steadily improving. She said that births attended by skilled health personnel have increased from 52% in 2000 to 70% in 2014.

She also cited improvements in the country’s health infrastructure, which now includes 2 regional hospitals, 5 provincial hospitals, 11 district hospitals, 45 health centers, 2 regional centers for blood transfusions, 4 provincial centers for transfusions, 2 reference medical centers (La Paz) and 7 polyclinics (3 private), various medical offices and pharmacies throughout the country.

During her presentation, Secretary Andeme Ela also outlined the national health programs the country is currently undertaking, such as the vaccination program, the fight against malaria, programs to provide essential medications and oral healthcare, diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, the fight against non-infectious diseases, efforts to control tuberculosis, leprosy and trypanosomes, the fight against river blindness and filariosis, and promotion of health and reproductive health.

The number of medical and health professionals and technicians in the country is growing significantly, although the country still suffers from a lack of specialists, said Secretary Andame Ela. The Faculty of Medical Sciences at the National University of Equatorial Guinea graduates about 45 medical students and 25 nursing students each year, and the National School of Public Health and Environment graduates about 54 nurses annually. All told, the nation now has more than 300 doctors, more than 350 nurses and similar professionals, and some 2,000 trained medical assistants and technicians. She said that the country had only one Equatoguinean doctor when it gained independence in 1968.

Country provides basic infrastructure to contribute to the national economic Growth

The government of Equatorial Guinea has built basic infrastructure in the country over the past 20 years such as social housing, roads, electricity, health and education facilities, and water accessibility, said Equatorial Guinea’s Health Secretary of State, Maria del Carmen Andeme Ela.

Secretary of State Andeme Ela recently highlighted important actions the government has undertaken to improve social welfare for its citizens at the Equatorial Guinea Economic Forum, held at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on August 8.

She also said, “citizens have access to government sponsored vaccines and medicine to fight malaria and other diseases. We have worked to improve services for reproductive and child health including early detection of risk pregnancies, which has reduced infant mortality and maternal mortality.”

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has had support from development partners and due to the country’s progressive economic growth, it has been able to provide free public health services.

As a next step to improve the social welfare of its citizens, the government is working to provide access to health services via a health card, update regulations in the pharmaceutical sector, and provide an extensive program of human resource development at all levels.

Award ceremony will bring scientists together to address issues affecting Africa and the current Ebola epidemic

The 2014 International UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Prize for Research in Life Sciences has been awarded to two scientists and one research institution in recognition of their efforts to improve the quality of human life.

The Prize recipients are Professor Hossein Baharvand, from Iran, a Specialist in Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at the Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology and the Head of Department of Developmental Biology at Iran’s University of Science and Culture, whose stem cell research has led numerous applications in regenerative medicine; Andre Bationo, from Burkina-Faso, a specialist in soil chemistry whose work has led to improved techniques for agricultural production in Africa; and the Instituto de Medicina Tropical von Humboldt (IMT) at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia of Peru. The Institute was founded in 1968 with the mission of promoting education and research on the most prevalent tropical diseases in Peru. From its founding, it has performed high quality research that has contributed to controlling diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, HIV-AIDS and others.

During the announcement, the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) highlighted the Prize’s objective of mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development and fostering capacity-building in science and innovation. This is the second year the prize has been awarded. It was established by the government of Equatorial Guinea to reward projects and activities of individuals, institutions, other entities or non-governmental organizations for scientific research in the life sciences, with a view to improving the quality of human life. UNESCO’s Director General, Irina Bokova, announced the recipients on August 26 and said they will be presented next month in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Next month in Equatorial Guinea, a scientific round table will address issues of particular concern to Africa and the world as a whole, including the management of the current Ebola epidemic, the African traditional pharmacopoeia and its potential integration into public health systems among other issues.

The government of Equatorial Guinea has spent more than US$13 million (600 million CFAs) in recent weeks to fight the Ebola virus, according to the Ministry of Health. The government has taken a number of preventive measures after it formed a national commission to lead anti-Ebola efforts.

Equatorial Guinea has taken a proactive approach to the Ebola threat as it continues to affect neighboring regions. It has purchased special ambulances, ambulatory hospitals (tents) and thermographic cameras for airports (which will be used to detect whether an arrival has had a fever in the prior 72 hours), trained health personnel assigned to these health units, and purchased drugs for palliative treatment and laser thermometers for all the borders, among other initiatives.

Equatorial Guinea has also received aid from the World Health Organization (WHO), which recently donated protective equipment for prevention of the Ebola hemorrhagic fever to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The Ministry received suits, waterproof boots, gloves, masks, goggles, aprons and miscellaneous disposable material, among others to add the government’s current resources.

As part of he government of Equatorial Guinea’s efforts to be prepared to fight the Ebola virus, it has temporarily cancelled regional flights to Cameroon, by its national air carrier, Ceiba International. The West African nation has also suspended the issuance of visas from neighboring countries and cancelled flights to Cotonou (Benin); Accra (Ghana); Lome (Togo); Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Dakar (Senegal) last month.

Country to expand LNG project

Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy, Gabriel Obiang Mbaga, recently announced the discovery of a new gas well off the coast of the Island of Bioko. The new gas well will allow the ministry to expand the Floating Installation of Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in the country.

“I am extremely pleased that the increase in recoverable reserves in Block R, as a result of the drilling of the Silenus East-1 well may result in a potential expansion of the Block R FLNG project from a 2.5mm TPA to a 3.0mm TPA project. We are currently in negotiations to conclude the Block R gas terms and confirm the midstream partners, with the development of the first project of Floating Installation of Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) planned for early 2019.”

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has established the strengthening of the energy sector in Equatorial Guinea as a national priority. Equatorial Guinea LNG Holdings Limited (EG LNG), a national liquefied natural gas company, began operations in 2007 and has shown excellent results.

In the last decade, the West African Nation has become one of the major regional powers in hydrocarbon extraction and processing, leading to an unprecedented economic boom and transformation, which has been noted by the ICE Economic Bulletin. The development of the country’s energy sector plays a mayor role in taking the country closer to become an emergent and sustainable economy by 2020.

The well was discovered by Ophir Energy, which estimates that the Silenus East -1 discovery includes recoverable reserve of 405 bcf (billion cubic feet) of gas, with de-risked prospects for similar prospects in the area. Ophir’s initial assessment is that the recoverable reservoirs in the broader Silenus area, including this discovery, are approximately 1.2 TCF (trillion cubic feet).

Equatorial Guinea has resumed regional flights to neighboring African countries by its national air carrier, Ceiba International, after taking control measures to safeguard public health.

The temporary suspension of the Ceiba International flights was a precautionary measure adopted by the government, but it resumed the flights after it obtained equipment to detect and confront a possible Ebola outbreak. The flights were resumed in order to break the isolation of the affected neighboring countries, which need commercial air service in order to receive supplies and maintain commercial ties with the rest of the continent.

The Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea has invested more than 1 million Euros in the acquisition of healthcare materials, including ambulatory hospitals, ambulances, thermographic cameras for the airports of Malabo and Bata, protection suits, disinfection material, waterproof boots, protection glasses and laser thermometers, among other articles, aimed at confronting a possible Ebola outbreak in the country. Two quarantine areas and specially equipped isolation chambers have also been prepared in the cities of Malabo and Bata.

After verifying the size of the current Ebola outbreak, which has already caused the deaths of some 2,400 persons, the Government of Equatorial Guinea created a special committee for the control and prevention of this disease, and has organized awareness tours on Ebola throughout the entire national territory.

Equatorial Guinea also made a gesture of solidarity to its neighbors earlier this month, when President Obiang announced the donation of 2 million U.S. dollars to the WHO as a grant for the programs to combat Ebola. He made the announcement during the ceremony to present the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinean Prize for Research in Life Sciences.

Equatorial Guinea’s President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo will attend the UN Climate Change Summit on September 23, as well as meet with other heads of government and heads of state this week. President Obiang will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24.

The Equatorial Guinea delegation, led by President Obiang, will join other Heads of State and Government, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and their delegations as they discuss their commitments to a UN action plan aimed at placing people at the center of development and consider new population challenges.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, visited Equatorial Guinea earlier this year during the African Union Summit, which was held in the West African Nation. During the Summit, President Obiang and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon dedicated a new UN building, which houses all UN agencies in the country.

Forest conservation, hydroelectric power, and ending the flaring of natural gas form key parts of the strategy.

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea told delegates at the United Nations 2014 Summit on Climate Change that his country has adopted a five-point plan to conserve the natural environment and contribute to global efforts to slow the rate of global warming.

In his address to the Summit, President Obiang said his government had oriented its socioeconomic development policies toward sustainability.

“Equatorial Guinea is a developing country that lives practically thanks to Mother Nature,” he said. “It does not know the problems of environmental degradation and it aspires to the new development technologies that guarantee the people’s well-being.”

He said that the country has adopted a five-point that establishes the basis for a sustainable economy and contributes to the global fight against climate change and its effects. Under the plan, the government of Equatorial Guinea is taking the following steps:

1. Producing electrical energy through a system of hydroelectric and turbo gas generation, using the gas produced by the petroleum industry.

2. Ending the practice of flaring gas into the atmosphere and convert that gas into butane, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other derivatives. He said his government tis negotiating with neighboring countries to absorb the gas that they are currently flaring.

3. Replacing thermal power plants that produce carbon dioxide with hydroelectric plants based in river basins of the country.

4. To conserve ecosystems, Equatorial Guinea has created large natural reserves—Ureka on Bioko Island and Monte Alén on the mainland.

5. “In light of the imminent danger that the excessive use of timber could provoke further desertification,” the government has reduced the exploitation of its forest reserves by 25 percent and requires value-added processing of wood.

“The forestry policy of the government is aimed at protecting endangered species and conserving ecosystems through legal norms that protect species that have been declared in danger of extinction,” he said. The policies on forests and natural areas are in line with the recommendations of the Central African Forest commission (COMIFAC).

Says interventions by powerful countries have produced conflict and intolerance. Citing his country’s experience, he says countries should democratize at their own pace and with their own traditions.

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogoissued a call for democratization of the United Nations today in his address to the 69^th United Nations General Assembly, criticizing specifically the role of the Security Council and calling for the “democratization” of the world body.

He noted that the 2014 session of the General Assembly has the responsibility of solving the problems of poverty and hunger in the world; violence and armed conflict; terrorism, piracy and mercenary activities; and the major endemic diseases of the world. He said, however, that he doubted that the UN could seriously hope to solve these problems under its current system.

He said Equatorial Guinea was deeply concerned over the Ebola outbreak in Africa and the growth of terrorism and sectarian conflicts, but said, “The United Nations could never provide a definitive solution to these problems as long as the Security Council is not governed by rules that respect the spirit of democracy and justice …The United Nations could not give a satisfactory solution to these problems as long as the current system of the rule of force subsists in international relations.”

Obiang said his own country had engaged in a long period of popular consultation that has produced a steady movement toward greater democracy as well as peace and development that has raised living standards.

“In Equatorial Guinea, we say that democracy is not an import and cannot be designed from offices in other countries,” he said. “Democracy is formed with the positive values that characterize a society, and only the people are authorized to define the model for their needs and chart the path of development.”

He said that Equatorial Guinea in 1982 adopted a program called of Democratic Experiment in which the citizens themselves, through village councils, participated in the design of its political development. He said the result has been “the current environment of peace, stability and economic prosperity, through successive political reforms.”

Thanks to the peace and political stability that have reigned in the country over the last 30 years, the government has been able to develop the country’s natural resources of the country, allowing it to aspire to become an emergent economy by the year 2020. He gave specific thanks to countries that have assisted Equatorial Guinea in its development: The United States, China, Russia, Brazil, Morocco, Cuba and France.

He contrasted his country’s experience with the experiences of countries that have experienced conflict after outside intervention.

“We need to clearly differentiate what is internal support for a genuine democratic process and what is interference that is done through pressures that result in the misunderstanding, intolerance, exclusion, resentment among citizens,” he said.

“The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is very concerned about the proliferation of acts of intervention that do not respect the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states,” Obiang said. “These interventions interrupt the natural democratic process in the countries concerned and do not take into account the essential features of the idiosyncrasies of these societies, fueling divisions and sociopolitical instability.”

West African Nation assists Foreign Film Producers in finding talent and locations

The first international feature film shot in Equatorial Guinea,Where the Road Runs Out, has won two awards at the San Diego 2014 Film Festival. A local Equatorial Guinea film crew gained important experience by participating in the film.

According to a recent article by IndieWire, Where The Road Runs Out also won Best Feature and was the winner of the San Diego Union Tribune UT Award in a lineup that included You're Not You (Josh Duhamel, Emmy Rossum and Hilary Swank), The Imitation Game (Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley), and Wild (Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern). The feature film shot in Equatorial Guinea has also been selected for the 2014 Heartland Film Festival, which will take place this month.

Feature scenes of Where the Road Runs Out were filmed in Equatorial Guinea, South Africa and The Netherlands. The film was produced by Dutch production company Firenze Film in conjunction with the Motion Picture Association of Equatorial Guinea (ACIGE). A young Equatorial Guinean film crew participated in the production.

Where the Road Runs Out was directed by South African film maker Rudolf Buitendach and headlined by Ivorian actor Isaach De Bankolé (Casino Royale), winner of a Cesar Award, along with Juliet Landau, daughter of Martin Landau, and Stelio Savante, who starred opposite Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind in 2001. The screenplay was written by David Hughes (A Night at the Museum with McFly).

Equatorial Guinea welcomes film production companies. The country's unspoiled coasts and interior, abundant wildlife, and picturesque cities offer valuable locations, and its modern infrastructure allows for easy transportation of people and equipment. The Motion Picture Association of Equatorial Guinea supports foreign film producers in finding talent and locations and in navigating government requirements.

Equatorial Guinea Joins Community Of Portuguese Language Countries

Equatorial Guinea To Host Economic Forum in Washington, D.C.

Equatorial Guinea Attends U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Equatorial Guinea Participates In Leader Sessions During U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Obiang Called For Increased Cooperation Between Africa and The United States

Obiang Highlights Opportunities for American Investors tt Forum Held In Washington

Equatorial Guinea and United States Sign Air Transport Agreement

Equatorial Guinea Minister Obiang Lima Meets with U.S. Congresswoman Fudge

Equatorial Guinea Launches Ebola Prevention Campaign

Equatorial Guinea Suspends Visas, Regional Flights as Part of Ebola Prevention Campaign

Equatorial Guinea Highlights Gains In Health Sector

Equatorial Guinea Invests In Social Welfare

UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Prize Awarded To Two Scientists And One Research Institution For Work In Life Sciences, Disease Control And Agriculture

Equatorial Guinea Spends US$13 Million to fight Ebola Disease

Equatorial Guinea Discovers New Gas Well In Bioko Island

Equatorial Guinea Resumes Flights To Neighboring African Countries

President Obiang to Attend UN Climate Change Summit During 69th UN General Assembly

Equatorial Guinea Outlines Environmental Plan

Obiang Calls For Democratization and End to the “Rule of Force” at the UN

Equatorial Guinea Wins San Diego Festival Awards