Equatorial Guinea Supports APPA Call To Reduce Worldwide Oil Production

April 8, 2015, 11:14 am

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Equatorial Guinea joined African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA) member countries on a joint action to reduce oil production and stabilize the market.

"We are reviewing our budget due to lower oil prices. We have supported these initiatives that allow us to study how to jointly stabilize prices in the future," said Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy of Equatorial Guinea, Gabriel Mbega Obiang Lima. He also recalled the importance of diversifying the economies of individual states in order to reduce dependence on oil, as the government of Equatorial Guinea is currently doing.

African countries rely on revenues from petroleum production to finance needed development, infrastructure improvements, and efforts to build robust economies and improve standards of living. APPA’s initiative seeks the support of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce the amount of oil on the global market and consequently reach a stable world price at a higher level.

The APPA was created in 1987 in Lagos, Nigeria and is composed of eighteen countries, including Equatorial Guinea.

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Equatorial Guinea’s Minister Of Social Affairs And Gender Equality Discusses Government’s Efforts To Combat Violence Against Women And Promote Gender Equality

April 13, 2015, 8:56 am

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Equatorial Guinea has made ending gender-based violence and promoting gender equality a policy priority, according to the country’s Minister of Social Affairs and Gender Equality, Mari Carmen Ecoro.

Minister Ecoro discussed in a recent interviewthe efforts the government and the Ministry have undertaken to create awareness programs against violence and in favor of gender equality. During the interview, Minister Ecoro said the government has established legal mechanisms and developed awareness programs aimed at reducing—and eventually eliminating--violence against women.

The minister said that the country has made huge strides in gender equality since the overthrow of the Macias dictatorship in 1979. “When we look at women during the years of dictatorship, we saw that the woman did not have her own identity. But since 1979… the first call made by the President was to rebuild and provide our knowledge towards a better Guinea. He made an emphasis on women, for the woman to be trained and educated. When a woman is trained and educated, she can give more than when she is not.”

Today, she said, women are graduating from high schools and universities—in Equatorial Guinea and abroad on scholarships—in record numbers. “We used to lose girls in primary and secondary education,” Minister Ecoro said, “but today with a change in the law, girls can choose careers that were traditionally man dominant. That is a great advancement. In the business world, we see many women entrepreneurs.”

She said her government’s experience could serve as a model for the rest of Africa. “The countries of the African continent should take the example that is leading our country in the sense that we must continue to support women, but putting an emphasis on their education and training from an early age,” she said.

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Equatorial Guinea Participates In Obangame Express

April 22, 2015, 8:46 am

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The Government of Equatorial Guinea joined maritime forces from Gulf of Guinea nations, Europe, South America, and the United States, and several regional and international organizations at the Obangame Express 2015 exercise to learn collaborative opportunities that address maritime security concerns.

Equatorial Guinea’s exclusive maritime economic zone is ten times larger than its landmass, with vast potential for fisheries. The Government recognizes the strategic importance of promoting safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea region -- for stakeholders, multinational oil and gas companies, and surrounding oil producing nations.

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo called on the Gulf of Guinea heads of state to maintain stronger vigilance and create a maritime security body in order to overcome security and stability issues affecting the zone and for closer relations with international organizations to face the challenges affecting the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) during the third Summit of Heads of State of the GGC.

“Having a strong and effective Gulf of Guinea Commission is the only alternative for our region to overcome the problems it currently faces, to ensure the welfare of their people, peace and security in the maritime and land zones of the Gulf of Guinea,” said President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Obangame Express is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored multinational maritime exercise aimed to increase maritime safety and security, improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness (MDA), information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.

Equatorial Guinea's Maritime Security Enhancement Program, launched several years ago, is designed to provide nationwide coastal surveillance coverage and long-term stability for the entire region. It is a part of Equatorial Guinea's commitment to contributing to the positive development and security in its part of West Africa.

This year’s participating nations in Obangame Express 2015 included Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Spain, Togo, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). The exercise was held in Ghana on March 19-27.

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Women In Equatorial Guinea Have Strong Leadership Role In Government And Business, Say Top Women Political Leaders

April 24, 2015, 6:13 am

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Women in Equatorial Guinea are playing a major role in government and the private sector, say two of the country’s top women leaders. While the United Nations recently criticized the lack of women in leadership positions in most countries, women in Equatorial Guinea have long been present at senior levels, according to Mari Carmen Ecoro, Minister of Social Affairs and Gender Equality, and Maria Coloma Edjang Bengono, Mayor of Malabo.

Minister Ecoro said in a recent interviewthat her government has many women in political leadership positions due to the country’s community spirit and the president’s personal commitment to gender equality. “The president of the republic says that everyone has value. [A woman] should be trained and given the opportunity to contribute as a member of society. Maybe that's where [Equatorial] Guinea should be a model,” she said.

Minister Ecoro said there is a struggle; there are still things to improve. “The change must always be continuous, from generation to generation. I am glad that [Equatorial] Guinea can be distinguished as a leader in integrating women in political decision-making positions. There is still much to be done but we are making strides.”

Mayor Edjang Bengono also discussed Equatorial Guinea’s efforts to place women in political leadership positions. The mayor said the government follows the example President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo sets in showing how he values women in the country. “In the first place, the president respects his wife as a woman and he wants to see the importance he sees in his wife in every woman, wants all women to have the same rights as a man because here there is gender equality.”

She said 2015 is the year of empowerment, and the government is giving citizens the strength to see that they are all needed, both women and men. “It gives us opportunities in the sense that everyone is equal in their chosen field. Equal opportunities, equal rights.”

Equatorial Guinea has heavily invested in education and training for its citizens, for both men and women. Mayor Edjang Bengono said that it was critical for women to be educated and trained, and that the country counts on women in political leadership positions. “He [President Obiang] has always advised the woman to be educated and trained so she doesn’t have to depend on a man… There are women in Parliament, there are women in the Senate, the Senate president is a woman, there are women in government, there are women in the [governing] political party. There are women in all social sectors and government departments. We do not have that problem. We are given importance in this country,” she said.

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Equatorial Guinea’s Minister Of Social Affairs And Gender Equality Discusses Ministry’s Initiative To Build Social Assistance Centers

April 27, 2015, 8:28 am

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The Government of Equatorial Guinea has designed a project to fund social development in order to better assist the country’s elderly population.

Mari Carmen Ecoro, Minister of Social Affairs and Gender Equality, discussed in a recent interviewthe Ministry’s initiative to build social assistance centers. “We have invited companies to provide designs as terms of reference on how to build a social center. A social center must have programs that meet the needs of society.”

Minister Ecoro said the project will place an emphasis on the elderly. “Often times we keep them at home due to our culture, and they do not go out or have activities. A social center can serve as a morning services center, where they are picked up in a bus and go to the center to learn art, dance, celebrate their birthdays, or reconnect with others they may not have seen in years.

She continued to say that if the elderly attending the social centers do not have access to medical services, they may receive medical attention there. “They will find doctors, dentists, opticians, etc., that can provide these free services. It would be a way to make their lives dignified.”

When talking about the children and youth, she said, “There are many who have no recreation. ... After school they can go to these centers to learn something new or study with mentors who can help them with homework. They can also have food without being asked about their economic status.”

A woman with low income can also go to these centers and receive social assistance. Minister Ecoro said, “The center will help her help herself. These centers are very important for this ministry and the people of Equatorial Guinea to serve as the first place one goes when one seeks information, help, support, etc.”

These projects have been redefined. The Ministry is about to present this project to the government to assess whether the conditions and the terms of reference are in line with the requirements set forth by the World Bank and the nation’s development plan, known as Horizon 2020. They hope to provide these centers in their all seven provinces.

During the interview, Minister Ecoro also discussed the country’s initiatives to create better conditions for the disabled. The Minister said the country’s First Lady, Constancia Mangue de Obiang, supports this sector. “She has built homes, has donated tricycles.” She talked about the social struggle the country experiences to integrate this vulnerable social group into society. “A senator who has a disability was recently appointed. It's similar to the trajectory of women. After ensuring that women are educated and prepared, the second priority is to give people with disabilities a better place in society. A lot has been done, but there is still much left to do. It is a minority that must be represented in all sectors.”

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Equatorial Guinea’s Capital Is In A Constant State Of Improvement, Says Malabo’s Mayor

April 30, 2015, 10:37 am

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The capital city of Equatorial Guinea, Malabo, is in a state of constant improvement, says Mayor Maria Coloma Edjang Bengono. Every year, it seems to be cleaner, bigger, more modern, and more orderly.

The mayor of Malabo discussed in a recent interview the capital’s continual improvement and the city government’s major accomplishments. “What you have seen today is not what you will see tomorrow because the government of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea [governing party] is constantly working to improve not only the capital city of Malabo but the country as a whole.”

She said that the residents of Malabo now have water, power, roads, and a sewage system. The government has already designed these projects and they are already running. “Our most important goal is to make sure all these services reach all citizens. Now our goal is for every citizen to have water, power, and environment sanitation access, among other things in their homes. That's the main goal because the most important thing for a human being is water and then later come the other things. There is potable water, and now this year’s goal is for every citizen to have it [in their homes].”

“The biggest challenge I have had as mayor has been to clean this city, because it was decaying. My biggest challenge was to educate the people on how to handle the garbage and how to make the city clean. Where there is hygiene, there is life. I feel very proud to have an increasingly clean city.”

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Results Of Obiang’s China Visit Are A Triumph For Equatorial Guinea’s Diplomacy

June 25, 2015, 8:21 am

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China to help finance power production and industrial development as part of overall strengthening of ties.

Equatorial Guinea’s president, Obiang Nguema Mbasoso, returned to his west African country after a five-day state visit to China with financing for his ambitious development program, the promise of closer cooperation with China, and a boost to his position as an emerging leader in Africa.

China rolled out the red carpet for Obiang during five days of meetings and ceremonies with the country’s top leaders, and Equatorial Guinea showcased investment opportunities to a conference of business executives from throughout Asia.

The visit was a highlight of Equatorial Guinea’s diplomacy, which over the last few years has been characterized by greater leadership in Africa, targeted engagement outside the region, and success in attracting foreign investment.

Equatorial Guinea signed several agreements with Chinese companies to increase generation of electrical power and develop its industrial sector, a key goal of the government’s plan to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil production. The largest was a $2 billion agreement with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China's biggest lender by assets, to providing financial support to Equatorial Guinea's government and Chinese businesses operating in the country.

That agreement was signed on April 30 following a meeting in Beijing between Obiang and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping.

45 Years of Diplomatic Relations

The two nations also commemorated the 45^th anniversary of diplomatic relations attended by China's top political advisor, Yu Zhengsheng, and President Obiang at which Yu praised the “strong friendship” the two nations have developed in the past 45 years. Equatorial Guinea became an independent nation in 1968.

China has sent about 500 medical workers to Equatorial Guinea over the past four decades. Equatorial Guinea donated one million euros to Sichuan Province following the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Equatorial Guinea has also contributed cash to relief efforts after disasters and humanitarian emergencies in Ethiopia, Japan, Haiti and the Congo Republic.

During the reception, Yu and Obiang jointly inaugurated the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School, which will be built in Yunnan's Jinping County with funding from Equatorial Guinea. The nations also signed an agreement to jointly build schools in China and Equatorial Guinea.

Obiang thanked China for its assistance to Equatorial Guinea, saying his country is willing to beef up cooperation with China in areas including the economy and trade, finance and personnel training. Equatorial Guinea hopes for support from China in its industrialization process and welcomes investment from Chinese companies, said the president.

“The establishment of various cooperation agreements and continuous partnership between Equatorial Guinea and China marks a transcendental point for our bilateral relations and our commitment to promoting and extending the cooperation for the mutual benefit of our nations,” Obiang said.

China Sees “Bright” Prospects for Development

Several Chinese firms are among the many foreign companies working on the various infrastructure-development projects in Equatorial Guinea, and the agreements were a clear signal by the Chinese government that it sees strong potential in the way the central African country is managing its development.

“Equatorial Guinea is a central African country that has developed relatively well,” said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who held separate talks with President Obiang on April 29. “The government in recent years has supported expanded investment into infrastructure development, and the need for infrastructure projects is enormous. There are growing numbers of cooperation areas between our two countries, and the prospects are very bright.”

In addition, Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy signed three memoranda of understanding (MOU) to develop projects in the country, including one with the China Dalian International Cooperation Group (CDIG) to start preliminary technical studies for developing the western industrial city of Mbini.

Mbini, which lies on the mouth of the Benito River close to the country’s coast, is “planned to be a key reference point for investment in West Africa and an important component in Equatorial Guinea's plans to diversify its economy,” the ministry said in a statement.

In other agreements, the China State Construction Engineering Corporation will support the development of a planned petroleum industrial facility in the city of Luba, which, like the capital, is located on Bioko Island. Already an important oil port, the expanded and redesigned port in Luba will be the logistics hub for the oil and gas industry and other industrial activities.

The ministry said that it will work with China’s Sinohydro Corporation on a feasibility study for a new hydroelectric plant on Equatorial Guinea’s Wele River. Equatorial Guinea’s investment in power generation has paid off, and electricity is now available throughout the national territory. The new plant will allow for growth and increased industrial production.

Importantly, Chinese leaders also pledged to support training programs that Equatorial Guinea hopes will develop industrial skills and improve local capacity to manage and develop home-grown industries.

Investment Forum

During the visit, the Government of Equatorial Guinea also hosted the Equatorial Guinea-Asia Economic Forum jointly with the government of Dalian, an opportunity for investors in Asia to meet the country’s leadership and learn about the top investment opportunities. President Obiang delivered the forum’s keynote address, and the economic ministers gave briefings on their sectors.

The government emphasized key investment opportunities available in Horizon 2020, the development plan to diversify the economy and promote industrialization.

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Equatorial Guinea is Polio-Free, International Health Experts Report

June 25, 2015, 8:40 am

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Independent experts from several different organizations have declared the central African country to be free of the wild poliovirus, which causes poliomyelitis.

The experts, from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, arrived in Equatorial Guinea on June 4 to assess the county’s efforts to stem the spread of poliomyelitis.

The disease entered the country from Cameroon in the first quarter of 2015, and international laboratories had confirmed five cases. The government of Equatorial Guinea quickly declared the polio epidemic a national public health emergency and launched eight campaigns to educate and immunize the population and conduct epidemiological surveillance and research. In the process, the country’s systems for epidemiological surveillance and routine vaccinations were strengthened.

On May 14, during the relaunching of the National Vaccination Campaign against Poliomyelitis, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Juan Ndong Nguema, stressed the importance that the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea gives to the health sector, as cornerstone of human development.

The World Health Organization’s Global Health Observatory reported that Equatorial Guinea spends more per capita on health and healthcare that any other country in Africa, a total of USD 555 in 2013.

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Equatorial Guinea Partners With Microsoft To Computerize Public Administration Of The Nation

June 25, 2015, 10:32 am

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Agreement Marks Milestone in the Country’s Efforts to Advance its Public Administration

The government of Equatorial Guinea has partnered with American company, Microsoft, to computerize the public administration of the country.

This milestone agreement is part of the West African nation’s efforts to achieve the goals set forth in the Horizon 2020 Development Plan. The government is investing the country’s resources to become an emergent economy by implementing aggressive initiatives.

Microsoft will be working closely with the Board of the National Center for Public Administration of the Computerization of Equatorial Guinea (CNIAPGE) in the computerization of the country’s public administration. The agreement took place on June 23.

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Equatorial Guinea Hosts International Conference On Africa's Fight Against Ebola

July 23, 2015, 6:16 am

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Obiang Announces Three Million Dollar Contribution to Help Countries Affected by Virus

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo yesterday announced that Equatorial Guinea would contribute US$3 million to assist countries affected by the Ebola outbreak in Africa. He made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Africa's Fight Against Ebola, aimed at taking action, obtaining help and the necessary resources to fight Ebola.

The Government of Equatorial Guinea offered to organize this conference so that African nations could adopt common measures to deal with the disease. President Obiang said, "African countries should lead the efforts to find solutions to the problems that affect them. We must act together in the absence of an effective treatment of this disease, because only with an agreement of solidarity can we help the affected countries."

Obiang also referred to the solutions taken in Equatorial Guinea to prevent the disease, and reported that the country now has valuable laboratories and specialized staff working in this area. The government of Equatorial Guinea has spent more than US$13 million in recent weeks to fight the Ebola virus, according to the Ministry of Health. The government took 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 at a reduced level. 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.

President Obiang also recalled the success that African countries have had in dealing with the problem of hunger in the Horn of Africa.

He called on neighboring countries to support the creation of an African Center for Prevention and Control of Endemic Diseases, an organization that was suggested and approved in previous days by the ministers of health of the continent.

The president of Zimbabwe and acting chairman of the African Union (AU), Robert Mugabe, said, "We must work in reinforcing the measures of surveillance in order to avoid any epidemic situation." He also said there was a need to accelerate the establishment of early-warning and response systems, such as systems to aid in early diagnosis of diseases. Mugabe also urged cancellation of the debts of the affected countries, with the aim of establishing normality in the sectors of education and agriculture, and the reestablishment of international activities, which were all but eliminated by the disease.

"We want to assure that each cent that we have collected is going to count in alleviating the suffering of our brothers and fight the disease," he said. We must concentrate on the lessons learned in the fight against Ebola and any disease, and continue promoting our cooperation to maintain the drive in the fight against it."

He concluded, "We must see this situation in multiple ways and address the reconstruction of a regional emergence to strengthen our health systems. Together, we must unite our efforts to combat this evil. We need to find the conditions for ending this pandemic. For now, prevention is the only cure; we must be alert and accelerate our investment to work on health care."

The representatives of the countries most affected by the Ebola virus, including Sierra Leone, Liberia and Republic of Guinea Conakry, briefed the conference on the measures their countries are taking in response to the disease. They explained their social recovery program and their initiatives to reinforce their health systems.

The majority of delegations attending the conference offered economic aid in the fight against Ebola. The representative of the People's Republic of China assured an economic contribution of US$5 million, plus another two million dollars for the Fund of the Fight Against Diseases of the AU. China has helped the affected countries by building portable laboratories in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea that carried out more than five thousand tests to detect the disease.

The representative of the United States announced a donation of US$6 million to work to improve the ability of the affected countries to respond to potential epidemics. The representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) said that the bank had already allocated US$60 million to the affected countries and one hundred fifty million dollars for the AU. In addition, it has committed another US$300 million, which will fund an epidemiological surveillance network.

The African Union and the Government of Equatorial Guinea sponsored the International Conference on Africa's Fight Against Ebola, which was held at the Sipopo Conference Center in the capital city of Malabo. African Heads of State and representatives of major international institutions attended the conference on July 21.

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African Nations Need Time To Develop Their Own Democracies, Says Equatorial Guinea

August 4, 2015, 11:12 am

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Equatorial Guinea enjoys development and democracy, and has become an example of social stability for African countries, said Jeronimo Osa Osa Ecoro, Secretary General of the ruling Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), in a recent statement.

Osa Osa made the statement in response to remarks by President Barak Obama at a meeting of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. President Obama had cited the long tenures of some African presidents as hindrances to the development of democracy in Africa.

Osa Osa recalled that African countries are very young democracies, currently undergoing development, and need their own time to evolve.

“We have only been living in the Western fashion for a short time,” he said, “largely due to the abuses that Western peoples exerted on our continent. Therefore, we cannot ask that now, in only fifty years, we live the same, feel the same and be as organized as they are, for example, in the United States. We ask the President of the United States and the rest of the Western world to understand that each country needs its own time and its evolution.”

Referring to Equatorial Guinea, Osa Osa said, “The permanence or longevity in office of H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has never been because he personally held onto power against popular will, but his election is due to popular vote, and renewed his mandate as a charismatic leader elected by his people.”

He said, “In these 36 years, the people of Equatorial Guinea have gone from being miserable and anonymous Africans, to being able to exercise a sense of pride and dignity that President Obama spoke of in his speech to the African Union.

“We are, therefore, the example that long terms, if properly managed, may offer a period of establishment, peace and stability to a country that is in full development and rising as ours.”

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Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President Leads Country’s Army

August 31, 2015, 1:45 pm

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Obiang Mangue to Exercise Defense Oversight and Policy Guidance

Equatorial Guinea’s Second Vice President and Head of Defense and State Security, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, was recently promoted to the rank of colonel of the army of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

As vice president, Obiang Mangue already exercises oversight and policy guidance over the nation’s armed forces. He will continue to lead the ministry of defense, which encompasses the country’s ground, air and naval forces, and the ministry of national security, which encompasses police forces and control of immigration and borders.

During his vice-presidency, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue has called for increased pay and improved living conditions for the military to go hand in hand with greater professionalism and improved capabilities. He has also called for a reduction in the number of immigrant workers in order to provide more employment opportunities for citizens of Equatorial Guinea.

Prior to his vice-presidency, Obiang Mangue served as minister of agriculture and forestry.

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Equatorial Guinea’s Ambassador To The United States Discusses Investment Opportunities With Governor Of Virginia

September 23, 2015, 2:29 pm

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Miguel Ntutumu Evuna Andeme, Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea accredited in the United States, recently met with the Honorable Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to discuss the objectives of Equatorial Guinea’s economic diversification, which is part of the Horizon 2020 development plan.

During the meeting, Ambassador Evuna Andeme reiterated the country’s efforts to attract foreign investment and explained the many advantages the country offers. Both parties talked about investment opportunities for businesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia in Equatorial Guinea’s public health, agriculture, ports, education and poultry sectors.

The first secretary of the Equatorial Guinea embassy in Washington, D.C., Roman Ekua Obama, and Virginia’s secretary of agriculture and forestry, Todd Haymore, were also present at the meeting.

The government of Equatorial Guinea has made the development of the agricultural sector a major priority, including the revival of its once-thriving cacao sector, which produced some of the world’s highest-quality cacao for many years.

“I appreciate very much Governor McAuliffe’s hospitality and his interest in Equatorial Guinea,” said Ambassador Evuna Andeme. “He was very well informed about our country, and our discussions were quite positive. Equatorial Guinea is modernizing rapidly and has benefited greatly from American investment, and American companies have found that Equatorial Guinea is a good place to do business. Virginia is a dynamic state with excellent companies, and we think Virginians will make good business partners for us.”

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Equatorial Guinea Reaches Millennium Development Goals, Says Second Vice President

September 26, 2015, 3:22 pm

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Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue Shares Country’s Success at UN Sustainable Development Summit

Equatorial Guinea has made significant strides toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with the country’s National Plan for Economic and Social Development, Horizon 2020, established in 2007, said Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Second Vice President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Head of Defense and State Security, at the UN Sustainable Development Summit, held at the UN from September 25-27.

Obiang Mangue said the country has invested in programs to strengthen human capital and improve the quality of life of citizens.

“The National Plan for Economic and Social Development, like the Sustainable Development Goals, focuses on the construction of infrastructure to improve productivity, accelerate diversification and economic growth, and implement governance that will ensure the representation and participation of citizens, among other things,” he said.

The successful implementation of the first phase of the National Plan for Economic and Social Development has allowed Equatorial Guinea to achieve significant progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

“Equatorial Guinea has reduced the number of people living below the poverty line by more than 50 percent, improved education access for children, extended the literacy rate of women to 96 percent, reduced child mortality by more than 50 percent and maternal mortality by 81 percent, improved health services infrastructure and accessibility, reduced malaria in the country and developed awareness campaigns to communicate the dangers of HIV/AIDS, as well as free access to treatment, improved nature conservation and environmental sanitation, and improved public finances translated into increased exports.”

The report on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Equatorial Guinea has been delivered to this high-level conference for consideration.

Vice President Obiang Mangue said, “Upon completion of the period for meeting the Millennium Development Goals, based on the fight against poverty it is clear that there is a need to design a new global development strategy that includes the current and future concerns of humanity such as climate change, sustainable consumption, innovation and the importance of peace and justice for all.”

During his closing remarks, he reiterated the commitment of the government and people of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that they have recently adopted.

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Equatorial Guinea Reports Significant Reduction In Poverty And Improvements In Health

September 28, 2015, 8:21 am

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2015 Report on Millennium Development Goals shows success in meeting goals.

The Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea released its 2015 National Report on the establishment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In the fifteen years since signing the Millennium Declaration along with 189 countries, Equatorial Guinea has seen great improvement in poverty reduction and healthcare development due largely to the Government’s efforts.

There has been a continuous improvement in the population’s living conditions. The proportion of the population living under the poverty line has dropped from 76.8% in 2006 to 43.7% in 2011 (Source: EDSGE, 2011), resulting in a reduction of 33.1 percentage points. At this rate, the percentage of the population living on less than 2 US dollars a day in Equatorial Guinea is estimated to be 17.38% by the end of 2015, far exceeding their MGD targets.

The Report also details Government focus on access to adequate healthcare through targeted policies to combat maternal and infant mortality. By providing free access to treatment, the rate of maternal mortality was significantly reduced from 1,600 out of 100,000 live births in 1990 to 290 out of 100,000 live births in 2013. This reduction of 81% exceeded the target set for 2015 of 400 out of 100,000 live births.

Mortality for children under the age of five has declined by 38%, from 182 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 113 per 1,000 live births. In addition, prenatal coverage increased from 61% in 2008 to 91% in 2011, 10 points above the world average of 81%.

Equatorial Guinea now has the highest literacy rate in Africa, which increased from 88.7% to 95.7%. The country built more than 40 new primary schools, increasing the number from 813 to 857. Increased spending on infrastructure was highlighted as well, with the construction of the national network of roads, increasing mobility and accessibility across the country and making it the largest network among neighboring countries. The current population in Equatorial Guinea is 1,222,442.

The 2015 Report is the third such assessment as part of a joint effort between Equatorial Guinea and the United Nations to provide a current overview of the progress made under MDGs in the country.

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Equatorial Guinea Implements Economic And Social Development Plan, Says Second Vice President At United Nations General Assembly

September 30, 2015, 3:52 pm

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National Development Plan Objectives Exceed Millennium Development Goals

Equatorial Guinea has implemented its Horizon 2020 development plan, which aligns with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), said Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Second Vice President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Head of Defense and State Security, at the United Nations General Assembly.

During his opening remarks, Obiang Mangue said that upon completion of the MDGs program, Equatorial Guinea has successfully reached and surpassed its objectives. He also highlighted the country’s development plan objectives. “Equatorial Guinea’s development plan, Horizon 2020, aims to build basic infrastructure of international order to improve productivity and accelerate economic growth, reinforce human capital and improve the quality of life of its citizens, build a diversified economy based on four sectorial pillars: energy and mining sector, fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture and livestock and finally, the service sector, and implement quality governance to serve the public.”

Obiang Mangue said that Equatorial Guinea fully shares the concern of the rest of the international community regarding climate change. “The Amazon in South America and the Congo Basin in Central Africa represent the world’s lungs to conserve the environment and biodiversity and they require special attention in the upcoming Paris Conference on climate change,” he said.

Vice President Obiang Mangue concluded, “We want to express our commitment as a member of the United Nations to contribute in all processes that lead to improving the functioning of this global organization."

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UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Prize Awarded To Two Professors and One Doctor For Work In Life Sciences, Heart Disease and Disease Control

October 16, 2015, 6:35 am

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Award ceremony will bring scientists together to address the most pressing health issues affecting Africa.

The 2015 International UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Prize for Research in Life Sciences has been awarded to two professors and one doctor in recognition of their efforts to improve the quality of human life.

The Prize recipients are Professor Manoel Barral-Netto, from Brazil, the Chief of Investigation and Director of the Goncalo Moniz Research Centre in Bahia, who has dedicated the majority of his career studying leishmaniasis and malaria as well as the development of control tools for transmittable diseases in neglected, low-income communities; Professor Balram Bhargava, from India, a specialist in cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Science whose work focuses on biomedical innovation, public health and medical education. His work has contributed to the development of innovative, efficient and affordable tools for managing cardiovascular diseases; and the Doctor Amadou Alpha Sall, from Senegal, who is the Chief of the Centre for Collaboration by the World Health Organization for Antivirus, Virus, and Haemorrhaging Fevers in Dakar. Sall has focused primarily on fighting the viral diseases of Ebola and Dengue fever and has been at the forefront of the development and distribution of diagnostic control tools against these diseases.

The UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Prize will be awarded to the three winners at a ceremony in Paris, France on November 14.

The Prize was created by an initiative from President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and recognises the work and effort by research organizations and scientists in the development realm on real-world problems. This is the third year the prize has been awarded.

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The Democratic Party Of Equatorial Guinea Discusses The Country's Current Democratic State and Outlines Goals For The Future

November 13, 2015, 1:55 pm

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Congress Meets in Bata This Week

The third National Congress of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) convened in Bata this week to review the political, economic and socio-cultural progress of the country.

The week’s activities included updates from all ministries, including progress by the Executive and a series of in-depth discussions on the on-going work of Horizon 2020, the nation’s ten-year development plan. They also reviewed development on the greater African continent and held an open dialogue on the democratic process in the country.

The discussions stimulated spirited debate over the most pressing issues facing the country, namely judicial integrity, delinquency and employment. Citing the behavior of a select few corrupt judges, the members called for the reinforcement of judicial integrity based on the fundamental principle of honesty.

To combat the threat of youth delinquency, the group proposed increased involvement by parents and teachers and the establishment of more green zones, where children can play and participate in sports tournaments. The party also looked at ways to combat the already low level of unemployment in the country, including the establishment of a human resources office and a restructuring of the standard workweek.

The Congress was an inclusive affair that featured speakers from all democratic parties in Equatorial Guinea such as the Popular Union (UP), the Liberal Democrat Convention (CLD), the Social Democrat Party (PSD), the Progressive Democratic Alliance (ADP), the Democratic Social Union (UDS), the Democratic and Popular Social Convergence (CSDP); the Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea (PSGE) and the Liberal Party (PL). The speakers were received enthusiastically, and their inclusion was praised as a sign of a healthy democracy.

The Congress, which adjourns at the end of the week, marks another important milestone in the democratic history of Equatorial Guinea.

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President Obiang Focuses on the Future of Equatorial Guinea

November 16, 2015, 6:14 am

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Calls for organizational structure to be put in place for the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea’s survival when he is no longer leading the country

Equatorial GuineanPresident Obiang Nguema Mbasogo spoke at the third National Congress of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) in Bata this week about the end of his presidency, the direction the party should take moving forward and the success of its leadership so far.

Obiang said he recognized that his time in office is not absolute and that, when the day comes when he can no longer serve the people of Equatorial Guinea, the nationi must be are ready with an appropriate structure so that the ideals and PDGE does not disintegrate.

The party decided at the last Congress that Obiang would be its candidate in the upcoming 2016 elections.

Obiang also used the address to focus on the great strides the country has made since the last Congress and under the leadership of the PDGE. Acknowledging the country’s turbulent history, Obiang praised the PDGE for its commitment to freedom – of the press, of movement within the country, the national political dialogue, of women.

Obiang also highlighted some of the major accomplishments in the last few years under the leadership of the PDGE in infrastructure; investment in education, with the construction of two universities for the first time in the country’s history; housing renovations; the construction of social housing; and new water and light systems.

“One cannot make policy without developing the economy, which guarantees the peace and stability of a nation,” said Obiang.

Obiang finished his address by emphasizing that a healthy PDGE is critical to ensuring the future of Equatorial Guinea.

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President Obiang Focuses On The Future Of Equatorial Guinea

November 17, 2015, 6:59 am

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Calls for organizational structure to be put in place for the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea’s survival when he is no longer leading the country

The party decided at the last Congress that Obiang would be its candidate in the upcoming 2016 elections.

“One cannot make policy without developing the economy, which guarantees the peace and stability of a nation,” said Obiang.

Obiang finished his address by emphasizing that a healthy PDGE is critical to ensuring the future of Equatorial Guinea.

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