05:00
MANGROVES
WWF and the University of Queensland have developed the “Climate-Smart Mangrove Tool”. This is a climate-smart tool for mangroves that provides a science-based methodology for conservation actors. It identifies appropriate actions to support ecosystem adaptation to climate change and reduce present and future impacts. The “Climate-Smart Mangrove Tool” was developed taking into account the experiences gained in the conservation and restoration of mangroves in 4 countries, namely Colombia, Fiji, Madagascar between 2020 and 2025, and Mexico. This tool can be applied during the project design phase to identify priorities and management and restoration actions, but also during the project to assess the level of effectiveness and adaptation of conservation or restoration actions in relation to climate, and to identify additional actions required to enhance the resilience of project sites to climate change. For WWF Madagascar, this tool has been used in the Manambolo-Tsiribihina (Menabe & Melaky) and Diana (Ambaro Bay) landscapes for the development of ecological mangrove restoration plans. A total of six community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) transfer zones are involved. It is expected that this tool will contribute to the development of a mapping of potential areas for mangrove restoration and the development of other ecological mangrove restoration plans, taking into account climate parameters, managed by the communities of Manambolo Tsiribihina and Diana.
05:17
MADAGASCAR – GUINEA-BISSAU
Guinea-Bissauan President Umaro Sissoco Embalo awarded the Amilcar Cabral Medal, the highest honor in the country, to Andry Rajoelina, the first Malagasy President on a state visit to Guinea-Bissau. The distinction is named after the Guinean national hero Amilcar Cabral. As part of the strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries, a general framework agreement of cooperation between Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau was signed. The agreement covers 28 areas of cooperation, including the military domain. Bissau-Guinean officers will be able to join the Antsirabe Military Academy (ACMIL). Lala Monja Delphin Sahivelo, Minister of Armed Forces, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Carlos Pinto Pereira, Bissau-Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities, were the two signatories of the general framework agreement. Following a meeting and a bilateral meeting, Andry Rajoelina and Umaro Sissoco Embalo emphasized their desire to move forward together hand in hand, marking a new page in diplomatic relations between the two countries. Andry Rajoelina continues to strengthen his south-south cooperation and development initiatives through pan-Africanism. The Guinea-Bissauan President is expected to soon make a state visit to Madagascar.
08:00
ROAD MAINTENANCE
The sixth meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (CCC) of the F3TLM project was held on Tuesday at the National Institute of Infrastructure (Ininfra) in Alarobia. On this occasion, three manuals were validated: the “Road Inspection and Diagnostic Manual,” the “Bridge Inspection and Diagnostic Manual,” and the “Road Repair Manual.” In order to test and apply the manuals before scaling them up nationally, a pilot project is currently underway on the National Road No. 2 (RN2), between PK 02 and PK 08, on the Ambohimangakely side. The F3LTM project, aiming to improve the management and maintenance system of roads and bridges in order to extend the lifespan of road infrastructure in Madagascar, involves developing various manuals to promote the sustainability of the road heritage through the sharing of new practices, through training and capacity building of MTP agents provided by Japanese experts. In anticipation of a possible extension of the project duration, two coordination meetings are planned to take place in November 2024 and February 2025.
10:00
WORLD BANK
The first review of the performance of the portfolio of Projects funded by the World Bank for the fiscal year 2024 took place on Tuesday in Antananarivo. Madagascar’s performance is considered satisfactory with a disbursement rate increasing from 14% in 2023 to 22.64% currently for all Projects. This rate is above the average of our Sub-Region, according to the review. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) emphasizes that this performance is the result of various reforms initiated by the Malagasy Government in the financial and accounting management of Projects. These reforms have a dual objective: to enable maximum funds absorption by the Ministries in order to deliver the maximum results and to identify responsibilities for a collective performance of the stakeholders in the implementation of Projects. Minister Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison stated that there are numerous prospects and several challenges remain to be overcome. Thus, the MEF remains willing to provide the necessary support for a smooth implementation of projects in accordance with the terms agreed upon in the financing agreements with the World Bank.
11:00
COMBATING WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING
In order to inform the public about the richness of Malagasy biodiversity, raise awareness about the threats posed by corruption and wildlife trafficking, promote the participation of all in the fight against corruption and wildlife trafficking, and value artistic commitment in the fight against corruption, particularly in the environmental field, Transparency International-Initiative Madagascar is organizing an Artistic Challenge under the theme “Malagasy treasures threatened by corruption.” This competition is organized on the occasion of the closure of the project “Fighting Corruption and Wildlife Trafficking,” which has the main objective of contributing to the fight against corruption and wildlife trafficking in order to strengthen conservation efforts. Three categories are being established, namely drawing, painting, and photography. It is expected that this competition will lead to a greater awareness and increased understanding of the challenges of wildlife conservation in Madagascar, a better knowledge of the harmful impacts of corruption and wildlife trafficking on wildlife conservation, and an awareness of the creative and artistic dimension of the fight against corruption.
12:00
CIRCULATION RN5A – RN6
Circulation in the northern part of Madagascar is now fully restored, according to the Ministry of Public Works. The diversion for ford crossing on RN5A at the Manambery Bridge has been open to traffic since yesterday, July 30th. With the opening of this diversion, authorities have decided that traffic on the Manambery Bridge will no longer be allowed to prevent further damage. It should be noted that the diversions for ford crossing on the Mahavavy River and at Ifasy on RN6 have been operational for several weeks and are now open to traffic of all vehicle types, day and night.
13:00
ELECTORAL PROCESS
Civil society organizations working for democracy and good governance are calling on the Government to set the date for local elections as soon as possible, based on the calendar proposed by the National Independent Electoral Commission. They emphasize that “failure to organize these elections is illegal and demonstrates a lack of commitment by the authorities to effective decentralization, which is essential for balanced development in all regions and municipalities of the country.” They also highlight the temporary nature of the governorate and believe that after five years, which is the duration of a presidential term, it is high time to initiate preparations for regional elections in order to achieve effective decentralization.
14:00
MICRO-PROJECTS
The handing over of checks and the signing of contracts with beneficiaries of the “micro-projects” program of the German Embassy in Madagascar recently took place in Antananarivo. This year, 12 projects from different regions working in the fields of environment, education, health, and rural income improvement were selected. “These projects will, among other things, improve the living conditions of vulnerable women in six neighborhoods of Tanjombato, provide tables and benches for an institution in the Boeny region, as well as provide electrical and refrigeration support to village fishermen in the Vatomandry District,” reports the German Embassy in Antananarivo.
16:00
FDA
Following studies conducted since 2020 aimed at establishing a sustainable financial mechanism, the Agricultural Development Fund (FDA) recently held a workshop for the establishment of a new financing mechanism. This mechanism consists of two components: direct grants and co-financing with financial institutions. It aims to structure financing operations and procedures, as well as develop an Operations and Procedures Manual (MOP) for the FDA and a Partnership Guide for financial institutions. The recommendations from this workshop will serve as a solid basis for the final drafting of the documents by external consultants. By aligning these operational tools with the new strategic orientations, the FDA strengthens its commitment to sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.
17:00
NOSY BE
The first advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar, Julianna Kim, participated in the celebration of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons in Nosy Be. During the event, she expressed the hope that the Big Island could enforce stricter penalties against this scourge. She also reiterated the United States’ call on the Malagasy government to support victims of trafficking. Yesterday, Julianna Kim also met with the prefect of Nosy Be and representatives of the “End child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children for sexual purposes” (ECPAT) network, focusing on specific local challenges in the fight against trafficking in persons. With the prefect, she discussed the cooperation of all officials in reducing trafficking in Nosy Be. With ECPAT, the topic discussed focused on new forms of abuse against children in Nosy Be.
20:00
MADAGASCAR – ANGOLA
The day after his state visit to Guinea-Bissau, President Andry Rajoelina arrived in Luanda, the capital of Angola, on Wednesday, with the aim of giving new impetus to diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rasata Rafaravavitafika, also pointed out that Angola and Madagascar have historical ties. These ties were emphasized by the Angolan Minister of Foreign Relations, Téte António, who recalled that the Big Island was one of the supporters of Angola and sub-Saharan African countries in their fight for independence in the 1970s. Last December, in Antananarivo, Angolan President João Lourenço and Andry Rajoelina agreed to strengthen the ties between the two countries, although they are already excellent from a political point of view. This desired strengthening will be realized during this state visit to Luanda, and was initiated by a joint statement establishing official diplomatic relations between Madagascar and Angola on July 8th. A general framework agreement for cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on political consultations, and several sectoral agreements will be signed on Thursday, August 1st, 2024, following a meeting between the two Heads of State. The sectors involved include energy, hydrocarbons, and mining. On Thursday, Andry Rajoelina will also be at the Angolan Parliament, where a special session will be held in his honor. He will be invited to speak before the parliamentarians in the Hemicyle.
