05:00
TOURISM AND CRAFTS
Speaking at a conference at the Private University of Ambohidratrimo on the theme of business opportunities in the tourism sector in Madagascar, the Minister of Tourism and Crafts, Joël Randriamandranto, emphasized the importance of tourism and crafts for the Big Island. In addition to being a sector that provides diverse employment opportunities, tourism has a strong potential to accelerate the country’s development, he said. The minister also took this opportunity to encourage young people to innovate and invest in this field, highlighting the numerous investment opportunities available.
06:00
MUSICAL COMEDY
“Living Legend”. That’s the title of the musical comedy that will showcase the life of artist Njakatiana. It will be directed by Sahhaf Kaompania and will take place on November 3rd at CCESCA Antanimena. According to Sah Noël, this first edition aims to pay tribute to contemporary Malagasy artists by capturing the essence of their art through an immersive performance. The company’s leader also indicates that other editions will be produced. Sahhaf is no stranger to performances. In the past, the company has already staged various stories, always highlighting Malagasy culture. Open to all artistic collaborations, Sahhaf invites all experienced partners to join this artistic adventure and create an experience aimed at enriching the Malagasy cultural heritage and inspiring future generations. Founded by Sah and his team in 2017, Sahhaf Kaompania aspires to elevate art to new heights.
07:00
OIM MADAGASCAR
Roger Charles Eniva, the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Madagascar, recently visited Manakara and Farafangana to deliver the invitation to the ceremony marking the completion of the project “Support for the recovery of off-site management of camps for internally displaced persons and cyclone-affected host communities Batsirai and Emnati” to local authorities. He also visited the beneficiaries of the AGR kits for income-generating activities. During this visit, he reviewed IOM’s activities on the ground, such as market rehabilitation and AGR distribution. Local authorities and communities have demonstrated great resilience and positive improvements in the lives of residents, while emphasizing the need for additional support for these vulnerable communities.
08:00
CPD 2024-2028
Following a meeting to launch national consultations for the formulation and presentation of the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024-2028, 14 ministries expressed their commitment to the government project with the support of UNDP for the implementation of the CPD, particularly in the areas of decentralization and territorialization of public policies. This meeting focused on the development of a roadmap for each government entity, the design of new development projects for each relevant ministry, the elimination of barriers between sectors, as well as the synergy and harmonization of all sectors.
09:01
PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES
The Initiative for Development, Ecological Restoration, and Innovation (INDRI) advocates for three actions to protect endangered species in Madagascar. These include strengthening laws and their enforcement, ensuring that conservation initiatives benefit local communities, and promoting ecotourism to showcase our species. According to INDRI, the Grand Island once housed animals of tremendous size that have unfortunately disappeared. For example, 17 species of giant lemurs weighing up to 200 kg, and the Mahery giant eagle, a predator weighing approximately 15 kg.
10:00
ATSINANANA WET FORESTS
As part of the implementation of the action plan to remove the Atsinanana Wet Forests from the endangered list, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) and Madagascar National Parks participated in the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India, with the support of the BIOCOM project funded by KOICA and managed by UNESCO. Madagascar presented the efforts made by the State, site personnel, and stakeholders, and reaffirmed its commitment to remove the Atsinanana Wet Forests from the endangered list. Technical exchanges took place with various bodies of the Convention to optimize the implementation of this action plan. During the event entitled “Strengthening the conservation of World Heritage in Africa to achieve global goals for humanity and the planet,” the MEDD and the General Directorate of Madagascar National Parks emphasized the importance of adopting a holistic strategy and mobilizing financial partners to address this challenge. Madagascar, a member of the World Heritage Convention since 1983, possesses one cultural property and two natural properties, including the Atsinanana Wet Forests, composed of six national parks, currently on the endangered list.
11:45
ELECTRICITY
The electricity distribution in the Anosy neighborhood is interrupted due to a tree pruning and replacement of defective insulators operation on-site by the High Voltage Department team, announces Jirama. Electricity will be restored at the end of the works.
12:00
VOHIMANA RESERVE
Two ecovolunteers will stay in the Vohimana reserve to work on two projects of the Chameleon Center Conservation: the conservation of the largest chameleon in the world and the inventory of chameleons in the reserve. Their main mission will be to establish new scientific protocols to collect data on the ecology, behavior, and current state of the Parson’s chameleon population in the reserve. They will also collect climate data from the recorders installed last year and develop new protocols to monitor the different identified individuals, with the help of the local guides already equipped and trained during previous missions.
14:27
J.O 2024
The Malagasy international referee, Yann Vezo Davidson, will officiate his first match at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris tonight. Alongside James Boyer, he will be assisting head referee Maj Forsberg in the women’s basketball match between Serbia and Puerto Rico tonight. It will be at 10 PM, Madagascar time. The match belongs to Group A of the women’s bracket and will take place at the Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
15:00
SNRSE
After numerous regional consultations with various stakeholders, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) organized a validation workshop for the “National Strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility” (SNRSE) on July 26th. This event brought together the public and private sectors, as well as technical and financial partners, with the support of the Tany Meva Foundation. The SNRSE aims to promote corporate social responsibility as a tool for competitiveness and sustainable image, by encouraging companies to conserve natural resources while creating added value for communities and the country. This vision is aligned with the orientations of the General Policy of the State (PGE), which focus on human capital, industrialization, economic transformation, and good governance.
16:11
CONSUMPTION
The Regional Directorate of Industrialization and Trade (DRIC) Atsimo Andrefana Atsimo Andrefana reassures that inspections of essential products from traders are strict in the region, in order to ensure consumer safety. After an unannounced visit to the wholesale and retail traders at the Tuléar market today, officials from the Consumer Protection Department of the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade stated that the stock of rice in the city is of good quality and there is no fear of shortage. Accompanied by the DRIC Atsimo Andrefana and local authorities, these officials also inspected the storage facilities of companies that receive rice from other regions to supply Tuléar. It is also indicated that the rice stored there is of good quality.
17:00
DIGITAL WORLD
The UNESCO graphic novel “Heading towards AI – An algorithmic adventure” is now available in Malagasy under the title “Ilon-tsaina Artifisialy: anjoria anabakabakin’ny algoritma”. Already published in French, English, and Swahili, this novel addresses various topics related to artificial intelligence (AI), such as the digital divide, algorithmic bias, echo chambers, and electronic waste. The publication of the Malagasy version of “Heading towards AI” is crucial for Madagascar’s Digital Strategic Plan (2023-2028). However, the translation has revealed significant challenges in adapting AI and digital-related concepts and terminologies into Malagasy, according to UNESCO. The graphic novel can be used to raise awareness among children, students, and young adults in Madagascar and contribute to promoting digital literature. This initiative aligns with the organization’s mandate to promote emerging technologies for sustainable development, equipping youth with essential knowledge about artificial intelligence and its implications in terms of human rights and ethics.
