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 Message of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for 2016
International Mother Earth Day is an opportunity to highlight the interdependence between people and the astonishing variety of species with which we share this planet. This year’s observance brings hope of a better future for all.
On this day, representatives of more than 170 countries are gathering at UN Headquarters in New York to sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This landmark pact, in conjunction with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, holds the power to transform our world. The momentum achieved by so many signatures on one day sends a clear signal of solidarity and resolve. Now we must unleash the full force of human ingenuity and ensure low-emission growth and improved climate resilience.
Photo: In honour of Earth Day and the signing of the Paris Agreement Ambassador Barbier of France in South Africa planted a yellowwood tree at the Embassy in Pretoria this morning. Photo credit: Embassy of France in South Africa
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Another Royal Birthday, Another Royal Billion!
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 April 22nd marks Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. As the Queen enters her 10th decade, specialist brand and business valuation agency Brand Finance has calculated the contribution the Monarchy makes to the British economy. Costs such as the Sovereign Grant, security and maintenance of palaces have been netted off against sources of income including the uplift to the tourism, the price premium commanded by brands with Royal Warrants and the surplus generated by the Crown Estate. This net annual contribution amounts to £1.144bn in 2016.
Brand Finance has also estimated the total value of the Monarchy, often known colloquially as ‘The Firm’, as if it were a business. The annual economic contribution is projected for an additional four years into the future, with the contribution for 2017 estimated at £1.188bn, 2018 £1.203bn, 2019 £1.218bn and £1.234bn in 2020.
Projected into perpetuity, this contribution has a net present value of £37.5bn. To this are added The Firm’s tangible assets (the Crown Estate, the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster and the Crown Jewels) to reach a total of £58.4 billion.
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Goodbye Blackwood, Hello Florence Ribeiro - New Embassy for Germany
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 April 18, 2016
After over 50 years in Arcadia, the German Embassy Pretoria is moving to its new premises in Groenkloof this week. The new building on Florence Ribeiro Avenue offers German Ambassador Walter Lindner and his 85 staff members a modern working environment and high tech facilities. After being spread out over several buildings in Arcadia and Hatfield, the new German Embassy will once again reunite the different departments under one roof.
“We have many fond memories of our old home in Arcadia and we will certainly miss the proximity of the Union Buildings which were just a few steps away. But as our relationship with South Africa strengthened over the past decades the building became too small for us” explains Ambassador Lindner.
Photo: Ambassador Lindner is pictured with staff of the German Embassy
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Deputy Minister Landers receives Regional Representatives of IOM and ICRC
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 The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Mr Luwellyn Landers on 30 March 2016 received the letters of appointment of the Regional Representatives of international organisations based in Pretoria, South Africa: Mr Josiah Ogina: Regional Representative of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM); and Mr Vincent Cassard: Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Deputy Minister Landers congratulated the Heads of the Regional Offices on their appointment as approved by the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation. The Deputy Minister in his welcoming remarks said South Africa would remain committed to participate in United Nations endorsed, as well as regional and continental processes specifically related to humanitarian assistance and challenges on the Continent, in the Region and globally. He highlighted that in this regard South Africa will play its role at the World Humanitarian Summit in Turkey in May 2016 and is looking forward to engage and work with all role players and including from the respective organisations, which are true crusaders for humanity. Photo (l-r): Deputy Minister Landers is pictured with Mr Josiah Ogina: Regional Representative of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Mr Vincent Cassard: Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Amb. NKM Seleka, Director: Humanitarian Affairs. - by Jacoline Schoonees
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