Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene November 2018 Vol.13 No.5 | Page 25

People
“For many years, in our
previous occupations as well
as our current positions,
we have both worked to
improve the lives of poor
and vulnerable people. I
am delighted to have Pope
Francis’ support for our
effort to extend the right of
life and health to all people.
I particularly welcome the
Pope’s emphasis on the
welfare of children.
Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger
I am encouraged to hear him say that he is beside us and
all those working with us in the attempt to bring health to
all, especially the many people, including children, who
live on the periphery of society, and who suffer ill health
and hunger.”
Pope Francis and Dr Tedros met in Rome in advance
of the Global Conference on Primary Health Care, to
take place on 25-26 October in Astana, Kazakhstan. The
conference marks the fortieth anniversary of the historic
Alma Aty Declaration and its commitment to achieve
Health For All. Delegates in Kazakhstan will endorse a
new declaration to revitalize primary health care around
the world.
Primary healthcare is at the heart of the global drive to
achieve universal health coverage, itself one of the core
foundations of the Sustainable Development Goal of
better health and wellbeing for all people.
Millie Bobby Brown named UNICEF’s youngest-ever
Goodwill Ambassador
Stranger Things star appointed on World Children’s Day,
when children around the world unite for their rights and
‘take-over’ key roles in government, entertainment and
business
NEW YORK, 20 November 2018 - Emmy-nominated
actress Millie Bobby Brown has been announced as
UNICEF’s newest Goodwill Ambassador.
The appointment – marked on World Children’s Day
at United Nations Headquarters and the Empire State
Building in New York – makes the 14-year-old UNICEF’s
youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador.
“It’s a dream come true to become a UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador,” said Brown. “It’s a huge honor to join such
an impressive list of people who have supported UNICEF
over the years. I am looking forward to meeting as many
children and young people as I can, hearing their stories,
and speaking out on their behalf.”
In her role as UNICEF
Goodwill Ambassador,
the British star of
Stranger Things will
use her global platform
to help raise awareness
of children’s rights
and issues affecting
youth, such as lack of education, safe places to play and
learn, and the impact of violence, bullying and poverty.
Brown has supported UNICEF’s work since 2016, hosting
its 70th anniversary celebrations at the United Nations
in 2016, and championing UNICEF’s inaugural World
Children’s Day last year. She joins a list of UNICEF
Goodwill Ambassadors including: Muzoon Almellehan,
David Beckham, Orlando Bloom, Jackie Chan, Priyanka
Chopra, Danny Glover, Ricky Martin, Leo Messi, Liam
Neeson, Shakira and Lilly Singh.
OFID’s new Director-General assumes office in
Vienna
Vienna, Austria, November 5, 2018.
Dr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa has today
assumed office as Director-General
and Chief Executive Officer of OFID
– the OPEC Fund for International
Development – at the institution’s
Vienna headquarters.
Dr Abdulhamid
Prior to his appointment at OFID, Dr
Alkhalifa
Alkhalifa was Deputy Secretary General
of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment
Fund since 2014, and advisor to the
Secretary General from 2010 to 2014. He has also held a
number of leadership positions at the World Bank Group
and served the government of Saudi Arabia in various
capacities.
OFID looks forward to continuing to work in cooperation
with developing countries and the international donor
community to stimulate economic growth and alleviate
poverty in all disadvantaged regions of the world. In
recent years, the organization has become a strong
presence in the global development arena, encouraging
self-reliance and inspiring hope for the future among
vulnerable and developing populations.
Dr Alkhalifa, a Saudi Arabian national, holds a PhD in
Economics from the University of Miami, Florida, and a
Master’s in Applied Economics from Southern Methodist
University in Dallas, Texas. Elected at OFID’s June
2018 Ministerial Council meeting, Dr Alkhalifa replaces
Suleiman J Al-Herbish, who served three terms as OFID
Director-General between 2003 and 2018.
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