Equatorial Guinea Attends 5th Annual BRICS Summit

Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea, recently attended the fifth BRICS Summit (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), held in Durban, South Africa from March 26-27.

BRICS aims to achieve peace, security, development and cooperation. The BRICS Summit seeks common ground on key areas for the world’s leading emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The Summit focuses on political and entrepreneurial coordination, in which BRICS member countries have identified business opportunities, economic complementarities and cooperation opportunities.

This year’s BRICS Summit focused on BRICS and Africa, a partnership for development, integration and industrialization. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion of international law, multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations (UN). The group said to be open to increasing their engagement and cooperation with non-BRICS countries, in particular Emerging Market and Developing Countries (EMDCs) during their closing declaration.

The first BRIC Summit was held in Russia, where the leaders of the four countries formally declared the membership of the BRIC economic bloc. South Africa joined the group in 2010, resulting in BRICS.

Equatorial Guinea Strengthens Relations with Nigeria in 5th Commission

Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets with Nigerian Delegation to Improve Bilateral Relations

Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agapito Mba Mokuy, met with Nigerian counterpart, Nurudden Mohammed, this week to discuss ways to improve bilateral relations. This is the 5^th joint Nigerian-Equatorial Guinean commission dedicated to strengthen ties between the two countries. According to Agapito Mba Mokuy, this meeting focused on celebrating common historical ties and promoting cooperation between the two nations.

Equatorial Guinea Participates in the 5th African Oil and Gas Conference

Representatives meet in Gabon to discuss sustainable development in the oil and gas industry

Equatorial Guinea is one of 18 African countries represented at the 5^th African Oil and Gas Conference this week in Gabon.

Beginning on Tuesday, March 26^th, 600 delegations will spend the next three days discussing the current status of the oil and gas market under the title, “Prospects for oil in Africa, balance between production and sustainable development.”

The conference, which was co-organized by the Association of African Petroleum Producers (APPA), is recognized as the industry’s most important event in Africa. It provides participants the opportunity to explore new opportunities and engage in conversation with key political, economic and institutional heads of APPA member countries.

Equatorial Guinea’s participation is reflective of their efforts to strengthen the oil and gas industry, which has significantly contributed to the country’s economic development.

Equatorial Guinea Supports Small and Medium Businesses with New Office of Economic and Business Information

The Government of Equatorial Guinea recently opened the headquarters of the new Office of Economic and Business Information of the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business Promotion (OIEE) to support the growth of small and medium businesses.

The office was built as part of the Government’s initiative to promote social and economic development with the support of the Ministry and the company EG LNG. Together, they are working with international and national entrepreneurs to expand their businesses.

According to Daniel Minang, Director-General of Business Promotion, the OIEE was created based on recommendations resulting from the Second National Economic Conference and the EG LNG’s suggestion to set up a business support office.

Entrepreneurs and reporters recently visited the new office to see firsthand how the Ministry and EG LNG are working together to promote social and economic growth. As part of their initiative, they will provide training and consulting services to businesses and employees as well as training courses for students. 

“The operation is simple,” said Daniel Minang, “businessmen or entrepreneurs come into the office and, as needed, the right technician helps them.”

The creation of a new OIEE office is representative of the Government’s efforts to achieve the objectives of Horizon 2020, Equatorial Guinea’s plan for economic development.

Equatorial Guinea Reports Progress on Gender Equality, Elimination of Violence Against Women

Senior government adviser details new legal framework and nationwide education campaign

Equatorial Guinea has moved aggressively to protect women and girls from violence under the government of President Obiang NguemaMbasogo, according to President Obiang's senior adviser on women's issues.

Antonina Miko Mikue, Counselor of the Presidency of Government on the Advancement of Women in Equatorial Guinea, told UN representatives during the 57th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) that her government has created a Family Court to prosecute gender violence and juvenile offenses and to adjudicate marital disputes. In addition, the government oversaw the construction of shelters for victims of violence and the development of education and awareness programs on gender violence and equality.

The CSW was designed to act as a global policy-making body dedicated to gender equality and promoting female empowerment worldwide.

In honor of the 57^th CSW’s theme “Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls,” Ms. Miko discussed how the Government of Equatorial Guinea has worked to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

“Equatorial Guinea knows that despite everything, a lot still needs to be done and therefore reaffirms its commitment to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls,” she said. “It endorses the resolutions adopted by this Assembly.”

The Government of Equatorial Guinea has ratified nearly all international and regional conventions aimed at preventing, calling attention to, and eradicating violence against women. It has also adopted a National Action Plan to Promote Multisectorial Women and Gender Equality.

At the end of the 57^th CSW on March 15^th, the Assembly will evaluate the progress of the Commission’s former resolutions and draft proposals for recommendations on outstanding issues. Participating members, such as Equatorial Guinea, will then work to implement these recommendations and promote gender equality worldwide.

The Search for Miss Guinea 2013 Begins

On March 10, modeling agency Mogue Models will begin its search for the most beautiful women of Equatorial Guinea. The agency will be touring the country, looking for contestants to compete at the Miss World Pageant as Miss Guinea 2013.

Leading the search is Consuelo Obiang Mbulito, founder and president of Mogue Agency, who helped elect last year’s Miss Guinea, Jennifer Riveiro.

During an interview with Consuelo, she described the process of electing a contestant for the Miss World Pageant and the importance of receiving support from the community.

“We had the support of many businesses,” she said, “which has allowed us to fund the event. The Government has also given us its support with aid and facilities of every kind for the organization.”

Before bringing the interview to a close, Consuelo talked about her goal of influencing young girls and showing them the possibilities they face today.

She encouraged interested candidates to register at www.agenciamogue.com.