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UN Secretary-General António Guterres celebrated the achievements and contributions of people of African descent from across the world, while addressing the forum via video message, but also acknowledged existing racial discrimination and inequalities Black people continue to face. 

He said the establishment of the Permanent Forum shows a dedication from the international community to address these injustices. Still, it needs to be backed by significant change for people of African descent globally.

“Now we must build on that momentum to drive meaningful change – by ensuring that people of African descent enjoy the full and equal realization of their human rights; by stepping up efforts to eliminate racism and discrimination – including through reparations; and by taking steps towards the full inclusion of people of African descent in society as equal citizens,” said Mr. Guterres.

‘Formidable convening power’

Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif praised the forum for its “formidable convening power” by meeting for a third high profile session less than two years after becoming operational.

She commended the forum’s planned 70 side events focusing on climate justice, education, health, and more for people of African descent, saying it shows a “remarkable effort, amplifying the reach and impact of our collective commitment.”

Ms. Al-Nashif urged Member States to participate in discussions and act on recommendations derived from them. 

“Only then can we ensure that all civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of people of African descent can be fully realized without discrimination or bias,” she said.

Decade should extend

Ms. Al-Nashif said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, supports the extension of the International Decade for people of African Descent – a time proclaimed by the General Assembly in 2015 to focus on recognition, justice and development. 

During the Permanent Forum, a conversation will be centred around achievement limitations and expectations of the requested second international decade. 

“We look forward to the outcome of the discussions of this session; and we will be following the intergovernmental discussions in relation to the International Decade throughout this year,” said Ms. Al-Nashif.

All reports from the Permanent Forum will be presented to the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in September, as well as the new session of the UN General Assembly, which begins that month.

A fight for change

The Deputy High Commissioner said her office is continuing to look for ways to ensure “the meaningful, inclusive, and safe participation of people of African descent in public life is essential in the fight against systemic racism.”

The speed with which shipping companies have responded to the crisis in the Red Sea underlines the growth of digitisation and utilisation of diverse data resources to support complex decision making. But data issues, from ownership to a lack of open integration, remain a challenge explains Captain Steve Bomgardner, Vice President – Shipping & Offshore, Pole Star Global.

Rerouting Confirmed

It is fast becoming clear that shipping companies have evolved beyond their immediate, journey specific response to the escalation of hostilities in the Red Sea to a strategic approach that has been embedded in 2024 plans. Data from Pole Star confirms a significant reduction in the number of vessels using the Red Sea. Despite the additional cost and delay associated with rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope, the number of cargo ships and tankers traveling through the Red Sea dropped almost a quarter in the last few months, from 830 in October 2023 to 626 in February 2024.

Rerouting decisions are, of course, influenced by a number of factors, including cargo, cost and risk perception; but with the cost of war insurance rising, especially for US, UK and Israeli shipping firms, the shift towards the Cape of Good Hope is increasing. For many firms, the experience in March 2021 when the Ever Given container ship blocked the Suez Canal, causing an unprecedented shipping backlog, has provided vital insight to support these rerouting decisions. The additional time required for the Cape of Good Hope route, as well as issues of fuel consumption and emissions, were already understood. Firms have been able to quickly calculate the implications for crew, including the potential need to extend contracts by several weeks and delay the onboarding of new crew members.

This information is now firmly embedded in shipping companies’ emergency response plans, enabling rapid, vessel-by-vessel decision making based on crew costs, fuel and state of repair, balanced against the potential time sensitive nature of the cargo commodity and possible penalties for missed delivery deadlines. What is different this time around is the risk assessment and insurance premium. To the existing baseline calculations, companies are quickly adding the cost of war insurance as well as a vessel-by-vessel perception of risk associated with the targeted nature of attacks.

Data Transparency

This current disruption to global shipping is just one more example of a global supply chain facing constant and ever evolving challenges. The maritime industry increasingly recognises the vital importance of fast access to an array of data sources to support complex risk assessment and rerouting decisions. The rapid digitisation occurring throughout the industry is supporting fast decision making, however emergency response, as well as day to day activity, remains challenged by the lack of open data.

Shipping companies need instant visibility of an array of data from multiple sources, and without open Application Programming Interfaces (API), integrating these diverse data resources is incredibly challenging. The slow, painstaking integration process is adding significant time and cost to digitisation projects, and delaying access to the consolidated information resources and analytics that have the power to transform the speed and power of decision making.

Furthermore, as companies increasingly look to add sensors across their vessels to provide vital information to improve efficiency and safety and support preventative maintenance, uncertainties over data ownership are arising. The shipping company may own the sensor – but the ownership of the valuable data recorded by that sensor, the temperature, fuel consumption or engine emission reading – often turns out to have been retained by the OEM.

Conclusion

Fast access to high quality data is transforming the maritime industry both day to day activity and emergency response. Solutions such as hardware free voyage optimisation systems that deliver fleet monitoring, regulatory compliance, performance analytics and voyage optimisation in a single view are providing a seamless access to vital information both onboard and on shore.

However, these data issues clearly need to be urgently addressed if the maritime industry’s adoption of digitisation is to continue at pace to provide shipping owners with the trusted, real-time insight required to respond to the next emerging crisis.

The programme, a collaborative effort between Umoya Energy Wind Farm and the Initiative for Community Advancement, focuses on nurturing local talent, promoting innovation, and contributing to the long-term economic development of the region

In an effort to stimulate local economic growth and foster entrepreneurship, six small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) from the Bergriver Municipal Area have been selected to receive grant funding as part of a comprehensive enterprise development programme.

This initiative is designed to not only provide financial assistance but also to upskill and equip local entrepreneurs with essential business knowledge and tools necessary for sustainable growth.

The programme, a collaborative effort between Umoya Energy Wind Farm and the Initiative for Community Advancement, focuses on nurturing local talent, promoting innovation, and contributing to the long-term economic development of the region.

“The support we offer goes beyond mere financial aid; it’s about investing in our community’s future by empowering local businesses. The remarkable progress of our SMMEs fills us with pride, and we believe this funding will further propel them towards achieving their full potential,” stated Shariefa Rhodes, community operations manager at Umoya Energy Wind Farm.

Running from July 2023 to February 2024, the initiative targeted SMMEs from Piketberg, Aurora, and Velddrif, providing them with a grant of R25,000 each. This financial boost will enable the beneficiaries to invest in critical areas of their businesses, such as acquiring new equipment, adopting advanced technology, enhancing marketing strategies, and facilitating expansion efforts, all of which are vital for improving their market position and fostering growth.

“I feel fortunate to have been part of the Small Business Support Programme. It gave me valuable insights on how to be innovative in today’s business world and pushed me to excel under pressure. Presenting my business to funders was both daunting and exciting. After six years in business, to receive funding for the first time was a humbling experience. I am grateful for the opportunity and extend my heartfelt thanks,” expressed Vernon Klaase, a programme beneficiary. The culmination of this programme was marked by an awards ceremony in February 2024, celebrating the entrepreneurs’ achievements and the positive impact of the initiative on the local economy. By supporting these SMMEs, the programme aims to create a more vibrant, innovative, and sustainable economic landscape within the Bergriver Municipal Area.

While location and facilities are important, experiences are equally critical

South Africa’s post-Covid recovery in international tourism is under way but we’re not quite there yet. In trying to lure back big tourism spenders, is the industry losing sight of the value of local tourists?

South Africa’s fiscal crisis, in an environment of rising interest rates, soaring food, fuel and energy prices, plus high levels of unemployment, is likely to dominate the news cycle for years to come.

But while the focus is primarily on the cost of living, the travel and tourism sector is a powerful driving force for the economy, creating jobs, stimulating growth, upskilling and lifting communities out of poverty.

The latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows global tourism is on route to a strong recovery: 2023 closed with tourism numbers up at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international tourist arrivals. China’s reopening earlier last year had a marked impact, but the US boasts the largest travel and tourism sector in the world.

The World Travel & Tourism Council says with the remaining pent-up demand unleashed, increased air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations, it expects international tourism to make a full recovery by the end of 2024 — despite the challenging economic backdrop and geopolitical tensions.

Stats SA’s tourism data for December shows most of our tourists came from the United Kingdom, the US and Germany, which brought in 41,106 (20%); 33,027 (16.1%) and 25,288 (12.3%) tourists respectively.

With direct flights between the US and South Africa, and the dollar on their side, the US market is a massive opportunity to ramp up our country’s travel and tourism sector.

It’s American tourists, a robust source market for Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, who are driving tourism flows and spending around the world.

In South Africa, pre-Covid, the US market was our second-largest inbound market, recording 373,694 arrivals. They spent R7.8bn that year on tourism in this country: by 2022, that had risen by 6% to R8.3bn. While the UK brings in more tourists, Americans spend more on our shores. The reintroduction of direct flights between New York and Cape Town has reduced travel time for US visitors and will likely encourage more Americans to visit South Africa.

In the year to November 2023, South Africa welcomed more than a million visitors from Europe primarily from the UK, but also from Germany and the Netherlands, according to recent data from Stats SA. China, Singapore, India and Russia also account for a significant proportion of visitors.

Opportunity Knocks

South Africa’s tourism sector is finally starting to approach pre-pandemic levels, although we have some way to go: StatsSA’s latest data shows our international arrivals are still 17.1% below the pre-pandemic levels and the December 2023 number (862 460) is 41.8% lower than the 1,481,183 recorded in 2019.

What this means for South Africa’s leisure and hospitality sector, whether focused on day trips, weekend retreats, business travel, or longer stays, is an immense opportunity.

While many tourism operators aim to attract international tourism, which is certainly lucrative and cannot be ignored, local tourists should be the cornerstone of their business. If Covid-19 showed us anything, it’s that local tourists should be our bread-and-butter: they kept the industry afloat during the pandemic and are a sustainable market.

Economic pressures, rising travel costs and inflation are resulting in a global shift towards more proximate destinations. In South Africa, plagued by a weak local currency, domestic tourism is likely to see an even bigger uptick in the next few years. There is no question that our citizens are eager to explore South Africa and are cognisant that there aren’t many countries where one can enjoy world-class facilities, gourmet cuisine and exceptional experiences at our prices.

The data reveals that the domestic tourism market is the fastest-growing sector. South Africans took 18.8 million domestic overnight trips in the first half of 2023, a 23.4% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Affordable Luxury

Thirty years of experience in the hospitality and leisure sector has taught us that providing affordable luxury for the average guest is a winning formula, helping to deliver high occupancy levels despite price sensitivity.

The local market wants tourism and hospitality properties that are easily accessible from major cities, so guests — whether families or MICE tourists (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) – do not have to factor in flight costs or long road trips. Consumers are under more financial stress than ever before, turning over every cent, so they want bang for their buck.

While location and facilities are important, experiences are equally critical. So too is the hybrid business-leisure trend post the pandemic which requires that hospitality establishments can provide uninterrupted power and reliable Wi-Fi. The growth of remote working has led to the development of extended stay products which allow guests to take longer breaks without having to take leave. Investments in these products are becoming increasingly attractive for investors because they provide a healthy return.

What has become very apparent post the pandemic is that not only is the domestic tourism sector well-positioned for growth, but it’s also well-positioned to offer exceptional experiences that are a fraction of the cost of an international holiday. Quality tourism and hospitality products that are easily accessible and provide guests with an enticing experience are likely to flourish in the years ahead, doing much to boost local economies and alleviate unemployment in the process.

Ongoing tension in the Red Sea is yet another geopolitical crisis that has upended the international supply chain in recent years, shining a spotlight on its frailty during times of volatility on the global stage.

At the forefront of these recurrent crises, Aramex UK has been helping clients navigate through the complexities of the global logistics arena, leveraging its extensive global network and decades of experience to ensure its clients’ shipments continue moving regardless of the state of play.

With geopolitical volatility continuing to be ever present, Haissam Badr, National Freight Manager at Aramex UK has suggested that in order to thrive in 2024 and beyond, businesses need to make strategic moves to enhance agility and resilience while also preparing for uncertain futures.

War, climate change, inflation, trade disputes and pandemics are only just a few of the threats businesses have faced on the global stage since the turn of the decade.

The emergence of the Rea Sea crisis comes at a time where emphasis on supply chain resilience has become increasingly more prominent – shifting away from the modus operandi that was in place previously which prioritised low costs and optimisation.

Companies faced with the challenge of establishing new supply chain strategies in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic have once again been forced to quickly adjust their approach, as attacks on cargo ships by Houthi rebels along the Suez Canal have brought the crucial international trade corridor to a near standstill in recent months.

The latest chapter of the Red Sea’s recent troubles has resulted in significant stock delivery delays for the retail industry, with many vessels having to divert en-masse to the next most viable trade route – the Cape of Good Hope. The causality of this is an extra 10 to 14 days lead time leading to higher wait times and surcharges being applied to already heightened logistics costs.

Last month, Sky News reported that typical shipping prices were 329% higher since the disruption began in November. Although published data has since painted a slightly more positive picture of the current state of play as attacks subside, the cost of container shipping still remains well above normal levels.

In response to the recent crisis, Aramex UK has ensured to provide a comprehensive array of viable solutions to mitigate delays as much as possible. In doing so, Aramex’s own operated trucks will be deployed from Asia via Dubai, UAE, Dammam, KSA and from Europe via Port Said, Egypt.

When shipping goods internationally, Haissam Badr has highlighted the importance of exporters collaborating with experienced logistics partners that have a fundamental understanding of the dynamic nature of global trade, the seismic impact that geopolitical challenges such as the current Red Sea crisis can have on organisations and their ability to operate, and how best to respond diligently.

“The recent landscape has placed supply chains under enormous pressure in recent years with the current Red Sea crisis being one such example.  It is becoming more the norm rather than an infrequent event Haissam said and it is essential that we legislate for this on behalf of our customers.

“Moving forward businesses need to adapt their logistics strategies by proactively managing and preparing for what has become an increasingly volatile marketplace, rather than simply undertaking a reactive approach to issues as and when they occur. One way in which they can do this is secure the services of an experienced global logistics partner that has the expertise, network and technological capabilities to navigate the complexities of the global marketplace with total confidence.

“Amidst fluctuating consumer demands, geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, and unforeseen disruptions, companies in 2024 must traverse a complex landscape to ensure seamless operations and meet customer expectations. In doing so, they can not only strengthen their competitive position within the marketplace but also ensure sustainable growth in an ever-evolving business landscape.”