Bolivarian Government of Venezuela
Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs Office of The Deputy Minister for Africa
Weekly
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Kenya Concurrent to Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia
Permanent Mission of Venezuela to the United Nations Environment programme (UNEP)and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme ( UN Habitat).
Newsletter
VOL. 2: ISSUE. 20 30th May 2016
BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA MINISTRY FOR PEOPLE'S POWER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMUNIQUÉ The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, on behalf of the People and Government congratulates the people and governments of Africa, on the occasion of 63 years of the creation of the African Union, and on the celebration of the World Africa Day. From Venezuela we pay tribute to Kwame Nkrumah, Gamal Nasser, Sekou Toure, Julius Nyerere and great fighters like Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba, Wangari Maathai, founding fathers of the revolutionary Africa and protagonists of important socio-economic achievements that brought progress to their people and political sovereignty to their Nations. Venezuela recognizes in the African Union, the continent’s most important organization, representing and defending the interests of African countries that form it; as well as its active and decisive presence in multilateral agencies to achieve solutions that contribute to world peace and development. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ratifies the ways of friendship and cooperation with African countries, planted with deep love by Commander Hugo Chavez, who saw in the African continent the Motherland, light for the people struggling for their freedom and independence with courage and determination. Caracas, 25th May, 2016
Inside this Issue!
Pg 1. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Ministry for People's Power for Foreign Affairs: Communiqué
Pg 2. Statement by Deputy Minister of People’s Power for Ecosocialism and Water, during UNEA 2
Pg 3. President Maduro: Venezuela is committed to continue the solidarity project that is Petrocaribe
Pg 4. Venezuela celebrates Africa Day
Pg 5. Robeilys Peinado (Venezuela) won gold at the World Challenge in Dakar
Pg 6. Promoting the Unknown about Africa: Chepng'etich and Kiprop (Kenya) reign supreme in Eugene
Statement by Dr. Renzo Silva, Deputy Minister of People’s Power for Ecosocialism and Water, during the opening of the high-level segment Second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 2) Nairobi, 23rd - 27th May 2016 Mr. President, ministers, special guests, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to express on behalf of the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, our appreciation to the Government of Kenya, and especially to the local authorities of the city of nairobi and its people for their hospitality as well as to the secretariat for the organization of this assembly.
Our Government has committed to the eradication of poverty, universalizing social rights, ensuring free health and education, and sanitation works to all the people, in accordance with agenda 2030 on sustainable development; through inclusive social policies that are sovereign and in accord with sustainable management of natural resources, the legacy of our commander Hugo ChĂĄvez.
Mr. President, The planet faces a deep environmental crisis generated by a civilizing model based on patterns of unsustainable production and consumption that destroy ecosystems and produce inequality, injustice and poverty. That model, capitalism, has ignored for decades the capacity and replacement of ecosystem.
Mr. President, The universal character of the United Nations Environment Assembly, which today we reivindicate, should not be seen as a simple extension of the members involved, but as the convergence of ideas and proposals in its most wide range, giving space to the different approaches, visions, models and tools of each of the countries that comprise it, based on our national circumstances and priorities, to achieve the longawaited sustainable development.
17 years ago the venezuelan people, decided to face this crisis, which is not only environmental but also policy and social, by committing to the transformation of the system that generates it. The Venezuelan Revolutionary process, has given an unprecedented way to the maximum importance to the advocacy of environmental rights of our people.
Every country has the right to articulate alternatives to development according to their own ancestral, social, historical characteristics, and according to objective conditions that should be expressed and so represented in the agenda 2030. In this sense, our country has been carrying out actions aimed at creating the necessary mechanisms so as to further their implementation.
The Republic of Venezuela is deepening its proposal of society in the context of a humanist, productive and diversified environmental paradigm, in an ecosocialist focus, moving toward a more just society where organized communities constitute the basic core space of the new state.
Finally, our country reiterates to this assembly compliance with the principles here expressed in spite of the destabilization plans, the permanent international aggression, "economic warfare" and the bloodiest international media campaign, which we have been denouncing to the world.
In Venezuela, the power lies with the organized citizens, empowered by values, tools and resources that guide and encourage them to be increasingly aware of the responsibility to conserve and sustainably use our natural resources.
Thank you Mr. President and Delegates.
In this context, in the homeland plan law of 2013-2019, its fifth historic goal states: "contribute to the preservation of life on the planet and the salvation of the human species". 2
President Maduro: Venezuela is committed to continue the solidarity project that is Petrocaribe
The president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, highlighted the achievements of Petro Caribe during its ten years of operation for the benefit of the Caribbean people. "Today, 10 years later, PetroCaribe has fulfilled the mission of growth and development for our countries. One of its founding missions was to ensure energy security in the Caribbean and this has been fulfilled." The Venezuelan president said this during his speech at the 16th PetroCaribe Ministerial Meeting which was held at the premises of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA ), located in Caracas. "PetroCaribe has fulfilled a mission of peace in the Caribbean. Now comes a time for expansion and growth," he said. President Maduro said that PetroCaribe has the strength and solidity to implement energy diversity, "it has taken giant steps, and this will unite us today more than ever." He stressed that the energy bloc has managed to preserve the Caribbean as a territory of peace and respect, adding that "we are a large region, separated we will do nothing. But together we are a great power".
He recalled that thanks to the great leaders Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro the union of Caribbean countries was achieved. The Venezuelan leader urged the Caribbean nations to continue this legacy of unity and solidarity, "Venezuela is committed to this project of solidarity and peace which is PetroCaribe". Denouncement of media war against Venezuela The National president used the occasion to denounce the media war that is waged on Venezuela through international media corporations seeking to discredit the country to the world. "The Spanish empire seeks to organise itself and is trying to come again for Venezuela. But we will not allow it," he said with reference to Madrid in Spain where all this media process has started. He noted that Venezuela has a clear identity and a high moral ground " because we practice brotherhood, solidarity and respect." He added that the Bolivarian country aspires for a world of equals, respect and peace. "Those who want to be free have the right to have sovereign rights." www.mppre.gob.ve
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Venezuela celebrates Africa Day Prof. Jhonny Balza Arismendi,
In Venezuela since 2005, we reindivicate every 10th of May the Afro -Venezuelan day. We reindivicate the uprising of Jose Leonardo Chirinos (1795), an afrodescendant rebel against slavery and in favour of equality. Another month of May that stimulates us and invites us to devote our words of encouragement to the African continent. This May 25th, 2016, we celebrate the Day of Africa, we celebrate its resilience, the validity of those pro-independence ideas that forged the birth of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU). The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and our people are committed to the future of Africa. As Venezuelans, we have roots in Africa that define our national identity, and therefore this continent is no stranger to Latin America and the Caribbean. As President Hugo Chávez said " we will learn more, much more, by looking towards our brother continent, the mother Africa, than by directing our gaze towards the Western and capitalist universe ". No one can deny our kinship with Africa – already in 1817 our Liberator Simon Bolívar said " we are more an extension of Africa than of Europe. " Our relationship with Africa existed from the moment the forced migration of Africans to America began. This is why we say that the African continent is a very important component of our historical legacy. It is because of this that this May 25th, 2016 we remember the contribution of Africa to our independence.
This month of May Venezuelans reindivicate the 221 anniversary of the libertarian insurrection of Africans, who, commanded by José Leonardo Chirino, attempted to do away with slavery. That insurrection, even though it failed, set a historical precedent for the independence of Venezuela in 1810-1811. For this and other reasons, we say this continent is no stranger to Latin American and the Caribbean. On this day, as Venezuelans, we continue admiring those springs of wisdom that have become independent voices that oppose the submission and the dismantling of the African culture, which are intentions, ideas and projects sponsored from the west. On the 25th day of May, the Day of Africa, we remember Thomas Sankara when he said " a special solidarity brings together the continents of Asia, Africa and Latin America in the same struggle against the same political dealers and the same economic operators." We believe it is important to turn Africa and the South into instruments generating sovereignty and development in the social, economic, productive, environmental and political spheres. Today we recall the complimentary South-South that Nyerere so intensely longed for. Today we recall the anti-colonial hope of Lumumba, Nkrumah, and Nasser among others. It is necessary and urgent to continue recognising their spirit in forging African Unity. Today we see Africa with respect and admiration; we understand it as part of a frank and friendly process of dialogue that aims at complementing each other by creating the necessary linkages to allow defining and redefining common purposes for the good of humanity. Venezuelan Embassy in Kenya
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Robeilys Peinado (Venezuela) won gold at the World Challenge in Dakar
Venezuela's pole vaulter Robeilys Peinado won the gold medal at the World Pole Vault Challenge which was held in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. In Senghor stadium in Dakar, Peinado managed to get a mark of 4.40 meters in the pole vault which helped her to beat Yakaltsevich Iryna, from Belarus, and Fanny Smetsfrom Belgium, who managed a mark of 4.30 meters respectively, as quoted by the International Athletics Federation website. Before this event Peinado was fourth in the Fanny Blankers Koen Games(FBK) in HengeloNetherlands. After this competition, Peinado is scheduled to return to Poland where she will train and prepare herself to participate in the International Meeting of Montreuil, France, scheduled to take place on June 7. Peinado is part of the seven Venezuelan athletes already classified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Everyone must wait until July 12, the date when the official list of the IAAF will be published. www.aporrea.org
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Promoting the Unknown about Africa Chepng'etich and Kiprop (Kenya) reign supreme in Eugene
Viola Kibiwott and World 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot wrapped up the podium places in 14:35.13 and 14:35.69 respectively. 2013 World 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono, who finished second in Shanghai in 3,000m, settled fourth in 14:37.08.
World 1,500m silver medallist Faith Chepng’etich and World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop tore their respective fields to shreds to reign supreme during the Prefontaine Classic, Eugene, USA on Saturday night. Just a fortnight after breaking her own national record at Shanghai, Chepng’etich, who is also the Commonwealth champion, further improved on her time by 0.41 seconds after clocking a world leading time of 3 minutes and 56.41 seconds. The feat by the 2011 World Youth and 2012 World junior 1,500m champion was enough to also set a new championship record. Chepng’etich, the 2011 and 2013 World Cross junior champion, had improved her three-year-old national record of 3:56.98 when she eased off to victory in 3:56.82 in Shanghai on May 14. CLOCKED PERSONAL BESTS Chepng’etich stayed behind the pacesetter before taking control in the later stages of the race to win in the fourth leg of the Diamond League, beating Dawit Seyaum and 19-year-old Gudaf Tsegay over the last lap. The Ethiopian clocked personal bests of 3:58.10 and 4:00.18. Kiprop, who was once again unchallenged, won the Bowerman Mile in 3:51.45. Fresh from wining his 1,500m race in Doha, Kiprop moved from fourth to second on the back straight of the final lap before settling in behind Morocco’s Abdelaati Iguider. He then stayed on Iguider’s shoulder through the final turn before making a confident move to the front all the way to victory, beating Iguider to second in 3:51.96.
Kenyans lost the men’s 5,000m, 800m, 10,000m and javelin battle as well as women’s 3,000m steeplechase even though the 10,000m event didn’t count for the Diamond League points. Two times reigning World half Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor finished second in the 5,000m race in 12:59.98, losing the contest to Ethiopia’s Muktar Edris, who clocked 12:59.43, his second consecutive Diamond Race victory after Shanghai. The 2015 Worlds javelin silver medallist Ihab Abelrahman of Egypt set a meeting and stadium record of 87.37m with his final throw, snatching victory from training partner and World champion Kenya’s Julius Yego. Abelrahman’s throw equalled the world-lead set by Germany’s Thomas Rohler in Ostrava eight days ago. Yego led the competition since the opening round when he posted a mark of 84.68m, itself a meet record, but couldn’t respond with his own final throw. Rohler, on this occasion, finished third with 82.53m. Ferguson Rotich, winner in Shanghai, was forced to in men’s 800m race in 1:44.56, losing the battle to home athlete Boris Berian in 1:44.20. The 2013 World champion Aman Mohammed from Ethiopia came in third in 1:44.70. World and Olympic champion Mo Farah claimed men’s 10,000m race in 26:53.71, beating Kenya’s William Sitonik to second in 26:54.66. World 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng lost her race to Kenyan born Ruth Jebet from Bahrain, returning 9:00.01 against 8:59.97. The results was a reverse from Shanghai where Kiyeng won with Jebet settling second.
Earlier on, after finishing behind Chepng’etich in Shanghai, the 2013 World 1,500m bronze medallsit Hellen Obiri, who is also the 2012 World Indoor 3,000m champion, switched gears to win her 5,000m race in 14:32.02. For more publications go to: issuu.com/venezuelanembassynairobi 6
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