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{
    "id": 933540,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/933540/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 330,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Poghisio",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 202,
        "legal_name": "Samuel Losuron Poghisio",
        "slug": "samuel-poghisio"
    },
    "content": "Parliaments of Member States of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The 3rd Statutory Meeting of the Committee on Economic Development, Regional Integration and Natural Resources of the FP-ICGLR took place on 13th and 14th March, 2019, at the Best Outlook Hotel in Bujumbura, Burundi. Six Members of the Committee were in attendance from the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Zambia, Central African Republic (CAR), the Republic of Congo and the host country, the Republic of Burundi. Highlights of the major events during the Conference are as follows (i) Excursion to Gakara Rare Earth Project - The Committee visited the Gakara Rare Earth Project which is one of the world’s richest rare earth deposits. We went to see what a modern factory that gets soil and develops it into something that can be exported. I will not dwell much on the nature of the rare earth. (ii) Presentation on the proceedings from the 1st Statutory Meeting. The presentation focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Member States of the ICGLR. From the presentation, it emerged that though no country is on track towards achieving all SDGs. Most developing countries have experienced significant progress towards ending extreme poverty in all its forms, including income poverty, under nourishment, access to health and education services and access to basic infrastructure. Further, Countries experiencing conflict have experienced some of the sharpest reversals, particularly towards achieving Goal No.1 (No Poverty) and Goal No.2 (No Hunger). Madam Temporary Speaker, the meeting then shared country discussions and experiences on the steps they had taken to achieve the SDGs and the challenges faced as outlined in the Report. (iii) Presentation on the proceedings from the 2nd Statutory Meeting. The Committee explored the various agreements initiated by the ICGLR towards natural resource management as outlined in the Report. The major agreements are- (a) Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, signed in Nairobi, Kenya on 15th December, 2006; (b) Article 9: Protocol against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources; and, (c)Regional Initiative on Natural Resources (RINR). There were also presentations on research findings on the status of implementation of the regional economic integration in the Member States of the ICGLR. Regional Economic Integration (REI) refers to efforts to promote free and fair trade on a regional basis. REI, especially Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), have been on the increase in the last two or so decades. REI is beneficial to countries in the following ways- (i) Leads to increased product choices, productivity and higher living standards; (ii) Offers great opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences on common issues such as education and migration; (iii) Enables countries to coordinate a common approach to tax incentives; The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}