True integration of women in cross-border trade means looking at the full picture. Beyond business coaching, creating border-adjacent infrastructure like Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers allows women to work securely and thrive. #womenintrade#RESTGLR
Cross-border territories are shaped by rich customary networks, trader associations & informal systems.
Sustainability of intervention measures comes from working with these existing structures, not around them.
#RESTGLR
What if the Great Lakes Region's borderlands became platforms for economic stability? Day 1 of #RESTGLR brought together RECs, and the UN to for focused discussions on
🔗 Digitalization
📦 Trade facilitation
🚶 Displacement & labour mobility
⛏️ Critical minerals
@_ICGLR_
Women cross-border traders move goods, economies, and hope. Yet, they face systemic harassment at crossings.
The #RECsdialogue prioritized key strategies for safeguarding women in borderlands to foster secure economic integration.
#RESTGLR#womenintrade@_ICGLR_
7 corridors. 9 countries. 1 programme built on trade as a pathway to peace.
The REST-GLR write-shop wraps up in Tanzania — with @jumuiya, @_ICGLR_ and UN affiliated agencies aligned and the institutional architecture agreed.
This is what co-ownership looks like. #RESTGLR
Insights from the Cross-border governance panel affirmed the critical importance of cross border cooperation. UNDP’s @BolajiKA shared how the #RESTGLR initiative seeks to transform border corridors within the Great Lakes Region into zones for economic progression and Integration.
Today’s group sessions focused heavily on ensuring the REST-GLR actively protects and empowers vulnerable groups across the cluster corridors.
Participants dove into how joint cooperation and targeted investments can unlock real economic potential.
#RegionalIntegration#RESTGLR
📣 Coming up: the 29th Breakfast Debate!
A global conversation on cross-border cooperation, hosted by the Border Focal Point Network (DG REGIO, European Commission)
⚠️ Afternoon timeslot! 📅 4 June | 16:00–17:30 CET
🔗 Register: https://t.co/voy4V49K8V
#EUBorderRegions
🌍 Dr. Kehinde Bolaji joins the 29th Borders Debate, sharing insights on borderlands development and regional integration across the African continent.
📅 4 June | 16:00 CET
🔗Register: https://t.co/voy4V49K8V
#EUBorderRegions
Together with Mme Emma N’Gouan-Anoh of @PNUDBurundi, we met with @_ICGLR_ to advance discussions on the #REST_GLR initiative and seek regional endorsement.
The discussions reaffirmed the initiative’s strong alignment with ICGLR priorities on regional integration & peace building.
It was a pleasure to speak at the @SADC_News Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Management, where I stressed the need to shift our recovery and resilience work from a cost-centre approach to an investment approach that delivers gains for communities and regional stability.
The REST-GLR Cross-Border Stabilization Dialogue has officially been opened by the @UNDPResilience Director @ZeynuUmmer We are thrilled to see such diverse representations from state and non-state actors; all committed to building peaceful and resilient borderlands. #RESTGLR
Pleased to officially open the REST-GLR Cross-Border Stabilization Dialogue, bringing together diverse state and non-state actors united in advancing peace, resilience, and cooperation across borderland communities in the Great Lakes Region.
#RESTGLR
For @UNDP, strengthening peace, the rule of law, and economic integration is vital for Africa's resilience.
Ahead of tomorrow's REST-GLR dialogues in Nairobi, we're bringing together local leaders, women traders & youth to tackle cross-border trade & stability. #RESTGLR
"Financial inclusion and patient capital can propel trade for women and youth operating within this corridor."
Critical discussions ongoing at the REST-GLR Dialogue around economic integration in the Great Lakes Region
At the 29th Beyond Borders Breakfast Debate, @BolajiKA will draw on @UNDPResilience’s work to show how Africa's cross-border cooperation is shifting from stabilization to an investment-driven model for economic transformation.
Join the discussion!
@EU_Partnerships@UNDPAfrica
@UNDPResilience accompanied by @PNUDBurundi met with @_ICGLR_ to advance endorsement of the REST GLR initiative which aligns with the ICGLR's strategic objectives and is grounded in leaving no one behind.
Great meeting with @jumuiya to introduce the REST-GLR initiative — advancing resilient trade and socio-economic integration as a pathway to peace in the Great Lakes Region.
We discussed strengthening regional collaboration on cross-border trade, mobility, and peacebuilding.
💧 Water is central to Africa’s development, shaped by climate dynamics, urbanization and population growth.
At #ARFSD12, leaders are advancing a more coherent approach to water and sanitation, with a focus on resilience and delivery.
💬 The #CleanCooking agenda is about energy access but also about strengthening a transformative economic frontier with the power to reshape livelihoods, markets & futures across the continent.
@mznaab at #ARFSD12 opening of the Beyond Stoves side event ⚡️