AGP Executive Report

Higher Education & Research Cooperation: Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Gabrielo Djallo, met Mauritania’s Yacoub Ould Moine in Nouakchott to discuss ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in universities and science. Food & Nutrition Science: An Oceana-led peer-reviewed study says more equitable fishing access agreements could keep nutrient-rich fish in West Africa; it highlights Guinea-Bissau’s calcium deficiency and argues local consumption could lift intake for millions. Ocean & Development Policy: Norway’s development rethink stresses ocean investment as strategic, pointing to West Africa’s progress on illegal fishing monitoring and protection capacity. Regional Governance & Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment for nationals across 12 member states in areas like health, finance, energy, and legal affairs, warning applicants about fees. Sports Tech Angle (AFCON): Guinea-Bissau beat Nigeria 3-0 in the 2027 AFCON qualifier, with Franculino, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scoring. Diplomacy: Turkey’s foreign minister held talks with Guinea-Bissau’s counterpart Fatumata Jau during UN General Assembly engagements in New York.

AFCON Qualifier Shock: Guinea-Bissau thrashed Nigeria 3-0 in Group L, with Franculino, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló sealing the win and pushing both teams under early pressure. Sports Lineup Update: Nigeria coach Eric Chelle named Akor Adams and Taiwo Awoniyi up front as the Super Eagles prepared for the Guinea-Bissau clash. Ocean & Nutrition Research: Oceana’s study argues West Africa could cut malnutrition by negotiating more equitable fishing access, so nutrient-rich fish taken by distant-water bottom trawlers stay in-country—highlighting Guinea-Bissau’s calcium gap. ECOWAS Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment across specialised agencies, including health, finance, energy and legal affairs, with clear age limits and no recruitment fees. Diplomacy in New York: Turkey’s FM Hakan Fidan met counterparts including Guinea-Bissau’s foreign minister during UNGA 81, alongside talks on multilateralism. Crime & Justice: ECOWAS Community Court training urged journalists to press member states to implement court judgments.

Finance & Liquidity: Itafos says it amended and extended its $100m term loan (with $82.5m outstanding) and added a new $140m commitment plus a $30m letter of credit facility, aiming to boost flexibility and liquidity. Energy Exploration: A new push for deepwater exploration is spotlighting the Atlantic margin of West Africa as a top global hotspot, citing strong exploration success and major recent discoveries. Food Security & Fisheries: An Oceana study argues West Africa loses vital nutrients when bottom-trawl catches are exported; it points to countries including Guinea-Bissau as likely to gain if more nutrient-rich fish stayed for local consumption. Regional Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment across specialised agencies and institutions, with vacancies spanning health, finance, energy, legal affairs and more. Governance & Justice: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is training journalists to help pressure member states to better implement court judgments. Sports: Guinea-Bissau beat Nigeria 3-0 in a 2027 AFCON qualifier in Bissau.

Ocean Nutrition & Food Security: A new Oceana study says bottom-trawling fleets remove nutrient-rich fish from West Africa and ship it abroad, but more equitable fishing access deals could keep key nutrients (like calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins B12 and D) in countries including Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, the Gambia, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, potentially helping over 10.6 million people. Regional Hiring & Capacity: ECOWAS opened recruitment for nationals across 12 member states, with vacancies spanning health, finance, energy, legal affairs and more—plus a reminder it charges no recruitment fee. Justice & Accountability: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is pushing journalists to pressure member states to better implement court judgments, citing enforcement gaps. Diplomacy in New York: Turkey’s FM Hakan Fidan met counterparts including Guinea-Bissau’s Fatumata Jau during UN General Assembly events, alongside talks on cooperation. Crime & Governance: Coverage highlights rising cocaine trafficking pressures across West Africa, while another report describes U.S. “third country” deportation deals affecting multiple countries, including Guinea-Bissau.

Ocean Health & Food Security: A new peer-reviewed Oceana study says bottom-trawling fleets take nutrient-rich fish out of West Africa and ship it abroad, worsening malnutrition. It highlights Guinea-Bissau and other countries (Guinea, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire) as likely big winners if more equitable fishing access deals keep key nutrients like calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins in-country. Regional Governance & Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment for nationals across its agencies and institutions, with vacancies spanning health, finance, energy, legal affairs, and more—plus a reminder it does not charge fees. Justice & Media Accountability: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice urged journalists to press member states to better implement regional court judgments, citing enforcement gaps. Diplomacy in New York: Turkey’s FM Hakan Fidan met counterparts including Guinea-Bissau’s Fatumata Jau during the UN General Assembly, discussing strengthened ties and multilateral cooperation. Migration & Risk: A report on irregular crossings to the Canary Islands notes deaths continue despite fewer arrivals, and flags violence risks faced by women on the route.

UN Crime Congress: Day 1 of the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi ended with adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, setting priorities for the next five years on crime prevention, justice, and rule of law. Diplomacy (Guinea-Bissau): Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan met Guinea-Bissau’s FM Fatumata Jau in New York on the UN General Assembly sidelines, alongside talks with Venezuela and El Salvador; Turkey also signed a double-taxation avoidance agreement with El Salvador. Migration & Rights: A deadly irregular route to Spain’s Canary Islands continues despite a reported 55.1% drop in arrivals this year; a Guinean woman reported gang rape at sea, highlighting gaps in accountability. ECOWAS Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment across 12 sectors for nationals of its 12 member states, including health, finance, energy, and legal affairs, with an emphasis that no recruitment fees are charged. Ocean & Food Security: New research warns foreign bottom trawlers export seafood abroad, worsening micronutrient shortages in West Africa; stronger ocean governance is urged. Regional Justice Watch: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is pushing journalists to pressure member states to better implement court judgments. Cocaine Trends: West Africa’s cocaine seizures have surged since 2018, with Guinea-Bissau no longer described as the main gateway as trafficking hubs shift.

ECOWAS & Regional Justice: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is pushing for stronger media involvement to close enforcement gaps on regional judgments, urging journalists to pressure member states to comply. ECOWAS Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment across its specialised agencies and institutions, with vacancies spanning health, finance, energy, legal affairs and more, and a reminder that it charges no recruitment fees. West Africa Security Debate: A conference in Abidjan highlights how coups across the region have strained ECOWAS’s democratic model and reshaped the peace-and-security landscape. Ocean & Food Tech: Norway’s development rethink argues that sustained ocean investment can boost monitoring of illegal fishing and protect food and livelihoods, while research warns foreign fleets exporting seafood can worsen micronutrient shortages in West Africa. Fishing & Nutrition: A study notes foreign bottom trawlers mainly serve international markets, leaving local communities short on key nutrients like omega-3, vitamin B12 and zinc. Crime & Trafficking: Reporting on West Africa’s rising cocaine role points to growing seizures and shifting routes, with Guinea-Bissau no longer described as the main gateway. Diplomacy: Turkey’s foreign minister held talks with Guinea-Bissau’s counterpart in New York on strengthening bilateral ties.

Crime & Justice: The UN’s 15th Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi adopted the Abu Dhabi Declaration, setting priorities for international action on crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law over the next five years. Diplomacy: Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, met Guinea-Bissau’s FM Fatumata Jau in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, alongside talks with Venezuela and El Salvador, including a double-taxation agreement. Regional Governance & Media: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is pushing for stronger journalist involvement to pressure member states to actually implement regional court judgments, citing enforcement gaps. Food & Fisheries Tech: A new analysis warns that foreign fishing fleets exporting seafood are draining nutrients from West Africa, with micronutrient losses tied to health and learning impacts. ECOWAS Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment for nationals across specialized agencies, including health, finance, energy, and legal affairs—no recruitment fees. Security & Drugs: Reporting highlights West Africa’s growing role in cocaine trafficking, with Guinea-Bissau no longer the only “gateway” as seizures rise across the region.

UN Crime Congress: The UN’s 15th Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi adopted the Abu Dhabi Declaration, setting priorities for the next five years on crime prevention, criminal justice, and rule of law. Diplomacy: Turkey’s foreign minister met counterparts in New York, including Guinea-Bissau’s Fatumata Jau, and signed a double-taxation agreement with El Salvador. Migration & Safety: A deadly Atlantic crossing to the Canary Islands saw 79 survivors rescued after 82 left Tan Tan; the report highlights how lack of alternatives fuels risk, including violence against women. ECOWAS Justice: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is pushing journalists to pressure member states to better implement regional court judgments, citing weak compliance. Ocean & Food Security: Norway’s development rethink urges ocean investment, while research warns foreign fishing fleets export nutrients away from West Africa, worsening micronutrient gaps. ECOWAS Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment across agencies (health, finance, energy, legal affairs, and more), with no recruitment fees. Drugs Route Pressure: New reporting says West Africa’s cocaine trade has surged, with Guinea-Bissau no longer the only main gateway as trafficking hubs shift.

ECOWAS Jobs Drive: ECOWAS has opened recruitment for nationals from its 12 member states across specialised agencies and institutions, with vacancies spanning health, finance, energy, legal affairs, and anti–money laundering roles, and it says it charges no recruitment fees. Regional Justice Push: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is training journalists to help pressure member states to actually implement court judgments, after concerns that compliance remains below expectations. West Africa Security Debate: A conference in Abidjan highlights how coups across the region, including Guinea-Bissau, are reshaping ECOWAS’s peace-and-security role amid poverty, food insecurity, climate stress, and extremist violence. Ocean & Food Security: Norway’s development rethink argues that investing in shared ocean governance can strengthen West African capacity to curb illegal fishing while protecting seafood supplies and nutrition. Foreign Fishing Nutrition Loss: A new study warns that foreign bottom trawlers export much of the catch, leaving West Africa with nutrient shortfalls—especially where sardines are shipped abroad. Cocaine Route Pressure: Reporting on West Africa’s growing cocaine seizures points to shifting trafficking hubs and routes, with Guinea-Bissau no longer described as the only main gateway.

ECOWAS & Regional Justice: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is training journalists across member states to push governments to actually implement its rulings, saying compliance is “below expectation” and media coverage needs to improve. Ocean & Food Security: A new report warns that foreign bottom trawlers export seafood abroad, leaving West African coastal communities short on key nutrients; it links the problem to micronutrient gaps and highlights how illegal fishing capacity-building matters. ECOWAS Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment for nationals from its 12 member states across health, finance, energy, legal affairs and more, with age limits and no recruitment fees. Climate Finance & Adaptation: King Mswati III urged climate justice at the UN, calling for predictable climate funding and technology transfers as El Niño intensifies drought and flooding. West Africa Security Context: A peace-and-security analysis argues West Africa must rethink strategies as democratic recession and coups strain ECOWAS and regional stability.

Ocean Governance & Food Security: Norway’s development rethink puts oceans first, pointing to West Africa’s long push against illegal fishing as a model—while scientists warn foreign bottom trawlers export nutrients, leaving nutritionally vulnerable coastal communities short on key vitamins and minerals. ECOWAS Careers: ECOWAS opens recruitment across 12 sectors (health, finance, energy, legal affairs and more), with age limits and no recruitment fees. Regional Justice & Media: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice trains journalists to pressure member states to actually implement rulings, citing enforcement that falls below expectations. Cocaine Route Pressure on West Africa: Reports say West Africa’s cocaine seizures have surged and the region is increasingly a hub, with Guinea-Bissau no longer the only “main gateway.” Tech/Maritime Awareness: A Norway-linked ocean monitoring push echoes broader trends in marine situational awareness, using vessel tracking and satellite monitoring to manage offshore risks.

Ocean Governance & Food Security: Norway’s “Vendepunkt” review argues that long-term investment in shared seas can help West Africa curb illegal fishing while protecting seafood supply chains. Foreign Fishing Nutrients: A new study says foreign bottom trawlers export most catch abroad, worsening micronutrient gaps in West Africa; sardines are a key example. ECOWAS Hiring Drive: ECOWAS opened recruitment across 12 sectors (health, finance, energy, legal affairs, anti–money laundering) and says it charges no recruitment fees. Regional Justice & Media: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice urged journalists to push member states to actually implement rulings, citing weak enforcement. Cocaine Route Pressure: Reports highlight rising cocaine seizures in West Africa and shifting hubs, with Guinea-Bissau no longer the only “gateway.” ENBIC Awareness: IOM and ECOWAS asked media to boost public understanding of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card for safer free movement. Green Minerals Cooperation: China-backed talks call for stronger standards, investment, and technology links for sustainable mineral supply chains, including for Guinea-Bissau.

ECOWAS Jobs Drive: ECOWAS has opened recruitment for qualified nationals from its 12 member states across specialised agencies and institutions, including the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Parliament, WAHO and GIABA, with vacancies spanning health, finance, energy, legal affairs and more; ECOWAS says it charges no recruitment fees and lists age limits and required documents. Regional Justice & Media: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is pushing journalists to help close enforcement gaps by urging member states to implement court rulings, after noting compliance is “below expectation,” with a three-day training workshop in Abuja. ENBIC Awareness Push: IOM and ECOWAS asked media to intensify public awareness of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), a secure digital travel credential replacing paper certificates, to support safer free movement. West Africa Drug Route Pressure: Reporting highlights how cocaine trafficking continues to surge through West Africa, with Guinea-Bissau no longer described as the main gateway as hubs shift across the region. Green Minerals Cooperation: A forum at China’s 2026 Mining Conference called for deeper trade, investment and technology links in green minerals, including standards alignment and sustainability self-regulation, with Guinea-Bissau’s natural resources minister referenced.

ECOWAS Court & Media Accountability: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is training journalists across member states to push governments to actually implement its rulings, saying enforcement is “below expectation” and public understanding is weak. Regional Mobility Tech: IOM and ECOWAS urged media to boost awareness of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), a secure digital travel credential meant to replace paper documents and support safer free movement. Green Minerals & Supply Chains: Guinea-Bissau’s natural resources minister joined calls at a China Mining forum for deeper green-minerals cooperation, with standards alignment and sustainability rules across exploration to recycling. Human Rights Under Digital Pressure: A UN report warns of intimidation and reprisals against people cooperating with UN human-rights mechanisms, citing digital surveillance risks for civil society. Drug-Route Pressure on West Africa: Coverage highlights how cocaine trafficking routes through West Africa are intensifying, with major seizures and growing concern about border and port control.

ECOWAS Court & Media Accountability: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is training journalists across member states to push governments to actually implement its rulings, warning that compliance is “below expectation” and urging reporters to use their platforms to press for treaty-based enforcement. Regional Digital ID Push: IOM and ECOWAS called for stronger public awareness of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), a secure digital travel credential meant to replace paper certificates and support safer free movement. Green Tech & Monitoring Contracts: France-based Viridien won a five-year UK North Sea monitoring contract, combining vessel tracking alerts with satellite-based marine situational awareness for post-decommissioning oversight. UN Human Rights Reprisals: A UN report says people cooperating with UN human rights work face intimidation and digital surveillance, urging states to protect civil society and ensure accountability. Food & Fisheries Trade Networks: Russia’s “Pivot to Asia” highlights how WorldFood Moscow and a major fisheries expo are building wider food and seafood trade links reaching Africa and Latin America. Transnational Crime Pressure: Reporting notes West Africa’s growing role in cocaine trafficking routes, alongside major regional drug busts and lab discoveries.