Author: Web Desk

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FM, Iranian counterpart discuss ties, region

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, on Thursday received a telephone call from Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, during which they discussed bilateral relations and regional developments. Safadi and Abdollahian discussed mechanisms to address a number of issues between the two countries. Safadi said Jordan, like all Arab countries, seeks good relations with Iran based on principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in internal affairs, and cooperation that reflects well on the two countries and the region. Safadi stressed the need to continue conducting a practical, transparent and frank dialogue to address various outstanding issues, including the situation on the Jordanian-Syrian border, and challenges of drug smuggling to Jordan. The two ministers agreed to continue holding security meetings between the two countries to address outstanding issues and to continue political communication between the two ministers in order to reach understandings that establish future relations, consolidating cooperation and contributing to enhancing security, stability and cooperation in the region. The Iranian foreign minister said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is keen on developing relations with Jordan and appreciates its role in the region. Abdollahian conveyed the greetings of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi to His Majesty King Abdullah, and congratulated him on Eid Al-Fitr. For his part, Al-Safadi conveyed the greetings of His Majesty the King to the Iranian President, and congratulated Iran on Eid Al-Fitr. Safadi renewed the Kingdom’s welcome to the Saudi-Iranian agreement, and its support for it as a major step towards resolving tensions in the region and enhancing security and stability. Safadi and his Iranian counterpart also discussed the Palestinian cause, and underlined Jordan’s firm position in supporting the Palestinian brothers, and working towards achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution that embodies the independent and sovereign Palestinian state with occupied Jerusalem as its capital to live in security and peace alongside Israel in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. The two ministers agreed to hold a meeting as soon as possible to follow up on ways to overcome challenges in the relations between the two countries in order to reach full normal relations in a way that serves the interests of the two countries and contributes to ending regional crises and tensions.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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WTO must contribute solutions to global economic challenges: DG

ENEVA, 19th April, 2023 (WAM) — WTO members need to do more to boost global trade growth by investing in multilateral cooperation and contributing solutions to the economic challenges the world is facing, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said Wednesday. In remarks delivered to a meeting of the WTO’s Trade Negotiations Committee, which she chairs, the Director-General noted that the slowdown in global trade which WTO economists projected in their recent annual forecast “should be a cause for concern for all of us.” WTO economists said on 5th April that the volume of world merchandise trade is expected to grow by 1.7% this year following 2.7% growth in 2022. “Slower economic growth will, over the long-term, mean lower living standards and opportunities for people around the world,” she told members. “It is important to internalize digital trade as a new source of growth and ensure we’re providing the enabling environment, the level playing ground and the rules for this to thrive.” “We should also ensure we play a role as a multilateral arena for global cooperation that can deliver for people. We did this at MC12 (the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in June 2022) and I know we can do it again.” “As the multilateral organisation providing the framework for trade relations among 164 members, it is our responsibility to contribute solutions to economic challenges the world is confronting.” With regards to the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) set to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in February 2024, the Director-General said MC13 “is an important opportunity on the horizon.” iven the current global situation, “we cannot afford to have MC13 without any deliverables,” she warned. “The world is counting on the WTO. To deliver results, it is essential to find the right balance between ambition and pragmatism.” “Having back-to-back successes from MCs is crucial to show that we have restored the WTO as a place for action. It is also our responsibility to the people whose lives and livelihoods have been severely battered by the polycrisis.” The Director-General’s intervention was preceded by reports from the chairs of the WTO negotiations on agriculture, fisheries subsidies, services and development delivered by Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Turkiye, Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland, Ambassador Zhanar Aitzhanova of Kazakhstan and Ambassador Kadra Hassan of Djibouti respectively. Members also received a report from the chair of the General Council, Ambassador Athaliah Molokomme of Botswana, on her recent consultations relating to MC13 and the way forward on WTO reform. Commenting on the reports of the chairs, the Director-General said there is a “real need for a greater sense of urgency” in the substance and pace of negotiations. “While it is good that we have an uptick of activities in WTO bodies, we should not let ourselves slip into a pattern of simply continuing technical work ad infinitum,” she warned. “From today’s reports, frankly speaking, we have to get moving. If we want to succeed at MC13, we have to genuinely start negotiating on substance.” Noting that the Trade Negotiations Committee will next meet in July, the Director-General encouraged members to make the most of the two and a half months before the subsequent gathering. “Consensus cannot be built overnight and if we do not dramatize our work in Geneva, we cannot de-dramatize the work of the ministers,” she declared. “I do not want to have to report in July that, despite hard work from all sides, we are still far apart. So, the onus is on you to deliver.”

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

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Acting Globally, Thinking Locally: Eviosys Opens State-of-the-Art Plant in Thailand

Eviosys is expanding its presence into Asia, opening a state-of-the-art new plant in Thailand with high sustainability credentials. Eviosys Thailand will produce 85-gram, single-serve, drawn aluminium pet food cans, responding to the rapid growth of the wet pet food market in the region.

ZUG, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2023 / Global packaging giant Eviosys has today announced its expansion into Asia, opening a brand-new, state-of-the-art plant in Thailand. With this investment, Eviosys will bring its expertise and leadership to the region. As Eviosys looks to continue to grow in 2023, this new plant will serve as a benchmark for expanding into new markets.

The plant will feature state-of-the-art new eco-friendly equipment with reduced energy-use and will be fully powered by electricity – eliminating the need for gas – in line with Eviosys’ goal to reduce emissions by 20% by 2027. The aluminium used will be provided by a local supplier located less than 100km from the plant, further reducing the carbon footprint as well as supporting local employment. Eviosys will hire and develop local teams on site, contributing to its ambitious Preserve Together programme and the development of the region simultaneously. For Eviosys, sustainability expands beyond the circularity of its products. The business is keen to lead by example and support local communities around all of its plants globally.

Of the new expansion, Francois Querrioux, COO at Eviosys, said: “Whilst being a global player in the industry, Eviosys also seeks to maintain its roots at all times and support local communities in the regions we invest in. Our expansion into Thailand represents an exciting move into a new market. Sustainability remains the central focus of our operations, and the line of classic drawn-piece aluminium cans that will be produced here for the local market will advance progress towards our goal of being the first choice in innovative and sustainable packaging globally.”

Eviosys is offering infinitely recyclable metal packaging. The 85-gram, single-serve, drawn aluminium cans produced in the new plant will serve the local wet pet food category (a segment currently underserved with a 6% annual growth rate). Metal is a strong, durable material, with unbeatable shelf-life credentials which better protect and preserve brands’ products and our planet. The 85g format and the durability of metal will both help fight waste across the full supply chain all the way to the consumer’s cupboard.

Notes to Editors

About Eviosys:

Eviosys is a leading global supplier of metal packaging, producing food cans and ends, aerosol cans, metal closures and promotional packaging to preserve the products of hundreds of consumer brands.

Eviosys has the largest manufacturing footprint in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with 7,000 employees in 44 manufacturing facilities across 17 countries in the region. In 2022, it generated €2.7 billion in revenue. Eviosys is a portfolio company of KPS Capital Partners, LP.

www.eviosys.com.

Contact Information:

Maisie Jenyon 
PR Manager 
eviosysuk@grayling.com

SOURCE: Eviosys

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The Wolf of Wall Street film to launch NFT offering, powered by Aventus

To celebrate the film’s 10-year anniversary, Aventus has partnered with The Wolf of Wall Street’s rights holders to produce historical collection of NFTs

LONDON, April 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aventus, a Web3 solutions provider for enterprises, has partnered with the film rights holders for The Wolf of Wall Street and world-leading film producers and editors to create The Wolf of Wall Street Experience: a series of NFT drops which will also act as a key to unlocking wider parts of the experience.

With a worldwide box office of almost $400M, five Oscar nominations including Best Picture, and a Guinness World Records entry for most swearing in a film, The Wolf of Wall Street’s impact on popular culture remains steadfast almost a decade after its release, with memes of the film continuing to generate millions of uses.

The Wolf of Wall Street Experience will give fans of the film and Web3 enthusiasts access to exclusive content, rewards, and experiences via a series of limited NFT drops, including never-before-seen scenes from the making of the film, unlockable content, experiences, and limited access to an invite-only event to celebrate the anniversary of the film.

The launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023, with additional benefits for early participants of the community.

The NFTs will be created by the carbon neutral Aventus Network, which is a layer 1 (parachain) on Polkadot – meaning the project will leverage the full benefits of the Polkadot ecosystem, including enhanced scalability, speed, interoperability and security. It also means NFT holders will be able to leverage the full benefits of interoperability across more than 50 blockchains, including Ethereum.

Alan Vey, Founder & CEO at Aventus, commented: “The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the most iconic films across not only popular culture more broadly, but specifically within the blockchain community. We’re thrilled to be able to bring this film to Web3 and to be a part of a historic moment for the industry as blockbuster becomes the latest sector to realise the benefits of NFTs in community building and engagement.”

Gavin Wood, Founder of Polkadot & Ethereum, added: “Polkadot’s parachain ecosystem aims to help blockchains achieve their objectives by providing enhanced scalability, security and interoperability, and it’s wonderful to watch Aventus leverage this support to enable this truly groundbreaking project.”

About Aventus
Aventus provides robust, flexible and managed Web3 solutions for businesses looking to leverage the benefits of blockchain in order to future-proof their operations, generate new revenue streams and improve operational efficiencies.

With a combined experience of over seven decades in Web3 and enterprise leadership, Aventus crafts optimised solutions tailored to an enterprise’s unique needs to enable Web3 transformation & education, and manages the solution – so enterprises can focus on what they do best.
https://www.aventus.io/

Media inquiries:
aventus@thephagroup.com

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