AGP Executive Report

Wildlife Crime & Justice: A North Korean man in Tanzania is set to stand trial after being arrested with 500 elephant tusks in Dar es Salaam, raising fresh calls for stronger follow-up investigations and effective prosecution to track trafficking networks. Oil & Biodiversity Threats: As the East African Crude Oil Pipeline nears completion, a new report warns it runs close to sensitive ecosystems, wildlife corridors, and community water and livelihood areas—risks that could grow with more oil and gas development across the Great Lakes region. Public Health & Preparedness: The UK announced new support for Ebola and viral haemorrhagic disease preparedness in Rwanda and Burundi, focusing on surveillance, infection prevention and control, WASH at high-risk points, and community engagement. Climate Negotiations & Civic Space: UN climate talks in Bonn face criticism over shrinking civic space and visa delays, with concerns that people most affected by climate change can’t access key discussions. Water Safety: A new global assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked for water quality.

EACOP Watch: A new report warns the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) could harm wetlands, wildlife corridors and biodiversity as construction nears completion in Uganda and Tanzania, with risks compounded by more oil and gas plans across the Great Lakes region. Public Health & Water Safety: The UK announced funding for Ebola preparedness in Rwanda and Burundi, targeting surveillance, infection prevention and control, and WASH at high-risk border areas. Climate Diplomacy Access: UN climate talks in Bonn are drawing criticism for shrinking civic space and making it harder for people in developing countries to follow what’s decided. Wildlife Crime: Tanzania is set to try a man arrested with 500 elephant tusks, raising questions about whether ivory seizures lead to strong follow-up investigations and prosecutions. Nature-Based Flood Resilience: A report highlights how Bukavu in the Ruzizi Basin is using “cities and forests” approaches to cut runoff, erosion and flood damage that threaten water and hydropower. Zero Waste Push: A Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul focused on circular systems, food loss cuts, and reducing organic waste that drives methane emissions. Lake Victoria Tourism Plan: UNDP is backing efforts to turn Tanzania’s Lake Victoria Basin into a tourism and investment hub while aiming to safeguard the lake’s ecosystem.

Pipeline & Wildlife: A new report warns that Uganda–Tanzania’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), nearing completion, threatens wetlands, wildlife migration corridors, and water security—risks that could grow as more oil and gas projects expand across the Great Lakes region. Public Health & Preparedness: The UK announced new support to strengthen Ebola preparedness in Rwanda and Burundi, focusing on surveillance, infection prevention and control, water/sanitation/hygiene, and community risk communication. Wildlife Crime: Tanzania is set to try a man arrested with 500 elephant tusks in Dar es Salaam, raising questions about whether ivory cases get thorough follow-up investigations and effective prosecution. Water Safety: A global drinking-water assessment highlights unsafe water risks, with many African countries among the worst performers due to weak infrastructure, sanitation gaps, and environmental pressures. Zero Waste & Climate Action: A zero-waste forum in Istanbul pushed circular economy and food-loss reduction ideas, linking waste cuts to methane and climate goals. Lake Victoria Tourism & Ecosystems: UNDP is backing efforts to turn Tanzania’s Lake Victoria Basin into a tourism and investment hub while aiming to safeguard the lake’s ecosystem.

Ebola Preparedness: The EU says it is backing regional Ebola readiness after visiting Bunia in the DRC, where the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine; the DRC health ministry reported 598 cases and 115 deaths as of 9 June, with conflict-driven displacement and cross-border spread making containment harder. UK–Burundi Health Security: The UK announced £800,000 for Burundi’s Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers Preparedness and Response Plan, focusing on surveillance, infection prevention and control, WASH at risk areas, and community engagement—alongside similar support in Rwanda. Climate Diplomacy Access: UN climate talks in Bonn (SB64) are under pressure to turn COP30 promises into action, while critics warn civic space is shrinking and access for people in developing countries is limited. Water Safety: A new Environmental Performance Index assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the worst performers due to weak infrastructure and sanitation. Wildlife Crime: Tanzania is set to try a man arrested with 500 elephant tusks, raising questions about follow-up investigations in ivory trafficking. Trade & Environment Link: Digital customs and cold-chain upgrades across East Africa are being pushed to cut delays and post-harvest losses—key for food security and reduced waste.

Ebola Preparedness in the Region: The EU says it is stepping up support after visiting Ebola-hit areas in the DRC, where the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine and displacement plus cross-border movement are complicating containment; the DRC health ministry reports 598 cases and 115 deaths confirmed as of 9 June. UK Support for Burundi’s Health Security: The UK announced £800,000 for Rwanda and £800,000 for Burundi to strengthen viral haemorrhagic fever plans, focusing on surveillance, infection prevention and control, water/sanitation/hygiene at high-risk points, and risk communication with communities. Public Health and Nuclear Safety: Regional health officials met in Nairobi to discuss safer use of nuclear and radiation technologies in healthcare, explicitly linking the agenda to emerging disease threats like Ebola and border preparedness. Trade, Logistics and the Environment: The EU pledged €17m to transform Kenya’s Northern Corridor with cold-chain upgrades and border efficiency—moves that can cut post-harvest losses and emissions from inefficient freight. Wildlife Crime Follow-Up: Tanzania’s ivory case involving 500 elephant tusks heads to trial, with calls for stronger follow-up investigations to track routes and transnational actors. Water Safety Warning: A new global assessment highlights unsafe drinking water risks, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked—an urgent reminder for Burundi’s own water and sanitation priorities.

Climate Diplomacy: UN climate talks in Bonn are under pressure to turn fossil-fuel and adaptation promises into real plans, but civil society groups warn visa delays and shrinking civic space are keeping many voices out. Regional Trade & Logistics: The EU is backing Kenya’s Northern Corridor with about US$19.6M for cold-chain upgrades and trade facilitation, while digital border and fiber projects aim to cut delays for refrigerated cargo. EAC Integration: East African business leaders and the Kenyan Consulate in Arusha pushed barrier-free trade, targeting higher intra-EAC commerce by 2030 and flagging cross-border frictions at Namanga. Wildlife Crime: Tanzania is set to try a man arrested in Dar es Salaam with 500 elephant tusks, with calls for stronger follow-up investigations to trace trafficking routes. Water & Health: A new global assessment highlights unsafe drinking water risks, with many of the lowest-ranked countries in Africa facing infrastructure gaps and sanitation shortfalls. Lake Victoria Tourism & Ecosystems: UNDP is promoting tourism and investment around the Lake Victoria Basin, aiming to create jobs while safeguarding the lake’s ecosystem.

Climate Diplomacy: UN climate talks in Bonn face backlash over visa delays and shrinking civic space, with delegates warning the process is becoming too exclusive just as countries need clear paths on adaptation and fossil fuels. Regional Water & Nature: A nature-first approach is highlighted for Central Africa’s water and power challenges, including how restoring ecosystems can reduce flood damage and protect hydropower. Wildlife Crime: Tanzania is set to try a man arrested in Dar es Salaam with 500 elephant tusks, raising concerns about whether ivory cases get proper follow-up investigations and prosecutions. Safe Water: A new global assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major health risk, with many of the lowest-ranked countries in Africa—an issue tied to weak infrastructure and sanitation. Trade & Environment Link: East Africa’s digital customs push is easing cross-border freight, which can cut delays for goods and reduce pressure on border systems. Lake Victoria Tourism: UNDP is backing efforts to turn Tanzania’s Lake Victoria Basin into a tourism and investment hub while aiming to safeguard the lake’s ecosystem. EAC Integration: Singapore begins negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the EAC, including Burundi, potentially reshaping regional trade flows and market access.

AU Coordination & Health Security: Burundi’s Foreign Minister Édouard Bizimana, representing the AU presidency, joined Egypt and other regional partners in calls on peace, stability, sustainable development, and shared health responses, including preparations for the AU mid-year coordination summit. Humanitarian & Food Security Pressure: A Burundian refugee mother in Malawi’s Dzaleka camp says WFP cash support has shrunk sharply, warning families may lose assistance by end of June—an environmental-justice issue tied to displacement and survival. Wildlife Crime Watch: Tanzania is set to try a man arrested in Dar es Salaam with 500 elephant tusks, with calls for stronger follow-up investigations to uncover trafficking routes and transnational actors. Nature-Based Flood Risk in the Great Lakes: Reporting on the Ruzizi Basin highlights how deforestation, runoff, erosion, and weak waste systems worsen floods and threaten water and hydropower—while Bukavu turns to “Cities4Forests” approaches to restore nature. Safe Water Alarm: A new global drinking-water quality assessment flags unsafe water risks as a major public health driver, with many African countries among the worst affected. Lake Victoria Tourism & Ecosystem Safeguards: UNDP is pushing a tourism and investment push around the Lake Victoria Basin, aiming to grow jobs while safeguarding the lake’s ecosystem. Zero-Waste Momentum: Istanbul’s Zero Waste Forum spotlights circular systems and food-loss reduction as climate action, including tackling organic waste that drives methane.

Humanitarian Food Security: A Burundian refugee mother in Malawi’s Dzaleka camp says WFP cash support has fallen from about $100 to just $7 a month, warning assistance may stop by end of June—an urgent hit to nutrition and survival in an overburdened settlement. Wildlife Crime & Enforcement: Tanzania is set to try a man arrested with 500 elephant tusks, raising concerns that ivory cases often lack strong follow-up investigations and prosecutions needed to track trafficking networks. Nature-Based Flood Risk: A report highlights how Bukavu in the Ruzizi Basin is battling runoff, erosion, waste and flood impacts by “turning to nature,” as urban growth and weak waste systems threaten water and hydropower. Water Safety: A new global assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major health risk, with many of the lowest-ranked countries in Africa facing infrastructure gaps, sanitation limits and climate pressure. Zero-Waste & Climate: The Istanbul Zero Waste Forum pushes circular systems and food-loss cuts, linking waste reduction to methane and climate action ahead of COP31. Regional Trade & Environment Links: Singapore’s planned EAC free trade talks include Burundi, while regional transport projects (like corridor rail and highway planning) stress climate resilience and environmental and social studies—showing how trade growth and environmental safeguards must move together.

Wildlife Crime Watch: A North Korean man in Tanzania is set to stand trial on June 9 after being arrested with 500 elephant tusks, raising concerns that ivory cases often lack strong follow-up investigations and prosecutions. Water Security: A new Environmental Performance Index assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked—linked to weak infrastructure, sanitation gaps, and climate pressure. Lake Victoria Conservation & Jobs: UNDP says it will help unlock tourism potential across the Lake Victoria Basin, aiming to create jobs while “safeguarding the lake’s ecosystem,” by linking the lake region to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. Zero-Waste Push: The Istanbul Zero Waste Forum continued with a focus on circular systems and cutting food loss, including how organic waste drives methane emissions—framed as climate action ahead of COP31. Regional Trade & Transport: Kenya and Uganda rail authorities reaffirm plans to improve Northern Corridor freight links, including faster, more reliable rail for perishable goods to landlocked markets like Burundi. Green Sports & Tree Planting: KCB Bank Uganda launched the second KCB East Africa Golf Tournament (“Roar on the Green”), drawing players from Burundi and others, and highlighting tree-planting sustainability initiatives.

Water Safety: A new Environmental Performance Index review flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked—linked to weak infrastructure, sanitation gaps, and climate pressure. Zero-Waste & Climate: Istanbul’s Zero Waste Forum pushed circular economy ideas, with strong focus on cutting food loss and reducing organic waste that drives methane emissions ahead of COP31. Lake Victoria Tourism & Ecosystems: UNDP is backing a plan to turn Tanzania’s Lake Victoria Basin into a tourism and investment hub, aiming to create jobs while “safeguarding the lake’s ecosystem.” Regional Trade Corridors: Kenya and Uganda rail talks stress faster Northern Corridor freight links to landlocked markets (including Burundi), with attention to keeping cold chains intact. EAC Afcon Tourism Push: The East African Community wants business-friendly policies so Afcon 2027 boosts tourism and regional integration, encouraging cross-border travel packages. Burundi-Linked Regional Minerals: A regional nuclear and radiation-in-healthcare forum included Burundi among participating countries, as health systems prepare for emerging disease threats.

Water Safety: A new Environmental Performance Index assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked—linked to weak infrastructure, sanitation gaps, and climate pressure. Zero-Waste & Food Loss: Istanbul’s Zero Waste Forum pushed circular economy ideas, with strong focus on cutting organic waste to reduce methane and tackling food loss across production and distribution. Lake Victoria Tourism & Ecosystems: UNDP is backing a plan to turn Tanzania’s Lake Victoria Basin into a tourism and investment hub, aiming to connect the lake region to the northern safari circuit while “safeguarding the lake’s ecosystem.” Regional Trade & Transport: Kenya and Uganda rail talks stress faster Northern Corridor freight movement, including preserving cold chains for perishable goods moving toward Burundi and other landlocked markets. Climate Shocks & Food Prices: A study warns that energy price spikes and other shocks hit grain supplies hardest when they land in bad harvest years—raising risks for global food security. Burundi & Environment in Diplomacy: Burundi reiterated support for Morocco’s autonomy plan at the UN Committee of 24, noting Morocco’s environmental and infrastructure strides in its southern provinces. Mining & Environment Watch: A regional forum on nuclear and radiation use in healthcare included Burundi among participating countries, while separate coverage highlights expanding critical-minerals projects across the East African Nickel Belt.

Water Safety: A new Environmental Performance Index assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with African nations dominating the lowest-ranked countries—linked to weak infrastructure, sanitation gaps, environmental degradation, and climate pressure. Zero-Waste & Climate Action: The Istanbul Zero Waste Forum is pushing circular economy models, cutting food loss, and tackling organic waste that drives methane emissions, tying municipal action to climate goals ahead of COP31. Lake Victoria Tourism & Ecosystem: UNDP says it will help unlock Lake Victoria Basin tourism and investment in Tanzania by connecting the lake region to the northern safari circuit, aiming for jobs (especially for women and youth) while safeguarding the lake’s ecosystem. Regional Peace & Climate Risks: At a UN security meeting in Bujumbura, officials urged stronger Central Africa cooperation to prevent conflict and address emerging threats—terrorism, disinformation, election tensions, and the effects of climate change. Youth & Drug Prevention: Tanzania’s drug control authority urged East African youth to lead community education and prevention efforts to curb drug use and trafficking across borders.

Drinking Water Safety: A new Environmental Performance Index assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries concentrated at the lowest ranks—linked to weak infrastructure, sanitation gaps, environmental degradation, and climate pressures. Lake Victoria Tourism & Ecosystem: UNDP says it will help unlock tourism and investment potential across the Lake Victoria Basin in Tanzania, pairing visitor growth with fisheries, farming, livestock, jobs for women and youth, and lake ecosystem protection. Climate Shocks & Food Prices: A study warns that global food losses can spike when energy price shocks and war-driven disruptions hit during bad harvest years, stressing how trade networks can spread both abundance and strain. Regional Rail for Cleaner Logistics: Kenya Railways and Uganda Railways push Northern Corridor freight upgrades, aiming to cut transit times for perishable goods to Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan while reducing border delays that harm cold-chain integrity. Road Project with Environmental Checks: Kenya’s KeNHA starts feasibility work for the Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba highway (PPP), requiring environmental and social impact assessments plus climate resilience studies before construction. Central Africa Security & Climate: UN meeting participants in Bujumbura call for stronger regional cooperation to tackle conflict drivers, including terrorism, disinformation, election tensions, and the effects of climate change on stability and development.

Climate & Food Security: A new study warns that global food supply losses could reach $600 billion as climate shocks stack with conflict-driven price spikes, with energy costs hitting grain supplies harder than the war itself—especially when bad harvest years coincide. Regional Trade & Transport: Kenya Railways and Uganda Railways are pushing Northern Corridor freight links, aiming to cut transit times for perishable goods and protect cold-chain integrity for routes that include Burundi. Burundi in Regional Security: UN Central Africa security talks in Bujumbura urged stronger regional cooperation to tackle terrorism, hate speech, disinformation, election tensions, and climate change impacts on peace and development. Burundi Local Governance: In Kirundo, residents denounce forced neighborhood “contributions” tied to Gitega commemoration preparations, saying collections are mandatory and linked to intimidation by ruling-party officials and Imbonerakure youth. Infrastructure & Environment Safeguards: Kenya’s KeNHA begins feasibility work for the Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba highway, with required environmental and social impact assessments plus climate resilience studies before construction. Health & Nuclear Safety: Regional health regulators met in Nairobi to strengthen safe use of nuclear and radiation technologies in healthcare, with Burundi included among participating countries.

Regional Security & Climate Risks: UN officials meeting in Bujumbura urged stronger Central Africa cooperation to prevent conflict and support resilient development, warning that terrorism, hate speech, disinformation, election tensions, and climate change are all feeding instability. Infrastructure With Environmental Checks: Kenya’s KeNHA has started the feasibility process for the 245-km Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba highway (PPP), with required environmental and social impact assessments plus climate resilience studies before construction. Electricity Access Tracking: The AfDB launched the Mission 300 Progress Tracker, a real-time platform showing electricity connections, active energy projects, and financing—aimed at connecting 300 million more people by 2030. Health & Radiation Safety: Regional health regulators met in Nairobi to discuss safe use of nuclear and radiation technologies in healthcare, including preparedness as disease threats like Ebola remain a concern. Burundi Local Governance Pressure: Residents in Kirundo denounced forced neighborhood contributions tied to preparations for June 8 commemoration events, describing intimidation and lack of exemptions. Mining, Energy, and Rules: East African energy regulators were urged to expand their mandate to include mining, arguing harmonized mining rules could unlock critical minerals for the energy transition.