July 2, 2021

Parexel to be Acquired by EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management

BOSTON and DURHAM, N.C., July 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parexel, a leading global clinical research organization (CRO) focused on development and delivery of innovative new therapies to advance patient health, today announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement under which it will be acquired by EQT IX fund (“EQT Private Equity”) and the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“Goldman Sachs”) from Pamplona Capital Management LP for $8.5 billion.

“Over the past 18 months Parexel has continued its strong growth trajectory delivering on its patients-first focus and accelerating new therapies to patients in need around the world,” said Parexel CEO Jamie Macdonald. “With the market for outsourced clinical research services anticipated to grow at a conservative CAGR of 8 to 9 percent, our focus remains on advancing and innovating Parexel to meet our customers’ needs across the evolving clinical development landscape. EQT and Goldman Sachs support this vision and are committed to investing in Parexel and our people to capitalize on this exciting market opportunity and make a difference for patients.”

Eric Liu, Partner and Global Co-Head of Healthcare at EQT, commented, “We have followed Parexel closely during the past few years and have been impressed by the company’s development and trajectory. Our investment in Parexel reflects EQT’s thematic focus on the life sciences industry, as well as our commitment to partner with businesses that have a positive impact on society. We are excited to partner with Goldman Sachs for the next stage of Parexel’s journey, and to back Jamie, who prior to his role at Parexel had been a long-time senior advisor to EQT, as well as the rest of the Parexel team.”

Jo Natauri, Partner and Global Head of Private Healthcare Investing within Goldman Sachs Asset Management, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with Jamie Macdonald, the entire Parexel management team and EQT to support Parexel, which has a distinguished track record of delivering clinical excellence to their large pharma and biotech customers globally. We believe this investment will accelerate Parexel’s growth as it builds on the company’s global footprint, strong operational capabilities and expansive healthcare network.”

John Halsted, Managing Partner, Pamplona Capital Management, commented, “We’re very proud of Parexel’s progress over the past four years and the important work they do in helping bring exciting new therapies to patients in need. In particular, they successfully adapted the business to work in the midst of a global pandemic, and supported the development of therapies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic itself. We wish them every success in their next phase of growth.”

“We have enjoyed our partnership with Pamplona, and thank them for their leadership and support in helping to transform Parexel under their ownership,” concluded Mr. Macdonald. “Over the past months, our ability to pivot and adapt have fostered new ways of working while developing a strong track record of quality and delivery for customers around the world. As we continue in this new era of clinical development and focus aggressively on meeting our customers’ needs for innovation in such areas as Real World Evidence, Decentralized Clinical Trials, Biostatistics and Data Management — and in key regions such as Asia/Pacific where we’re among the largest and longest-tenured CROs — we’re excited to be partnering with EQT and Goldman Sachs. We look forward to benefitting from their strong industry experience and to further accelerating Parexel as one of the world’s leading and fastest-growing CROs.”

The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. Evercore acted as the financial advisor to Parexel, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel in connection with the transaction. Goldman Sachs and Jefferies LLC acted as financial advisors to EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP provided legal counsel in connection with the transaction.

About Parexel
Parexel supports the development of innovative new medicines to improve the health of patients. We provide services to help life sciences and biopharmaceutical clients everywhere transform scientific discoveries into new treatments. From decentralized clinical trials to regulatory consulting services to leveraging real world insights, our therapeutic, technical, and functional ability is underpinned by a deep conviction in what we do. Parexel was named “Best Contract Research Organization” in December 2020 by an independent panel for Informa Pharma Intelligence. For more information, visit parexel.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with more than EUR 67 billion in assets under management across 26 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas with total sales of approximately EUR 29 billion and more than 175,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. For more information, visit www.eqtgroup.com or follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Private Equity
Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world’s leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market—overseeing more than $2 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2021. Driven by a passion for our clients’ performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure. Established in 1986, the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management has invested over $75 billion since inception. We combine our global network of relationships, our unique insight across markets, industries and regions, and the worldwide resources of Goldman Sachs to build businesses and accelerate value creation across our portfolios. Follow us on LinkedIn.

About Pamplona Capital Management
Pamplona Capital Management is a specialist investment manager established in 2005 that provides an alternative investment platform across private equity and other diversified strategies. With offices in New York, London, Madrid, and Malta, Pamplona manages over $11 billion in assets for a variety of clients including public pension funds, international wealth managers, multinational corporations, family offices, and funds of hedge funds. Pamplona invests long-term capital across the capital structure of its portfolio companies in both public and private market situations.

CONTACTS

For Parexel:
Lori Dorer
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
+1 513 496 8121

Lindsay LeCain
Real Chemistry
+ 1 508 259 9521

For EQT:
Daniel Yunger, Kekst CNC, + 1 917 574 8582
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

For Goldman Sachs:
Leslie Shribman
+1 212 902 5400

For Pamplona Capital Management:
Ed Orlebar, TB Cardew
ed.orlebar@tbcardew.com
+44 (0)7738724630

July 2, 2021

O International Action Centre emitiu a seguinte declaração: CABO VERDE CONFRONTA AS NAÇÕES UNIDAS

PRAIA, Cabo Verde, July 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Numa decisão sobre medidas provisórias datada de 8 de junho, a Comissão dos Direitos Humanos das Nações Unidas insistiu que Cabo Verde “não extraditasse o Sr. Alex Saab para os Estados Unidos da América” e que “tomasse todas as medidas necessárias para garantir o acesso a cuidados de saúde adequados […] por médicos independentes e especializados escolhidos por ele”. Esta ordem judicial provisória é a primeira emitida em resposta à uma denúncia apresentada por Alex Saab perante a Comissão de Direitos Humanos das Nações Unidas.

Em entrevista no dia 29 de junho de 2021, o procurador-geral cabo-verdiano, José Luis Landim, faz um ataque frontal às Nações Unidas, alegando que não é da alçada da Comissão de Direitos Humanos da ONU impor a suspensão da extradição de Alex Saab de Cabo Verde para os Estados Unidos da América.

Esse posicionamento é alarmante e constitui um erro jurídico, estratégico e ético.

Em primeiro lugar, este posicionamento é completamente errado em termos legais. Gostaríamos de lembrar ao Sr. Landim que Cabo Verde optou por ratificar o Pacto Internacional sobre Direitos Civis e Políticos em 6 de agosto de 1993 e o Protocolo Opcional ao Pacto Internacional sobre Direitos Civis e Políticos em 19 de maio de 2000. Por conseguinte, deve cumprir as suas obrigações internacionais de boa fé e respeitar plenamente as decisões do organismo de peritos responsável pela interpretação do Pacto Internacional sobre Direitos Civis e Políticos, a Comissão dos Direitos Humanos. A alegação de que a Comissão não tem poderes para requerer a suspensão de uma extradição que possa expor alguém a riscos de danos irreparáveis e de violações do direito à vida e do direito à integridade física, é um erro jurídico imperdoável totalmente incompatível com o Estado de direito.

Em segundo lugar, tal posicionamento é um ataque frontal às Nações Unidas e aos direitos humanos, o cerne dos valores que a Organização defende. Tal posicionamento é uma mensagem clara ao mundo de que Cabo Verde pode exercer a sua soberania para violar os direitos humanos, ignorando as normas do direito internacional de direitos humanos às quais subscreveu, e ignorando as decisões internacionais. Ao adotar este posicionamento, Cabo Verde, além de desafiar o Tribunal de Justiça da CEDEAO, que determinou a libertação do detido arbitrariamente Alex Saab, depois de violar a imunidade diplomática de Alex Saab como Enviado Especial e Embaixador na União Africana, assume um posicionamento hostil em relação às Nações Unidas, indo contra a comunidade internacional.

Em terceiro lugar, tal posicionamento é um erro em termos de valores éticos fundamentais. Ao solicitar a suspensão da extradição de Alex Saab durante a avaliação dos méritos do caso, a Comissão dos Direitos Humanos incentivou Cabo Verde a demonstrar humanidade e bom senso, considerando que a extradição seria prejudicial à integridade física e à vida de Alex Saab. A Comissão não adotou uma posição política, e sim uma posição puramente humanitária.

Contato da MÍDIA:
Sara Flounders
International Action Center
Https://www.iacenter.org
E-mail: iacenter@iacenter.org
Tel.: +1 212-633-6646

July 2, 2021

L’International Action Centre publie le bilan suivant sur le sujet : LE CAP-VERT S’ATTAQUE AUX NATIONS UNIES

PRAIA, Cap-Vert, 01 juill. 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dans une décision sur des mesures provisoires datée du 8 juin, le Comité des droits de l’Homme de l’ONU a demandé au Cap-Vert de « s’abstenir d’extrader M. Alex Saab vers les États-Unis d’Amérique » et de « prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires pour garantir l’accès aux soins de santé appropriés […] par des médecins indépendants et spécialisés de son choix ». Cette décision ordonnant des mesures provisoires est la première étape urgente résultant de l’enregistrement d’une plainte déposée par Alex Saab devant le Comité des droits de l’Homme de l’ONU.

Lors d’un entretien daté du 29 juin 2021, le procureur général du Cap-Vert, M. Jose Luis Landim, lance une attaque frontale contre les Nations unies, affirmant que le Comité des droits de l’Homme des Nations unies n’a pas compétence pour imposer la suspension de l’extradition d’Alex Saab du Cap-Vert vers les États-Unis d’Amérique.

Une telle position est alarmante et constitue une erreur juridique, stratégique et éthique.

Premièrement, cette position est tout à fait erronée sur le plan juridique. Nous voudrions rappeler à M. Landim que le Cap-Vert a choisi de ratifier le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques depuis le 6 août 1993 et le Protocole facultatif se rapportant au Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques depuis le 19 mai 2000. Il doit donc s’acquitter de ses obligations internationales de bonne foi et respecter pleinement les décisions du Comité des droits de l’Homme, organe d’experts chargé d’interpréter le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques. Dire que le Comité n’a pas compétence pour demander la suspension d’une extradition qui pourrait exposer quelqu’un à des risques de dommages irréparables et de violations du droit à la vie et du droit à l’intégrité physique est une erreur juridique impardonnable totalement incompatible avec l’État de droit.

Deuxièmement, une telle position constitue une attaque frontale contre l’ONU et les droits de l’Homme qui sont au cœur des valeurs que l’Organisation défend. Elle envoie un message clair au monde, à savoir que le Cap-Vert peut exercer sa souveraineté pour violer les droits de l’Homme tout en ignorant les normes de la loi internationale relative aux droits de l’Homme qu’il s’est engagé à respecter, et ce en ignorant aussi les décisions internationales. Ce faisant, le Cap-Vert, après s’être opposé à la Cour de Justice de la CEDEAO qui lui a ordonné de libérer Alex Saab, détenu arbitrairement, et après avoir violé l’immunité diplomatique d’Alex Saab en tant qu’envoyé spécial et ambassadeur auprès de l’Union africaine, décide d’adopter une position hostile à l’égard de l’ONU et se positionne à l’extérieur de la communauté internationale.

Troisièmement, une telle position est une erreur en termes de valeurs éthiques fondamentales. En demandant la suspension de l’extradition d’Alex Saab dans l’attente de l’examen quant au fond de l’affaire, le Comité des droits de l’Homme invitait le Cap-Vert à faire preuve d’humanité et de bon sens en considérant que l’extradition serait préjudiciable à l’intégrité physique et à la vie d’Alex Saab. Le Comité n’a pas pris une position politique, mais purement humanitaire.

Contact MÉDIAS :
Sara Flounders
International Action Center
Https://www.iacenter.org
E-mail : iacenter@iacenter.org
Tél. :+1 212-633-6646

July 2, 2021

UN Calls on Tigray Forces to Endorse Cease-fire

The United Nations’ political chief urged Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia on Friday to “immediately and completely” endorse a cease-fire declared by the government so that food aid can reach a growing number of starving people in the embattled region.

“The cease-fire announcement provides an opportunity that all parties to the conflict, including the TPLF, must seize and build upon,” Rosemary DiCarlo said, referring to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

“As of today, the TDF has yet to agree to the cease-fire,” she said, referring to the Tigray Defense Forces, the group’s fighters.

The U.N. appealed for calm so aid workers could reach starving people, particularly in remote areas.

Hunger crisis has worsened

Acting humanitarian chief Ramesh Rajasingham said that in the two weeks since he had last briefed council members on the food crisis, it has “worsened dramatically.” During that briefing, he said 350,000 people were in faminelike conditions.

“More than 400,000 people are estimated to have crossed the threshold into famine, and another 1.8 million people are on the brink of famine,” he said Friday. “Some are suggesting that the numbers are even higher.”

Overall, of the 6 million people who live in Tigray, the U.N. says 5.2 million need some level of food assistance. In the past two months, it has reached about 3.7 million of them.

Rajasingham said it is urgent to start reaching people as the rainy season takes hold, food supplies become depleted, and risks grow from flooding and waterborne diseases.

“The lives of many of these people depend on our ability to reach them with food, medicine, nutrition supplies and other humanitarian assistance,” he said. “And we need to reach them now. Not next week. Now.”

He appealed to armed actors to provide guarantees for safe passage along roads for aid workers and supplies in and out of Tigray, as well as to remote areas of the region, and for aid flights to resume.

On Monday, the Ethiopian government announced an immediate unilateral humanitarian cease-fire after nearly eight months of fighting with Tigrayan forces. Tigrayan fighters reclaimed control of the regional capital Mekelle after Ethiopian government forces withdrew.

“The government must now demonstrate that it truly intends to use the cease-fire to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Tigray,” U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.

She and several other council members called for a permanent cease-fire, inclusive dialogue and reconciliation, unhindered and safe access for humanitarians, and accountability for atrocities committed by all sides in the conflict.

Friday’s meeting was the Security Council’s first public discussion of the situation, following six closed-door meetings since hostilities erupted in November.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said holding an open session could further destabilize the country and politically weaken the Ethiopian government.

“The situation in Tigray must remain a domestic issue of Ethiopia, and we believe interference by the Security Council in solving it is counterproductive,” he said.

But Ireland’s envoy, who has been active in bringing the issue to the council, disagreed, saying that “it is clear a catastrophe is unfolding” and council action is overdue.

“The council’s voice matters on this issue,” Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason said. “Today, finally, we meet publicly, and all council members have an opportunity to send a clear message to the parties on the ground: This conflict must end. Humanitarian needs must be urgently addressed.”

The three African members of the council — Kenya, Niger and Tunisia — along with the Caribbean nation St. Vincent and the Grenadines, called on the council to act responsibly and to listen to Africa when it comes to African issues.

“In our view, dialogue is strength, and it is at the core of the African identity,” Kenyan Ambassador Martin Kimani said on behalf of the group. “Embrace it and save the precious lives of the people of Tigray to protect your national peace and once again be an anchor of regional security.”

Ethiopia’s envoy Taye Atske-Selassie told the council his government had made a “difficult political decision” to suspend the military operation in favor of protecting the state. But now it believes it has created the conditions for unhindered humanitarian assistance and for farmers to plant this season.

Fighting between the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF broke out in November, leaving thousands of civilians dead and forcing more than 2 million people from their homes. Some 60,000 refugees crossed to neighboring Sudan.

Troops from Eritrea, Ethiopia’s neighbor to the north, and Amhara, a neighboring region to the south of Tigray, also entered the conflict in support of the Ethiopian government. The U.N. said Friday that the Eritreans had withdrawn to the border and the Amhara regional force remained in place despite advances by the Tigrayan forces.

Source: Voice of America

July 2, 2021

Ambassador’s presentation at the Third Japan Africa Business Forum 2021

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please kindly find the link below:

Presentation by H.E. Mr. Estifanos Afeworki Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to Japan and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps

at Session 3: Theme To industrialilze Africa: The Third Japan Africa Business Forum 2021

http://www.eritreaembassy-japan.org/data/Presentation_draft_of_3rd_JABF_2021,_Day_03__Industrialize_Africa.pdf

Best regards,

—

The Embassy of the State of Eritrea to Japan

publicrelations@eritreaembassy-japan.org

http://www.eritreaembassy-japan.org

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Source: Dehai Eritrea Online