Second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit
INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA
What: Second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit
When: 4- 5 December 2015
The Summit will be preceded by the 6th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC.
Where: The Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Who: The African Union Commission (AUC), Government of South Africa, and the People’s Republic of China.
Objective: Held under the theme: "Africa-China Progressing Together: Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development ”, the Summit is expected to adopt the Johannesburg Declaration and Action Plan, which will outline specific measures aimed at consolidating the growing mutual partnership between Africa and China.
The Summit will review the implementation of various agreements signed since the 1st FOCAC Summit in 2006, and outline the course of action for development of China-Africa relations over the next few years.
The FOCAC Summit, is expected to open new avenues of cooperation and open new opportunities for both China and Africa, which will elevate the relationship to a new level that would have mutual beneficial impact and give impetus to Africa's development, in line with the AU's Agenda 2063, including the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063.
Background:
The Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is a cooperation mechanism to pursue collective consultation and dialogue among developing countries. It is a forum for South-South cooperation set up to address development issues of mutual concern between China and African countries. The Forum marks its 15 year anniversary and promises great potential to support the advancement of the course and purposes of the African continent and China, especially in areas with political dimension, infrastructure development, utilization of available market and the business opportunities that could be harnessed by both sides.
FOCAC was launched in October 2000 in Beijing as a tri-annual collective dialogue platform for cooperation between China and Africa. Since its establishment, it has held five ministerial conferences and one summit at the level of heads of state and government. The Forum has gradually become an important platform for collective dialogue and an effective mechanism for enhancing practical cooperation between China and African countries and has provided the political umbrella in which bilateral relations have thrived. It statutorily holds at the Ministerial level.
The 2nd FOCAC Summit would take place in Sandton, Johannesburg, South as follows:
1) 11th Senior Official Meeting, 2nd December 2015, Pretoria;
2) 6th Ministerial Conference, 3rd December 2015, Pretoria;
3) 2nd FOCAC Summit, 4th – 5th December 2015 Sandton, Johannesburg
The Summit will be held in the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on December 4-5 under the theme: "Africa-China Progressing Together: Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development". Being the first FOCAC Summit to be held in Africa, the whole continent is enthusiastic to welcoming China to this historic Summit.
It is envisaged that the Johannesburg Summit will elevate the Africa-China relationship to a new level that would have a beneficial impact and give impetus to Africa's developmental agenda.
Several African Heads of State and Government, the leadership of the African Union Commission, heads of Regional Organisations and Multilateral Organisations will participate in the Summit. The Summit will adopt two outcome documents, namely: the Johannesburg Declaration and a Plan of Action, which will outline specific measures aimed at consolidating the growing mutual partnership between Africa and China.
The 2nd FOCAC Summit is expected to open new prospects for cooperation as well as new avenues for both China and Africa to further stimulate growth and unlock new opportunities between the two peoples on trade and other matters, and boost cooperation on Africa's infrastructure and Industrialization.
It will also provide a platform to promote shared core priorities towards an inclusive economic growth to eradicate poverty and allocate adequate resources for sustainable development, as defined in Africa’s Agenda 2063 and its First Ten Year Implementation Plan as well as, China’s New Five-Year Plan and the Two Centenary Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The 2nd FOCAC Summit affords the right opportunity to share the African Union’s new strategic direction in addressing its development and integration agenda. This strategic vision includes a Single Aviation Market, the Grand Inga Dam and other energy projects, Pan African University; the high-speed rail and road network project, Pan African e-Network, the Continental Free Trade Area, the Commodities strategy, the Malabo Plan on Agriculture, wildlife and environmental issues, and enhancement of cooperation and coordination mechanism to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including confronting transnational crime towards promoting peace and security.
On the sidelines of the Summit, a Business Forum will be held to enable the private sector to network, deepen and expand cooperation on trade and investment, as well as an Academic Think Tank Forum, and an Equipment and Industry Exhibition.
JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 2ND FOCAC SUMMIT FROM 4-5 DECEMBER 2015 IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
For more information please contact:
Dr. Levi Uche Madueke,
Head of Africa's Strategic Partnerships, Bureau of the Chairperson, African Union Commission. Tel. +251 912641293. E-Mail: maduekel@africa-union.org
Media Queries contact:
Ms. Afrah Thabit
African Union Commission
Thabitma@africa-union.org
afraht@hotmail.com
For further information, please contact:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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