Department FrontPage

STATEMENT BY HER EXCELLENCY DR. NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA
CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE 3RD AFRICA-ARAB SUMMIT

TO CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

KUWAIT CITY, STATE OF KUWAIT
TUESDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2013

Your Highness, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jabar Al Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait and Chairperson of the Third Africa-Arab Summit,

Your Excellency, Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Chairperson of the African Union and Co-Chairperson of the Third Africa-Arab Summit,

Your Excellency, Mr. Nouri Abou Sahmen, President of the General National Congress of Libya and Co-Chairperson of the 2nd Africa-Arab Summit,

Your Excellency, Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic of Gabon and Co-Chairperson of the 2nd Africa-Arab Summit,

Your Majesties and Highnesses,

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,

Your Excellency, Dr. Nabil Al Araby, Secretary General of the League of Arab States,

Your Excellency, Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations,

Your Excellencies, Heads and Representatives of the Gulf Co-operation Council, the Arab Parliament, the World Bank, the Islamic Cooperation Organization, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the African Development Bank, and other collaborative Arab and African Financial and Technical Organizations,

Representatives of International and Regional Organizations,

Your Excellency, Mr. Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission,

Your Excellencies Heads of Delegations,

Distinguished Delegates,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me start by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jabar Al-Sabah, and to the Government and friendly people of Kuwait for the hospitality and warm reception accorded to our delegations since arrival in this great country.

We thank His Highness for his personal concern and unflinching commitment to the objectives of Africa-Arab solidarity. We follow with great admiration the initiatives that His Highness continuously unveils to consolidate the long-standing relations between Africa and the Arab world. The hosting of this Summit is a clear manifestation of this commitment.

Our gratitude also to all Heads of State and Government and Heads of Delegations of African and Arab Countries, the Guest of Honors and Heads of International and Regional Organizations, who are present here today.

We express appreciation to the two co-Chairpersons of the 2nd Afro-Summit, His Excellency the President of Gabon and His Excellency the President of the General National Congress of Libya, for their stewardship of this partnership that brought us together today.

Your Majesties and Highnesses,
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,

It is now more than 36 years since the first Afro-Arab Summit was held in Cairo, Egypt, in March 1977. This summit solidified the centuries-long history between the two regions and its peoples, and moved our relations, solidarity and cooperation into new directions.

We are meeting today, in the year that Africa is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, which remains a major proponent of the goal of Afro-Arab unity. This unity today takes place in a world that has changed dramatically since 1977, and with equally dramatic changes in our respective regions.

As Africa celebrates its Golden Jubilee, we are determined to bequeath to the next generations a continent that is integrated, peaceful and prosperous.

The available data positions Africa as a new growth pole, where returns on investments in virtually every sector - from infrastructure to ICT, and from retail, health to manufacturing - are higher than any other part of the world.

A number of mega trends are also in our favour. Africa’s population is set to double in the next few decades, its middle class is growing exponentially, it is rapidly urbanising and it has a young population. We are the only continent whose working age population as proportion of the total population is set to grow rather than shrink.

Over halve of our population are women, and we know that the empowerment of women brings about multiplying social, economic and political benefits not only to families and communities, but also to countries and regions.

Africa remains well-endowed with mineral, energy and other natural resources, such as maritime, land, water and forests.

We are determined to make the positive trajectory that we are currently on irreversible, to build an Africa that is prosperous and peaceful and that takes it rightful place in the world.

Amongst our Pan African priorities are therefore the scaling up of investment in a healthy and skilled population, in infrastructure: transport (road, rail, aviation and shipping), energy, ICT, water, sanitation and other economic and social infrastructure; diversification of our economies, beneficiation of our natural resources; and expanding agriculture and agro-processing.

We have in common our young populations, who if we invest in their skills, education, health care, and provide them with opportunities for economic and social participation; will be the drivers of our collective innovation, creativity and prosperity.

We can also learn from the countries of this region, who over a short space of time used its natural resources to modernize economies, expand infrastructure, develop your people and build shared prosperity.

Your Majesties and Highnesses,
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,

As developing countries, Africa and the Arab region share a common past and future. Over the last decade, the two regions experienced progress, but at the same time we have experienced conflicts, aggression and terrorism, with terrible consequences on our people, especially women, children and the elderly.

In the face of these challenges, like in 1977, the two regions must continue to strengthen their cooperation and jointly tackle common concerns, using our different comparative advantages to build a partnership based on mutual respect and solidarity.

We must in this regard reaffirm our support for the latest negotiations between Palestine and Israel.

We are confident that the preparatory work done by our Officials and by the meetings of Ministers, encapsulated in the draft Declaration, lays a solid foundation for Africa-Arab cooperation around issues of peace, human security and migration; around trade, investment, infrastructure and agriculture; and more generally on political, social and cultural cooperation.

We must continue to build links amongst our respective regional organisations, our governments and states, our financial institutions, private sectors, civil society, cultural and educational institutions.

I would therefore like to assure Your Highnesses and Excellencies of Africa’s commitment to spare no effort to implement the decisions of this Summit and further advance its cooperation with Arab partners toward the realization of the aspirations of our peoples.

I thank you very much and wish the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit a resounding success.

STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR JEAN-BAPTISTE NATAMA
CHIEF OF STAFF, BUREAU OF THE CHAIRPERSON, AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION AT THE INVESTMENT SYMPOSIUM

KUWAIT CITY, STATE OF KUWAIT
18 NOVEMBER 2013

Excellency
Excellencies Members of Government of the State of Kuwait
Representatives of Regional and International Organizations
Members of the Private Sector
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

I wish to begin by expressing my gratitude to all of you for taking time off your busy schedules to participate in this significant Investment Symposium being held in this beautiful capital city of Kuwait, State of the Kuwait. Please accept our warm welcome. I also wish to thank the Government and the People of this nice and hospitable country of Kuwait for hosting this Symposium and making available all these excellent facilities before us. I also wish to join hands with you in thanking Direct Aid, the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for accepting to jointly host this symposium with the African Union Commission.

Excellencies
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Africa with the globe’s third largest population (15% of the world population), is not only a significant reservoir of human resources ready for active engagement in the continental and global economy, but also a vast potential market for both global traders and investors. According to the McKinsey & Co Report, about half of Africa’s one billion people will live in cities by 2030 from about 40 percent now and the continent’s top 18 cities will have combined spending power of $1.3 trillion.

The African continent is endowed with enormous natural and mineral resources. For instance, Africa accounts for 10 percent of global crude-oil reserves, 75 percent of Cobalt, 47 percent of Diamond, 80 percent of Platinum, 40 percent of Chrome, 38 percent of Uranium, 32 percent of Gold and 28 percent of Manganese. Moreover, the continent is rich with abundant flora and fauna, which renders it highly suitable for the promotion and development of eco-tourism. Thus, investment opportunities are abundant in the mining and tourism sectors. Africa is also largely agricultural based and provides opportunities for agro-processing and manufacturing.

Excellencies
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is also the case that the rate of return on foreign investment is higher in Africa than in any other developing region, according to McKinsey and Co. Report. This means that Africa provides excellent investment opportunities for both the domestic and foreign investor.

For Africa to attract investment and record solid growth rates on a sustainable basis, appropriate macroeconomic policies are being formulated and implemented. There is also proper economic governance to ensure that macroeconomic fundamentals are right for economies to perform well.

Among other things, trade and financial markets have been liberalized in many African countries, the number of days it takes to process business permits and licenses have been reduced, a number of state-owned entities have been privatized to improve efficiency and competitiveness, and a number of countries are investing more in infrastructure development. Issues relating to controlling inflation, adopting appropriate exchange rate regimes, setting optimal interest rates and management of other economic variables have resulted in the adoption of appropriate fiscal and monetary policies in many of the African countries. These measures have contributed to improved competitiveness, high economic growth rates, and increased job creation.

These reforms have, among others, resulted in increased volume of investment. According to UNCTAD “World Investment Report 2010”, Foreign Direct Investment into Africa rose to $88 billion in 2010 from $9 billion in 2000, resulting in an increase of foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in the region to $ 511 billion. Further, the total value of the cross-border Merger & Acquisition sales in Africa reached its highest level: US$21 billion in 2010 (US$8 billion in 2007).

To pursue these impressive results, we need to build on infrastructure gaps which could enhance opportunities for investment, from the private sector and public-private partnerships. Private Sector is essential and could mobilize financial resources, help fill the gap towards sustainable infrastructure development and above all promote a more inclusive growth that can be translated into effective poverty reduction.

Excellencies
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

The recent Arab-Africa Economic Forum which took place between 11-12 November 2013, in Kuwait has underscored the need for Africa and Arab countries to deepen practical cooperation in diverse areas (African cooperation in the field of development, Food Security, Investments, Trade Exchange and Non-Governmental Organizations) so as to push forward in an all-round way the new type of Africa Arab strategic partnership. I wish to make, in this connection, the following two proposals:

First, strengthen strategic coordination to uphold common interests. The two sides should maintain high-level exchanges, engage in closer political dialogue and consultations and step up coordination and cooperation on major global issues of mutual interest, with the view of increasing the voice and representation of developing countries in the international system and jointly build a more just and reasonable international political and economic order.

Second, enhance economic cooperation and trade to realize mutual benefit and win-win progress. The strong economic complementarity between Africa and Arab regions offers us broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. We should work hard to increase investment flows, speedily reverse the investment downturn recently recorded. Africa and Arab countries will encourage more enterprises from both regions to invest in Africa and ask them to shoulder more social responsibilities and live in amity with the local people. We will combine economic cooperation, investment and trade with technology transfer and take active steps to launch technical and managerial personnel toward target beneficiaries.

Excellencies
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Until the advent of the global economic and financial crisis, Africa had been on a relatively impressive growth trajectory, recording an average growth rate of about 6% per annum. This was no surprise, in view of the efforts across the continent to bring about rapid socio-economic development through a series of reforms aimed at improving macroeconomic management, strengthening institutions and improving the investment climate, among others. African economies have been generally resilient to the crisis, despite the negative effects of reduced demand for products and a decline in the level of remittances, just to mention a few.

Realizing this critical role of the private sector, the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government at their Summit in January 2005 in Abuja, Nigeria, decided to institutionalize the African Union Private Sector Forum as an annual event to provide an interface between the African Union policy makers and private sector actors. Since taking this decision, five Forums have been organized in different African Union member states which have made important recommendations in support of private sector development in Africa for the consideration of AU Member States, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders.

In line with these recommendations, the AU Policy Organs have adopted instruments such as the African Union Private Sector Development Strategy and Action Plan, the African Union Micro-Finance Policy Framework and Action Plan, the African Union’s Minimum Integration Programme, the African Agri-Business and Agro-Industries Development Initiative (3ADI), PIDA (Programme on Infrastructure Development in Africa), the CAADP (Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Porgramme).

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is renowned today that enterprise development, trade and investment play significant role in the creation of value chains and is vital in the attainment of economic growth, employment and poverty reduction in African countries.

More specifically, Small and Medium-Size Enterprises are the engine of the economic development through the development of the private sectors for Africa as well as for Arab. The Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises contribute to boost the exports, transfer of technology, generate employment, and increase regional trade as well as entrepreneurship.

It is therefore important to heap on our efforts in ensuring financing of small and medium-sized projects through supporting maneuver of national development banks and social funds in the Arab and African regions due to their role in reducing unemployment and providing new business opportunities in the area of private sector.

I need to reveal that at the African Union Commission level, we are also looking at developing strategic partnership between the African private sector and those of other regions including the Arab world.

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

African Union Commission attaches great importance to boosting the Arab Africa strategic cooperation in all fields of common interests and we should therefore redouble our efforts to achieve the remaining objectives before our next symposium.

Successful development experiences over recent decades have consistently confirmed that good governance, sound economic environment and well-functioning physical and social infrastructure are essential ingredients for fostering private sector-led growth.

We welcome you and all those who wish to support the Africa’s development priorities, such as development of infrastructure, policies aiming at the processing and adding value to raw materials, regional integration, capacity building and human resource development.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me seize this opportunity to invite all Africa-Arab Businessmen and Businesswomen to support a formation of a platform for meaningful engagement between the African and Arab business actors. I invite you all to support these efforts through modernizing the export oriented industrial supply systems and positively responding to the ever increasing global demand for food and other agricultural products owing, among others, to urbanization, population growth and rising middle class in Africa as well as in the Arab world.

I wish you very fruitful deliberations and thank you for your kind attention.

I thank you.

Opening Remarks by H.E. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace

Commissioner for Department for Rural Economy and Agriculture,

AMCEN Consultative Meeting in Preparation for UNFCCC COP 19

17th November 2013; 09:00 am – 04:30 pm
Radisson Blu Centrum Hotel
Warsaw, Poland

Honourable Minister of State-Environment in Tanzania, and the AMCEN President
Honourable Ministers of AMCEN Bureau
Executive Secretary of AMCEN
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me start by welcoming you and also conveying to you the warm greetings and best wishes from the Chairperson of the African Union, HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Her Excellency Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, is not here with us much as she would have wished to come. She is aware of and appreciates the important role you are playing in advancing Africa’s common interests.

I would also like to register appreciation to UNEP and the AMCEN Secretariat and our other partners for the cooperation and collaboration with the African Union Commission and all the special efforts and hard work involved in convening this important meeting in preparation for the ongoing UNFCCC COP 19 here in Poland.

Excellences,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our meeting today is taking place just after the 5th AMCEN Special Session held in Gaborone, Botswana last Month, during which we discussed the preparation for the COP 19 and development of Flagship Programs.

Before that, in preparations for this COP 19, the Conference of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) met in New York on 24th September 2013 to ensure that Africa, as per our recent tradition, speaks with one voice, under the political leadership of H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kwikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and, the current CAHOSCC Coordinator; and H.E. Minister of State-Environment in Tanzania, and the current AMCEN President.

CoP19 matters a lot to Africa. It is a critical juncture to strategize our common position at the ongoing negotiations of COP19 here in Warsaw, Poland, towards a fair agreement expected to be concluded in 2015 at COP 21 in Paris.

Excellences,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Part of our strategies include: maintaining our unity of purpose in the negotiations, having a stronger voice, and reaffirmation of Africa’s interests in the global negotiations.

Our discussion today is at the right moment for Africa to take stock of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Sustainable environmental management, and adaptation to, and mitigating the negative impacts of climate change are some of the areas that require our joint efforts.

Meantime, I urge our Developed Countries Partners to consider the plight of the teeming African populace most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and to take on more ambitious emission cuts for the Second Commitment Period and to further ensure the survival of Planet Earth from the different climate-related disasters. We treasure our partnerships with other regions of the world, we are keen to strengthen these partnerships and we wish to invoke their sense of solidarity in respect of this common cause against climate change.

Excellences,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Harnessing the opportunities offered by Pan Africanism strengthens our position in speaking with one voice and acting with a common sense of purpose in the global climate change negotiations here at COP 19. Pan Africanism is also very crucial for us to move together as a block looking forward to the global binding agreement.

African Renaissance on the other hand, gives us the sense of confidence that it is Africa’s turn to be a global force. That feeling of renewed confidence in our own capabilities will act as a stimulus in driving us towards the achievement of Africa’s Common Vision 2063 and we have to do everything possible to prevent climate change undermining this trajectory.

Excellences,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my conviction that the AMCEN has a critical role to play in steering the Ministerial process but also linking up with continental political engagements for effective synergies and drive to secure a fair Global climate change agreement. Unfortunately, the road ahead does not seem to be easy as we see limited commitment on the part of a number of State Parties and some recent pronouncements by some in the developed world have been disheartening.
In this regard, I wish to reassure you that the African Union Commission will continue to support AMCEN activities and African Group of Negotiators (AGN) towards promoting and strengthening African Common Position on Climate Change and in general, environmental sustainability on the continent and in marshalling partnerships to combat climate change and deal with its impacts.
For Africa, let us stay the course. We have more at stake than others.
Your Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for your kind attention.

Statement of Libya during the Africa Arab Senior Officials Meeting , 14 November 2013

THIRD AFRICA-ARAB SUMMIT
SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING
14 - 15 NOVEMBER 2013
KUWAIT CITY, THE STATE OF KUWAIT

STATEMENT OF HIS EXCELLENCY JEAN-BAPTISTE NATAMA, CHIEF OF STAFF, OFFICE OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MEETING OF SENIOR OFFICIALS

KUWAIT CITY, STATE OF KUWAIT
14 NOVEMBER 2013

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a an honour and privilege for me to take the floor, on behalf of the African Union Commission and the Chairperson, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, at this opening ceremony of the meeting of Senior Officials which marks the beginning of the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit.

I am also delighted on this occasion to express my gratitude to the State of Kuwait for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to the delegation of the African Union Commission since its arrival in this beautiful and marvelous Kuwait City, pearl of the Golf, whose charms no one can fail to recognise.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

During these two days, our meeting will examine a number of documents jointly prepared by the African Union and the League of Arab States for the Joint Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Africa and the Arab States.

These documents are:

 The joint activity report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States to which the matrix of actions proposed for strengthening the institutional capacity of the Africa-Arab partnership has been attached. I will have the honour of presenting it later during this meeting;

 The proposal for the rationalisation of the implementation and follow-up mechanisms of the Africa-Arab partnership;

 The report of the 2nd meeting of African and Arab Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, held in Riyad, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

 The proposal for the strengthening of cooperation in the area of migration;

 The report of the joint mission to review the performance of the Bamako Afro-Arab Cultural Institute;

 The proposal for the creation of a mechanism to fund Afro-Arab joint projects;

 The conclusions of the Africa-Arab Economic Forum held on 11 and 12 November 2013, which focused on the strengthening of the Africa-Arab Partnership in the areas of Trade and Investment;

 The Kuwait Declaration and the resolutions.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you may have observed, the meeting will consider a total of eight documents, three of which will be presented by the African Union Commission, three others by the League of Arab States, and the last two by the host country, as was agreed upon.

At this point, I wish to commend the spirit of collaboration and understanding that prevailed throughout the process for the preparation of documents for the Summit.

The commitment demonstrated by all is eloquent proof of our determination to take this partnership which links our two regions as far as possible, in order to generate dividends that are beneficial to our respective populations.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to conclude by expressing the hope that our deliberations will be fruitful, for I have no doubt that your discussions will be marked by the warmth and camaraderie that has always characterized our meetings.

I thank you for your kind attention.