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.
