Meeting of Africa-Arab Joint Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs Opens With Renewing Commitments To Move the Africa-Arab Partnership To A Much Higher Level

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novembre 22, 2016

Press Release

Meeting of Africa-Arab Joint Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs Opens With Renewing Commitments To Move the Africa-Arab Partnership To A Much Higher Level

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 21st November 2016: Under the theme of “Together for Sustainable Development and Economic Cooperation”, the meeting of the Africa-Arab Joint Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs kicked off , today Monday 21 Nov 2016, at the SIPOPO Conference Center, Malabo, in a Joint Opening Session with Africa-Arab Ministers of Economy, Trade and Finance.

In his remarks at the opening session, H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha , Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission stressed on the importance of the Africa Arab partnership for sustainable development and economic transformation for the mutual benefit of the Africa and the Arab Peoples.

The Deputy Chairperson said that Agenda 2063 and its First Ten-Year implementation plan 2014-2023 on the Africa side represent the priority area and targets for transformation and inclusive growth of the Continent. He noted that the huge wealth combined with human resources of the two regions provides opportunities for concrete deliverables for the partnership. He then advised countries in the partnership to use the AU Agenda 2063, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals , and other strategic frameworks in fashioning out bankable projects and programs for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two regions.

H.E. Mr. Mba Mpkuy Agapito, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on his part said that the Africa Arab partnership offers immense opportunities for the growth and development of the two regions within the context of the theme of the Summit: “Together for Sustainable Development and Economic Cooperation”, and urged the member states not to miss the opportunities for shared value and prosperity.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait and Chairperson of the Arab Side of the Africa-Arab Partnership Coordination Committee .E. Mr. Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah outlined some of the projects and activities undertaken by his country within the context of the partnership.

In his Opening remarks, H.E. Mahamat Moussa Faki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chad and Co-Chair of the meeting representing the African side highlighted the historic, cultural and shared values of the two sides which justify the Africa-Arab partnership.

He further underlined the need for effective implementation, follow-up and evaluation mechanism that would help foster the partnership in order to help produce concrete deliverables. He expressed the hope that the partnership would consolidate further the relationships between the two regions.

In his statement, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit Secretary General of the League of Arab States emphasized that the meeting was the first joint meeting between Foreign Ministers and Minister of Economy, Finance and Trade. He highlighted the enormous opportunities of the partnership and underscored some of the common challenges facing the two regions, stressing that the complementarity between the two regions should be the basis for a common actions in various areas of mutual interests.

The one-day Joint Council Meeting will consider, among other things, the Recommendations of the Africa-Arab Senior Officials Meeting, held on 19 November 2016, Progress Report on the Implementation of the Initiatives of H.H. the Emir of Kuwait on Investment and Development announced during the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit, Report of the 3rd Africa-Arab Ministerial Meeting on Agricultural Development and Food Security, Recommendations of the Africa-Arab Economic Forum, held in Malabo, on 18 November 2016, and the outcome of the Africa-Arab Meeting of Ministers of Economy, Finance and Trade, held in Malabo on 21 November 2016.

The Ministers will also endorse the draft outcome documents of the 4th Africa-Arab Summit, namely: Malabo Declaration , Declaration on Palestine, Resolutions and draft Agenda of the 4th Africa-Arab Summit.

Note to Editors:

The Africa Arab partnership is one of the Strategic partnerships that the AU Commission is coordinating on behalf of the African Union. Other partnerships at continental level include Africa-China; (FOCAC), Africa-Europe; Africa-India; Africa-Turkey; Africa-Japan (TICAD), Africa-South America; Africa-Korea. The African Union, through its Commission, also has partnerships or relationships with institutions and bodies similar to the African Union. These include: the League of Arab States (LAS); the Organization of American States (OAS); the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; the Commonwealth; and La Francophonie.

For Further information, please contact:

Dr. Levi Uche Madueke / Head, Africa’s Strategic Partnerships/ Bureau of the Chairperson/ African Union Commission /Tel. +251912641293/E-mail: maduekel@africa-union.org

Media Contact:

Ms. Afrah M Thabit / Directorate of information and Communication / Cell: +251911200922 Thabitma@africa-union.org / www.au.int

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

For further information: Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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