the Ambrosetti Forum
7 September 2007
The world cannot continue ignoring the overwhelming poverty experienced by
many people in the developing world, particularly in Africa, said Deputy
President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. The Deputy President was addressing the
annual Ambrosetti Foundation Forum at Lake Como, Italy on 7 September 2007.
Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka said that over the past twenty years, the world has been
growing richer and richer yet on the other side the poor have been getting even
poorer. The Deputy President highlighted the fact that the majority of the
promises made at Glen Eagles to the developing world have not been
fulfilled.
"Some of the people, who can change the deadlock at the Doha round table
negotiations, are sitting in this forum. That is why it is important to raise
these matters here," continued Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The Deputy President also highlighted the concerns of global warming and the
effect it would have on the African continent in particular. She said if the
whole world did not unite to fight this problem, the result would be a
lose-lose scenario. She urged the world leaders gathered at the forum to take
this and other matters even more seriously.
Among the leaders who were present at the forum are, President Giorgio
Napolitano of the Republic of Italy; President Shimon Peres of the State of
Israel, President Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic; Prime Minister Ahmed
Nazif and Youssef Boutros Ghali, Minister of Finance both of the Arab Republic
of Egypt and Christine Lagarde Minister of Economy, Finance and Employment of
France.
Commenting on her entire visit to Italy, the Deputy President highlighted
that Italy would concentrate on South Africa for the next three years. The
industry sectors that South African and Italian businesses could concentrate on
were: tourism, infrastructure improvement, automobile, and the jewellery
sectors.
Enquiries:
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Issued by: The Presidency
7 September 2007
Source: SAPA
