22 November 2006
South African President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Deputy Foreign Minister
Aziz Pahad, will attend the inaugural Africa-South America summit in Abuja,
Nigeria on Thursday, 30 November 2006.
President Mbeki will participate in this summit within the context of South
Africa's commitment to strengthen and consolidate South-South co-operation.
Accordingly, the summit provides a good opportunity for both continents to
reach a clear understanding of areas of common interest and prospects for
co-operation and enhanced collaboration to foster a stronger strategic
partnership on a South-South axis that would provide the context for
consolidating and invigorating relations.
The decision to convene this summit was adopted at the African Union summit
held in Khartoum, Sudan in January 2006 on the Africa-Diaspora process and
reiterated at the summit in Banjul, the Gambia in July 2006.
Indeed there are historic links between these two continents. Both have
endured the system of colonialism which was characterised by exploitation,
slavery and abuse. South America should be commended for playing a superlative
role waged by African peoples for political independence, human dignity and
economic emancipation.
Issues on the agenda for deliberations and exploration of co-operation
opportunities at the Summit are expected to include, among others:
* peace and security
* democracy, governance, human rights and other political issues
* agriculture and agribusiness, water resources and the environment
* trade and investment between both continents including market access,
investment projects and financial resources
* the fight against poverty and underdevelopment
* infrastructure development
* energy and social materials
* social and cultural co-operation, tourism and sports
* health and education
* science, technology and Information Communication Technology (ICT)
* co-operation in multilateral fora.
The summit will be preceded by a meeting of senior officials and ministerial
session scheduled from Sunday to Monday 26 to 27 November and Tuesday 28
November 2006 respectively.
President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Friday, 1 December
2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 November 2006
