President Jacob Zuma today, 7 May 2010, concluded his working visit to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where he was attending the World Economic Forum.
The forum which was held under the theme “Redesigning Africa’s Growth Strategy” gave a platform to leaders from government, business, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other sectors to come together to discuss their vision and agenda for the development of the African continent.
The forum provided an opportunity for leaders to reassess the systems governing global co-operation, financial planning and policies linked to trade and climate change following the global financial meltdown. President Zuma on the last day of the WEF participated in a panel discussion on “The Future of Africa’s Democracies” in which he called for the strengthening of oversight institutions that can support and maintain the entrenchment of democracy in Africa.
The President also focused on the need to increase the capacity of the Pan African Parliament as a body of African public representatives that could play a bigger oversight role on its member states in efforts of promoting democratic rule in Africa. All participants in the discussion agreed that Africa could no longer afford to continuously be marred by flawed or disputed elections as this resulted in severely undermining the economic viability of individual countries and the continent as a whole.
The meeting called on African political and government leaders to accept democratic process as laid down in the constitution and the law. In the closing plenary panel discussion themed “The Redesign of Africa’s Role in a New Global Economy” Zuma said the biggest impediment on the African continent was the under representation of Africa in multilateral institutions including finance and development organisations that make far reaching decisions without the full participation of African countries.
President Zuma called for better representation of African countries in multilateral institutions such as the G20 to ensure equitable participation.
“The formation of multilateral institutions such as the G20 is a clear indication of the need to transform and reconfigure old organisations in order to accommodate developing countries and ensure that they have a voice in critical institutions. More importantly, developing countries can have an opportunity to play a part in shaping their own future,” said Zuma.
Participants identified the need to do more in increasing intra-trade among African countries and further agreed on the urgent requirement of improving the roads, rail and transport infrastructure networks in order to achieve a better and efficient movement of people and goods.
“If we were to improve trade amongst ourselves we wouldn’t have to call for foreign direct investments instead foreign investors would come to us on their own.” said Zuma
On the sidelines of the WEF, President Zuma also held bilateral meetings with President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, Prime Minister Raila Odinga of Kenya. Meetings were also held with the leadership of the World Trade Organisation and the World Economic Forum.
President arrived back in South Africa this evening, Friday, 7 May 2010.
For enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya
Spokesperson to the President
Cell: 072 715 0024
Issued by: The Presidency
7 May 2010
Source: The Presidency (http:///www.thepresidency.gov.za)
