AFRICA - Africa and south America south-south partnership to tackle global challenges

Abuja (Agenzia Fides)- South-South Partnership for Development for more presence of African and South American countries on the international scene and to reinforce resistance to pressure from western states. This emerged from the first Africa South America summit held at the end of November in Abuja, capital of Nigeria. The participants issued a declaration, a resolution and the Abuja Action Plan, guidelines for collaboration between the two continents.
The Summit’s final statement underlined the importance of cooperation on common problems such as the reform of the United Nations Organisation, negotiations with the World Trade Organisation and the activity of judicial institutions in Africa and South America.
The participants agreed to work together on questions relative to peacekeeping, security and stability. At the social and economic level the document affirms the need for great commitment to improve food production and food security, to promote sustainable use of natural resources, create infrastructures, start new initiatives in the sectors of energy and development. Another area of common interest is tourism a key sector for many countries on these two continents.
“Africa and South America are two regions with vast possibilities. Together they represent 1.2 billion people, we have abundant farmland and vast mineral resources. These factors offer us an advantageous position in the context of multi-lateral global commitments” said Nigerian president Obasanjo in his address to open the Summit.
Africa and South America have 80% of the world’s prime materials often sold at prices set by buyers rather than producers. This is a situation which the countries of Africa and South America intend to change. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 4/12/2006 righe 30 parole 323)