Africa, Arab cooperation not yet concrete – Ping

October 10, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) — African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Jean Ping called on African and Arab nations to bolster ties to collectively battle problems and challenges they
face and to meet the aspirations of their peoples.

Speaking at the opening session of the Joint Meeting of African and Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Libya, Mr. Ping said that joint and concerted efforts between African and Arab nations would lift poverty and food insecurity in the two regions.

The new Afro-Arab Partnership Strategy, subject to its adoption by the 2nd Afro-Arab Summit, is intended to replace the Program of Action on Afro-Arab Cooperation adopted by the first Afro-Arab Summit
held in Cairo, Egypt in March 1977.

Ping said the proposed strategy would shape and guide the direction of future coordination between African and Arab blocs and transform it to a broader cooperation.

“We in the African Union Commission believe that Africa-Arab cooperation has neither a substitute nor an alternative. It is a unique type of cooperation whose level of interdependence is continuously on the increase. The continued conflict situations in some of our common Member States, such as Somalia and Sudan, have made it clear that both sides must join efforts to ensure that sustainable and lasting solutions are found to these conflicts,” the chairperson stated.

“Despite the foresight and determination of our pioneer leaders to institutionalize our relations, the engagement and interactions between us never really concretized,” Ping said.

Though the determination and wisdom of the pioneers leaders of Afro-Arab relations laid a strong foundation for the existing solidarity between the two regions, Ping noted that several political,
cultural, economic, financial as well as organizational factors had contributed to a low level of engagement.

With regard to the economy, Dr. Ping said that in the light of its vast natural resources, geographical proximity, huge market and skilled labour force, Africa remains the best destination for Arab investment.

He described Africa as a land of great opportunities and the richest continent in the world by virtue of its natural and mineral resources, which are capable of powering its economic growth and sustainable
development.

“Africa supplies up to 31% of the world’s demand for bauxite, cobalt, gold, manganese, phosphate and uranium. Additionally, it supplies 57% of the world’s need for chromium and diamonds, and the hydrocarbon (oil) deposits are immense. Ironically, due to the low level of industrial development, the continent consumes very little of these resources. Most are exported as raw materials without any local value addition and beneficiation”, the Chairperson said.

Ping told the delegates that the political will to accelerate cooperation between Africa and its partners is currently increasing.

“What is now needed is to focus our activities and select the most viable and feasible areas for infusion of investment, in order to use our human and material resources more effectively and productively,” he
stated.

Dr. Ping assured Africa’s partners that the AU Commission is ready to implement the new Africa Arab Partnership Strategy that will be adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the 2nd African-Arab
Summit on Sunday, 10 October 2010.

Africa has a number of areas of cooperation with the Arab world, including the Afro-Arab trade fair, cultural activities, diplomatic and political cooperation.

(ST)