3rd Afro-Arab Summit aspires for regional strategic partnership

The summit adopted a special significance in the light of developments observed in some of the African and Arab countries and the resulting economic traits that imposed new challenges on plans for development, unemployment and food security.The economic side strongly imposed itself on the conference’s agenda, forcing the Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development (KFAED), […]

The summit adopted a special significance in the light of developments observed in some of the African and Arab countries and the resulting economic traits that imposed new challenges on plans for development, unemployment and food security.
The economic side strongly imposed itself on the conference’s agenda, forcing the Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development (KFAED), in backing up development projects in most African countries, to organise the Arab-African Economic Forum a few days ahead of the summit.
At the forum, officials of the Arab League and the African Union Commission (AUC) called for a quick enhancement of the concept of Afro-Arab solidarity by constructing a common ground for joint economic cooperation and giving priority to sustainable development in the Arab and African worlds.
Observers believe that relations between the two groups should be based on integration by making use of the financial assets of some of the Arab countries in investing them in African natural resources to achieve the aspired sustainable development.
Director-General of the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Dr Mahmoud Elsolh, in a paper entitled “Mutual Challenges and Cooperation Opportunities in Cereal Production”, believed that countries south of sub-Saharan Africa have the most arable land, an abundance of water resources and clement climatic conditions, compared with the Arab countries, while some Arab countries have the financial resources to carry out large-scale investments in the field of food security.
Elsohl stressed that despite the different circumstances and the situation between the Arab and African regions, integration and comparative advantages between them provide great opportunities for cooperation and mutual gain in the area of food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Director-General of the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development, Dr. Tariq bin Moosa Al-Zedjali told the forum that cooperation between the Arab and African countries must be transparent and integrated, and take into account the available potential and infrastructure, as well as find the guarantees and adequate security for investment.
Al-Zedjali stressed the role of the private sector in both regions, as well as the governments in the facilitation of laws and regulations to lure foreign investments.
Similarly, Arab League Secretary-General, Nabil Al-Araby believed that the path for Afro-Arab cooperation was based on creation of a climate of communication of businessmen and Arab and African economists for the exchange of information and statistical expertise of financial resources.
African Union (AU) Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Anthony Mothae Maruping believes in the enhancement of role of non-government organisations in Afro-Arab cooperation.
The Kuwait Declaration that was issued at the end of the summit includes a lot of articles on investment and development that reflects the significance of the economic trend of the Third Africa-Arab Summit, under the theme: ‘Partners in Development and Investment’.
Kuwaiti Foreign Undersecretary Khalid Al-Jarallah during a meeting of Afro-Arab senior officials underlined the importance of launch of joint Afro-Arab action to achieve the aspirations of peoples of the two regions.
Al-Jarallah said the creation of appropriate investment climates, including regulations that encourage investment and the suitable infrastructure, were needed for launch of the joint action.
The hosting of the summit, under the patronage of the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, gives an impetus to achieving sustainable development in favour of accomplishment of social security and stability.
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, an active body in majority of African countries adds to the prospects of a successful Africa-Arab partnership. Kuwait is close to Africa through these funds and other similar initiatives.
In his opening remarks, the Amir announced that Kuwait would extend $1 billion in soft loans to the African countries over the next five years and another $1 billion for investment thereafter.
He called for collaborative efforts between the two regions for the sake of development. “We discussed together the issues of the Arab and African worlds, and exchanged views in this concern, in view of a deep realisation of the nature of circumstances and conditions we face, and a determination to achieve the desired results,”
He added that the meetings and the issues discussed reflect realisation of the size of challenges facing both sides and wise visions of handling and setting plans and strategies to achieve the aspirations.
The meetings also witnessed consensus views concerning their agenda, which was full of issues that confront Arab and African worlds.
The Amir disclosed that the joint chairmanship and the General Secretariat of the Arab League and the African Union shall cooperatively follow up and facilitate the execution of such suggestion toward achieving common objectives.
“Our success to focus on economic aspects in our joint cooperation shall establish a set-out for our future work, fruits of which we shall hopefully collect. We are, therefore, required to abide by this approach for reaching the aspired strategic partnership,” he noted.
Earlier, the AU, during an investment symposium, had put forward a new campaign in the development of the continent where it made it clear that it was no longer interested in aid as a development tool. Rather, the body wants investors to take advantage of the huge potentials in the region as a sustainable driver of economic growth where the leaders of the continent say they want to determine the sector where such investments would be channeled.
The AUC called on development partners to concentrate on action-oriented programmes in the areas of health, energy, food security, investment and education, among others.
Chief of Staff, Bureau of the Chairperson at the AUC, Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Natama, stressed how  reliable electricity is a key component of the new era of investment drive for the region.
Natama said:  “Africa is not calling for aid. We are calling for investment on the continent. We have natural resources; we are blessed with one third of the natural mineral resources in the world. We are blessed with one third of the energy potential in the world. We have 60 per cent of the arable land available to date.
“Something may have gone wrong in the past in terms of providing aid to the continent, especially when those providing the aid are those who are trying to provide the priorities for the continent. This time, we want to identify our priorities and call for investment in these priorities. We have the resources. We don’t want anybody to dictate to us.”
Now that the continent seems to be tired of aid from development partners, the question on the lips of most observers is: Despite the abundant resources in the continent, when would African leaders live up to responsible leadership and change the situation, instead of relying heavily on donations, grants and loans for its development?
The fourth summit has been agreed to hold in Africa, with Morocco already indicating interest to host it. The request has not been granted yet.