First-Ever
ASA
Summit Calls For
Wider South-South
Cooperation
Heads
of States and
Government from
Africa and South
America meeting
at the first-ever
Africa-South
America (ASA)
Summit held
in Abuja from
26 to 30 November,
2006 committed
themselves to
explore opportunities
for cooperation
and collaboration
in the areas
of trade and
investment,
agriculture,
energy, technology,
water resources
and tourism.
They also pledged
to immediately
activate and
implement all
bilateral agreements
between their
countries, particularly
in the areas
of trade, air
services and
agriculture.
The
leaders agreed
to establish
the Africa-South
America Cooperative
Forum (ASACOF).
There are also
plans to establish
a secretariat,
which will be
confirmed at
the next Summit
in 2009 in Venezuela.
In the Abuja
Resolution on
ASACOF, the
Heads of State
and Government
agreed to adopt
strategies and
measures that
will translate
the vision of
the ASACOF into
concrete economic,
political and
social benefits;
to intensify
cooperation
and consultation
at all levels;
and to exploit
the immense
opportunities
in the two continents
in order to
benefit their
estimated 1.2
billion peoples.
The adoption
of the Abuja
Resolution took
place at the
end of the week-long
Summit which
began with an
experts' meeting,
followed by
a ministerial
meeting.
Other documents
adopted at the
Summit are the
Abuja Declaration
and the Abuja
Plan of Action.
In the two documents,
the two regions
proposed a number
of other priority
areas for collaboration
such as peace
and security,
multilateralism,
democracy, respect
for the rule
of law, combating
of illicit trafficking
in arms, non
proliferation
of nuclear weapons,
eradication
of poverty and
environmental
protection,
gender mainstreaming,
science and
technology,
culture, education,
and youth.
The following
leaders addressed
the opening
session; President
Olusegun Obasanjo
of Nigeria who
co chaired the
meeting with
President Lula
da Silva of
Brazil, Presidents
Muammar Gaddafi
of Libya and
Evo Morales
of Bolivia,
and the Chairperson
of the African
Union Commission
Alpha Oumar
Konare.
In their statements,
the leaders
emphasized the
need for South-
South cooperation
and strategic
partnerships,
strengthening
existing links,
engaging in
constructive
dialogue, working
together to
overcome racial
prejudice and
working for
a more equitable
economic order.
They agreed
on the need
to reform the
United Nations
and expansion
of the UN Security
Council. There
was a common
acknowledgement
that the two
regions have
many historical
links in the
form of colonization
and marginalization.
As such they
agreed that
the challenges
and aspirations
are similar
and should serve
as a basis for
mutual cooperation
and a collective
solution based
on cooperation
with the developed
world.
Host President
Olusegun Obasanjo
said the objective
of the ASA cooperation
is to give expression
to the ideals
of South- South
cooperation.
He said there
was need for
developing countries
to rally to
each other's
assistance,
given the increasing
economic and
financial gap
between the
rich and poor
countries of
the world. The
outcome of the
Summit, he said,
would be a litmus
test for this
cooperation.
Following is
the Summit's
declaration.
In order to
translate this
wider commitment
into action,
we affirm the
need to cooperate
in the following
specific areas:
WTO
& Doha Round
With regard
to ongoing reforms
and negotiations
at the United
Nations (UN)
as well as the
trade negotiations
at the World
Trade Organization
(WTO), our two
regions should
reinforce their
cooperation
in these two
areas. We also
stress the need
to reform the
International
financial architecture
according to
the parameters
and objectives
of the Monterrey
Consensus.
It is imperative
that the reform
of the United
Nations takes
into consideration
the need to
increase the
equitable participation
of developing
countries in
the Organization's
decision-making
processes in
order to render
it more representative,
efficient, democratic
and accountable.
The process
of UN reform
should be concluded
with a view
to democratizing
and reforming
the Security
Council as well
as to strengthen
the General
Assembly as
the most representative
and deliberative
policy making
organ of the
UN.
In the current
WTO negotiations,
special consideration
should be given
to the need
to coordinate
the positions
of our two regions
to promote the
interest of
developing countries
giving particular
attention to
the peculiar
challenges faced
by the Least
Developed Countries.
We urge for
resumption of
the Doha Round
negotiations
as soon as possible.
With regard
to the decision
making processes
of the Bretton
Woods Institutions,
We urge for
equitable participation
of Developing
Countries and
for the disbursement
of funds on
concessional
and affordable
terms as much
as possible.
Cyber
Crime &
Drug Trafficking
We shall also
cooperate in
combating transnational
organized crime,
particularly
in respect of
cyber crime,
the illicit
trafficking
in narcotic
drugs and psychotropic
substances,
money laundering,
trafficking
in persons and
the illicit
trafficking
in small arms,
light weapons
and ammunitions.
Agriculture,
Agri-business
& Rural
Development
We need to develop
our capabilities
in agricultural
and livestock
production and
agree that South
America should
participate
actively in
the promotion
of the social
and economic
development
of Africa's
rural workers
and vast agricultural
and livestock
resources. We
further agree
to support the
revitalization
of agriculture
to boost social
and economic
development
and achieve
nutritional
and food security
in Africa through
the Comprehensive
Africa Agricultural
Development
Programme (CAADP),
which is the
starting point
for cooperation
in the area
of agriculture
and agro-industry.
Relations between
the two regions
shall foster
cooperation,
training and
exchange of
experiences,
in the area
of biotechnology,
biofuels, tropical
agriculture,
and agrarian
reform. This
should include
support for
horizontal and
vertical diversification
measures, in
order to add
value to the
agricultural
products. The
two regions
shall also work
closely in the
ongoing negotiations
on Agriculture
within WTO for
the total elimination
of trade distorting
subsidies and
for greater
and effective
market access
for our agricultural
products.
Water
Resources
We recognize
the importance
of water as
a natural resource
of State that
is an essential
element for
life with a
socio-economic
and environmental
functions. We
shall promote
the right of
our citizens
to have access
to clean and
safe water and
sanitation within
our respective
jurisdictions.
We realize the
need to promote
sustainable
use of water
for agricultural
and industrial
purposes. In
this regard,
we shall promote
the exchange
of information
and experience
between our
regions with
a view to achieving
the Millennium,
Development
Goals.
Trade
& Investment
International
trade is an
important instrument
for promoting
social and economic
development,
creating job
opportunities,
increasing income,
reducing poverty,
and improving
living conditions.
Africa-South
American Bank
We recognize
the existing
trade relations
between the
two regions
and urge the
enhancement
of trade and
cooperation
between the
two regions
and agree to
work towards
the establishment
of trade arrangements
for the benefit
of the people
of our countries.
In this connection,
mechanisms shall
be established
for increasing
trade and investment
between Africa
and South America,
and exchange
of technologies
to add value
to raw materials.
We shall encourage
private sector
participation
to promote such
initiatives
through National
Business Associations
and the possible
establishment
of an Africa-South
America Business
Association.
In this regard,
we take note
with satisfaction,
of the proposed
establishment
of an Africa-South
American Bank
and which the
governments
of the two regions
shall examine
within the framework
of their internal
legislation
taking into
account the
financial integration
processes underway
in the two regions.
We also take
note of the
establishment
of the African
Investment Bank
of the African
Union.
Moreover, regulated,
transparent,
non-discriminatory,
and fair multilateral
trade is essential
to permit developing
countries to
benefit from
globalization.
Accordingly,
our two regions
agree to work
together to
achieve a fair
and balanced
multilateral
trading system.
We are deeply
concerned about
the delay in
the WTO negotiations
on the Doha
Development
agenda and call
for a full resumption
and successful
completion of
the Round, with
development
issues at its
center as agreed
in Doha.
UNCTAD's
Role
We express our
appreciation
for the role
played by the
United Nations
Conference on
Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) as
a focal point
in the UN for
integrated treatment
of trade and
development
as well as related
issues in the
areas of finance,
technology,
investment and
sustainable
development,
as underlined
by the Sao Paulo
Consensus and
the G77 Ministerial
Declaration
documents that
were approved
at the XI UNCTAD
meeting in Sao
Paulo in June
2004.
We recognize
that cooperation
in trade and
investment matters
will have greater
impact through
joint initiatives
aimed at endowing
negotiators
at bilateral
and multilateral
trade fora with
the necessary
skills.
We therefore
undertake to
give impetus
to the following
two initiatives:
• The
securing of
market access
for products
from Least Developed
Countries, pursuant
to paragraph
47 of the Hong
Kong Ministerial
Declaration.
• Active
participation
of the countries
involved in
the current
round of negotiations
of the Global
System of Trade
Preferences
among Developing
Countries (GSTP).
We stress the
importance of
making progress
in the integration
processes in
our respective
regions, taking
into account
the asymmetries
in the national
economies and
the special
needs and constraints
that affect
small, vulnerable
economies, particularly
those of developing
land-locked
countries.
Fight
against hunger
& poverty
Pursuant to
the MDGs and
the Global Call
to Action against
Hunger and Poverty,
we shall share
experiences
and exchange
information
on the best
models for eradicating
hunger and poverty,
and promoting
sustainable
development.
We undertake
to implement
existing initiatives
and to adopt
new strategies
to that end.
Special consideration
shall be given
to the need
to understand
each others'
reality and
to closer coordination
of our positions
at international
fora.
Infrastructure
Development
We shall jointly
identify projects
aimed at contributing
towards infrastructure
development
and the modalities
of funding these
projects. And
for this purpose,
we recognize
the need to
develop direct
air routes and
to rationalize
sea routes between
the two regions.
The South American
Infrastructure
Initiative (IIRSA)
and, the New
Partnership
for Africa's
Development
(NEPAD) Short
Term Action
Plan (STAP)
of the African
Union, form
a basis for
mutual exchange
and support
in the area
of infrastructure
development.
We shall share
information
and knowledge
on the best
way to organize
transportation
means (air,
sea, road and
railway) within
and between
our two regions.
Energy
& Minerals
We shall give
priority to
establishing
inter-regional
partnerships
and the promotion
of investment
in Africa by
South America
in mining and
energy sectors
for harnessing
fossil fuels,
particularly
hydrocarbons,
petrochemicals,
as well as renewable
energy resources,
such as hydro
power, biofuels,
solar, geothermal,
and wind energy,
to meet various
energy requirements.
In this area,
the activities
of the African
Energy Commission
(AFREC) the
Latin America
Energy Organization
(OLADE) are
relevant and
should be encouraged.
Furthermore,
taking into
account South
America's experience
in developing
technology and
appropriating
skills for the
extractive industry,
we shall encourage
the exchange
of information
with a view
to enhancing
employment of
local African
labour in this
sector.
We mandate AFREC
and CASA to
elaborate an
energy strategy
to promote sustainable
development,
while respecting
the sovereign
right to manage
and regulate
natural resources,
and to consider
the possibility
of establishing
an Energy Commission
for our two
regions.
Tourism
& Soccer
World Cup
To strengthen
the cultural
identity of
our peoples
and enhance
cultural exchanges
between them,
we shall undertake
cooperation
and exchange
initiative aimed
at the formulation
of strategies
for dissemination
through the
communications
media, particularly
through television
advertising,
so as to encourage
the exchange
of information
between the
two regions
and promote
extensive cultural
integration
between Africa
and South America.
We shall cooperate
in promoting
the first ever
2010 FIFA World
Cup tournament
in Africa and
we shall support
moving the FIFA
World Cup to
South America
in 2014. We
shall also undertake
initiatives
aimed at exchange
and cooperation
in the area
of social sciences,
tourism, and
sports as well
as at the recovery
and revalorization
of the original
cultural traditions
of the indigenous
peoples and
communities.
We shall place
special emphasis
on the facilitation
and strengthening
of relations
between Africa
and the African
Diaspora in
South America.
Science
& Technology
Given that science
and technology
are essential
components of
the industrialization
processes of
the two regions,
we must develop
and implement
initiatives
towards enhancing
our capacities
in these areas.
We shall, wherever
possible, exchange
our experiences
in the formulation
and implementation
of policies
in science,
transfer and
development
of technology
to meet our
development
objectives.
It is necessary
to protect and
to benefit from
traditional
knowledge as
well as to find
a solution to
the problem
raised by the
granting of
intellectual
property rights
on biological
resources and/or
associated traditional
knowledge, without
due compliance
with relevant
provisions of
the Convention
on Biological
Diversity. Specific
attention should
also be paid
to developments
that will narrow
the digital
divide within
and between
our two regions
and the rest
of the world,
as envisaged
in the Tunis
Declaration
adopted at the
World Summit
on the Information
Society (WSIS),
held in Tunis,
Tunisia, in
November 2005.
In this connection,
our regions
undertake to
contribute to
the Digital
Solidarity Fund
established
for this purpose.
Initiatives
for cooperation
on laying down
the infrastructure
and legal framework
to support information
and communication
development
should be undertaken.
Healthcare
Cooperation
between Africa
and South America
in the area
of health encompasses
the HIV/AIDS,
malaria, tuberculosis,
and other pandemics.
In this regard,
attention should
be paid to the
African Union's
Plan of Action
for the operationalization
of the policy
framework on
Sexual and Reproductive
Health and Rights
adopted by African
Health Ministers
in Maputo in
2006. Attention
should also
be paid to the
Millennium Development
Goals, Universal
Access Strategy
and the resolutions
of the WHO's
Assembly, and
the UNAIDS Position
Paper for Intensifying
HIV Prevention.
In the effort
to increase
the population's
access to health,
to early diagnostics,
and to preventive
and curative
drugs used against
HIV/AIDS, malaria,
tuberculosis
and other pandemics,
initiatives
aimed at facilitating
the availability
of drugs against
HIV/AIDS and
of other generic
drugs against
these pandemics
should be undertaken.
Education
Cooperation
and exchange
programmes should
be implemented
with a view
to achieving
the MDGs in
the area of
education and
the six key
Education for
All (EFA) goals,
as defined in
the Dakar Framework
for Action as
well as the
implementation
of the Plan
of Action of
the Second Decade
of Education
in Africa, 2006-2015.
We undertake
to pay special
attention to
promoting cooperation
and mutual support
among educational,
technical and
research institutions,
as well as the
exchange of
researchers,
students and
faculty, language
teaching and
promotion of
government cooperation
in educational
and academic
matters including
through the
creation of
inter-regional
university institutions,
the possible
granting of
scholarships
and in other
activities,
such as the
holding of conferences
and seminars
on issues of
mutual interest.
Environment
In the context
of sustainable
development,
the efficient
management of
natural resources
will be one
of the pillars
of cooperation
between our
two regions.
Special attention
should be given
to the conservation
and sustainable
use of the environment,
in accordance
with the relevant
international
instruments,
including the
Kyoto Protocol,
sustainable
use of biodiversity,
including marine
resources, and
to the promotion
of measures
against the
dumping of hazardous
and toxic waste.
We shall also
share experiences
and promote
technical cooperation
in the areas
of new and renewable
energy, combating
decertification,
global warming,
forestry, the
depletion of
the ozone layer
and combating
pollution. To
achieve these
objectives,
we shall endeavour
to access the
Global Environment
Facilities (GEF)
as well as to
have new and
additional financial
resources made
available to
developing countries.
Institutional
Development
The two regions
shall undertake
initiatives
aimed at strengthening
the existing
continental,
inter-governmental
and research
institutions
that are envisaged
to play a key
role in furthering
cooperation
between our
two regions.
We shall also
promote centres
of excellence
from among such
institutions
and information
exchange and
the sharing
of best practices
in all areas
of cooperation.
Intellectuals,
civil society
(NGOs, private
sector actors,
research institutes,
religious groups
and community
leaders), and
policy makers
in our two regions
and the Diaspora
shall be associated
with programmes
and projects
in these areas.
Follow-up
mechanism
In order to
ensure the effective
implementation
of the programmes
and policies
agreed to in
this Declaration,
we hereby establish
an Africa-South
America Follow-up
Committee composed
of the current
Co-Chairs and
incoming Co-Chairs,
with the assistance
of the African
Union Commission
and the Secretariat
of the Community
of South American
Nations.
The Follow-up
Committee comprising
high level officials,
shall be responsible
for proposing
new initiatives
and undertaking
actions on previously
agreed programmes
and projects,
reviewing the
progress of
their implementation
and disseminating
information
about cooperation
arrangements.
It shall also
follow up on
Ministerial
and Summit decisions,
and submit recommendations
to Summits..
We agree that
the Africa-South
America Summits
will be held
every two (2)
years in Africa
and in South
America, on
a rotational
basis. The second
Africa-South
America Summit
(ASA) will be
held in 2009
and we have
accepted with
pleasure, the
offer of the
Government of
the Bolivarian
Republic of
Venezuela to
host it.
In the period
between Summits,
other meetings
will be held,
in the form
and at the level
that the Governments
and the two
regions may
decide.
This Cooperation
Programme shall
be implemented
in the context
of the Plan
of Action we
have adopted
and the Follow-up
Mechanism contained
in this Declaration.
