This photo taken on February 14, 2024 shows the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)
Given Africa's growing importance on the world stage, exemplified by the AU's permanent membership in the G20 and the increasing involvement of African countries in major multilateral platforms such as BRICS, the summit It is expected to further emphasize the importance of strengthening Africa's common position on international issues. .
Addis Ababa, February 17 (Xinhua) African leaders will gather at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa to strengthen education, foster momentum for development, and ensure peace and security. become. Center stage at the top.
The summit echoed the AU’s 2024 theme: “Educating Africans for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems to increase access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa.” The event will be held from Wednesday to Sunday under the theme of “Construction'' and will discuss the following topics: Current situation on the continent.
Facing challenges and promoting Africa's development
As part of the AU Summit, the AU Executive Council meeting of foreign ministers of AU member states concluded on Thursday.
Addressing the Executive Council, AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat stressed the importance of strengthening Africa’s capacity to advance Africa’s development aspirations while addressing recurring human-made and natural challenges. .
“Africa must rely first and foremost on its own strengths, its own talents and its own chains of solidarity for its peace, security and sustainable development,” Fakih said.
Faki said the continent needs to build resilience to global uncertainties as it faces the brunt of global economic and security shocks, the negative effects of climate change, and inequality. said.
“The impact of this global geopolitical reality extends to our continent, which unfortunately faces a serious situation of armed conflict,” Faki added, adding that continued security in Africa is and stressed the need to collectively address development challenges.
Similar statements were made by experts and officials from African countries.
“Africa has natural resources, a young population and an educated workforce. If these constraints are resolved, Africa has the potential to become a global investment destination,” said Bt. Kostantinos. said. Mr. Kostantinos has served as an economic advisor to the AU and the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Africa.
Doyhil Durkamar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Comoros and Chairman of the AU Executive Council, said Africans from all walks of life will work together to realize the common goal of building the “Africa we want”, free from insecurity and external dependence. emphasized its importance. It also builds resilience to climate change.
Increased voice on the international stage
Given Africa's growing importance on the world stage, exemplified by the AU's permanent membership in the G20 and the increasing involvement of African countries in major multilateral platforms such as BRICS, the summit It is expected to further emphasize the importance of strengthening Africa's common position on international issues. .
Mr. Fakih said G20 membership would be an important driver to accelerate Africa's position on the world stage.
Similarly, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taiye Atsuke Selassie stressed that the AU's membership in the G20 will represent the broader African continent and contribute to increasing Africa's voice on the world stage.
Atsuke Selassie said the AU and the African continent are encouraged to make concerted efforts to better leverage G20 membership as a valuable platform for amplifying Africa's priorities on the world stage. Stated.
This photo taken on February 14, 2024 shows the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Xinhua News Agency/Michael Tewelde)
He added that apart from the AU's G20 member states, the individual contributions of AU member states to the advancement of Africa's status in major multilateral institutions such as BRICS are recognized.
Mr. Atsuke Selassie further added that as one of the new members of the BRICS family, Ethiopia, along with other African countries, can leverage its membership in the BRICS mechanism to further advance the common interests of the African continent and improve global governance. and contribute to strengthening global governance. Multilateralism.
At the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, BRICS leaders agreed to invite countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join the group. The accession of these countries came into effect on January 1, 2024.
Expectations for stronger cooperation between China and Africa
Experts and AU officials expressed optimism about strengthening cooperation between China and Africa, especially in education and human capital development.
Albert Muchanga, the AU's commissioner for economic development, trade, tourism, industry and minerals, told Xinhua in an interview on the sidelines of the summit that cooperation between Africa and China in education and vocational training is “very important” and that the human resources He said that it is an important element that enables the development of capital. In Africa.
“China and Africa cooperate very well. We are continuously engaged and there is a framework for cooperation. This (China-Africa cooperation in the education sector) is very important and we need to continue it. “We encourage this,” the AU Commissioner said.
Muchanga emphasized that China plays an important role in strengthening Africa's human capital, especially that of the continent's youth, and ultimately contributing to Africa's socio-economic development.
One manifestation of the continued expansion of China-Africa cooperation in education and human capital development is the expansion of the China-supported Louvain Workshop across the continent.
Since Africa's first Ruban Workshop was launched in Djibouti in March 2019, many African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, have launched world-class Ruban Workshops, providing quality training to local people. It provides vocational training and supports Africa's industrialization.
Cooperation in education and human resource development is seen as a vivid example of the strong relationship between China and Africa, from flourishing diplomatic and economic relations to expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Kostantinos said, “Friendship between Africa and China is at its peak, with Chinese investment promoting infrastructure and industrial development in Africa. China is now Africa's largest trading partner. South-South cooperation is flourishing.” said.■
