The South-South Cooperation Speech

The South-South Cooperation speech by: Mr. Turki Faisal Al Rasheed

Crans Montana Forum April 7 to 10, 2010

Distinguished Guest

You’re Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to be in Brussels coming from Riyadh and luckily we brought you some sunshine.  It was 32 C in Riyadh and of course with a lot of sunshine.

Thank you for the opportunity to be a special guest for The South-South Cooperation as the new tool of Africa’s International Cooperation:  which place for the European Union?

Introduction

• South-South cooperation is a term historically used by policymakers and academics to describe the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge between developing countries.
• The UN establish it to promote South-South trade and collaboration within its agencies
• Successful in decreasing dependence on the aid programs of developed countries
• Creating a shift in the international balance of power.

Opportunities

• New world order and counter the existing western dominance
• Strengthen and improve economical ties
• Peace and security
• Developments in the political arena

Africa Growth

• In 2007 /2008, growth was 2 % ,despite global recession (Newsweek 2010)
• Expected growth this year will be 4.8 % ; the highest growth outside Asia.( IMF )
• Private consumption of goods and services has accounted for two thirds of Africa’s GDP growth.
• Emerging African middle class expected to be  300 M, out of 1 billion of the total population , (Vijay Majahan, Africa rising book  2009.

Africa’s Challenges

• Capital limitation.
• Corruption(Transparency International)
• Difficulty and cost of running a business. Is the highest in the world (IMF).
• Few states voices are heard. (only Rich/Powerful)

Recommendations

• Water efficient technologies.
• Desert Irrigation technologies
• Seeds, good animals breed
• Marketing intelligence
• Financing for the small stakeholders .
• Sustainable production systems to ensure food security/economic growth

Conclusion

• Africa and EU should build a Strategic Partnership for security and sustainable development.
• Cooperate and support to the development of communication technology.
• African government must strive  to achieve Good and effective governance.
• Sustainable development on trade .

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