The South-South Cooperation Speech

Crans Montana Forum on South Africa – Brussels Belgium

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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