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Date : 30/09/2003
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs
Title: Dlamini Zuma: 4th Plenary Session at TICAD III


STATEMENT OF HE DR NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AT THE 4th PLENARY SESSION: EXPANSION OF PARTNERSHIP, TICAD III, Tokyo, Japan, 30 September 2003

The Honourable Mr Mark Malloch Brown, Our Moderator and Administrator of the UNDP
Your Excellency Mr Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Your Excellency Mr Mohamed Ghannouchi, Prime Minister of Tunisia
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

INTRODUCTION

Historians and archaeologists acknowledge that Africa is the cradle of humanity. Both Africa and Asia have bestowed to humanity a rich cultural heritage and civilisation that continues to shape and influence the world today. The close linkages and exchanges between our two continents date from antiquity and we are aware of the diplomatic linkages, trade and people to people contact that existed between ourselves long before the onset of European sea voyages to Asia and Africa.

The effects of colonialisation, oppression and apartheid reversed the progressive gains we made over the centuries. Despite the fact that we are richly endowed with human and natural resources, the poorest of the poor in the world are to be found in our midst. Given our historical linkages and common plight it is therefore natural that we rekindle the warm relations that existed between our peoples over the centuries.

We are encouraged by the warm embrace and enthusiasm in support of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) by Asia. This has manifested in several new initiatives between Africa and Asia. In recent times, in addition to the TICAD process initiated by Japan, we have seen initiatives in support of Africa from several Asian countries including China, India, Malaysia, Vietnam and Iran.

CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION

In 1999, the first Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held in Beijing. The aim of the Conference was to establish a new partnership between China and Africa, to re-affirm the solidarity between China and Africa and to consider practical steps in implementing cooperation. This resulted in the Sino-Africa Programme of Action.

The China-Africa Cooperation Forum represents a challenge for both Africa and China to ensure that the China-Africa Forum is fully utilised as a vehicle to synchronise Africa's aspiration with those of an increasingly influential China.

'FOCUS AFRICA' ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

India has had a long-standing engagement with Africa. In May 2002, India further demonstrated its commitment to partnering with Africa, when the Indian Ministry of Commerce launched the 'Focus Africa' Economic Plan, which aimed at enhancing economic and commercial ties between India and Africa. An amount of US$ 200 million has been set aside as the India-Africa Fund, to be made available to the NEPAD Secretariat. These funds will be channelled through India's Exim Bank in the form of loans.

VIETNAM-AFRICA RELATIONS

On 28 to 29 May 2003 the Africa Department of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry held a 'Vietnam-Africa Opportunities for Cooperation and Development in the 21st Century' Conference. This Conference generated much interest and was attended by several Ministers from Africa. The Vietnamese initiative was very successful and demonstrated Vietnam's commitment to greater commercial and economic involvement in Africa.

LANGKAWI

The Langkawi International Dialogue and its sub-regional sister forum, the Southern African International Dialogue, trace their origin from Malaysia's active and influential participation within the Commonwealth and its active presence in Southern Africa. These interactions, which are commonly known as the Smart Partnership Dialogue, create a platform where political and business leaders can dialogue openly with one another about creating wealth through public/private Smart Partnerships.

IRAN-AFRICA COOPERATION

We also saw the Iran-Africa Cooperation hosted from 9 to 10 March in Tehran. The primary objective was to exchange information on the potential for economic cooperation between Iran and Africa on a multilateral level, with a view of defining and implementing a new economic interface between the Iranian Government and the African continent.

All of the above interactions have enhanced Asia-Africa Cooperation and serves to support and advance the objectives of NEPAD. Both Asia and Africa have much to offer each other. The strong performance of the Asian economies can benefit Africa by these countries sharing their experience and expertise with Africa. We need to share our expertise and pool our resources in areas where we have made major advances including ICT, human resource development, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure development, the manufacturing sector and agro-industry. Likewise, Africa with its vast natural resources presents tremendous opportunities for Asian countries to partner with Africa in further developing its industrial and other sectors.

Earlier this year Indonesia and South Africa co-hosted the 1st AASROC in Bandung. The Second AASROC Conference will be held in the Republic of South Africa in 2004, which will be followed by the Asia-Africa Summit Meeting in April 2005 in Bandung, where it is envisaged that we will formally launch a new Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership, firmly entrenching the alliance that was dreamt of by our leadership in Bandung in 1955. Our leaders had a dream and a vision of Afro-Asian solidarity and collaboration and we have to ensure that we realise that dream by turning it into reality as a tribute to their vision of creating a better life for all our people in Asia and Africa.

I thank you.

Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
30 September 2003

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