- The Ivorian President has trumpeted the need for stronger South-to-South cooperation, describing it as "a privileged instrument for fostering and promoting strong commercial relations" between nations across the world.
President Laurent Gbagbo, who presided over a meeting involving G77 and China in Yamoussoukro, said the 12th Session of the Intergovernmental Follow-up and Coordination Committee on Economic Cooperation among developing countries was a powerful tool for stimulating economic growth in emerging countries in the South.
The meeting's aim is to promote South-South cooperation on economy and development among countries. The Ivorian President was moved by the South-South cooperation, saying the increase in total value of trade between countries in the South from US $577 billion in 1995 to US $2 trillion in 2006 clearly depicts that the cooperation is on the right footing.
He said for countries of the South to "build a world where development and prosperity become a reality for all," they need to strengthen solidarity among themselves, in particular, on diplomacy, economy, humanitarian work, and sustainable development.
President Gbagbo blamed the emerging food crisis characterised by soaring prices in the world on archaic economic models dating back to the 19th century. He said these models merely succeeded in creating "a culture of dependence on industrialized nations."
Gbagbo said solution to food crisis lies in the implementation of the Southern Fund for Development and Humanitarian Assistance and the establishment of a UN fund for the stabilization of staple foods.
Since its formation in 1964, the Yamoussoukro is the first G77 meeting to be held in a sub-Saharan country. Delegates from 130 member nations reviewing the implementation of the platform for the development of the South. They will also brainstorm on the operationalization of the Southern Fund for Development and Humanitarian Assistance agreed by the 2005 summit.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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