>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
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South-South cooperation is a term **historically **used by policymakers and academics to describe the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge between developing countries.
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The UN establish it to promote South-South trade and collaboration within its agencies
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Successful in decreasing dependence on the **aid **programs of developed countries
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Creating a shift in the international balance of power.
Opportunities
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New world order and counter the existing western dominance
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Strengthen and improve economical ties
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Peace and security
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Developments in the political arena
Africa Growth
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In 2007 /2008, growth was 2 % ,despite global recession (Newsweek 2010)
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Expected growth this year will be 4.8 % ; the **highest **growth outside Asia.( IMF )
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Private consumption of **goods and services **has accounted for two thirds of Africa’s GDP growth.
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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
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**Capital **limitation.
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Corruption(Transparency International)
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Difficulty and cost of running a business. Is the highest in the world (IMF).
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Few **states voices **are heard. (only Rich/Powerful)
Recommendations
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Water efficient technologies.
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**Desert **Irrigation technologies
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Seeds, good **animals **breed
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Marketing intelligence
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Financing for the small stakeholders .
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Sustainable production systems to ensure food security/economic growth
Conclusion
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Africa and EU should build a Strategic **Partnership **for security and sustainable development.
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Cooperate and support to the development of communication technology.
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African government must strive to achieve Good and effective governance.
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Sustainable development on trade .