Malabo to Host Third Africa –South America (ASA) senior officials meeting

Malabo, 20 November 2011 – Preparations ahead of the third Africa-South America senior officials meeting is on high gear in Malabo, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, where high officials from the 54 African Union Member States and the Member countries from South America will from 22 to 25 November 2011, converge to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation ties.

The meeting at the Sipopo Conference Center in Malabo will hold in two phases:  the Senior Official Meeting will hold from 22 – 23 November 2011, while the Ministerial Meeting will hold from 24 – 25 November 2011.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Jean Ping and his close collaborators will be present at the Africa-South America High Officials Meeting.

Discussions at the meeting will include: the Africa – South America Implementation Plan 2010 – 2015 ;   the ASA Institutions (Strategic Presidential Committee; ASA Permanent Secretariat and Coordination Mechanism) ;  the ASA Calendar of Events based mainly on what is practically possible in the Implementation Plan – as per the identified short-term projects;  and the setting up of an ASA Financial Mechanism focused on the consideration of the African proposal for the setting up of the ASA Trust Fund.  

Wothr recalling that, the ASA Coordination Group is made up of the following:

(i)            Brazil                          -           Coordinator for South America;

(ii)          Venezuela                -           Previous host;

(iii)         Ecuador                     -           UNASUR Presidency Ex-Tempore;

(iv)         Nigeria                       -           Coordinator for Africa;

(v)          Equatorial Guinea   -           Next host; and

(vi)         African Union Commission

Journalists are invited to cover the ASA meeting in Malabo.

For Further Information consult the AU website: www.au.int [2]

Interview requests should be directed to Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou, Senior Editorial Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission,

Tel: (+240) 222 714 226, e-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org [3] / esthertankou@yahoo.com [4]

Attached is the draft agenda and program of the ASA Senior Officials Meeting.