TANZANIA: TANZANIA and Iraq are seeking strengthened diplomatic ties, especially for the benefits of their parliaments.
This follows the talks between National Assembly Speaker Dr Tulia Ackson, who doubles as President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Iraq Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Fuad Continued from Page 1 Hussein.
The duo held bilateral talks yesterday on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye. Furthermore, the two talked of how to keep peace and security in the Middle East through diplomatic channels, using Iraq as a role model because of its history and the manner, in which it was able to achieve independence and establish a strong democratic foundation.
The III Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, Türkiye, themed “Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil,” the forum brought together about 4,000 delegates, including 19 high-ranking leaders, and nearly 100 ministers and deputy ministers from 147 countries, along with representatives of international organisations, policy makers, experts, scholars and businesspeople.
It looked into the world and regional situation, and how to respond to non-traditional security challenges such as food security, energy security and climate change, and new development trends like digital transformation, green transition, and artificial intelligence, among others.
The Forum took place on 1st to 3rd March, this year, under the auspices of Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Antalya, Türkiye, and with the attendance of heads of states and governments, ministers from more than 100 countries.
Foreign ministers from African nations discussed the economic and demographic benefits of their continent, with a particular emphasis on the improvement of education at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum featured a panel discussion titled “Realising Africa’s Potential.” During the panel discussion, Cameroon’s Foreign Minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella underlined Africa’s vast potential, encompassing both natural resources and human capital, and emphasised the importance of better education for the continent’s youth.
Mbella spoke about his country’s efforts to establish a self-sufficient agricultural system and underscored the importance of infrastructure development as one of the continent’s most pressing needs.
Addressing the need for increased integration with neighbouring countries to promote free trade across the continent, he stressed the importance of halting arms proliferation and ensuring integrated development to prevent displacement and achieve genuine progress.
Zimbabwe’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Frederick Shava emphasised that food security is the continent’s most urgent issue.
Shava highlighted Zimbabwe’s initiatives in education and innovation centres, where youths are turning their dreams into reality through practical work, such as the local production of oxygen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mozambique’s Foreign Minister Veronica Nataniel Macamo Dlovo echoed Shava’s emphasis on food security, describing it as the continent’s most pressing issue.
She emphasised the need for investment in agriculture while addressing the challenges posed by terrorism in her country, emphasising its global implications.
“Terrorism is not just the issue of Africa, it’s a global issue, if we want to tackle it we have to do it globally; if not, we simply cannot succeed.” Gabon’s Foreign Minister Regis Onanga Ndiaye stressed the significance of peace, education and agricultural investment for Africa’s development.
Ndiaye called for collaboration with countries like Türkiye, highlighting the importance of equitable investment practices to ensure mutual benefits.
He also emphasised the shift in dynamics, noting that African nations are now active participants in such forums, offering insights into their own continent’s realities and needs. Namibia’s Foreign Minister Peya Mushelenga expressed the intention to increase trade with neighbouring countries to unlock Africa’s potential.
He highlighted the paradox of poverty amid advances in education and technology, stressing education’s transformative power in alleviating poverty.
