Seeking solutions to own problems crucial, premier tells Asia-Africa Summit

Rwanda supports Asia and Africa cooperation in seeking solutions to their own challenges, Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi has said. Murekezi was, on Wednesday, speaking in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he represented President Paul Kagame at the Asia-Africa summit. The two-day summit brought together Heads of State and Governments from Asia and Africa. Rwanda supports improvement of people’s social welfare by eradicating poverty and protecting peace and security in the countries of both continents, the Prime Minister said. The summit, attended by officials and delegates representing 93 countries, was closed yesterday by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The meeting adopted three important outcome documents and promised to re-revitalise the New Asian African Strategic Partnership. Delegates underlined the importance of international collaboration and coordinated responses to combat epidemics and communicable diseases. In the 41-item ‘Bandung Message’ adopted at the conclusion of the summit, leaders agreed to overcome the challenges by supporting the implementation of Universal Health Coverage to improve access to health services, social safety nets and health security. They also stressed the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts by facilitating and encouraging interaction and exchange among youth and women. In the message, the leaders emphasised the importance of promoting and strengthening disaster risk reduction, including preparedness, response and early recovery efforts. The summit was held under the theme: “Strengthening South-South Cooperation to Promote World Peace and Prosperity.” President Joko said leaders and delegates from Asian and African countries worked hard to produce concrete steps in ensuring the financial availability for infrastructure development, among others through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. “I will work hard with all of you to ensure the materialisation of the strategic partnership,” said Joko. Co-chair of the summit, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe – the current African Union chairperson, said Asian and African countries will pursue a fair multilateral trading system to contribute to growth, investment and job creation, as well as promote sustainable development. Mugabe said the summit recognises the centrality of the maritime sector as well as the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean in bridging the economic development in Asia and Africa. “Maritime cooperation will become one of the pillars of the New Asian African Strategic Partnership,” he said. The city of Bandung has been marked as the symbol of cooperation among developing countries, where 60 years ago delegates from 29 countries in Asia and Africa met to discuss their independence, peace, security and economic development. Premier Murekezi was accompanied to Indonesia by Claire Akamanzi, the chief operations officer of Rwanda Development Board, and Yvette Mukarwema, the chief operations officer of Rwanda Private Sector Federation. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Seeking solutions to own problems crucial, premier tells Asia-Africa Summit