Within the framework of the BAPA+40 Conference, which will be held this week in Buenos Aires and will be attended by Presidents, Foreign Ministers and representatives of almost 200 nations, the Argentine Foreign Minister presided over a meeting with authorities from the countries this afternoon.
Today, within the framework of the 2nd High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40), to be held in Buenos Aires on 20-22 March, Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie presided over a meeting with representatives of African countries to delve into the potential of the relations between Argentina and Africa.
This afternoon at the Palacio San Martín, Faurie expressed his satisfaction at receiving members of the African delegations in Buenos Aires and underscored the "opportunities afforded today by South-South Cooperation" to "connect more and explore what we know to be our shared interests."
The Argentine Foreign Minister stated that he wanted to "be very clear" regarding the "key importance" of African countries to Argentina and its foreign policy, and he recognized that, for various reasons, Argentina's presence in Africa has historically been weak and intermittent.
"It is time to achieve a coherent, realistic and sustainable rapprochement, since major opportunities lie ahead for the development of both, including trade and investments," the Foreign Minister stated before African representatives.
Faurie underscored that, since President Macri took office, Argentina has set the goal of reversing its weak presence, and has thus implemented the 2016-2019 Argentine Cooperation Plan with Africa. Faurie highlighted the actions undertaken since 2016, within the framework of 29 cooperation projects including bilateral, triangular and regional initiatives, mobilizing 150 highly qualified Argentine and African professionals. "We aim to match our technical capacities with the priorities on the African agenda, focusing on agro-industry and technological and productive innovation," he added.
The Foreign Minister explained that Africa has grown steadily and vigorously: "more than half of the countries with the highest growth rate in the world are in Africa, and considering its natural resources, the increase in investments and population growth, a promising future lies ahead."
During this side event to the BAPA+40 Conference, which will be attended by Presidents, Foreign Ministers and representatives of almost 200 nations, Faurie also underscored Africa's growing urbanization, the improvement in telecommunications and the prospects for expansion of its agricultural border.
Press Release No. 105/19
