African Union and FOCAC to co-host China-Africa Solidarity Summit on COVID-19

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Media Statement

17 June 2020

African Union and FOCAC to co-host China-Africa Solidarity Summit on COVID-19

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), participate in a virtual Extraordinary China-Africa Solidarity Summit against COVID-19 co-hosted by the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the AU.

The aim of the Summit, scheduled for today, Wednesday 17 June 2020, is to explore opportunities for African states to leverage multilateral cooperation, through the FOCAC mechanism, so that resources and knowledge can be mobilised in efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

FOCAC is an official forum that coordinates cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and African states.

Due to technical constraints, not all FOCAC Member States have been invited.

Participants will include the Extended AU Bureau which includes the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of Rwanda and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Other participants will include Chairpersons Regional Economic Communities (REC’s) with the Republic of Madagascar representing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); Chad for the Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN–SAD); the Republic of Rwanda for the East African Community (EAC).

The Republic of Gabon will represent the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS); the Republic of Niger will represent the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Republic of Sudan will represent the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The State of Libya will represent the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), while the Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria and the Federal Republic of Nigeria will participate as initiating members of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Media enquires: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President at media@presidency.gov.za

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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