At the invitation of the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Executive Secretary, Dr. Frannie Léautier led a delegation of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) to Beijing, People Republic of China, on 10-13 July 2012. The Executive Secretary participated in the 19th Annual General Meeting of Afreximbank and was a Panelist in the session entitled "South-South Trade Drivers: The Forces of Change".
Other Panelists included H.E. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Secretary General of the Africa Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Secretariat, H.E. German Rios, President of the Development Bank of Latin America and Dr. Wang Jian-Ye, Chief Economist of China Exim Bank. The session was chaired by Dr. Richard Kozul-Wright, who represented Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, the Secretary General of UNCTAD.
During her visit in Beijing, Dr. Léautier signed with Dr. Ren Wang, Vice President of the Chinese Academy for Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which seeks to shape the cooperation between the two organizations in strengthening human and institutional capacity for agricultural transformation in Africa and cooperation in the organization of study tours and technological fairs that will include key agricultural development actors in Africa and China.
Speaking at the signing, Dr. Frannie Léautier, stated that the partnership with the CAAS is very timely, as it allows ACBF to support capacity building in the transformation of agriculture through lessons sharing and technology transfer. "Through the work of CAAS over the years, China has achieved tremendous results in linking research to farmers and supporting the adaptation of technology and innovation in the agricultural sector. Africa can benefit from this experience as the continent seeks to raise productivity for sustainable economic growth and food security."
For Dr. Ren Wang, Vice President of the CAAS, although the mandate of CAAS is primarily focused on the needs of China, with limited activities outside the country, the signing of the MoU may open new opportunities for CAAS. "This partnership will open ways for technical cooperation to improve agricultural productivity in Africa", he said, adding: "The 2013 edition of the Global Forum for Leaders in Agricultural Science (GLAST) to be held in May 2013 will provide an opportunity for further collaboration between our two organizations as well as with a wide range of other key Chinese actors ."
In the coming weeks, CAAS and ACBF will agree on an Activity Agreement which will indicate the concrete activities to be delivered as part of the implementation of the MoU.
About the African Capacity Building Foundation
ACBF was established in February 1991. It is the outcome of collaboration between African governments and the international donor community. Its mission is to build sustainable human and institutional capacity for sustainable growth and poverty reduction in Africa. ACBF's vision is for Africa to be recognized for its socio-political and economic capabilities and endowments – a continent with effective institutions and policies acquired through sustained investment in people and institutions. The Foundation is a leader, major partner and centre of excellence for capacity building in Africa.
The African Union currently serves as an Observer on the ACBF Board of Governors.
For further information, please contact:
a.mpunzwana@acbf-pact.org
r.kambarami@acbf-pact.org
African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
PO Box 1562, Harare
ZIMBABWE
Tel: + 263 4 700208/210
