Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank, will take part in an extraordinary meeting of the world's richest nations this week to discuss the critical issue of food security in Africa.

President Kaberuka has been invited to the Group of Eight (G8) Summit at Camp David near Washington by U.S. President Barack Obama, who stated in the invitation that the session will focus on ways to "increase private sector investment in agriculture and scale innovation."

This reflects the growing recognition on the world stage that Africa plays an increasingly important role in the global economy, and that the African Development Bank is a leading contributor.

Saturday's meeting will include leaders of the G8 nations, several African Heads of State, executives from multinational companies, African private sector leaders and President Kaberuka representing the AfDB. It's the first time that an AfDB chief has been invited to a residence of the U.S. President.

During his visit to Washington, President Kaberuka will also participate in a symposium on food and nutrition security and attend a reception hosted Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Secretary of State.

The African Development Bank has been instrumental in promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty on the continent for nearly 50 years. Its membership includes 53 African and 24 non-African nations.

The Bank seeks to stimulate and mobilize internal and external resources to promote investments as well as provide its regional member countries with technical and financial assistance.

Contacts

Magatte Wade