Mauritius’ Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam left the island shores yesterday on July 31, 2014 for the three-day US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, starting Monday in Washington.
The theme chosen for the summit ‘Investing in the Next Generation’ is at the core of the government’s responsibility and work, as it focuses on the next generation’s needs.
The event would thus serve as a platform to discuss ways of stimulating growth, unlocking opportunities, and creating an enabling environment for the next generation.
This summit is the largest event any US President has held with African heads of State and Government, with African leaders from 47 nations being invited.
The event, to be held from 4-6 August, is expected to build on President Barack Obama’s trip to Africa last summer and strengthen ties between the US and one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world.
The US-Africa Leaders’ Summit will advance the Administration’s focus on trade and investment in Africa and highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development, and its people.
At the same time, it will highlight the depth and extent of the United States’ commitment to the African continent, advance shared priorities and enable discussion of concrete ideas to deepen the partnership.
Throughout the course of the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, African leaders will also have the opportunity to engage with President Obama, members of his Cabinet, and other key leaders, including business executives from the US and Africa, Congress members, and members of civil society.
Furthermore, discussions will center on how to encourage progress in key areas that Africans define as critical for the future of the continent: expanding trade and investment ties, engaging young African leaders, promoting inclusive sustainable development, expanding cooperation on peace and security, and securing a better future for Africa’s next generation.
However, in an unfortunate turn of events for the summit, US health officials issued a travel warning yesterday for three West African nations as the death toll soared from an Ebola outbreak.
Accordingly, Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has declared a health emergency and canceled his trip to Washington. Besides, Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf also confirmed yesterday that she would be unable to attend the summit. Finally, Guinea is also reportedly in plans to give the summit a miss, given the state of the health crisis.
Image (Yahoo! News): The event, to be held from 4-6 August, is expected to build on President Barack Obama’s trip to Africa last summer and strengthen ties between the US and one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world.
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