Joint Press Statement by India and the African Union on the Mid-Term Review Meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Framework of India-Africa Forum Summit III
September 12, 2019
- The Mid-term Review Meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Framework of Africa-India Forum Summit III took place in New Delhi, India, from 11 – 12 September, 2019. The meeting comprised of representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, India, a Delegation
from the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and representatives of the African Diplomatic Corps, including the IAFS Committee in New Delhi, India.
- The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. T. S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and Mr. Fafre Camara, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali and Chair of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) Sub-Committee
of the Whole on Multilateral Cooperation (SCWMC) of the African Union.
- As mandated by the Delhi Declaration 2015 of IAFS III, the meeting took stock of the state of implementation of the following cooperation areas of the IAFS III namely: Economic, Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Energy, Blue/Ocean Economy, Infrastructure,
Education and Skills Development, Health, Peace and Security, Multilateral Fora and Monitoring Mechanism. The meeting also deliberated on the preparations for the IAFS IV to be held in 2020. Both sides underlined the need for early engagement in the preparations
for the next IAFS IV Summit.
- Both sides evaluated the progress made in achieving various targets set out by the leaders during IAFS-III. They welcomed the tremendous enhancement of overall engagement between India and Africa. In particular, the African side welcomed the considerable
stepping up of visits at the highest level in the last five years from India and Africa and the elevation of bilateral relations with African countries to a much higher trajectory.
- The AU Delegation acknowledged the presentation made by the Indian side on the status of implementation of various commitments made under IAFS-III through Lines of Credit, Grants and capacity building initiatives. The Meeting welcomed the status of implementation
provided by Indian side, particularly more than US$ 6.4 billion under the Indian Lines of Credit have been committed/ongoing out of the overall IAFS-III commitment of US$ 10 billion, an amount of more than US$ 700 million has already been committed/ongoing
as grant assistance thereby achieving the target of US$ 600 million set out in IAFS-III for grant assistance, and the completion of more than 40,000 slots for training, scholarship and capacity building out of the total commitment of 50,000 slots in IAFS-III.
The possibilities to strengthen the multilateral component of the partnership including the Flagship Projects of Agenda 2063 and the African Union continental framework were also emphasized.
- The two sides also appreciated the initiatives undertaken to strengthen engagement, particularly in energy, including solar energy, trade and investment, blue economy, capacity building, human resource development, culture, health and education, agriculture,
women empowerment, defence and security. The African side took note of the announcement by India to open additional Missions in Africa. The Indian side welcomed the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and will examine jointly
with the African side, opportunities to support its implementation
- The AU Delegation welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s ten guiding principles of India's engagement with Africa set out in July 2018. The African side expressed deep appreciation for contributions of India diaspora in Africa.
- During the deliberations, both sides discussed cooperation in priority areas of AU Agenda 2063 such as projects at continental level, cooperation in the health sector like Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; Africa Medical Agency, Peace and
Security including support for initiatives such as Silence the guns by 2020, the African Standby Force, Maritime Security, Mapping of Continental Shelf, Connectivity, and Climate Change. Both sides committed to address common challenges of extremism and Counter-terrorism.
Underlying the importance of cultural cooperation, the two sides also discussed organization of Festival of Africa in India, AU nominations under Distinguished Visitors Programme of the ICCR and enhanced utilization of scholarship and training programmes.
- The two sides discussed new areas of cooperation such as solar energy, digital technology, traditional medicine etc. In this context India appreciated overwhelming support of African countries for International Solar Alliance. They also noted the first
e-ITEC programme initiated as a pilot project in two African countries and the involvement of premiere Indian scientific and technical institutions in e-ITEC. Both sides welcomed the launch of tele-medicine and tele-education programme e-VBAB.
- The two sides agreed to keep regularly reviewing progress through established joint monitoring mechanisms.
New Delhi
September 12, 2019