IV. International Turkish - African Congress

African organizations gather in Turkey...
IV. International Turkish – African Congress is being held between 25-27th of November 2008 in the Istanbul Cevahir Congress Center by TASAM (Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies). Secretary generals and directors of 12 regional African organizations – institutions will attend the congress.
The Chairman of TASAM Süleyman Şensoy says “ Recently, regional organizations in Africa are making significant progress in erasing the previous wrong image of Africa as a continent for conflicts, crisis, illnesses, etc. and they have gained remarkable success and developments on this aspect. The number of these organizations increase day by day, and they play an important role in the development of Africa and it’s global integration. The continent’s and the regional institution’s political weight is constantly increasing in the multidimensional and multipolar world system.“

Süleyman Şensoy / Chairman of TASAM

Şensoy stated that: “The close relations between Africa and Turkey all throughout history, must be strengthened in the frame of mutual benefits and amicable relations that could respond to the current needs of the world. In this context, Turkey has clearly emphasized in the Istanbul Declaration accepted in the Turkish - African Cooperation Summit that it realizes the importance of regional institutions, especially the African Union, as a precaution on the conflicts of the continent, and that it appreciates if an African Ready Power is founded with the Peace and Security Council in the structure of the African Union. In this context, Turkey has clearly emphasized in the Istanbul Declaration accepted in the Turkish – African Cooperation Summit that it realizes the importance of regional organizations, especially the African Union, as a precaution on the conflicts of the continent, and that it appreciates if an African Ready Power is founded with the Peace and Security Council in the structure of African Union. In this sense, we are carrying out the IV. International Turkish – African Congress in order to follow the developments in Africa more closely, to analyze the gained datas, to develop a coherent and applicable vision for a common future, to eliminate the possible disruptions with the easiest way possible and to evaluate opportunities for mutual benefit. We are aiming to contribute to a facility of a multidimensional and stable cooperation platform.“

TASAM Ankara Representative Retired Ambassador Doz. Dr. Ali Engin Oba summarized the aims of the congress as: “We are expecting that the IV. International Turkish – African Congress, with the main theme of ‘Regional Organizations, Institutionalization and Cooperation in Africa’ and taking place between the 25-27th of October 2008, would bring about tolerance, cooperation and communication between Turkish – African civilizations and contribute to the environment of global peace and stability, as was the aim of the last year’s III. International Turkish – African Congress, whose main theme was ‘African Union’.“

The Deputy Director of the African Institute of TASAM Ufuk Tepebaş, who is carrying out the post of project coordinator of the Congress, says: “With the recent developments in the relations with Africa, Turkey has been performing significant activities in transferring its experiences to the countries of the continent, while implementing reform packages on economic and political cooperations. Together with other congresses of the African Institute of TASAM, IV. International Turkish – African Congress will bring about the development of constructive dialogues headed for today and the future, and through sharing knowledges and experiences, common cooperation areas will be designated.“

Intercontinental Cooperation
Two sessions, under the topic title of “Regional Economic Organizations“, will be held on the first day of the congress. On the second day of the congress, two other sessions will be held under the topic title of “Expert Programs“ and “Cooperation Opportunities between Expert Programs and Civil Society Organizations and Regional Economic Organizations in Africa“.

Adviser of the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States and Regional Integration and NEPAD Representative Dr. Souleymane Zeba, Secretary General of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) Mohamed AL- Madani Al- Azhari, Technical Cooperation and Resource Mobilization Coordinator for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Tidu Asfaw, Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) Beatrice Kiraso, Deputy Secretary General of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Roger Tchoungui, Director of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mohamed Said Omar, Representative of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tomaz Augusto SOLOMAO, the Director Trade Facilitation and Revenue Management of the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Dumisani Mahlinza, Director of NEPAD and Regional Integration Department of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Abdella Hamdok, Coordinator for External Relationships and Partnerships of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Bankole Adeoye, NEPAD Director of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Africa Philibert, Coordinator for African Affairs at the Turkish Foreign Ministry Ambassador Kenan Tepedelen, General Director of Turkish Red Crescent Ömer Taşlı, Middle East and Africa Department Chief of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat of Turkish Prime Ministry Emine Şendil, African Institute and Ankara Representative of TASAM (R.) Ambassador Doz. Dr. Ali Engin Oba, Secretary General of the Environment Foundation of Turkey Engin Ural, General Director of African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD) Dr. Simon Mamosi Lelo, Senior Analyst of the South African Institute of International Affairs (R.) Ambassador Thomas Wheeler, Chairman of the Tunisian Mother’s Association (ATM) Saida Agrebi, Senior Expert of the Turkish Eximbank State Credits Department Dr. Emin Akçaoğlu will present their declarations in the congress.

The aim of this congress is to provide an opportunity for regional organizations and institutions in the Africa continent to be distinguished more closely, to bring about a comprehensive understanding on the studies of these organizations, to give an opportunity for Turkish investors, who are interested in the region, to get information from African experts themselves, and to contribute to the development of cooperation possibilities between Turkish and African universities, civil society organizations and research centers.
The congress will be held by the African Institute of TASAM.

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