The Heads of State and Government and Heads of Delegation representing the continent of Africa, the African Union (AU) and its Institutions, and the Prime Minister of India, met in New Delhi on 29 October 2015 for the Third India-Africa Forum Summit, under the theme: ‘Partners in Progress: Towards a Dynamic and Transformative Development Agenda’.
They adopted Framework for Strategic Cooperation and DELHI DECLARATION.
Highlights of Delhi Declaration:
They noted that Indians and Africans together comprise nearly one-third of humanity today.
This Summit takes place in the 70th anniversary year of the United Nations. It is also the first since the 50 years of establishment of the OAU/AU as a symbol of pan-Africanism and African Renaissance and the adoption of the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration and shortly following the landmark adoption of the Agenda 2063 by the African Union.
This is also the first since the landmark 50th anniversary of the Group of 77 last year.
They noted that 2015 has been a landmark year as we, along with other partners, have defined a set of Sustainable Development Goals as part of the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the UN General Assembly, with a special emphasis on Financing for Development, on which the 3rd International Conference was hosted in Addis Ababa. The international community will gather in Paris in November 2015, to conclude an ambitious agreement to combat Climate Change. This will be closely followed by the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the WTO in Nairobi.
They recognized that the growing trade, investment and technology linkages provide a solid foundation to our engagement since our businesses, through such linkages, provide a strong dimension to our partnership.
In this regard, we welcome the signing of the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (TFTA) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, by the leaders of 26 African countries belonging to the three Regional Economic Communities –Southern African Development Community (SADC), East African Community (EAC) and Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA).
India commends the African Union on the launching of the negotiation process for the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) aimed at integrating Africa’s markets in line with the objectives and principles enunciated in the Abuja Treaty, establishing the African Economic Community (AEC) and its resolve to support the work of the Continental Free Trade Area-Negotiating Forum (CFTA-NF) towards concluding the negotiations by 2017. India looks forward to working closely together with these emerging economic architectures for the expansion of trade and investment linkages.
They recognize the importance of the oceans and seas to the livelihoods of our peoples and that maritime security is a pre-requisite for the development of the Blue/ Ocean economy. India would work to support Africa, as appropriate, in the implementation of the AU 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime (AIM) Strategy in accordance with International Maritime Law.
They agreed to work closely within the framework of the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (TFTA) which brought together SADC, EAC and COMESA for the expansion of trade and investment linkages and extend the framework to other Regional Economic
Communities.
They agreed to support the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) aimed at integrating Africa’s markets in line with the objectives and principles enunciated in the Abuja Treaty, establishing the African Economic Community (AEC) and its resolve to support the work of the Continental Free Trade Area-Negotiating Forum (CFTA-NF) towards concluding the negotiations by 2017.
To fast track the implementation of the Duty Free Tariff Preference scheme offered by India since this would play a significant role in increasing trade between Africa and
India.
To pursue joint cooperation in the agricultural and food security fields and support the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) to increase productivity, conserve land and environment as well as ensure food and nutritional security.
They agreed to strengthen cooperation in enhancing capacity to contribute to peacekeeping and peace-building efforts including support to the African Standby Force (ASF), and through the recent announcement by India to conduct a new training course at the
Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi.
India noted the common African position and the aspirations of the African countries to get their rightful place in an expanded UN Security Council as new permanent members with full rights as contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
Africa took note of India’s position and its aspirations to become a permanent member with full rights in an expanded UN Security Council.
They emphasized the need for an early implementation of the UNGA Decision 69/560, so as to make a decisive push for achieving concrete outcomes on the United Nations’ Security Council reform agenda.
They welcomed that COP 22 on Climate Change will be held on African soil in Marrakesh, Morocco in 2016 and agree to work together to ensure that the concerns of developing countries are met.
They agreed to adopt the 2015 India-Africa Framework for Strategic Cooperation and agree on the establishment of a regular formal monitoring mechanism to review the implementation of the 2015 India-Africa Framework for Strategic Cooperation and its Plan of Action within the agreed timeframe.
The next India-Africa Forum Summit will be held in the year 2020.