The Sixth Abuja Forum, a periodic event that examines progress of the China-Africa Cooperation 203 Vision, was held yesterday at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In her keynote speech, which was delivered virtually, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, praised the organisers, stressing that the world deserves more of such collaborations to expand trade and value addition to agribusiness.
Participants at the day-long programme, including senior policy makers, diplomats and private sector leaders, shared ideas from panellists on a variety of issues, including Peace and Security, Agriculture and Sustainable Development, as well as the Energy and Power sector.
The speakers, in an integrated summary session, resolved that the mutual benefits accruable from the partnership demand closer cooperation between Nigeria and China.
With the theme, “Deepening the Implementation of the China-Africa Cooperation 2023 Vision -Forging a Closer China-Africa Community with A Shared Future,” the Sixth Abuja Forum focused on putting theory into practice.
On peace and security, Brig.-Gen. Saleh Bala (rtd) and Brig.-Gen. ASH Sa’ad (rtd) spoke on Strengthening China-Africa Counter Terrorism Cooperation in the Sahel: Exploring New Pathways to Peace and Security.
Deputy Director (Academics), Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU), Prof. Xu Wei; Dr Maimuna Lawal-El-Labib, Director of Strategic Studies, Innovation and Sustainable, Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), and Associate Prof. Ehizuelen Michael Mitchell Omoruyi, the Executive Director, Centre for Nigerian Studies, Institute of African Studies, ZJNU, spoke on “From Farm to Market: Advancing China-Africa Integrated Agri-Partnerships for Sustainable Development.”
The resource persons for Energy and Power Sector, including Prof. Zhu Yaxiong, Dr. Chen Bio and Dr Suleyman Ndanusa, delivered papers on Powering Sustainable Growth: China-Africa Collaboration on Renewable Energy and Grid Modernisation.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Executive Director of Gusau Institute and former Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau Mohammed (rtd), noted that since its inception in 2018, the forum has grown into a respected platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategy.
