Story by ZBC Reporter
THE African-Nordic ministerial meeting ended this Thursday in Algeria, with participants agreeing on the need to take challenges as an opportunity for cooperation in combating conflicts and threats of terrorism in member countries.
The 20th session of the African-Nordic Foreign Ministers’ Meeting saw parties agreeing on the need to boost cooperation between African and Nordic countries.
The meeting also saw delegates agreeing to coordinate efforts meant to address various political and security challenges.
Zimbabwe was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Frederick Shava who made a recommendation for the strengthening of African Union institutions.
“The session focused on the causes and effects of unconstitutional changes of government, conflicts, and the need to reform the United Nations Security Council(UNSC). It was noted that poverty, historical injustices, and poor governance, climate change were some of the major causes of conflicts and unconstitutional changes of governments in Africa.
“The meeting called for an urgent need to reform the UNSC which was not reflective of the current world status. Africa appealed to the Nordics to support the African position which was based on the Ezuluwini Consensus.
“In my intervention, I recommended the strengthening of African Union institutions such as the AU Continental Early Warning System, African Governance Architecture; Panel of the Wise, and the Peace and Security Council to help in conflict prevention. I also appealed to the Nordics to cooperate with Africa on the reform of the UNSC and to speak with one voice on the issue,” he said.
Spokesman of the Nordic countries, Mr Lars Lokke Rasmussen reiterated the need for economic partnerships.
“The current Multilateral system is not fair, Africa is adequately empowered to attend to peace and security and our partnership must be much deeper on economic matters, we owe this to our people, we owe this to future generations, and to the wellbeing of our planet.
“I am proud to say that the Nordic countries stand with Africa, the discussions this week have shown our huge shred interest in this important question. The Nordics are all ready to work with Africa to reform the UN system including the United Nations Security Council, together we will also have to look at the international financial institutions,” he said.
Experts on development issues, combating extremism, terrorism, and irregular migration from 30 African countries and five north European countries, namely Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland attended the meeting.